We’ve all been there. You decided to start running. Maybe you started because basketball hurts your knees or back, maybe because family or work responsibilities make running the most efficient way to get exercise, or for some completely different reason. We understand. But now that you’re running, you need sneakers that can get the job done. This guide will show you the Best Running Shoes for Beginners.
Why make the Best Running Shoes for Beginners list? Because the running shoe market has a lot of different categories within it. There are neutral running shoes, speed day or tempo running shoes, stability running shoes, race day running shoes, trail running shoes, and more. This list cuts through the marketing and clutter to identify the shoes that will provide beginners with the best intro to running.
Basically, the best running shoes for beginners are versatile, accommodating sneakers that will help you better enjoy the sport of running from the beginning. And once you’re interested in starting to buy shoes for speed days, races, and trails, you can check out our Best Running Shoes Overall list and start really diving into all the ins and outs of running shoes.
If you wish to see all of our detailed running shoe reviews, you can go check out our Running Shoe reviews page.
Categories are used below so you can easily find what you want. If you know what you need, you can simply click the category. If not, feel free to browse the whole list.
We would also like to hear your thoughts on this list, and you can even share your own list in the comments below.
Updated: 11.14.2024
Let’s get into our picks:
Best Running Shoes for Beginners
- Best Overall Running Shoes for Beginners
- adidas Ultraboost 5X
- Asics Superblast 2
- adidas Adizero SL2
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
- On Cloudmonster 2
- Puma Velocity Nitro 3
- Reebok Floatzig 1
- Asics Novablast 4
- New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5
- Brooks Glycerin 21
- Hoka Clifton 9
- Asics Gel Nimbus 26
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
- Puma Magnify Nitro 2
- New Balance 880v14
- Nike InfinityRN 4
- Best Running Shoes for Beginners – Now on Sale
Best Overall Running Shoes for Beginners
adidas Ultraboost 5X
It’s a return to everything that made the Ultraboost iconic in the first place. The adidas Ultraboost 5X channels true Ultraboost ethos with a combo of running performance and casual appeal. It’s the best Ultraboost since the Ultraboost 19. It easily transitions from being a solid running shoe to a great looking casual shoe. When the Ultraboost line is at its best, as it is here, it’s equal parts casual banger and capable performer. Read the full performance review.
Fits: Typical adidas, Drop: 10mm, Price: $140
Asics Superblast 2
The Asics Superblast 2 is an all around improvement from last year’s cult classic. It’s versatile enough to handle anything a runner needs to do including easy runs, tempo runs, speed work, and race days which means a beginner can buy one shoe and use it for everything.
It’s wide foot friendly with an accommodating engineered woven mesh upper that molds to your feet. The traction, stability, durability, and breathability are all top notch. And the great upper sits on top of a soft yet bouncy FF Turbo+/FF Blast Plus Eco midsole that delivers a fantastic ride. The Superblast 2 doesn’t have any glaring negatives (a rare occurrence in the shoe reviewing business). It’s one of the best shoes on the market. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $200
adidas Adizero SL2
The adidas Adizero SL2 is the second iteration of adidas’ versatile daily running shoe. It provides great value and a smooth ride. The outsole rubber is plentiful and hardly showed any wear during our testing. The midsole is Lightstrike with a full length Lightstrike Pro insert. That setup offers just enough plushness to feel good for 8-10 miles and enough bounce to go uptempo when needed. The midsole geometry and the upper mimic adidas’ race day Adios Pro 3 thus allowing the Adizero SL2 to be a great everyday complement to what you’re wearing on race day.
The upper is comfy and well padded with super comfy Achilles pillows, though the tongue is not gusseted and slippy. The fit is more accommodating than adidas’ other Adizero shoes but the toebox is pointy and won’t be suitable for those with the widest feet. For $130, the Adizero SL2 packs a solid value proposition for a shoe that can handle daily runs, some speed work, or all day on your feet.
Fits: Up a half size from typical adidas, Drop: 9.5mm, Price: $130
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is New Balance’s most versatile and useful daily running shoe despite not featuring a higher end stack height. The Peba/EVA blend of FuelCell is bouncy and makes it easy to pick the pace (maybe too easy). The upper is accommodating and breathable. The Rebel v4 is also lightweight and stable with durable traction. It’s more shoe than previous Rebels but that makes it accessible to more foot types, and ultimately, more people. It’s one of 2024’s best all around running shoes. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $140
On Cloudmonster 2
The On Cloudmonster 2 is a max cushioned shoe that’s firmer than On’s other max cushion shoe, the squishier Cloudeclipse. That slight tweak in squishiness makes the Cloudmonster 2 more stable and creates a smooth ride. It also makes it perfect for standing all day or doing lots of walking.
The upper is comfortable and accommodating with great aesthetics and high quality craftsmanship. The outsole grips in all conditions but the outsole can pick up good-sized rocks. There’s also a premium to be paid for the On brand. Whether that’s worth it for this very good shoe is up to you. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $180
Puma Velocity Nitro 3
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is the best Velocity Nitro yet. The upper is improved and much more locked in than version 2 but still not wide footer friendly. The bounce from the Puma Nitro midsole feels great underfoot and can handle a lot of miles. The PumaGrip outsole is, as always, elite. The Velocity Nitro 3 provides great value and is a great shoe to recommend to friends and family that come to you for running shoe advice.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $135
Reebok Floatzig 1
The Reebok Floatzig 1, releasing in early April 2024, isn’t great at any one thing but features bouncy Floatride cushioning underfoot, looks awesome, and provides impressive durability. It’s a fantastic option for a wide variety of runners but is perfect for joggers, budget conscious runners, and beginners who need their running shoes to pull double duty for casual wear. It may be the ultimate running starter shoe. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $130
Asics Novablast 4
The Asics Novablast 4 improves almost everything from the awesome Novablast 3 (now on sale) but pulls back a bit on the fun factor in order to give the shoe more mass appeal. It’s more comfortable with improved stability and better traction. It still picks up speed nicely but isn’t as energetic as the original. At $140, it’s a high value do-everything shoe. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $140
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5
The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 sports not only one of the biggest names you’ll find on the market these days, but also one of the biggest, plushest hunks of midsole $150 can buy. It improves upon an already beloved previous version (the More v4) with a more dialed-in fit, better outsole durability, updated aesthetic, and all the cushy, fun underfoot protection you could want without the risk of immediately rolling an ankle. If you already have a speed shoe in your rotation, the More v5 will take care of the rest of your daily, recovery, and long runs in seemingly bottomless amounts of comfort – and you’ll have fun covering those miles in the process. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 4mm, Price: $155
Brooks Glycerin 21
The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a clear upgrade from the Glycerin 20 with signature Brooks comfort and fit. The DNA Loft v3 midsole is bouncy and the upper is plush all around. The ride and the traction also get high marks for this versatile trainer. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 10mm, Price $160
Hoka Clifton 9
The Hoka Clifton 9 is the best, most versatile Clifton to date. It’s the same great neutral cushioned shoe with added bounce and elasticity in the midsole and increased durability in the outsole. The upper is, as usual, super comfy and the fit is accommodating. There’s also a wide version for those that need it. Improved arch support will excite flat footers, but some may find it a bit distracting. It’s a great shoe for everyone from beginners to seasoned vets and can handle jogging, easy running, recovery runs, and long runs. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $145
Asics Gel Nimbus 26
The Asics Gel Nimbus 26 is almost a carbon copy of the Gel Nimbus 25 (now on sale). It’s a highly padded, luxuriously comfortable, well-cushioned shoe that’s perfect for tons and tons of easy paced running or walking. If all-around comfort is your number one priority, give the Nimbus 26 a try. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $160
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 continues to be the best shoe in Saucony’s line despite a full aesthetic overhaul. There’s something about the way the TPU plate, Saucony’s Speedroll rocker, and the PWRRUN PB work together. It’s magic on speed days and really earns the Speed name. Despite a more narrow toebox, the Endorphin Speed 4 is one of the most versatile shoes on the market. And, if you don’t like carbon-plated shoes, the Speed 4 is a great option for race day. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $170
Puma Magnify Nitro 2
The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is one of our favorite daily runners. At $140, it’s priced right for a high-end cushioned running shoe and has the most cushion of any Puma shoe. The super comfortable knit upper provides an accommodating fit and molds to your foot over time. You also get lots of Puma Grip on the bottom that will provide top-tier traction. Your knees and feet will thank you for beginning your running journey with this shoe. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $140
New Balance 880v14
The New Balance 880v14 comes with the best cushioning the 880 has ever seen. It’s a reliable shoe with a basic upper that struggles to provide enough cushioning on runs above 6 miles. The traction is durable, it feels light on foot, and is quite stable. There are better options at the $140 price point like New Balance’s own Fuelcell Rebel v4 but long time 880 devotees will be happy with the improvements. It’s also a great shoe for beginners that comes in narrow, regular, wide, and extra wide making it one of the more accommodating models on the market. Read the full review. Price: $140
Nike InfinityRN 4
The Nike InfinityRN 4 is technically a stability shoe. However, the stability features are unobtrusive and won’t affect you if you don’t need the help. The very noticeable arch on previous Infinity Runs is also found on this version though it’s somewhat toned down. If you don’t like a lot of arch support, you should still stay away. If an ever-present arch doesn’t bug you, the InfinityRN 4 is a highly comfortable daily training shoe that’s ready for lots of miles while also packing a ton of casual appeal. Read the full review.
Fit: Go up a half size, Drop: 9mm, Price: $160
Best Running Shoes for Beginners – Now on Sale
Brooks Ghost Max
The Brooks Ghost Max has soft, fluffy cushion, a smooth feel, good stability, and a super comfortable upper that’s also very wide and flat foot ready. Even with lower-than-average durability thanks to a soft outsole, it packs a lot of value. And it’s the only current Brooks road shoe with a drop lower than 8mm. It’s a different feel than what Brooks fans are used to but that’s not a bad thing. The Ghost Max is ready to protect your feet and legs as you pound the pavement. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price $150
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best running shoes for beginners list? Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
