Table of Contents
- 1 Best Running Shoes 2021
- 2 1: NIKE ZOOMX - Best Running Shoes
- 3 2: Jordan Trunner Advance Running Trainer Shoe
- 4 3: SAUCONY TRIUMPH 17 BEST RUNNING SHOES
- 5 4: ADDIDAS ULTRABOOST 20
- 6 5: BROOKS GLYCERIN GHOST - Best Running Shoes
- 7 6: HOKA ONE CLIFTON RUNNING SHOE
- 8 7: ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 21
- 9 8: SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 4 TRAIL RUNNING SHOE
- 10 9: HOKA ONE RINCON RUNNING SHOE
- 11 10: NIKE AIR ZOOM PEGASUS 36
Best Running Shoes 2021
One of the many benefits of running is the lack of equipment necessary to get started. There is no need to spend a fortune on weights, a fancy bike or costly gear. Simply put your best running shoes on and hit the road.
However, the laces you tie make a bigger difference than you think. It can mean the difference in injury, soreness, your stride, speed, and so much more. If you are a beginner, the choices of running shoes can be overwhelming. You might have started out in your basic, everyday tennis shoes, but soon realized your heel hurt or your hip didn’t feel quite right. A quick search of the World Wide Web will tell you the most likely problem is the wrong type of shoes, which leads you down a rabbit hole of questions. What brand of shoe is best? What is my gate? What kind of road will I be running on and for how far?
To top it off, every runner seems to have their own preference, making it hard to make a decision. If you are a longtime runner who is ready to change it up, or maybe your favorite shoe was discontinued and you’re starting all over, or even if you are on day one of your running journey, we have rounded up a list of the best options to help you make a decision on the perfect shoe for you.
NIKE
Nike has been one of the biggest names in sports for generations, making it a trusted brand for athletes around the world. Since the 1960s, the company has researched ways to help runners go faster and longer by creating some of the best shoes on the market. One of the better options from Nike is the ZoomX, claimed by many runners to be a minimalist, lightweight running shoe that is nice and bouncy. The newest edition comes with a modified upper compared to earlier models to fit your foot better. The new lacing system makes for a tight fit around the midfoot and the newer material provides moisture control, making for more comfortable runs in the rain that don’t weigh you down with heavy, wet feet. The sole is synthetic, while low foam density allows your foot to feel connected to the ground. If you’re like me – clumsy – that sure helps for a steadier footing and less falls. It is one of the best running shoes for men and will not leave you disappointed.
NIKE
There’s nothing more iconic than a Nike Jordan shoe, and the company hit the nail on the head with their Jordan Trunner running shoes. The Zoom Air cushioning also is included in this shoe, created to increase performance with tightly stretched tensile fibers inside each Nike Air unit. In this case, the Zoom Air is right under the ball of your foot. Every time your foot touches the ground, those fibers compress, cushioning the blow, before bouncing back into place. This gives you an energized, powerful run for miles. The rubber outsole affords you extra traction on those rougher surfaces, while the lightweight, mesh material is breathable and durable. The shape of the shoe might fool you into thinking it will be a heavy drag, but instead, you will be pleasantly surprised at how lightweight and springy this shoe really is.
SAUCONY
The Elite Runner is the ultimate treadmill. Equipped with an elite 4.0HP DC motor and enormous 3″ rollers for an inconceivably tranquil, trouble-free workout. Furthermore, for comfort, this model was furnished with an advanced Ortho Flex Shock(TM) Suspension System and a generous running zone of 22″ x 62″, well over the typical measurements.
With regards to performance highlights, runners can slope up to 15% and run speeds up to 12 mph, which can all be controlled by means of the console utilizing the speed/slant keys, or the One Touch controls. The console on this model is identical to the console on the model right under this one; the Pro Runner.
The graphic display area is broken into three screens that incorporate a pulse tracker (to monitor what zone you are working in to accomplish wanted outcomes), an LCD point grid to track intervals, and an exercise grid screen that shows data like speed, intervals, calories burned, and so on.
This model highlights 8 inherent exercise programs, two custom programs, and three fitness test programs. What’s more, this model is outfitted with both contact grip and remote pulse checking capacities, with receiver included.
ADDIDAS
Adidas didn’t spare any technology available when creating the Adidas Ultraboost, such as tailored fiber placement and a midsole that responds to the runner’s stride. In fact, Adidas collaborated with the International Space Station to send the shoe to their National Lab to test in space. Yep, you read that right. The company aims to develop the midsole to further increase performance and comfort for their runners. How cool is that? Even now, the shoe provides a snug fit and responsive midsole for a great choice in a running shoe. One of the best running shoes for women thanks to its soft feel, the Ultraboost and its plush cushion tech allow the runner to feel the ground without the lasting effects of gravity and an extra ‘boost’ to keep the body moving.
BROOKS GLYCERIN
Ah, Brooks, the shoe brand trusted by runners worldwide. Find a discussion board asking for shoe recommendations, and Brooks is bound to be included in that list, but do they really live up to all the hype? When it comes to the Glycerin, that answer is yes. Its gum rubber sole provides one of the single most padded runs available. The 18s received a boost with a new midsole that made this option even lighter than before, and the internal stretch bootie expands with each stride, allowing your foot the movement it needs. The Glycerin also is known for its smooth transitions from heel to toe with its DNA loft transition zone, which provides comfort without any loss of stability.
HOKA ONE ONE
Hoka creates shoes perfect for a variety of running thanks to their oversized midsoles. The Clifton is the best of Hoka for everyday training due to the shoe’s lightweight nature built on top of its signature foam. The outside mesh allows the foot to breathe on the hottest of days while remaining flexible. The perfect combination of soft and light, the wide toe box also pleases many runners who like that they don’t cramp their toes. Males in particular enjoy the extra foot room, making it one of the best running shoes for men. That combined with plenty of cushion in the heel makes for one of the most comfortable shoes available on the market today.
ASICS
Asics is a trusted brand for runners far and wide, and the Asics gel-nimbus is a particular favorite of neutral runners. As the name says, the shoe includes a soft gel cushion in the heel area, a particular favorite of females who know it is one of the best running shoes for women. This allows for maximum shock absorption, resulting in a responsive stride that is easy on the feet. In the midsole, runners can find flytefoam propel technology that is gender-specific and provides optimal energy for the runner. The outsole, made of lightweight AHAR, allows for a long-lasting shoe for more miles on the road. The shoe is known for its soft cushion and soft ride, making it an excellent choice for those seeking comfort during their long runs.
SALOMON
Trail running will challenge your endurance, agility, balance and mind, but to be successful, you must first find the right pair of shoes to guide you across those paths. The Salomon Speedcross is a go-to shoe for trail runners, due to its characteristic deep lugs that allow the best of traction on any terrain, from dusty trails to slippery, wet rocks. On top of the arrow-shaped lugs, the shoe includes a rubber compound that provides a grip unlike any other. If you are running on any surface where grip of the shoe is vitally important, then this is the shoe for you. Its grip, stability and protection is unmatched, and while some don’t like the heaviness of the shoe compared to some of its counterparts, Salomon put the weight where it counts to provide a shoe that is a tight fit that will keep you on your feet instead of slipping onto the ground.
HOKA ONE ONE
Hoka is one of the few with a second pair of shoes on this running list, and for good reason. Runners aiming to improve speed, particularly for an upcoming race, rely on this shoe to get them there because of its lightweight, soft design. The upper includes a minimal, asymmetrical design perfect for hot runs – and if you live through summers in the south, you will appreciate that about this shoe. The footing includes foam, but just because it is soft, does not mean the sole of this shoe does not provide a firm, responsive stride during those long road runs.
NIKE
Rounding out the list is the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus, with the same Zoom technology that runners love. With added foam, newer versions provide a higher heel, while runners love the springy react foam inside the midsole. Not many shoes provide a run that is both comfy and energetic, but runners can be guaranteed they will find both in the Nike Pegasus. While the slimmer design might not be the right fit for those with wider feet, it is perfect for those narrow feet that seek a conforming fit while the sockliner adapts to your foot for additional support.
The right running shoe is not only a matter of preference or pretty colors, it is the shoe that is best for you. No one’s foot is the same size or shape, while no runner’s stride, pace or placement of their feet is the same as the next. The right choice will make the difference in preventing injury, the comfort you feel during your runs and the speed and distance you go, so take your time and find the shoe that is the perfect choice for you.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RUNNING SHOES 2021
Our expert picks