9 best running shoes for men in 2024

Not all workout shoes are made the same. Running shoes are made to make a marathon feel more like a mile. While that might be hyperbole, there is some truth to it.

Between the Select team and yours truly, we run dozens of miles every week. We’ve raced in 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons and marathons. To find the best men’s running shoes on the market, I spoke with fitness and medical experts to better understand the essentials to look for. Then, I ran around New York City in dozens of popular shoes from top brands.

SKIP AHEAD The best running shoes for men | How to shop for men’s running shoes

How we picked the best men’s running shoes

There are hundreds of running shoes on the market. To help choose the best ones, we spoke with experts to hone in on what goes into the perfect pair of runners.

• Size: Our experts agree that fit is the most important thing in a pair of running shoes. We highlighted shoes with inclusive size and width options, and included that information below each recommendation.
• Cushioning: A comfortable footbed (insole and midsole) is essential to a good pair of running shoes, says Dr. Miguel Cunha, podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York. The insole and midsole are between the upper half and bottom section of the shoe. Insoles made with memory foam or a shock-absorbing EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) can help to support the arch and reduce impact on your joints.
• Price: Running shoes can be expensive. All of our recommendations cost between $75 and $170, though I tried shoes across a wider price range.

How I tried men’s running shoes

I have been running regularly as part of my fitness routine for the past five years. I live in New York City and mostly run outside on concrete and pavement, with the occasional dirt trail or wooden path in the parks on the weekends. I typically run two to three times a week. I run indoors on a treadmill maybe three or four times a month. My distance ranges between three and six miles.

I wear a size 10 shoe with a medium width and generally prefer a shoe with neutral support and ample cushion. Cushion helps protect my joints, particularly my knees, from the repeated high-impact of running largely on concrete and pavement.

For this piece, I tried a different pair of running shoes every week, but otherwise maintained my routine as usual.

The best men’s running shoes of 2024

Our recommendations come from a mix of expert-recommended and staff favorite brands like Asics, Brooks, Hoka, Saucony and more. Each brand offers dozens of different kinds of shoes — these were the ones that I enjoyed most or were recommended by our experts.

Editor’s pick: Brooks Ghost Max

We reviewed the Brooks Ghost Max when they launched in 2023, and they have been my go-to pair of daily trainers since. 

Like the original Ghost, these have a neutral support shape with lots of room around the toes. The Ghost Max stands out with its lightweight cushioning — it is one of the brand’s most padded shoes, yet it weighs about 3 grams less than the original Ghost. It also has a slight rocker shape compared to Brooks’ other models, propelling you forward slightly with each step.

My mile times were similar while wearing these shoes compared to other models, but I felt more comfortable and didn’t have to think about running form much while wearing these shoes. After double-knotting them, I never once had my laces untie during a run.

Sizes: 7 to 15 | Widths: Medium, wide and extra wide | Heel drop: 6 mm | Weight: 10.0 oz (283 g)

Best for arch support: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

Cunha recommends the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 for best-in-class arch support. He points to the shoes’ EVA foam midsole, running from the heel all the way to the front of the shoe. This midsole increases cushioning and adds pronation control, says Cunha. If you tend to roll your foot inward (overpronate) or outward (underpronate), this pronation control can help guide and balance your stride.

The difference between the Adrenaline and the Adrenaline GTS lies in this cushioning and pronation control. All the brand’s GTS shoes have extra support around the rear of the shoe to reduce excess movement and help keep your stride natural and neutral, according to the brand.

Having used Brooks Adrenaline and Adrenaline GTS shoes in years past, the GTS did help to keep my stride natural. Brooks’ has since released the Adrenaline GTS 23, meaning you can find these 22s on sale while supplies last.

Sizes offered: 7-16 | Widths offered: Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide | Heel drop: 12mm | Weight: 10.2 oz (289.2g)

Best for wide feet and bunions: Hoka Clifton 9

These shoes were a winner in our 2023 Select Wellness Awards, and come recommended by Cunha. They are cushioned, chunky shoes with a stiff, supportive feel. They have a spacious, accommodating toe box — Cunha recommends them for people with wide feet or bunions. While I do not have wide feet, the spacious toe-box was roomy and never scrunched my toes. Despite their taller size, they are lighter than cushion-forward shoes like the Brooks Ghost Max and Asics Gel-Nimbus.

Sizes offered: 7-16 | Widths offered: Medium, wide | Heel drop: 5mm | Weight: 8.7 oz (246.6g)

Best for speed: Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

These speedy running shoes are one of the best running shoes for women, so naturally, I had to try them out. They are the lightest shoes on our list, designed for everyday speed and tempo training, according to the brand. Doing my usual routine, I noticed a huge difference between these shoes and my usual highly-cushion shoes — these felt light, fast, springy and bouncy in comparison. They naturally rolled from step to step, almost encouraging a speedy pace. While I’d still prefer a heavier, more cushioned shoe as a daily trainer, I enjoyed these fast, neutral running shoes for intervals and timed runs.

I also tried the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, which are lighter and stiffer racing shoes with a carbon fiber plate. While I enjoyed the Pro 3s, they are priced at a higher $225.

Sizes offered: 7-15 | Widths offered: Medium, wide | Heel drop: 8mm | Weight: 8.1 oz (229g)

Extra cushioning: Asics Gel-Nimbus 25

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 are supportive running shoes with a ton of cushion and relatively neutral support. I rarely felt joint or knee pain when I finished a run in these shoes, regardless of the distance I ran. They are very comfortable thanks in large part to the stretchy tongue, soft knit lining around the upper and extra padding around the ankle. The exterior loop near the heel also makes them easy to take on and off.

These are the heaviest shoes on our list. If you are used to fast, lightly-cushioned shoes, these will feel slow. I wouldn’t wear them for a timed-race, but for daily training where cushion and comfort is my priority, these are a great option.

Asics has since released the Gel-Nimbus 26, meaning you can find the 25s on sale while supplies last.

Sizes offered: 7-15 | Widths offered: Medium, wide, extra wide | Heel drop: 8 mm | Weight: 10.5 oz (299g)

Select pick: Brooks Revel 6

Priced at $100, these shoes cost less than most picks on this list. They also won our best overall running shoe award in the 2023 Select Wellness Awards. Compared to the other Brooks shoes on our list, these are lighter, more flexible and more breathable. There is enough support to feel padded, but not so much that you can’t feel the nuances of the ground you’re running on.

While they weren’t my absolute favorite pair of shoes, they are undeniably a great value. They are only available in medium width, however.

Sizes offered: 7-15 | Widths offered: Medium | Heel drop: 10mm | Weight: 8.8 oz (249.5g)

Best budget: Saucony Cohesion 16

If you are looking for a more affordable running shoe, Cunha recommends the Cohesion line from Saucony. It is consistently lower priced than most of the competition, including every other shoe on this list. “These shoes are spacious, comfortable and provide excellent ankle and arch support,” says Cunha.

Sizes offered: 7-15 | Widths offered: Medium, wide | Heel drop: 12mm | Weight: 9.1 oz (258g)

Durable and grippy: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12

These heavily cushioned everyday trainers were some of the most durable I tried. After a full week of use, they looked the least worn-in compared to every other new shoe I ran with. The slightly knobby rubber grip on the tread of the shoe gave me added confidence and traction while running on uneven surfaces. They also have some of the most inclusive size and width options of our recommendations.

New Balance has since released the Fresh Foam X 1080v13, meaning you can find these v12s on sale while supplies last.

Sizes offered: 7-16 | Widths offered: Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide | Heel drop: 8mm | Weight: 10.3 oz (292g)

Comfortable and stylish: Nike Pegasus 40

If you are looking for a pair of running shoes that wouldn’t look out of place in the office, consider this pair from Nike. The mesh texture, wide tongue, long shoe laces and flatter design don’t scream “running shoe,” and look reasonable at work or the cafe.

They are also capable running shoes, with neutral support, a springy feel and flat, knobby tread. While they were comfortable to run in, my favorite parts of the shoe had more to do with aesthetics than performance.

Sizes offered: 6-15 | Widths offered: Medium, wide | Heel drop: 10mm | Weight: 9.4oz (266g)

How to shop for men’s running shoes

There are hundreds of running shoes to choose from in the men’s section alone. Our experts highlighted a few essential things to keep in mind as you shop for your next favorite pair. 

Try them on in-person

Both Cunha and Zach Moxham, a certified personal trainer at Physical Equilibrium in New York City, recommend going to a local running shoe store for the best fit possible. “Have them scan your foot or do a quick gait analysis,” says Moxham. “If they have a treadmill, don’t be afraid to hop on for a run. You can even run up and down the store to see which shoe feels best for you.”

Cunha says that specialty running shoe stores tend to have knowledgeable staff who can better inform you about running shoe options and recommendations. They can also accurately measure the length and width of your foot.

Fit is crucial

A poor-fitting running shoe isn’t going to be comfortable, no matter how stylish it may look.

If you plan to buy shoes in person, Cunha recommends buying them at the end of the day when your feet are most swollen. “If they feel comfortable at the end of the day, most likely they will feel comfortable throughout the day,” he says. Cunha also says to try on at least three different models of shoe, even two different models at the same time, one on each foot, to get a good feel for the fit.

Both Cunha and Moxham say to pay special attention to the toe box — the area around your toes. “Make sure there is enough room to slightly wiggle your toes,” says Cunha. “If you can’t move your toes at all then the shoes are too tight and will eventually become painful. The tip of your thumb should fit between the end of the shoe and the end of your longest toe.”

Meet our experts

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Why trust Select?

Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at Select who covers technology and fitness including new shoe launches, fitness trackers and workout earbuds. To better understand running shoes and their complexities, he spoke with fitness experts and medical professionals. He also tried dozens of different running shoes, incorporating them into his weekly fitness routine.