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After researching dozens of the best running shoes over the last decade, we bought and tested 12 of today's top models that will suit every running style. We tested each of these models extensively, maintaining an equal playing field by running the same test loop for each shoe. After that, we took each model on various long runs and dropped the pace in some uptempo efforts. We've made it easy for you to find the right product by analyzing five of the most crucial performance metrics, helping you narrow down the fit and feel for your running style and budget.
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on July 8, 2022 to re-test four models that have new versions out, and to add two additional models to our lineup.
Weight Per Shoe (Size 9.5): 8.3 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Responsive cushioning
Thin snug upper
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Minimal support
Minimal outsole rubber
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is our overall winner for its lightweight, responsive design that we loved for all of our workouts. Saucony has done a great job combining ample cushioning with a responsive midsole that feels fresh and springlike. We kept coming back to this model for our long runs and tempo efforts, as this model's overall comfort and speed stand above the rest. A great rocker design kept us on our toes and applying force to the ground. Our stride with this model felt smooth and explosive. The upper material feels made for performance, and we appreciated the rubber outsole design, which was light but added some confidence in wet conditions.
The long-term durability of this model may not be up to your standards if you are running on rough surfaces. While we experienced no issues during our testing, this is a lightweight design, and the rubber outsole will wear faster than those with heavier outsoles. This model did not score as highly in the support and stability category, prioritizing maximum rigidity. We think this shoe is for those seeking a lightweight trainer with the best cushion-to-response ratio.
Weight Per Shoe (Size 9.5): 7.3 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Minimalist weight
Stiff & responsive
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Minimal cushioning
Exposed foam outsole
Created for speed, the lightweight design of the Saucony Kinvara 13 tells you just that. From its lower overall stack height to its 4-millimeter heel-to-toe drop, this model is best for shorter distances where speed truly matters. We were impressed with its subtle cushion, which works excellent for aggressive users who are light on their feet. The thin upper is a performance fit, holding the toes and midfoot snug while keeping the heel locked in place. It is also very breathable, which we loved when the runs got hotter during the day.
Some runners may find this model overly harsh if you are not light on your feet. The 4-millimeter heel-to-toe drop can beat your calves up if you are not well-conditioned. Although we wish it had a more durable outsole, we can't complain, given the minimal weight. We think this shoe is for experienced runners who know their form and try to run as midfoot to the forefoot as possible. We would not recommend this to beginners or those who need more cushion or rigidity in their everyday trainer. If you already have a well-cushioned model, we would recommend adding this to your quiver of options.
Weight Per Shoe (Size 9.5): 8.1 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Plush responsive cushioning
Lightweight
Wide platform
REASONS TO AVOID
Exposed foam outsole
Less stability
The Hoka One One Mach 4 impressed us with its ability to provide lots of cushioning while still being responsive. With its low weight, long runs felt awesome and left us with much less fatigue than some other competition. Their Profly compound felt responsive, and the cushioning never felt like it bottomed out or created a dull or unenergetic sensation. A wider platform and ground feel due to a 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop makes this shoe feel lively and confident. A thinner upper design creates a sensation of no upper and your foot and foam all as one unit. Even in temperatures reaching 100 degrees, we felt cool and experienced less sweating than other models in this weight range.
We did not experience any durability issues with this model, but the outsole has zero rubber and only exposed foam. This exposed foam did not degrade during our testing, but we do not expect this to last as long as a more rugged rubber outsole. This would not be the first model we would suggest to those looking for maximum support and stability, but we don't think the low drop and weight should deter you. This shoe is for those looking for additional comfort in a responsive shoe. If you want to give the Hoka cushioning a try but feel concerned about it being overkill, we recommend starting with this model because we also found it extremely fast and light.
Weight Per Shoe (Size 9.5): 10.0 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Responsive cushion
Comfortable knit upper
Cool colorways
REASONS TO AVOID
No outsole rubber
Minimal support
The Nike Zoom Fly 4 has lineup-leading responsiveness that feels agile and nearly instantaneous. The internal carbon plate is stiff and limits energy loss, leaving every takeoff point feeling firm and efficient. Paired with an ultra-comfortable knit upper that locks in the foot, this is one of the fastest-feeling models we tested. We think this is great for long runs and tempo efforts where the shoe helps maintain performance even when the fatigue starts to set in.
Some users will find this model a bit harsh because of the stiffness, and we think it's better for more experienced runners because of this. You are rewarded for forefoot striking where you will receive the most absorption from your muscles. Nike is known for a more narrow platform so users with above-average width or volume could find the shoe a bit constricting. Overall, we are very impressed with this model and loved running in it.
Weight Per Shoe (Size 9.5): 10.4 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 12 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Rigid support and stability
Great upper comfort
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
High heel drop
Heavier
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 provided the best support and stability across all the tested models. Thanks to their GuideRail technology, our feet felt planted and grounded, which translated well up into our ankles and knees. This model maintains the priority of support and stability by using moderate cushioning and a high heel-to-toe drop of 12 millimeters. There is a subtle compression under the forefoot while the heel and midfoot feel solid and stable. We like the moderate arch support that works well with the stretch laces and thicker tongue, which we normally don't prefer, but we quite liked on this model.
These shoes often felt a bit slow due to their stable design, and we wished there was more responsiveness. Readers that emphasize support and stability will find this model most suited to your needs. If you have issues with pronation or are a heel striker, these could help compensate for this type of running. People who generally find themselves without needing stability assistance may still prefer this model for its grounded feel and higher drop if they struggle with Achilles or lower leg problems. We know Brooks is popular for its classic designs and are glad they are still offering these models to the people who love them.
With Guiderail technology, this is the most stable model we tested and is perfect for those who desire a supportive model.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
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A plush platform can feel dull and less responsive at times.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Why You Should Trust Us
Matthew Richardson has spent his free time for the last 15 years pursuing running as a sport and hobby. Running track and cross country through middle and high school, Matthew transitioned to higher mountain trails in college. Matthew has also competed in ultra-marathons and long-distance racing. Matthew uses road running to maintain his turnover and speed for fast descents, and heart rate pumping climbs.
Our running experts have tested more than 100 pairs of footwear products, and for this specific category, we've tested more than 70 pairs of running shoes designed for men over the last 10 years. Before starting this review, we completed extensive market research to determine which competitors are worthy of entering the competition. We then purchase each product, handle unboxing, take measurements, and send each contender through extensive hands-on testing. We utilize tester experience and data from in-house testing to produce detailed reviews for our readers.
To analyze all aspects of a running shoe's performance, we devised a comprehensive testing plan. We created a 7-mile test loop with 450 feet of elevation gain and multiple surface types through Durango, Colorado. Additionally, each contender went through extended long runs to analyze long-distance comfort. As you can see, we put in many miles in our test group, searching for the best shoe for each type of athlete. Since everyone's running needs are different, they should consider the factors most important to them.
Our tests are grouped into five weighted rating metrics:
Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25% of overall score weighting)
Responsiveness (25% weighting)
Upper Comfort (20% weighting)
Lateral Stability and Support (15% weighting)
Weight (15% weighting)
Cushioning and landing comfort and responsiveness hold 25% of the overall score weighting, much higher than other test metrics. Collectively, that's 50% of a product's overall score. We gave these metrics higher weightings as we believe these qualities greatly influence users' experience and running goals. While testing these metrics, we took notes of fatigue and discomfort during runs of various lengths, covering different gradients and surfaces, plus tempo runs. We also completed side-by-side testing to compare the fastest feel and produce the most rebound for energy input.
While not as responsive as some of today's models with lighter, springier foam, the Kayano does a good job of blending stability and reponsiveness.
High stability and support is provided in this classic model.
Analysis and Test Results
We've tested the best men's running shoes by evaluating five key performance metrics that we believe collectively capture a shoe's overall performance. The test metrics include: cushioning and landing comfort, responsiveness, upper comfort, lateral stability and support, and weight. Between our buying advice for running shoe and our detailed review, we believe you'll find the best running shoe for your needs and budget. Read on to see how each contender performs in the different test metrics.
Value
Like any gear, value is a consideration you must make when purchasing. Some users may feel confident buying a less durable, more expensive model, whereas others want to get the most mileage out of their dollars. The Saucony Kinvara 13 is one of our favorite models for its value, blending lightweight performance with a reasonable price. The two Hoka models that we tested also provide excellent all-around performance and come in with lower list prices than most other shoes in our lineup.
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
Comfort underfoot is one of the immediate things we test and look for in a road running shoe. The ability of the shoe to reduce the constant pounding on the harsh asphalt and concrete is essential for a good experience. We've tested various models that claim to have different levels of cushioning to narrow down what we feel is the best cushioning and landing comfort model. We tested this through long milage days and shorter tempo efforts, landing on our forefoot, midfoot, and heels.
The highest-ranked model in this category was our favorite overall men's running shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. This contender has a very responsive cushioning that sprung us forward in our tempo runs and absorbed a great amount of the ground impact but was still able to provide an excellent ground feel. We prefer models that are well cushioned but don't have a sinking feeling or dullness when pushing off.
The Saucony PWRRUN foam returns a lively amount of energy in the Endorphin Speed 2.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
If maximum cushioning is what you desire, two of our favorites are the Hoka One One Mach 4 and Hoka One One Clifton 8. Each of these designs has a luxurious cushion which Hoka is known for. We were impressed with the bottomless cushion that still felt responsive when toeing off and preferred these for our longest of runs to help reduce fatigue.
The Mach 4 from Hoka provides luxurious cushioning with a responsive 5-millimeter drop.
Maximum cushion make the Clifton 8 perfect for long runs.
A great middle-ground design that is responsive and has substantial cushioning is the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v12. This contender has one of the best rocker designs we tested, and it helped get us on our forefoot.
The rocker motion on the 1080v12 helps get you into a toe-off position leading to comfortable running even when fatigue sets in.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Responsiveness
A responsive design allows for a strong, confident running experience, and we are always looking for a model that gives us that edge when the pace drops. Careful blends of foam and features must be dialed to allow springlike takeoffs without feeling too harsh or squishy. We tested the compression or lack of for each of the 10 models and picked our favorites from our tempo efforts. The heel-to-toe drop of the shoe had to create a strong platform where our achilles and lower legs felt engaged, they had to perform well under fatigue, and we had to feel fast. Out of all the categories we tested, this was the most important to us, greatly impacting our stance on each model.
Having the highest responsiveness was the Nike Zoom Fly 4. This model is a new favorite at GearLab, and we have loved it on longer tempo efforts due to the nearly instantaneous feedback and peppy feel. There is subtle compaction that allows us to drive forward; the carbon plate in this model is stiff and offers great rebounding and the minor compression of the foams leaves all of your work returned into the ground and not the foam. Other high scorers in this category were the Saucony Kinvara 13 and Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38.
The Pegasus is one of the stiffest performance-fit models we have tested.
The Endorphin Speed 2 has excellent cushion and responsiveness, shown here on the paved portion of our testing route.
Upper Comfort
A comfortable upper can make or break a running shoe experience, as hotspots or blisters can quickly cause an abrupt end to your run. We kept our testing standard by using the same pair of running socks during the first test loop. After that, we mixed it up running in thicker and thinner pairs, and tested the wicking abilities in hotter temperatures. Everyone has a different foot size and volume, and some make work better than others for you. High on our personal list of priorities was a snug fit that kept our foot stable and provided confidence through corners and uneven terrain. We wanted an upper that offered good support and locked down our heel without our toes feeling cramped. The tongue had to wrap our midfoot precisely, and the laces had to hold us snugly but not cause pressure or hotspots.
Receiving high marks for its once-piece stretch knit fabric design is the Adidas Ultraboost 22. This fabric felt custom fitted to our foot, and the level of engineering to provide this fit is quite impressive. Slipping your foot into this upper gently expanded the fabric but left you with a firm, snug fit. The toe-box at first seemed small, but once the fabric expanded, we experienced minimal movement and no rubbing or irritation.
This mid and outsole foam makes this one of the most comfortable models we tested but isn't overly plush.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Also high on the comfort list was Hoka One One Mach 4 with a thin upper design and awesome tongue, which securely held our foot and had a great heel cup. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 had a more classic durable upper, which felt stable and supportive.
One of the more traditional designs we tested. We are glad Brooks is continuning to provide so many great features at a great price point.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Lateral Stability and Support
It's important to feel stable while running to reduce the chance of pain or injury. Our test lineup has a wide range of offerings with different levels of stability for every type of runner. Some of you may need or want a supportive, grounded feel; others may put less emphasis on this metric for a more lively model. We tested each shoe over various gradients and surfaces to give you our top picks that were both stable and supportive.
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 and Brooks Ghost 14 provide excellent support and stability, which led to a grounded feel where each footstrike felt precise and well planted. Both of these models have a 12-millimeter heel-to-toe drop which keeps your heel engaged with the ground more often to offer stability through the heel, ankle, and knees. The Adrenaline has added Guiderails support features that help keep your foot balanced and stable. Both of these models could help if you experience pronation problems. Remember to seek a professional's help before self-diagnosing pronation problems. Choosing the wrong model could lead to even great problems in the future.
The Ghost 14 weighs right at 10 ounces and offers surprisingly great support and stability.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Also high on our list was the Asics Gel-Kayano 28, a classic design that offers a unique gel compound that is not found in other models. There is also substantial underfoot arch support which enhances the sense of stability and support. This shoe felt wide enough to offer a natural foot position which helped maintain stability on uneven surfaces.
The Kayano's classic upper design that is well built and durable.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Weight
Weight is a tricky subject when talking about outdoor products. Often weight determines the price or the durability, and weight reductions may not always offer pure benefits. While testing, we took careful consideration to determine how weight impacted our feelings about the models. We typically prefer a lightweight model for purely less weight on our feet when trying hard or putting in big miles. Weight often differs from the manufacturer listings, and we weighed each size 9.5 per shoe on our own scale to find the comparison.
Coming in at the lowest weight is the Saucony Kinvara 13, which felt like a dream on our feet during high turnover and faster paces. The Hoka One One Mach 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 were also minimalist designs that we preferred for our faster efforts due to their lightweight upper and fabrics, which felt agile and quick.
Minimal foam reduces the landing comfort so you must maintain proper form even when fatigued to reduce landing discomfort.
Due to low weight, there is no durable outsole material on the Hoka Mach 4.
During our testing, we found that there is often a tradeoff with lightweight designs when it comes to overall stability and predicted durability. Many lightweight designs use thinner and lighter upper materials or reduce or eliminate the rubber tread on the outsole. More traditionally designed shoes with padded uppers and durable outsold are among the heavier designs we tested.
The Endorphin Speed 2 does not put a priority on support and stability but we found it to be sufficient as a lightweight trainer.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Conclusion
Finding the best men's running shoes is a difficult task, but we hope we've made it easier for you through our extensive testing. We've tested 10 unique styles and evaluated them across five crucial performance metrics. Don't forget to check out our individual gear reviews linked throughout this article for more detailed information about each design. We hope that this review will help you find the right shoe for your fitness needs and budget, and one that will provide you with an awesome running experience.
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GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
