If you are a newbie, you must be wondering what the best running shoes are. Don’t worry. Beacuse, we reviewed more than 30 running shoes, and would like to share the top picks of this year. To begin with, we really enjoyed the Asics and the Brooks running shoes. These two companies combined the technology and the feedbacks from their customers and re-designed their products. Here is the top pick running shoes of Asics and Brooks that we liked a lot and recommend.
Here is the full list of Best Running Shoes of the Year:
We strongly encourage you to check our “Best Brooks Running Shoes” article, if you are a Brooks fan like we are! Also, you can see our “Brooks vs Asics” post, if you are wondering the key differences between those two running shoe brands.
OUR TOP SELECTION BEST RUNNING SHOES
Asics Gel Kayano 28:
What we liked the most
Top support and stability
✔
Smooth and responsive footstrike transition
✔
Cushy upper material & Great lock-in feel
✔
Well-shaped, great fit
✔
Plush
✔
Comfortable
✔
Premium & Luxurious feel
✔
Smooth ride
✔
Good for walking
✔
Perfect grip on wet & dry surfaces
✔
Superb durability
✔
Narrow, Wide, and Extra-Wide options
✔
What we dont like
Heavy
✗
Heel Slipping
✗
Average breathability
✗
Not for speed runs
✗
No gusseted tongue
✗
We loved the smooth ride, the fit and the plush feeling. Although, it has been categorized as balanced cushioning, we think the Asics Gel Kayano 28 is as plush as the most comfortable running shoes in the market. If you are looking for a stability shoes, you should definitely consider the Asics Gel Kayano 28. It deserves a high credit for its performance and it is worth the every penny.
Cushion: Gel Nimbus 23 is very comfortable, due to Gel & FlyteFoam.
✔
Ride: Excellent smooth ride.
✔
Upper comfort: Very soft upper, locks the foot securely. Perfect fit.
✔
Wide Toe Box for Natural Toe Splay
✔
Traction: AHAR outsole works very well. We did not encounter any slippage. Good choice for wet and dry surfaces
✔
Great Durability – long lasting Shoe
✔
What we dont like
Bulky: It is heavy and clunky. The Gel in the heel adds extra weight (but increases the shock absorption)
✗
The Asics Gel Nimbus 23 is the top notch comfort shoe in the Asics Family. It is a neutral running shoe which is highly cushioned and comfortable at any points. The Asics updated the arch area, and filled that area with more support. If you have high arches (supinate), you should definitely consider Asics Gel Nimbus 23. It is a plush and long lasting running shoe and very suitable for the long runs.
Cushioning: Gel Cumulus 23 is very comfortable due to Gel & FlyteFoam (but less cushioning than the Nimbus)
✔
Ride: A bit stiff, but feels smooth and responsive ride.
✔
Upper comfort: Very soft upper, locks the foot securely. Perfect fit.
✔
Extra Wide Width Option
✔
Wide Toe Box for Natural Toe Splay
✔
Traction: AHAR Lite outsole works very well. We did not encounter any slippage. Good choice for wet and dry surfaces
✔
Great Durability – long lasting Shoe
✔
What we dont like
Not so bouncy
✗
Warm: Although the mesh upper is updated to increase the breathability, it still needs improvement. The collar and the tongue traps the heat, may be this is not the best shoe for the hot days.
✗
It is a cushioned trainer and very popular amongst the running shoes. We would like to prepare a quick guide which includes a complete list of details about the Asics Gel Cumulus 23 that will give you a foresight for a decision. To begin with, The Gel Cumulus 23 is neutral running shoe, and it is cushioned and responsive. We would like to begin with answering the question; why is the Gel Cumulus 23 the best for average runners? The First, it has a good balance between cushioning and the stability. The second, it is not as pricey as the some high-end products.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22: Great Stability for Over Pronators
What we liked the most
Super stable and supportive
✔
Very comfortable
✔
Reliable
✔
Durable
✔
Smoother and softer than its predecessor (GTS 20)
✔
Updated Air Mesh Upper: Lighter / Breathable / Snug Fit
✔
Roomy for toe splay
✔
What we dont like
Heavier than the average of the running shoes we tested
✗
Lacks responsiveness compared to its contenders in the same class
✗
Rubbing on the bare skin (upper)
✗
The ideal running shoe is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 for Over-pronates. It is highly supportive and stable which is equipped with GuideRails to prevent excess ankle movements. It is a maximalist runner which has a smoother heel to toe transition.
The Brooks Glycerin 20 is the best cushioned neutral running shoes in the Brooks Running Shoes family, and it is perfect for runners who seek a daily trainer for neutral pronates. This plush shoe is designed for comfort, indeed the Glycerin 20 is all about the comfort.
Brooks Launch 9: Best Running Shoes for Speed Work
Not for an experienced runner, but for a beginner the Launch 9 is the best bang for the buck with its offerings. This speed trainer is highly durable and fairly cushioned and lightweight. The forefoot is rigid to speed up; the rest of the shoe including the upper is surprisingly flexible.
What we liked the most
Surprisingly flexible (except the forefoot)
✔
Best budged speed trainer – Great Value
✔
Light weight
✔
Well-fitting upper, hugs the feet
✔
Highly breathable upper
✔
No heel slipping
✔
What we don’t like
A bit narrow and fitting of tongue is not the best
Brooks Levitate 5: Best Running Shoes for Marathons
The springy structure of the Brooks Levitate 5 is consistent and reliable and gives you a great energy return. The Brooks Levitate 5 is good for a mid-distance training runs, especially for marathons or ultra-marathons races. It is designed for neutral pronates and highly cushioned. The Levitate 5 is the top-notch springy trainer. Simply saying, it has the best energy-return amongst the running shoes we tested so far.
What we liked the most
Highly supportive neutral running shoe due to its moderate firm heel counter and forefoot.
The Levitate 5 is true-to-size. The Fit Knit Upper is so good, and it offers a near-custom fit. It hugs and conforms to shape of the foot.
Great energy return in every stride.
The Levitate 5 has a fast heel-to-toe transition
Very comfortable
What we don’t like
It is good to note that the fit for narrow feet is not the best. We needed to tighten the laces hard enough to snug it down.
The Brooks Revel 5 running shoe can do a bit of everything and a perfect pair for a beginner level runner. It is soft but not super soft (balanced cushioning), therefore not the best for long recovery runs. On the other hand, it touches soft enough and therefore not the best for really fast efforts or race day. Simply saying, the Revel 5 has a little bit of everything, but not specific for goal oriented trainings such as speed works or long distance recovery runs.
