7 Best Treadmill Running Shoes in 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed our treadmill runs with the Nike Pegasus 41, which continues to be a staple running shoe. It oozes divine levels of comfort and continues to impress with its versatility and consistent performance. Standing out in the all-rounder game, our lab results agree with our sentiments: the Peg is our top treadmill running shoe.

The midsole features the ReactX midsole with dual Air Zoom units, providing a plush yet responsive ride. Pushing our durometer against the foam shows it’s 26.2 % softer than average, enhancing comfort without sacrificing stability. 

The Peg feels easy on foot with its exceptional flexibility, with a 34.0% greater bendability than average in our 90-degree test. This adaptiveness makes it suitable for activities beyond running, further cemented by its low torsional rigidity score of 2/5.

Crafted with dual-layer mesh, the upper seamlessly combines softness with breathability, earning a solid 4/5 on our smoke test. No matter how heated our indoor runs get, hotspots and sweaty feet won’t be a problem.

The Peg is also known as the ultimate daily trainer. Because of this, those with more specific needs in terms of speed or stability may find this shoe lacking. Those who prefer more energy return or support are better off elsewhere.

We thoroughly enjoyed our test runs with the Endorphin Speed 4. It oozes comfort and instills a sense of security with each stride, delivering a powerful yet subtle stream of energy that helps us run faster and farther. Standing out in the all-rounder game, our lab results agree with what our feet enjoyed—this Saucony is our best speed trainer for treadmill running. 

The main source of power lies in the midsole. Our cut-in-half shoe reveals a nylon plate with a distinguished natural feel, making it comfortable for easy runs to race pace. True enough, our flex test reveals it takes the same force (29.4N) as the average running shoe to bend to 90 degrees.

Supporting our feet is the PWRRUN PB foam that keeps its stack high for comfort and its composition balanced for stability. Our durometer confirms its 22.3 HA firmness is around the average. Other than the steadiness, it feels bouncy, explaining why our legs feel great even after hours of running.

Another element that keeps us chasing the miles is its light 8.4 oz (237g) build, 10.9% below average. Topping it off is an incredibly breathable upper that ensures free-flowing winds beneath our toes. Our lab tests confirm this with a 5/5 rating.

Unfortunately, the 2.0 mm tongue lacks cushioning when tying the laces too tight. We recommend managing this before starting with the run.

Hoka Mach 6 brought our treadmill experience to life with its refreshing ride and featherweight feel. This versatile trainer responds to interval training, provides comfort for LSDs, and offers flexibility for easygoing days. It's a vibrant companion, packed with features that elevate our indoor runs, earning the best lightweight treadmill running shoe title, as confirmed by our lab tests.

Weighing a mere 8.2 oz (232g), it’s 12.5% lighter than the average road running shoe. Its loose and fluid build adds to its weightlessness as it follows our natural foot contortions with ease. Our bend test confirms that Mach 6 is 36.4% more flexible than average, bringing unparalleled agility to our strides.

We’re in awe of how airy the shoe feels despite its generous cushioning. Each landing impact feels protected with the 36.0/26.4 mm stack that is composed of a light and balanced 20.4 HA foam. 

Wrapping up the breezy experience is an ultra-breathable knit upper, making heated indoor sessions more bearable. As we pumped smoke into the shoe, it escaped seamlessly, earning an impressive 5/5 breathability score.

However, its toebox tapers significantly in the big toe area. Those with square-shaped feet should find more comfort in other trainers.

Saucony’s Kinvara 15 is our best low-drop treadmill trainer and our lab confirms what we experienced: it’s a no-fuss shoe that feels easy on the feet, regardless of pace. Its grounded platform, loose build, and airy nature kept us agile and fatigue-free in our runs. 

The ride has a hint of stability due to the shoe’s low configuration. With our caliper, we measured a heel-to-toe drop of 4.4 mm, 48.8% less inclined than average. This fosters a natural running sensation akin to barefoot strides, notably with its featherweight 6.8 oz (194g) design, shedding 26.8% off the average running shoe's weight.

The midsole boasts a light PWRRUN foam that allows us to breeze through treadmill training. We found it easy to pick up the pace during speed training. We also felt like we were the main driver of our runs as the shoe freely adapted to our movements. Our bend test confirms its out-of-this-world flexibility to be 53.3% above average.

To maintain comfort during indoor runs, Kinvara 15 has excellent ventilation, and our breathability tests agree with a flawless 5/5 rating.

Regrettably, durability is compromised by the exposed foam and thin rubber areas measuring only 3.0 mm. If longevity is a priority, it's advisable to explore alternative options.

We never felt this level of security and comfort until we wore the ASICS Gel Kayano 31. Our lab findings show its substantial FF Blast+ foam delivers luxurious cushioning, while the 4D Guidance System and expansive platform offer unwavering support. With these, it ranks as our top stability shoe for treadmill runs.

Its 4D Guidance System cleverly gives custom-made support—adjusting to our foot shape with further use and delivering top-tier protection and comfort. Further securing our landings is the wider-than-average midsole, with an extra allowance of 8.3/7.1 mm in the forefoot and heel to help us find our footing.

Since the stability features are so effective, GK31 has the advantage of offering plush cushioning. Our caliper reveals a whopping 39.3/27.8 mm stack that’s 27.1% softer than average per our durometer. This supportive shoe spoiled us with ASICS’ softest foam and even adds the PureGEL in the heel for even gentler landings.

Another surprising element is its unresisting midsole which flows with our natural strides. Our bend test confirmed our sensations as GK31 emerged 14.4% more flexible than the average road running shoe.

Unfortunately, GK31 stays true to the stability shoe’s branding in terms of weight. At a heavy 10.4 oz (295g), it burdened us during faster efforts and performed best during easy runs.

Our search for the best cushioned treadmill-running shoe ended when we found the ASICS Gel Nimbus 26, which fully embodies maximalism. This shoe envelopes our feet with luxurious padding, offering cloud-like plushness from all angles, as proven by our lab. It elevates comfort to new heights as it delivers surefootedness—a crucial feature often overlooked in maximalist shoes.

Upon dissecting the shoe, Gel Nimbus 26 cements its status as our caliper reveals a mega 40.4/32.0 mm stack, boldly exceeding the 33.6/24.8 mm average. It erases landing impact and ground feel almost entirely, with our durometer showing a 20.9% plusher-than-average foam. Further providing gentler landings is the PureGEL technology in the heel.

The padded upper features a stretchy knit with a premium touch. Despite its plushness, we had no encounters with hotspots and blisters in our indoor runs, courtesy of the well-ventilated upper. And breathable it is as our lab reveals an above-average 4/5 rating.

Surprisingly, the ride feels stable despite its height, ensuring proper form even as our feet get tired. The unexpected support comes from the broad base that highly resists twists. Our caliper reveals a generous landing space of 118.4/101.7 mm in the forefoot and heel, more than enough width to find our footing securely.

All the extra comfort comes with additional baggage. At 10.7 oz (303g), Gel Nimbus 26 feels too heavy for faster efforts.

We searched far and wide for the best budget treadmill shoe and our lab results and runs led us to Saucony Axon 3. At only $100, it’s a reliable companion for burning mileage with its comfy cushioning, light build, and durable outsole. The value it delivers can match or even outperform other treadmill running shoes that average $140.

A bang for the buck and a treat for our feet, Axon 3 weighs an airy 8.6 oz (244g), 8.3% lighter than the average road running shoe. Adding to its lightness is the breathable upper that scored a high 4/5 in our lab tests.

The PWRRUN foam has a gentle feel underfoot, boosting comfort during our indoor runs. We counterchecked using our durometer and it revealed a soft 18.3 HA measurement, confirming our experience. Despite being lightweight, its 33.6/27.9 mm stack surprisingly stands above average.

The Carbon Rubber outsole is a winner—ensuring grip while keeping the material sturdy. We barely saw any signs of wear even after running on the treadmill for countless hours. Our measurements confirm the rubber is harder and thicker than the average, promising a long lifespan.

Given its low 5.7 mm drop, we don't recommend this pair to extreme heel strikers or runners who aren’t used to a low configuration.