![22 Best Men's Running Shoes 2024 Tried and Tested](https://media.gq-magazine.co.uk/photos/61dc07c44e09a3b5a8a81b63/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/06012021_run_hp.jpg)
The best men's running shoes for marathons, easy runs and everything in between
Shop GQ's pick of the best men's running shoes in 2024, balancing cushioning, durability, speed and style in equal measure
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We know: the best men's running shoes are the ones you beat your longstanding P.B. in that one time. But no matter how attached you are to a certain pair of trainers, the fact of the matter is that you're probably not wearing the right pair for you. Running brand and gait analyst Asics has found that over a third of UK runners don't know whether they should be in a neutral or stability shoe…so we reckon it's a good idea to get that straight before you buy your next pair.
Once you have a handle on which kind of shoe will best suit your gait, you'll be ready to delve into everything the running trainers to follow have to offer. As with gym trainers, trail running shoes and walking shoes, running trainers have their own spec that have been tailored to running — for practice or racing, treadmill or road depends on the model in question. Every tweak to each of these shoes has been made to optimise them for their intended environment, which is why we don't recommend recycling your gym trainers for your 10km block runs.
Everything from the toe box to the upper on the shoes in the list to follow have been forensically honed, with brands from On to Nike competing to see who can make the lightest, the swiftest and, yes, the best-looking shoe. So while finding the perfect pair of running shoes might seem like a dream as distant as a sub-three-hour marathon, trust us when we say that your next P.B. blasters are just within reach.
What are the best men's running shoes?
A versatile and affordable running shoe that comes with some serious pedigree, Nike's Pegasus 40 was made to carry you speedily through distances long and short in breezy comfort.
As kind to your feet as it is to the planet, Allbirds' now lighter running shoe elevates itself from the chasing pack with its use of sustainable materials for a naturalistic take on what can often be a wasteful form factor. Read the full review.
The running shoe that changed the game, this incarnation of Nike's Vaporfly is ideal for Britain's changeable weather with an improved grip in wet weather and an even springier performance to inject even more energy back into your stride.
- Best running shoes for beginners: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40, £114.95 at nike.com
- Best sustainable running shoe: Allbirds Tree Dasher 2, £125 at allbirds.co.uk
- Best running shoe for racing: Nike ZoomX Vaporfly 3, £234.95 at nike.com
- Best cushioned running shoe: Hoka Bondi 8, £144.99 at sportsshoes.com
- Best marathon shoes: Adidas Adistar, £150 at adidas.co.uk
- Best cushioned running shoes: Asics Novablast 3, £135 at asics.com
- Best running shoe for training: Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, £164.99 at sportsshoes.com
SKIP TO: What do I need to consider when buying new running shoes? | What's the difference between road running shoes and trail running shoes? | When should I buy new running shoes? | Can I wear running shoes for the gym? | Which brand produces the best running shoes? | What are the springiest running shoes?
What do I need to consider when buying new running shoes?
“Running shoes consist of many different parts, with most brands affording runners revolutionary features to help improve running performance, however, the basics of running shoes remain the same”, says SportsShoes.com athlete and ambassador Ben Mounsey.
“Arguably the sole of a shoe is the most important feature, which usually consists of two parts: the midsole and outsole. The midsole provides cushioning and shock absorption, which achieves the necessary grip and protection as your foot hits the ground. The materials used in the outsole affect the lifespan of the shoe, as it protects the shoe from wear and tear from the motion of running.
"The toe box at the front of the shoe, meanwhile, should be around a thumbnail in distance from your longest toe to the end of the shoe, to provide comfort and prevent injury as you stride. If you have wider feet, you may want to consider a shoe with a wider toe box to achieve this.”
Cushioning and durability should be fairly self-explanatory, but you'll also need a brief understanding of the heel counter, which is the composition of the heel section of the shoe from floor to shoe top. Knowing the term ‘heel drop’ might also help: that's the difference between the highest and lowest parts of the shoe, between the heel and the lowest part of the toe section. The jury is out on whether it's better to have a stiff, more supportive heel counter or a malleable one that moves with your stride, but it may help you to know that a high heel drop of 10mm or more provides support for those with high arches, while drops as low as 4mm are more of a lightweight option for those lucky people among you without arch problems.
What's the difference between road running shoes and trail running shoes?
“Trail shoes have been specifically designed for running off-road where there is more traction, stability and foot protection required from tree roots, stones and mud”, explains Dan Prettejohn, Brand Manager at Pro:Direct Running.
“There are a vast array of trail shoes that are built to tackle deep muddy bogs, dry hard packed trails or loose rocky mountain terrain. Typically, we see deeper lugs on the sole of the shoe, a wider shoe base to prevent you rolling your foot or ankle, and often more of a consideration to log distance and comfort over pure lightweight speed. Often the materials will be tweaked to make sure a shoe can drain water and mud, or prevent it from entering the shoe altogether, with technologies like GORE-TEX.”
When should I buy new running shoes?
"As a general rule we’d say to replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles or 3-6 months”, Prettejohn continues.
“This can vary for each person, but it serves as a good guideline for shoes designed for everyday road running. Some shoes are capable of getting closer to 600+ miles, but this can depend on rubber coverage on the sole, midsole durability, strength of the upper, your personal running style, weight, location and the conditions you have run in. We advise that you rotate a few different pairs so that you notice when a shoe looks and feels like it's past its peak.”
Can I wear running shoes for the gym?
“Most running shoes are designed to move forwards, not side to side or up and down, therefore not needing the stability of someone lifting weights or doing a HIIT workout”, Prettejohn states.
“We’d always recommend that if there is a purpose-built shoe for an activity, you are likely to get a better result and avoid injury. However, on a practical level, this is not always possible or necessary if you are doing a much lighter workout or potentially running a shorter distance. There are several shoes that come close to fitting the needs of both, depending on the level of gym intensity, distance, or speed you like to run and frequency of exercise.”
How we test running shoes
Here at GQ we have a whole team of passionate runners, all of whom jump at the chance to test the newest running shoe releases as soon as they drop. Whether we’re training for a marathon or just running easy 5Ks, we put all of the shoes we’ve included in this guide through the wringer, looking at how they perform at speed and on the track, as well as over long runs, easy runs and even on race day. Different shoes work best for different runners, so we’ve tried to explain what type of runner might enjoy each of the shoes below, with shoes that cater to those who need support or over-pronate, as well as those for runners who want a more lightweight, bouncy shoe to get them around their next park run faster. Every shoe below has been tested, so rest assured that we believe it's a winner, just make sure to look carefully as to if it's right for you personally.