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Staff Writer Lily Hartman wearing a pair of Brooks on a walk. Credit: Brooks / Lily Hartman

The Best Running Shoes of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Staff Writer Lily Hartman wearing a pair of Brooks on a walk. Credit: Brooks / Lily Hartman

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Product image of Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Running Shoes

Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Running Shoes

This neutral running shoe’s built with a wider toe box that allows for more wiggle room while you run, but you can expect a snug fit around the ankle. Read More

Pros

  • Wider toe box than its predecessor
  • Better bounce while running

Cons

  • Too new to report on durability
Product image of Men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoes

Men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoes

New Balance’s Fresh Foam and breathable, lightweight synthetic sole allow it to flex and stretch with any type of movement you make during your run. Read More

Pros

  • Comes with a sockliner for comfort
  • Secure yet breathable

Cons

  • Heel may wear prematurely for some
Product image of Women’s Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Running Shoes

Women’s Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Running Shoes

As with other “stability” shoes, the Brooks Adrenaline offers a denser foam material under the arch to prevent overpronation. Read More

Pros

  • Stops undesirable, excess motion
  • Secure yet breathable

Cons

  • Not ideal for wider feet
  • Short laces
Product image of Topo Athletic Men's MTN Racer 2 Trail Running Shoes

Topo Athletic Men's MTN Racer 2 Trail Running Shoes

This running shoe is for all you avid mountain adventurers who live for stepping on and over rugged, very technical terrain. Read More

Pros

  • All-ground, premium grip
  • Lightweight and resilient midsole cushion
  • Breathable upgrade

Cons

  • May take some time to break in
Product image of Altra Women’s Escalante Racer Running Shoes

Altra Women’s Escalante Racer Running Shoes

With a low-grade fit, these’ll enhance your flexibility and performance without sacrificing comfort. Read More

Pros

  • Evenly elevated heel and forefoot
  • Wide toe box
  • Breathable for consistent comfort

Cons

  • Not a lot of support for less naturally stable feet

There is this rush of freedom you feel while pushing yourself on a run, moving for miles upon miles, and going further and longer than you once thought possible. It’s an experience that generates a feeling of reward, both mentally and physically, and avid runners not only understand this feeling; they also know that with the right running shoe, you can fly through the air freely like this on every single stride.

To help you find the most supportive running shoes, we rounded up this list of a variety of styles available online. Based on our research, these are some of the best running shoes for men and women available online right now.

Editor's Note:
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

How to Pick a Pair of Running Shoes

Type

The pair of running shoes you choose to wear on your feet is the most important part of any run, and making sure you have running shoes that are comfortable is crucial. Depending on your foot shape and the way you walk, your running shoe will either need to be a stability running shoe—which provides better support and offsets exaggerated pronation—or a neutral running shoe, which spreads out the landing force of your foot without altering its mechanics. Neutral running shoes are ideal for runners with oversupination.

In this roundup, we’ll attempt to provide you with different running shoes that accommodate your unique foot mechanics. To help you find the best stability shoe or neutral shoe, you can use this shoe finder offered by Brooks to help you determine your proper running fit. You can also read about how to find the best running shoe for you here.

Of course, everyone’s feet are a little bit different. You may want to start by trying on several pairs to find the right one for you. Our advice: try at least two to three promising styles to find what works for you, and once you do, buy two so you can rotate pairs to maximize their lifespan.

Support

You’ll want to wear a pair of running shoes that supports your specific foot type and intended use. Trail runners, for example, will require more traction and softness in the impact than road runners. Racers may opt for a pair of running shoes based on their comfort. Knowing the intended use of your running shoes is important prior to purchasing them.

Fit

If your heels slip out of your running shoes, that means they are too big. If your toes rub against the top of the toe box, that means they’re too small. Having a shoe that fits your feet perfectly is crucial, especially if you’re a long-distance runner who needs their feet to stay comfortable for hours. Make sure to look at a size chart prior to buying your running shoes to find out if they run big, small, or true to size. It’s also worth considering how thick the running socks you plan on wearing are and if they will affect the fit of your running shoes.

Product image of Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Running Shoes
Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Running Shoes

The popular Nike Air Zoom Pegasus running shoe has been around since the 1980s, and their good reputation is what’s kept them alive all these years. The most recent version of this neutral running shoe is built with a wider toe box that allows for more wiggle room while you run—though, as with most Nike shoes, you can expect a snug fit around the ankle. It also provides a better bounce, so you can spring forward with more energy and return to the ground just as smoothly.

Let’s not forget the most important part of any running shoe: its level of comfort. This running shoe is fit to be more stable and durable, yet is still highly lightweight and breathable with a much better foam cushion, which many reviewers claim to be very comfortable. As with most neutral shoes, this is designed to let your foot’s natural mechanics go to work, with plenty of cushioning to support you on long runs.

This running shoe is available in sizes 5–12; standard width in women’s and 3.5–13; regular or wide in men’s. Here is the men’s version of this shoe.

Pros

  • Wider toe box than its predecessor

  • Better bounce while running

Cons

  • Too new to report on durability

Product image of Men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoes
Men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoes

This cushioned shoe provides comfort in all the right places for neutral runners. This men’s New Balance Fresh Foam shoe is built with New Balance’s Fresh Foam in the midsole and a breathable, lightweight synthetic sole that allows it to flex and stretch with any type of movement you make during your run.

This road running shoe is known to evenly scale cushion, weight, and elasticity all in one—making it the perfect pick for any neutral-footed runner. The ankle material is also nice and comfortable, offering extra support with just enough stretch to slip your foot in and out.

In these shoes, you’ll truly feel like you’re flying without sacrificing the necessary snug and support needed to keep your feet intact while you’re road racing.

This running shoe is available in sizes 5–13; standard width in women’s and 7–16; narrow, standard, wide, or extra wide in men’s. Here is the women’s version of this shoe.

Pros

  • Comes with a sockliner for comfort

  • Secure yet breathable

Cons

  • Heel may wear prematurely for some

Product image of Women’s Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Running Shoes
Women’s Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Running Shoes

If you need a little more arch support when running on the road, or down paved trails, then this Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 stability running shoe is the best pick for you. It’s made with a rubber sole that provides better grip than its predecessor.

As with other “stability” shoes, the Brooks Adrenaline offers a denser foam material under the arch to prevent overpronation. Many reviewers prone to developing plantar fasciitis also enjoy this running shoe because it stops excess movement and offers better support and structure for your feet without sacrificing the natural, heel-to-toe-drop motion that occurs while running.

This running shoe is made to hug your feet for better stability, but it’s also very stretchy, and has an upgraded mesh upper to help your feet breathe. It also has DNA LOFT cushioning in the midsole that doesn’t sacrifice durability, giving you a supportive shoe that doesn’t feel like it’s holding you back.

This running shoe is available in sizes 5–13; narrow, standard, wide, or extra wide in women’s and 7–15; narrow, standard, wide, or extra wide in men’s. Here is the men’s version of this shoe.

Pros

  • Stops undesirable, excess motion

  • Secure yet breathable

Cons

  • Not ideal for wider feet

  • Short laces

Product image of Topo Athletic Men's MTN Racer 2 Trail Running Shoes
Topo Athletic Men's MTN Racer 2 Trail Running Shoes

This Topo Athletic Men’s running shoe is for all you avid mountain adventurers who live for stepping on and over rugged, very technical terrain. One of my friends, who hits at least 20 miles of technical trails every week, swears by this trail-running shoe for its high-quality grip—no matter which direction you’re running in, whether that’s up or down, forward, or sideways. This shoe is also very light in weight and keeps your foot locked in—allowing you to move uphill with more ease.

What’s more, these trail runners are very comfortable on your feet—even while stepping over all of those rocks—due to its sturdy, max-cushion midsole and heel, as well as its five-millimeter neutral foot drop for organic strides. If you prefer to run on uneven terrain, this shoe will handle anything you throw at it.

This running shoe is available in sizes 6–12; standard width for women’s and 7.5–14; standard width for men’s. Here is the women’s version of this shoe.

Pros

  • All-ground, premium grip

  • Lightweight and resilient midsole cushion

  • Breathable upgrade

Cons

  • May take some time to break in

Product image of Altra Women’s Escalante Racer Running Shoes
Altra Women’s Escalante Racer Running Shoes

Our Health & Fitness Editor loved wearing this Altra running shoe during marathon training due to its flexibility and featherlight weight. The recent version of the Altra Escalante running shoe is made to help you move and is ideal for avid racers.

With a low-grade fit, it’ll enhance your flexibility and performance without sacrificing comfort. The cushioned midsole is made to spring you off the ground and help you reach your ultimate racing potential. As with other racing flats, this shoe is not meant to necessarily be as durable as shoes with more cushioning, but it’s an ideal choice when you want to speed train or are looking to set a personal best on race day.

This racing shoe evenly elevates your heel and forefoot off the ground for gentle-impact, proper running form, and performance. With reduced support for speed, this running shoe is not ideal for anyone who has exaggerated supination or pronation, but is instead great for those with naturally stable feet who intend to fly off the ground to the finish line.

This running shoe is available in sizes 5.5–12; standard width for women’s and 7–15; standard width for men’s. Here is the men’s version of this shoe.

Pros

  • Evenly elevated heel and forefoot

  • Wide toe box

  • Breathable for consistent comfort

Cons

  • Not a lot of support for less naturally stable feet

Product image of Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 22
Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 22

To help you find the best running shoes for women, OI put the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 to the test. These runners gave a solid first impression. They slid onto my feet the way a knife cuts through butter, which doesn’t happen often for me when it comes to shoes. They seem to run slightly small, but they do stay nice and secure on my feet.

When it comes to their comfort for long distances, I have some hesitations. The first time I walked in them, I was starting to get that blister-like feeling around my toes; but luckily, they haven’t done any damage to my feet. They started to feel more comfortable as I continued to wear them, which gave me more confidence in their comfort. It seems like they just need to be broken in a bit first.

These running shoes are made to provide stability and support. They also include DNA LOFT cushioning in the midsole of the foot for a soft, smooth ride as your foot impacts and takes off from the ground. Based on my experience, they’re definitely worth giving a try.

Pros

  • True to size

  • Fit nicely

  • Provide a soft impact

Cons

  • Not initially comfortable

Product image of Altra Women’s Lone Peak 6
Altra Women’s Lone Peak 6

These running shoes are a popular pick by trail runners. The Altra Lone Peak 6 shoe provides protection from sharp rocks since they’re made with a rigid lug pattern that provides strong grip. They also have a mesh upper with laser-cut holes that allows water to drain out and dry your shoes quickly.

For more comfort and softness, these shoes also have Altra's StoneGuard feature, which is a rock plate between the midsole and outsole to keep sharp objects from stabbing your feet.

This running shoe is available in sizes 6–12; standard width for women’s and 7–13; standard width for men’s. Here is the men’s version of this shoe.

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Balanced cushioning for lighter landings

  • Altra EGO improves cushion and response

Cons

  • Toe box is narrower than the Lone Peak 5

Meet the tester

Lily Hartman

Lily Hartman

Staff Writer, Search

Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.

See all of Lily Hartman's reviews

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