Our guide will help you find the most comfortable running shoes. One of the most important pieces of gear you’ll have as a runner is your shoes, so naturally, you expect the best.
Since finding the most comfortable running shoes for your feet is not always an easy task, we’ve created this handy guide to help you wade through the mountain of options.
Easily compare and contrast brands and find out what key components a pair of shoes should have in order to find the most comfortable pair for your feet!
Things to Consider
Before you select a pair of shoes, think about the following:
- Foot Conditions. If you have any pre-existing foot conditions, then this may be the single most important factor you consider as you look for shoes.
As you shop, leave extra space in the shoe for any inserts that you may use and find a shoe that is suitable for your needs.
- Support. What type of support does your foot require?
Before you can find a comfortable shoe, you need to determine this.
- Support Types:
- Minimal Support. You are a neutral runner with no pronation problems and need standard foot support.
- Low Arch Support. You overpronate as you run (your foot rolls inward as you transition from your heel toward your toes), so you need a motion control shoe to counteract your poor gait.
- High Arch Support. You underpronate when you run (known as supination, your foot rolls outward as you transition from your heel toward your toes), so you need a stability shoe that supports your high arches.
Remember that in our table below we offer a mixture of shoes.
If you’re a woman and you like the looks of one of the men’s shoes below, most likely the manufacturer makes the exact same model in the women’s sizing (and vice versa), so be sure to have a look around!
Top 6 Comfortable Shoes for Running Table
| Picture | Name | Support Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. ASICS Men's Gel-Nimbus 17 Running Shoe | Support for Underpronator and Neutral Runners | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 2. Saucony Men's Cohesion 8 Running Shoe | Cushioning, Support for Underpronator and Neutral Runners | $ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Brooks Women's Addiction 10 Running Shoe | Motion Control | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 4. Reebok Men's Speed Rise Running Shoe | Cushioning | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 5. Nike Women's Zoom Pegasus 31 Running Shoe | Support for Neutral feet | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 6. Hoka One One Conquest 2 Running Shoe | Support for Overpronator | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 7. Nike Lunarglide 6 Sz 9 Womens Running Shoes | Support for Overpronator | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 8. Saucony Women's Stabil CS3 Running Shoe | Stability | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | 9. Saucony Women's Kinvara 5 Running Shoe | Support for Neutral feet | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 10. Mizuno Men's Wave Paradox Running Shoe | Motion Control | $$$ | 4.3 |
Mileage
They say on average that a great pair of running shoes will last anywhere from 300-500 miles, but that, of course, depends on how you wear them and how well you maintain them.
If you use running shoes strictly for running, you’ve chosen a pair suitable to your foot shape and your running environment, then you might find that you can get a bit more mileage out of them.
That pair of the “Most comfortable running shoes you’ve ever had!” may feel uncomfortable on your feet because you’ve worn them out. If that’s the case, then it might be time for new shoes!
The quality of the shoe makes a big difference, too, so avoid basing your decision solely on price as you shop!
What Comfort Means to You
What does make a shoe comfortable to you? Do you prefer arch support, plenty of toe room, a glove-like fit, or a minimal shoe?
Everyone has a different definition of “comfort,” so think about what you need as you search.
3 Most Comfortable Running Shoes
It was a tough decision, but we’ve narrowed down the choices:
1. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 17
If you have flat feet, then the Asics Gel Nimbus 17 shoe is the ultimate comfort experience as you run. Keyword for this shoe: fluidity.
Asics’s unique FluidFit and FluidRide technology offer you a comfortable, glove-like fit with the mesh upper (FluidFit) and a great bounce back midsole (FluidRide).
The signature gel used in these shoes adds supportive cushioning on the rearfoot and the forefoot, and the heel clutching system, which offers stability in the heel as you run.
Slight underpronators or neutral runners will experience extreme comfort in this running shoe! It’s just like running on a nimbus cloud.
2. Saucony Cohesion 8
This shoe works great for neutral runners, especially if you need a little extra cushioning around the heel.
This offers great response for a bouncy ride and excellent shock absorption to keep things smooth as you run.
This is a great, flexible shoe that offers neutral stability and support, and an overall comfortable experience for the lucky runner with normal pronation!
The quality is excellent for the price. Check it out for yourself!
3. Brooks Addiction 10
This Brooks may be a bit on the bulky side, but for the right pair of feet, it may just be the most comfortable pair of shoe in the world!
This motion control shoe provides the right support for anyone with flat feet (typically flat-footed runners overpronate on a mild to severe level), which will help your foot stay aligned as you run.
The Brooks DNA foam located in the heel and the forefoot, which offers adaptable cushioning to the runner, giving every pair of feet a custom feel as they run.
It also offers you a smooth heel-to-toe transition and helps align your feet as you run, keeping them from rolling inward.
This is one of many great running shoes for overpronators on our list, so be sure to check out the others in order to compare and contrast features in order to find the most comfortable pair for your feet!
