11 best running shoes for men to hit your 2024 fitness goals

Comfortable from the second we pulled it out of its inordinately large box, this latest update to the classic New Balance shoe was an instant hit with our tester. We were immediately taken with its simple yet stylish design, and later impressed by its all-round performance, foot-hugging lockdown and supreme cushy comfort thanks to the generous wedge of fresh foam (New Balance’s fanciest new midsole material) underfoot.

The 1080v13 is smooth and comfortable at slow paces, making it a great daily trainer, but it doesn’t disappoint when your speed increases either. We found it spritely enough for tempo sessions, comfortable enough for long distances, and durable enough to handle treadmill duties when the weather was less than favourable outdoors.

The only real downside here is that they will set you back £160. They may not be cheap, but when you factor in the versatility it becomes much more palatable. This, after all, is something of a do-it-all shoe, and we think it would be perfect for anyone looking for a solid all-rounder they can wear for all runs with plenty of room to progress.

If you’re just starting out on your running journey, you might not want to drop in excess of £100 on a pair of shoes. Perhaps you’re strapped for cash, or maybe you just want to test the waters and see if running agrees with you before investing in a more premium shoe. Either way, the Nike downshifter 12 is about as good as it gets for less than £50, delivering a comfortable and stable ride for the highly competitive price.

Our first impression was that the shoe looked remarkably good. It has a sleek silhouette, great proportions and tastefully placed branding, all of which belie its modest price tag. And that’s not where the value for money ends, because out on the road, it is reassuringly stable and responsive. Not the most exciting ride, and it lacks bounce, but it’s supportive and comfortable enough to accommodate beginner runners nicely.

We’d recommend this shoe to anyone looking for a reliable and modest first running shoe that does everything it needs to without breaking the bank.

Hoka is one of the brands that led the charge when maximum cushioned trainers first took over the running shoe world a few years back. The chunky maximalist shoes have always had a reputation for being a bit like Marmite, particularly in the looks department. But, this latest version is one of the most handsome iterations yet, without sacrificing any of its famous cushioning or comfort.

After spending weeks running in the clifton 9, it has firmly entered our tester’s rotation as his shoe for long runs. It provides an ultra-cushioned ride that is perfect for racking up big miles, and the rocker profile makes for smooth heel-to-toe transitions. It’s lively and fun, and it would work great as a casual everyday shoe when the time comes to retire it from running duties.

One thing worth noting is that despite its apparent wideness, the clifton 9 actually runs fairly narrow. This is only really going to be an issue for those with broad feet, in which case the shoe is also available in a wide-fit option.

If speed is the aim of the game, you’ll need a shoe that’s up to the task. The market is flooded with carbon-plated ‘super shoes’ promising to add an extra bit of spring to your step and propel you across the finish line in record time, and this one from Asics is one of the best there is.

With a springy toe-off and plenty of foam underfoot, it is fast and nimble, but also cushioned enough to take on big miles in comfort. It’s not the sort of shoe you’ll want to whip out for your everyday training runs, but for speedwork and race days, it’s perfect. This is partly down to the fact that running too often in stiff carbon-plated shoes can lead to injury, but also because the outsole is designed for lightness over durability.

We think this shoe would best suit experienced runners looking for something nippy to improve their times, take on races and wear for speed sessions. What it is definitely not is an everyday trainer for beginner runners and those looking to go slow and steady.

Running shoes have become technical. They often feature an aggressive drop, which means the heel is significantly elevated above the forefoot, sometimes by as much as 10mm. Shoes with a high drop are said to be good because they allow for more knee flexion, but they’re certainly not for everyone, and recently zero drop shoes have been growing in popularity.

Altra is one of the key names in the zero drop game, making shoes that allow the foot to strike in a more natural way. The thinking behind this is that your body can move the way nature intended it to, but with a good bit of cushioning underfoot for comfort. For some people, this could potentially reduce the likelihood of an injury.

This trainer comes with lots of cushioning for a nice plush ride that’s perfect for long distances at steady paces. We found it comfortable right out of the box, although the zero drop will take some getting used to if you usually run in regular shoes. We also loved the rocker sole, which gives a nice lively toe-off. And while the chunky looks won’t be for everyone, we think it’s a great-looking shoe with some fantastic colour options to boot. Buy it if you want to build foot and leg strength, and switch to running in a more organic way.

Our tester is an avid novablast wearer and has run extensively in every iteration since the shoe was first released in 2020. This pair is the fourth version of the award-winning daily trainer that sticks with the maximum cushioned, high stack theme while reducing the weight slightly compared to the novablast 3.

Performance-wise, we found the novablast 4 to be slightly firmer than the previous version, but still with plenty of the bounce and playfulness that the novablast has come to be known for. It’s a great option for easy and long runs but isn’t as comfortable at slow paces as its predecessor. The upside of this is that it feels faster, and there’s no sluggishness when you step on the gas. This, in our opinion, makes it a great all-rounder that’s equally at home logging daily miles or tackling your first half or full marathon.

We’d recommend the novablast 4 to anyone looking for a well-priced, versatile daily trainer that can handle everything from those slow and steady base miles to occasional faster efforts with ease.

Nike’s vaporfly is a shoe that should need no introduction. But, on the off-chance that you’re not familiar with the podium-topping super shoe, just know that it has a well-deserved reputation as one of the fastest. It’s also one of the most expensive, but this level of technological innovation and world-leading design is never going to come cheap.

This carbon-plated shoe fits tight, with a super breathable woven upper, low profile silhouette and padding only where it’s needed to reduce weight. The lacing system does a fantastic job of locking the foot in place with no heel slip, and the carbon plate combined with the springy foam work to propel you forward as you run.

At slower speeds and walking pace, the vaporfly 3 feels awkward and unnatural to move in. But this isn’t a shoe designed to trot along at a steady pace. This combined with the wafer-thin and strategically placed rubber on the outsole means that this is very much a race day shoe. It’s a great pair of trainers to reach for if you’re a seasoned, deep-pocketed runner looking to unlock your fastest race times to date, no matter the cost.

On has been steadily growing in popularity with performance-obsessed athletes and aesthetes alike since its initial launch back in 2010. Its shoes are known for their revolutionary cushioning systems, often utilising hollow tunnels through the midsole to aid bounce while simultaneously reducing weight.

The cloudeclispe is On’s latest and greatest maximum cushioned shoe, geared towards everyday training and racking up big miles. We’ve been wearing it a lot, and it quickly found its way into our tester’s rotation as his go-to shoe for long runs. It provides smooth transitions, a plush ride, and a comfortable upper. Even better, it looks awesome too.

It’s springy, lively and responsive, but also surprisingly stable considering the generous stack height. The only real issues we’ve noticed are a small degree of heel slip and some mild squeaking when walking (not present when running). That being said, the slippage is minor and only occurs after a good few miles. Plus, it can quickly be rectified by retightening the laces, so don’t be put off, because this is otherwise a fantastic shoe that’s perfect for the daily grind and getting out for longer distances.

If you’re new to running, the best shoe for you is going to be something simple, fuss-free and versatile. In other words, something like the Nike pegasus 40. Is this the most exciting running shoe on the planet? No. But, for new runners who need a daily workhorse and haven’t yet had their feet spoiled by modern maximalist shoes, this no-frills, mid-cushioned shoe is going to be perfect.

It’s not dirt cheap, but it’s still competitively priced relative to entry-level shoes from other leading brands. It’s not the liveliest ride either, but it’s reliable, comfortable, stable and great for short to medium distances. That said, it is still nice and springy thanks to the foam midsole, and we found it to be comfortable and perform well at all different paces.

Those easy day-to-day runs lay the foundation for your fitness, and they should never be overlooked. You should always have a shoe in your rotation that’s designed to eat them up while providing comfort, stability and cushioning along the way. As far as we’re concerned, Saucony’s ride 17 is that shoe, and it’s quickly becoming our go-to for daily training, easy runs and even some longer distances too.

As you might have guessed, in its 17th iteration, this latest version features a slightly higher stack and a fancier new foam underfoot when compared to its predecessor. This makes for a nice cushioned ride that’s sufficiently springy, but also very stable thanks to the wideness of the outsole around the forefoot.

After running in these shoes for a few weeks, we have no complaints. There was a short break-in period, after which the foam started to soften up and provide a touch more bounce. Since then, these trainers have been a pleasure to run in, no matter the type of workout, pace or distance. Having said that, it’s not the fastest shoe out there, so you might want to invest in something a bit more sprightly for your speedwork sessions.

Saucony’s triumph 21 is one of the best highly cushioned daily trainers on the market, perfect for most runners and most types of workouts. But what really sets this pair apart from the rest is its eco credentials. It offers everything the triumph 21 does, but in place of plastic and other synthetic materials, it relies on natural, recycled and plant-based alternatives to create a shoe that performs well while being kinder to the planet.

Right out of the box, they look comfy, and lacing it up for the first time confirms those initial suspicions. Sitting on a hefty wedge of springy foam (a 55 per cent corn-based version of Saucony’s proprietary cushioning), it’s soft, has plenty of bounce and a sense of fun that encourages you to go further.

In addition to the partly corn-based foam, the shoe also uses plant-based dye, natural rubber and a cotton upper. Saucony even ships it in special packaging that reduces waste.