Best running shoes to buy in 2024

One of the thrills of running is its simplicity and purity. Get home from work, slip on a run tee and shorts, lace up your favourite shoes and you can soon be on your way.

And you can do so without the fear of a bike mechanical or pool-lane tyrant to halt your progress.

What you wear on your feet, however, has become an increasingly complicated business. So here, we’re going to explain how to choose the right running shoes for you.

• The best budget road running and trail running shoes for 2024
• Best waterproof running shoes for wet weather in 2024
• Best barefoot running shoes in 2024

Below, you’ll also find a list of the best running shoes, as reviewed by our test team over the past couple of years.

If you’re after extra energy return and propulsion, check out our reviews of the best carbon plated running shoes on the market.

Tried and tested: Best running shoes at a glance

• Best fast racing shoe for triathlon: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 | Buy now from Salomon UK
• Highly rated: Hoka Skyward X | Buy now from Alpine Trek
• Best value running shoe: Brooks Hyperion Max 2 | Buy now from Cotswold Outdoor
• Best running shoe for support: Nike Zoom Fly 5 | Buy now from Amazon
• Best running shoe for faster runs: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 | Buy now from New Balance

Best running shoes in 2024

On Cloudsurfer

• $159.99 / £150

On returns with the newly redesigned Cloudsurfer sole for a softer, more cushioned running experience.

The new Cloudsurfer manages to shed approximately 100g compared to its predecessor, weighing in at just 280g for a size 11. This impressive weight reduction is likely due to On’s decision to remove the Speedboard plate.

While the lighter feel is a welcome change, the absence of the Speedboard does come with a trade-off—there’s a slight reduction in rebound and energy return that runners might miss.

Approximately 30% of the Cloudsurfer is made from recycled materials, with 85% of the polyester used being recycled.

On positions the Cloudsurfer as a training shoe, featuring a 10mm drop and a neutral ride. We’d agree—it’s a reliable daily trainer for short to mid-distance runs. While it’s not built for top-end speed, its plush cushioning could be a welcome companion as you step out of T2.

Read our full review of the Cloudsurfer

Asics Gel-Nimbus 26

• $160 / £180

The Gel-Nimbus 26 builds on the major updates introduced in its predecessor, focusing on refined tweaks to cushioning materials, the outsole, and lacing system. Available in eight colors and two width options, it offers versatility to suit a variety of runners.

With 41mm of cushioning at the heel and 33mm at the midsole, the Gel-Nimbus 26 firmly sits in the max-cushioned category of road running shoes. It also boasts the thickest sole among the women’s shoes tested. Notably, that 41mm stack height exceeds the World Athletics limit for racing by 1mm.

The Gel-Nimbus 26 is an excellent everyday trainer, perfect for logging those long training miles in comfort.

Read our full review of Asics Gel-Nimbus 26

Brooks Ghost 2 Max

• $149.95/£145

The Ghost 2 Max is a dependable, no-nonsense shoe that delivers solid performance mile after mile. While it won’t steal the spotlight, it won’t let you down either.

The Ghost Max 2 is suited to long runs, easy miles, and those days when you simply want to run without too much effort.

The Ghost Max 2 fit true to size and is available in three width options, which is a welcome feature. Weighing 266g per shoe (UK 5.5), it was the heaviest women’s shoe on test. This added weight could contribute to fatigue during longer runs for some runners.

The Ghost Max 2 features one of the larger heel stacks on test at 39mm, yet the wide, nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam from Brooks ensures stability, even on hills or during faster runs.

Read our full review of the Ghost Max 2.

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

• $249 / £220

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is the upgraded successor to the Metaspeed Sky+, now 20g lighter – our men’s UK7 size weighs just 175g per shoe, thanks to the innovative Turbo FlyteFoam+ midsole.

The shoe features a slightly higher stack height than its predecessor, the Metaspeed Sky+, with 39.5mm in the heel and 34.5mm in the forefoot—just under World Athletics’ 40mm limit. Its heel-to-toe drop is a modest 5mm, lower than the typical 8mm found in many supershoes, making it an appealing option for mid- and forefoot strikers.

The reduced weight is largely due to the Turbo FlyteFoam+ midsole, which delivers a noticeably bouncier feel compared to the previous version. The Sky Paris also incorporates a slightly wider carbon plate in the midsole, giving it a lively yet stable feel.

Read our full review of the Metaspeed Sky Paris

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080

• $164.99 / £160

New Balance confidently claims that if it could make only one running shoe, it would be the 1080. Why? Because it’s not just the best running shoe in its lineup—it’s also the most versatile.

The 1080 offers a pleasant, smooth ride that almost feels like it lightens your stride. It responds well to subtle changes in pace and even provides a bit of rebound. While it doesn’t deliver the intense propulsion of carbon-plated or speed-focused shoes, it still brings a satisfying boost to your run.

With a heel stack of 34mm and a 6mm drop, the 1080 delivers a balanced, neutral ride. The substantial upper wraps around your foot, adding to the overall stability and comfort.

Read our full review of New Balance Fresh Foam 1080

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

• $170 / £180

The Endorphin Speed 4 has a 36mm stack at the heel, 28mm at the midfoot and an 8mm drop, making it a versatile operator.

The winged nylon plate offers a speed-enhancing snap back on landing, which pushes the Speed 4 into another league.

The running feels efficient and easier, while the bounce from the PWRRUN PB foam puts a spring in your step. The Speed 4 is light, too, at 207g (UK5.5).

The outsole provides good grip, though it’s mainly focused towards the front, which is something to consider if you’re a heel striker. Ultimately, this is a shoe that’s as happy on long steady runs as it is hard intervals.

Read our full review here.

Hoka Mach 6

• £140 / $140

The Hoka Mach 6 has undergone a number of tweaks and is billed as Hoka’s ‘lightest, most responsive Mach to date’.

To improve fit and comfort a new super critical foam EVA midsole has been added, a creel jacquard upper and an updated internal gusset.

The shoe has a chunky stack height of 37mm at the heel (35mm for women) and 32mm at the forefoot (30mm for women) with a neutral 5mm drop.

Our tester found the shoe a little on the small and narrow side, so you might want to size up. He found the shoe best suited to lower-paced long runs.

Read the full review of the Hoka Mach 6.

Saucony Kinvara Pro

• £200 / $250

The Kinvara Pro is the latest carbon-plated running shoes innovation from Saucony.

The Kinvara Pro carbon-plated trainer has a stack height of 42mm, which isn’t allowed in competition. With a hefty price tag of £200 this is a lot of money to pay for a shoe you can’t even race in.

However, there’s no denying this is a comfortable training shoe with a breathable upper and cushioned ankle collar and tongue.

In the wet, the outsole delivered good traction, but we’re not convinced the treat pattern will prove durable over the long term.

Read our full review of the Saucony Kinvara Pro.

Craft Nordlite Speed

• £185 / $220

Craft’s Nordlite Speed carbon plated road shoes upper is made of thin, ventilated synthetic mesh which is unstructured and breathable.

The Nordlite Speed contains an Ortholite insole that felt soft initially, but our tester found this didn’t last and the shoe felt quite firm while running.

Despite the lack of structure in the upper and reasonably high stack (40mm heel/32mm forefoot), the shoe felt stable. A great shoe if you prefer a firmer ride.

Read our full review of the Craft Nordlite Speed.

Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2

• £240 / $275

The S/Lab Phantasm 2s is a great looks shoe that feels incredibly light, with the men’s UK7 weighing just 200g.

The shoe has a well constructed upper with a semi rigid heel counter and substantial padding. The shoe is lined with a suede-like material which made it comfortable for wearing while sockless.

Thanks to the combination of the neat upper fit and wider, flared out midsole and forefoot platform, this is a solid race-day shoe.

Read our full review of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2.

Nike Zoom Fly 5

• £154.99 / $170

Nike’s Zoom Fly 5 is a super shoe with a funky 70s colourway, designed for training runs and racing.

Our tester found the dual-mesh upper to be super comfy, hugging the feet nicely and the fit proved true-to-size

The Zoom Fly 5 is a good, stable daily trainer, but perhaps not a fast race day shoe. However, it’s a comfortable ride that is works well over middle to long distances.

Read our full review of the Nike Zoom Fly 5.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2

• £160 / $180

Brooks Hyperion Max 2’s are ideal for faster-paced training efforts, thanks to the shoe’s innovative SpeedVault plate. The shoe also offers enough support and stability for mid tempo efforts. 

However, our tester found the shoe quite firm which combined with a 36mm heel height, means this wouldn’t be our pick for recovery runs

Ultimately, the Hyperion Max 2 is fantastic neutral shoe suited to both training and racing and a great innovation from Brooks.

Read our full review of Brooks Hyperion Max 2.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

• £260 / $249.99

New Balance’s new FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 contains a midsole made with 100% PEBAX foam, which makes it a propulsive ride.

It has a chunky 40mm stack height (the maximum allowed by governing body World Athletics) and the shoes felt cushioned, but also stable for such a maximal shoe.

The 4mm heel-to-toe drop and new, thinner and arched carbon plate make it suited on race-day use for a range of distances and paces.

With a price tag of £260 ($249.99) and weight of 222g (UK7), they are more expensive and heavier than the previous editions, making the shoe feel slower compared to the sub-200g club of the Asics Metaspeed Edge+ and Nike Zoomx Vaporfly 3, for example.

Read our full review of New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4.

Asics Metaspeed Edge+

• £225 / $250

The Edge + shoes are part of Asics’ two-strong range of Metaspeed shoes, the other being the Metaspeed Sky + (also £225).

The midsole is said to be 50% lighter than EVA foam, allowing Asics to increase the stack height to 1mm shy of the maximum legal high of 40mm (the heel-to-toe drop is 8mm) with only a slight weight penalty over the original. At 194g it’s a light shoe designed for speed.

Read our full review of Asics Metaspeed Edge+.

Hoka Skyward X

• £185 / $225

This is a chunky carbon-plated daily trainer with a 48mm stack height at the heel and 43mm in the forefoot (46mm and 41mm for women).

On training runs the outsole delivered plenty of traction in dry and wet conditions, while the depth of the sections in contact with the ground is more than adequate for long term usage.

The shoe contains Hoka’s impressive PEBA and EVA blended midsole, which includes a curved carbon fibre embedded plate (see our list of the best carbon plate running shoes for more).

If you’re looking for a maximal trainer with a forgiving yet energetic ride for those high mileage weeks or weekly long training runs when your legs are screaming, then the Skyward X is a great new option to bring into your shoe rotation.

Read our full review of the Hoka Skyward X.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3

• £210 / $275

Unless you’ve been a hermit for the past few years, you’ll have seen the excitement around the new generation of running shoes that’ve been helping athletes break world records.

The Endorphin Pro 3 is Saucony’s latest evolution in the supershoe vein and is a very worthy contender for your hard-earned cash.

The mix of foam and stiff carbon fibre midsole plate in the Endorphin Pro 3 means that less energy is lost per foot strike, leaving you with extra va va voom to run faster or further.

Combine this with the Speedroll technology, to help your feet roll over, and you feel cushioned and propelled forward with each step.

Runs felt really springy and fast, even at slower speeds, and compared to your average road shoe it was a whole new and enjoyable experience.

The grip held the wet winter road well and we reckon it’d be equally at home on dry, summer non-technical trails, too.

While super sparkly (other colours are available) they’re not that reflective when worn out on the streets at night. On the whole, though, the hype is worth it!

Hoka Rincon 3

• $165 / £105

The Rincon 3 is the shoe for every occasion, with tester Matt Baird praising their lightweight build and suitability for racing over any distance.

In fact, they’re just as accomplished in training as they are for racing, with a breathable upper, fantastic propulsion and race-focussed tongue.

The heel-to-toe drop is 5mm, while stack height comes in at 29mm, and they’re available in both a standard and wide version.

See our full Hoka Rincon 3 review here.

On Cloudboom Echo

• $260 / £210

Put simply, the Cloudboom Echo are made for racing, with tester Kate Milsom describing them as light and responsive.

The feel sleek when on and the propulsion on offer is noticeable right from the start, which is ultimately thanks to the carbon Speedboard and brand’s Cloudtec lugs on the outsole.

There’s a recycled polyester mesh upper that hugs the foot well, while the cushioning from the midsole feels more minimal than plush.

As a result, we see these as a great option for speedy marathon runners that don’t need a huge amount of support or cushioning.

See our full On Cloudboom Echo review here. We’ve also rounded up the best On running shoes on the market for more inspiration.

Hoka Carbon X 3

• $180 / £160

Here’s another shoe with a carbon sole and another shoe that’s been scored highly by our test team.

The Carbon X 3 is certainly a stylish option, but vitally it also performs incredibly well, too.

It feels light and there’s plenty of flex in the shoe’s upper, too, but that does mean there’s less support on offer than you can find elsewhere. That said, there’s decent support at the heel.

One area that particularly impressed our testers was the midsole, which proved great at absorbing impact and combined well with the carbon fibre plate and Hoka’s Meta-Rocker to deliver a smooth and efficient ride.

See our full Hoka Carbon X 3 review here.

Craft CTM Ultra Carbon Race Rebel

• $250 / £220

If you’re looking for a lightweight shoe for fast miles then this offering from Craft could be for you.

Our testers praised it for the lightweight and breathable upper, but admitted this does mean there is less support on offer than many runners may be used to.

However, the 33m stack and 10mm drop helped deliver really noticeable propulsion in our tempo sessions, which was only enhanced further by the shoe’s carbon plate.

Hoka Clifton 9

• $145 / £130

Tested recently in our cushioned run shoe group test, the Clifton 9 is another versatile option from Hoka.

They fit perfectly and feel lightweight, but vitally also deliver a great amount of cushioning and propulsion while in motion.

Our testers found the upper mesh material particularly comfortable and deemed the Clifton 9 capable of handling long runs with aplomb.

See our full Hoka Clifton 9 review here.

Saucony Triumph 20

• $160 / £155

Given it’s now on its 20th iteration, it’s fair to say the Saucony Triumph has been around for a while. And its latest version has to be up there with one of the brand’s best attempts.

Saucony says this shoe is softer and lighter than ever before, and we saw nothing that would make us disagree.

Stack height at the heel is a lofty 37mm, while there’s a heel-to-toe drop of 10mm.

With that in mind, we wouldn’t say the Triumph 20 is particularly lightweight, but it is very comfortable.

That said, the shoe is a little firmer than other cushioned run shoes on the market, but that did help deliver decent forward propulsion.

While it’s not the fastest option available to you, the cushioning and fit make it one to consider.

See our full Saucony Triumph 20 review.

Asics Gel-Cumulus 24

• $130 / £120

One of the first things our testers noticed about the Asics Gel-Cumulus 24 was just how comfortable they are.

That’s thanks to a great fit and a very good sock liner, while the FF Blast cushioning delivered a healthy dose of cushioning.

Despite that, propulsion was very good, while the upper proved adequately breathable on our test runs.

Better yet, the Gel-Cumulus 24 is a shoe that’s versatile enough to handle most distances.

See our full Asics Gel-Cumulus 24 review here.

What should you look for when buying running shoes?

Cushioning

Different shoes offer varying levels of cushioning, ranging from minimal to maximum. Choose a cushioning level that suits your running style and preferences.

Stability and support

Consider the shoe’s stability features to support your foot and prevent excessive inward rolling (overpronation) or outward rolling (underpronation/supination).

The right level of stability will depend on your foot mechanics and gait pattern.

• What is pronation and how does it affect your run shoe choice?

Breathability

Look for shoes made with breathable materials that allow air circulation to keep your feet cool and dry during runs.

This can help to prevent discomfort and reduces the likelihood of blisters or fungal infections.

Traction

Consider the outsole’s grip and traction capabilities. If you’re likely to be heading off-road, consider trail running shoes for better traction and protection.

Weight

Lighter shoes are generally preferred for faster running, while slightly heavier shoes may provide more cushioning and support for longer runs.

Durability

Assess the durability of the materials and construction to ensure the shoes can withstand regular use and offer long-lasting performance.

Heel drop or offset

This refers to the difference in height between the heel and forefoot of the shoe. It can affect your running mechanics and foot strike pattern.

Higher heel drops are associated with more traditional cushioned running shoes, while lower heel drops often signal a more minimalist or barefoot-style running shoe.

Looking for more outdoor footwear? Discover the best walking shoes, tried and tested by BBC Countryfile.