There is nothing more important for runners than getting the right pair of running shoes. Both to avoid injury and enjoy your run, you need a pair that offer the right level of support for you personally. Like your fingerprint, your running gait is unique to you, and everyone has different needs. However, to help you chose between some of the most popular options, we have put a range of running shoes through their paces.
Supination, also known as underpronation, is a very common running gait. In fact, we all supinate and pronate during every stride. Supination is when the foot rolls outward, and pronation when it rolls inward. These natural parts of the gait cycle may only become a problem, or at least something to be aware of, when they are more extreme.
Over-supination can put excessive stress on the ankle and toes and the outer edge of your foot, causing the ankle to roll or strain. And overpronation, when the foot rolls too far inward, can make it hard for the arch to absorb the impact of the stride. If you don’t wear the right type of footwear to support either of these, you can end up in pain or injured.
If you overpronate or underpronate, then you need something that will support the right part of your foot. “Anything too flexible or soft will lead to early fatigue on the outer border of the outsole – then the danger of injuries [for supinators] will increase,” musculoskeletal podiatrist Anne-Marie O’Connor told Live Science. “A lower offset or drop is advisable to aid a fuller foot contact and the thicker midsole of a maximalist trainer is ideal.”
These days, many shoes that are labelled as "neutral" can also be suitable for those with mild pronation issues, due to the support they offer and the maximal cushioning that is now very popular.
Alongside sorting out the best footwear, you can also use one of the best fitness trackers can help log your runs, or check out the best foam rollers to help ease any post-run aches and pains.
The quick list
See the quick list below for a summary of our favorite running shoes, or scroll further down for more detailed reviews of each product.
Best overall
This reasonably priced neutral running shoe won us over with its comfortable fit, excellent foot support, durability, and great running performance.
Best for newcomers
New runners often get on well with Brooks. The Glycerin, with its extra cushioning and soft, snug fit, is no exception. It does, however, have quite a chunky design that may not appeal to more experienced runners.
Best for women
Most running shoes come in mens and womens models but the Ultraboost 22 was designed specifically for female feet. It's a neutral shoe with a comfortable fit, excellent outsole grip and appealing design.
Best comfort
The Gel Cumulus is a mainstay of the running shoe line up. New version have a great lightweight build, but also offer excellent cushioning and are responsive on the run. It's also a relatively affordable option.
Best all-rounder
Hoka are beloved for their super comfortable cushioned shoes and the Mach X is no exception. It works for easy runs and for picking up the pace and despite the maximal cushioning, still feels lightweight.
Best for wide feet
The toe box on the stylish and appealing NB 1080 makes it particularly good for wide-footed runners, but it also offers a lovely plush neutral ride for easy runs for everyone.
The best running shoes we recommend in 2025
Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best running shoes for supination overall
✅ You want a running shoe that can do it all: It performs well no matter what kind of running workout you are doing .
✅ You prioritize comfort and stability: This well designed cushioning helps protect your feet from strains and blisters.
✅ You want good value for money: It costs less than $75.
❌ You want a racing shoe: It is not as responsive as some of the more lightweight or premium shoes on the market
❌ You want to keep up with the trends: It is an old model, and it offers a relatively basic design.
🔎 Saucony Ride 16: This mid-range neutral shoe offers an exceptionally comfortable ride that is firm enough to push the pace a little. However, it's definitely not highly responsive and runners looking for something for intervals and speed work should look elsewhere. ★★★★½
The Saucony Ride 16 is a great neutral running shoe. It will see you through long slow runs, easy jogs and even the odd shorter faster run. In a running shoe market now seemingly dominated by carbon plates and high tech wizardry, this is one of the simplest options available. Saucony have stuck to basics, and executed that superbly — meriting hefty 4.5 stars in our full Saucony Ride 16 review.
The shoe has a wedge of PWRRUN foam stack at the heel and a flared midsole around the forefoot, which can give an element of stability to an otherwise neutral shoe. While it's soft enough to be comfortable over long distances, it does have enough firmness to push the pace a little.
However, runners who want something responsive for intervals and speed work sessions will definitely want a more responsive shoe.
As a relatively older model (Saucony have recently bought out the Ride 18) the Ride 16 is relatively affordable, too. It tends to cost less than $75, and it is often discounted on Amazon and other major retailers. It may not be the newest Ride on the block, but it's still a fantastic staple of the running shoe line up.
- Read our full Saucony Ride 16 review
Best running shoes for beginners
✅ You prioritize stability over responsiveness: This shoe will keep your foot locked down over the miles.
✅ You need extra toe room: It is suitable for wide-footed runners.
❌ You want a racing shoe: It is bulkier and less responsive than other shoes in this guide.
❌ You want something light: It is relatively heavy for a modern running shoe
🔎 Brooks Glycerin 20: These shoes have a luxurious, cushioned fit that will make your feet feel like they are encased in fluffy clouds. However, this also makes them less responsive. ★★★★
Wearing Brooks Glycerin 20 is like having your feet smothered in fluffy clouds. They offer a super plush cushioned ride that will see you cruising happily for miles, but they certainly aren’t responsive. If you want something that will protect you, and make your feet feel pampered, then they are a great choice. However, if you want something responsive that offers great energy return for faster runs, then look elsewhere. The Glycerin 20 is the cosy slipper of the running world, which makes it a great option for beginners or people who are on their feet all day.
During our Brooks Glycerin 20 review, we were impressed by the grip and durability of this running shoe. We did not like its looks, though. The Glycerin 20 does not have streamlining and is rather chunky and basic in design. And although there is a breathable upper mesh, in hot weather the shoe does feel quite cumbersome.
The shoe does offer a wider toe box, thanks to a redesigned midsole and outsole. But this extra toe wriggle room is offset by the intense cushioning making it feel like your feet are being held in place by four walls of pillows.
- Read our full Brooks Glycerin 20 review
Best running shoes for women
✅ Regular women's running shoes do not fit you well: This shoe was designed specifically for the female foot.
✅ You run in challenging outdoor conditions: Its sole boasts excellent grip and durability.
❌ You want a racing shoe: It lacks the responsiveness needed for faster runs.
❌ You are on a budget: It is at the upper end of the midrange shoe cost scale
🔎 Adidas Ultraboost 22: Light, comfortable and more responsive than previous models, the Adidas Ultraboost 22 is a stylish workhorse of a running shoe. However, it is not best suited to speedwork and racing. ★★★★
Unlike many running shoes on the market, the adidas Ultraboost 22 has been designed solely for women.
Most running shoes come in male and female versions, but the womens one can often simply be a slightly narrow smaller version of the mens. But using an enormous data set of more than one million feet, the female design team found distinct differences between male and female feet, with women on average displaying a thinner heel and shorter instep.
During our Adidas Ultraboost 22 review, we found this latest iteration of the popular Ultraboost series felt snug and form-fitting, without being too tight.
The Continental rubber outsole offers particularly brilliant grip, as you might expect from a tire rubber, making them a great choice if you run in sometimes slippery conditions. When it comes to cushioning, they are top of the range, with the Adidas Boost foam providing a soft, bouncy ride. You can feel the 22mm of cushioning in the heel, and the 10mm drop helps your foot move through the heel-to-toe transition smoothly.
What the adidas Ultraboost 24 isn’t is a superlight responsive shoe. While we found the cushioning soft and comfortable, we didn’t feel a huge amount of energy return from them. This is a shoe best kept for longer distances and easy runs – something they do brilliantly.
- Read our full adidas Ultraboost 22 review
Best running shoes for wide feet
✅ You tend to run hot: This shoe features a breathable design, perfect for hotter temps or indoor sweaty treadmill runs.
✅ You need a durable shoe with good grip: It will survive a downpour and gravel roads.
❌ You want a racing shoe: It is more suitable for a laid-back run.
❌ You are on a budget: It can cost as much as $140.
🔎 New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12: Cushioned and durable, this neutral running shoe offers a comfortable ride on a wide range of distances. ★★★★
The New Balance 1080 model as long been super popular with runners, with each new version offering some small but welcome tweaks. Version 12 has a midsole made from New Balance's Fresh Foam, which gives a superior energy return and comfort over the older Fresh Foam material. The comfortable and breathable Hypoknit upper is perfect for hotter days, though also great in normal conditions.
The v12s are a lot roomier than their predecessors, which has divided opinion. People with narrow feet find that there is too much room in the toe box, but wide-footed runners will certainly appreciate the extra space. During our New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 review, we felt that the wide fit was almost too generous, and we would recommend checking your sizing carefully.
While previous versions of the shoe featured a hard plastic heel cup to secure and protect the foot, the newer shoes have a softer design. This gives a very comfortable but still very secure grip.
These shoes have a cult following for a reason; they last miles and miles, are suitable for easy runs but can also cope with picking up the pace, and they look great.
- Read our full New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 review
Best running shoes for cushioning
✅ You prioritize comfort over stability: It is one of the softest shoes in this guide.
✅ You want a spring in your step: It features bouncy ZoomX foam in its midsole.
❌ You are looking for extra support: Not as stable as other shoes in this guide.
❌ You have a narrow heel: This design may feel too loose.
🔎 Nike Invincible 3: With its Springy ZoomX cushioning and bouncy sole, the Nike Invincible 3 is one of the most comfortable running shoe available — but that does come with a compromise on stability. ★★★½
Thanks to the giant stack of bouncy ZoomX foam in its midsole, the Nike Invincible 3 delivers an increasible comfortable and enjoyable ride. It’s extremely soft which might protects your legs throughout the longest runs, while having enough spring that you don’t feel like you’re sinking into the midsole foam too much.
However, it's not a very versatile shoe. It's too soft and bulky for faster running, and the lack of stability makes it unsuitable for some over longer runs even though it is very comfortable. It's a great shoe for easy daily training but not for faster runs or those who need support.
During our Nike Invincible 3 review, we noted that had the new heel design on this model can feel quite loose. Some runners have found that it can start to rub during runs. It's super soft midsole also makes it not particularly stable, though stability on this third version has been improved a little with a wider base and a redesigned heel clip to cradle the foot better. However it certainly still offers less structure and support than other cushioned options, even in the neutral shoe space. It's also on the expensive side.
- Read our full Nike Invincible 3 review
