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The pair of running shoes you choose can either make or break your running experience. Luckily, the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 shoes deliver on every level. These Jack-of-all-trades shoes are light enough for speedwork, cushioned for long runs, and have a smooth ride that doesn’t fade even as you pile on the miles.
Whether you’re an average guy just starting your running journey to shed a few pounds, or you’re deep in the running game training for your next marathon, the importance of finding a good pair of running shoes remains the same. Every runner is different, and there are a number of factors to consider before making your final decision.
While the choices may seem endless, we’ve done the research for you so you can hit the road with a new pair of kicks in no time. We’ve combed the reviews to find what we think are the 5 best men’s running shoes based on a variety of running needs. Before we get into our picks, here are some things you need to consider.
Where will your running take you?
The type of running you’re planning to tackle and where you’re doing most of your training can help you hone in on the style of running shoe you’ll need. If you plan to be logging most of your miles on sidewalks and pavement, a good pair of road running shoes will do the trick. However, if adventure calls you off the roads and into the woods, you’ll want to consider finding yourself a good pair of trail shoes that can handle rough terrain.
What’s your comfort zone?
If you enjoy competition and going for speed, you may want to consider a lightweight running shoe that won’t weigh you down for training. A good lightweight shoe can also do double duty as a racer, giving you fast feet on race day. Are you in it for the long run when it comes to miles logged and time spent on the road? If so, a cushioned shoe will provide the comfortable ride you’ll need to reduce the impact on your body and give you stamina even the energizer bunny would envy.
Will you need some extra support?
While we may like to think of ourselves as superheroes, we can’t all be invincible. The best runners can be susceptible to overpronation or underpronation, and even if you’ve been lucky enough to be gifted with a nearly perfect running gait, that doesn’t mean you’ll escape injury. In order to reduce your chances of injury, it’s important to find running shoes that will provide you with the right amount of stability and support. If you overpronate, meaning your foot tends to roll too far inward as you run, you’ll want a more supportive motion-control shoe. Underpronation is just the opposite, meaning that your foot doesn’t roll in far enough as you run. For this, you’ll want a neutral-cushioned shoe that encourages natural foot motion.
After much research, we've found that these are the best men's running shoes you can buy, whether you're hitting the track or the trails.
You should also check out our guides to the best GPS running watches, the best water bottles, and the best running shoes for women.
Although the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 men’s running shoes are our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 running shoes, the Saucony Peregrine 7 running shoes, the Saucony Freedom ISO running shoes, and the Hoka One One Bondi 5 running shoes.
SEE ALSO: The best GPS watches for running
The best men's running shoes overall
Why you'll love them: The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 shoes give you a soft and responsive ride, with a lightweight feel ideal for speedwork and enough cushion to get you through long runs.
The latest version of the New Balance Zante v3 shoes comes with an updated midsole and a new engineered mesh upper. Otherwise, it remains true to the Zante line, which is a good thing, considering it’s been known since its original debut for the smooth ride and fast feel it provides.
With upgrades happening in all the right places, it’s no surprise that this shoe won the Runner’s World Editor’s Choice award for 2017. The Zante v3 is described as a jack-of-all-trades for its ability to handle speedwork with ease while providing a comfortable ride for long distance runners.
Its ability to adapt to different types of training make the Zante v3 a great all-around running shoe. It weighs in at 8.8 ounces and has a 6mm heel to toe drop, which allows for more natural forefoot landing while running. This adds to the fast response and “silky smooth” feeling testers have described.
The midsole update results in a firmer feeling but increases the durability of the shoe. For those who have run in previous versions of the Zante, the firmer ride and slightly less flexible feel may take a little adjustment. However, according to Running Shoes Guru the Zante v3 still retains its comfort and finds the perfect middle ground between cushioning and responsiveness. While it does provide cushioning, this shoe is for the neutral runner and won’t provide the extra support needed for overpronation.
The upper of the Zante v3 has been redesigned using engineered mesh, allowing for a better fit and more breathability. The seamless construction gives the shoe a glove-like fit so your foot won’t be slipping around on your run. This long-time Zante fan praises the breathability of the Zante v3 as well as it’s affordable price. Another reviewer likes how he can feel the road but remain comfortably cushioned, and praises how lightweight and responsive the shoes are. It should be noted that the Zante v3 runs a little shorter than previous versions, so it may be necessary to go up a half size to ensure a good fit.
The Zante is named after a Greek island, a popular tourist destination known for its pristine beaches. It’s a fitting name for a shoe that will make your feet feel like they’re on vacation even when you’re sprinting out 200-meter repeats or racking up the miles on a long training run.
Pros: Lightweight, enough cushioning for long runs, breathable upper, affordable
Cons: Firmer feel and less flexibility than previous versions, runs slightly short (you may need to go up a half size)
Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 on Amazon for $83.67 - $132.08 (price varies)
Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 from New Balance for $99.99
The best men's running shoes for stability
Why you'll love them: The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 lives up to its title as a “go to shoe” with a fast feel that doesn’t fade on long runs and provides the motion control support overpronators need.
Brooks is one of the few shoe companies that is focused solely on the sport of running, and that dedication shows when it comes to the quality of its running shoes. If you’re tired of wearing stability shoes that make you feel like you’re wading through quicksand and leave you wishing you had the winged feet of Hermes, the Adrenaline GTS 17 may be the answer you’re looking for. We can’t promise they’ll turn you into a running god, but there is a reason that the “GTS” in Adrenaline GTS 17 stands for “go to shoe.”
The Adrenaline line is known for maintaining a fast feel and a smooth ride. The latest version keeps this base, with a few tweaks to the upper and the midsole, as well as an updated diagonal roll bar that encourages more natural foot motion.
The Adrenaline GTS 17 weighs in at 10.7 ounces and may feel slightly heavy out of the box, but when they hit the road, they provide a fast feel that doesn’t fade, even on longer distances. This makes them a great shoe for half marathon and marathon training. A tester from Running Shoes Guru wore these while preparing for a marathon and was surprised at how the fast feel didn’t fade and their feet never felt as though they were dragging along.
As far as updates go, the new upper materials used give the forefoot more wiggle room and results in a more spacious toe box. The all foam midsole is now softer, but still provides a firm and balanced ride, accentuated by hardened plastic in the inner section of the shoe called the “Progressive Diagonal Roll Bar.”
The bar is designed to correct missteps and keep your foot on a more natural path — even as you’re increasing your speed. This makes the Adrenaline GTS 17 a great shoe for all overpronators of all skill levels, whether your go-to speed is a leisurely jog or you’re trying to push the tempo while training for your next half-marathon.
While the Adrenaline GTS 17 doesn’t have as much responsiveness as a truly lightweight shoe, it makes up for that with a smooth and balanced ride that will keep you comfortable and help prevent fatigue even on long runs. The outsole of the shoe also provides great grip. According to Sole Review, you could take this shoe from the road to some light trails if you’re looking to change up the scenery to get through those long runs. While the outsole traction is great, some runners do report that the durability of the outsole does seem to have a lower lifespan.
Though these shoes may not have the quick responsiveness some runners desire, most reviewers praise these shoes as being excellent for motion control. This reviewer loves the quality that Brooks provides, and is pleased with the light and comfortable fit that the Adrenaline GTS 17 has.
Brooks has undoubtedly helped push back the outdated idea that stability shoes will always feel like bricks. Instead, they manage to provide superior stability with a great ride that will keep you crushing the miles.
Pros: Superior stability for overpronation, fast feeling ride, comfortability that doesn’t fade on long runs, roomy toe box
Cons: Ride lacks some responsiveness, outsole isn’t as durable as the rest of the shoe
Buy the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 on Amazon for $119.96 - $120.00 (price varies — originally $120 - $130)
Buy the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 from Zappos for $120.00
The best men's running shoes for trail running
Why you'll love them: The Saucony Peregrine 7 is a dynamic trail shoe that has a fast feel and is able to handle almost any type of terrain at any speed.
The versatility of the Saucony Peregrine 7 will deliver, whether you have an adventurous spirit that loves mountain races and ultra-running, or you’re simply looking for a way to lose the suit and tie and unwind with a run on the trails. The Peregrine is a fast and nimble neutral running shoe, but it has the ruggedness and durability to conquer almost any type of terrain while protecting your feet. It comes as no surprise that versions 4 and 6 claimed the
It comes as no surprise that versions 4 and 6 claimed the Runner’s World Editor's Choice Award, and the 7 claimed this year’s Best Buy award for holding a steady price even with new updates.
Building on this foundation of success, the Peregrine 7 features a redesigned upper that allows for more room in the toe box, as well as a full-length Everun topsole that allows for a more cushioned feel throughout the shoe. The Peregrine line of shoes typically takes some time to break in, but the updated topsole helps reduce break in time. These shoes weigh in at 9.8 ounces and have a fast and responsive feel that make them an ideal shoe for trail racing, but their durability makes them a great daily trail shoe as well.
This durability extends to the rugged outsole, featuring aggressive lugs that make these shoes able to handle loose terrain including mud and snow. Road Trail Run gave these shoes an excellent review after testing, noting that they do especially well on steep gradients and rough trails with their versatile outsole. The rockplate in the outsole was also appreciated when running over rough terrain.
The TPU exoskeleton of the redesigned upper wraps around the entire forefoot, providing a better fit and holding the forefoot in place. This exoskeleton extends to the toe bumper, which is one downside as it offers very little stub protection. The insole can also have a tendency to slide when it gets wet, but testers from I Run Far recommend gluing this down if it does become an annoyance. Luckily, Saucony doesn’t shy away from making updates where needed, so this could very well be remedied in the next version of the Peregrine.
While some runners found that the Peregrine 7 ran slightly small, once they sized up, they were able to find their perfect fit and praised the comfort and lightweight feel of the shoe. This Amazon reviewer likes the good grip they provide on trails. Another reviewer, who previously owned the Peregrine 6, praises the newest version for its comfort and durability. If you’re looking for a high-quality, versatile trail shoe to help you up your level of adventure look no further.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, versatile trail shoe to help you up your level of adventure look no further.
Pros: Fast and responsive feel, widened toe box, light enough to be used for trail racing, full-length Everun midsole for increased comfort, durable outsole that can handle a wide range of terrains
Cons: The toe bumper could be more protective,insole can be prone to sliding when wet, some runners report needing to go up a half size
Buy the Saucony Peregrine 7 on Amazon for $97.95 - $134.88 (price varies — originally $120.00)
Buy the Saucony Peregrine 7 from Zappos for $120.00
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