7 Best Long Distance Running Shoes in 2023

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is an amazingly cushioned, superbly energetic, and extremely lightweight super shoe. After subjecting it to long runs and intensive lab tests, we crowned it the Best Long Distance Running Shoe with its perfect blend of comfort and speed.

The Endorphin Pro 3 more than surpasses the stack height and softness of the average road running shoe. We measured its stack height to be 35 mm—a towering 3.2 mm above the average. Our durometer also verified the softness of the midsole that we felt on our runs— a whopping 36.7% softer (on average) than road running shoes. This combination makes the shoe both comfortable and forgiving for long runs.

The shoe's soft and bouncy midsole foam is complemented by a stiff and rigid carbon plate. On our flexibility test, we needed a force of 94.4N to bend it—almost thrice the force needed to bend an average road running shoe (31.8N). The shoe felt like a springboard on our feet and made us feel like we could conquer our long-run PBs.

It was easy to forget we were wearing shoes. At a mere 206g (7.3 oz), the Endorphin Pro 3 is one of the lightest race shoes we’ve ever tested. That’s 61g (2.2 oz) lighter than the average road running shoe, 21g (0.7 oz) lighter than the average of carbon-plated shoes, and even 8g (0.3 oz) lighter than race shoes. 

Unfortunately, the toebox of the Endorphin Pro 3 is 3.3 mm narrower than the average road running shoe. Runners with wide feet may want to look at other shoes for a better fit.

The ASICS Novablast 3 came out on top as our choice for the best daily trainer for long distances. We’ve cemented our pick after extensive lab tests and various runs. Impressive versatility, significant durability, and superior comfort—the ASICS Novablast 3 is the perfect all-around running shoe.

We were impressed by how versatile this shoe is—for different types of runs and in different temperatures. It has great ventilation for long summer runs, as demonstrated by our breathability test. We pumped smoke inside the shoe and saw how easily it passed through the upper and the tongue.

We also put the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes to simulate cold weather. Even after this, the midsole remained softer than most running shoes at room temperature (20.9 HA vs 24.9 HA). We ran during both cold days and warm days, and the Novablast 3 remained to be the beast that it is. 

The Novablast 3 is also very durable. Even after running for miles and miles, the outsole only had minimal signs of wear. Lab tests also showed that the outsole is 4% harder than average.

During our runs, the shoes felt like a dream. Using the durometer in our lab, we found that it is 45.8% softer than the average of the road running shoes we tested. This explained why each step felt plush, even after more than an hour of running.

However, the tongue is only 1.3 mm thick. The average for road running shoes is 5.7 mm. Runners who like the tongues very padded should look elsewhere. 

If the word "plush" was a picture, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 would definitely take the cake. After dusting off a series of long runs and lab tests, it is our pick for the best cushioned shoe for long-distance running. Its exceptional comfort combined with an above-average stack height and stable platform makes it the ultimate ally for conquering long runs.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 felt like we were wearing gentle hugs on our feet. The recipe for this comfort combines the high stack and a super soft midsole unit. The midsole is 4.8 mm taller than average, and 25% softer than the average of the road running shoes we’ve tested. Even after putting the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes to simulate cold temperatures, it remained as soft as most running foams at room temperature. 

On top of that, the Gel Nimbus 25 is a stable shoe. It has an extensive platform–9.3 mm wider than average on the heel and 6.9 mm wider than average on the forefoot. This stable platform provided us with planted landings throughout our LSD runs and marathon training runs. There was absolutely no reason to worry about getting injured, making our long runs so much more enjoyable.

Unfortunately, the Gel Nimbus 25 feels a bit toasty. It scored ⅗ on our breathability test. Runners wanting more breathable shoes may want to look the other way.

AP3 goes lightning fast at any distance. Characterized by boundless energy, a stable ride and an airy build, our lab and run testers have no doubts about AP3 being our best recommendation for long-distance racers.

This beast is on fire, effortlessly keeping up with our fastest pace. It boasts a mega-stack and a rigid platform that adds power to every stride. Compared to other shoes we put up against our flex test, AP3 ranked 50.0% stiffer than average - confirming the pop of energy we feel every time we land our foot.

While instability is often found in racing models, it doesn’t hold true for this racer. Its firm cushion and wide landing base in the forefoot enhance stability. It’s one of the most stable supershoes we’ve tried with no lateral wobble. This feature comes alive at high speeds, inspiring confidence even in sharp turns. Also assuring our safety is its grippy Continental outsole.

Running a marathon is a breeze with AP3’s lightweight package and ultra-breathable upper. It scored the highest rating on our breathability test and weighs 7.7 oz (218g), which is at par with other racing models.

Adios, heel-strikers! We warn caution about its heel that’s 6.1 mm narrower than average.

Among all the running shoes we tested both outdoors and inside the lab, the ASICS Gel Kayano 29 stands strong as the best stability shoe for long distances. The combination of its unrivaled support features, top-tier comfort, and first-class durability make it the ultimate support shoe for overpronators.

During marathon training, the Gel Kayano 29 really was a worthy companion. The dual-density foam technology, when put together with the midsole material, provides steady and superior stability for overpronators. We really felt how these shoes helped our ankles when it came to excessive rolling inwards. 

On our long weekend runs, our feet felt comfortable even after double-digit miles. Based on our measurements done in the lab, the heel stack height sits at 33.1 mm which is above the average of other running shoes we tested in the lab. We also used our durometer to test the foam's softness and the numbers were nothing short of extraordinary. It is 26% softer than average. No wonder each step felt like velvet.

Even after long training blocks and back-to-back long runs, the Gel Kayano 29's outsole stood strong. Measuring 4.1 mm, the outsole rubber is 15% thicker than average. This definitely seals the deal for the ASICS Gel Kayano 29 as the best stability shoe that will support runners for miles and miles... and more miles!

We did notice that the shoe felt a bit stuffy inside, especially during extra long runs on hot days. Our lab's breathability test also backed up its lack of ventilation, so runners looking for the "wind-in-the-toes" feeling will want to find other options.

The Brooks Ghost 15 makes easy runs feel even easier. A superbly comfortable, extremely durable, and pleasantly stable shoe, the Brooks Ghost 15 is clearly the best long-distance running shoe for easy days.

With a higher-than-average-stack height of 36.3 mm, the Ghost 15 has enough cushioning that made our feet very comfortable during long and easy runs. Additionally, its midsole which is 35% softer than the average road running shoe, felt almost luxurious.

The Brooks Ghost 15 has a robust outsole which we measured to be 5.76% harder than average. The outsole also did well on our Dremel test, only scraping away 0.4 mm of rubber while the average shoe was stripped of 0.9 mm of rubber. It's clear that the Ghost 15 can easily last until the 1000 km threshold. 

Although not a stability shoe, the Ghost 15 offers substantial stability due to a wider platform, especially the heel which measures 95.8 mm (5.9 mm more than the average).

The Brooks Ghost 15 is not the best shoe for forefoot strikers. With a forefoot stack of 23.1 (1.1 mm lower than average), it is not well protected in that area. It also has a massive 13.2 mm drop which is too steep for forefoot strikers. 

The Hoka Tecton X is our #1 pick for the best trail running shoe for long distances. Its solid grip, comfortable yet lively cushion, undeniable durability, and stability were perfectly made to help us conquer the trails confidently—and the lab tests only backed this up.

The shoe’s grip is a total winner—a true king of the trails. After testing it on snow, frozen ground, and not-too-technical dirt, the lab results also showed that the 3.5 mm lug depth is at par with the average in our database. It is also very durable—the lugs were still not worn down after racking up those miles. 

We used a durometer in our lab to test the softness of the midsole, and we found that it was 27% firmer than the average trail shoe. However, even though it was firm, we actually felt very comfortable on the trails. Plus, its firmness also made it more protective across different terrains. At the same time, the dual-plated design gave it the responsiveness needed to keep going during longer runs.

Lastly, we had no complaints about stability, so we measured the base of the shoe to check the numbers. Sure enough, the upper width of the forefoot was 92.6 mm and the midsole width was 113.5 mm, ensuring a solid base for planted landings.

While the Tecton X performed well during our trail runs, we found that the X design on the outsole reluctantly shed off mud during our runs. Because of this, we recommend that trail runners who specialize in extremely technical and muddy trails check other options.