With a team of testers putting in over a thousand miles a month, we’ve got a lot of thoughts about what running shoes are really hitting the mark. Our best running shoes of 2026 will continue to evolve with new updates, but we feel pretty good about this list right now.

best running shoes of 2026

As we always do, we’ll try to cover shoes in each category and you will see a lot of different brands. In our opinion a few brands are hitting the mark with a number of shoes, but no one brand has done it all!

Let us know which of these you’ve tried and if there’s one you think is an absolute miss from our testing.

Go To Easy Run Shoe – Nike Vomero 18

This versatile and ultra cushioned shoe is designed for the everyday runner. While it’s a max cushioned shoe, we found it to be durable, stable and still feel like you can pick up the pace, but with all the cushion a runner dreams of.

The 46mm cushion is a vast departure from previous Vomero models, so be prepared for a whole different ride. Not only that, but Nike uses a PEBA foam on top of the ZoomX layer, giving you more energy return in a lighter shoe – and one that will be more durable in the long run, too.

Despite its impressive heel stack, the shoe is not clunky or heavy at all, and works well for long distances as well as short ones. It’s also nice looking, which while not the most important aspect, it certainly doesn’t hurt.The Vomero runs pretty true to size, but like a lot of Nike products, aren’t super accommodating for a wider foot.  The padded heel collar is comfortable and doesn’t rub high on the ankle, which is always a plus.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Firmer feel underfoot, even for a max cushion shoe!
  • Such fun colorways
  • Padded heel collar that doesn’t rub or cause blisters

Cons

  • It’s just looks like a lot of shoe
  • Easily picks up any dirt

Recovery Run Shoe – Brooks Glycerin Max 2

This shoe was built for easy days, recovery runs, and even long runs. The max cushion is going to give you the feeling of resh legs without the worry of sinking into the shoe with every step.

The way the Nitrogen-infused DNA TUNED foam is built – one layer with big cells in the heel and small ones in the forefoot – allows the shoe to absorb each landing, uses the GlideRoll rocker to match a step’s natural forward motion, then the small cells in the front aim to give a quick bounce up and forward feel.Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Overview

The shoe is a stable ride, even with the stack height, same as the first version.

While the original Glycerin Max still wasn’t the most marshmallow-y shoe, this one is even less. Some people won’t love the less cushy feeling, but we think it was a good change to make the shoe what  Brooks wants it to be – a more responsive max cushion shoe.

Shoe Details

  • Weight: 11.3oz Men’s, 10.2oz Women’s
  • Stack Height: 45mm
  • Heel Drop: 6mm
  • Available in 3 colors
  • Not available in wide
  • Available on Brooksrunning.com for $200

Pros

  • You’re not going to feel like you’re sinking into the max cushion
  • Smooth rocker sole
  • Sleeker design

Cons

  • Heavier shoe
  • Shorter laces that may make chaging up your lacing a little difficult

Best Stability for Heavier Runners – Saucony Hurricane 25

This is a chunky shoe with tons of cushioning courtesy of soft and responsive foam. Built for stability, the fit is secure and supportive without being tight. While we aren’t quick to recommend stability shoes, this has long felt like an exception.

If you’re a heavier runner or need a little help preventing that overpronation, this one does the job without feeling overly corrective. It’s unusual to find a stability shoe that doesn’t feel firm, so we’re pretty excited to have it on the list.

It’s not as heavy as it looks, either, thanks to a combination of PWRRUN PB foam and PWRRUN foam in the midsole.Saucony Hurricane 25 OverviewThe Hurricane 25’s run true to size with a toe box that’s roomy without feeling loose. The padded tongue is snug and comfortable, though the thick material may get hot if you’re running on warmer days.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Locked in heel for stability
  • Not overly corrective
  • Wide base feels stable with max cushion
  • Great soft feel underfoot
Cons
  • It’s a hunk of a shoe
  • Upper can feel warm
  • Not a shoe that has enough pop for speed

Fastest Carbon Plated Shoe – Adidas Adizero Pro EVO 2

This race-day shoe is light and incredibly responsive, combining comfort with next-level traction and turnover. Our tester Cortney was immediately in love with the Lightstrike Pro Evo foam feeling under foot. It has a great rebound-to-weight ratio, and the Energy Rods 2.0 come in hot supporting quick turnover and efficient propulsion, no stiff carbon plate in sight.

This is a race-day shoe with pop, bounce, and standout traction for serious runners chasing serious times; the way it rewards efficient, fast runners means the benefits start to lag at paces slower than 7 min/pace.Adidas Adizero Adios Pro EVO 2 InstepThe bold look of the shoe is also made for squaring up at the starting line (and crossing the finish line). The clean, futuristic vibe might not be for everyone, but the other runners will surely realize you mean business.

The EVO 2 fits true to size with a toe box that’s comfortable enough for a full marathon (or more), and both the midfoot and heel are secure and won’t slip.

If you don’t like your foot locked in a slightly dorsiflexed position, they could feel uncomfortable; the highly rockered design, though, encourages quick turnover and forward momentum.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Ultimate race day shoe
  • It’s going to do great for front of the pack runners
  • Super lightweight shoe

Cons

  • Super limited inventory
  • Only good for 1 hour run or race day, loses pop after that
  • Unisex sizing

Super Fun Super Trainer –  Saucony Endorphin Pro 5

Recently, the Endorphin Pro 5 underwent a tiny update. Don’t worry it’s all good stuff, which is why it’s obviously made the way to our list here.

All the changes to this shoe were designed with one goal in mind: to help you run fast and maybe even snag that next personal best.

It’s still incredibly lightweight, but now it packs an upgraded carbon plate for a more powerful ride.

Grab these for speed workouts or race day and you’ll for sure feel the speed roll guiding your every step.

endorphin pro 5 preview

The Pro 5’s outsole also underwent a minor makeover. To improve grip and reduce surface abrasion, Saucony added a PWRTRAC rubber outsole. So far, it’s holding up nicely when there’s a little bit of snow on the ground. I wouldn’t take it out in a downpour, but if I were to wear these for a race and got caught in some bad weather, these are going to do just fine.

Shoe Details

  • Heel Drop: 8 mm
  • Stack: 39.5 mm
  • Weight: 7.3 oz men’s, 6.3 oz women’s
  • Not available in wide
  • Available February 2026 from Saucony.com for $225
  • Full review coming soon!

Pros

  • Super lightweight and fast
  • Upgraded outsole for more durability
  • Thicker mesh to keep your feet warm on cold runs

Cons

  • Fit is a little narrow
  • The new design has the tongue sitting up higher and can tend to rub

Moderate Stack Do-it-all Shoe – Saucony Kinvara

This has been one of Coach Amanda’s go to shoe models for nearly a decade. That being said, the Kinvara has changed over that time. We’re so excited that for the 16 Saucony went back to the original stack height of 29mm!

There was also a small change to the geometry of the midsole, but as someone who has worn this shoe for YEARS, it didn’t really stand out to her.

The Saucony Kinvara 16 feels smooth and stable. If you want to pick up the pace in these, absolutely go for it! The PWRRUN foam is going to provide even more energy return, really giving the snappier feel underfoot.Saucony Kinvara 16 Review

The Kinvara continues to be a lightweight, nicely cushioned trainer that you’ll want to keep grabbing for.

Shoe Details

  • Weight: 7.0 oz men’s, 6.3 oz women’s
  • Heel drop: 4 mm
  • Stack Height: 29mm
  • Available in 9 colors
  • Past versions have always been available in wide,we’re not yet seeing that with the 16
  • Available now on Saucony.com ($130)
  • The 15 is on sale and not as snappy, but still a really good option for big savings

Pros

Cons

  • Too narrow for some runners
  • Not enough shoe for the marathon for most runners
  • Less stack height means a little less cushion

Most Surprising Shoe – Tracksmith Eliot Racer

We didn’t expect this shoe to be one of our favorite’s of 2026, but that’s exactly what happened once we gave it a try.

From the throwback design to the thoughtful packaging, this one had all the hallmarks of a winner before we even slipped it on – and afterward, no disappointments appeared.

These shoes are a combination that’s hard to find in a super shoe – they’re both comfortable and fast. Perfect for long runs, for trying to get a personal best at a marathon, and for pretty much any foot or body type.

Tracksmith invested the time and work to get here, too. They teamed up with independent biomechanics lab Heeluxe to create the Eliot Racer, and the shoe ranks in the top five percent for energy return.Tracksmith Eliot FitAnother cool feature? The midsole is entirely removable, giving you the option to save it for those occasions when you really need the shoe to help you perform your best. It sits on a layer of Pebax-based foam and a spoon-shaped carbon plate.

The Eliot Racer is balanced and durable, without excess bulk and plenty of stability. It’s got a generous toe box while remaining supportive, and fits true to size.

The outsole is thick with good grip, making it a reasonable choice for all surface types.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Doesn’t feel too bouncy or super squishy
  • Removable midsole
  • Versatile enough for the 5k through marathon distances

Cons

  • Heel isn’t super stable, especialy on turns
  • Some folks have said the shoes are super squeaky
  • Sizing is a little inconsistent

All Day Wear – On Cloudsurfer 2

This versatile shoe can run errands and then head straight out for a 6-mile run. It’s comfortable on the pavement and has a look that can easily run out for a smoothie afterward.

The Cloudsurfer 2 blends performance and style, and we would also be perfect for anyone who incorporates walking into their daily routine. The heel isn’t overstacked, making it feel nice and stable for wider feet and heavier runners, too.On Cloudsurfer 2 OverviewThough this shoe isn’t our first choice for full marathon days or long runs, it can do 8-10 miles like a dream, and could also be a good option for recovery days.

This version of On Running’s classic shoe is firmer and more durable, and is cushioned in the midsole and firm on the outside. The footbed, which blends On’s CloudTec Phase technology and Helion superfoam, is comfortable but still energetic, offering a soft landing we really appreciate.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Super versatile shoe
  • Not overly squishy
  • Lightweight design

Cons

  • Major change in feel from previous models
  • May pick up some rocks underfoot
  • Not ideal for trails

Best Road to Trail Option – Merrell ProMorph Hybrid

This is a crossover shoe that’s meant to transition easily from a trail to the road, and for our money, it really lives up to that promise.

It’s neither max-cushioned cruiser or a hardcore mountain grip sole, but lives comfortably in the middle. The ProMorph is comfortable, durable, and can handle shifting surfaces with relative ease.

While you might still need a dedicated trail shoe for super technical trails, these shoes handle moderate ones without worry. They’re cushioned enough to go long distances and could even be a race-day shoe, as long as the terrain allows.Merrell Pro Morph OverviewThe ProMorph’s FloatPro+ foam gives the shoe a light, responsive feel and it gets it’s dependable grip from the Vibram XS Trek Evo outsole. The FLEXconnect dual-directional grooves give it the flexibility and consistent ground contact necessary for transitioning between surfaces.

The versatility is really where this shoe shines; it could even be a great vacation companion, since it moves easily between flat surfaces and rockier terrain, and also provides enough comfort to ease foot pain after long days of walking.

The fit is true to size, though the toe box might be a bit narrow for some (a wide version is available, though). They’re secure with a well-padded heel collar and mesh that hugs the midfoot with just the right amount of support.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Super lightweight, even for a trail shoe
  • Lightweight, thin upper mesh to keep your feet cool
  • Padded heel collar and tongue that do not rub

Cons

  • The fit is more narrow
  • Super long laces (which could be a pro and con)
  • Not a technical trail shoe

Fast Trail Running with Grip- La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

We’ll just say it, this was another shoe that caught us by surprise. But it was an instant love.

The newest version of this shoe is secure while remaining light and responsive, which we think makes it a great training and racing shoe with excellent grip for trails.  It’s responsiveness and grip make is a great choice for speed on race day, particularly if the course covers more technical terrain.

The midsole features XFlow™ Speed foam that maximizes energy return by combining nitrogen infused TPU for the core and EVA in the cage. Its soles are ultra grippy and covered in FriXion®XF 2.0.La Sportiva Prodigio Pro OverviewThat said, the shoes don’t have excessively large lugs, making it easy to transition back to packed dirt or asphalt without feeling off balance.

The webbing on the outside of the shoe is called Power Wire and offers support and stability while remaining soft enough to be comfortable. It’s also far lighter than it looks and features a built-in gaiter.

The European sizing might throw some people off, so make sure you take the time to figure out the correct size. The gaiter does a great job keeping out debris and the heel collar is comfortable and doesn’t rub.

All in all, a fantastic shoe for technical terrain and beyond.

Shoe Details

Pros

  • Roomy toe box with no rubbing or slipping
  • Soft cushion with a responsive bounce
  • Excellent grip across most surfaces (even wet)

Cons

  • European sizing, so smaller increments in size
  • No wide options available
  • Not ideal for muddy runs where you need deeper lugs

This list was INCREDIBLY hard to create because we all have a lot of shoes we love.

But for now we think this list gives you a place to start and of course we have hundreds of reviews on the site, so drop a note if  you have questions on other models or aren’t sure if we have a review!

Checkout this running shoe release calendar – you’ll find everything we’ve reviewed linked there and what’s coming out still this year.

What to Read Next?

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