7 Best Treadmill Running Shoes in 2025

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 37.3% greater bendability than average in our 30-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.

Our search for the best shock-absorbing treadmill-running shoe ended when we found the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13, which fully embodies maximum impact protection. This shoe envelopes our feet with luxurious padding from all angles, as proven by our lab. It elevates comfort to new heights as it delivers a natural ride through its flexibility.

What’s amazing about 1080 v13 is how it offers plushness without the bulk. Its moderate 34.1/28.5 mm stack erases landing impact and ground feel almost entirely with its high level of shock absorption, proven by our lab test with amazing scores of 148 SA in the heel and 121 SA in the forefoot. With figures way above average, we had no doubts about its ability to reduce landing force.

The padded knit upper has a premium touch. Despite its plushness, we had no encounters with overheating in our indoor runs, courtesy of the well-ventilated upper. And breathable it is, as our lab reveals a perfect 5/5 rating.

The midsole has a lot of give for bending our feet, which enhances comfort. In our flex test, it emerged 12.7% more malleable than average.

Note that it features a low 5.6 mm drop, more suitable for midfoot and forefoot strikers. We recommend heel strikers to go for a shoe with a steeper drop for a more seamless experience.

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.

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 brought our indoor runs to life with its boundless energy, divine cushioning, and breathable build. It feels explosive underneath, backed up by record-breaking lab results, and is our treadmill running shoe with the best energy return.

The IncrediRUN foam sets a new standard for responsiveness and feels so incredible underfoot. Measuring for energy return, we recorded 80.6% in the heel and 82.1% in the forefoot, the highest we’ve encountered so far, and our feet can’t deny it!

Another feature we enjoyed is its impressive impact protection. With a maximum height of 39.9/32.4 mm, and top-level shock absorption of 157 SA in the heel and 123 SA in the forefoot, we feel like we could keep running forever with its uber-plush platform.

And when the adrenaline sets in and the heat goes up, the upper keeps us cool and refreshed. In our lab test, the smoke we pumped in flowed out easily, proving it deserves the maximum 5/5 breathability score.

However, the soft and stacked cushioning demands proper form. Those who need extra support should try stability shoes.

We never felt this level of security and comfort until we wore the ASICS Gel Kayano 32. Our lab findings show that its substantial FF Blast+ ECO 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 5.5/6.5 mm in the forefoot and heel to help us find our footing.

Since the stability features are so effective, GK32 has the advantage of offering plush cushioning. Our calliper reveals a whopping 39.9/30.6 mm stack, with far above-average shock absorption scores of 133/116 SA in the heel and forefoot, respectively. This supportive shoe spoiled us with ASICS’ leg-saving foam and adds the PureGEL in the heel for even gentler landings.

Unfortunately, GK32 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.

We thoroughly enjoyed our training runs with the Adidas Adizero EVO SL. It oozes pure comfort, 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 Adidas shoe is our best tempo trainer for treadmill running.

The main source of power lies in the Lightstrike Pro midsole. Testing for energy return, it returned impressive scores of 74.3% in the heel and 70.3% in the forefoot, validating the propulsive toe-offs we felt.

Our cut-in-half shoe reveals its lack of a carbon plate, making it comfortable for easy runs to race pace. True enough, our bend test reveals it’s 34.7% more flexible than average, keeping the ride smooth and all natural.

Another element that keeps us chasing the miles is its light 7.9 oz (223g) build, 15.8% below average. Topping it off is an incredibly breathable upper that ensures free-flowing winds beneath our toes. Our smoke test confirms we won’t overheat indoors with its 5/5 rating.

Unfortunately, its narrow midsole makes it less suitable for those needing extra support. Those who need more guidance should go for a stability shoe.

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 calliper, 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.