7 Best Treadmill Running Shoes in 2024

After lab and run trials, we found Deviate Nitro 2 to be the best treadmill running shoe overall. It handled all kinds of runs we did — recovery sessions, speed workouts and LSDs — with finesse, ease and power.

Our treadmill runs felt easy on the legs as the midsole cushion gave a buttery and smooth ride. Our durometer showed that this pair is 33% softer than average. Even after placing the Nitro 2 in the freezer for 20 minutes (to simulate cold weather), it remained 13% softer than other running shoes at room temperature. The shoe is soft, no matter the temperature!

Teaming up with comfort is a midsole that fueled and electrified our speed intervals too! It brought so much vibrance to our indoor run and turned it into a sprightly ride. What also helped is the stiffness. The Deviate Nitro 2 is 90% stiffer than the average at room temperature! 

In the lab, we measured the thickness of the outsole and it turned out to be 9% thicker than average, cementing its position as a durable shoe that can handle miles and miles of treadmill running.

We do not recommend the Deviate Nitro 2 to runners looking for a roomy toebox since the shoe’s measurement of 96.3 mm is right below the average of 97.9 mm.

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 5 brought our treadmill runs 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 boasts many features that infuse our runs with vibrancy, and our lab agrees it’s the best lightweight treadmill running shoe.

Weighing a mere 7.9 oz (225g), it’s 15.4% lighter than the average road running shoe. What also makes it feel airy is its fluid nature, following our natural foot contortions with ease. Our bend test confirms Mach 5 is 30.5% more flexible than average.

Its buttery cushioning supported us with every landing impact. Our durometer confirms it’s 35.9% less dense than average, adding to its lightness. To ensure stability, Mach 5 incorporates a wide landing platform and a subtle heel flare for added support. 

Beneath the midsole is a rubberized EVA foam that serves as the shoe’s “outsole.” However, Mach 5’s focus on comfort and weight reduction compromises and omits the usual tough rubber outsole. As a result, the exposed foam is 29.0% softer than average, indicating a shorter lifespan. 

Saucony’s Kinvara 14 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 foot, regardless of distance or pace. Its balanced and bouncy cushion, loose build, and airy nature keep 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 4.1 mm, 53.4% less inclined than average. This fosters a natural running sensation akin to barefoot strides, notably with its featherweight 6.8 oz (194g) design, shedding 27.1% off the average running shoe's weight. The midsole boasts a light yet responsive PWRRUN foam that adds life to our 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 47.8% above average. To maintain comfort during indoor runs, Kinvara 14 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 2.4 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 30. Our lab findings show its substantial FF Blast+ cushioning delivers a luxurious feel, 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 as the soft foam under our arch adapts to our foot shape with further use. This ensures protection from any unsteadiness. Further securing safe landings is the wider-than-average midsole, with an extra allowance of 10.9/15.1 mm in the forefoot and heel to help us find our footing.

Since the stability features are so effective, GK30 has the advantage of offering plush cushioning. Our caliper reveals a whopping 39.7/27.7 mm stack that’s 29.9% softer than average per our durometer. This supportive shoe spoiled us with ASICS’ softest foam, giving us a smooth and forgiving ride.

Another surprising element is its unresisting midsole which freely flows with our natural strides. Our bend test confirmed our sensations as GK30 emerged 14.4% more flexible than the average road running shoe.

Unfortunately, GK30 stays true to the stability shoe’s branding in terms of weight. At a heavy 10.7 oz (303g), it burdened us during faster efforts.

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 actual runs led us to Saucony Axon 3. At only £110, 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 £150.

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.