As many of you probably know, quality shoes can be the difference between a good run and a great run! Many factors should be considered when looking at new long distance running shoes including the type of ground you run on, running mechanics, as well as the quality of the upper, midsole, and outer sole.
However, with the abundance of long-distance running shoes being introduced to the market, customers often feel apprehensive about purchasing. Since we understand that you want to buy the best long distance running shoes, we have composed a guide to the top ten shoes on the market based on a number of qualities.
Top 10 Long Distance Running Shoes
| Picture | Name | Gender | Weight | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Brooks Mens Adrenaline GTS 14 Running Shoe | Men | 11.8 oz | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 2. ASICS Women's Gel-Kayano 20 Running Shoe | Women | 9.4 oz | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Saucony Women's Cohesion 8 Road Running Shoe | Women | 10.1 oz | $ | 4.7 |
 | 4. ASICS Men's Gel Kayano 20 Running Shoe | Men | 11.3 oz | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 5. ASICS Men's Gel-Nimbus 16 Running Shoe | Men | 12 oz | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 6. Nike Lady Flex 2013 RN Running Shoes | Women | 16 oz | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 7. New Balance Men's MR1400 Competition Track Shoe | Men | 8 oz | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 8. Saucony Women's Ride 6 Running Shoe | Women | 8.2 oz | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 9. Saucony Men's Ride 6 Running Shoe | Men | 9.9 oz | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 10. Merrell Women's Bare Access Arc 3 Trail Running Shoe | Women | 11 oz | $$ | 4.5 |
What Makes a Great Long Distance Running Shoe?
When shopping for the best long-distance running shoe it’s important to remember a few important characteristics. Over the years that I’ve been running, I’ve found these characteristics to include:
- Protection from surface impact. Whether you plan to run on the road, a treadmill, gravel, local track, or trail it is essential that you buy shoes that provide appropriate impact protection. By absorbing shock as your foot makes contact with the ground, a great pair of long-distance running shoes can help prevent shin splints, a common running injury, and keep you running as long as you’d like!
- Stability. The best long-distance running shoes on the market also aim to provide proper stability. Many runners need support from their shoes to keep their feet and ankles aligned. The most common problem is termed “over-pronation” and is defined as rolling the foot inward upon impact. Again, properly fitting shoes can help you avoid ankle and tendon strain as well as failing arches.
- Cushioning. Finally, a great pair of running shoes also possesses an optimal amount of cushioning. Though a recent study has found that soft cushioning is not necessarily better than harder cushioning, the take-home message is that some level of cushioning is important in order to reduce injury and minimize strain on joints.
3 Best Long Distance Running Shoes for Men and Women
1. Brooks Mens Adrenaline GTS 14
These Brooks are top of the line when it comes to best long distance running shoes currently on the market, and have recently been chosen as Runner’s World Magazine’s Editor’s Choice. The extra cushion and support that they provide make these a must-have for any runner. New Crash Pad technology allows for lower impact heel-to-toe movement, reducing risk of injury, and their design permits a secure fit by more evenly distributing lace pressure.
Additionally, their new design works to wick away moisture, helping to avoid bad smell, foot fungus, athletes foot and peeling, which are especially common during the summer time. All in all, my boyfriend is sold and continues to spread the word about his new love for Brooks shoes. I hope they serve you just as well!
These shoes, for men, provide extra cushioning for both ankles and knees and are famous for being some of the most comfortable shoes on the market right now. Brooks GTS 14 also maintains dry feet to prevent fungal infections and strong odor.
2. ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano
As a runner myself, this is the best long distance running shoe that I’ve tried because of its light weight and incredible cushioning system. One of the reasons that I fell in love with this shoe is its fit. ASICS recently released a new FluidFit system that prevents your heel from sliding in and out of the shoe between strides by forming to your heel shape. Once adapted to you, the shoe is held in place by great stretchable mesh fabric. Typically my feet are sore after a good run, but with these Kayano running shoes I could feel the GEL cushion with every step and they still felt feather light by the end.
Further, these shoes are a slightly wider version of previous Kayano editions, which is great for those of us that use shoe inserts when exercising. My Mom, who suffers from Plantar Fasciitis, also uses these shoes and puts her inserts in them to cushion her heel and provide support whether she’s at work, home, running errands or on the treadmill!
These shoes come with plenty of benefits, not to mention how cute they are. ASICS does a great job of regularly releasing new styles and colors of this shoe to ensure that you always look top notch while working out! For this reason I always have at least two pairs of these ASICS in my closet.
These are our top choice for long distance running shoes for women because of their new FluidFit technology. The shoe excels in comfort by providing enough cushion and support to be worn for hours at a time.
3. Saucony Women’s Cohesion 8
Despite being rather affordable, these are surprisingly great running shoes! The main focus of these shoes is obviously stability, focusing in the heel. Since I’ve had a problem with over pronation during my time in both track and cross country, as well as running independently, these shoes have worked well to correct my problem.
I used to suffer from shin splits rather often, from landing incorrectly and placing all of the stress on the front of my tibia, but since using these shoes I have not suffered from this problem in quite a few years (and I don’t need to ice after every run). This shoe provides 2 extra millimeters of foam for added support in order to prevent feet from over-rotating.
These Saucony shoes are known for increasing stability and preventing pain or injury by decreasing over-pronation. If worn for an extended period of time these shows are capable of the chronic problem of shin splints.
