These are the racers and trainers most loved by the guys on our test team.
BEST RUNNING SHOES FOR MEN
Light Weight
Fresh Foam Beacon V2
New Balance
$120
Most Versatile
Endorphiine Speed
Saucony
$259
Best for Tempo
Floatride Run Fast 2.0
Reebok
$105
Recovery Runs
Clifton
7
Hoka One One
$229.95
Stability
Adrenaline GTS 20
Brooks
$229.95
We are constantly testing the latest running shoes in our lab and on the feet of runners in Eastern Pennsylvania. After putting hundreds of pairs through the wringer and evaluating the data, we’ve rounded up some of the standouts that received especially high marks and praise from our male testers. You can check out five solid options below, or scroll deeper for a variety of shoes that cater to different preferences for stability, cushioning, and drop. We’ve also included a breakdown of some of our testing categories to help you better understand how we evaluate shoes and how to choose your next favorite pair.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT DAILY TRAINER
Pros
- Soft and light cushioning
- Can be used for both long runs and speed sessions
- Upper fit has been improved
Cons
- Runs slightly large
- Outsole shows some early wear
There’s a lot to love about the Beacon. It’s light. It’s comfortable. It can go fast, but it has enough cushioning to keep you going through double-digit mileage. The second version significantly improves the fit (the shoe’s debut ran short and small), but leaves New Balance’s innovative Fresh Foam cushioning unchanged, which makes it both light and well-cushioned. If you regularly bounce from speedwork to long runs and need a shoe that can keep up for both, this is a great candidate. “The Beacon takes the prize for being my favorite shoe,” one tester said. “It’s lightweight, cushioned, and comfortable, and the way the collar cradles the heel is perfect for me.”
$120
Brooks Dyad 10
MOST VERSATILE
Pros
- PEBA-based foam is soft and bouncy
- Nylon plate provides a fast turnover
- Excels at training and racing speeds
Cons
- Racer feel felt slightly short to some
While most of the fastest runners will still reach for pricier racers with carbon-fiber, like the Endorphin Pro and Nike Alphafly Next%, the Endorphin Speed will be a suitable racing option for most of us. It’s still stiff—though the nylon plate is far more flexible than carbon-fiber—and snappy, and the cushioning works well for short, fast races all the way up to the marathon distance. Where the Speed shines, however, is in your everyday training. For tempo runs and interval sessions, the Speed delivers all the hustle you need for your workout, while saving you some cash vs. those more expensive race-day models.
$259
Saucony Endorphin Speed
BEST FOR UPTEMPOS
Pros
- Exceptionally lightweight and bouncy feel
- Cushioning is versatile for long runs and racing
Cons
- Slightly heavier than the first model
An Editors’ Choice Award winner, the Run Fast still uses ultralight, ultra-bouncy Pebax foam to create a shoe that’s nimble with plenty of cush. In addition to that generous wedge of Pebax foam, a rim of traditional EVA also keeps your foot stable and centered, and a high heel-toe drop helps propel you forward. While the Run Fast 2 adds about a half ounce to the original—it’s mostly from a few durability-boosting overlays—the shoe is undoubtedly still a lightweight. Our testers found that it feels blazing fast on foot, but provides more cushion, traction, and durability than your typical racer.
$105
Reebok Floatride Run Fast 2
BEST FOR RECOVERY RUNS
Pros
- Lighter than the Clifton 6
- Rocker style midsole offers a springy, plush ride
Cons
- Thick upper mesh traps some heat
Though speedwork calls for the brand’s springier options, like the Clifton Edge and Rincon 3, the seventh Clifton, like its predecessors post-Clifton 1, preserves its role as the base builder you can depend on. It’s reliable for providing comfort on a soft platform at a judicious pace. “The Clifton 7 is incredibly comfortable,” said a tester. “It’s for those recovery days when your feet and legs are totally zapped.” The shoe encourages an efficient gait cycle with an early stage Meta-Rocker—Hoka’s roll technology that makes turnover smooth and quick—paired with a beveled heel and outsole rubber in the heel and forefoot. It’s a plush shoe that’s forgiving on the joints without slowing you down.
$229.95
Hoka One One Clifton 7
BEST stability shoe
Pros
- Lighter mesh upper
- Smooth ride than previous versions
Cons
- Doesn’t excel for speed workouts
An Editors’ Choice Award winner, the Run Fast still uses ultralight, ultra-bouncy Pebax foam to create a shoe that’s nimble with plenty of cush. In addition to that generous wedge of Pebax foam, a rim of traditional EVA also keeps your foot stable and centered, and a high heel-toe drop helps propel you forward. While the Run Fast 2 adds about a half ounce to the original—it’s mostly from a few durability-boosting overlays—the shoe is undoubtedly still a lightweight. Our testers found that it feels blazing fast on foot, but provides more cushion, traction, and durability than your typical racer.
$229.95
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20
