The Best Running Shoes To Help You Get Fit (and Get a Fit Off)
The Best Running Shoes To Help You Get Fit (and Get a Fit Off)
So you're a runner. You crush half-marathons like they're 100m sprints and carbo-load like nobody's business. You're also likely insufferable (but aren't we all?) and are starting to have serious doubts about the long-term physical condition of every single aching part of your poor little legs.
So you're an aspiring runner. You don't crush half-marathons so much as tentatively start to do research on them before committing to run one just as soon as some ambiguous physical/social/professional factor "starts to calm down a little bit" (incidentally, you also carbo-load like nobody's business).
Good news, runners and aspiring runners alike: All of you are equal in my eyes, and all of you deserve access to the greatest gear around. The best running shoes on the market today are made just as much for people who spend way too much time worrying about achilles tendinitis as they are for anyone just trying to lower the treadmill to a leisurely jog.
Race you to the checkout line! (I'm so sorry. I'm a monster.)
Men's Liberty ISO 2
Saucony
saucony.com
$100.00
Saucony makes some of the most stable running shoes around. If you tend to overpronate (runner speak for your foot rolling inwards involuntarily as you go), these'll keep your dogs locked in through the sheer force of good design.
Bondi 6
Hoka One One
hokaoneone.com
$119.99
Hoka makes running shoes that are exactly what they look like: heavily (and we mean heavily) cushioned, and hugely comfortable.
Escalante 2
Altra Footwear
zappos.com
$90.99
At first glance Altra's shoes might look a little funky—they're designed with a widened toe box to provide extra room for the (normal) swelling your feet experience as you run, especially over long distances. Adjust accordingly and they're game-changers.
GEL-Nimbus 21
Asics
zappos.com
$99.95
The Gel-Nimbus has long been favored by marathoners for its overall comfort and stability (it happens to be one of the most iconic silhouettes in the sport as well).
Fresh Foam Hierro V5
New Balance
newbalance.com
$134.99
New Balance's line of Fresh Foam shoes are always a solid option for all-terrain runs. These bad boys come outfitted with a Vibram sole for good measure.
Levitate 3
Brooks
brooksrunning.com
$109.95
Brooks shoes are beloved by runners for their overall stability and heel support. Say less, runners. (Literally. Please say less.)
GEL-Kayano 26
Asics
zappos.com
$99.95
If you're new to running, Asics are always a solid bet, and the GEL-Kayano is a tried-and-true silhouette for a reason.
React Infinity Run Flyknit
Nike
nike.com
$160.00
The Infinity React is an incredibly lightweight shoe that doesn't skimp on the support, making it ideal for everything from sprints to a half marathon.
Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2
Nike
nike.com
$121.97
Nike's Zoom Pegasus shoe is one of the sleekest around. It's another favorite among marathoners for its overall versatility, especially when it comes to changing things up mid-training.
Ultraboost DNA Shoes
Adidas
adidas.com
$180.00
There's not much to say about the Ultra Boost that hasn't already been discussed ad nauseam when the shoe first dropped, becoming a bona fide internet sensation seemingly overnight. Guess what? The shoe still slaps.
Limited-Edition XT-4 ADV Sneakers
Salomon
ssense.com
$250.00
Salomon has become a shoe du jour for fashion fanatics around the world. Yes, these are definitely a statement. They're also functional as hell, and if you need a solid trail running shoe there are few better options.
Nike Zoom Fly Off-White Black Silver
Nike
stockx.com
from $343.00
Really lean into the "elevated athletic" vibe with a pair that'll make your younger cousin convinced he should take up a sport. If dropping $300+ on a sneaker you intend to actually wear, and wear hard, doesn't faze you in the slightest, Abloh also released a version of Nike's Zoom Fly Mercurial runner that resells for an equally astronomical price.
Look good, feel good—right?