The Best Men's Running Shoes

A good pair of shoes builds the foundation for a rewarding hobby, but the wrong shoes can cause blisters, injured toenails, or worse. We selected the shoes in this guide because they’re the most versatile options for runners of all abilities and goals. These shoes could be a recreational runner’s only pair, or they might be a great all-around option for competitive athletes who need a shoe for easy or recovery runs. Some runners may not find these shoes to be cushioned enough for long runs or lightweight enough for racing or speed work. People who walk for fitness should also be happy with these picks. Gym-goers, however, probably won’t find these shoes useful: Weightlifters and cross-trainers should look for shoes with flatter soles or less side-to-side stability (for quickly changing direction), respectively. Two things worth looking for are shoes described as being both cushioned and responsive (that is, a “rebound” effect). Often these two characteristics are at odds with each other: Extra cushioning is likely to absorb the impact of each running stride. Traditionally, most running shoes have a sole that’s 10 mm to 12 mm thicker at the heel than at the forefoot. Price should also be a consideration. Most people should cap their spending at around $140—pay any more than that and you’re getting into shoes meant for niche purposes.