19 Best Running Shoes Worth Packing—Whether Youre a Casual Runner or a Marathoner

This just might be the most comfortable running shoe I’ve ever worn. From jogs around my neighborhood and incline walks on the treadmill to long flights and road trips, the Hoka Clifton 9 has yet to let me down. What stands out most about this lightweight sneaker is just how much cushioning you get—the EVA foam midsole provides a ton of support and makes your feet feel like they’re on a pillow. The sneaker has what looks like a thick platform, but that extra cushion and shock absorption just adds to the shoe’s comfort level. I was a little skeptical about the higher-than-usual heel at first, but it actually helps me slide my foot into the shoe more easily. Other perks: These sneakers are breathable, durable, and made with recycled materials. They have become a little dirty since I have them in white, but otherwise they’re still in near perfect condition after more than a year of constant wear. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

I’ve tried a number of Brooks running shoes, but Brooks’ Ghost are my perfect pair. They’re cushy, but still springy; they’re lightweight, but sturdy. I also love that they come in an all-black colorway, which makes them stylish enough that they’re the only running shoes I have ever worn outside of running (ideal when you’re trying to pack light). I just retired my Ghost 15s and switched to the 16, which is more lightweight and has more padding—I’d caution, though, that even though the specs say the toe box is 0.25 inches wider than the 15, I found that the 16 felt narrow up top during the breaking-in process. Give these a few days of walking around a city before embarking on a long run; once they mold to your feet, though, they’re better than ever. —Megan Spurrell, associate articles director

I picked up running again this spring after neglecting my old jogging hobby for quite some time (a couple of years, if I’m being honest), and I found myself wanting sneakers that would help ease the struggle slowpokes like myself have getting back into the swing of things. Enter Nobull—which I already knew and loved for its strength-training sneakers. Nobull’s line of Journey Runner+ options have a super-cushiony nylon tread billed as an “energy efficient springboard” that’s been a blast to run on, and especially helpful in hotter locales this summer when I needed some extra motivation to get out for a few early miles. They’re super comfortable, breathable, and also pack surprisingly small despite their tread size thanks to the collapsible, mesh top structure. I’ve brought these everywhere (Tennessee, Greece, Seattle, Morocco, and Egypt) to stick to my running habit, and don’t see them falling out of my packing rotation any time soon. —Shannon McMahon, senior destinations editor

I got into running pretty late in life (I was 35), and honestly my priority was a shoe that didn’t look like a bag of Cheetos. My first pair of Wave Riders were black mesh with subtle turquoise accents. As I continued to run and get better, these shoes remained my favorite, and still are to this day. They have a breathable mesh fabric, are lightweight, and look great if I need to pop them on for errands. —Alexandra Sanidad, research director

Lululemon is one of my go-to brands for activewear, so I was thrilled when it launched performance sneakers. I love the Blissful 2 running shoes—they’re lightweight, comfortable, and sleek. Designed specifically for women runners, this pair has a foam cushioning to soften landings. They’re a great pair to pack—I’ve worn these running, walking, and to a workout class. —M.K.

At the end of a Chicago half marathon, a Nike truck was handing out new sneakers for anyone who was willing to trade theirs in. The shoes I was running in were pretty beat up and ready to retire, so I decided to try out some new Nikes. I had never run in a Nike shoe before and to my surprise, they’ve been my favorite for long distances while marathon training. They offer support and stability without feeling too heavy or clunky, and have comfortably taken me through distances up to 18 miles so far. The one con is some slight tearing around the collar lining on one foot. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

I’m a self proclaimed sneaker-head, but when it came to actual trainers that would be the right fit for me—I was stumped. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Saysh One sneakers in the year and a half I’ve worn them. The Saysh One is the first sneaker released by Allyson Felix‘s brand, and was designed specifically for a woman’s foot. I was skeptical with its slender, thin design, but have been pleasantly surprised by the arch and heel support. This shoe is also incredibly lightweight and molds to your foot. Two of my favorite aesthetic traits: the thin laces and woven texture. —Paris Wilson, commerce writer

For 25 years, the Adrenaline has been a staple of Brooks’ lineup, with the GTS (appropriately named “Go-To Shoe”) earning the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance. The sneaker strikes the right balance of both “smart support” through its guide rails, which limit extra movements in the feet (and help stabilize the knees and hips), and soft cushioning that doesn’t become too squishy.

The best part is, the Adrenaline does all of its own work—catering toward any kind of foot-strike without the runner ever noticing. Ever since Marlovits analyzed my foot and referred me to the GTS 16 about eight years ago, this line has been my, well, go-to shoe. When I’ve traveled, they’ve taken me from double-digit training runs to 20,000-plus steps sightseeing days. When I’ve raced, they’ve carried me from casual 5Ks to a full marathon. Considering all the pressure I’ve put on them, I’ve always been impressed by how well they’ve supported me. Ironically, the only time I was slightly disappointed was when I went down the giant slide at Maryland’s Butler Orchards with my nieces and the backs wore off of a new pair on the bumpy ride. Otherwise, they’ve always been dependable for a smooth and steady ride.

Marlovits says this shoe, along with the New Balance 860, Asics GT-2000, and Hoka Clifton lines, tend to check off all the right needs for most runners, including being supportive, cushioned, flexible, lightweight, and durable.

The Bachelorette’s Zac Clark, who founded substance abuse and mental health recovery Release Recovery, suggests the Reebok FloatZig 1 for anyone looking to get into running. With responsive cushioning, energy-optimized outsole, and reflective details for night runs, these “provide much-needed support for a really smooth overall run,” says Clark.

Currently training for the TCS New York City Marathon, Clark says this pair—available in 10 colors—is lightweight enough at 9.8 ounces to support him through runs of all kinds. “I love them because they are versatile and look good,” the host of The Zac Clark Show says. “I can go from my morning miles straight through the rest of the day no matter what I’m doing.”

Dabbling in so many running shoes, I had started to wish for a Mr. Potato Head of designs, craving the stability of Brooks Adrenaline GTS paired with the wide comfy toe box of the Lululemon Blissfeel and cushioned support of Hoka Cliftons. From the moment my eyes landed on the Brooks Ghost Max 2, I knew I had found that magic shoe that checked off all the boxes. With the “just right” amount of neutral support with maximum cushioning, the Ghost Max 2 required no break-in time and immediately became my sartorial companion for everything from business dinners to road races. Their classic look was so malleable that I ended up wearing them every single day for a month—and they always kept me light on my feet, but also super supported.

(Read my full review here.)

No matter the occasion: training, racing, short distance, long distance, workouts, or neighborhood walks, Christine Burke, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and runner products at New York Road Runners (which produces the TCS New York City Marathon, coming up on November 3), turns to New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080s.

“It is ready to go out of the box, doesn’t break down quickly, and has never caused any foot issues,” she says, having run in them in various weather conditions and terrain, even the sand. “It is light enough for racing and sturdy enough for running on uneven terrain.” In particular, she’s been impressed with its durability, with the tread and bounce lasting hundreds of miles without any sign of dissipating.

She traveled up and down the east coast this summer, keeping up with her twin high school sons, only packing this pair. “I’d run whenever I could,” she says, including hitting upstate New York trails, Washington, DC, concrete pathways, and hilly country roads in Virginia. “It was the perfect, workhorse shoe for all conditions and locations,” she says.

Editor’s note: New Balance is the Official Athletic Footwear and Apparel Partner of NYRR.

When it comes to being light and quick on your feet, Gwen Jorgensen knows best. The accountant turned 2016 Olympic gold medalist triathlete has been lacing up in the Hoka Rocket X 2 for both training workouts and actual races, noting that it’s primed “for fast long runs.” At 8.3 ounces, she says that the shoes are lightweight despite having a carbon fiber plate making it “responsive and also sturdy,” especially for sudden directional switches. “I love that I’m able to run fast in the shoe, but also am confident running around corners,” she says.

Compared to its predecessors, the unisex sneakers, available in three eye-catching colorways, has had a complete makeover, including a more streamlined geometry, fresh upper, and new foam designs, all which have come together to help Jorgensen go the distance. “I won five World Triathlon World Cups in the Rocket X 2,” she says. “My favorite race in them was Tongeyong, South Korea. The run had a hill, some turns, and some beautiful ocean views.”

Let’s face it: The constant harsh impact on the feet goes against human nature. So for those who mostly put in their miles in the concrete jungle, Marlovits recommends more cushioning to soften the blow. Among those in the category is On’s Cloudmonster line, which includes its update Cloudmonster 2, that came out this year, upping the game on propulsion, energy return, and most of all cushioning, with the brand’s biggest CloudTec layer. He says other leaders in the category include Hoka Bondi and Saucony Triumph. “These shoes tend to protect the joints, knees and shins against the hard surfaces of the roads and sidewalks,” he says.

Brooks professional trail athlete and ultra-runner Hillary Allen had a tough time choosing between the brand’s Catamount (which is her go-to for fast runs, workouts, and hill repeats) and the Cascadia, which she prefers for “my burly mountain days and more technical trails where I need protection for my feet and cushion for my longer miles.”

Allen’s favorite feature are the lugs that help her both on and off the trail, across even the steepest terrains. In fact, it was the Cascadia that helped her place third at the San Juan Solstice 50-Mile Run in the mountains of south central Colorado, where she also achieved the fourth fastest time in the race’s history.

Very few things can come between runners and the road—even poor weather conditions. But there’s nothing more painful than wet shoes, especially when they cause blisters and irritation. “Gore-Tex is a breathable waterproof laminate that will keep your feet warm and dry, but won’t get your feet too hot or sweaty,” Marlovits says.

One model that does the job: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 Gore-Tex, billing itself as being “winterized” for all-weather trail running. Raindrops end up slipping right off the waterproof upper, while an extra gaiter at the ankle collar helps keep things tight so no water or debris gets into the shoe. The rubber outsole also resembles a bike tire with 3.5-mm lugs to ensure extra traction, no matter how stormy the situation. Other standouts in this category include Brooks GTX Ghost and the On Cloudventure Waterproof shoe.

If you have a need for speed, you want to be as light on your feet as possible. “These shoes tend to be minimal and today some are even plated—they have a plastic or carbon plate within the midsole to propel you forward and make you a more efficient runner while they minimize fatigue,” Marlovits says of most racing shoes today.

While he also lists the Nike Zoom Vaporfly as a good option, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 has a thoughtful new design, marked with a roomier toe box for comfort, as well as more stability, thanks to its wider base. The shoe, which weighs 7.2 ounces for women and 8.2 ounces for men, also has an improved outsole design for added traction and durability.

“As an NYC street runner, the pavement can wreak havoc on my body—tendon, shins, hips,” Bronx-based six-time marathoner Louisa Tatum, who is part of the Mile Style running group, says. As she’s taken her running on the road, checking off the Berlin, London, and Chicago marathons on top of NYC three times, she’s needed to find a shoe that works for all scenarios, landing on the Adidas Terrex Soulstride, an all-terrain shoe that has taken her through every condition with “the right comfort and grip for icy and snowy streets or trails,” adding that “the waterproof upper keeps my feet dry” and that the shoe has “the right support for my ankle and cushion that makes running seem effortless, even through winter conditions.”

Currently training for the Every Woman’s Marathon in Savannah, she’s also noticed that “the grip on the shoe keeps me upright and moving through my run, even though ice and snow aim to allow me down.” Tatum really put the Adidas to the test during The Speed Project, between LA to Las Vegas, as part of solo runner Malcolm Ebanks’ support team, running a section of the course alongside him. Through rain on the streets and desert, she says, “the ride was comfortable, the transition was easy, and my feet remained dry while it poured down as we made our way down the road.”

Cushioning has become one of the trendiest running shoe features, as of late, with every brand trying to outdo one another by treating runners to plushier steps. First-time marathoner Elle Choi, who will be running the TCS NYC Marathon in November, visited her local running store in Virginia, and was introduced to the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 and hasn’t looked back. “They’re so bouncy, it feels like I’m running on clouds,” the Marriott International premium brands social and content marketing senior manager says.

Whether she’s been pounding the pavement, running on trails, or getting her miles in on the track, they’ve kept her light on her feet, thanks to the brand’s PureGel technology that lightens impact with its soft landings, which helped her crush a 20-mile training run, her longest so far. She adds that the knitted upper is breathable, especially helpful on warmer days. She’s already taken the shoes on a test run during a recent trip to New York City and I’ve “never enjoyed running as much as I did on that trip,” she says.

“Entry-level shoes in the specialty market tend to be around $100 to $110 today,” Marlovits says. But more budget-friendly shoes do exist. He recommends the Asics Gel-Contend 9, a good neutral road shoe for all-day wear with rear-foot gel to absorb extra shock, a foam midsole for extra flexibility, and an Ortholite sock liner for moisture management. That’s exactly why proud new runner Ilana Dunn, dating expert and host of the Seeing Other People podcast, landed on these shoes.

“I’ve always hated ‘feeling my shoe,’ which means my favorite kind of running shoe is the one that I can put on and forget about,” she says, adding that they’re “lightweight and perfectly cushioned.” As a casual runner, Dunn has been taking them on fun runs, including on weekend trips, like a 4-mile run through London’s Hyde Park and a rainy seven-mile run in East Hampton, New York.

“With the $70 price tag, I’m not afraid to get them dirty, run through a park in the rain, or get a little adventurous,” she says. “I don’t feel bad if they get ruined because I can buy another pair and still have paid less for the two than for most popular running shoes out there.” In fact, that mentality has “empowered me to fall even further in love with running.”

Another strategy to help save on running shoes is to go for older models, Marlovits suggests. “Most shoe models are updated each year and oftentimes the updates are minimal,” he says. “You may be better off buying a model from last season than buying a budget shoe—you get a better quality and more performance-oriented shoe for the same or less than a budget model.”