Standout feature: Pillow-like supportive EVA foam midsole

The Hoka Clifton is by far the most comfortable running shoe I’ve ever worn. From jogs around my neighborhood and incline walks on the treadmill to long flights and road trips, this shoe has yet to let me down. What stands out most about this lightweight sneaker is just how much cushioning you get. The sneaker has what looks like a thick platform, but that extra cushion and shock absorption adds to the shoe’s comfort level. I was a little skeptical about the higher-than-usual heel at first, but it actually helps me slide my foot into the shoe more easily. After two years of wearing them almost daily, they are still in excellent condition. Since I have them in white they do get dirty, but they’ve handled a few rounds in the washing machine just fine. I’m still rocking the Clifton 9s, but Hoka has since launched an upgraded model with all the same great pros. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

Standout feature: Certified carbon neutral for less environment impact

I’ve tried a number of Brooks running shoes, but Brooks’ Ghost are my perfect pair. They’re cushy, but still springy; they’re lightweight, but sturdy. I also love that they come in an all-black colorway, which makes them stylish enough that they’re the only running shoes I have ever worn outside of running (ideal when you’re trying to pack light). I’ve run in the Ghost 15, 16, and am now onto the 17—so far no running shoe has managed to keep up with this model of Brooks. And even if they feel tight or narrow on a first run, give them a beat to break in. They always end up molding perfectly to my feet. —Megan Spurrell, associate articles director

Standout feature: Cushiony rubber sole

I picked up running again after neglecting my old jogging hobby for quite some time (a couple of years, if I’m being honest), and I found myself wanting sneakers that would help ease the struggle slowpokes like myself have getting back into the swing of things. Enter Nobull—which I already knew and loved for its strength-training sneakers.

Nobull’s line of Journey Runner+ options have a super-cushiony nylon tread billed as an “energy efficient springboard” that’s been a blast to run on, and especially helpful in hotter locales this summer when I needed some extra motivation to get out for a few early miles. They’re super comfortable, breathable, and also pack surprisingly small despite their tread size thanks to the collapsible, mesh top structure. I’ve brought these everywhere (Tennessee, Greece, Seattle, Morocco, and Egypt) to stick to my running habit, and don’t see them falling out of my packing rotation any time soon. —Shannon McMahon, senior destinations editor

Standout feature: Waterproof exterior made of recycled polyester

I’ve always given running shoe designs the side-eye (why does anything have to be flamin’ hot orange?), so when I stumbled upon these cushioned, waterproof guys from On in muted colors, I knew what I was buying next. They’re crazy comfortable and versatile since I can run with them on the treadmill or outside, go hiking on slippery terrain, and also pick up groceries without feeling like my feet are wearing a costume. —Alexandra Sanidad, research director

Standout feature: Stability from its mid-foot support system

At the end of a Chicago half marathon last summer, a Nike truck was handing out new sneakers for anyone who was willing to trade theirs in. The shoes I was running in were pretty beat up and ready to retire, so I decided to try out some new Nikes. I had never run in a Nike shoe before and to my surprise, they became my favorite for long distances while marathon training. I ended up running the NYC Marathon in them last fall, and they offered support and stability throughout the race and my many training runs without feeling too heavy or clunky. The one con is some slight tearing around the collar lining on one foot. —Madison Flager, associate commerce director

Standout feature: The bounce from its patented ZoomX foam

As someone who’s constantly rotating sneakers in and out of my closet, finding a true ride-or-die running shoe that could go the distance always felt elusive. Enter: the Nike Pegasus 41. I’ve put some serious miles on these, and let me just say, these shoes bounce like they’ve got a trampoline hidden in the midsole. The ZoomX foam is no joke. Every step feels like a little assist from the universe. Comfort-wise, they hug my feet just right. They’re supportive where it matters (arch and heel, thank you very much), but breathable enough that I never feel bogged down. It’s engineered from a soft mesh that flexes with your foot, providing a comfortable feel similar to wearing performance-grade socks. If a sneaker could have main character energy, this would be it. —Paris Wilson, commerce writer

Standout feature: That “just right” balance of cushioning and support

No matter where my running shoe journey takes me, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS—which stands for “Go To Shoe”—will always be my first love. As a mainstay of the brand, the sneaker strikes the right balance of both “smart support” through its guide rails, which limit extra movements in the feet (and help stabilize the knees and hips) and soft cushioning that doesn’t become too squishy. Ever since Marlovits analyzed my foot and referred me to the GTS 16 nearly a decade ago, this line has been my, well, go-to shoe, from 20,000-plus steps sightseeing days to the New York City Marathon. Considering all the pressure I’ve put on them, I’m impressed how well they’ve supported me. The only time I was slightly disappointed was when I went down the giant slide at Maryland’s Butler Orchards with my nieces and the backs wore off of a new pair on the bumpy ride. (They’re still in my closet—I can’t get myself to get rid of them!) Otherwise, they’ve always been dependable for a smooth and steady ride.

Standout feature: Extra forefoot foam and outsole flex groove designed for women

When Lululemon first ventured into the shoe business with its Blissfeel running shoe back in 2022, I immediately found my perfect match. After all, it was the first time a shoe had been designed specifically with a women’s foot anatomy in mind: a narrower heel, wider forefoot, and shallow big toe. Most notably I fell for its roomier toebox and contoured design. Now the brand has doubled down with its Beyondfeel, a tougher running shoe that even further caters to the way a women’s foot strikes the ground. Not only does each step feel smooth and steady, but the strategically-mapped outsole made of tough rubber provides noticeable flexibility along with sturdy traction.

Standout feature: A wide base for stability

Dabbling in so many running shoes, I had started to wish for a Mr. Potato Head of designs, craving the stability of Brooks Adrenaline GTS paired with the wide comfy toe box of the Lululemon Blissfeel and cushioned support of Hoka Cliftons. From the moment my eyes landed on the Brooks Ghost Max 2, I knew I had found that magic shoe that checked off all the boxes. With the right amount of neutral support and maximum cushioning, the Ghost Max 2 required no break-in time and immediately became my sartorial companion for everything from business dinners to road races. Their classic look was so malleable that I ended up wearing them every single day for a month—and they always kept me light on my feet, but also super supported.

Read a full review here.

[Editors’s note: The next-gen Ghost Max 3 is available from August 1, 2025.]

Standout feature: More breathability with triple jacquard mesh

No matter the occasion: training, racing, short distance, long distance, workouts, or neighborhood walks, Christine Burke, chief commercial officer at New York Road Runners (which produces the TCS New York City Marathon, coming up on November 2), turns to New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080s. “It is ready to go out of the box, doesn’t break down quickly, and has never caused any foot issues,” she says, having run in them in various weather conditions and terrain, even the sand. “It is light enough for racing and sturdy enough for running on uneven terrain.”

[Editor’s note: New Balance is the Official Athletic Footwear and Apparel Partner of NYRR.]

Standout feature: Sticky rubber sole and its 0.3 ounces lighter than its predecessor

When it comes to being light and quick on your feet, Gwen Jorgensen knows best. The accountant turned 2016 Olympic gold medalist triathlete has been lacing up in the Hoka Rocket X 2 for both training workouts and actual races for years and recently switched to the Rocket X 3, noting that it’s primed “for fast long runs.” At 8.0 ounces, she says that the shoes are lightweight despite having a carbon fiber plate making it “responsive and also sturdy,” especially for sudden directional switches. “The Rocket X3 has a new sticky rubber which allows me for a shorter ground contact time increasing speed and allowing me to be confident on slippery surfaces and running around corners,” she says.

Standout feature: Molded collar to make it easy to step into on and off

Let’s face it: The constant harsh impact on the feet goes against human nature. So for those who mostly put in their miles in the concrete jungle, Marlovits recommends more cushioning to soften the blow. Among those in the category is Hoka’s Bondi line, which was first introduced a decade ago, and debuted its most significant upgrade earlier this year with the Bondi 9, now a staple of my closet. While I often slip them on just to run errands around town, they’ve also taken me on runs up and down the Hudson River. What I love is that despite being in the ultra-cushioned category, it doesn’t appear over-the-top. The lightweight foam doesn’t weigh me down, and also provides just enough of that bouncy cushion to propel me forward. Marlovits says other leaders in the category include On Cloudmonster 2 and Saucony Triumph. “These shoes tend to protect the joints, knees and shins against the hard surfaces of the roads and sidewalks,” he says.

Standout feature: Traxion sole for maximum grip

“As an NYC street runner, the pavement can wreak havoc on my body—tendon, shins, hips,” Bronx-based seven-time marathoner Louisa Tatum, who is part of the Mile Style running group, says. As she’s taken her running on the road, checking off the Berlin, London, and Chicago marathons on top of NYC three times, she’s needed to find a shoe that works for all scenarios, landing on the Adidas Terrex Soulstride, an all-terrain shoe that has taken her through every condition with “the right comfort and grip for icy and snowy streets or trails,” adding that “the waterproof upper keeps my feet dry” and that the shoe has “the right support for my ankle and cushion that makes running seem effortless.”

Standout feature: Nitrogen-infused cushioning for springy steps

When the ultra-cushioned sole trend first sprung up, I swore I’d never go to those extreme heights. My focus was stability and practicality, not exaggerated silhouettes. What can I say? I was wrong. While I had slipped on a pair here and there at the shoe store, it wasn’t until I tried on the Glycerin Max that I knew I’d found my latest shoe addiction. Before long, we were travel sole-mates, as I spent two weeks in them on a reporting project in Atlanta, upwards of 20,000 steps a day. Whether I was walking around the craggy top of Stone Mountain or jogging along the sleek pathway of the Atlanta Beltline, my feet never felt an ounce of exhaustion. With nitrogen infused into the cushioning paired with guide rails that allowed me to move with my natural stride, it’s as if they were custom-made for footshape. Since then, I’ve continued stressing the same pair with mileage, running around Disneyland for its 70th anniversary and Universal Orlando Resort for the opening for Epic Universe. Whether it was humid or cool, my feet were always fresh as a daisy at the end of the day—most impressively after running a too-hot runDisney Springtime Surprise 5K at Walt Disney World.

Standout feature: Affordable price and Ortholite sock liner for a comfortable fit

“Entry-level shoes in the specialty market tend to be around $100 to $110 today,” Marlovits says. But more budget-friendly shoes do exist, like Asics Gel-Contend 9, a good neutral road shoe for all-day wear with rear-foot gel to absorb extra shock, a foam midsole for extra flexibility. That’s exactly why Ilana Dunn, dating expert and host of the Seeing Other People podcast, landed on these. “I’ve always hated ‘feeling my shoe,’ which means my favorite kind of running shoe is the one that I can put on and forget about,” she says. “With the $70 price tag, I’m not afraid to get them dirty, run through a park in the rain, or get a little adventurous.”In fact, that mentality has “empowered me to fall even further in love with running,” as she’s now training for the NYC Marathon this fall.