Having the right pair of running shoes can make all the difference when maximizing your performance on the track or trail. From lightweight designs for speedsters to cushioned models for endurance athletes, the market is flooded with options promising to enhance your stride and elevate your running experience. In our quest to find the best high-performance running shoes for men, we’ve scoured the latest releases to determine which ones truly stand out.
Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner aiming for a new personal best or a casual jogger looking to step up your game, our roundup of the best high-performance running shoes will help you find the perfect pair to propel you toward your fitness goals.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40
The Nike Pegasus 40 is a versatile shoe known for its comfort and durability. It is great for everyday runs and long distances. The Pegasus 40 offers more comfort than ever in the arch and toe areas. Pegasus fans will notice the new and improved band in the upper, ensuring a snug fit. Zoom Air units and Nike React foam provide the comfort runners need from the first mile to the last. It’s a springier, more padded, and more breathable version of one of Nike’s most tried-and-true running shoes.
Adidas Ultraboost 23
The Ultraboost 23 features a significant amount of new Light Boost that helps drop the shoe’s weight. The shoe features a comfortable Primeknit upper with a low-volume, slightly wider fit that sits up top with a surprising amount of security for a one-piece upper. The ride underfoot is cushioned in the heel and slightly firmer in the forefoot with an LEP plastic plate that helps facilitate motion forward. The Ultraboost 23 is a highly cushioned daily training shoe with a sock-like upper for those who want something for easy miles, long runs, and even some casual wear.
Brooks Ghost Max
The Brooks Ghost Max delivers enhanced protection thanks to plenty of soft cushioning, a super stable ride, and rocker-like transitions that propel you forward. This shoe is a reliable choice for neutral runners, offering soft cushioning for a smooth and floaty-feeling run thanks to plush cushioning designed to help you enjoy and savor your run.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26
The GEL-NIMBUS 26 shoe has soft cushioning properties that help you feel like you’re landing on clouds. This design helps create a softer and smoother running experience, providing dynamic comfort for the duration of your run to help you run further longer. It is suitable for every day, easy runs for all runners looking for a highly cushioned, neutral shoe. A soft engineered knit upper comfortably wraps your foot while supplying advanced ventilation. The knit tongue and collar also help provide a smooth and supportive feel.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a flexible, plated trainer best suited to uptempo runs. Thanks to an updated plate design, a high stack of PWRRUN PB super foam, and a newly added super responsive sock liner (SRS), the Endorphin Speed 4 promises to deliver a more responsive ride with a highly efficient, super smooth heel-to-transition that will deliver on all of your faster efforts. Furthermore, with vertical reinforcements in the plate design, the Endorphin Speed 4 is more stable than ever, which promises even higher quality footstrikes and a more enjoyable running experience.
Hoka Clifton 9
The Clifton 9 is more cushioned and lighter than ever, with a compression-molded EVA foam midsole for lightweight cushioning. Hoka has reduced the shoe’s weight and added 3mm in stack height. The Clifton 9 has a breathable knit upper using recycled-content mesh, a gusseted tongue for less tongue migration, and a “durabrasion” rubber outsole and recycled polyester laces. The Clifton 9 offers the brand’s renowned early-stage Meta-rocker for a smooth entry to the gait cycle, designed for newcomers to the sport and seasoned runners who want to enjoy their miles. HOKA’s Clifton 9’s low-profile cushion bed keeps the foot closer to the ground, using firmer material, providing an efficient push-off.
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v13
For those who prioritize supreme softness in a daily trainer, the New Balance Fresh Foam is the most cushioned 1080 yet and one of the plushiest running shoes. The top-notch upper and impressive durability set a high bar. The breathable engineered mesh upper features a snug, second-skin fit for a structured, supportive feel. The unique combination of reliable comfort and high performance offers versatility that spans daily to race day. The Fresh Foam X midsole cushioning is built for smooth transitions from landing to push-off, providing luxurious cushioning and a responsive ride, and is ideal for high-mileage runners.
Altra Torin 7
The Altra Torin 7 is a versatile road shoe that balances cushioning and lightweight performance. It features a zero-drop platform and a wide toe box for a natural foot position and comfortable fit. It’s a reliable choice for road runners seeking a shoe that’s up to the task, whether they’re logging training miles or racing. The updated engineered mesh upper offers comfort and breathability. The evolved molded heel collar provides security and the perfect fit.
On Cloudspark
With its high-propulsion, ergonomic design, the Cloudspark is oriented toward the serious runner, whether hitting the road or sprinting on a rugged trail. Optimized for runners who prefer the seated position, they’re constructed from recycled polyester and incorporate maximum cushioning to protect sensitive joints. Using a dual-density sole and light, breathable materials enhances the performance potential of the Cloudspark, with a mesh upper construction for additional airflow.
Mizuno Wave Rider 25 SSW
This shoe combines Mizuno’s proprietary INFINITY WAVE at the heel, which provides cushioning and stability, with the MIZUNO ENERZY FOAM throughout the midsole, which enhances cushioning and energy return. The MIZUNO WAVE® plate disperses energy from impact to a broader area, providing a stable platform and superior cushioning while running. The Wave Rider features unrivaled cushioning and improved durability by absorbing and dispersing the impact at foot strike.