Best Running Shoes – AskMen
Find Your Stride With These Top Running Shoes of 2023
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Product photos from retailer sites.
From the dad sneaker to high tops, running shoes have become a fashion staple over the past few years– no longer exclusively associated with gym shorts and treadmills, but a ubiquitous wardrobe essential sported everywhere from the office to nights on the town.
However, when it comes to purchasing a pair of running shoes to actually run in, you can’t simply focus on the color of the laces or the pattern on the sole. In fact, doing so could easily result in injury, and will definitely hinder performance.
So how do you go about finding a pair of top-of-the-line running shoes that will help you tackle your cardio goals, provide support where you need it, and help you fulfill that need for speed – especially, among the hundreds of options available online? Well, that’s where we come in.
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Below you’ll find a selection of some of the best running shoes for men on the market. No matter if you log most of your miles on a treadmill or a trail, you’re a sprinter or a slow-and-steady-jogging-kind-of-guy, the right shoe for you can be found here.
Best Running Shoes for Men
Reebok Floatride Energy 5
Released just today, the Floatride Energy 5 is the latest iteration in Reebok’s series of best-selling running shoes. How do you improve on a beloved shoe? You start by increasing midfoot stiffness to offer more support and better energy transfer, then widen the midsole for better response and energy return. The sculpted heel keeps your foot locked in place, minimizing chafing even on longer runs, while the sturdy, lightweight design (the shoe weighs just 9.4 ounces) helps reduce fatigue without compromising support. The real kicker, though? Reebok did all of this while keep the price down.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer
If you’re looking for a men’s running shoe that will allow you to stay light on your feet without sacrificing support, these are just the ticket. An upgrade from their previous Fuel Cell iterations, not only does the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp assist you by minimizing effort with each mile, but an arched carbon fiber plate ensures there’s maximized energy return even as you inch closer and closer to that finish line.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
The great thing about getting an athletic shoe that has been around for years – like the Nike Pegasus – is that you know the style has been tested, reviewed, and improved upon over time. Engineered to be not only durable but lightweight, the latest iteration of this road running shoe features a Zoom Air bag at the forefoot and at the heel for greater responsiveness, React Foam in the midsole to give your stride that springy feeling, and an expertly-designed upper that allows the foot to breathe while maintaining structure.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 24
These guys are made with the underpronation or neutral runner top-of-mind. The GEL® integrations are there to support the foot throughout your stride – with the heel providing greater shock absorption and the forefoot helping to reduce the pressure on the ball of the foot at toe-off. The FLYTEFOAM® Propel midsole gives your body the boost it needs to reach that new goal on your fitness tracker, as the TRUSSTIC™ technology under the arch provides support and promotes stability.
Hoka One Bondi 8
If you’re seeking plenty of cushion in your kicks, it doesn’t get much better than these American Podiatric Medical Association award-ed Bondi 8, aka the most cushioned shoes in HOKA ONE ONE®’s road shoe collection. Made from vegan and recycled materials, these include a full EVA midsole to protect your feet as they strike the road, Meta-Rocker technology for a smooth running experience, and a lightweight rubber outsole which adds to their durability.
New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v7
When it comes to hitting trails versus running or jogging on the road or on a treadmill, there are some key features you should seek out in your kicks – or you can just go with these shoes and you’ll be set. With a Vibram® MegaGrip outsole for ultimate traction on wet and dry terrain, a TPU-coated upper to ensure feet stay fresh and free from debris, and a FreshFoam midsole to give the feet a cushy surface to land upon on even the rockiest of patches, these babies are ready to take on whatever Mother Nature throws your way.
Adidas Men’s Ultraboost 22
This model’s sleek design is no accident, every detail from the stitched-in reinforcement, designed to give the foot support in the most critical places, to the responsive cushion, which gives your body that boost of ‘I-could-go-on-forever’ energy, was purposefully integrated to take your runs to the next level.
Nike Free RN 5.0
Before you hastily click add to cart and checkout, know that this style of lightweight shoe isn’t for everyone. This model is made to feel like you are running barefoot – almost – thanks to a flexible foam midsole, a stretchy upper that fits like a glove against the foot, and no heel counter. These are ideal for shorter runs (up to 3 miles) and are great for working on speed.
Salomon Men’s Speedcross 5
Get set to tackle even the toughest terrains with this trail running shoe. The all-new GORE-TEX construction with a floating tongue, is less bulky in appearance and feel, but also more comfortable. You don’t have to worry about losing traction in muddy, snowy, or soft trails, either, the Contagrip® TA sole has an aggressive lug design with a multi-directional grip that will get you through it all. And to top it all off, the SensiFit™ upper construction cradles the foot and ensures the shoe feels snug against the skin.
Saucony Men’s Triumph 20
With cushioning that is incredibly responsive and springy – and a lighter design than the previous model – this shoe with PWRRUN+ foam cushioning gives that feeling of running on clouds but also maintains the integrity you want in your underfoot to get a great takeoff. These running shoes are great for longer runs, and are less likely to give your body that post-run fatigue and soreness.
Brooks Ghost 15
When you’ve pumped yourself up to get out for a run, the last thing you want is to feel weighed down and unmotivated because of your heavy, unresponsive shoes. That’s where these babies come in. Equipped with BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT v2 cushioning, your heels and toes will feel light and soft when they hit the ground in these guys. And thanks to a segmented crash pad that absorbs any shock – no matter how you land – you’ll have a smooth, strike-to-toe-off stride every time.
ASICS GT-2000 10
Runners who overpronate often have low arches or flat feet; their big toe and second toe tend to do most of the work in the push-off, and they often land on the outside of their heel then roll inward. Luckily, these shoes are designed specifically to match this stride style and provide support in all the right places. Like the Nimbus, these shoes have GEL® cushioning at the heel and forefront to help reduce the shock felt on impact and toe-off and the midsole with soft FLYTEFOAM® technology provides cushion and bounce at every step.
On Cloudstratus
If your usual trail keeps you on concrete, you’re going to want a lightweight, ultra-comfortable shoe that’s durable enough to last the miles without weighing you down. The aptly named Cloudstratus from On delivers top-notch performance from recycled materials (75{a0ae49ae04129c4068d784f4a35ae39a7b56de88307d03cceed9a41caec42547} of the shoe’s polyester has been cleverly repurposed), so you can minimize your environmental footprint while finding your perfect stride. We’re also in love with the styling, subdued in some parts and unique in others.
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Running Shoe Shopping Tips
- The Fit: There should always be about one thumb’s width between your toe and the end of the shoe. The toe box and the shoe should fit comfortably without feeling restrictive or like it will start to chafe against your skin.
- Sizing: Don’t assume your running shoe size is the same as your walking shoe size, or the same from brand to brand. Measure your foot and check size guides, but also reviews as many will note if they find the fit to be more narrow than expected etc.
- Over- or Under-Pronate?: A good way to figure out if you over- or under-pronate when you run is to pull out an old pair of running shoes and see where the sole is the most worn. If all the wear and tear is on the inside of your heel and below your big toe, you likely overpronate. If the threading is worn until the balls of your feet and the small part of your heel, you’re probably a neutral striker.
- Trying On: Try on your shoes later in the afternoon when your feet are a bit swollen from the day.
- Drop: The drop is the difference in millimeters between the thickness of the midsole under the heel to the thickness at the ball of the foot. If you have a strong heel strike and tight calves, you might look for a model with a higher drop, but if you have knee problems you might want to go for a lower drop, and if you have no injuries you shouldn’t be too concerned about the drop.
Types of Running Shoes
“Different shoes can be beneficial depending on how you’re training or if you’re training on different surfaces,” says Daniel Giordano DPT, CSCS, and co-founder of Bespoke Treatments in New York City. “While you may want your sneakers to be light and flexible with a cushion that will protect you during repetitive strides, most trail-worthy trainers are designed with a tread with traction and a protective bottom.”
Every person’s foot is different, and although there are options made for each and every foot type, ultimately, comfort is king. In fact, the shoes you find the most comfortable from the get-go may be the best when it comes to preventing injury, according to research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
- Stability: Designed for someone who, because of their gait, needs a little extra support. For some, that could mean you’re flat-footed and need arch support. For others, that could mean you overpronate while running – meaning you tend to put weight on the inside of your foot or roll your foot inward.
- Trail: Almost a hybrid of the running shoe and hiking boot. These will have a sole that is thicker, to protect the wearer from uneven terrain, they are typically lugged to assist in better overall traction control, and should be made with weather-proof materials.
- Max-Cushion: These offer the wearer just that – a high plush ride. Typically, fans of high-cushion sneakers tend to have joint issues, including bad knees and are looking for a little extra something to make their run not only enjoyable, but bearable.
- Minimalist: These have barely any cushion. They are a great tool for those who want to increase the strength in their feet and lower leg muscles, but not necessarily ideal for everyday runs.
- Zero Drop: This style offers a ‘zero drop’ from heel to toe, which means that the cushion is the exact same height as your toes. Some zero drop options will have cushioning, but these do give the feeling of a barefoot running experience.
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