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Our favorite running shoes of 2024 (there’s some good ones)
By running in ’em for lots of miles, and weighing our individual choices into an overall decision
Everything from daily trainers to race day to recovery day, and all the shoes in between
It’s kind of unbelievable that another year has passed, and what a year it was for running. From the Olympic Trials to the actual Olympics to world records being smashed in the marathon to the rise of the running club and the explosion of run brands across all segments of footwear and apparel, it’s undeniable– running is having a moment like never before.
Here at Believe in the Run, we’re doing out best to surf this wave and bring you along for the ride. While we try to do that with our podcasts (The Drop and Fuel for the Sole), our twice yearly GRIT distance challenge, and our many activations around the globe each year where we get to meet you all, the fact of the matter is this: the cornerstone of our content is our running shoe reviews.
For the past 15 years, we’ve done our best to provide you with the most in-depth and honest running shoe reviews in the world. We’ve been here for the barefoot trend, the zero-drop trend, the beginnings of the lightweight, carbon-plated race day shoes, the rise of the super trainers, and now– the culmination of all those things.
Over the past year, we’ve accumulated thousands of miles across many models, trying almost every running shoe out there. One thing is evident– running shoes have gotten so good over the last few years, it’s hard to find a really bad one anymore. Performance that could only be found in the best race day shoes a short time ago is now trickling down to everything else. And while prices fluctuate, usually higher, on the high end of things, not much has changed. The Nike Vaporfly 4% was $250 nearly a decade ago, and almost every race day shoe remains in that same range.
All that to say, shoes are good. Like, really good. So it was hard to choose our favorites.
However, there are still trainers that stand out above the rest. We’ve tried every shoe on this list and a ton that aren’t on here, and there were some tough decisions we had to make. Like a parent with kids, it’s hard to pick a favorite when they’re all pretty amazing. The good news is that we can still give trophies based on their individual talents and participation ribbons for the runner-ups.
So that’s what we did here, breaking them up into their own individual categories. And while our subjective tastes may differ from yours, we’ve found that our recommendations work for most runners out there. We think you’ll find the same.
Here’s to a great year of running behind us, and an even better year ahead.
(This is the first list in our Best in Gear awards, stay tuned for the Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024.)
In choosing the best overall running shoe, we factor in performance, fit, ride, versatility, and especially price. So while there are some shoes in the $200 range that we may choose above this one if given the chance, the fact that this shoe can be had for $130 makes it the best overall running shoe of 2024.
Monomesh upper, Lightstrike Pro midsole, 20% recycled materials
8.4 oz. (238 g) for a US M9 / 7.3 oz. (206 g) for a US W7
36 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (9 mm drop)
When we talk about the price and performance and overall aesthetic of a running shoe, the Adizero SL 2 comes out on top. Way on top. At $130, it punches way above its price point, thanks to the incredible midsole combination of a full-length Lightstrike Pro insert wrapped by a much-improved carrier of Lightstrike 2.0. The upper has a race day fit to it, which is great for when you want to shift up into a faster gear, which it can do with ease. It feels effortless at any pace and gives you the right amount of road feel without thrashing your legs. When you think of a pure running shoe that rips, this is the one.
This was so close to being our favorite shoe, except for one glaring mistake. But if it works for you, then enjoy.
PEBA foam on top layer of midsole, Pebax Rnew plate, breathable woven upper, early stage MetaRocker
9.4 oz. (266 g) for a US M10.5/ 6.2 oz. (176 g) for a US W7.5
44 mm in heel, 39 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
This shoe has almost everything we could want, featuring a PEBA top layer of foam, a Pebax plate, and a rocker geometry that keeps us rolling through the stride. It’s probably our favorite ride of any shoe on this list. BUT– and it’s a big but, we cannot lie– the heel collar is a downright Shakespearean tragedy. Multiple reviewers on our team had their Achilles torn to death from the thing, no matter the sock length. That’s enough to tank a shoe, but maybe it’ll work for you. Good news: next year’s model fixes it, so look forward to that.
When you’re trying to go your fastest and perform your bestest on race day, these are the shoes you’ll want to wear to the start line (and hopefully the finish line).
Atomknit 3.0 upper, winged carbon fiber plate, Fast Shot outsole rubber
7.8 oz. (221 g) for a US M10.5 / 5.8 oz. (164 g) for a US W7.5
40 mm in heel, 32 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
After the mildly disappointing Alphafly 2, and a generally mediocre run of Nike shoes in 2023, we weren’t sure what we’d get for the third version of this landmark marathon shoe. Well, it’s on this list, so obviously it was pretty damn good. A return to the greatness of the original, the Alphafly 3 returned with a lighter weight, a more propulsive bounce, and all of the speed that made us fall in love in the first place. The only caveat — if you had issues with the aggressive arch in the original, then you may want to skip to the next shoe on this list.
HONORABLE MENTION
$250
The roles seem to have switched this time, making the Sky more aggressive and the Edge more comfortable. But whichever shoe you choose, know that you’re getting the lightest race-day shoe on the market (aside from the hard-to-find Adidas Pro Evo 1) with a dialed-in upper and a more comfortable midsole ride than past versions of the Metaspeed.
The hottest category in running, these are the shoes that combine all the cutting edge components of shoe design into a package that is altogether exciting and fresh and fun.
Dual-layer ZoomX and SR-02 midsole, Carbon fiber Flyplate, Woven mesh upper
8.6 oz. (244 g) for a US M9 / 7.6 oz. (215 g) for a US W8
40 mm in heel, 32 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
It only took six tries, but Nike finally nailed the Zoom Fly. Which may as well be called the Alphafly Lite because that’s exactly what it is. While it lacks the super bounce provided by the Zoom Air pods in the Alphafly, it still harnesses that exciting and propulsive feeling of its race day counterpart, thanks to the full top layer of ZoomX foam, carbon fiber Flyplate, and an SR-02 bottom layer. Combine that with a comfortable upper and one of the most beautiful running shoe designs we’ve seen this year, and you have an absolute winner in our books.
HONORABLE MENTION
$275
This shoe may have taken the number one spot if not for its staggering price tag ($275). But it may be the most fun running shoe we’ve ever tried. Hoka calls the Cielo X1 a race-day shoe; we disagree, but we can agree on this — if you buy it, you won’t regret it. Just change the laces.
These are the shoes that go with you every day, providing comfort, durability, and just the right amount of performance to keep you coming back.
Nitro midsole with a carbon-infused plate, PumaGrip outsole, Engineered mesh upper
9.9 oz. (290 g) for a US M10.5
39 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
We don’t know how, but Puma just has a knack for nailing daily trainers. Its Nitro foam seems to shine on shoes for racing and recovering alike, yet the Deviate Nitro 3 lands somewhere right in the middle of the two. Honestly, the combination of bouncy, fun foam and a carbon-infused plate put this cat about as close to the Endorphin Speed as anyone has come, and running is better for it. Puma did raise the stack and midsole drop of its latest Deviate Nitro, though, so you might notice a slight difference if you’re used to the previous 8 mm stack across most of your running shoes.
HONORABLE MENTION
$140
The third version of this shoe tried to be too democratic, but we’re back in action with the Rebel v4. The FuelCell midsole is light and bouncy and feels exciting every time you take it out onto the pavement. From daily training to faster paces, this shoe works all the angles.
This shoe can handle anything you throw at it, from daily training to uptempo to race day in a pinch.
AsicsGrip outsole, Engineered mesh upper, FlyteFoam Turbo Plus midsole
8.8 oz. (250 g) for a US M9 (Unisex sizing)
45 mm in heel, 37 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
This is probably the closest we’ll come to a desert island shoe — one shoe, right now, to take with us for every run. Asics dialed in the upper but kept the same incredibly versatile ride provided by the giant slab of FlyteFoam Turbo Plus, and we have no notes. It’s a shoe that’s great for daily training, picking up the pace, or even a 4-hour marathon. And it lasts forever. We almost don’t want them to make a third version because what else could we even want in a shoe?
HONORABLE MENTION #1
$140
If we had to choose another shoe that’s simple and straightforward but provides everything we need for training, then the Hoka Mach 6 would fit the bill. It’s almost nothing like the Superblast — cheap and lower-stacked with a single layer of foam in the midsole, yet it’s bouncy and flexible enough for weekly runs around the harbor and speedier workouts alike.
HONORABLE MENTION #2
$170
We had to make an exception to our “two shoes per category rule” for the Endorphin Speed 4. Every version of this shoe has been solid, and this one seems to balance out the aggressiveness of the first two with the safety of the third. Bouncy and propulsive thanks to the PWRRUN PB foam midsole and the nylon plate, but comfortable enough for any distance thanks to the higher stack, this shoe continues to be a winner.
These are the shoes that hit all the marks with the upper, providing the best fit around the foot, which can be a true game changer. Combine that with a solid performance underfoot, and you have a couple shoes that are some of the best all-arounders of 2024.
DNA Flash v2 midsole, PEBAX SpeedVault plate, Double jacquard mesh upper
9.9 oz. (280 g) for a US M10.5
36 mm in heel, 30 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
Straight up, the Brooks uppers on the 2024 Hyperion line are the best uppers in the industry. Nothing harnesses that fit more than the Hyperion Max 2, a shoe that has only one speed: Tempo or faster. Meaning, this isn’t an everyday trainer or easy pace shoe, but when you hit that sweet spot of speed, at either short intervals or longer tempo runs, it’s really, really hard to find a more enjoyable experience in a shoe. The upper enhances that experience, locking the foot down perfectly over the midsole, allowing you to dig into all the shoe has to offer.
HONORABLE MENTION
$160
When someone tries to reinvent any part of a running shoe, it usually falls flat — which is what we thought would happen with the R1, a shoe that features a zonal lacing system, with regular laces in the top half and a bungee-style lacing on the bottom. The goal is to allow for adjustments over longer distances when the foot swells up. Turns out, it works, and it ends up providing one of the better fitting uppers with a really nice ride underfoot.
It feels like every shoe these days falls into this category, but these are the ones that stand out when it comes to a combination of max comfort and max performance.
GlideRoll rocker, DNA Tuned midsole, Engineered mesh upper
10.5 oz. (297 g) for a US M9 / 9.5 oz. (269 g) for a US W7.5
45 mm in heel, 39mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
This may go down as the best Brooks shoe of the decade, or maybe… ever? Wherever it lands in the history books, one thing is for sure — Brooks stepped up to the plate (at last) and hit a walk-off home run. With a thick slab of DNA Tuned nitrogen-infused foam and a rocker geometry, this thing lands comfortably before rolling through the stride. The tangible pivot off the toe keeps you moving forward, mile after mile. Really, as long as you want to go, this is the best option out there for long runs of any distance.
HONORABLE MENTION
$180
It was a close call, but only because the Magmax Nitro reminds us so much of the Glycerin Max. It very easily could have taken the top spot, and if you don’t like the aggressive toe-off of the Glycerin Max, then choose this one. Perhaps the best way to think of it is as a max-cushion version of the Deviate Nitro 3, complete with a thick slab of Nitro foam and excellent PumaGrip coverage along the outsole. Also, despite everything that the MagMax Nitro has going on underfoot, it feels surprisingly light while you rack up the miles.
If you’re looking for a stripped down, shoot-to-thrill experience in a fast and light shoe, look no further than our favorites in the pure speed category.
Peba-based FuelCell midsole, Engineered mesh upper, EnergyArc plate
6.9 oz. (195 g) for a US M9.5 / 5.9 oz. (167 g) for a US W7
35 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
We already found the Alphafly Lite in the Nike Zoom Fly 6, but if you’re looking for a Vaporfly Lite, then the SC Pacer v2 is the shoe for you. The full-length carbon fiber plate embedded in a FuelCell midsole gives an aggressive edge that will have you going full speed ahead. Combine that with the extremely breathable upper in a super lightweight package, and you have a fun and fast shoe for distances under 10K (maybe a half marathon if you’re feeling strong).
HONORABLE MENTION
$140
As simple as it gets with a running shoe, the standard Hyperion (not to be confused with the aforementioned Hyperion Max) features the best upper in the game and pairs it with a lower stack, plateless DNA Flash v2 midsole. Straightforward speed for those who like their running shoes for running.
Stability shoes have come a long way over the years, from overbuilt monstrosities to today’s simplified support. These are the best shoes for keeping you steady through the run.
FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco midsole, 4D Guidance System, PureGel, AsicsGrip outsole
10.7 oz. (305 g) for a US M9 / 9.4 oz. (266 g) for a US W7.5
Men: 40 mm in heel, 30 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
Women: 39 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
If we had a dollar for every time our reviewer Sam Sheldon picked a new favorite stability trainer this year, we might have enough cash to buy his eventual winner. However, it always seemed like the Gel-Kayano 31 was in with a shout as a shoe he described as “coming home again.” Rather than try to reinvent what it means to be a stability trainer, the latest Gel-Kayano picked up where its predecessor left off, using a similar blend of PureGel, a 4D Guidance System, and reliable AsicsGrip underfoot to offer stability and comfort over the course of many miles.
HONORABLE MENTION
$160
Late in the year, Sam received a shoe that almost changed his final verdict — the Mount to Coast P1. As mentioned above, we’ve been big fans of the way Mount to Coast has approached its debut, and its simple, straightforward approach works just as well for stability shoes as it does for long-distance racers. The P1 skips some of the more intense stability technologies we’ve seen, choosing to deploy a much simpler 3D Archrail that works remarkably well without drastically changing the ride underfoot.
These are some of the best shoes out there that don’t get enough noise. They should though, because they’re easily as good as most of the other shoes on this list.
Full PEBAX midsole, Recycled mesh upper, Natural toebox
8.1 oz. (229 g) for a US M9 / 7.4 oz. (210 g) for a US W8
39 mm in heel, 34 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
While everyone else is in a super trainer arms race, Topo Athletic is quietly doing its own thing over here in the corner. If you’ve defected from the church of Altra and are looking for a similar design with better build and performance and just a bit of drop, then this is the shoe for you. The Specter 2 builds on the Cyclone 2 from last year and gives us a full Pebax midsole in a simple trainer package. It’s lightweight, it’s fast, it’s comfortable, and it’s everything that makes running pure and fun.
HONORABLE MENTION
$180
It’s not every day that a shoe this good sneaks up on us, but what can we say? We should have known that Mizuno had something cooking when its Rebellion Pro 2 became a solid — if unorthodox — race day pick, and now the Neo Vista has slotted in as a really, really good option for long runs thanks to its smooth rocker and dual-layered midsole. By the way, our editor, Ryan, used it as his primary training shoe for the Amsterdam Marathon just a few months back.
These are the shoes that shocked us because a) we had no idea they were coming, and b) they surpassed all our expectations.
Anima PBX midsole, Matryx upper, Carbon fiber plate
8.1 oz. (229 g) for a US M10
39 mm in heel, 34 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
The rise of Diadora back into running has been slow and steady, but they’ve consistently improved their products over the past five years. The pinnacle of that progression is the Gara Carbon, a carbon-plated marathon shoe that easily competes with every other player in the category. With a full Pebax midsole and a premium Matryx upper (something no other brand can boast about), you get the best of everything in one package. The end result is race day performance with just the right amount of bounce and comfort to take you through 26.2.
HONORABLE MENTION
$225
Not long after we helped launch Hoka’s Cielo X1, we had a wild new trainer from the brand sneak across our Instagram feeds. Both Thomas and Meg were immediately chomping at the bit, waiting for their chance to get it on their feet, and the Skyward X delivered. It’s got everything — over 45 mm of foam in the heel, a carbon fiber plate in the middle (I mean, duh, with X in the name), and an incredibly comfortable flat knit upper. It ain’t cheap, but that’s the price of fun.
Sometimes you just need a shoe that you can wear casually, but that you can also use for a run, wherever you may be.
Light Boost midsole, Continental Rubber outsole, soft knit upper
9.7 oz. (275 g) for a US M9
38 mm in heel, 28 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
A shoe long known for its comfort but not its performance, the Ultraboost 5X was a welcome surprise this go-around. It cut a bunch of weight, putting it in the same range as everyday trainers like the Asics Gel-Nimbus. Then, it added a better midsole with the Lightstrike 2.0 foam and switched to a knit upper that provided a perfect wraparound fit for the foot (though it can be a bit warm during the summer months). It also pairs well with casual wear, making it great for travel or one shoe to do it all.
HONORABLE MENTION
$200
The first two versions of this shoe were unrunnable, so we had zero expectations for this one. But we gotta say — for a brand that is squarely in the lifestyle realm, this shoe is surprisingly nice as a runner. Now, it’s not the lightest shoe on the market, but if you want something that looks great casually, is incredibly comfortable for walking, and can easily handle 3-5 miles, then this is our go-to pick. I’ve personally worn the hell out of this shoe all year long, and I’d do it again if given the chance.
Our wide foot expert Jarrett gives you his favorite two running shoes for wide foot (2E) runners.
Rippled carbon fiber plate, Fantomfit upper, FuelCell midsole
9.3 oz. (263 g) for a US M10.5 / 7 oz. (198 g) for a US W7.5
40 mm in heel, 36 mm in forefoot (4 mm drop)
Again, New Balance just gets us wide-footers by offering us a carbon-plated race day shoe. The SC Elite v4 received a full update to the FantomFit upper and PEBA midsole. The wide fit is fantastic, and the ride is both comfortable and fast, even into those later miles. It’s our wide-foot marathon king. Anyone who needs a wide race day or long run shoe seriously needs to check out the SC Elite v4.
Honorable Mention
$150
I’m as shocked as you are to have On as the honorable mention for wide-foot running shoes, but here we are with the Cloudrunner 2. My low expectations caused complete surprise at how much I enjoyed this shoe. The upper fit great and felt luxurious. The midsole was good enough for daily miles. The white and green colorway is gorgeous for casual wear. It clearly checks all the boxes to come together as an incredibly solid shoe. Congrats, On!
We’re all-inclusive over here at Believe in the Run, which means we’re not just a bunch of walking toothpicks or Tim Burton characters. Some of us carry more weight, resulting in a totally different experience in the shoes when on the run. Clydesdale Chad breaks down his two favorites for the year.
AsicsGrip outsole, FlyteFoam Turbo Plus midsole, Engineered mesh upper
8.8 oz. (250 g) for a US M9 (Unisex sizing)
45 mm in heel, 37 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The original Superblast was my favorite shoe of all time, past tense, only because it has been replaced by its successor, the Superblast 2. This version improves on an already amazing base by making the upper more comfortable and tweaking the foam so it feels perfect right out of the box. Buyer beware, though — version two runs a bit shorter than version one did. My US M11.5 was tighter on the tootsies this time around. Everything else about the shoe, however, is unimpeachable.
Honorable Mention
$170
There really hasn’t been a bad version of this shoe, but this one brings the team in for a big group hug. The Endorphin Speed 4 takes the fast and snappy elements from the Speed 2 and the stability and daily trainer elements from the Speed 3, and melds them together into a fantastic shoe that can handle anything– slower miles, tempo runs, or even a race day. Bigger runners rejoice, there’s a shoe designed for speed that can handle us!
If you’re taking it to the full 26.2 distance for the first or second time, these are the best shoes for you.
Dual-layer Peba and EVA midsole, Winged carbon fiber plate
8.3 oz. (232 g) for a US M8.5 (Unisex sizing)
38 mm in heel, 30 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
I mean, they straight-up made the S/Lab Spectur for beginner marathoners or those going slower than 3:30 (let’s be honest, that’s most of us). Salomon combined a bouncy top layer of Peba foam with a more stable bottom layer of EVA and a carbon fiber plate in between. They threw in some stability elements in the overall design, wrapped the whole thing in a comfortable upper, and we gotta say — they hit the mark. It’s a really nice shoe that can pick up the pace, and it feels great underfoot, mile after mile. If you’re not using it for a race day, it makes for an equally great super trainer.
Honorable Mention
$250
If there’s one shoe that’s going to provide all the comfort you need during the marathon, it’s the SC Elite v4. A big chunk of soft FuelCell foam with a carbon fiber plate to stabilize it makes this ideal for anyone dipping their toes into the marathon distance for the first time. Or, if you’re a four-hour marathoner looking for comfort in a lightweight performance package, this shoe will be perfect for you.
As we get older, we realize the value in cross training and keeping strong in all the ways. Wearing an Alphafly to the gym isn’t ideal, so here’s our favorite shoe for throwing some weight around.
TPU stability wrap, TYRTAC outsole, SURGENERG midsole
Weight not available (It’s a gym shoe, who cares?)
Stack height not available (7 mm drop)
In my opinion, having a good gym shoe is just as important as having a good running shoe, especially when you’re lifting heavy. A good shoe can help provide stability to avoid major injuries that could sideline you from running. For me, I want something secure and stable while still being comfortable that provides a solid base for big compound movements like squats and deadlifts.
The TYR CXT-2 Trainer checks off everything I look for in a lifting shoe and is my favorite for 2024. The upper fit is comfortable and provides good volume while providing a secure lockdown, and the underfoot is sturdy and stable. Plus, my monochrome all-red colorway was pretty sweet, and the rest of the brand’s colorways are equally as solid.
With all the advances in foams and carbon fiber plates and upper materials and running technologies, it’s hard to find a bad shoe these days. But we managed to uncover a couple in our testing.
3D-printed SpeedVault Plate, RapidRoll geometry, DNA Flash v2 midsole
7.2 oz. (204 g) for a US M9 (Unisex sizing)
40 mm in heel, 32 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
We’ve never felt more sad than for the suckers who bought the first version of the Hyperion Elite, but everyone who bought the following three versions is a close second. The most disappointing thing about v4 is that we know it can be so much better (and we have reason to believe the next version will be). It has a great upper, but the performance underfoot is so 2021. There are about 17 shoes in the $250 price point that are better. So do better.
HONORABLE MENTION
$160
As much as we absolutely love Rabbit’s running apparel, the initial run of this shoe should’ve stayed buried in the burrow. We’ll say this: The overall ride of the Dream Chaser wasn’t terrible. Maybe nice, even. But the original design — which has since been amended — featured carbon fiber strips on the outsole that had no purpose but to grind against rocks. The design was just head-scratching, and the knit upper — while comfortable — definitely seemed more like a lifestyle shoe. However, the good news is that they made inline changes to fix both of those problems, which means the current version is actually pretty nice. That’s a sign of a great brand that listens to consumers. And a new trail shoe coming in 2025 looks even nicer.
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As the founder of Believe in the Run, Thomas’s goal is to help runners pick the shoes and gear that will make their running experience the best that it can be.
More from Thomas
Robbe is the senior editor of Believe in the Run. He loves going on weird routes through Baltimore, finding trash on the ground, and running with the Faster Bastards. At home in the city, but country at heart. Loves his two boys more than anything. Has the weakest ankles in the game.
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Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
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Lovely read! Thanks for the passion. When can we expect a best of trail? 😉
It’s up now!
Great list, and some shockers (a good thing for the Best Of dopamine hit). Question: if not for price, would the SB2 have beaten the SL2?
Yes, head to head (not considering price) we’d pick the Superblast 2 as best shoe of 2024, it’s a personal favorite for all of us.
What about the Adidas Evo SL, assuming that shoe ended up being released too late to be considered 2024?
Correct, since it doesn’t see a wide release until spring, we’re considering it a 2025 shoe, but we can almost assure it’ll be on this list at the end of 2025.
Samesies.
I didn’t think the Adidas Adizero SL 2 had a plate in it, but you mention a nylon plate?
You are correct, not sure how that got in there, but thank you for pointing it out!