How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for You

Health and fitness Exercise How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for You Updated May 29, 2026 Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter By Seth Berkman Seth Berkman is a fitness writer. He incorporates testing into everyday tasks, like showering with swim goggles and jumping rope while doing laundry. FYI We’re testing the Asics Novablast 6 ( women’s , men’s ) and the Nike Pegasus 42 ( women’s , men’s ), both neutral shoes, as well as the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 ( women’s , men’s ) and Saucony Guide 19 ( women’s , men’s ), both stability shoes. May 2026 Good running shoes can make the difference between a run realized and a run refused. And even though it takes some trial and error to find the right pair for your feet and goals, the payoff is real: You’ll have shoes that lay the groundwork for a comfortable, rewarding, and enduring pursuit — whether you’re running primarily for your health or for personal bests. For this guide, we’ve gathered advice and insight from eight experts, read dozens of studies, and run more than 5,000 miles over the years. Our focus: go-to shoes for everyday runs. We take a look at the two main running shoe types (neutral and stability), the anatomy of a running shoe , and how a shoe should fit . To find your best running shoes, you’ll likely need to try on several different pairs, either at your local running store (where you can leverage staff expertise to help you find the ideal fit) or in your living room (if you prefer to shop online). If you’re ordering from home, consider retailers that have solid return policies, such as Fleet Feet , REI , Road Runner Sports , Running Warehouse , and Zappos . To help inspire your search, we have recommendations for women’s and men’s models and sizes , including dependable neutral trainers , stability shoes with various amounts of cushion , and a low-drop option . Everything we recommend Top pick Our favorite neutral running shoes Asics Novablast 5 (women’s) These light daily trainers are good for long