The Best Running Shoes for 2026

The Novablast 6 wins because it is hard to dislike. It is soft for its class, with a tall 41.5 mm heel stack, yet it weighs just 242 g in the men's version, and reviewers commonly say it works for short runs, long runs and the occasional tempo day. Our estimated ratings put comfort, performance, durability and value all at 4 out of 5, which is unusual at about $155 at full price. A Wide option is available. The trade-off is stability: it is less stable than the Novablast 5, and the toebox is tapered. Skip it if you are a heel striker who wants a steadier platform, or if you have a broad forefoot and need lots of toe room. Our ASICS Novablast 6 review has more detail on fit.

If you want one shoe that does the job without drama, the Ride 19 is the sensible answer. It sits at a balanced cushion level, comes in Narrow, Regular and Wide, and independent lab data points to high energy return and outstanding breathability for a daily trainer. At about $145 at full price it is a fair deal, and it lists for long runs as well as everyday miles. The catch is weight: it is heavier than the Ride 18, and it has limited rubber coverage on the outsole. Skip it if you want the lightest possible shoe or a very soft, pillowy ride. Fit is reported as true to size, though only a small number of owners have voted so far. That makes it a good fit for runners who log most of their miles at a steady pace and want a shoe they can rotate with a lighter pair.

The Clifton 11 is the shoe many people picture when they hear "max cushion." It has a tall, rockered stack of compression-molded EVA that feels forgiving on recovery days and long walks, and it is lighter than the Clifton 10 at 258 g in the men's. At about $155 at full price, it also offers Wide and X-Wide widths, though not in every colorway. The trade-off is that it feels soft rather than lively, and lab measurements found the toebox narrow and tapered in the standard width. Skip it if you want a bouncy, fast ride, or if you need generous toe room without ordering the Wide. HOKA's Fly for 30 guarantee gives you 30 days to try it. That trial window matters here because fit, not performance, is the usual reason people send this model back.

The Adizero EVO SL borrows the light, springy feel of a race shoe and prices it like a trainer, at about $150 at full price. It uses Lightstrike Pro foam throughout and weighs only 224 g in the men's, which makes it a strong pick for tempo runs, strides and everyday miles if you like to move. Fit is reported as true to size across more than a thousand owner votes, and a Wide is offered, which is a rare combination of light weight and width choice in this class. The weak spots are the basics: testers criticize the laces and the short tongue, and toebox durability is a question mark. Skip it if you want plush recovery cushioning or you expect an upper that lasts for hundreds of miles. If you want the same light feel with a sturdier build, look at the Adizero Boston 13 instead.

The Adrenaline GTS 25 is the classic pick for runners who want gentle guidance. Its GuideRails support is described as subtle rather than stiff, the DNA Loft v3 foam is softer than the previous version, and it comes in four widths from Narrow to X-Wide. Durability and traction get good marks from testers. At about $155 at full price, it also sits under Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial, which is helpful if you are unsure about support. The trade-off is weight: at 300 g in the men's, it is built for steady miles, not speed. Skip it if you run neutral and prefer a snappy, light ride. More options live in our best stability running shoes guide. If you are unsure whether you need support at all, a neutral shoe like the Ghost 18 is the simpler place to begin.

The Launch 12 is the one to look at if you want a light, lively shoe without paying $150 or more. It lists at about $120 at full price, weighs 249 g in the men's and uses a supercritical EVA midsole that reviewers describe as reactive underfoot. A Wide is offered in the men's version, and it is covered by Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial. The compromise is fit: the shape is narrow and tapered, and the stiff heel counter can irritate sensitive Achilles tendons. Skip it if you have a wide forefoot, want plush recovery cushioning, or are looking for a do-everything shoe for long, slow days. It is better treated as a faster daily trainer than a recovery-day cruiser, and it is a natural partner to a softer shoe such as the Clifton 11.

Few shoes match the 880v15 for width choices. New Balance lists B, D, 2E and 4E, so it covers narrow through extra-wide feet, and the cushioned Fresh Foam X midsole gives it a steady, everyday feel. It lists at $149.99, but New Balance's page showed it reduced to $114.99, and it is often discounted. NB calls it its most cushioned Fresh Foam experience. The downsides: it is much heavier than the 880v14 at 299 g in the men's, the foam feels firmer than expected according to RunRepeat, and outsole durability is a concern. Skip it if you want a light shoe, or if you mostly plan to wear it for casual use. We cover more in our best wide running shoes list. Check the width selector on the page, since availability varies by size and colorway.

The Endorphin Speed 5 is for the runner who wants one shoe for intervals, long runs and race day. It has a PEBA-based foam, a nylon plate and a rocker, and weighs 238 g in the men's. Independent testers describe super-shoe-like energy return, and the upper is well ventilated. It lists at $175, though Saucony's page showed $129.95 on the day we checked, so watch for sales. The trade-offs are an upper that scored low for toebox durability, a slightly small fit and a less agile feel than earlier versions. Skip it if you want a soft recovery shoe or you expect the toebox to survive heavy use. Because it is a premium shoe, it makes the most sense if you can catch it on sale and you will really use the speed.