7 Best Lightweight Running Shoes For Men in 2022

For speed freaks and competitive runners, whether on the road or the muddy trails, the lighter the shoe, the better it is. We all love that barely-there feel while having that needed support and protection.
With a high-performance lightweight running shoe, you will get a boost in pace and challenge the pros on race day or at least beat your PB.
We've rounded up 200+ of the best men's lightweight running shoes on the market, from Saucony to Nike to Brooks, to make sure that you've the perfect footwear for your speed training sessions or the coming race. But how do you know you’ve the right pair? This guide can help you. Ready? Set, go.
How we test running shoes
We do our due diligence and handpick all the men’s shoes on the market today that weigh less than 8.8 oz (250 grams) in US size 9. We don’t discriminate when it comes to brands (around 30 of them out there) in this initial selection process. What is most important is how they fare and perform when we put them into our rigorous evaluation process, which involves the following:
- We buy all the running shoes from our own pocket to avoid any taint of brand loyalty and bias.
- We cut the shoes into essential parts in our testing lab, like we really dismember a shoe into little pieces.
- We then measure 30+ parameters of a particular model and closely check their midsole construction, breathability, and durability, among others.
- We go outside and run at least 30 or more miles for each pair, in various speed training and racing conditions. We evaluate each model based on our own personal experience.
- We collect more information from shoe experts and regular users. We reduce all their feedback in a summary.
To conclude the whole process, we assign each pair of shoes a CoreScore from 0 to 100. The top-rated models go straight to our best picks in different categories.
Best men's lightweight running shoes overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 6% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 10% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Glove-like fit
- Perfect lockdown
- Has an elf tab
- Lightweight
- Balanced
- Superb comfort
- Extremely stable
- Large reflective elements
Cons
- Stiff for an everyday trainer
- Not a tempo shoe either
- Break-in period needed
Verdict
Best road lightweight running shoes for men
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 1% in Saucony running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fast & responsive
- Cushioned especially for the long runs
- Spring, trampoline effect
- Excellent durability
- Featherweight like a race shoe
- Breathable
- True to size
- Perfect foot lock
- Incredible value
Cons
- Needs adaptation period
- Questionable grip on wet surfaces
Verdict
Best trail lightweight running shoes for men
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 20% in trail running shoes
- Top 23% in lightweight running shoes
- Top 22% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Secure lockdown from the BOA
- Rock plate gives protection
- Solid grip
- Light and nimble
- Durable outsole
- Sleek design
Cons
- Lacks breathability and drainage
Verdict
Best Nike lightweight running shoes for men
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 2% in road running shoes
- Top 2% in Nike running shoes
- Top 3% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Insanely lightweight
- Very breathable
- Bouncy
- Responsive
- FAST
- No break-in period needed
- Good grip on dry surfaces
Cons
- Not ideal for wide feet
- Unstable
- Forefoot strikers only
Verdict
Best Asics lightweight running shoes for men
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 2% in road running shoes
- Top 1% in Asics running shoes
- Top 6% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Perfect fit
- Do-it-ALL shoe
- Lightweight
- Springy ride
- Spacious toebox
- Secure lockdown
- Good ground contact
- Durable
- Great straight out of the box
Cons
- Not for wet surfaces
- Bold design is not for everyone
Verdict
Best value lightweight running shoes for men
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 3% in road running shoes
- Top 4% in Under Armour running shoes
- Top 18% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Lightweight
- Very comfy
- Real-time coaching
- Flexible
- Breathable
- Looks
Cons
- Runs small
- Pricey
Verdict
Most popular lightweight running shoes for men
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 7% in road running shoes
- Top 6% in Asics running shoes
- Top 8% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable at $150
- Fast and nimble
- Smooth transitions
- Peppy toe-off
- Minimally padded
- Breathable
- Great grip
Cons
- Fits narrow
- Not built for comfort
Verdict
What are the most popular men's lightweight running shoes in 2022?
- Brooks Revel 5
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
- Nike Zoom Fly 4
- Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2
- Asics MetaSpeed Sky
- Nike Flex Experience Run 10
- Brooks Launch 9
- On Cloudflow 3.0
- Asics Noosa Tri 13
- Saucony Endorphin Pro 2
- Nike Juniper Trail
- Altra Escalante 3
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2
- Asics Magic Speed
- Hoka One One Mach Supersonic
See all men's lightweight running shoes sorted by popularity
What are the cheapest men's lightweight running shoes in 2022?
- Adidas SL20.2 - from $37
- Adidas SL20.3 - from $39
- Asics Versablast - from $40
- Nike Flex Experience Run 10 - from $45
- Puma UltraRide - from $51
- Nike Juniper Trail - from $55
- Skechers GOrun Razor Excess - from $55
- New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3 - from $56
- Asics Gel Quantum Lyte - from $56
- Asics Hyper Speed - from $60
- Adidas Adizero Adios 6 - from $61
- Topo Athletic Cyclone - from $66
- Skechers GOrun Ride 9 - from $70
- Skechers GOrun Razor TRL - from $70
- Skechers GOrun Razor+ - from $75
See all men's lightweight running shoes sorted by lowest price