Best Men’s Running Shoes | Every Top Pick Broken Down by Run Type

It’s time to stop wearing the same pair of shoes for running, walking, and mowing the lawn. If you’re not sure what shoes are best for running, don’t worry, our testers have done the hard part for you. We’ve rounded up some of the best men’s running shoes to help you find the perfect pair, no matter what your distance goal is.

If you read our article about men’s vs women’s running shoes, you already know that shoes are designed differently based on the anatomical differences between male and female feet.

Men’s shoes tend to have a wider fit, a slightly less narrow heel, and may weigh more due to the cushion distribution. They’re also built around male biomechanics, meaning the shape and support are designed for how men’s bodies naturally move. You’re not going to find the same type of arch support or motion control you’d find in women’s running shoes.

You want the shoes you’re running in to fit just right, because there’s nothing worse than blisters, hot spots, black toenails, or risking injury from the wrong pair.

Whether the shoe is labeled men’s, women’s, or unisex doesn’t matter nearly as much as how it fits your foot. Just keep in mind that the fit and sizing may be slighly different depending on the category.

Best Men’s Running Shoes

The shoes on this list work well for run/walk intervals, short runs, and even longer training cycles if your goal is a half or full marathon.

And  yes, some of the photos might shoe the shoes in pink, but we promise our team of male testers fully stand behind these picks too.

Most Versatile Men’s Running Shoe – Adidas Adizero EVO SL

The Adidas EVO SL is not as bouncy as a carbon-plated shoe and not as soft as a daily trainer. It’s a blend right in the middle that allows for that energy return.

This is going to be the perfect shoe to carry you through long runs while still allowing you to pick up the pace for half- and even full-marathon miles.

In general, a lightweight shoe, with energy return on a long run is a really fabulous thing for the legs no matter the pace.

You’re not going to find all the fancy bells and whistles packed into the midsole, just some nice foam underfoot. The overall wider fit and slight bigger base makes this a great shoe for male runners.

The subtle forefoot rocker is going to help if you tend to land on your forefoot/toes first, making for a smoother and easier transition

And if you’re looking for a weather-friendly model, you can check out the Adidas EVO SL ATR.

Best Daily Trainer – Asics Novablast 5

The Novablast has been a favorite cushioned running shoe since it first launched and each update brings more cushioning while reducing the weight.

It’s not the plushest shoe out there, but it’s a great amount of cushion in a weight that’s going to translate to a lot of miles for the average runner from training even to race day.

The 5 has a completely new full length midsole with their FF Blast Max  foam. Again, I like that this shoe is a more responsive cushion and you don’t sink in to it so much.

While this is a neutral shoe, with no guiderails or anything for stability, it absolutely has some of that built in to the design. The width of the platform from toe to heel reduces pronation and provides a really good ride.

Best for Wider Toe Box- Topo Atmos

This shoe is great for you if you want to wiggle your toes and are looking for a max cushioned trainer to support you on your long runs!

If you’re someone who has a wider foot, the Topo brand is known for their wider toebox and all around wider fit. Depending on how wide you need the shoe to fit, you can always change up the lacing for a more snug or looser fit.

The Atmos 2’s springy ZipFoam will give front-of-the pack runners who like extra cushion a nice bounce! 

At 8 ounces, this max cushion shoe is fairly light and comfortable to run tempo workouts in, but it’s definitely not a carbon plated kind of fast shoe.

Best for High Arches- Hoka Clifton 11

Clifton 11 is coming soon, and we’ll update all the info here once we’ve put it to the full test. For now, this is the Clifton 10 feedback.

The Hoka Clifton is a great option for runners with high arches. Thanks to a large midsole and a lightweight breathable upper it feels really stable and supportive.

Best for Narrow Feet – Puma Deviate Nitro 4

This is a shoe that can do it all. Easy miles, fast miles, the Deviate Nitro 4 has you covered.

The NITROFOAM™ (nitrogen-infused foam technology) is lightweight and responsive. It felt cushioned, but it didn’t lack the ability to pick up speed! A nice combo for a shoe that can serve many purposes. It also features a carbon-composite PWRPLATE that runs along the sole of the shoe, which is why it feels so good on speedier days.

These shoes are considered max-cushioned, yet isn’t going to feel bulky or heavy underfoot. 

The materials in the sole made the shoe feel pretty stable and not overly squishy.  The outsole also runs up a little high on the sides of the shoes, which also offers a little extra support.

This shoe is lightweight and feels great for daily training runs and tempo runs, at a price point that’s pretty fantastic for a plated trainer.

Best Running Shoe for Picking up the Pace – Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Saucony has built this series with an emphasis on speed, efficiency, and comfort, making it particularly popular among competitive runners, long-distance athletes, and those seeking to achieve their personal bests.

It’s a solid pick for interval workouts, tempo runs, and anything fast-paced. But Saucony also built it with enough cushioning and durability to carry you through longer training runs, too, making it a pretty versatile option to have in your rotation.

If you’ve ever had to pack a second pair of shoes just in case you want to toss in a little speedwork, you’ll appreciate the versatility here. The Endorphin Speed 5 is that rare mix of lightweight and responsive without being overly aggressive.

Saucony made a smart move with the Speed 5 by extending the rubber outsole all the way to the end of the heel, which helps with durability; you’re less likely to see the sole breaking down after just a handful of runs.

Best Men’s Race Day Shoe – Nike Vaporfly 4

This shoe is great for runners chasing PRs, those who are looking for an extra pop on race day, and anyone who loved the Vaporfly 3 but wanted something even lighter and more aggressive.

In our opinion, it is best for the half-marathon distance and below. However, you could get away with wearing it for the marathon.

Per usual with Nike, this is going to run a little bit more narrow but with the Unisex sizing, you’re going to find the shoes tend to fit men’s feet a little better than women’s.

The 4 is fast and light and another iteration of speed. It’s always had the feeling of running on rails and being narrow, that continues here and is maybe even a smidge more noticeable.

Runners who like a super lightweight, responsive feel and don’t mind a more snug, race-day fit will love the Vaporfly 4. It’s ideal for chasing down PRs from the 5K to the half-marathon (possibly the marathon)!

And more importantly a comparison of the Nike Alphafly vs Vaporfly. Which is the right race shoe for you?

Best Zero Drop Men’s Running Shoe – Altra Torin 8

The Altra Torin has emerged as a game-changer in the world of running footwear. A zero drop shoe that has enticed many to test out the lower heel drop running life!

As with all Altra shoes, you’ll enjoy the FootShape toe box. Their marketing is that this allows for a more natural foot movement, which is a yes and no.

Altra’s EGO MAX midsole formulation is a good blend of protection and energy return, plain and simple. The EVA/TPU blend does a nice job of absorbing the impact of your landings and with just enough responsiveness to get you through your stride. What it absolutely does is provide more room for your toes which can feel amazing AND allows for you to get more power out of that big toe by keeping it straight. Did you know your big toe provides a lot of umph in your stride?

Best Trail Shoe – Hoka Speedgoat 7

The Speedgoat is often on many of our best-of lists because it’s such an amazing shoe.

The new foam is a little softer; it feels like there’s a bit more in the forefoot, which is really comfortable. The shoe remains light, able to pick up the pace, but with even more energy return from this superior foam. It’s not bouncy like a super foam, it’s not crazy plush, it’s just a really perfect amount of foam for a trail shoe!

It’s not a stability shoe. Instead, the heel base seems wider and they’ve refined the heel collar to hold you better in place. Each time my foot rolled through a rocky section I could tell there was less dipping of my heel than in the 6. It was a glorious feeling and I already know my ankles are going to be much happier. I’d say anyone with Achilles issues will also appreciate it.

This shoe is best for trail runners who are looking for moderate cushion, plenty of protection and grip to cover a variety of terrain and distances. Great trail race day option as well.

There are honestly so many more shoes that we could add to this list of the best men’s running shoes. But for now, we hope that maybe you’ve found a pair that catches your eye.

Our team will continue testing and making updates to ensure this is the best of the best.

What to read next?

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