Racking up that step count is undoubtedly good for you. But your feet can take a beating if you’re not wearing the right running shoes. I know this all too well, since I used to walk two miles to work every day in the flimsiest flats, and ended up with achy ankles, sore bunions, and toes covered in blisters. Now, as a fitness writer and certified running coach who tests all kinds of shoes and interviews podiatrists on the regular, I know that wearing the best sneakers will keep my feet healthier — and a whole lot happier.
But how do you know you’ve found the best sneakers for you? “A healthy pair of sneakers should have a durable outsole with adequate grip, appropriate cushioning, shock absorption, and a firm heel counter for stability,” says Bruce Pinker, D.P.M., a New York-based podiatrist and foot surgeon. He also recommends looking for a pair with a durable upper, a roomy toe box that won’t cramp your feet, and some ventilation so you don’t get swamp foot.
The team at Shape considers all these factors and more during our extensive sneaker tests, in which we put each pair through the ringer for at least a month to see how they perform. Out of all the hundreds of shoes tested in the last two years, these are the best sneakers your money can buy right now.
Best Sneakers for Walking
We know our readers talk the talk and walk the walk, so our testing is serious when it comes to finding the best walking shoes. We spend countless hours and miles studying arch support, cushion, energy giveback, stability features, and longevity of popular walking shoes. What we have below are the best of the best from Hoka, Nike, Brooks, and On.
Best Sneakers for Running
Finding the best running shoes for your stride and your training is crucial to prevent injuries and provide you with the energy return to get whatever PR you’re after, whether it’s distance or time. Our shoe experts at Shape test new running shoes every month, and know what’s hot and what’s not. Our favorites include a lightweight model just added to Hoka’s lineup, a carbon-plated running shoe that’s a stellar race day option from New Balance, a Brooks running shoe that’s steller for everyday training, and a pro-athlete-approved pair of Asics running shoes built to outlast marathon training.
Best Sneakers for Standing
If you think finding the best sneakers for standing is easy, you probably don’t work in a field where you’re on your feet all day — no shade, our editors don’t either. So, to ensure we found the best options, we talked to healthcare professionals who know what it’s like to spend grueling hours on their feet without rest. They provided us with a bunch of comfortable options from Hoka, Asics, Reebok, and Nike, each made with unique features that aid your feet and your joints.
Best Sneakers for Weight-Lifting
Our team of fitness experts takes lifting shoes seriously — so much so that this group of shoes for strength training has our approval and also that of Olympians, pro athletes, personal trainers, and testers alike. These sneakers will allow you to stay balanced while squatting, lunging, pressing, and pulling at the gym or at home. They’ve got stellar ankle support and reinforced toe bumpers for protection (imagine a weight dropping on your pinky…ouch). Plus, they look pretty cool. What more could you ask for?
Best Sneakers for Cross-Training
If you’re looking for a do-it-all sneaker, you’ll want to snag one of these cross-trainers. These are the workhorse shoes that will support, cushion, and propel your feet during any workout, from HIIT to low-impact walks. Our favorite cross-trainers include Shape Sneaker Award winners and models that have the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. If you’re more into cardio, we recommend the Hoka or Lululemon models. If you’re more into weight-lifting, you’ve gotta go with the crowd-favorites from Adidas and Nike.
Best Sneakers for Lifestyle
Finding a casual shoe that you can wear to work, on a date, to brunch, or on errands seems like an impossible task, but our favorite lifestyle sneakers can do everything with ease. New Balance sneakers, like the 550s, are a Taylor Swift favorite that provide cushion and coolness to everyone who dons them. The Asics have a trendy off-duty model appearance with podiatrist-approved stability features. And, of course, the Onitsuka’s and Reebok Club C85s have a vintage style to them that’ll wow fashionistas all the while supporting your joints.
What to Know About Sneakers
- Toe Drop: This number tells you the difference between the amount of cushion under your heel versus how much is underneath your forefoot and toes. Toe drops between eight to 10 millimeters are considered standard. “Too much heel drop encourages an unnatural gait pattern,” says Pinker. Too little, on the other hand, can put stress on the Achilles and make it harder to walk or run, he says. It often comes down to personal preference and what you’re used to.
Support vs Cushioning: Some people throw around the running shoe terms “support” and “cushioning” interchangeably, but they’re really two separate things. “Cushioning often relates to shock absorption, whereas support can relate to stability,” Dr. Pinker says. Meaning: A sneaker with loads of support is typically designed specifically to help prevent overpronation, while a max cushioned sneaker just gives you extra padding so you feel like you’re walking on squishy pillows.
- Pronation: When our feet strike the ground, our arches naturally roll inward to help propel us forward — this is called pronation. But if the foot rolls more than about 15 percent, it could lead to injuries. “Overpronators should look for shoes with added medial arch support in the midsole,” Dr. Pinker says. This will help guide the foot into a more neutral position as you walk or run.
How We Tested Sneakers
- Pairs of Sneakers Tested: 350+
- Time Spent Testing: 4 weeks per pair
- Total Testing Duration: 2 years (hundreds of hours!)
- Factors Considered: Fit, cushioning, comfort, responsiveness, stability, and value
In the last two years of Shape testing, we have trialed over 400 different brands and styles of sneakers and put each pair through its paces with walks, runs, gym workouts, and more. Each pair was evaluated on fit, cushioning, comfort, responsiveness (energy return), stability, and overall value as well as different lifestyle or workout preferences — sprints vs long distance, jobs that require standing for long stretches (hi nurses!), and even shoes that offer support while looking cute enough for daily life. Our editors also factored in foot and body ailments such as knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and pronation.
Each pair of sneakers was tested for at least four weeks (and, in some instances, more than a year) with three workouts per week before we gathered notes about the pros and cons and made a winner’s list of the pairs that met that our high standards. Every year we also have a Sneakers Awards program where we consider the latest launches and innovations in sneakers and give awards in even more categories. Our editors are experts in the field and are always on the lookout for new brands, styles, and improvements made to keep our lists updated and all-encompassing of our community.
Why Trust Shape
Jennifer Heimlich is a fitness writer who has personally tested dozens of running shoes, including several that made this list: Hoka Clifton 9, New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080, Brooks Glycerin GTS 21, On Cloudrunner 2, Nike Metcon 9, Hoka Bondi 8. A UESCA-certified running coach who’s completed multiple marathons and ultramarathons, she personally knows what to look for in terms of comfort, support, and fit.
For this piece, she spoke with podiatrist Bruce Pinker, D.P.M., to determine the most important factors to consider when looking for the best sneakers. The Shape team conducted extensive first-hand testing of every sneaker on this list. Heimlich reviewed all the previous methodologies and insights to curate this list of the best sneakers of 2024.
Summer Cartwright is Shape’s senior editor and a long-distance runner. She updated this piece with additional race day and stability essentials that she tested herself. She’s been an editor for 6+ years and specializes in analyzing workout gear and running shoes. She has personally tested dozens of running shoes, including several that made this list including Nike InfinityRN 4, Hoka Mach X 2, Brooks Glycerin GTS 21, Hoka Ora Recovery, Nike Metcon 9, Lululemon Beyondfeel Running Shoe, Onitsuka Tiger, and the Reebok Club C 85.
