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Whether it’s for a quick 5k or a long trail run, our expert has found the shoes that will keep you comfortable, fast and blister-free
REVIEWS WRITER
Chas is a tester and writer for Telegraph Recommended, specialising in running and health and fitness products. Chas has taken part in hundreds of running events, including four marathons, and is the author of "Running: Cheaper Than Therapy" and "The Runner’s Code".
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As the author of The Runner’s Code and Running: Cheaper Than Therapy, I’ve long been obsessed with running shoes. I’m also running the London Marathon this year, which will be my fifth marathon, making me the top candidate to try out this year’s best running shoes for men. Ultimately, I had the opportunity that very few other marathon runners get – to try all of the best running shoes on the market over several miles to decide on my marathon trainers.
Over the winter, spring and summer months I’ve been running in all conditions, wearing the latest models from a host of brands, including New Balance, Nike, Adidas, Asics and others. Prices range from £70 up to north of £250, so there should be something for most budgets.
I tested the shoes over different distances and speeds, so I could understand how they would work out for all runners, from park-runners to ultra-marathon fans and everyone in between. It was hard work, but fun, enabling me to try out the latest running technology, which advances bit by bit every year.
“All running shoes are different, but they can be categorised to help make it easier for us to choose the right ones for the right purpose,” says Ben Mounsey, an athlete with over 30 years of running experience. Ben has represented Yorkshire, England and Great Britain across fell, trail and mountain running disciplines and is an executive at SportsShoes.
“Generally speaking, there are three main categories. The first are cushioned and neutral shoes, which are built for high mileage road running for the neutral runner. The second kind are support and overpronation shoes, with support suited to the over-pronator, while also offering cushioning suitable for high mileage road running. The third category is racing shoes, which are built for the faster paced runner looking for a race day shoe.”
During testing, I looked for the shoes that offered the best midsole cushioning, which is important to protect the runner from both impact injuries and the steady creep of longer-term damage. Stability is also vital, so I was on the lookout for shoes that were designed to stop excess motion of the feet and ankles without compromising on movement.
Those protections are important but we all still want to run an impressive race, so I wanted to find the shoes that were most responsive, meaning the one with the best rebound effect underfoot. It’s worth noting that trainer brands tend to have sci-fi-sounding names for their proprietary materials, not least the foam used for the midsoles, but the key comparison points above are what I judged them on, also assessing how they lived up to marketing claims.
I considered heel-to-toe drop – roughly speaking the difference in the thickness of the sole from the heel to the toe. Then there are the smaller details: is the upper likely to bind, chafe or bunch? Do the laces lock down well when you tie them? Are the laces likely to fray quickly? I also considered how they fared over different distances and in different conditions. To thoroughly test them, I ran on pavement, grass, concrete and hills in the dry and in the rain. It was an exhausting but fun project.
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Best Buy Men’s Running Shoes
New Balance £260.00
Buy nowUnsurprisingly, my Best Buy running shoes are the ones I'm running the London Marathon in.
They feel more responsive at the front and more energetic through the mid‑foot thanks to a lower-profile drop, proving that speed and cushioning are no longer mutually exclusive. Much of that is down to the geometry: New Balance has retained its full‑length carbon fibre plate, which acts a little like a spring with a better rocker, stiffening the sole so that more of the runner’s downward force is directed forward.
Combined with the nitrogen‑infused FuelCell foam, which compresses under load then rebounds quickly, the result is a smoother and quicker transition from landing to toe‑off.
My only real criticism of the old v4s was their slightly heavy weight, so I’m pleased the v5s are 28g lighter. That may sound marginal, but in a long run, it amounts to a tangible saving in effort. The upper has also been altered: a firmer mesh replaces last year's softer knit, providing more structure without sacrificing breathability. The only remaining issue is stones collecting in the lugs of the midsole.
I noticed how cushioned and smooth these shoes felt on my longer runs. Yet for shorter park runs the acceleration was equally evident. New Balance describes the SuperComp Elite v5 as a shoe for “podium ambition”. For me, these near‑perfect trainers deserve a gold medal of their own.
Best Value Men’s Running Shoes
Under Armour £72.97
Buy nowRunners previously had to choose between flexibility and cushioning. Now, you can have both, as these Under Armour trainers prove. They slipped on easily with a snug fit and while that may sound like a minor point, it helps keep motivation up before heading out. The toe box was a little narrow for my liking, but the rices were reliable.
The sockliner is 3D moulded and it held my feet brilliantly, with an extremely soft collar and tongue making them nice and comfortable to run in. The engineered mesh upper is lightweight and breathable, though this does have its downsides on rainy days, with even a light shower wetting the feet a little too quickly.
Under Armour claims its UA HOVR+ foam is softer but springier than previous iterations. I found the impact of each step was lessened and all the energy I put in was returned in spades. That said, the high midsoles aren’t quite as cushioned as they appear. I expected to feel like I was running on clouds but they couldn’t disguise the familiar feel of pavement.
But aside from New Balance, there are few brands whose shoes propel me forward with such ease. These are extremely springy and facilitated a very lively run with excellent grip. They’re lighter than version one, but they’re still a little more heavy than I would have liked.
Overall, a good option for recovery runs, or any other outing where you want shock absorption for a decent price.
Best Running Shoes for Marathon Training
Ena Athletics £220.00
Buy nowWhen I first tried on the Proto Runner 1s, I noticed the upper material immediately. The knitted fabric is constructed in three dimensions, which gives the shoe lightness while also allowing air to pass through for ventilation. It stretches to fit the foot yet holds its shape well, making it both elastic and durable. The laces do feel a little flimsy, but that’s a small, easily replaceable note.
The cushioning comes from what Ena Athletics calls Silphion foam, a lightweight layer under the foot that absorbs impact but still returns some of the energy from each step. Many cushioned shoes can feel soft but dull, whereas here the foam works alongside thin propulsion plates and a strip of carbon fibre to provide stiffness. That stiffness acts like a spring, helping return energy when the foot pushes off the ground.
On the road, the design encouraged a slightly longer stride, which seemed to help me run faster over different distances. Companies often promise more than their products deliver, but the claim that these shoes allow runners to “push boundaries” had some truth.
Ena Athletics markets itself as the first high-end athletic shoemaker from Greece, linking the Proto Runner 1 to the country’s sporting history. Whatever the heritage, the shoe is best described as comfortable and stable, making it suitable for longer training runs, especially for those preparing for marathons.
Best Running Shoes for Speed
These shoes mark the first release from Sudu, a newcomer to the crowded sportswear scene. First attempts in running footwear can reveal flaws, but Sudu has made a confident start.
The midsole, made from what the company calls Spring Foam+, is a thick layer of cushioning that compresses underfoot and then rebounds, giving the sensation of bouncing on a trampoline. The result is a noticeable boost in energy return, particularly at faster paces, where the shoes seem to aid acceleration despite their simple appearance.
Breathability comes from the upper made from an engineered mesh designed to let air flow through the fabric. On hot days, the ventilation proved refreshing but in colder weather that cooling effect may be less welcome. Around the ankle, medium-density cushioning helps the collar wrap snugly and the heel counter provides a reassuringly firm structure. In practice, this gave a sense of security even at sprinting speeds.
Not every detail worked as well. The elastic “tongue wings”, designed to hold the shoe in place, felt slightly abrasive and the lacing system tightened too much across the midfoot, occasionally causing discomfort and forcing me to readjust.
Overall, the Sudu debut is light, springy and secure, a shoe that feels designed for runners chasing a faster time. For anyone targeting a new Parkrun personal best, it could be a solid option.
Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet
Decathlon £179.99
Buy nowKiprun, the running brand owned by Decathlon, has built a deserved reputation for elite marathon footwear with fairly reasonable price points. Its new Kipstorm Elite trainers are a little tricky to put on at first. But once on, their overall stability was the first thing I noticed. As I hit the road, I sped around corners to see if they’d wobble, but they did not.
I felt particularly tall and confident throughout all the test runs, when the solidity offered by their full-length carbon plates pushed me into a strong posture and stride. They’re a good choice for runners with wider feet, because the toebox gives your toes a bit of room.
There was almost a magic in how the rockers thrust me onto my forefoot where the dual-density foam and carbon plates created a springy motion. They naturally made my running more aggressive and competitive, so I’d recommend them to anyone wanting to smash their personal best at half or full marathon distances.
The shoes aren’t as fast as some of their rivals but if you want elite features at a slightly sub-elite price tag, these are the ones for you. They’re targeted at everyday runners who want to pair comfort with their grand ambitions.
Best Lightweight Running Shoes
These remarkable-looking shoes were originally tested in wind tunnels by Swiss engineers and the result is a super-light, aerodynamic model that is ideal for pacey road racers.
Aerodynamics have been an underrated part of the running shoe design, but Salomon has put it firmly on the table with an upper construction that covers the laces up to the ankle to create a smooth surface all over the foot. The gaiter-like cache-coeur aerodynamic covers don’t particularly complicate putting them on, but they sure turned heads among passers by and fellow runners at Parkrun.
Despite the extra cover, the shoes are highly breathable. There is more foam in the midsole which combined softness with resilience, and helped me maintain a high pace deeper into my distances. They have a strong grip and even as I ran at full pelt on wet surfaces I didn’t feel at all at risk of slipping.
I wouldn’t regard them as a good choice for a daily trainer, but these aggressive carbon-plated racers would be great friends to you in the second half of a 10k or half marathon. Salomon claims they offer a time saving of up to 18 seconds on a 2:06 marathon, but I think these would work better up to 13 miles.
Best Comfortable Running Shoe
New Balance £170.00
Buy nowThese are one of the most talked-about neutral daily trainers of early 2026 and for good reason: New Balance has ditched the Fresh Foam for this update and replaced it with the new Infinion midsole foam, which it claims is lighter and more responsive.
The result is a plush, versatile update on its much-loved 1080 range. While the comfort levels were high with a soft upper and cushioned midsole, they felt a little roomy around the toes, so I switched to wearing thicker socks after the first test.
On the road, they felt familiar and stable from my very first steps in them and it quickly became obvious that Infinion offers better bounce and shock absorption than previous versions. They gave me the sort of spring that I’d normally only expect from shoes closer to the £200+ price tag. As with all plush running shoes, they’re not as fast as others.
My legs felt noticeably less tired during runs and they recovered faster the following day. The lighter weight doesn’t come at the cost of any comfort but the softness of their design did make them a little uncooperative when I sprinted at full pelt. But having run in them for well over 100 miles, they’re showing no sign of wearing out, making them a durable proposition.
These would serve you well as daily shoes for short-to-middle distances, for longer outings, or for a combination of distances. The smooth and balanced ride they give you would also work well for recovery runs.
Best Running Shoes for Wet Surfaces
These shoes surprised me in several ways. The first was their fit. Nike models often run a little larger than the size label suggests, but this pair felt true to size, wrapping the foot snugly. The second was comfort. Winterised running shoes are often stiff or heavy, yet the upper here felt soft and inviting from the first run.
The Gore-Tex membrane proved its worth on a grim morning. During an amber-warning storm, I managed nine miles without my feet getting wet and they stayed warmer than expected too.
The cushioning comes from the dense but springy ReactX foam, which creates a lively, slightly bouncy ride that helps conserve energy without sacrificing stability. Traction was another surprise. The outsole gripped strongly even on steep, soaked hills where I expected to lose footing and I was able to run at pace without slipping.
Not everything worked so well. The added weight of the waterproofing made longer outings feel more laborious, with some loss of responsiveness. On dry pavements, they also felt like more shoe than was strictly necessary.
Visually, though, they are a cut above typical winter trainers. My pair arrived in a combination of greys and burgundy, a muted but smart mix. For storm-season running, they offer a rare combination of comfort, protection and understated flair.
Best Max-Cushioned Comfortable Running Shoes
Sports Direct £129.00
Buy nowWhen I tested the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26, I was blown away by their luxury feel and plush comfort, so I was excited to discover that the new version is even more comfortable. I could feel the cushioning from the premium FF Blast Plus foam, which provides a soft underfoot experience with lively rebound.
Even as I took the risk of debuting them on a 12-miler, the updated upper and collar construction added to the enhanced snugness of these new shoes and put to bed any idea of any soreness from a long first run. The PureGel technology’s shock absorption at the back of the shoe was palpable and helped made the run feel much shorter than it was.
One of my few issues with the 26 was that they felt a little too heavy so I was pleased to note that they’ve shaved 5g off the new version. I also had a question mark over their previous shoes’ grip, but the Hybrid outsole on these felt more reliable than their predecessor when I took them out on a wet autumn morning. It also brought extra traction. These are supportive, comfortable shoes that represent decent value for money.
Best Running Shoe For Easy Runs
In an age of gimmicky running shoes, Brooks has tended to stay true to traditions. Its shoes are the old school Dads surrounded by shelves of woke youngsters. These latest ones are stable and neutral, with not even a microgram of nonsense.
That’s not to say that the classic Ghost style doesn’t deliver a sophisticated experience on the run. The signature lightweight comfort continues for Ghost 17, with an extra 1mm of nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam in the heel and an additional 3mm in the forefront. This conjures a lighter, softer and more responsive cushioning experience.
There’s a new midsole design, making the shoes more flexible and helping the miles breeze past. I’ve never regarded Brooks as the best option for long-distance outings, but the new features in Ghost 17 helped me well into double figures. It was a smooth experience, if not particularly fast.
The shoes do have drawbacks. The tapering in the toe box makes them narrow around the tips, and the overall energy return would be a tad disappointing if we hadn’t come to expect that as an issue with Brooks.
But if you’re heading out on a short run every few days, these are very dependable shoes from a super dependable brand. The smoother transition from heel to forefoot makes number 17 an upgrade on its predecessors. So yes, Brooks tends to evolve more slowly than other brands, but that means these are a good choice for those who value familiarity.
Best Stable Running Shoes
Saucony is marketing this as the “ultimate do-it-all shoe” and although it won’t work for everyone and everything, the Ride 19 is still a good update on this reliable, neutral shoe.
Right from the off, they gave me a stable, swift and seamless start, so I think they’d work well for a strong set off at 5k to 10k events. When I tested them on pace changes, they comfortably handled dramatic and sudden switches.
I could feel there was more PWRRUN+ foam underfoot than in version 18, and this gives them an energy return that’s higher than anyone could reasonably expect at this price range. The engineered mesh of the uppers makes them very breathable, so I’ve already earmarked these for any heatwaves that hit us later this year.
Paired with the right thin socks, they’ll be perfect as the mercury peaks. They are on the heavy, stiff and wide side, and they sometimes felt like running in tanks rather than shoes, so these are a good choice for runners who value stability first but still fancy a fair bit of bounce.
They are competitively priced and do most of the fundamentals well.
Best Running Shoes for Grip
Alpine Trek £140.00
Buy nowAs On shoes so often do, the Cloudsurfer Next catches the eye with a smart design. The feel, however, is less forgiving. The frame is notably rigid, so slipping them on does not have the comforting softness offered by some brands. They feel secure and well structured, but the ride is flatter and less responsive than I have come to expect from On. The promised “cloud-like” sensation isn’t there.
There were positives. The curved sole, known as a rocker, helps roll the foot forward and gives a strong push-off from the toes. On winter mornings, I also appreciated the rubber grip pads on the outsole, which provided reliable traction on wet pavements and even on frosted patches. For steady, cold-weather training, they make a safe option.
But there may be a case for sticking with On’s Cloudeclipse shoes from last year. The Cloudeclipse featured a “Speedboard”, a stiff plate inside the shoe that improved acceleration and made transitions between walking, jogging and sprinting seamless.
In testing, that model excelled on hills, driving the runner upwards and cushioning well on the descent. The Cloudsurfer Next, by contrast, laboured on climbs, so much so that those sections felt exhausting, only to send me flying downhill at a pace that verged on uncontrollable.
One strength in the Cloudsurfer’s favour is sizing accuracy. Unlike the Cloudeclipse, which ran small, the Cloudsurfer Next fits true to size.
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