7 Best Road Running Shoes in 2024

After long hours in the lab and pounding the pavement, ASICS Novablast 4 emerged as the best road running shoe. It’s a neutral trainer with unmatched comfort, versatility, and reliable support for any pace and distance.

We can’t get enough of its FF Blast+ ECO foam. Running for long hours on tough surfaces still feels pleasant because of the plush and decadent cushion. It combines maximum height with pillowy goodness. Our durometer confirms it’s 28.7% softer than average. Despite this, our runs still had a lot of pop for faster efforts.

Even with the thick slab of foam, Novablast delivers a smooth and stable ride by providing extra width in the midsole for safe landings. In terms of longitudinal movement, this pair moves fluidly with our motions, which is a plus for comfort. Our bend test shows it’s 13.5% more flexible than average.

After reaching double-digit miles, we were impressed to see that the outsole had very minor scratches which was purely visual — the plushness and pop remained the same. When put against our Dremel test, Novablast 4 establishes its longevity by showing less wear than average.

Unfortunately, the upper feels too warm for tropical weather. We recommend using this pair in cooler temperatures only to enjoy its full potential.

The Nike Pegasus 40 is a force to be reckoned with. It superbly blends outstanding versatility, remarkable comfort, and extraordinary durability. After embarking on multiple runs and taking it apart in the lab, we crown the Nike Pegasus 40 as the best daily trainer among road running shoes.

It is the Goldilocks of running shoes! With a midsole that is 28.6% softer than average, the Pegasus 40 is more than comfortable enough for our daily runs. A real do-it-all shoe, the Pegasus 40 is a daily trainer like no other.

Our runs were insanely comfortable and enjoyable. Its heel area and dual-layer mesh upper are well-padded. Its velvety smooth upper also helped us avoid hotspots or blisters. All of these, coupled with the 8.6 mm gusseted tongue—which is 2.8mm thicker than average—make it perfect for daily runs. 

Durable and grippy—the Pegasus 40 has the perfect combination for a world-class outsole. At the lab, we tested it to be 7.8% firmer than average confirming the outsole durability. We ran on dry and wet roads, and even on light trails—and the Pegasus 40 gripped tremendously well on those surfaces.

It may be a jack-of-all-trades shoe, but it is also a master of none. Runners may look at other shoes for faster racing or more comfortable easy runs.

PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 took our speed sessions to the next level. Pumping up our adrenaline, its stiff carbon plate exudes incredible energy return, its buttery foam oozes pure delight, and its outsole promises traction. With the lab backing up our experience, DN2 is our best speed trainer for road running.

This high-performance shoe brings the power we need to sustain faster runs. The carbon plate sprung us off pleasantly with every stride, allowing us to use our energy efficiently as we launch forward. Our bend test reveals the midsole is 102.8% stiffer than average. This rigidity generates the vibrant pop in our runs.

Deviate Nitro 2 ensures we not only run fast, but far too. It keeps the cushioning soft for a delicate sensation underfoot, creating a low-impact ride. Our durometer confirms the foam’s gentle nature that we indulged in, emerging 29.4% softer than average.

The outsole proves its reliability on any pavement we tested—wet roads, loose ground, and even light trails. It’s composed of PUMAGRIP ATR that is suited for mixed terrains. To ensure our protection and the shoe’s long lifespan, the rubber is a thick 3.7 mm.

Our actual runs tell us this pair works better as a trainer than a racer. Weighing 9.2 oz (257g), it resembles a daily trainer’s build and is heavier than the average 8.2 oz (233g) carbon-plated shoe.

Think devilish speed, heavenly comfort, and a cloud-like feel: this is exactly what we experienced after running a fair share of races in the Nike Vaporfly 3. This hypersonic shoe delivers unforgettable and unmatched performance in and out of the lab, securely setting our personal bests and winning the best racer title among road-running shoes.

Each stride is ignited with limitless energy from its magnificent core—the responsive ZoomX foam and the rigid FlyPlate. Both elements deliver smooth turnovers and sustain our power over long-haul efforts. The stacked and soft cushion embraced our feet with buttery goodness, as our durometer confirmed it’s 30.3% softer than average. The spoon-shaped carbon plate ensures stability and power through its rigidity. Our bend test confirms it’s 92.1% stiffer than average, shining further as we run faster.

We felt like floating through countless miles as VF3 dissipated into our feet with its barely-there weight. Our scales reveal a mere 6.7 oz (190g), transcending even the average supershoe (7.4 oz/210g). Running on clouds is an understatement as it offers top-tier breathability through its extremely ventilated Flyknit upper that’s designed intently for airflow.

The outsole provides exceptional traction on both wet and dry surfaces. However, its waffle-like pattern and midsole cutout accumulated small debris during our runs. We recommend avoiding pebbled paths for a smoother running experience.

The Gel Nimbus 26 truly embodies plush cushioning. It stood out among the road-running shoes we tested with its pillowy embrace and gentle yet stable landings. Our lab numbers only verified what our feet already knew—comfort is #1 for this ASICS shoe.

Running on clouds feels like an understatement. The Gel Nimbus 26 was immensely comfortable during all our runs, regardless of distance. The secret to this luxurious comfort lies in its super soft and super thick midsole. Our lab reveals its 40.4/33.5 mm mega stack stands 21.6% softer than average, erasing the harshness of the ground. Further dampening landing impact is the PureGEL technology located in the heel.

The Gel Nimbus 26 is also stable, adding to our confidence as we soared through the roads. Its vast platform is complemented by a stiff construction that resists excessive lateral movements and twists. Our manual assessment reveals a solid 5/5 rating for torsional rigidity, effectively avoiding ankle rolls.

While it provides next-level comfort, it lacks responsiveness for fast days. We recommend exploring other cushioned options that can handle speed sessions.

The Gel Kayano 30, our top pick for the best stability road-running shoe, achieves the sweet spot between comfort and support. Featuring a plush mega-stack combined with the innovative 4D Guidance System, this trainer delivers a steady and forgiving ride. 

The main star is the 4D Guidance System, consisting of a soft foam strategically placed beneath our arch that adjusts to the contours of our foot. This serves as our very own custom-made support and protection against unwanted movements. Another stability feature is the wider-than-average midsole that instills a sense of security and confidence with each step.

While most stability shoes are firm and grounded, GK30 deviates from the standard by employing a tall and plush FF Blast+ cushioning. Our lab reveals the foam rises 39.7/27.7 mm tall and is 30.2% softer than average. This heavenly combination dampens landing impact and spoils our legs with buttery goodness.

Diverging from the rigidity often associated with stability and maximalist shoes, the GK30 feels surprisingly bendable. Our 90-degree test confirms that it’s 13.8% more flexible than average, enhancing comfort and a natural feel. 

Unfortunately, we can’t say the same in the weight department. Our scales reveal it’s 10.7 oz (303g), much heavier than the 9.4 oz (266g) average.

The Saucony Axon 3 is a reliable all-rounder, proven by our lab and run tests. Aside from its cushioned platform and impressive durability, it’s a versatile trainer that doesn’t break the bank. No doubt, it’s our best budget road running shoe.

At only $100, Axon 3 offers value beyond its price tag. It undercuts its competitors as the average daily trainer costs $130. It can keep up with its more expensive counterparts as it showed strong performance in our runs.

The Axon 3 conquered all types of runs. It’s comfortable enough for easy runs yet nimble enough for tempo days when we want to pick up the pace. Not only is it light in the pocket, but also on foot. Our scales show it’s only 8.6 oz (244g), 12.5% lighter than the average daily trainer. Our durometer also confirmed our sensations — the cushion is 22.5% softer than average, explaining its all-day comfort. 

After running around 100 miles in these shoes, there were no visible signs of wear and tear — especially in the outsole. Its 3.9 mm rubber is 0.7 mm thicker than the average, making it tough enough to take the abuse of training blocks.

Given the shoe’s low-drop geometry, we recommend excessive rearfoot strikers to explore other options.