Best Running Shoes for Men 2024

Finding the best men’s running shoes for your needs can be a challenge. There are hundreds of great running shoes to choose from, and sifting through all of them is a never-ending process.

To make it even harder, there isn't one best running shoe for all guys. The best shoe for you comes down to several factors, like your training, your foot shape and your unique gait.

We’re constantly searching for the best running shoes for men. We research, test and write about as many men’s shoes as we can to assess how well they hold up to their intended purpose: to deliver a comfortable running experience.

There are sometimes also differences between men's shoes and the best running shoes for women of the same model. If shoe designers created models for each gender, we outline how each shoe is different. Plus, for our wide-footed runners out there, we tried to pick models that come in different widths to give your dogs some more room.

Our Top Picks

After putting loads of shoes through their paces, we think these are the best men’s running shoes for every type of runner:

• Brooks Ghost 15
• New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v14
• HOKA Bondi 8
• Saucony Kinvara 14
• Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40
• Mizuno Wave Rider 27
• On Cloudgo
• Altra Escalante 3
• Karhu Ikoni 2.5
• ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26

[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2024.]

How We Choose the Best Men’s Running Shoes

To start, we run in a lot of different shoes (check out all our shoe reviews). Long runs, short runs, dog walks—we do it all.

Then we layer on data from our fit id® outfitting process, which gives us millions of data points to tell us how shoes fit.

Finally, we lean on our decades of expertise in the running industry. We know what terms like "heel-to-toe drop" and "stack height" mean, and we know how those things translate into what you care about: comfort, performance and price.

Not convinced? Don't sweat it. We offer free shipping on all orders over $99, and you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.

What You Should Consider When Picking Men's Running Shoes

There are a lot of things you should think about when you're choosing new running shoes. Here are some of the big ones.

Your Training

Where and how you train will make a huge difference in finding the right shoes for you.

If you're new to running, you might want more cushioning to soak up the impact of pounding the pavement. If you're gunning for a PR, you'll want to find lightweight (and maybe carbon-fiber plated) shoes to shave a few seconds off your time.

The shoes we picked here are generally good for lots of different types of runs, meaning they can grow with you if you're new to the sport or they can take you through your latest marathon training cycle.

Your Feet

Got wide feet? You're not alone. High arches? We see you. So let's talk about foot shape.

Running shoe brands make shoes in narrow, standard and wide widths to accommodate lots of foot shapes. They also account for flexible arches or flat feet by adding stability components to the midsole.

If you're unsure of what you need, stop by a local Fleet Feet for a free, one-on-one outfitting experience.

Your Style

Style isn't the most important thing when it comes to finding the best men's running shoes—comfort is. But we won't pretend like looks aren't a factor!

Like soft shoes but don't want the chunky look? There are soft and low-profile options. Need stability but want to wear them to dinner? We've got shoes that look good on the move and under a white table cloth.

Comfort is paramount when you're ramping up your miles, and the men's Brooks Ghost 15 offers plenty of it, making it one of the best men's running shoes around.

The Brooks Ghost is comfortable all around. Brooks built the Ghost 15 with a soft and smooth engineered mesh upper. The mesh comes with a hint of stretch to mold around the curves of your foot, a new 3D Fit Print provides more structure, and it's roomy enough to accommodate a range of different foot shapes. It also comes in wide sizing for runners who need it.

Designers made another big change to the Ghost 15 this year: DNA Loft v2 foam. DNA Loft v2 is lighter and softer to give you the best run possible. Plus, it extends all the way into the forefoot to create a soft, smooth transition from heel to toe.

The newest Ghost remains an all-around performer that brings an ideal combination of comfort, cushion, weight and price.

Read more in our Brooks Ghost 15 review.

The running shoes you use for your everyday training have to strike the right balance of cushion and weight. The men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v14 nails that balance.

The 880 has long been a favorite for its comfortable fit and cushioning, and the fourteenth version is no exception. New Balance redesigned the midsole to make it lighter and more cushioned with a single layer, Fresh Foam midsole.

The plush upper has strategically placed zones for support and ventilation. In our New Balance 880 v14 review, our testers loved the dependability that the 880 brings year after year. It is a classic everyday training shoe disguised as something you could wear out to the brewery with friends.

HOKA is known for building some of the best-cushioned running shoes on the planet and the men's Bondi 8 is a max-cushioned game-changer.

Designers packed the men's Bondi 8 full of HOKA’s brand new ultralight foam for cushioning that won't ever bottom out. HOKA built the shoe on a 33 mm/29 mm (heel/toe) stack height that absorbs impact as you pound the pavement.

The Bondi 8’s billowed silhouette highlights its brand-new extended heel geometry that forgives hard landings and encourages a stable and balanced ride.

The cushy midsole provides a soft, smooth ride and buttery transitions from heel to toe, which makes the Bondi one of the best men's walking shoes. Plus, it's a great choice for anyone who spends long days on their feet at work, like nurses and doctors.

When you prioritize comfort above all else, lace up the HOKA Bondi 8 for one of the most-cushioned running experiences you'll find.

Read more in our HOKA Bondi 8 review.

Few running shoes put together the same combination of weight, cushion and speed as the Saucony Kinvara 14.

The men’s Kinvara 14 is a featherlight running shoe that packs enough cushion to blur the line between racing flat and everyday trainer. Saucony packed even more of its responsive PWRRUN cushioning into the midsole, while their mesh upper allows for plenty of breathability.

The latest version now weighs even less, making the Saucony Kinvara 14 a fast and flexible running shoe, perfect for daily training or picking up the pace. Our reviewers said this shoe shines at faster paces and tempo workouts in our Saucony Kinvara 14 review.

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 is a lightweight and nimble running shoe perfect for men putting in daily miles or training for a race.

You want to be confident in your shoe when you lace up for your run. That’s why beginners and experienced runners alike love the reliability you get from the Nike Pegasus 40’s balanced ride and comfortable fit.

Nike React foam in the midsole gives you a bouncy and energetic feel, while two Zoom Air units in the forefoot and heel add an extra pop to your toe-off. Plus, thanks to the grooves on the waffle-inspired outsole, the Nike Pegasus 40 has a natural running motion and excellent traction to keep you confident running year-round.

Few shoes offer more versatility than the Nike Pegasus, which is why it is consistently one of the best running shoes on our list. Its lightweight cushioning and dialed-in fit make the men’s Pegasus 40 an ideal choice as your go-to daily trainer.

The Wave Rider 27 provides propulsive energy and supportive cushioning thanks to Mizuno Enerzy foam in the midsole. The Enerzy foam is lightweight and cushioned but also bouncier to make you feel even more comfortable and energetic.

The Wave Rider 27 features a bio-based Wave plate to disperse impact and promote smooth transitions as you run.

The stretchy, air mesh provides a lightweight, breathable upper that hugs your foot in all of the right places.

With a refreshed midsole and roomy fit, the Mizuno Wave Rider 27 is one of the best running shoes for men.

The On Cloudgo is one of the best running shoes for men because it does everything you ask of it.

The Cloudgo gets its versatility from a responsive Helion foam midsole paired with On's signature Speedboard. The combo delivers a snappy, responsive ride for use on the road or in the gym. On’s unique CloudTec® technology absorbs the impact from running and gives you multidirectional support to keep you moving forward.

The engineered mesh upper is breathable and wraps around your foot comfortably. One reviewer in our On Cloudgo review said “The Cloudgo has a soft, welcoming step-in feel. I particularly like the padded heel collar. It feels like it melts around my heel and ankle to provide comfort right off the bat.”

But it's not just performance with the Cloudgo: On's sleek, minimalist style gives you an athletic look before, during and after your pub run.

The Escalante may be one of the most versatile men’s running shoes on this list. Our wide-footed friends and lightweight shoe lovers rave about the Altra Escalante 3 for its FootShaped toe-box and low-cushion profile.

Altra’s zero-drop midsole keeps the cushion balanced from heel to toe and encourages a low-impact foot strike. This keeps you light on your feet and supports your natural stride.

The Escalante is as comfortable for runs as it is for all-day wear thanks to a soft, stretchy upper and a lightweight, padded tongue that feels like a slipper and helps prevent blisters.

Great for mixed distance running depending on the person, Altra uses their Ego midsole foam for an energetic ride that’s soft enough to keep you comfortable on longer runs. With a lower stack height, new shape and responsive cushioning, the Escalante can crush home workouts and cross-training, as well.

The Karhu Ikoni 2.5 isn't just one of the best men’s running shoes, it's one of the best running shoes out today thanks to its generous fit and effortless ride.

The design was shaped by millions of 3D foot scans captured during Fleet Feet’s fit id® outfitting process, giving it an accommodating fit for a wide variety of foot shapes. The Ikoni also uses an asymmetrical lacing system and an updated upper that hugs your foot for the perfect fit.

A bed of lightweight foam feels super plush and responsive and is supported by a half-length Fulcrum rocker in the midfoot. This combination helps to propel the foot through its heel-to-toe transition and makes runs and walks feel effortless with each step

The newest Ikoni 2.5 is an excellent choice for men looking for a smooth ride out on their runs or walks.

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 is a great update to a classic running shoe.

ASICS gave this shoe plenty of cushioning to help create easy landings and buttery-smooth transitions. You will notice that there is plenty of cushioning to make each run or walk super soft and comfortable.

A stretch knit upper wraps around your foot to round out the plush experience. One reviewer described it as his Cinderella shoe, stating “The knit material hugged my foot perfectly, the stretchy tongue was barely noticeable on my foot, and the collared heel was designed perfectly.” Whether you are going for a long run or walking the dog, the Gel-Nimbus 26 is sure to delight. For a more in-depth look, check out our ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 review.

What Does “Best” Mean?

It’s impossible to say definitively that these are the best men’s running shoes for all men.

There are so many factors to consider when picking the right sneakers for yourself—not to mention personal preferences—that we can’t say which kicks will be the best ones for you. Instead, we chose the models we think will work for most guys, most of the time.

For more personalized recommendations, visit a Fleet Feet location for a one-on-one expert fitting through our fit id® outfitting process. A Fleet Feet expert will walk you through the 3D scanning process to precisely measure your feet, and then they will talk with you about your current training and future goals.

At the end, you’ll have personalized recommendations for men’s running shoes that are tailored to your size and needs.