Best running shoes to buy in 2024
Looking for some new running shoes to help you achieve your goals in 2024? Here are the shoes the 220 Triathlon test team rates highly right now...
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
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Sizing and fit won’t work for everyone, but the ride is enjoyable in this versatile shoe. Score: 88%
Pros
- Versatile enough for different run sessions
- Ride is smooth and peppy
Cons
- Shape of shoe may not work for everyone
- Minimal padding on tongue
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
A decent choice if you want a comfortable and grippy supershoe for training. Score: 76%
Pros
- Supportive
- Good traction in the wet
Cons
- Unsuitable for racing
- Not cheap to buy
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
If you like firm and rigid this could be the shoe for you, beware of the stitching above the heel counter if running sockless. Score: 79%
Pros
- Comfortable and supportive insole
- Ideal for those seeking a firmer ride
Cons
- A lack of bounce and propulsion
- Not suited to faster runs
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Salomon delivers a classy looking race-day shoe that has a competitive weight and is both fast and comfortable. Score: 89%
Pros
- Light-weight and fast ride
- Great stability
Cons
- Not cheap to buy
- Can feel a bit firm
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Potentially a comfy option for long distance, but not one to consider for shorter distances. Score 69%
Pros
- Stability
- Great as a training shoe
Cons
- Not suited to racing
- Heavy
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
A great training contender at a relatively decent price. And these can handle racing too. Score: 84%
Pros
- Decent value for money
- High levels of comfort
Cons
- Can feel a little firm
- Not the lightest
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
A pricey sequel but not far off being one of the best race shoes around. Score: 90%
Pros
- Good stability
- Propulsive ride
Cons
- Felt heavy
- A costly purchase
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+.
220 Triathlon verdict
A winning, lean and stylish shoe for speedsters, but some durability concerns. Score: 88%
Pros
- Light, propulsive ride
Cons
- Lacks stability
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Not a shoe for super speedy days, but perfect for looking after your legs on long runs and heavy training weeks. Score: 95%
Pros
- Plush and comfortable
- Propulsive ride
Cons
- Heavy
- Not cheap
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.
Considering the foam sole stack is at the upper limit of World Athletics rules and the drop is 8mm, we found the shoes stable and lightweight.
They felt comfortable and the wide-ish toe box let our toes splay, but consider going up a size if you have wide feet.
We really liked the mesh upper and imagine in summer it’d be a real bonus for keeping cool. But for non-sock wearers, we’d suggest testing how they feel with damp feet post T2.
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!
220 Triathlon verdict
Expensive, but the light weight and carbon tech made running feel great. Score: 90%
Pros
- Good grip and a fast, propulsive ride.
- Comfortable with breathable upper mesh
Cons
- Price
Hoka Rincon 3
- £105 / $165
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
A barnstormer for Hoka fans new and old. And at a decent price, too. Score: 95%
Pros
- Versatility, propulsion, light weight.
Cons
- None, as of yet.
On Cloudboom Echo
- £210 / $260
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Incredibly high-tech and fast marathon runners, but pricey. Score: 94%
Pros
- Lightweight, fast and carbon plate works well
Cons
- Price, may not be enough cushioning for some.
Hoka Carbon X 3
- £160 / $180
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Propulsive and light with just enough cushioning for longer distances. Score: 88%
Pros
- Flexible upper, smooth ride.
Cons
- Expensive, not the most supportive.
Craft CTM Ultra Carbon Race Rebel
- £220 / $250
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
If you don’t need much support from the upper but want a speedy, lightweight shoe, this might be the one for you. Score: 90%
Pros
- Lightweight, breathable upper, propulsive
Cons
- Lack of support
Hoka Clifton 9
- £130 / $145
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
A lightweight, high-performing cushioned running shoe. Score: 93%
Pros
- Comfortable, fit well, versatile
Cons
- None!
Saucony Triumph 20
- £155 / $160
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
Not the fastest, but still a solid shoe for everyday miles. Score: 85%
Pros
- Comfortable, decent forward propulsion, recycled materials
Cons
- Firm ride, not the lightest
Asics Gel-Cumulus 24
- £120 / $130
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.
220 Triathlon verdict
A comfortable, high-performing, all-round cushioned running shoe. Score: 88%
Pros
- Great fit, super comfortable, high-visibility detailing
Cons
- Not the quickest for racing
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.
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.
How we tested
Each running shoe we review gets put through the same level of testing, including numerous runs of varying distances over the period of several weeks at a minimum. This includes long, slow runs, plus faster tempo efforts or interval sessions. We test against a range of criteria including comfort, breathability, support, stability, ride, propulsion and value.
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