Best Running Shoes, Tested and Reviewed (2026): Saucony, Adidas, Hoka

LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest OverallSaucony Endorphin AzuraRead more$150 REI (Men s) Best for Your PRPuma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3Read more$300 Puma (Men s) Best Marathon ShoePuma Deviate Nitro Elite 4Read more$250 Amazon (Men s) Best Value ShoeKiprun Kipstorm TempoRead more$170 Running Warehouse (Men s) Whether you’re just starting out or you already think of a marathon as just another long run, the best running shoes are a nonnegotiable aspect of your workout uniform. Lacing up the right footwear can improve performance and keep you healthy. It’s simple: A happy, comfortable runner runs more. But finding your sole mate can be confusing. Running-shoe shelves are cluttered with dozens of brands, hundreds of styles, and a dictionary load of unhelpful technical jargon. Now add to that list hyped shoes like the superlight Adidas Pro Evo 3, used by Sabastian Sawe to run the first sub-2 hour marathon. Thankfully, WIRED’s running shoe experts are here to help you sort through the options. We’ve tested dozens of the latest running shoes to give you the inside track on the best running shoes you can buy right now. Be sure to check out our other health and fitness reviews, including the Best Walking Pads, the Best Fitness Trackers, and the Best Protein Powders. Update May 2026: We added the Saucony Endorphin Azura, the Kipun Kipstorm Tempo, and the Hoka Speedgoat 7. We also updated links and prices for all our best running shoes. Photograph: Kieran AlgerSave to wishlistSave to wishlistSaucony The new Saucony Endorphin Azura ticks all the important boxes for a best all-around running shoe: killer comfort, a fun, lively ride that’ll suit a broad range of runners, excellent versatility and bucket loads of value. The Endorphin Azura, along with others like the Adidas Evo SL ($135), are part of a new group of non-plated trainers in the more affordable $130 to $160 range. The upper delivers an effortless fit with Goldilocks padding in the heels and tongues, good security, plenty of room for the toes to splay and an airiness that keeps feet cool. Underfoot, the big stack of soft but responsive PWRRUN PB foam works with Saucony’s SpeedRoll curved rocker midsole to propel you forward without feeling too springy or untamed. It’s not the punchiest daily trainer but I love the controlled energy. That all adds up to a comparatively lightweight, everyday running shoe that’ll happily eat up weekly miles across your pace range, from slow and easy to tempo efforts. If you’re looking for a reliable, relatively stable, fast-edged shoe, the Azura is an excellent alternative to the stiffer Endorphin Speed 5. It's great for runners who don’t want to log too much time in a plated shoe. Photograph: Kieran AlgerSave to wishlistSave to wishlistPuma When it comes to all-out, guns-blazing PR chases over any distance up to the marathon, the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is the real deal. If you’re in peak fitness and chasing a fast time, this shoe should be on your short list. It sticks to the classic super-shoe recipe: a high-rebound, nitrogen-injected foam, a full-length carbon plate, incredibly lightweight uppers, and a very thin layer of outsole rubber. But it has a unique shape, with a decoupled midsole, a steep heel cut-away that saves weight, and an extended carbon plate that sticks out at the front for some crucial additional leverage. I put them to the test in the lab against rival race shoes and found that the Fast-R3 made me more efficient than other popular race shoes like the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 ($225). It’s not just me—wider research found the shoe not only improved running economy against every shoe in the test, but all 15 tested runners were at their most efficient in the Fast-R3. Of course, lab-tested efficiency means nothing if the shoes don’t feel right when you’re out in the real world. But I used them to clock a 5k PR and smash my marathon PR, logging a 2:50 at the Dublin Marathon. Photograph: Kieran AlgerSave to wishlistSave to wishlistPuma The performance benefits of carbon race shoes are well documented, but the fastest ones (like the Puma Fast R3) won't work well if you don't have good form. When you’re feeling great, they’re excellent. But when the struggle bus comes at mile 20, less stable setups can leave you exposed. That’s where the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 comes in. It’s lighter than the last-gen Nitro Elite and the combination of Nitro Elite foam and the scooped carbon plate feels fast and efficient. It’s a top performing carbon racer that moves really well at faster paces, from tempo runs to race pace. But it also stays cushioned, comfortable and comparatively controlled when you’re less able to bash out the speedy splits. In short, it delivers everything you need when you’re flying and doesn’t hang you out to dry when fatigue kicks in. I loved the fact that everything about the shoe is propulsive but less aggressive. I could fee

Best Running Shoes, Tested and Reviewed (2026): Saucony, Adidas, Hoka

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Best Running Shoes, Tested and Reviewed (2026): Saucony, Adidas, Hoka

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