There are more running shoe brands than ever, from longtime favorites like Brooks and ASICS to newer names, like Mount to Coast, changing how we think about cushioning, fit, and performance.
running shoe brands tested by run to the finish

Every brand does things a little differently. Some are known for big, cushioned shoes, while others focus on lightweight speed, stability, wide toe boxes, or trail running.

And even within one brand, you might find shoes that feel completely different from each other.

Understanding what each brand is known for can help you narrow down your options and figure out which ones might work best for your feet, training, and how you like your shoes to feel underfoot.

Running Shoe Brands at a Glance

Before we jump into the full list, here’s a quick look at the brands we review the most and the shoe that our team would say is the most popular.

Brand

Known For

Popular Shoe

Brooks

comfortable daily trainers

Nike

narrow fit and race day speed

Saucony

more traditional fit daily trainers, stability and lightweight shoes

Hoka

all day support and comfort

Asics

realiable trainers with a variety of options for many runners

New Balance

multiple wide widths

On

CloudTec cushioning and shoes that cross between running and everyday wear

Adidas

responsive cushioning underfoot

Running Shoe Brands List

Below you’ll find the major running shoe brands, what each one is known for, who their shoes tend to work best for, and our favorite models from each brand.

Brooks Running Shoes

Brooks is one of the biggest running-focused brands and is especially popular with everyday runners. The lineup includes options ranging from traditional daily trainers to max-cushioned and stability shoes.

Best for: Daily running, walking, beginners, runners who want traditional fitting shoes

Popular Brooks running shoes:

More Brooks shoe guides: Best Brooks Walking Shoes | Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin | Brooks Ghost vs Adrenaline

Nike Running Shoes

There’s a lot more to Nike running shoes than the super shoes you see at the front of major marathons. While Nike has absolutely made a name for itself on race day, there are also plenty of options for everyday miles.

Nike running shoes do tend to run a little narrower than some other brands, so that’s something to keep in mind if you need more room from the midfoot to the toe box.

Best for: Speed workouts, racing, daily training, runners with narrow feet

Popular Nike running shoes: 

  • Nike Pegasus: classic daily trainer that handles a little bit of everything
  • Nike Vomero: more cushion for everyday miles, longer runs and recovery efforts
  • Nike Vomero Plus: max cushioned option for easy miles and long runs
  • Nike Structure: supportive option for runners who need some added stability
  • Nike Vaporfly: lightweight carbon plate shoe built for race day

More Nike shoe guides: Best Nike Running Shoes | Nike vs Brooks | Nike vs Saucony

Saucony Running Shoes

Saucony is one of those brands that really does have a little bit of everything. You’ve got dependable daily trainers, stability shoes, lightweight options and of course, the Endorphin line when you’re ready to pick up the pace.

Best for: Daily training, speed workouts, racing, runners who prefer a more traditional fit

Popular Saucony running shoes: 

More Saucony shoe guides: Best Saucony Running Shoes | Saucony vs. Brooks | Guide vs Ride

Hoka Running Shoes

Hoka helped make max cushioned running shoes mainstream and remains a go-to brand for runners who want plenty of cushioning underfoot. The lineup includes shoes for daily miles, recovery runs, stability, trails, and racing.

Best for: Cushioning, long runs, walking, trail running, runners who enjoy a rocker, long days on your feet

Popular Hoka running shoes: 

  • Hoka Clifton: lighter cushioned daily trainer for everyday miles
  • Hoka Bondi: max cushion for easy runs, walking, and lots of time on your feet
  • Hoka Arahi: stability shoe without a traditional medial post
  • Hoka Mach: lighter option that can handle daily miles and faster workouts (maybe even race day too!)
  • Hoka Speedgoat: cushioned trail shoe with plenty of grip

More Hoka shoe guides: Best Hoka Running Shoes | Best Hoka Walking Shoes | Clifton vs Mach

Asics Running Shoes

Asics has been around forever, and there’s a reason you continue to see shoes like the Gel-Kayano and Gel-Nimbus on runners year after year.

But don’t think of Asics as just an old school running brand. Their lineup has changed a lot, and now you’ll find everything from big cushioned daily trainers to lightweight speed shoes and carbon-plated racers.

Best for: Daily trainer, stability, cushioning, long-distance running

Popular Asics running shoes:

More Asics shoe guides: Best Asics Running Shoes | Kayano vs Nimbus | Asics vs Adidas

New Balance Running Shoes

Not every runner has a standard-width foot, and New Balance tends to offer more choices than many other running brands, including wider widths.

There’s also a good variety of New Balance shoes. You can go soft and cushioned, grab something more stable, or even find a lightweight shoe when you want to run fast.

Best for: Wide feet, daily training, cushioning, walking, long runs

Popular New Balance running shoes:

  • NB 880: reliable daily trainer with a moderate amount of cushion
  • NB 1080: softer, more cushioned option for everyday and long runs
  • NB 860: stability shoe for runners who need more support
  • NB Rebel: lightweight and responsive for faster days
  • NB SC Elite: carbon-plated racing shoe

More New Balance shoe guides: Best New Balance Walking Shoes | NB 880 vs NB 1080 | Adidas Vs New Balance

Mizuno Running Shoes

Mizuno tends to appeal to runners who like a slightly firmer, more traditional feel underfoot. The brand has long been known for durable daily trainers, with both neutral and stability options.

Best for: Daily running, durability, stability, runners who prefer a firmer ride

Popular Mizuno running shoes: 

More Mizuno shoe guides: Best Mizuno Running Shoes | Brooks vs Mizuno | Asics vs Mizuno

On Running Shoes

On is known for its distinctive CloudTec cushioning and shoes that easily cross over between running and everyday wear. The lineup now includes everything from daily trainers to max cushioned shoes and carbon-plated racers.

Best for: Daily running, walking, all-day wear, runners who prefer a firmer feel

Popular On running shoes: 

More On shoe guides: Best On Running Shoes | On vs Nike | On vs Brooks

Adidas Running Shoes

Adidas might be known for those three stripes, but their running shoe lineup has become super popular the last few years. The Adizero line in particular has some great options whether you’re looking for a lightweight daily trainer, something for speed workouts, or a shoe to chase a PR.

You’ll also see Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro foams throughout the lineup, with the Pro version delivering the lighter, bouncier feel we’re looking for when the pack picks up.

Best for: Speed workouts, racing, daily training, runners who like responsive cushioning underfoot

Popular Adidas running shoes: 

More Adidas shoe guides: Best Adidas Running Shoes | Adizero Pacer vs Evo SL | Adidas vs Asics

Topo Running Shoes

Topo is known for combining a roomy, foot-shaped toe box with a more secure fit through the heel and midfoot. Most of its shoes also feature a lower heel-to-toe drop, making the brand a popular option for runners who want more toe space without going completely zero-drop.

Best for: Wide toe boxes, lower drop shoes, natural toe splay, road and trail running

Popular Topo running shoes:

More Topo shoe guides: Best Topo Running Shoes | Best Wide Toe Box Running Shoes | Topo vs Altra

Altra Running Shoes

Altra is best known for its foot-shaped toe boxes and zero-drop platform, which places the heel and forefoot at the same height. The brand offers both road and trail shoes.

Best for: Wide toe boxes, zero drop running

Popular Altra running shoes: 

More Altra shoes guides: Best Altra Running Shoes | Altra vs Hoka | Altra vs Brooks

Puma Running Shoes

Puma might not be the first brand you think of when someone says running shoes, but that’s changing fast. We’ve tested more and more of their shoes over the last few years, and the NITRO lineup has given us some really solid options.

Best for: Speed workouts, racing, responsive cushioning, daily training

Popular Puma running shoes:

More Puma shoe guides: Best Puma Running Shoes | Project3

Mount to Coast Running Shoes

Mount to Coast is a newer name in the running shoe world, and the big focus here is going long. The brand designs its shoes with high-mileage and ultra-distance runners in mind, but that doesn’t mean you need to be training for a 100-miler to wear them.

Best for: long runs, high mileage training, ultrarunning, runners who want cushioning that holds up over lots of miles

Popular Mount to Coast running shoes:

Other Running Shoe Brands We Test

The brands above are some of the ones we review most often, but they’re far from the only running shoe brands on the market or in our testing rotation.

Our team has also put miles on shoes from Salomon, Diadora, Under Armour, Kiprun, Reebok, Skechers Performance and a growing number of smaller or newer running brands.

Some of these brands have a more specific focus. Salomon, for example, has a huge presence in trail running, while Diadora has built a smaller but loyal following around its road running shoes. Under Armour continues to develop both daily trainers and performance shoes, and newer brands are constantly entering the market with different approaches to foam, geometry, fit and cushioning.

Because running shoes change so quickly, we’ll continue updating this running shoe brand list as we test more models and see which brands are consistently producing shoes worth recommending. Our goal isn’t to include every company that has ever made a running shoe, but to help you understand the brands and models that are actually worth considering for your training.

Phew, that was a lot, but we hope all the different running shoe brands aren’t as overwhelming now.

And of course you can look at our running shoe release dates calendar to see what’s coming up!

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The post Running Shoe Brands List: 14 Brands and What Each Is Best For appeared first on RunToTheFinish.



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