Best running shoes for men: Trainers and sneakers to help you smash your next PB

Running towards your latest fitness goal? Lockdowns and gym closures has given us a taste for running over the last year or so. If you've been making do with tired old trainers, now is the time to transform them and level-up your run with a pair of the best shoes around. The best running shoes for men are an essential buy that will get you over the line, boost your performance and safeguard your joints.

Yet there’s nothing ‘side’ about these trusty ‘kicks’. They’re fully equipped with the latest running shoe technology, with options for any terrain and running style, and designed to fit most budgets.

Not a man? Head right this way to discover the best running shoes for women! Alternatively, if you're looking to take things off-road, take a look at our pick of the best trail running shoes. 

Our current favorite running shoe, and the best for most men, is the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2, which represents a massive leap forward for the tried and trusted Pegasus runner. It’s all thanks to the fancy zoomX foam, which promises energy return befitting Nike’s top-of-the-range running shoes. 

For off-roaders we recommend the On Cloudventure Peak, while those requiring enhanced support can rely on the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 to guard against injury. 

How to choose the best men's running shoes for you

Nutrition, hydration, proper recovery and strength training – as well as putting in the miles – all play a part in prepping a runner for race day. The wrong pair of shoes can undo it all. 

Before considering any of our selection of the best men’s running shoes, it’s imperative you have your running gait tested. Most specialist stores provide this service. 

While most runners have a natural gait, some are prone to overpronation and require a shoe built with added support. This can reduce the risk of injury experienced by flat-footed runners whose arches tend to collapse as the foot makes contact with the surface. Meanwhile, underpronation - which is also called supination, and is less common - will require neutral or cushioned shoes.

Just as important is your preferred terrain. What’s good for speed, comfort and advanced energy return on the roads and treadmills, won’t provide the same durability and traction required when traversing rocky, slippery trails. The reverse is also true. 

The shoes we have selected here are designed to assist training for the everyday runner. We feel the very expensive high-end race shoes are overkill for most runners, with those athletes already au fait with the shoes that work for them. Shoes like the Brooks Ghost 13 tick so many boxes without dropping half a mortgage payment. 

If you’re running 5-10km multiple times per week, or training for your first half or full marathon, you may prioritise comfort and cushioning. If you’re working on speed, there are lightweight options promising to spring you forward into the next step. 

Either way, the perfect running shoe is out there. 

Anatomy of a running shoe

One of the most important things when it comes to finding the best running shoe for you is knowing what you're getting, and why you're getting it. To start with, we'll bet you didn't know the sole was actually made up of two different parts – the midsole and the outsole. 

The outsole is the piece of rubber that's actually touching the ground, while the midsole is the section of shoe sandwiched between the insole and the out. The midsole provides shock absorption and cushioning for the road, and comes in various different levels of firmness and softness. The softer and thicker the midsole, the "squishier" and more cushioned your run will feel. 

The sole also dictates the "drop" or thickness of the shoe's heel – the Saucony Kinvara 12, for instance, has a 4mm drop, while other shoes might have an 8mm. This makes a huge difference as to which part of your foot hits the ground first, and your gait or running style will dictate your ideal shoe choice.   

The upper is typically comprised of breathable knitted nylon mesh or polyester. This is one of the big differences between these road running shoes and trail running shoes, as many trail runners will want mud and water kept out of their feet. Road running shoes, on the other hand, are only required to fend off rain and the occasional shallow puddle.   

The best running shoes for men you can buy right now

The ‘Pegasus’ range is to runners what Air Jordans are to basketball players (and people who like to wear excessive, overpriced trainers.) 

Nike’s go-to running shoe just got even better with the addition of the breakthrough zoomX foam. The tech, which provides previously unthinkable levels of responsiveness and energy return, has trickled down from the VaporFly Next% shoes used in Nike’s efforts to facilitate a sub 2-hour marathon. The layer of foam in the midsole of this everyday distance trainer provides the speed, while the minimal tongue and upper, constructed from synthetic mesh, ensures a super-lightweight ride. There’s also a partial inner sleeve that runs from midfoot to toe to ensure comfort over longer distances. 

That extra tech does cost you – the standard Nike Air Pegasus 37 is around £50 cheaper – but it is well worth it, we can tell you.

The Brooks Ghost 13 delivers on all of its promises for an oh-so-soft and smooth road running shoe that’s a great option for everyday runners. It is a well-constructed trainer delivering great support in most of the key areas. The larger construction, weight and cushion means it isn’t the shoe to go to if you’re seeking to boost your race day times – the spring just isn’t there. However, the Brooks Ghost 13 is an excellent option if your goal is getting the miles in at a steady pace. I felt it left me slightly prone to overpronation – dumping weight into my big toe area – but that won’t be a problem for most.

The inherent focus on support means some trail running shoes can feel sturdy, inflexible and stiflingly hot. But not the second-generation On Cloudventure Peak. The highly breathable, stretchy and lightweight ripstop upper can keep you cool and flexible, while the inner sock provides a secure and comfortable feel. 

The real headline feature might be the aggressive MissionGrip sole, which provides traction in varied weather conditions, and uneven terrain – whether you’re coming up or down the mountain. The Speedboard plate between the midsole and the upper also provides great energy return whenever your feet strike the ground. And the black and white version of this shoe is so handsome and identifiable, it’s almost cruel to take them out on muddy trails.

A shoe with a focus on stability, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 gives a more comfortable ride for runners who deal with overpronation. This is common among flat-footed runners and causes the arches of the feet to collapse as they make contact with the ground, and thus the ankle joint to roll inwards. Without the right support, these runners (and even some with a more neutral gait) risk discomfort and injury to the ankle, shin, heels, arches and hips.

The tried-and-tested GTS range offers a typically cushioned ride with moderate spring, while the GuideRail technology is designed to guard against that excessive movement that can damage the ankle and knee joints. The secure fit is aided by the 3D Fit Print saddle, bringing added structure to the arches. Brooks has also simplified the design, making this the lightest edition yet.

The Saucony Kinvara is one of those cult classics loyalists buy time and time again. Advocates continue to marvel at its featherlight ride, which provides the perfect balance of ample cushion while retaining responsiveness to keep a spring in the step deep into those distance runs. 

Now in its 12th iteration, Kinvara 12 improves upon its predecessor's PWRUN foam in the midsole with added durability, which replaces the EVA+ in the 10 and previous years' editions providing more cushion without adding to the weight. The firm continues to whittle away unnecessary elements from the FORMFIT upper to keep the weight down and the pace up. As with others in the range, you won’t need to run these shoes in, they’re good-to-go right out of the box. Overall, Saucony Kinvara 12 are a great option for runners with a neutral gait.