The 10 Best Running Shoes as of June 2026

How we ranked these shoes

Each shoe earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

Cushioning & comfort (30%) — protection and ride over easy and long runs.
Energy return (25%) — foam responsiveness and efficiency.
Fit & upper (20%) — lockdown, breathability and lasting comfort.
Versatility & value (25%) — range of paces covered per dollar.

At a glance: top 10 compared

Swipe across to see all columns, including Amazon links →

#	Running shoe	Score	Best for	Type	Approx. Price	Amazon links
1	Asics Novablast 5	9.1	Best overall daily	Neutral	$140	View Price
2	Nike Vomero 18	9.0	Max cushioning	Neutral	$155	View Price
3	Adidas Adizero Evo SL	9.0	Versatile uptempo	Neutral	$140	View Price
4	New Balance Rebel v5	8.9	Lightweight daily	Neutral	$130	View Price
5	Saucony Endorphin Speed 4	8.8	Do-it-all trainer	Neutral	$170	View Price
6	Hoka Mach 6	8.8	Tempo & uptempo	Neutral	$140	View Price
7	Hoka Clifton 10	8.7	Easy-day cushion	Neutral	$145	View Price
8	Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25	8.6	Stability	Support	$140	View Price
9	Brooks Ghost 16	8.5	Beginner-friendly	Neutral	$140	View Price
10	Nike Pegasus 41	8.4	Reliable workhorse	Neutral	$120	View Price

The full ranking

Best overall

Asics Novablast 5

9.1Comfortable, bouncy and light — for almost everyone.

With around 41mm of foam at the heel, the Novablast 5 is comfortable, bouncy and light, making it the daily trainer we'd recommend to the widest range of runners. Great fun on easy days, capable when you pick up the pace, and keenly priced.

Cushioning: 9.2Energy return: 9.0Fit: 9.0Drop: 8mm

Pros

Versatile, fun ride
Light for the cushioning
Great value

Cons

Tall stack feels unstable for some
Not a stability shoe

Check price on Amazon≈ $140

Best max cushioning

Nike Vomero 18

9.0Plush easy miles with an easy rolling stride.

The Vomero 18 combines ReactX and ZoomX foams for both deep cushioning and durability, facilitating easy rolling strides. Our top pick for runners who want maximum protection on easy and long runs.

Cushioning: 9.4Energy return: 8.7Fit: 9.0Drop: 10mm

Pros

Deep, protective cushioning
Smooth rolling ride
Durable outsole

Cons

Heavier than rivals
Premium price

Check price on Amazon≈ $155

Best versatile

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

9.0One of the highest-scoring shoes overall.

The Evo SL pairs impressive cushioning with explosive energy return, making it superb for race training or as a fast, versatile daily shoe. A genuine do-everything option.

Cushioning: 8.8Energy return: 9.4Fit: 9.0Drop: 7mm

Pros

Explosive energy return
Light & versatile
Great for faster days

Cons

Less protective than max-cushion shoes

Check price on Amazon≈ $140

Best lightweight daily

New Balance Rebel v5

8.9Immediately squishy, light and bouncy.

The Rebel v5 is immediately squishy and light yet bouncy and responsive — an energetic daily trainer that makes everyday miles feel quick. A favorite for runners who like a lively ride.

Cushioning: 8.8Energy return: 9.2Fit: 8.8Drop: 6mm

Pros

Light & responsive
Fun, bouncy ride
Good value

Cons

Less durable outsole
Narrow fit for some

Check price on Amazon≈ $130

Best do-it-all

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

8.8Nylon-plated versatility from easy to fast.

A perennial favorite, the Endorphin Speed 4 uses a nylon plate and lively foam to handle easy runs, tempo work and long runs equally well — arguably the most versatile shoe here.

Cushioning: 8.9Energy return: 9.1Fit: 8.8Drop: 8mm

Pros

Hugely versatile
Fun nylon-plate pop
Long-run capable

Cons

Pricier than rivals

Check price on Amazon≈ $170

Hoka Mach 6

8.8A standout energetic daily and tempo shoe.

The Mach 6 is light, smooth and responsive — ideal for uptempo days and faster daily runs while still comfortable enough for steady miles.

Cushioning: 8.6Energy return: 9.0Fit: 8.9Drop: 5mm

Pros

Light & smooth
Great for tempo runs
Comfortable upper

Cons

Firmer than max-cushion shoes

Check price on Amazon≈ $140

Hoka Clifton 10

8.7A pleasing, slightly bouncier easy-day cushion.

The Clifton 10 keeps the plush, easy-going character runners love while adding a slightly bouncier feel — a brilliant easy-day and recovery shoe.

Cushioning: 9.1Energy return: 8.4Fit: 8.8Drop: 8mm

Pros

Plush, easy ride
Lightweight for the cushioning
Great for recovery runs

Cons

Not built for speed

Check price on Amazon≈ $145

Best stability

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

8.6Traditional support with GuideRails.

A traditional stability shoe with firm but comfortable cushioning and GuideRails support that gently guides over-pronating runners — the go-to for those who need support.

Cushioning: 8.6Energy return: 8.2Fit: 8.8Support: GuideRails

Pros

Reliable stability
Comfortable, secure fit
Durable

Cons

Less exciting ride
Heavier

Check price on Amazon≈ $140

Best for beginners

Brooks Ghost 16

8.5Smooth, neutral and dependable.

The Ghost 16 is a smooth, neutral cushioned trainer that's forgiving and easy to run in — an ideal first proper running shoe or no-fuss daily mileage option.

Cushioning: 8.7Energy return: 8.2Fit: 8.8Drop: 10mm

Pros

Smooth, forgiving ride
Reliable & durable
Wide size/width range

Cons

Unexciting for faster runs

Check price on Amazon≈ $140

Best workhorse

Nike Pegasus 41

8.4The dependable do-everything mile-muncher.

The Pegasus 41 remains a versatile, durable workhorse that handles daily miles and the occasional faster session — a safe, well-priced choice that rarely disappoints.

Cushioning: 8.4Energy return: 8.3Fit: 8.6Drop: 10mm

Pros

Versatile & durable
Good value
Widely available

Cons

Less plush than newer rivals

Check price on Amazon≈ $120

Frequently asked questions

What's the best running shoe in 2026?

The Asics Novablast 5 is our best all-round daily trainer for most runners. For max cushioning choose the Nike Vomero 18; for versatility the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or Saucony Endorphin Speed 4; and for support, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25.

Do I need stability shoes?

If you over-pronate or have a history of certain injuries, a stability shoe like the Adrenaline GTS 25 can help. Many runners do fine in neutral shoes — a gait analysis at a running shop will tell you.

How long do running shoes last?

Most daily trainers last roughly 500–800 km. Rotating two pairs extends their life and can reduce injury risk.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and vary by colourway and retailer. Click through to Amazon for the live price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best running shoes without overthinking it, the Asics Novablast 5 is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ $140

Our top picks at a glance

Asics Novablast 5

Nike Vomero 18

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

How we ranked these shoes

At a glance: top 10 compared

The full ranking

Asics Novablast 5

Pros

Cons

Nike Vomero 18

Pros

Cons

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

Pros

Cons

New Balance Rebel v5

Pros

Cons

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Pros

Cons

Hoka Mach 6

Pros

Cons

Hoka Clifton 10

Pros

Cons

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

Pros

Cons

Brooks Ghost 16

Pros

Cons

Nike Pegasus 41

Pros

Cons

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

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