10 Best Running Shoes for Men in 2025, Tested by Fitness Editors

This is a super lightweight performance shoe that’s great for all kinds of runners thanks to its bouncy midsole, lightweight profile, and (relatively) low price point. Out of the box, I found the shoe to be true to size, but the tapered toe box does make it feel shorter than others. The result is a secure and comfortably snug fit.

I like a light shoe, and this is the lightest of Adidas’s trainers. The full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole (sans any carbon plate material like rods) and nylon shank provide a smooth, cushy ride, whether you’re racing or doing training runs. The responsive midsole foam strikes a nice balance between soft and bouncy.

The sleek-looking and minimalist design is another element that drew me to this shoe. They just look cool. The mesh upper makes sure that your feet stay cool as well, another big win in my eyes. As far as construction goes, the lack of a gusseted tongue makes a little slippage a small concern—but as long as you utilize all the eyelets or use a runner’s knot, you should be good to go.

Read More: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 Review

This latest version of the Gel-Nimbus is nice and roomy with a wider feel, making for an incredibly comfy training shoe that works well for a variety of distances and training styles. I love how well cushioned this shoe is, which makes it a great option for me when I take on easy effort miles or recovery runs, but can also carry me through longer runs.

Men’s Health Grooming Editor Sean Zucker put in several 5 to 8 mile runs in these and also found the support to be great. “I typically veer away from over-cushioned shoes as they tend to sacrifice performance, but I didn’t sense that with these,” he says. “I glided through strides and my knees have never felt better after long runs.”

These shoes utilize cloud-like soft foam cushioning, which delivers a bouncy feel that most runners love. Compared to previous iterations, there is a more pronounced curved or rounded shape in the sole of the shoe (also referred to as a ‘rocker’ or ‘meta rocker’), which facilitates a smoother and more natural rolling motion from the heel to the toe during each step.

Read More: Best Asics Running Shoes

Nike Vomero has long been considered as one of the ultimate comfort shoes for runners, and the Vomero 18 does not deviate from that lineage. First impressions, the shoe looks awesome, and I was particularly drawn to the white shoe with the volt undertone and black swoosh. It just pops on the foot; this is what a Nike shoe should look like. And while we’re talking about things you notice off the bat, at just around $150 it’s a great deal for an excellent runner.

Laced up, you immediately recognize that this is a tall shoe with a noticeable 46 mm stack height in the heel and a 10-mm drop into the 36 mm forefoot. Like a few of Nike’s newer editions, the Vomero 18s feature a combination of foams to provide both energy return and comfort. The top layer is a PEBA ZoomX foam (which is indicated by the big “ZOOMX” on the side of the heel) and the bottom layer is the ReactX foam.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that, with all of that height and foam, this is a heavy shoe. I will admit that I noticed the heft at the beginning of my first training run with the Vomero 18, as I had just worked out with a lighter model from another brand. But once I got going, I was impressed by how smooth my strides felt. This is a perfect practice shoe, which feels secure on the foot while bringing all the support you need, for an excellent price.

Recently, premium running shoes have evolved into flashy, high-tech designs, often regarded as status symbols among runners. While these shoes may look impressive, the high foam stacks and carbon plates can complicate the ability to maintain a stable stride. Enter Tracksmith, a Boston-based brand, which is making its foray into the performance running market with the Eliot Racer—a super shoe that combines vintage aesthetics with modern technology.

The Eliot Racer features a lightweight mesh upper and an innovative midsole design that surprisingly shows less visible foam compared to its predecessors. However, it includes 38 millimeters of cushioning, distributed across multiple layers. This setup consists of a removable high-rebound foam insole, a full-length carbon fiber plate, and a lightweight Pebax foam chassis. As a result, the shoe weighs just 7.7 ounces and has a 7.5-millimeter drop, making it competitive with other high-performance racing shoes.

Men’s Health Senior Fitness Editor tested the Eliot Racer through various scenarios including a track workout, training runs, and a 5K race. “It’s easier to wear than many of its competitors, and the responsive midsole combines comfort with peak performance,” he says. “I found its sweet spot as a go-to for 5K to 10K races, especially ones that feature lots of cornering.”

Read More: Tracksmith Eliot Racer Review

Brooks has created solid stable of max-cushion shoes, like the Glycerin Max and Ghost Max, but the Glycerin 22 has managed to separate itself by combining that comfort with performance. This edition improves on the Glycerin 21 by swapping out the DNA Loft v3 foam with a new DNA Tuned, giving the shoemakers the ability to “tune” which zones of the shoe have more cushioning. This gives the shoe a really balanced and supportive ride that lasts through your full stride.

I was also pleased to see that the Glycerin 22s followed the current trend in running shoes of replacing knit uppers with more breathable jacquard mesh. Being someone whose feet run warm, especially when putting in miles, I appreciated the air coming through. Stepping into the shoe, you can feel the newly designed heel collar that keeps the back of your foot locked into place.

These improvements make the Glycerin 22 a great option for any runners who want to enjoy some easy miles, either during errands or training. During a couple 5-mile recovery runs I was impressed by how comfortable my feet were despite being sore from some track work. They also don’t have the over-designed look other like other max-cushion shoes do, meaning I was able to wear them for some pleasant support during errands and my walks with the dog.

Read More: Best Brooks Running Shoes

The Cielo X1 2.0 is an improvement on Hoka’s most premium race day offering. The first advancement that I noticed was the knit upper has been replaced by a thin jacquard mesh upper, making it even more breathable than the first version. They were also able to shed an ounce of weight without sacrificing any of the performance.

The metarocker shape, winged carbon fiber plate, and 39 mm of bouncy foam cushioning contribute to a swift stride cycle. The Cielo X1 2.0 is a well-rounded, exciting evolution of one of Hoka’s budding collection of super shoes. If you’re gearing up for races of 10k or longer this year, the Cielo X1 2.0 could be a valuable addition to your lineup.

Read more: Best Hoka Running Shoes

The Nike Pegasus Premium is a high-end iteration of Nike’s iconic Pegasus running shoe line, its go-to model for responsive cushioning. The first thing that struck me about the Pegasus Premium is the look, which really brings that classic Nike vibe. These shoes just look cool on the foot, especially in the black and red colorway.

The upper is knit, with mesh on the sides, with the pattern being left very open. The resulting effect is an upper that feels cool, looks cool, and reinforces the forefoot area with overlays. Laced up, I will admit the shoe feels a little heavy, and a little narrow. But after a quick 5-mile run I was impressed by the enjoyable and bouncy response given by the strategic combination of Nike’s ZoomX and ReactX foam.

The nearly full-coverage outsole brings plenty of grip on various terrain, so with all the comfort given there is also plenty of performance, even with the narrow design and increased height. This shoe fits the bill as a daily trainer, but also could even be classified as a super trainer, so it brings versatility to the equation if you want to kill two birds with one good-looking stone.

Craft is one of the newer names on this list, but we’ve loved what we’ve seen from the Swedish brand over the past few release cycles. The Endurance 2 look great out of the box with its subtle three-dot logo that makes them pop. I was impressed by the Pro Endur Distance, the previous design that this improves upon, and have been looking forward to getting my hands on these. I was not alone.

Men’s Health Senior Gear and Tech Editor Ryan Brower found the relaxed upper helps create a snug fit without feeling too tight. “This pair doesn’t look super wide to the eye,” says Brower, who has had issues with narrow toe boxes in the past. “But they provide plenty of room.” Even though the heel drop is higher than he would typically go for, being a mid/forefoot striker with high arches, he found the shoe to be pleasant to run in. Craft’s Px Foam in the midsole provided a soft yet stable cushioning with plenty of energy return during his tempo runs.

Fitting of the name, these Sauconys are designed to help you unleash your true speed and really chase those Endorphins. The previous edition of the Endorphin Elite made waves in the running community as a significant improvement on the prior set of super shoes, with more energy return and a better rocker. Out of the box, I enjoyed how soft and light these shoes appeared, and I was not disappointed with how they wore.

Laced up, the ultra-light TPE yarn upper feels like a second skin around your foot, with a snug fit that gives you the security you need to push your limits. This design also offers top-notch breathability, and the flat-knit tongue keeps the shoe secure without getting in the way of that. The midsole foam is soft, and while it won’t throw you off, it’s not the most stable option. This shoe is designed to fit like a glove, so don’t expect a lot of wiggle room for your toes if you buy them in your regular size. I was a little put off by how the forefront felt when I first put them on, but once I started upping the speed, I appreciated how it all locked into place.

I did a few 5 to 8 mile runs in these, after initially breaking them in with some track work. On the track, my laps were some of the fastest I had logged at my new track. These shoes are a great pick for anyone looking to push their PRs on 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. Or just set a new personal best at their local track, like I did.

Before testing the MAGMAX, I had never run in a pair of Pumas, except for the spikes I used back in high school for track and field. Not because I had anything against the brand; I just always had other options and old standbys in the closet. But the MagMax seemed like the perfect way to kick off this new relationship, and as first impressions go, this is as good as it gets.

First, let’s talk about comfort, because the MagMax’s NITRO foam provides it in spades. They feel plush and pillowy on the foot, with a broad platform that provides plenty of stability despite the extremely high stack height. Yes, the MagMax is one of the tallest shoes on the market, with a 47 mm heel that drops just 8 mm into a 39 mm forefoot. But thanks to that wide base and PumaGrip outsole, there is plenty of stability.

This is an excellent pick for anyone looking to spend some easy miles regularly. Don’t expect to set any new personal bests, but it’s not like you’re running in mud. Despite all the material and tech, the shoes feel almost lightweight, so you aren’t sacrificing performance. And when it comes to comfort, there’s a reason it’s on our list of Most Comfortable Shoes. The look is also great, with a couple of monotone options that pop. I’ve found a lot of running shoes to look cluttered and over-designed, but these colorways are great, whether you want to stay understated with Cool Weather Blue or pop with Glowing Red.

More Shoes We’re Testing

• Hoka Clifton 10: No surprise that the latest edition of this popular franchise from Hoka is ridiculously comfortable. These shoes earned a spot as the Best Overall pick for our Best Walking Shoes guide. I can confirm that they are also exceptionally well-cushioned for runs as well. — Charles Thorp
• Asics Metaspeed Edge Tokyo: These shoes from Asics are fast, ridiculously fast. I enjoy the bright red coloring and the statement that it makes on the foot. They aren’t the kind of shoes that you are going to wear every day, but if you want to break some PRs then these might be the shoes for you. — Charles Thorp
  
• Hoka Mach X 3: I got an early release on the Hoka Mach X 3, and they’ve been pretty good for training so far. They have a Pebax plate, which is not as aggressive as a carbon plate, but it gives you a little extra push. — Jamie Prokell
• Asics Novablast 5: At first, they seemed like just a good shoe, but over time, I have been more impressed by them. I have a little over 100 miles logged with them and they still feel fresh. — Jamie Prokell
• Saucony Triumph 23: The latest iteration of the Triumph is a good cushioned option. The midsole is softer and lighter than the 22s, providing supreme cushioning. I really like the barely-there mesh upper, combined with a minimalist sock liner that helps even further with breathability. — Ryan Brower

How Your Running Shoes Should Fit

It is important that shoes be fitted not only in length but width as feet come in many different shapes and sizes. It is important that your feet are measured regularly, as feet can change in appearance and function as we get older, or when females have babies, or even with post surgical changes on lower leg, ankle or foot surgery.

After length and width is determined, it is important that the individual have a comfortable foot bed under their foot and a proper fitting tongue of the shoe that is not too tight or irritating on top of the foot. Lastly, make sure that the Achilles notch of the shoe does not irritate the back portion of your heel (the Achilles tendon).

Neutral vs. Support Running Shoes

There is a significant difference between a neutral shoe and support shoe. Generally, neutral shoes are indicated for people who have less pronation, are a forefoot striker, or someone looking for a performance shoe that is lighter and more responsive. A supportive shoe is for those who may need a little more control of their feet flattening out (pronation) and to provide a bit more shock absorption and control.

Neutral shoes typically are lighter than a supportive shoe and can break down a bit quicker.

The Different Types of Running Shoe Midsoles

The midsole is the portion of the shoe where the foam materials assist in shock absorption or even foot control. There are typically four type of midsole materials:

EVA: Ethylene vinyl acetate (both white and gray layers) has been the standard in midsole foams for its softness, flexibility, and low production cost since the 1970s. The downside is that it becomes more rigid in cold weather and compresses over mileage, losing its bounce.

PU: Compared with EVA, polyurethane is less sensitive to temperature, is more durable, and has a bouncier feel. However, PU is roughly 50 percent heavier than EVA.

TPU: Thermoplastic polyurethane is heated and reformed. Companies like Adidas and Saucony use a two-step process, making TPU beads and then fusing them to create a more durable, flexible, and bouncier foam than EVA and PU. However, TPU is still a heavier foam compared with EVA.

PEBAX: Polyether block amide (the top, off-white layer) gained recognition as the highly responsive foam used in the Nike Vaporfly 4%. Pebax retains its flexibility and energy return in cold conditions and is 20 percent lighter than TPU.

Generally the darker the midsole material, the more support the shoe will have (and also slightly heavier in weight).

What Is Running Shoe Heel-to-Toe Drop?

Heel-to-toe drop is a recent term that has gained momentum over the last decade. This term represents the measurement of cushioning from the heel to the forefoot. Since the early 1970’s the construction of the running shoe changed dramatically as shoes were constructed with blown rubber and thick heels. Prior to this, most shoes were completely flat with no heel drop (Converse Chuck Taylors, PF Flyers). Traditionally the most common running shoe has about a 12 mm drop off and with in the last decade shoes have gone to the zero drop (0 mm). Typically the greater the heel drop, those runners have more of a heel strike or mid foot strike whereas the lower drop shoes promote mid foot to forefoot strike. Thus neutral shoes, racing flats and performance shoes have a low heel-to drop if not a zero mm drop. Support, stability and motion control will have the larger drop (12 mm).