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The Best Men's Running Shoes of 2024
You've got the work-out plan. Now, you just need the footwear
The best men's running shoes of 2024 are the ones that protect you while propelling you to greater heights. They can handle all kinds of weather and terrain. They need to look good too. That’s where we come in.
We've rounded up the best men's running trainers on the market, from Nike to Adidas to New Balance, to ensure that you're supported on your journey. But how do you pick the right one? By following out guide, of course. Ready, set, go.
How to choose the right running shoe
A lot of different factors go into buying the right running shoe, and top tier trainers don’t come cheap, so it’s worth putting in the research.
First of all, what surface are you predominantly running on? Muddy, rocky trail running calls for (surprise surprise) trail running shoes, with the kind of tread that can perform on and protect from uneven ground. Road running, on the other hand, necessitates more comfort and bounce, to keep you puffing away for longer. But if you do a bit of both, then you should opt for a hybrid trainer that can, well… do a bit of both.
Then there’s gait, which is important for long-term runners. We can’t help you there. If you want to drill into the more personalised aspects of your running style – pronation type, inefficiencies, heel striking etc – you should go to a place that specialises in such matters. Asics offers a video gait analysis in-store as well as a weekly run club, as do a number of other running brands.
There are different kinds of lightweight running shoes, and understanding them is the key to buying right.
The majority of the entries on this list are cushioned trainers – or neutral shoes – for regular runners geared towards different levels of ability. They’re plush and offer support, without being too rigid.
Racing flats with spikes are meant for experienced runners undertaking speed work and racing around tracks, whereas normal lightweight road shoes cut fatigue and generally prioritise comfort and shock absorption (that is, if you invest in a proper, premium pair).
Stability shoes offer arch and ankle support, as well as midsole cushioning, to avoid overpronation (when the foot rolls inward upon landing, something you might discover during a gait analysis.) If you find that you do pronate to an excess, motion control shoes offer a firm fit that controls movement.
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The best running shoes of 2024
The Cloudflow 4 is a running shoe that is clearly designed for speed. Inspired by the much-loved Cloudboom Echo, the new release is only 20g heavier (at 235g) and uses the same Ultra-responsive cushioning sensation Helion superfoam. The shoe itself is made with 100% recycled polyester, providing unbeatable breathability and lightness – and the lightness is certainly noticeable when taking the shoe out on the road.
The Cloudflow 4 is definitely on the firmer side as running shoes go, with a ‘low’ rating for cushioning, but this is all geared towards faster run times. The new lacing system ensures a secure and snug fit whilst allowing normal foot movements during a run. Another nice ‘speed focused’ design feature is the way the shoe has been deliberately engineered to encourage forward momentum, with noticeable energy return helping to further improve your speed.
As with all OnRunning shoes, the design is sleek and stylish – the addition of the small Swiss flag tag to emphasise the Swiss Engineering is a nice touch. The fit is relatively narrow, so those with wider feet might want to consider a half size up. It's available in six different colourways, as well as a Limited Edition Cloudflow 4 Distance, designed in collaboration with cult French running retailer DISTANCE.
Comfort is the name of the game here – which is just as well, as the G-2000 12 has designs on becoming your daily running shoe. With its snug fit, Asics' highly-rated upgrade offers plenty of traction and stability, and the integration of the Japanese brand's PureGEL technology in the heel will give you the energy you need 0n the most trying of winter runs.
It's getting slippery out there, people. Protect yourself with these very affordable, very nice Nike trail runners, fitted out with waterproof GORE-TEX and the kind of grippy traction you need at the wetter end of the year. It's made with at least 20% recycled materials, too.
There are two footprints you want to be keeping an eye on when it comes to your running shoes: the one you're slapping down on the track/treadmill/tarmac, and the one you're slapping down on the environment/Earth/David Attenborough's face. The Lightstrike treads more carefully on this planet of ours than its forebear did, with a carbon foootprint 42 percent of the size. And it'll keep you light on your feet too, with its eponymous cushioning tech taking the weight out of things.
A new refit of the Bondi has softer, lighter foams and an appropriately sun-kissed colourway, and there's a lot happening under the surface too. The beefy crash pad at the heel keeps landings and transitions smooth and balanced. A good, comfy all-rounder for heel-strikers.
Now everything's taken a turn for the sludgy, brown and cold, a decent pair of trail runners are essential if you want to get off the beaten track/pavement slabs. Lightweight, waterproof construction on top is allied to a sturdy Continental rubber sole to make sure you're ready for pretty much anything nature can throw at you.
Take comfort in the knowledge that, as you slam through the miles, at least half of those miles will have been slammed through in a sustainable manner. That's because these are made from 50 per cent recycled materials. That's how it works isn't it? Maths?
SAUCONY Endorphin Speed 3 Rubber-Trimmed Mesh
One for your tempo runs here. Everything is geared towards allowing your foot to be as fleet as possible: there's ultra-light SPEEDROLL tech in the sole which pushes your feet forward and the equally upper-case but nearly impenetrable PWRRUNPB (power run PB, to you) cushioning to return 88 per cent of the energy you put down back into your feet.
Adidas Ultraboost Light Rubber-Trimmed PRIMEKNIT+
It's a brave soul who takes on the muddy lanes and rain-slicked city streets in bright white runners, but guess what? You're a brave soul. And there's more than enough under the hood to earn the holier-than-thou looks. The BOOST foam cushions jolts, the Continental outersole adds unbeatable grip, and the FORGED upper grips your foot like a very well engineered sock.
Summer's over and your runs are about to get very slippery, very quickly. With that in mind, it might be time to invest in a pair of rugged runners that combine performance with protection from the elements. Hoka One One’s Clifton 9 GTX rubber-trimmed mesh sneakers are crafted with waterproof Gore-Tex and fitted with traction pods, as well as 360-degree reflective details to ensure you’re visible as night falls.
It’s a case of evolution, not revolution with the latest instalment in the Nike Pegasus series – and that’s no bad thing, because we were big fans of the 39. It’s a comfortable, stable, no-bells-and-whistles daily shoe that will provide plenty of protection to casual runners, but perhaps doesn’t provide the level of cushioning you’d want on a longer workout. Also, lovely to look at.
Asics GlideRide 3
A solid road runner is one thing. But a road runner specifically built to take the kind of punishment that regular long runs – we're talking solid 50k outings a few times a month or 20k multiple times a week, that sort of regular long run – is something else entirely. The GlideRide 3 is exactly that kind of something else entirely. Asics' GuideSole design is really a mixture of two different kinds of shoe, with foams melded into a rocker sole shape, and a softer and more flexible sole than its predecessor in the GlideRide range. The idea is it'll stop your ankle moving around quite so much, keeping you from expending too much energy and making your next marathon-length run more efficient. It's an unusual sensation, by all accounts, but if you're serious about making marginal gains every which way you can, this is a contender.
Amazon, £151
On Running CloudSurfer
If you read the marketing hype, the OnRunning CloudSurfer has some very smart science behind its design. It all sounds impressive enough, but the question remains: it a good running shoe? Well, the first thing you notice out of the box is how light it is – 245g to be exact. Then there's the curved sole, which is key to providing ‘the seamless weight transfer from heel to toe’ that the brand boasts about. The fit is snug (our tester is a classic Eu43 with wider than average feet) but very comfortable with sufficient toe room. Walking indoors, the shoes feel strange, with the curved sole not allowing your feet to properly connect with the floor, but as soon as you hit the tarmac, it all starts to make sense. The heel to toe transfer feels very smooth, and you start to wonder as to why all running shoes are not designed this way. Traction is excellent, even when off-road, and so is the cushioning – after a hilly 5 mile run our achilles and knees felt like they had been well looked after.
Harrods, £150
Nike Pegasus Trail 4
You’ve got to be careful out there. The world is a treacherous place, riddled with potholes, slippery puddles and potential pratfalls. The least you can do is invest in a pair of Gore-Tex running trainers that give you the kind of grip and stability you need on tricky terrain, and the React Pegasus Trail 4s are up there with the very best. Waterproof, lightweight and remarkably responsive, they’re not exactly cheap, but they’re truly built to last. What’s more, they’re not as chunky or garish as many other top-tier trail shoes, and can easily make the transition to gym use. We’re fans of the black and silver model, but the very nice multicoloured options are currently on sale.
Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX, £144.95, nike.co.uk
Norda 001
A brand that emerged from Montreal, Canada in early 2020, Norda’s mission statement is to nail the perfect combination of “fit, cushion, grip, weight, breathability and material innovation”. Every pair of Norda’s chunky trail shoes are cut by lasers and stitched by hand, and the founders aim to limit the brand’s carbon footprint in all they do. These super light 001 Mesh sneakers are the result of years of research and development, trial and error; a pair of shoes that offer protection in slippery conditions and a smooth, responsive ride.
Norda 001, £220
New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v5
Comfort and support are the watchwords with the Vongo, with extra foam in the tongue and ankle and laces which connect to the embroidered 'N' on the side of the shoe to really hoik your foot in snugly. If you're someone who rolls their foot inwards as they land – that's overpronation, in jogging jargon – then these are a very sensible option to save your ankles, knees and hips undue stress. There's a raised arch on the midsole to make sure nothing rolls the way it oughtn't, and overall there's a sound balance between comfort and springiness.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v5, £160 johnlewis.com
Hoka Mach 5
Packing both the comfort of a road shoe, the sturdiness of something designed for long runs and the light pick-up and responsiveness you'd be after in a proper racing shoe, there isn't much the Hoka Mach 5 can't do. Hoka tend to turn out very comfy shoes, but even by their standards this one is practically like sticking your foot into a particularly supportive and speedy chaise longue. This rather Refresher-ish orange-yellow fade colourway is our pick.
Hoka Mach 5, £130 hoka.com
Nike ZoomX Streakfly
The ZoomX Streakfly is geared toward blasting you along shorter distances, so if you're trying to knock some time off your 10k time then look no further. It's Nike's lightest shoe, with a super-slim profile and extra cushioning in the forefoot to help you ping yourself toward another PB. Handily, the laces are offset too, so there's less pressure going through the top of your foot with each stride. Nike reckons the design is so sleek it "disappears on your foot," which feels like a better idea when it's not chucking it down and you're pounding through sludge on a dark Tuesday morning, but you can appreciate the sentiment.
Nike ZoomX Streakfly, £134.95 nike.com
Asics Gel-Kayano 29
The Gel-Kayano 29 from ASICS pulls off the masterstroke of feeling luxuriously supportive and cushioned without being bulky – particularly around the impressively springy heel – so that it provides comfort and stability on short and long runs alike. It’s actually 4 per cent lighter than its predecessor, the Gel-Kayano 28, and the design is eye-catching without being showy. You can set out knowing that your feet are, as it were, in safe hands.
Asics Gel-Kayano 29, £165, asics.com
Adidas Pureboost 22
If you’re after something for a short blast around the block before work, or you’re just starting out and don’t feel quite ready for a half marathon yet, the Pureboost 22 is designed with you in mind. The Adidas Boost in the sole boings extra energy back into your foot as you push off, and the stretchy upper (made of 50% recycled material) is all about maximum comfort. And if you go for the extremely goth and extremely off-duty-ready all-black colourway, you’ll be ready to bounce straight from your jog to the pub. Ideal.
Adidas Pureboost 22, £110, adidas.co.uk
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