Whether you do most of your runs on the treadmill or it’s just a stopping point on bad-weather days, it always helps to have the best treadmill running shoe. We’ve found that super high stack height shoes can be a problem for many folks and of course we all have brands that fit us best. From tons of testing, we’ve rounded up popular models from different brands to help you pick a winning shoe for your workouts.

best treadmill running shoes

Treadmill running is an incredible way to stay on top of your fitness. It’s often more convenient to mimic a race course, which helps avoid major weather issues, and provides safety through many dark mornings. Regardless of the why, the best treadmill running shoes will help you make the most of your time.

As with any running shoe recommendations around here, they come from over two decades of running and coaching. Our team loves including the treadmill in my training so it’s always been important to have a great treadmill shoe in our rotation.

Best Treadmill Running Shoes

9 Best Treadmill Running Shoes

Now that we know what to look for in a treadmill shoe, let’s jump into some specific recommendations.

Best Overall Treadmill Running Shoe – Saucony Kinvara 16

I’ve truly run in so many of models of this and often recommend it for the low heel to toe drop if anyone has dealt with IT band issues.

For me it feels like a shoe you can’t go wrong with if you don’t want something overly built up, need a little cushion, but want to feel fast. As noted, you don’t always need as much cushion on the treadmill, since it’s designed to reduce the impact of your landing.

The first thing I noticed when I put them on was that it’s taller than the previous versions. I’ve loved Kinvara for its low profile while providing enough cushion for my long runs. But, this new model seemed to be taking on the current trend of the more cushion the better, and it does feel pretty great without losing the snap.

Saucony Kinvara 16 Review

Saucony Kinvara Specifications

They’re especially great for mid-distance runs where comfort and adaptability are crucial.
Buy Saucony Kinvara 16

Best Cushioned Treadmill Running Shoe – HOKA Mach 6

One of the things we really like about this shoe is that it’s not JUST a speed shoe. It’s honestly a great daily trainer, and we’ve logged as many easy days in it as interval or tempo runs.

The Mach features a lightweight foam midsole that provides a quick, lively feel, while the meta-rocker design helps to encourage a more natural gait.

The midsole is an SCF EVA foam for an even snappier ride and provides just the right amount of cushioning if you’re taking these on the treadmill.

Even though this is considered a neutral shoe, the wider platform typically found in Hoka shoes will provide the support you need so it never feels like your foot is dropping inward.

hoka mach 6 review
Hoka Mach 6

Hoka Mach 6 Specifications

Best Cross Training Treadmill Shoe – Reebok Floatzig Tread

When you want to do a HIIT workout or combine strength and running, it’s ideal to have a shoe with enough stability for both.

Reebok came out with this treadmill-specific shoe that we think is going to be great for your cross-training and hybrid workouts.

This shoe is built for shorter mileage and cross-training, not about max cushion, bounce, or speed.

The FloatZig Tread has a lower stack DualFuel midsole, which is a specialized midsole shape optimized to provide the smoothest ride while enhancing responsiveness.

It does well at what it’s designed to do: get you through a few miles a day on the treadmill and perform functional fitness without having to change your shoes.

Reebok FloatZig Tread Overview

Reebok has created a lateral outrigger that provides stability through gait transition and also makes the shoe more suitable for lifting and functional fitness. This outrigger delivers a surefoot feel on the run and while lifting, making it a great dual-threat shoe.

Reebok Floatzi Specifications

Best Speed Workout Treadmill Shoe – Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Those looking for speed are often drawn to the carbon plate fiber shoes for that extra boost. The Speed is considered their training version with a Nylon plate, so it’s still not their top end racing shoe and will save you $50 over the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 (which we love so dearly).

BUT do you really need a carbon plate on the treadmill or is it overkill?? I think you’ll get everything you need from a lightweight fast shoe with the Speed, which has a great bouncy foam and that forward roll.

No, it’s not a zippy as the Pro or or elite, so again it’s about what you need for treadmill training.They will also say it’s best for up to the half marathon, but it had everything needed for 26.2 miles.Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 spec

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Specifications

I’ve always liked the moderate cushion of Saucony shoes, so this felt fantastic to me.
Buy Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Best Treadmill Shoe for Flat Feet – Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

This shoe is great for runners who need more support without sacrificing comfort or cushion.

While the foam upgrade made these shoes feel more comfortable and cushioned than past versions, they still maintain the firm feel of a stability shoe.

This is due to their GuideRails, which help prevent your foot from rolling inward with every step. By having firm foam around both sides of the heel, it reduces extra rolling of the heel in either direction, allowing the knee to move in a safe range of motion.

They’re still using DNA LOFT v3 foam, but have added 3 mm in the forefoot and 1 mm in the heel, elevating this shoe’s feel to be smoother and softer.

That’s right, more cushion is still the name of the game right now and in our stability shoes, it’s a bonus because the structure often make them much firmer.Brooks Adrenaline 25 Overview

The other thing you’ll find is they made a change we applaud going from 12mm to 10mm heel to toe drop.

This is still considered a high heel-to-toe drop running shoe, but moving in the right direction for many. This is something to play with, as for those with plenty of ankle mobility, it can create some knee pain, BUT the flip side can also work well for stability shoes.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Specifications

Best Treadmill Running Shoe for Arch Support – Asics Gel-Kayano 32

This is the only shoe on the list I haven’t run in because I don’t need this much arch support. I do however like the more neutral and cushioned Asics Novablast!

But back to this shoe!

The GEL Kayano is now in its 32nd  iteration and known as one of the best stability shoes on the market. Great for overpronators seeking stability, the GEL Kayano is an ideal shoe for marathons.

ASICS Gel Kayano Review

Asics Gel-Kayano 32 Specifications

Buy Asics Gel-Kayano 32

Best Treadmill Shoe for Wide Feet – New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v15

This shoe made my list of best long distance running shoes because I personal love training in it. Now you get the benefit of all these features simply in a wide size!

New Balance’s Fresh Foam is every bit as lovely as it sounds. These shoes feel fabulous when you slip them on and yet maintain good responsiveness. Unlike the super plush HOKA Bondi that you can sink in to, you’ll remain quick off the ground in these shoes.

New Balance 1080 v15 overview

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v15 Specifications

Buy New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v15

Best High Arches Treadmill Running Shoe – Brooks Ghost 17

The Brooks Ghost 17 is a mix between soft and firm, like a shoe that you’d throw on when you want to hit party paces, but you also want to be able to get down to business.

They kept the same DNA Loft v3 foam but added more nitrogen to the heel and forefoot to give a little bit more of a pop and softer feeling underfoot. Now, there’s not enough pop that you’d grab these for a speed workout, or if you’re looking to run something like a fast 5k.Ghost 17 Heel Drop

The change our team is most excited about is in the heel to toe drop.The Ghost 17 is a neutral running shoe now with a 10mm heel to toe drop.

It’s not a huge difference, but if the 12 mm felt too high, you’ll really appreciate this. Plus, the lower drop will make a difference in potentially reducing knee pain or IT Band issues that often pop up with newer runners.

The second change that you may notice if you’ve worn previous models is from the cushion in the midsole. Brooks still uses its DNA Loft v3 foam but added more nitrogen in the forefoot (3mm) and heel (1mm) for a more cushioned and snappy feel underfoot.

The increase in stack height is actually why they changed the heel drop. It’s allowing for more stability in the shoe and ensures that you aren’t sinking to the ground as they keep adding cushion.

Brooks Ghost 17 Specifications

Buy Brooks Ghost

Best Zero Drop Treadmill Running Shoe – Altra Torin 8

Considered their most cushioned shoe, we’re going to say it doesn’t feel wildly different than the Paradigm to me. The main difference here is it’s a neutral shoe.

The Torrin is also one of their most popular models, so they have continued to create new versions or offer different styles from leather to waterproof. After taking the 7 out for some runs, we can see why this model has remained so popular.

It’s that sweet spot of cushioning and makes it really easy to transition from your standard running shoes with the padded tongue and heel collar. We could easily see this being a favorite for long runs, once you’ve built up my body to do more zero drop miles.

Altra Torin 8 Overview

Altra Torin 8 Specifications

Buy Altra Torin 8

Can You Wear Road Running Shoes On the Treadmill?

Absolutely.

In fact, we know that treadmill running may prolong the life of your shoes. The added absorption of the treadmill deck seems to help lessen the damage to the shoe cushion. So look at that, your indoor miles are saving you money!!

As noted initially, I have seen where some of the new high stack height shoes are a problem. I think this happens when people are heel striking and on the treadmill it just becomes more uncomfortable. Remember heel striking isn’t really an issue, it’s overstriding.

The only other thing to consider is the tread of the shoe.

So while some people have recommended the Nike Pegasus for the treadmill, I disagree because it’s a road to trail shoe with a lot of extra grip.Nike Pegasus 40 tread

What to Look For In Treadmill Running Shoes?

The truth is much of what you’re looking for applies to ALL road running shoes. Specifically around the treadmill we know that it’s best to avoid the large tread of a trail shoe, as you’ll simply wear down the shoe.

In general we want treadmill running shoes that are a comfortable fit, feel lightweight, breathable and protect your foot from the hard surface.

Overall Shoe Fit

Everyone’s feet are different. There are many different factors that together make our feet unique compared to others. This includes the length of your feet, how wide they are, your arch type, foot strike, and more.

  • Ensure that you buy up a size from your normal shoes to allow for foot swelling as you run.
  • You should have a finger tip width in front of your toes to avoid getting a black toenail.
  • You’ll want to know your arch type to ensure if you high arches or flat feet, you get a shoe with enough arch support.
  • Wider feet need to look at shoes with more room in the toebox for overall comfort.
  • Wear your running socks when trying on shoes to make sure you get the best fit. And go try on shoes late in the day when your feet are a little swollen.

Read more on how to choose the right running shoe >>

Cushion Level

You may find that you can enjoy a shoe with a little less cushion on the treadmill because it’s providing some give with each step. You most certainly don’t have to give up cushion, but there are benefits to not always running in the most plush shoe.

You change the level of impact and how your foot strikes by changing the level of cushion.

In fact, the treadmill is a great place to play with transitioning to a zero drop or lower heel drop shoe. You can always use it for part of the run and then switch to your normal shoe.

Type of Treadmill Run

Indeed you may want to have different shoes depending on the goal of your run.

Carbon fiber plate shoes have become the rage for marathon runners, but also for doing speed workouts. In most cases, we don’t recommend using these for your everyday training run because the shoes breakdown so much faster.

Which means you might want to have:

  • a neutral pair of trainers for HIIT running workouts, jumping on and off the treadmill.
  • carbon fiber shoes for big speed workouts and a cushioned pair for long runs.
  • shoes for your long runs or everyday easy runs

Runner’s who have issues with Achilles pain will want to pick a higher heel drop shoe (12mm) when running on the treadmill. This helps prevent some of the lengthening and prevents pain.

Like I said, I’ve tested A LOT of running shoes in the last decade of writing articles and more in the 20+ years I’ve been running. So it’s always fun to put together a guide to help you find what’s going to work best. Hopefully now you’ve got some treadmill running shoe ideas to save time and find the brand that works for you.

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