The best running shoes for men in 2023

Running is truly an exercise of convenience. You don’t have to learn how to do it, and it doesn’t require any equipment other than your two feet. Of course, those need to be outfitted correctly. Running around with bare feet might be fun for toddlers, but a guy who wants to go the distance without falling apart will need cover and cushioning. A good pair of running shoes for men won’t just keep your soles clean and gash-free as you glide over dirt, sand, rocks, and concrete. They can also protect your musculoskeletal system from the trauma your body endures every time your feet hit the ground hard.

It’s important to know when you need new men’s running shoes. Experts suggest springing for a new pair every 300 to 500 miles. For those who are good with long distances only when running them, that averages to a switch about every four to six months, if you run 20 miles a week. As a general rule, if the midsoles or outsoles look compressed or worn, it’s time to move on. When you’re ready to make a change, you’ll want to buy wisely. Keep reading to learn more about the best running shoes for men.

• Best versatile: Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe
• Best fitting: New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V8 Running Shoe
• Best cushioned: ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes
• Best breathable: adidas Men’s CF Lite Racer Byd
• Best for stability and support: Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 20
• Best budget: New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Evare V1 Running Shoe

The best running shoes for men: Reviews & Recommendations

Best versatile: Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe

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These Under Armour running shoes for men tick enough boxes to make them compatible with a number of jogging environments. The rubber outsole provides traction for gliding over rocks and wet grass, while the compression-molded foam offers ample cushioning to get you over jagged, uneven terrain, and the tight, lightweight mesh will keep sand out and drain excess water during leisurely beach runs.

Best fitting: New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V8 Running Shoe

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When thinking about fit, width matters as much as length. Runners with less-than-slim feet need more spacious shoes that won’t cramp them. These New Balance running shoes come in US sizes 4 to 20, with seven different widths, ranging from extra-narrow to extra-wide.

Best cushioned: ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes

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Comfort is the key feature of these ASICS running shoes for men, and it offers that in various ways. It has rear-foot GEL technology that provides shock absorption and works in tandem with OrthoLite X-40 sockliner, which introduces an additional layer of cushioning.

Best breathable: adidas Men’s CF Lite Racer Byd

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Wearing these might be the next best thing to running with just your socks on. These adidas men’s running shoes are made of snug, stretchy mesh, ensuring your feet will breathe easily while you’re jogging in them. Cloudfoam midsoles and outsoles increase the comfort factor. When they get dirty, you can throw them into the washing machine, but after the gentle cycle is complete, air drying is recommended.

Best for stability and support: Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 20

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Overpronators can run safely without having to adjust how they hit the road. Rather than trying to fix your gait, these Brooks running shoes for men give you the stability and support you need to offset the effect of rolling your feet inward when they land. The GuideRails support system keeps your feet properly positioned while protecting your knees, hips, and joints from injury.

Running gear on a budget: What you get for under $50

As a general rule, a more expensive running shoe for men isn’t necessarily a better or a safer one. As with haute couture, some brands charge higher prices in accordance with their reputation – not because they are offering some special feature that will make going for a run in them better or safer than wearing anything else on the road. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t find a perfectly good pair of men’s running shoes for under $100.

If the idea of handing over a cool hundred to replace them every six months or so makes you wary of hitting the road, there are cheaper options. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Evare V1 Running Shoe is available for under $50 a pair, and the model offers many of the same features and benefits as shoes that cost more than twice as much.

Things to consider when looking for the best running shoes for men

Before splurging on your next pair of running shoes for men, keep these five factors in mind:: 1) Where you’ll be doing most of your running. 2) Proper fit. 3) Cushioning and support. You want to avoid the sensation of bare feet clamping down on hard concrete. 4) Foot odor and sweat protection. 5) Your running form. If your feet roll in or out when they come down on solid ground, you’ll need shoes that can handle your gait.

Where will you be running?

Running on the beach or on grass will produce less wear and tear on your shoes than running on asphalt, so you need a pair of running shoes that are not only up to the task of keeping you up to speed but can handle rough and challenging terrain as well. Beach runners might be tempted to go barefoot, but stray rocks, shells, and other forms of litter and debris can wreak havoc on your feet, so it’s in your best interest to keep them covered. You should look for a pair with a tighter mesh, which will allow water from the ocean or sea to drain out of your running shoes without letting sand in.

Big city concrete can be murder on your joints, so if you’ll be doing most of your running around town on sidewalks, running shoes with a springlike effect in the heel will help keep your body parts in good working order. On the geographical flipside, a country road packed with dirt and gravel can be negotiated more easily with rubber spikes that provide the traction of cleats.

Running on the grass is generally easier on the knees than running on harder surfaces, but joggers should still approach green routes with caution. Since uneven grass can cause your feet to twist, arch support and cushioning is paramount. Also, because grass is slippery when wet, the men’s running shoes you wear while jogging on it should give you good traction.

Have the proper fit right from the start

First, forget everything you’ve ever heard about having to break in a new pair of shoes. If you won’t be able to hit the ground running comfortably from the moment you first step into your running shoes, leave them on the shelf. Next, measure your feet while standing up. If they aren’t exactly the same length, go with the larger foot to determine the size your running shoes should be. You can always lace them up a bit tighter on the smaller foot.

When you stand on top of your men’s running shoes, they should more or less line up with the size and shape of your bare feet, without your toes hanging over the front or sides. After you put them on, there must be a thumbnail’s worth of space between your longest toe (which might be the second toe, not the big toe) and the front of the shoe. Check that there is no pressure on your pinky toe and only a slight amount on your big toe. It should be about as snug there as a watch strap is around your wrist.

When you take off in new runners, your heel shouldn’t slip and the surface of the shoe shouldn’t rub uncomfortably against your ankle. If the fabric at the top bunches up, you might need a smaller size, and if it bulges or stretches, go a half size bigger. Running shoes for men will become more comfortable over time, but they should fit properly right out of the starting gate.

Why too much or too little cushioning can hurt you

Midsole material, which is typically EVA or polyurethane foam, helps absorb the impact as your feet hit the ground. How thick they need to be is mostly a matter of personal preference. Maximum cushioning is thicker and softer, but it can produce a squishy feel. Moderate cushioning hits the middle ground between pillowy and firm. Barefoot cushioning leaves only a thin layer between your feet and the ground and offers minimal arch support and no stability features. It may feel good strolling around town, but it won’t do you much good in the long run.

Contrary to popular belief, more cushioning isn’t always better when it comes to running shoes. The extra softness can prevent the foot from functioning like a spring (as it should). Instead, it becomes a shock absorber, leaving the springing action to your joints and tissues and potentially leading to injury. The best cushioning is neither too hard nor too soft, hitting a happy medium characterized by soft and supportive and comfortable and lightweight.

Another consideration is the heel drop, which refers to the difference in cushioning between a running shoe’s heel and toe. A traditional drop is about 10mm and up, and it’s best for runners who land heel first. A lower drop of 8mm and under is ideal for runners who hit the ground on their toes or the middle of their feet. As running shoes approach a zero drop, they force the Achilles tendon to work harder, which can lead to painful injury.

Running shoes must let your feet breathe

Few forms of exercise guarantee you’ll work up a considerable sweat quite like running. Your feet might not get as drenched as your head, but they will perspire enough to require shoes that will offset the wet. Breathable shoes allow your sweat to evaporate more quickly while keeping your feet cooler and protecting them from blisters and fungi.

Porous fabrics provide better breathability, so stay away from rubber anywhere but on the soles of your running shoes. It traps moisture and heat. Leather may look and feel good, but the material is heavy and offers precious little ventilation. Canvas, on the other hand, er foot, breathes nicely, but it’s hard to beat knitted nylon or polyester, aka mesh. One of the most popular fabrics in running shoes for men, nylon wicks sweat and it’s stretchy, so it will more easily conform to the shape of your feet while you’re on the run. Polyester has a lot of the same benefits as nylon, but it may not be as durable.

Match the shoe to your running form

Pronation refers to how your feet roll inward when they hit the ground and move you forward. The level of pronation differs from person to person, so it’s important to choose a pair of men’s running shoes that complement your form.

Runners who overpronate roll their feet disproportionately inward when they land and require shoes with more stability, structured support, and motion control. Supination refers to rolling your feet outward upon landing, which is relatively uncommon. For those who run like this, however, shoes with more cushion and flexibility are ideal.

The way you pronate affects the way your running shoe ages. Overpronation wears away the inside edge of the shoe, while supination erodes the outer edge. A 200-pound runner who overpronates or supinates will need to replace their running shoes more often than someone who is thinner and has basic pronation.

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A final word on finding the best running shoes for men

Finding the best running shoes for men can be as grueling an experience as what you do while you’re wearing them, but in the end, the extra effort will pay off. Most people just look for a pair that fits well, but it’s important to remember that other factors contribute to comfort and protection. If your running shoes don’t provide adequate support and cushioning, you might end up sustaining injuries that take you off the road and keep your kicks in the closet.

Different feet have different needs, but it pays to treat a new pair of running shoes like a new car. Take them out for a test run before you commit to them completely. Your feet and other body parts connected to them will be grateful when you cross the finish line.

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