One of the thrills of running is its simplicity and purity. Get home from work, slip on a run tee and shorts, lace up your favourite shoes and you can soon be on your way.
And you can do so without the fear of a bike mechanical or pool-lane tyrant to halt your progress.
What you wear on your feet, however, has become an increasingly complicated business. So here, we’re going to explain how to choose the right running shoes for you.
Below, you’ll also find a list of the best running shoes, as reviewed by our test team over the past couple of years.
Best running shoes in 2024
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
- £210
- Pros: Good grip and a fast, propulsive ride.
- Cons: Price.
Unless you’ve been a hermit for the past few years, you’ll have seen the excitement around the new generation of running shoes that’ve been helping athletes break world records.
The Endorphin Pro 3 is Saucony’s latest evolution in the supershoe vein and is a very worthy contender for your hard-earned cash.
The mix of foam and stiff carbon fibre midsole plate in the Endorphin Pro 3 means that less energy is lost per foot strike, leaving you with extra va va voom to run faster or further.
Combine this with the Speedroll technology, to help your feet roll over, and you feel cushioned and propelled forward with each step.
Runs felt really springy and fast, even at slower speeds, and compared to your average road shoe it was a whole new and enjoyable experience.
The grip held the wet winter road well and we reckon it’d be equally at home on dry, summer non-technical trails, too.
Considering the foam sole stack is at the upper limit of World Athletics rules and the drop is 8mm, we found the shoes stable and lightweight.
They felt comfortable and the wide-ish toe box let our toes splay, but consider going up a size if you have wide feet.
We really liked the mesh upper and imagine in summer it’d be a real bonus for keeping cool. But for non-sock wearers, we’d suggest testing how they feel with damp feet post T2.
While super sparkly (other colours are available) they’re not that reflective when worn out on the streets at night. On the whole, though, the hype is worth it!
Verdict: Expensive, but the light weight and carbon tech made running feel great.
Score: 90%
Hoka Rincon 3
- £105
- Pros: Versatility, propulsion, light weight.
- Cons: None, as of yet.
The Rincon 3 is the shoe for every occasion, with tester Matt Baird praising their lightweight build and suitability for racing over any distance.
In fact, they're just as accomplished in training as they are for racing, with a breathable upper, fantastic propulsion and race-focussed tongue.
The heel-to-toe drop is 5mm, while stack height comes in at 29mm, and they're available in both a standard and wide version.
See our full Hoka Rincon 3 review here.
Score: 94%
On Cloudboom Echo
- £210
- Pros: Lightweight, fast and carbon plate works well.
- Cons: Price, may not be enough cushioning for some.
Put simply, the Cloudboom Echo are made for racing, with tester Kate Milsom describing them as light and responsive.
The feel sleek when on and the propulsion on offer is noticeable right from the start, which is ultimately thanks to the carbon Speedboard and brand's Cloudtec lugs on the outsole.
There's a recycled polyester mesh upper that hugs the foot well, while the cushioning from the midsole feels more minimal than plush.
As a result, we see these as a great option for speedy marathon runners that don't need a huge amount of support or cushioning.
See our full On Cloudboom Echo review here.
Score: 94%
Hoka Carbon X 3
- £160
- Pros: Flexible upper, smooth ride.
- Cons: Expensive, not the most supportive.
Here's another shoe with a carbon sole and another shoe that's been scored highly by our test team.
The Carbon X 3 is certainly a stylish option, but vitally it also performs incredibly well, too.
It feels light and there's plenty of flex in the shoe's upper, too, but that does mean there's less support on offer than you can find elsewhere. That said, there's decent support at the heel.
One area that particularly impressed our testers was the midsole, which proved great at absorbing impact and combined well with the carbon fibre plate and Hoka's Meta-Rocker to deliver a smooth and efficient ride.
See our full Hoka Carbon X 3 review here.
Score: 88%
Craft CTM Ultra Carbon Race Rebel
- £220
- Pros: Lightweight, breathable upper, propulsive.
- Cons: Lack of support.
If you're looking for a lightweight shoe for fast miles then this offering from Craft could be for you.
Our testers praised it for the lightweight and breathable upper, but admitted this does mean there is less support on offer than many runners may be used to.
However, the 33m stack and 10mm drop helped deliver really noticeable propulsion in our tempo sessions, which was only enhanced further by the shoe's carbon plate.
If you don't need much support from the upper but want a speedy, lightweight shoe, this might be the one for you.
Score: 90%
Hoka Clifton 9
- £130
- Pros: Comfortable, fit well, versatile.
- Cons: None.
Tested recently in our cushioned run shoe group test, the Clifton 9 is another versatile option from Hoka.
They fit perfectly and feel lightweight, but vitally also deliver a great amount of cushioning and propulsion while in motion.
Our testers found the upper mesh material particularly comfortable and deemed the Clifton 9 capable of handling long runs with aplomb.
See our full Hoka Clifton 9 review here.
Score: 93%
Saucony Triumph 20
- £155
- Pros: Comfortable, decent forward propulsion, recycled materials.
- Cons: Firm ride, not the lightest.
Given it's now on its 20th iteration, it's fair to say the Saucony Triumph has been around for a while. And its latest version has to be up there with one of the brand's best attempts.
Saucony says this shoe is softer and lighter than ever before, and we saw nothing that would make us disagree.
Stack height at the heel is a lofty 37mm, while there's a heel-to-toe drop of 10mm.
With that in mind, we wouldn't say the Triumph 20 is particularly lightweight, but it is very comfortable.
That said, the shoe is a little firmer than other cushioned run shoes on the market, but that did help deliver decent forward propulsion.
While it's not the fastest option available to you, the cushioning and fit make it one to consider.
See our full Saucony Triumph 20 review here.
Score: 85%
Asics Gel-Cumulus 24
- £135
- Pros: Great fit, super comfortable, high-visibility detailing.
- Cons: Not the quickest for racing.
One of the first things our testers noticed about the Asics Gel-Cumulus 24 was just how comfortable they are.
That's thanks to a great fit and a very good sock liner, while the FF Blast cushioning delivered a healthy dose of cushioning.
Despite that, propulsion was very good, while the upper proved adequately breathable on our test runs.
Better yet, the Gel-Cumulus 24 is a shoe that's versatile enough to handle most distances.
See our full Asics Gel-Cumulus 24 review here.
Score: 88%
What should you look for when buying running shoes?
Cushioning
Different shoes offer varying levels of cushioning, ranging from minimal to maximum. Choose a cushioning level that suits your running style and preferences.
Stability and support
Consider the shoe's stability features to support your foot and prevent excessive inward rolling (overpronation) or outward rolling (underpronation/supination).
The right level of stability will depend on your foot mechanics and gait pattern.
Breathability
Look for shoes made with breathable materials that allow air circulation to keep your feet cool and dry during runs.
This can help to prevent discomfort and reduces the likelihood of blisters or fungal infections.
Traction
Consider the outsole's grip and traction capabilities. If you're likely to be heading off-road, consider trail running shoes for better traction and protection.
Weight
Lighter shoes are generally preferred for faster running, while slightly heavier shoes may provide more cushioning and support for longer runs.
Durability
Assess the durability of the materials and construction to ensure the shoes can withstand regular use and offer long-lasting performance.
Heel drop or offset
This refers to the difference in height between the heel and forefoot of the shoe. It can affect your running mechanics and foot strike pattern.
Higher heel drops are associated with more traditional cushioned running shoes, while lower heel drops often signal a more minimalist or barefoot-style running shoe.
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