The Best Road-Running Shoes of 2024: Tested

Saucony managed to make a great shoe even better. The Endorphin Speed 3 fit our mojo whether we were racing on Saturday, enduring tempo runs on Tuesday, or going long on Friday. And so much, that we crowned it an Editors' Choice Award Winner in 2023. The brand widened the base in both the heel and the forefoot, increasing stability for daily runs but leaving the weight the same as the previous iteration, keeping the featherweight svelte enough for speed days. The Endorphin Speed 3 still has a flexible nylon plate, but Saucony also added lateral wings to uptick the stability to work alongside the soft foam midsole.

Speaking of which: Our testers loved the forgiving PWRRUN PB, Saucony's foam midsole that's mixed with a rubbery elastomer for added pep and durability. One self-described "plodder" proclaimed his kicks "bouncy" after a track workout in Arkansas. Another Colorado-based, 8-minute miler agreed: "They've got some propulsion."

The breathable mesh upper performs exactly as hoped, and our wide-footed brethren reported "total comfort" with the slightly expanded forefoot width. These don't have Altra-style spacious toe boxes, but they'll make most feet happy. Turns out, we don't need to always fear change!

Watch: REI senior store manager Alan Ortega reviews the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 on the Run with REI Co-op YouTube Channel.

The Clifton series continues its legacy of cushy comfort with the latest iteration of HOKA's venerable classic. HOKA kept what we loved and made the 9 even better, making it an Editors' Choice Award Winner in 2023. These changes begin with an additional 2 mm of stack height and a new EVA foam. End result: A (little) bit more pop on the return and plenty of padding for those recovery miles. "They still feel like pillows under my feet, but with more energy," says one Colorado tester after a summer in the 9's.

HOKA changed more than foam, though. The reconfigured mesh upper has less stretch than it did previously, and it has no overlapping fabric. This creates a secure fit; we didn't experience any slipping or hot spots. Some who have wider feet griped at the more snug fit. If that's you, fear not: You can grab the Clifton 9's in a wide size. The new mesh also adds breathability which was especially nice for our Virginia marathoner on his humid summer runs.

Otherwise it's business as usual for the Cliftons, whose wide base and slight midsole walls add lateral support and stability while on the move. This shoe is still an all-around soft ride that feels like you wrapped your foot in a marshmallow, but we'd argue there is no better way to recover from those challenging runs.

Long runs come in various forms. There's the classic slow and steady effort, which starts and ideally stays relaxed, but will inevitably feel harder as the miles click on. Then there's the long-run workout, where a tempo or some faster-paced intervals are sandwiched between a lengthier warm-up and cooldown to help you prep for a long-distance race. Whatever you're up to on a Sunday (or whenever you do your long run), ASICS has designed an excellent shoe for those committed to distance.

The much-awaited update to their Novablast line, the Novablast 4, packs in a whopping 40.5 mm of FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushion in the women's version and 41.5 mm in the men's (the "eco" refers to the nearly 20% bio-based content the midsole is made with). Testers raved about the shoe's comfort and responsiveness on both slow-long and up-tempo efforts while noting that it remained stable at various paces, even for those inclined to roll an ankle. For that, and more, the shoe earned an Editors' Choice Award in 2024. Substantial yet unobtrusive heel stabilizers help keep you on balance—still, if you're used to more moderate cushioning, you may need a short mental adjustment period. Our Washington-based tester was initially hesitant to make any sharp movements in the super-cushioned shoe, "but eventually I got used to it and more comfortable with the occasional quick cut or turn. The shoes were much more supportive than I expected."

All of our testers found the fit comfortable out of the box, especially the heel cup, which was secure without causing blisters. Our Colorado-based tester (who also tested in Iowa, Illinois and New Zealand), pointed out that "the toebox isn’t oversized à la Altra or Xero, but there’s plenty of room under the balls of my standard-width feet." Still, wide-footed runners may want to size up, since there is a "pretty strong taper towards the big toe," she noted.

When all is said and done, the Novablast 4 doesn't only live up to its beloved predecessors but maximizes its returns. Not only is it plusher than ever while maintaining crucial stability on the run, it was also designed more thoughtfully when it comes to the environment. At least 75% of the main upper material is made with recycled materials and the sockliners were dyed using a process that reduces water usage by ~33% and carbon emissions by ~45% compared to conventional dyeing technology. Even when you're going long, less, as it turns out, is more.

If you're ready to pick up the pace, reach for the Brooks Hyperion Max and their "elemental" support. Like so many other shoe brands, Brooks took the basic EVA-foam midsole and added its own twist: The company injected tiny nitrogen bubbles into the cells of the foam to slash weight and increase energy return. The Hyperion Max isn't light enough for speed intervals, but it finds that sweet spot during tempo runs when you need to cruise just a bit faster than your comfort zone allows. "Zero foot fatigue even when I picked up the pace," reports one Montana-based tester who routinely logs 50-mile weeks.

The stretchy woven mesh upper is fairly standard for running shoes. This one expands more than the mesh on the Cliftons, though, so it feels like a gentle hug and allows for movement on this neutral shoe. Our entire testing crew felt that the Hyperion Max fit slightly narrow and with low volume in the forefoot, but the stretchier mesh provided extra wiggle room. Plot twist: Even though these kicks feel narrow in the forefoot, they boast a wider sole that adds stability. "I felt secure in every step," says our Colorado tester.

Though an oddly-thin tongue slid around more than we'd prefer, when laced up, the upper felt streamlined and secure. Plus, we're guessing the slight tongue slashed ounces—the Hyperion Max is pretty darn light for such a max-cushioned sneaker.

When a shoe is on its twenty-second version, you know it's a fan-favorite. "I was running in these shoes in college!" raves one tester. The Adrenaline GTS 22 (GTS stands for go-to support) is still a crowd favorite among runners seeking stability and a workhorse of a shoe for long and easy runs. With the 22, Brooks swapped in a 100% DNA Loft midsole, a plush mixture of EVA foam, rubber and air. The shoe still has guide rails on either side to prevent overpronating or supinating, but the lack of a real medial post keeps them soft underfoot. The engineered mesh upper is also breathable and adds additional structure to the forefoot than previous iterations.