We’ve tested some of the best running shoes for men 2022 – these are our favorites

If you love running but find putting in the hard miles can leave you feeling worse for wear, we recommend investing in a pair of the best running shoes for men. These sneakers are designed to help you go the distance by providing support for your ankles, a cushioned midsole to soften the impact of each stride on your knees, and a comfortable fit that will keep your feet from rubbing on even the longest runs. 

The result? You’re able to run regularly while swerving avoidable pain and injuries. So, whether you’re wondering how to get into running or at the tail-end of a half-marathon training plan, we think a quality pair of running shoes are a non-negotiable kit bag essential. And now is a great time to pick up a pair, with the price of top models set to tumble in the Black Friday sales. 

However, finding the right running shoes is easier said than done, with hundreds of options now on offer. That’s where we can help. Our team of regular runners and fitness aficionados have put top models to the test in a quest to find the best shoes for easy miles, endurance events, fast 5Ks and more. We’ve reviewed shoes to suit all running styles and budgets, listing in simple terms the strengths and weaknesses of each one. 

So, read on to find out more, and let us help you find your perfect pair. 

The best running shoes for men you can buy right now

The Saucony Men’s Ride 15 is an exceptionally well-balanced everyday running shoe, offering a neutral ride and plenty of cushioning without weighing over the odds. 

The first thing we noticed was just how comfortable they are, with airy padding around the heel and tongue cradling our feet while keeping them firmly in place. This meant we could wear them straight out of the box without worrying about blisters – no break-in period necessary. The upper also features clever straps attached to the laces that wrap around the midfoot, meaning even narrow-footed runners like our tester can tighten the sides of the shoe to provide a great fit.

Now for the jargon. The Saucony Men’s Ride 15 has a midsole made from the brand’s specially designed PWRRUN tech light foam, which is both more supportive and lighter than the material used in the Ride 14. There is also a new, padded PWRRUN+ sockliner, which only accentuates the pillowy feeling of the sole

It’s not so spongy that it saps any spring from your step. However, as an everyday sneaker, don’t expect the ultra-responsive feel associated with race-day shoes - that’s more the Saucony Kinvara 12 (opens in new tab)’s area of expertise.

Overall, we think the Saucony Ride 15 is an exceptional everyday running shoe, providing rarely-rivaled levels of comfort and support while also providing a lightweight, bouncy feel ideal for middle-to-longer distance sessions, recovery runs and easy miles. 

• Read our full Saucony Ride 15 review (opens in new tab)

In 2020, dedicated running brand Brooks brought its trusty Ghost range back for a 13th generation, and we’re very glad they did. Anyone who has owned a past iteration will know these shoes reliably deliver superb support, cushioning and longevity, and the Ghost 13 is no different. 

Like the Saucony Ride 15 before it, the Ghost 13’s plush cushioning and smooth ride qualify it as a great everyday road running shoe capable of keeping you comfortable, mile after mile. It also comes in $10 cheaper than its rival – something we can always appreciate. There wasn’t enough spring or bounce in the midsole for use to push our PB pace, but if longer routes are your bread and butter then they won’t let you down.

Much of this comfort is owed to the expanded DNA Loft technology first introduced in the Ghost 11. This innovative cushioning combines EVA foam, rubber and air to provide a soft landing platform through the heel, midfoot and forefoot.

The upper is sturdy and supportive, while still being breathable, giving the feel of a cooling hug around our feet. They look good too, and there are a wide range of colorways available meaning there’s something for showy shoe fans and modest runners alike.

• Read our full Brooks Ghost 13 review

Speed kings and queens, this one’s for you. The Saucony Kinvara 12 is a shoe built for PBs, proving to be an impressively lightweight option for runners with a neutral gait. 

But don’t mistake them for a one-trick pony; our tester described them as “the whole package” after finding they have a slender fit, great engineering and a more durable design than the Kinvara 11. 

You’ll be pleased to know they don’t sacrifice comfort in their quest to shed a few extra ounces either. Our tester said their lower offset and lack of squidgy cushioning may take a little getting used to for runners used to a softer ride. But, after one or two light runs to break them in, they really came to relish wearing the Kinvara 12s, saying they deliver a surprising amount of bounce and energy return.

Though the upper has been stripped back to save weight, it still feels rigid enough to hold our feet comfortably in place. We found this stiffness worked well when supporting our arches and stopping our feet from slipping inside the shoe when running. There is also still a layer of padding around the collar and tongue to enhance the shoe’s comfort credentials.

All-in-all, and despite their best efforts, our tester couldn’t muster a bad word to say about these superb shoes. So, if it’s a blend of speed and comfort you’re after, we’d add these to your basket sharpish. 

• Read our full Saucony Kinvara 12 review (opens in new tab)

The Asics Novablast 2 improves upon its popular predecessor in nearly every way. The slightly cheap-feeling upper has been overhauled with premium materials, a sturdier heel cup solves the problem of lacking stability in this area, and additional cushioning in the forefoot ensures a smooth all-round ride. These neat features do mean it’s slightly heavier than the inaugural Novablast, but not to the extent that your performance will be hampered. 

When taking these shoes out for a spin, we found they provided a comfortable ride complimented by soft, balanced cushioning, a good level of shock absorption to spare your knees from bearing the brunt of each stride, and a pleasantly springy midsole. With each step, we felt like our feet were sinking into the plush foam for a millisecond before rebounding upwards, providing fantastic push-off. This allowed us to maintain a decent speed over longer distances with less effort than some of the Novablast 2’s softer-soled rivals. 

Runners who don’t have a neutral stride may want to look elsewhere (such as the Saucony Ride 15 or Nike Air Zoom Structure 24) as these shoes have a relatively narrow platform which our tester found encouraged overpronation. We also found they fit slightly larger than their prescribed size, so it’s worth ordering half-a-size down if you want to make the most of the new and improved cushioning. 

However, if it’s a neutral shoe that strikes a Goldilocks-like “just right” premium between cushioning and responsiveness for longer distances, you can’t go far wrong with the Asics Novablast 2. 

• Read our full Asics Novablast 2 review (opens in new tab)

Hoka has a tendency to stand out from the crowd in the saturated running shoe world, and it’s this maverick approach that’s earned the brand a favorable following since being founded in 2009. It’s not surprising then that the One One Rocket X may split opinion, but those who historically enjoy a Hoka shoe will find a lot to love.

The first thing to address is its modus operandi. Rocket by name, rocket by nature, Hoka designed this shoe to add an extra lick of pace to anyone running the Marathon distance. It achieves this by including a 1mm carbon fiber plate in the sole which can propel the wearer forward with each stride. 

While this feature may feel odd at first, our tester felt this model is an ideal introduction to carbon-plated running shoes and enjoyed being able to shave time off their previous personal bests with them on their feet. 

The shoes provide an incredibly responsive ride with the concealed tech feeling like it’s doing a lot of the leg work for you. But this flash feature doesn’t mean Hoka has neglected the basics. The shoes are comfortable, supportive and (we think) easy on the eye too. We should warn you though, once you’ve experienced the speed of carbon-plated sneakers, you’ll find it hard to return to old-school shoes. 

• Read our full Hoka One One Rocket X review (opens in new tab)

If you’d rather invest in one versatile sneaker than a few specialist running shoes, look no further than the Nike Air Zoom Structure 24. These neutral shoes have plenty of cushioning, raised midsole side walls for additional support, and a durable hard rubber outsole, making them a great daily option. Their sleek, minimalist monochrome design meant we even incorporated them into our day-to-day wear. 

We found the plush mesh upper offers immediate comfort, with plenty of padding around the heel and tongue to keep your feet comfortable. They also have a thick foam stack which was fantastically supportive for longer runs, and a crash pad (area of softer foam) in the heel offered more give to encourage a smooth heel-to-toe transition – ideal for heel strikers. 

The fancy features don’t end there either, with an Air Zoom unit hidden in the forefoot of the midsole. For those unfamiliar, this is a cushioning system made from pressurized, tightly-stretched fibers, designed to offer a more reactive ride than the surrounding foam. 

We did find this was the case, meaning we enjoyed a responsive feel when pushing the pace on 5-10km routes. However, on harder surfaces we could feel the unit under our feet, giving a subtly lumpy feel in the forefoot that we weren’t particularly keen on. The inclusion of thick padding around the heel and tongue also adds extra weight to the  (11oz or 312g) shoes, which we felt towards the latter stages of longer runs.

However, these two gripes aside, we think the Nike Air Zoom Structure 24s are versatile everyday running shoes capable of carrying you through longer runs and easy miles in comfort.

• Read our full Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 review (opens in new tab)

FAQs

Key running shoe terms

Offset: The offset or heel-toe drop is the difference in the amount of material under the heel and forefoot of the shoe. This is usually measured in millimeters.

Outsole: This is the layer of rubber on the bottom of the shoe responsible for making contact with the ground. Some shoes, like the Nike Air Zoom Structure 24, have a fuller hardwearing rubber outsole to improve durability, while others like the Saucony Ride 15 have rubber strips under the foam midsole to save weight. 

Midsole: The midsole is the foam section of a running shoe found between the upper and the outsole. This is responsible for providing cushioning and support.

Insole: Often removable, insoles sit inside your shoe on top of the footbed. Your feet sit on top of these thin slips of material. Some brands make their insoles plush and spongy to provide extra cushioning, while many contour them to cradle the feet comfortably and minimize movement mid run. 

Upper: This is the material that wraps around the top of your foot. Found on top of the midsole, it is often made from fabric or mesh.