The Best Running Shoes for Every Budget – GQ
The Best Running Shoes for Every Budget GQ
The best running shoes for men can be as little as $70 or as much as $250, depending on the runner’s needs, preferences, and budget.
The great thing about running, in addition to the fact that it keeps you in shape and helps you live longer, is that participating requires very little equipment. A decent pair of shorts and a good sneaker, really, are all you need to qualify as good to go.
Picking very best running shoes for you, though, can seem like an arduous task. The market is gigantic, and one estimate pins it at a cool $13 billion. Its offerings come in all shapes and sizes, and are designed for different widths, tastes, and foot types—and, of course, budgets. Thus, to help you sort through this ever-expanding universe, we’ve gone through and selected the best running sneakers at every price point.
A word to the wise: Before you buy the cheapest option—which are great performers!—without reading any further, pause. If you’re okay spending $100 every year on NFL RedZone but won’t invest in your feet, it might be time to re-evaluate your priorities.
New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V2
Available in eight different colorways, the sneaker is made with the brand’s signature Fresh Foam, a single piece that provides a more cozy, natural feeling underfoot.
Asics Gel Scram
I remember the first time someone told me that I should have different sneakers for different activities, like running and CrossFit and cross-training. At the time, I thought it was crazy (and expensive). But your foot demands different support for different things, and the Gel Scram is especially great for running trails—a grippy material on the sole, for example, will help you cruise over small rocks and other obstacles.
Brooks Revel 3
This shoe comes with an inner bootie that surrounds your foot in coziness. Some colorways are versatile enough for occasional street-to-office wear, if you’re into that whole Silicon Valley look.
Altra Superior 4
Originally built in the Utah mountains, Altra shoes have a foot-shaped toe box, meaning that there’s a solid amount of room for the swelling that happens naturally when you spend more time on your feet. Another trail pick, this sneaker comes with lugs—small nubs located on the bottom beneath the toes, which provide a better push with each step.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36
If you trust only The Swoosh when it comes to athletic sneakers, the Pegasus is a fine choice. Arguably the best iteration of this shoe to date, the Peg 36 uses a thin tongue to reduce bulk. Exposed Flywire on the sides keeps you feeling locked and loaded.
Saucony Guide ISO
If you suffer from pronation and need a stability shoe, this could be the sneaker for you. If you’re not sure what anything in the previous sentence means, visit a specialty sneaker shop and hop on a treadmill, where an expert can take a look at how your foot hits the ground in your stride.
One note, though: At the end of the day, how a sneaker feels might matter more than what a sneaker is “designed” to do. According to a June 2013 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, runners faced the same risk of injury regardless of whether they used a shoe built for their specific gait. In other words, if a sneaker is comfortable, wear it.
Asics DynaFlyte
This is my personal Goldilocks sneaker as a seven-time marathoner, and I’ve recommended it to a slew of runners before. The Dynaflyte is lightweight, has a plush, comfortable footbed, and can be worn for everything from speedwork to a marathon.
Under Armour HOVR Infinite
This sneaker is built to log serious miles. With a solid layer of their signature Hovr foam in the midfoot, it has the cushioning a lot of runners look for when it comes to marathon training. Plus, if you want to geek out on data, the Infinite has a Bluetooth-enabled sensor embedded in the midsole to track your distance and speed using Under Armour’s MapMyRun app.
Reebok Floatride Fast
If you’ve never tried wearing a light shoe to run fast, you’re missing out. This model has high energy return—which means you’ll feel bouncy—and super-soft heel cushioning. A solid pick for anyone hoping to channel their inner Usain Bolt.
HOKA Bondi 6
Ah, the big daddy. The HOKA Bondi 6 is a lot of shoe, and may take a moment to get used to. If you associate distance running with complaining about achy knees, though, this might help.
Adidas Ultraboost
Equipped with a knit upper that fits like a second skin, giving the wearer the flexibility to move in all planes of motion. It also looks alright with office jeans, if you buy the right colorway.
Nike Next %
The newest update to Nike’s Vaporfly family, the NEXT is a lighter, foamier shoe than the Vaporfly 4%, and is made specifically with racing in mind. (Hey, we said every price point.)
