Breaking down the year’s top running shoes. Featuring styles from Nike, adidas, New Balance and more.

<p>In 1972, American marathon runner Frank Shorter ignited what's now known as the “running boom of the ’70s” after taking gold at the Munich Olympics. Around the same time, a young track runner named Steve “Pre” Prefontaine was trickling into public consciousness, winning adoration across the United States with his non-traditional racing tactics. Bill Bowerman, Prefontaine’s acclaimed coach and <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/nike/running"><u>Nike’s</u></a> inventive co-founder, helped the prodigy gain small margins over the opposition by outfitting him in his proprietary footwear creations. Wearing never-before-seen silhouettes such as the <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/air-waffle-trainer"><u>Waffle Trainer</u></a>, Prefontaine ascended to greatness as the Swoosh’s first signed athlete.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Tragically, Prefontaine passed away in a car crash at the age of 24, but not before leaving an indelible mark on the running world and Nike. His visibility catapulted the Beaverton company to the forefront of the running boom, positioning Nike as a viable contender to <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/adidas/running"><u>adidas</u></a>, <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/new-balance/running"><u>New Balance</u></a> and specialist heritage labels such as <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/brooks/running"><u>Brooks</u></a>.</p>
<p>Today, each name remains steadfast in its pursuit to unlock human athletic potential through technological advancements, with running shoes in particular showcasing sportswear brands’ most acclaimed innovations. Over the last 10 years, luxury names including <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/balenciaga"><u>Balenciaga</u></a>, Zegna and <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/loewe"><u>Loewe</u></a> have brought outdoor aesthetics to the runway, blurring the line between performance and style.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But because of the plethora of options available, finding the right <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/running"><u>running shoe</u></a> may not be as straightforward as it seems. There are numerous practicalities to consider when selecting the right pair, from your own feet and what construction best suits them to weather and the potential need for waterproofing or additional breathability.</p>
<p>Below, a comprehensive breakdown of what to look for and general advice when buying running shoes in 2024.</p>

<h2>What to Look for When Buying <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/running"><u>Running Shoes</u></a></h2>
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<h3>Functionality: Speed vs Support</h3>
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<p>Everyone has different needs and requirements when it comes to running shoes. Some prefer a lighter silhouette that aids speed, while others, particularly those who may have suffered injuries, require reinforcement around debilitated areas. Environment is also a factor. For example, a city dweller will be better served by a shoe that interacts well with concrete, while someone in the countryside should opt for a design that can handle dirt. Categories that address some of these topics include:</p>
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<h4>Road Running Shoes</h4>
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<p>When people think of running shoes, what typically comes to mind are road running shoes, sometimes known as road runners. As the name implies, these shoes are intended for running on the road, pavement or other hard surfaces. Road running shoes tend to be engineered with a foam midsole and breathable uppers.</p>
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<h4>Road Racers&nbsp;</h4>
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<p>Racers, sometimes referred to as lightweight running shoes, shed excess materials to optimize quickness. The category has made huge advancements in the last decade, led by silhouettes such as <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/air-zoom-alphafly-next"><u>Nike’s Alphafly</u></a>. Famously, Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge wore the shoes when he ran the world’s first marathon under two hours. Other models are made for shorter distances, like the <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/zoomx-streakfly"><u>Nike Streakfly</u></a>, designed for 5K and 10K distances.</p>
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<h4>Trail Runners&nbsp;</h4>
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<p>When stepping out of the city to hit the trail, it’s important to find a shoe that can handle dirt, rocks, potholes, roots and sticky terrain. Trail runners generally have a more rugged makeup, designed to keep out mud and other terrestrial elements. Grippy rubber outsoles, or lugs, typically provide superior traction, while stiff midsoles help stabilize the foot.</p>
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<h2>Running Shoe Features&nbsp;</h2>
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<p>Irrespective of running gait, there are key characteristics that runners—both amateurs and professionals—look for in running shoes. Support is a major factor, whether it’s to prohibit overpronation (when the foot rolls inward) or supination (when the foot lands outwards). For overpronation, stability or support shoes are created with higher-density foam around the midsole that provides resistance against arch collapse. Neutral shoes with lateral cushioning and a wider toe box are preferred for supination.</p>
<p>When it comes to mitigating impact between foot and surface, the human body plays a natural role in reducing force by contracting the muscles or switching up posture. The shoe also helps. Runners tend to be split on how much cushioning is required: some prefer a minimalist shoe (like the <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/nin-sabo"><u>Vibram FiveFingers</u></a>) while others opt for a more maximalist, denser midsole (like the <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/clifton"><u>Hoka One One Clifton</u></a>). The midsole foam also affects the responsiveness of a shoe. When a shoe is billed as responsive, it responds to the ground and provides energy return.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The weight of the shoe is also a consideration. Lightweight shoes are faster but can be less comfortable, particularly on rocky terrain, whereas heavier builds offer comfort at the expense of speed.</p>
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<h2>Foot Type</h2>
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<p>Depending on your anatomical foot type, you may require a specialist type of running shoe. There are high arches (meaning the arch is raised higher than normal), low arches (when your feet lie flat or close to flat on the ground) and normal arches (when the middle half of the foot is half filled).</p>
<p>People with high arches need cushioned shoes, while people with low arches often require supportive shoes. Stability shoes are best for people with normal arches. It should be noted, low arches differ from flat feet. Flat feet often require a straight last (the mold that informs the shape of the shoe).</p>
<p>There are running shoes that accommodate people with wider feet. Width is usually denoted through the addition of a letter next to the numerical size. The letter for denoting width tends to change from brand to brand.</p>

<h2>Top Brands for Running Shoes</h2>
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<p>From Nike to New Balance to adidas, these three iconic sportswear companies have become synonymous with running shoes over the past century. Today, they are joined by a number of new brands that are reinterpreting the performance landscape with fresh technologies and aesthetics. Below, a list of specialists renowned for their running shoe styles.</p>
<ul>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/nike/running"><u>Nike Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/adidas/running"><u>adidas Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/asics/running"><u>ASICS Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/hoka-one-one/running"><u>Hoka One One Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/brooks/running"><u>Brooks Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/new-balance/running"><u>New Balance Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/saucony/running"><u>Saucony Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/on"><u>ON Running Shoes</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/karhu/running"><u>Karhu Running Shoes</u></a></li>
</ul>

<h2>Top 10 Road Running Shoes</h2>
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<p>There are more road running shoes than any other category, favored by runners of all levels as a workhorse option. Today, the upper of road running shoes is usually made from knit or mesh, providing ventilation and allowing air to circulate around the foot. Sometimes, a waterproof liner such as GORE-TEX is incorporated to help repel rain. Underfoot, road running shoes are generally built with foam midsoles to offer cushioning against the impact of concrete, while rubber outsoles provide traction. The optimal heel-to-toe drop measurement (meaning the difference between the height of the cushion under your heel and the height of the cushion under your forefoot) depends on the shape of the wearer’s foot.&nbsp;</p>
<p>10 of the top road running shoes available now include:</p>
<ol>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/pegasus-plus">Nike Pegasus Plus</a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/clifton-9"><u>Hoka One One Clifton 9</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/mach-5"><u>Hoka One One Mach 5</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/wave-rider-26"><u>Mizuno Wave Rider 26</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/endorphin-speed">Saucony Endorphin Speed 4</a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/gel-nimbus-25"><u>ASICS Gel Nimbus 25</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/fresh-foam-x-1080v12-black-thunder-m1080b12"><u>New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/ghost-15"><u>Brooks Ghost 15</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/cloudmonster"><u>ON Cloudmonster</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/adizero-evo-sl">adidas Adizero Evo SL</a></li>
</ol>

<h2>Top 10 Road Racing Shoes</h2>
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<p>Shoes in the racing category are designed for speed, favored by people who want to post quick personal best times, particularly over 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances. These shoes weigh less than typical runners, often composed with a thin upper such as single-piece engineered mesh. A bouncy midsole absorbs impact, joined to an outsole that tends to be thinner than standard road running shoes.</p>
<p>10 of the top road racing shoes available now include:</p>
<ol>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/zoomx-vaporfly-next-3"><u>Nike ZoomX VaporFly Next% 3</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/zoomx-streakfly"><u>Nike ZoomX Streakfly</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/endorphin-elite"><u>Saucony Endorphin Elite</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/endorphin"><u>Saucony Endorphin Pro 3</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/adizero-adios-pro-3"><u>adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/metaspeed-sky"><u>ASICS Metaspeed Sky+</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/rocket-x-2"><u>Hoka One One Rocket X 2</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/wave-rebellion"><u>Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/fuelcell-supercomp"><u>New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/hyperion"><u>Brooks Hyperion Elite 2</u></a></li>
</ol>
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<h2>Top 10 Trail Running Shoes</h2>
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<p>The first thing people notice when lacing up trail running shoes for the first time is how they generally weigh more than road running silhouettes. Built to support and protect the wearer’s foot on rugged routes, they are often designed with a weatherproof upper that resists mud, rain and other debris. Midsoles are usually thicker and supported by lug outsoles to allow the wearer to dig into dirt. Carbon or plastic-fiber rock plates are usually placed between the midsole and outsole to negate the impact of landing on stones.</p>
<p>Trail running shoes are usually the footwear of choice for endurance runners and ultra-distance athletes. &nbsp;Characterized by a bold design language, the 2010s and 2020s have seen specialist brands like <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/brand/salomon/running"><u>Salomon</u></a> cross over into a style context for the first time.</p>
<p>10 of the top trail running shoes available now include:</p>
<ol>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/catamount"><u>Brooks Catamount 2</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/mafate-speed-4"><u>Hoka One One Mafate Speed 4</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/trabuco-max"><u>ASICS Trabuco Max 2</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/react-pegasus-trail-4"><u>Nike React Pegasus Trail 4</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/fresh-foam-x-trail-more"><u>New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/tecton-x"><u>Hoka One One Tecton X</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/peregrine"><u>Saucony Peregrine 13</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/zoomx-zegama"><u>Nike ZoomX Zegama</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/speedgoat-5"><u>Hoka One One Speedgoat 5</u></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/fuji-lite-3"><u>ASICS Fuji Lite 3</u></a></li>
</ol>

Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 3 'Prototype'

Adizero Evo SL 'White Black'

Endorphin Speed 4 'Verdant White'

Deviate Nitro 3 'White Feather Grey'

Cloudboom Strike 'Prism Capsule Collection'

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Best Running Shoes in 2024

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