Expert consulted: 
Shopping for a pair of running shoes can be a daunting task. At Runner’s World, we test hundreds of shoes a year, picking the best pairs to include in our annual RW Shoe Awards. In this list, we compile the best shoes, updating it every so often so you can stay in the know about the hottest releases and the trainers we’re still running in well past their testing cycle (that’s how great they are). From road to trail, cushioned to lightweight, neutral to stability, all the shoes listed here we deem the best that are available right now.
Best Running Headphones
- Best Overall: Adidas Adizero Evo SL (Men’s/Women’s)
- Best Value: Under Armour Sonic 7 (Men’s/Women’s)
- Poor traction on slippery, wet surfaces: Brooks Ghost 17 (Men’s/Women’s)
- Best Cushioned: Nike Vomero 18 (Men’s/Women’s)
- Most Versatile: Asics Novablast 5 (Men’s/Women’s)
Brooks Ghost 17
At Runner’s World, we’ve tested gear since 1966. Our experts are diehard runners like you, putting in the mileage to evaluate products every run, every day. We also have a team of 300+ local wear-testers who log at least 100 miles in every shoe and provide valuable feedback to help us determine the best of the bunch. These runners of various experience levels, gait patterns, ages, and arch types make our testing all-inclusive.
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mm M, 39mm W
We’ve grouped shoes into three categories—training, racing, trail—to help you pick and choose which pairs fit your running lifestyle. Our staff and local wear testers based these selections on fit, feel, and ride. We’ve also included links to earlier iterations that are now at discounted prices.
Please note: While we’re experts at vetting the best footwear, buying shoes on these sites is at reader’s discretion. We update these links on a monthly basis, but prices fluctuate every day and shoes sell out fast. We’ll do our best to check on these links for any changes as the year moves forward.
Full Reviews
Training
Pros
- Responsive cushioning
- Enough shock absorption for long runs
- Lightweight
Cons
- Tongue can shift while running
- Midfoot too wide for some
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.9 oz (M), 6.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 7mm (M), 6mm (W) |
| Stack Height | 39mm (M), 36mm (W) |
Jeff Dengate, RW test director, declared the Evo SL the best shoe of the year in February. And swore he’d eat it if something better came along.
We’re confident Dengate won’t be dining on the Evo SL any time soon. The shoe’s foam is just one reason we think it shines — it’s the same foam Adidas uses in its marathon shoe, the Adios Pro 4: Lightstrike Pro. There’s no carbon-fiber plate, which makes the ride less aggressive, but there is a nylon shank in the midfoot for stability.
This doesn’t mean the Evo SL is perfect. Some testers found the toebox slightly narrow, and the midfoot a bit wide, and wished the tongue wouldn’t go askew midrun. Despite these drawbacks, our testers loved the Evo SL for its springy ride and versatility.
“I liked that it was lightweight without compromising on cushion,” said wear-tester Eileen Cody. “It was also an incredibly versatile shoe. I liked that it had that daily trainer feel and elements of a racing shoe, but without the hard carbon plate that is found in other super trainers. I felt like my stride was efficient without seemingly letting the shoe do too much work.”
Buy Men's at adidas.com Buy Women's at adidas.com
Under Armour Sonic 7
Pros
- Lightweight
- Responsive cushioning
- Feels fast
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Running Shoes & Gear
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.1 oz. (M), 7.5 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 26mm |
A $110 running shoe is a rarity. The Under Armour Sonic 7 is a unicorn. The shoe is for new runners looking for an entry-level performance trainer and runners on a budget searching for a premium lightweight model. Compared to the previous iteration, this one has a cleaner, more modern look with fewer cutouts. Other big updates include a softer and lighter Hovr midsole, and a lower stack height at 26mm (unheard of in 2025).
Despite its low height, our testers were satisfied with the Sonic 7’s support. “This shoe is a budget shoe, but doesn’t feel like a low-end shoe,” said tester Shayne Murray, who previously tested the $100 Brooks Revel 7. “It hugs the foot in the right places, is comfortable, and feels a little plush. Running in them you even get a little bounce.”
Because the shoe is lightweight and springy, testers gravitated toward it for speedwork and even race days. The only critique was its slightly narrow fit, which may feel a smidge tight on wide-footed runners. “I think the shoe runs a little small,” said Murray. “This was not a problem for me, but I do feel there are some wearers who will have to go up a half size.”
Buy Men’s at UnderArmour.com Buy Women’s at UnderArmour.com
→Discounted Under Armour Sonic 6: Available on Amazon for as low as 48 percent off, select sizes and colors. Men’s / Women’s
Pros
- Supercritical Nitrogen-infused EVA
- Lightweight
Cons
- Cushioning too firm for some
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.3 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
| Stack Height | 36.5mm |
The Ghost always hits the right marks for every kind of runner at every level: soft, supportive cushioning; all-encompassing comfort; not too light, not too heavy. There’s always room for improvement, however. When our testers ran in previous models, their main request was more cushioning in the forefoot. Brooks listened. The shoe development team added 1mm of foam to the heel and 3mm to the forefoot (previously, the drop was 12mm). “Like walking on clouds,” said Leslie Billowitch, who runs with a forefoot strike. “The shoe is very lightweight, snug, and comfortable.”
The Ghost’s cushioning continues to evolve with DNA Loft v3 foam, which was used in the Glycerin 21 and Glycerin GTS 21. It’s another reason why the Ghost 17 feels even softer than the previous version. “There was a nice smooth transition from the landing phase to push-off,” said another tester. “This shoe had the utmost comfort.”
Shop Men’s at brooksrunning.com Shop Women’s at Brooksrunning.com
→Discounted Brooks Ghost 16: Available on Amazon for as low as 29 percent off, select sizes and colors. Men’s / Women’s
Nike Vomero 18
Pros
- Soft
- Stable ride
- Reliable traction
Cons
- Hefty
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
| Stack Height | 46mm |
“Hands down, these are the best shoes I’ve tested!” gushed shoe tester Casey Green, associate running coach at Ursinus College.
It was praise echoed by nearly everybody who laced up Nike’s premium cushioned trainer. Why the love? Because it turns out we all crave a cushy shoe that runs really effortlessly. And that’s exactly what the Vomero does.
Nike recently reorganized its shoe lineup, dubbing the max-cushioned offerings as Vomero—daily trainers fall under the Pegasus badge, and stability is the domain of the structure. Within those, we can expect variations on the base model—Peg Plus, for example, is an up-tempo shoe, while the Pegasus Premium is a more laid-back, cushioned trainer that still has some speed.
The Vomero, though, is all about comfort. And it delivers that through the addition of ZoomX foam, the same light and soft material Nike uses in its marathon racing shoes. Here, combined with a bottom layer of ReactX, the shoe offers a highly cushioned landing but still has responsiveness for long runs.
All that comes with some added weight. But our testers were okay with the trade-off, knowing that they were going to save these shoes for easy runs and long, relaxed outings when they weren’t likely to pick up the pace.
Buy Men’s at Nike.com Buy Women’s at Nike.com
Asics Novablast 5
Pros
- Supportive and well-cushioned midsole
- Breathable upper
- Accommodating fit for wide feet
Cons
- Poor traction on slippery, wet surfaces
Key Specs
| Weight | 9 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 41.5mm (M), 40.5mm (W) |
The first Novablast was one of the bounciest shoes we’ve ever run in. It was insanely fun, if chaotic. But, that doesn’t work well for the masses, so Asics tightened things up to the point that the fourth iteration was almost too hard and lifeless. The 5 has gotten softer, however, thanks to the new FF Blast Max cushioning, which is lighter, softer, and more comfortable. Thankfully, it’s also remarkably stable.
It’s a great option as a versatile daily trainer that can be used for easy jogs and longer training runs, but it doesn’t feel like it holds you back if you decide to push the pace. It’s about the same weight as the Cumulus 27, but the difference is in the ride—that shoe is all about laid-back comfort, whereas this one encourages a little pep. There’s a lot of foam—41.5mm stack under the heel puts it into super trainer territory (40.5mm, women’s)—but it doesn’t feel nearly as soft and squishy as similarly thick trainers.
The only real gripe from our testers was about the shoe’s outsole. “It does not have the best traction over different surfaces and rounding some turns,” said Greg Jaindl, a speedy wear-tester who ran a 66-minute half in March. “[I found] it does not do well in the ice, snow, and wet conditions. Although you can manage, you are bound to have a few steps where you slide a bit.”
Buy Men’s at Asics.com Buy Women’s at Asics.com
→Discounted Asics Novablast 4: Available on Amazon for as low as 29 percent off, select sizes and colors. Men’s / Women’s
Pros
- Soft yet stable midsole
- High-performance outsole rubber
Cons
- Heel fit too wide for some
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.3 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
| Stack Height | 36mm |
The ForeverRun Nitro 2 preserves what we liked about the first: Its cushioned, responsive ride made us forget we were running in a stability shoe. Puma’s approach to developing the trainer was not to inherently stop pronation. Instead, TPU wrapped along the outsole of the heel is intended to merely slow it down. “This is a solid stability shoe, and it provides adequate support and cushioning for longer runs,” said a tester.
The shoe is updated with a wider midsole, which provides support on the medial side as well. But the real star is the midsole foam. Testers appreciated the shoe’s soft but springy ride and how its cushioning absorbed impact. “The cushioning helped me push through higher mileage without experiencing pounding on my knees,” said a tester. “It aided in my recovery, allowing me to feel fresher for upcoming workouts.”
Buy Men’s at Puma.com Buy Women’s at Puma.com
Hoka Bondi 9
Pros
- Soft, well-cushioned feel
- Even more cushioning than previous generation
Cons
- Not ideal for fast runs
- Narrower fit than previous iterations
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz. (M), 9.3 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Stack Height | 43mm (M), 42mm (W) |
If there’s one shoe that screams Hoka, it’s the Bondi. The trainer is quintessentially Hoka for its max-cushioning and soft interior. The Bondi 8 came out three years ago, so we expected a major makeover with the Bondi 9. The latest version is 10mm thicker than its predecessor (the men’s Bondi 8 had a 33mm stack height). Though the Bondi 9 towers over previous iterations, one thing the Hoka team wanted to change was its “billowiness.” This shoe has a sleeker, more refined look compared to past Bondis.
The Bondi 9 is soft for recovery, but we also tested it running 100-meter and 200-meter intervals on the treadmill at 6:40 pace and were surprised how smooth they glided on the belt. Other testers ran long in the shoe at a more modest pace. They described the feel as noticeably lighter than previous models and incredibly comfortable.
But Hoka could go even further with the Bondi 10: Testers wanted a thinner tongue and wider midfoot. Minor grousing amidst a lot of praise. Props go to tester John Mikovits for this honest take: “Hoka has been hit-or-miss for me but the Bondi, in general, has been a chunky miss. This Bondi 9 has broken the streak of disdain.”
Buy Men’s at Hoka.com Buy Women’s at Hoka.com
Racing
Nike Alphafly 3
Pros
- Well-cushioned and propulsive ride
- Improved fit and stability
- Even lighter than previous version
Cons
- Thick ZoomX midsole isn’t super durable
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.8 oz. (M), 6.2 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 40mm (M), 37.2mm (W) |
The lead pack at major marathons has, in recent history, been dominated by Nike’s Vaporfly, not the Alphafly, which is technically designed to be a better marathon-distance racer. With this overhaul of the AF3, Nike hoped more runners—including its own sponsored athletes—would adopt the shoe. To do so, it targeted four key improvements: create a smoother transition, redesign the arch to eliminate irritation and improve stability, reduce weight, and maintain energy return.
The most obvious change addresses that first point. The shoe visually looks like an all-new model with the sole fully connected by foam. Previous versions of the shoe had an awkward break right behind the Zoom Air units, highlighting the carbon-fiber plate under the midfoot. Now, ZoomX foam runs the length of the shoe, including the few millimeters between the rubber outsole and Air units, an update we saw in v2 to increase energy return and make the shoe run quieter.
“It felt faster than the Alphafly 2,” one tester said. “And it was easier to get on and off.” That is important because it addresses the second issue Nike looked to solve. The shoe still has a knit, bootie-like construction that is snug and really hugs the foot, but it’s more forgiving. You can get your foot into the opening more easily and, once it’s inside, truly appreciate the slightly wider platform, especially through the midfoot. The extra width not only applies to the footbed, where you feel it most under your arch, but all the way down to the ground to help boost overall stability.
Nike broadened the midfoot of the shoe when it filled in the gap with foam. Even better, Nike widened the carbon-fiber plate on the medial side of the midfoot. That makes sense on paper: A wider platform underfoot, pushing down on foam that makes more contact with the road, will result in a more stable foundation.
Buy Men’s at Nike.com Buy Women’s at Nike.com
Pros
- Explosive rebound
- Soft, supportive midsole foam
Cons
- Tacky outsole
- The Endorphin Elite 2 feels like running on pogo sticks. Saucony bested its HG foam, featured in
Key Specs
| Weight | 7 oz (unisex M9) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 39.5mm |
The Endorphin Elite 2 feels like running on pogo sticks. Saucony bested its HG foam, featured in the Elite 2’s predecessor, and replaced it with incrediRUN, a TPEE-based foam that’s incredibly soft and squishy. Because the ride is aggressive and the stack height towers at 39.5mm, a sticky Pwrtrac outsole serves as a stabilizing hold during descents and cornering..
Tester Eileen Cody, who trains at 7:00 pace, found the Elite 2’s stability more than satisfying. “The shoe finds the perfect balance of comfort, speed, and stability, which is the ideal for a racing shoe,” she said. “Its stable bottom allows for an even foot strike no matter whether it’s flat or a hilly terrain. This shoe combined the best aspects of the Pro 2 and the Elite 1, which makes for the ideal Saucony shoe.”
On the other hand, others noted how unstable the shoe felt. “During cornering on road workouts, some instability was present with quick turns or 90-degree turns, as grip is also minimal as a weight-saving measure,” said tester Sean Phillips.
It’s an ideal racer if you want explosive rebound throughout your next marathon. But if you need more stability, there’s always Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 4 to fall back on.
Adidas Adios Pro 4
Pros
- Soft and responsive cushioning
- Lightweight
- Rockered sole for smooth transitions
- Good traction
Cons
- Some testers felt the heel was overly soft
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.1 oz. (M), 6.1 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm (M), 5mm (W) |
| Stack Height | 39mm (M), 37mm (W) |
The Adios Pro 4 is a rocket ship. Buckle up and hold on. The Pro lineup has been the brand’s top-performing racer on the roads, but this version took everything from before and dialed it up a notch. The most obvious improvement is the midsole foam—it’s incredibly soft and squishy-feeling, giving excellent comfort for long runs and marathon racing, but it somehow defies physics in that it’s also really fast. “I compare it most to the Nike Alphafly, not because of its weight or size but because of the very soft, marshmallowy feel of the cushioning underfoot,” said shoe tester Trevor Conde, who sports a 2:21 marathon PR.
It’s the shoe a number of us reached for on workouts when we came in fatigued from heavy training or when we wanted to come away not feeling beat up. The thick slab of foam let us run fast and recover quickly.
Buy Men’s at Adidas.com Buy Women’s at Adidas.com
Trail
Brooks Caldera 8
Pros
- for everyday trainers
- Supportive cushioning
- Protective upper
Cons
- Feels bulky
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.8 oz (M), 8.7 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
| Stack Height | 38.5mm |
The Caldera is an ultra trail shoe, outfitted with raised sidewalls and a broader base for more stability. Its stack stack height is 38.5mm, which includes 4mm lugs that can take on rugged terrain. A shoe intended for high mileage calls for a plush but firm midsole, which is why the Caldera 8 has the same foam as the Glycerin 21. Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 offers cushioned support at a lighter weight.
“What I liked most is the fit, protection and lacing,” said tester Jonathan Zsigovits, who trains at 8:30 pace. “I felt secure running on a variety of surfaces, the toebox felt roomy but not to the point where I would slide around in the shoe. In addition, I felt confident with the grip it provided both on inclines and declines and when transitioning from gravel to road to grass.”
Another tester said, “This shoe has the comfort, support, and stability to gobble up tons of miles, and the traction to do so without wearing down in tough conditions.”
Shop Men’s at brooksrunning.com Shoe Women’s at brooksrunning.com
Pros
- Abrasion-resistant Matryx upper
Cons
- The 8 Best Brooks Running Shoes in 2025
Key Specs
| Weight | 10 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Stack Height | 40mm (M), 39mm (W) |
In the Tecton X 3 you have the best of both worlds: super shoe PEBA foam and parallel carbon plates sandwiched into it, and abrasion-resistant Matryx upper for challenging pursuits. Hoka added “winglets” to the parallel carbon plates to add stability in the cushy midsole. The lugs also have an updated shape for grippier traction.
Testers praised the comfort and lightweight feel of the Tecton X 3. “They were just plush enough for some longer miles,” said wear-tester Kelly Ammon. “I topped out at 15 miles, but based on the cushioning, I could easily see myself wearing them for at least a 50k but maybe even longer. They felt fast and responsive like the La Sportiva Prodigios I just tested but were much more comfortable for distance.”
The sock-like gaiter was a divisive feature amongst testers. Some liked the built-in protection and how it prevented pebbles and dirt from creeping in. Others said the sock caused rubbing when they wore short socks and disliked how their ankles felt swampy overtime due to the collected sweat.
Buy Men’s at hoka.com Buy Women’s at hoka.com
What to Consider
Q&A
How to Choose the Best Running Headphones
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
