Though it’s true that running calls for a lot of gear – t-shirts, shorts, baselayers, gels, backpacks, water bottles etc – the fundamental essential is your running shoes.
No matter what kind of route you’re planning, whether it’s a recovery 5k run in London or a trail run in the Scottish Highlands, your footwear makes all the difference. For the former, you’ll want a road runner with extra cushioning and shock absorption, while the latter calls for those with extra traction and a weatherproof finish.
Whichever style you’re after, it’s important to know the brands you can trust. If you go for anything substandard, you could end up with an uncomfortable ride, blisters, aches and pains, or, even worse, an injury. But if you stick to the experts, your chosen fighters will leave you to focus on the run at hand, instead.
What are the best running shoe brands?
I’m a keen runner and have completed a couple of marathons over the past few years, so I’ve been lucky enough to try a lot of the big labels. For me, my number one will always be New Balance from a comfort and performance perspective, but I’ve never been disappointed with the other market leaders like Adidas, Asics, Saucony or On Running.
When you’re choosing which to go for, you should play into the brands’ strengths. Personally, I’ve found that New Balance has the best road running options while Asics hit the mark for indoor training, and Saucony and Adidas both offer great all-rounders. Each offers a wide variety, though, so it’s worth shopping around to make sure you land on a pair which suits your particular needs.
My advice? Most of the top-tier companies will have an in-store try-on service, so always try before you buy if you can. Usually, there’s a running expert on hand who does your gait analysis which will inform you which shoes work best for you from a support perspective, before suggesting options based on your goals – then you can try them on for size and make sure they feel like the right fit.
So, without further ado, here’s my rundown of the best brands to browse before choosing your next running companions.
New Balance
Though you may be more familiar with New Balance’s range of dadcore lifestyle sneakers, the American label has one of the best running collections going. As a general rule, the trainers are split between two categories, Fresh Foam and FuelCell – the former is more of a day-to-day training shoe with more cushioning and support while the latter prioritises speed.
Then, there are many silhouettes you can choose from. My favourite is the 1080, a versatile option that the brand updates every year with the latest technology, while the SC Elite is usually favoured by more competitive runners thanks to the carbon plate which helps with energy return. The Hierro is best for trail runners.
The latest release is the FuelCell Rebel v4 which is designed to give you a little extra power – but it can easily work for both a long, steady route as well as a short, powerful sprint. Whichever you pick, you’re guaranteed a well-made design that goes the distance.
Buy now, New Balance
Saucony
Though Saucony has been around for over 125 years, it wasn’t until the seventies that the running range gained viral success – and it remains one of the top picks today. When it comes to shoes, there are various options to choose from which are split into a few different ranges.
The Endorphin series balances comfort with responsiveness for a design that’s perfect for race day, while the Ride is better suited to day-to-day recovery runs. Then there’s the Peregrine for trail running, the Triumph for amped-up cushioning and the Tempus for those who need extra support. Each and every design undergoes rigorous pre-release testing so you can rest assured that you’re buying quality.
Buy now, Saucony
Adidas
If you’re in the market for innovation, Adidas has you covered. While the price point tends to be a little higher than some of the other leading names, the German sportswear expert offers some of the most technologically advanced designs on the market – whether it’s the inclusion of Boost Cushioning, Energyrods, or Primeknit uppers.
The Adizero range is the hot topic right now, thanks to the ultra-light mesh panels and reinforcements which are both responsive and speedy yet super lightweight and comfortable. Then there’s the Supernova, which prioritises comfort, support and stability, and the Runfalcon, a more affordable design which is a great day-to-day go-to for those who aren’t running competitively.
Buy now, Adidas
Nike
Like Adidas, Nike is the place to go for innovation. Air cushioning, which helps with support and impact, is the brand’s foundational tech that’s used across both running and lifestyle (hence the name Nike Airs). If you’re just starting out, the Winflo 11 is a great everyday option which has a full Nike Air unit in the midsole.
Beyond the basics, though, the megabrand also has enhanced designs like the Vaporfly which has built-in carbon fibre plates and the Vomero with two types of foam – ultra-lightweight ZoomX for cushioning and ReactX for a nippy ride. So, you’re covered no matter what stage of your running journey you’re at.
Buy now, Nike
Asics
Gel technology – pockets of silicone gel designed to deliver comfort, soften impact and enhance stability for a softer run – has been at the heart of Asics running shoes since 1986, but the Japanese superbrand also offers a whole range of trainers built to help with other goals, namely the Novablast which gives extra bounce and the Superblast for when you’re trying to hit your PB.
All of them come in a good mix of colourways with the brand’s signature ‘Tiger Stripes’ – the crisscrossing pattern – on the side, so they look just as great as they feel.
Buy now, Asics
On Running
Founded in 2010, On Running is a little newer on the scene than some of the other heritage sportswear brands, but it’s become one of the biggest players in the game in the 15 years since its launch. The brainchild of Swiss Ironman champion Oliver Bernhard alongside avid runners David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti who were unsatisfied with the options on the market, the brand was created to deliver a running shoe which delivered a cloud-like feel for a more enjoyable running experience overall – hence the brand’s aptly named Cloud technology, meaning pods in the sole that compress to absorb impact both vertically and horizontally.
There’s a whole range of CloudTec-powered shoes to choose from. From the Cloudmonster, which is good for city runners in need of extra cushioning to protect against the impact of hard pavements, to the Cloudflow which is best for speed runs. Or, for a strong all-rounder, go for the Cloudsurfer.
Buy now, Selfridges
Veja
If you’re after sustainable shoes, running or otherwise, Veja is a fashion editor favourite. Responsible processes are at the heart of the Parisian label, from sourcing rubber in an environmentally conscious way to the distribution centre which employs vulnerable and differently-abled individuals with the goal of helping them find and pursue their passion afterwards.
The good news? The brand has recently released a new iteration of the running shoe, the Condor 3 Advanced, which pairs a breathable mesh upper with enhanced cushioning and rubber which is created using bio-based and recycled materials. The most responsive iteration to date, these will give you some extra oomph whether you’re running on the track, the treadmill or the pavement.
Buy now, Office
Under Armour
Under Armour’s running shoes, like the rest of its sportswear offering, combine innovative features for a great price.
You can choose from comfortable entry-level designs like the UA Rogue (£75) which has supercharged cushioning or advanced options like the Infinite Elite 2 (£145) which will reduce impact while providing powerful energy return thanks to the brand’s patented HOVR+ cushioning. And, the latest release, the Echo, is a hybrid that’s designed aesthetically as a lifestyle trainer but with all of the techy performance details built-in – advanced foam and breathable upper, included.
Either way, you’ll have a pair of shoes which punches above its relatively reasonable RRP.
Buy now, Under Armour
Tracksmith
While most running shoes come in functional ultra-modern silhouettes and bright detailing, Tracksmith offers a more stylish take. The cult brand takes inspiration from American running clubs from the 70s and 80s when designing its collections – from the collegiate colour palette to the trademark diagonal colour-blocking – and the trainers are no exception.
The Eliot Racer is the brand’s top-of-the-range racing shoe, with integrated carbon plate technology resulting in big energy return, while the Eliot Runner is a strong daily training option. My personal favourite is the white and burgundy, but I’d be happy with any of the chic colour combos.
Buy now, Tracksmith
Hoka
Don’t be dissuaded by the orthopaedic-coded aesthetics of Hoka’s running shoes. The performancewear brand has been experiencing viral success over the past couple of years, loved by everyone from pro athletes to Gen Zers who simply love the ugly-cool look – and has even recently released a collab with luxury fashion house Marni to further secure its footing in the fashion space.
Since the running range is loved mainly for exceptional cushioning and enhanced support, it’s a go-to for road runners. If you prefer trail running, though, there are also good weatherproof options with enhanced grip which would fit the bill perfectly. The latest addition to the range is the Bondi 9 (£160) which has a stacked sole with extreme cushioning making it perfect for keeping you comfy and supported for everyday workouts.
Buy now, Hoka
