Nobody is going to deny that running is a fantastic form of exercise with many health benefits, both for your body and mind, but running isn’t as easy as just sprinting down the sidewalk and hoping for the best. Running on hard surfaces can be very demanding on your feet and end up being quite painful. The one and only real solution to this problem of painful feet is the running shoe.
The best running shoes can help keep your feet cool, pain free, well supported, and able to keep running for as long as the rest of your body will allow. We want to help you find the best running shoes for men. Let’s get to it!
Summary: The Best Running Shoes For Men
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What Makes A Good Running Shoe?
A good pair of running shoes can make the difference between running 10 miles in comfort and running a horribly painful 2 miles, therefore you don’t want to go out and buy the first pair you see. Here are some of the most important factors to look out for when buying any pair of running shoes.
Cushioning & Impact Absorption
Perhaps the most important part of any good running shoe is how much cushioning they have all along the bottom of the foot. The most important places to have a good amount of cushioning is in the front and rear of the foot.
This is so you have a soft surface to run on, and moreover to absorb the impact that you take with each landing on your heels, plus to reduce the impact of your take off as well. The less impact gets transferred to your feet the less painful they will be when going on a long run. Put it this way, you don’t want to run on a hard surface with really hard shoes because that is asking for pain.
Energy Transfer
Another important aspect that makes a good running shoe is the amount of energy that they can transfer from your landing to your takeoff. This means that the running shoes you get should have good cushioning, but that cushioning needs to have a certain amount of spring back ability.
This will ensure that the energy created from the impact of landing on your heels gets transferred to the balls of your feet as you take off with each step. This helps you to save energy and increase your running efficiency by increasing your bounce and stride length.
Arch & Heel Support
The next thing you need to look out for when buying a pair of running shoes is how well they support your feet from the bottom. Your feet have a specific form with a natural arch, an arch that can bottom out and become quite painful when running long distances, especially on hard surfaces or if you suffer from flat feet.
Therefore, the shoes you get need to have a good amount of arch support to stop them from bottoming out and to reinforce the natural form of your feet. Moreover, a good pair of running shoes will also have adequate heel support. This is so your heels don’t move around in the shoes too much, which ultimately helps to reinforce proper form and a good running gait, plus it helps provide for a snug fit too.
On a side note, it helps to get running shoes with removable insoles that you can replace with your own orthotic insoles, especially so if you already suffer from pre-existing foot problems such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, overpronation, and underpronation.
Weight & Materials
Another important aspect of any good running shoe is their weight. Simply put, you want a light shoe so you can save energy. Instead of lifting a brick with each step, you want the shoes to feel almost like they aren’t even there. This will make your running much more efficient.
Moreover, you should also look for some running shoes that have some kind of mesh design on the upper. A mesh design will help keep the shoes lightweight, plus it allows for adequate ventilation so your feet can breathe and stay cool. Keep in mind that the best running shoes will have a mesh upper that has stretch reinforcement in order to provide your feet with support from all directions.
Outer Sole
A next thing to look out for when buying running shoes is the sole of the shoe. The shoe you get should have a very strong rubber outer sole in order to prevent them from ripping or cracking when running long distances. Moreover, a good rubber sole can help reduce impact, it provides you with traction on slippery surfaces, and it can also help transfer energy into your next step.
Running Shoes For Men Reviews
Our Rating
ASICS have done it again because they have gone a long way to deliver you with a very comfortable running shoe. The ASICS Men's Gel Kayano 22 Running Shoes have all of the necessary technology and features to help you run in both comfort and style for as long as your muscles can go for.
Design
Perhaps our favorite part about these shoes is that they feature I.G.S or an impact guidance system. This means that the ASICS Kayano 22 Running Shoes link the guidance system to the trustic system componentry to help enforce your natural gait. This means that your foot will follow a natural path while running and help to enforce proper running form and position.
Another thing that makes these shoes ideal for running is that they feature rear and forefoot gel cushioning. This helps to provide you with a very soft surface to run on, plus it helps to absorb a lot of shock and impact that you take with each step, thus helping to reduce pain that many runners experience when running on hard surfaces. These shoes are soft when you land on the heels and they are soft when you take off from the ball of your foot too.
Yet another thing that makes the Kayano 22 Running shoes so great is the Fluid Ride technology which they employ. This helps to absorb impact all along the whole shoe, plus it provides superior bounce back abilities too, thus increasing your running efficiency quite drastically.
The next thing that makes these shoes ideal for running is the Fluid Fit technology that they use. These shoes have a reinforced stretching mesh upper which helps to support your feet from the top and provide a glove-like fit. Moreover, the mesh itself helps to increase ventilation so your feet can breathe well while you run. This is a very flexible running shoe that moves with your feet instead of against your feet.
The final thing that makes these shoes good for running is that they have a heel clutching system that cups your heel. This helps to keep your heel in one place, stops it from slipping around in the shoe, and also helps to reinforce proper form. This heel support is something that goes a long way in keeping your feet comfortable for as long as you run. There is also the rubber sole that is very durable and helps to absorb more impact than ever.
Value for money
The ASICS Men's Gel Kayano 22 Running Shoes cost under 120 dollars, which is quite affordable when you consider how much support and cushioning these shoes provide. They are very comfortable and durable shoes that provide you with a whole lot of value without a doubt.
Build quality
The build quality of the ASICS Kayano 22 Running Shoes is just great. They have multiple support systems as well as ways of providing a soft and impact free surface for your feet to run on. These shoes are comfortable, durable, and they look pretty snazzy too.
Pros
- Heel clutching system for support and proper form
- I.G.S to enforce proper form and running gait
- Lots of cushioning throughout the shoe
- Great at absorbing impact
- Good bounce back for running efficiency
- Solid rubber outer sole
- Very good looking
Cons
- Fabric covering the top of the heels is quite weak
- Toe of the shoe is quite narrow
Our Rating
If you are looking for a fantastic pair of running shoes with super durable outer soles, excellent cushioning and shock absorption, energy transfer, and a lightweight design, the Saucony Men’s Guide 9 Running Shoe is the way to go.
Design
The thing that we like the most about the Saucony Guide 9 Running Shoes is that they have an XT-900 carbon rubber outer sole. In other words, these shoes have a tougher and more durable outer sole than many any other running shoes out there. To make them even more durable they also feature iBR+ outsole pods that reduce the wear and tear on high-stress areas.
Something else that makes this particular model an ideal running shoe is that it reinforces proper running form and foot support. They feature an 8 mm drop from the back to the front, plus they also have a decent amount of arch and heel support. This helps to keep your feet in the shape they were meant to be while running and it helps reinforce the natural forward motion of your feet too.
Yet another thing that we like about these running shoes is that they have an SRC Impact Zone Cushioning System. This helps to provide a soft running surface and it also absorbs a whole lot of impact when you land on your heels with each step you take. Moreover, these things also feature EveRun technology that cushions your feet from front to back and absorbs more impact than ever before. This technology also helps to transfer energy from your landing to your takeoff for optimal energy use and running efficiency.
The next thing that we like about these shoes is that they are very lightweight to make running easier than ever. Plus they also feature mesh overlays that make them very breathable and keep your feet cool and dry for the duration of your run. All in all, the Saucony Men's Guide 9 Running Shoes are some very durable and comfortable shoes.
Value for money
For something like 60 dollars you really can’t argue with the value that these running shoes provide you with. They are some of the most durable running shoes that we have come across in a long time, they have adequate support, they are lightweight and breathable, and they do a fantastic job at absorbing impact too.
Build quality
We can’t complain about the build quality of the Saucony Guide 9 Running Shoes either. These shoes do a great job at transferring energy to make you more efficient at running, they are very strong and rugged, and they keep your feet comfortable and pain free for as long as you run.
Pros
- Rugged outer sole
- Impact zone cushioning for a soft run
- EveRun technology for energy transfer
- Have a good amount of all around support
- Very lightweight
- Breathable and cool
- Reinforce your natural stride
Cons
- Could have more arch support for long distance running
- Toe box is a little tight
Our Rating
The Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 16 Running Shoe is a great choice because it helps provide everybody with ultimate in comfort, durability, and support too. Running long distances with these men’s running shoes should be no problem at all.
Design
Something about these shoes that makes them ideal for running is that they have something called Omega Flex Grooves. These grooves serve to make the Adrenaline GTS 16 an extremely flexible running shoe which provides you with ultimate forefoot movement abilities. In other words, these running shoes are very flexible and work with your feet instead of holding them back. They help to keep your movement fluid, almost like wearing no shoes at all.
Yet another thing that makes these shoes ideal for running is their HPR Plus features. This is a special kind of technology that helps to increase the durability of the outer sole and various other parts of the shoe with advanced reinforcement. This serves to make these shoes very tough and resistant to the wear and tear that comes with daily running.
Moreover, these shoes are comfortable to run in thanks to their element linings that help to wick away moisture, thus decreasing the chances of foot irritation or blisters. Moreover, this also helps your feet to breathe well so they stay nice and cool while you run.
Something else we like is that these shoes have a wide fit with a Caterpillar crash pad. This helps to provide you with unrivaled cushioning from front to back. They are great at giving you a soft surface to run on, one which absorbs a whole lot of impact, and even helps to provide you with that spring in your step that all runners want. This crash pad allows for full ground contact that lets you greatly increase your running efficiency.
These shoes also have an adjustable saddle design to provide you with targeted support. This is great because it lets you choose where the shoes provide the most support, thus keeping your feet comfortable and pain free while you run. The rubber sole is just another great aspect of these shoes which helps to absorb impact, not to mention that it is quite durable as well.
Value for money
For somewhere around 80 dollars, you really could not expect any more value from the Brooks Men's Adrenaline GTS 16 Running Shoes. The bottom line is that they provide a soft surface to run on, one that helps to increase running efficiency, provides adequate support, and are very durable too.
Build quality
We have got nothing really bad to say about the build quality of these running shoes. They have a very durable outer sole and a reinforced mesh upper, making them extremely rugged and able to withstand a whole lot of punishment. The fact that they help to absorb impact and also provide quite a bit of support just makes them even better.
Pros
- Durable outer sole
- Big Caterpillar crash pad
- Good heel to toe transition
- Breathable lining that wicks away moisture
- Very flexible and ergonomically built
- Lots of impact absorption and cushioning
- Adjustable saddle for customized support
Cons
- Hard tongue presses down on the mid foot
- Not much arch support
Our Rating
These lightweight running shoes make running as comfortable as humanly possible. They are very flexible, help reinforce natural form and motion, and they can even help strengthen your feet, plus they have a decent amount of cushioning too.
Design
One of the very best parts about the Nike Men's Free 5.0+ Breathe Running Shoes is that they have diagonal cuts along the arch of the sole. This helps to reinforce a natural foot movement for proper form, it helps to make the shoes flexible so they work with your feet, and they even help to increase foot strength as well.
Something else that makes these shoes ideal for running is that they have asymmetrical lacing in order to reduce the pressure put on the top of your feet when the shoes are tied to fit your feet snugly.
Another thing that makes these Nike running shoes great for running long distances is that they are made out of a combination of synthetic materials and mesh. The upper of the shoe features a mesh lining that helps keep the shoes flexible, plus it also allows your feet to breathe so they don’t get too hot while you run. There is also the fact that the textured mesh full inner sleeve helps provide a snug glove like fit to keep your feet comfortable inside the shoes.
We also like these Nike running shoes because they have a very durable rubber sole. The sole is not going to rip or fall apart anytime soon, plus they also have more than adequate traction to prevent falling on slippery surfaces. Another great aspect of these shoes is that they also have an adequate amount of cushioning along the whole bottom of the foot, thus helping to absorb impact and keep your feet from becoming painful while you run.
Value for money
For just around 90 dollars you really can’t go wrong with the Nike Men's Free 5.0+ Breathe Running Shoes. They provide you with a lot of comfort, they are cool to wear, have lots of cushioning, they reinforce natural movement and strengthen your feet, plus they also have a very durable sole with good traction.
Build quality
The build quality of these running shoes is more than ideal for all kinds of running routines. They have more than enough cushioning to keep your feet pain free for quite a long time, they have a very durable build with a tough outer sole, and the fact that they help to strengthen your feet only serves to add to the quality even more.
Pros
- Good traction
- Very durable outer sole
- Adequate cushioning
- Flexible
- Enforce natural movement
- Can help strengthen your feet
- Mesh upper for breathability
- Mesh inner lining for a snug fit
Cons
- Sized very small
- Not too much underfoot support
Our Rating
The ASICS Gel Nimbus 18 Running Shoes are some extremely comfortable running shoes for men. They are comfortable shoes that keep your feet cool and they offer a whole lot of support and cushioning too, all in an effort to help you improve your running experience from one day to the next.
Design
One of the things that we really like about the ASICS Men’s Gel Nimbus 18 Running Shoe is that it features Fluid Fit technology in the upper of the shoe. It combines multi-directional stretch mesh with stretching reinforcements. This helps to create a snug and glove-like fit around your foot to support it from the top. Moreover, the mesh design helps to provide your feet with ventilation so they don’t get too hot or sweaty as you run.
Something else that helps keep your feet comfortable in these shoes is that it was built with a seamless construction so there aren’t any seams on the inside that may irritate your feet and cause blisters.
Yet another thing that makes these particular running shoes ideal for running is that they have more than enough cushioning to make it feel like you are running on a cloud. The ASICS Nimbus 18 Running Shoes have both rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning to help reduce the shock that is delivered to your feet with every step that you take. Every time your heel lands and every time your forefoot takes off, the gel cushioning helps to keep your feet as pain free as can be.
This is combined with the Fluid Ride technology that these shoes use to provide you with a soft surface to run on, one that helps to transfer the energy of every step into your next step, thus providing you with that bounce you want while running.
The other thing that we really like about these shoes is that they have a heel clutching system in order to provide your heel and rearfoot with support. This is great because it means that your heel won’t slip around in the shoe as you run, it is well supported, and it makes the shoes fit to your heels like a glove. Moreover, we also like the rubber outer sole that is fairly durable, helps absorb shock, and doesn’t scuff the floor either.
Value for money
For around 100 dollars you really can’t go wrong with the Nimbus 18 Men’s Running Shoes. These shoes are built to run long distances and they feature various pieces of advanced technology to keep your feet cool, well supported, and very comfortable too. Value is something that these running shoes definitely do deliver.
Build quality
The build quality of the ASICS Nimbus 18 Running Shoes is simply amazing. The seamless construction and mesh upper keep your feet cool and free of irritation, they help support your feet from all angles, and they make it feel like you are running on a cushion of clouds. These are shoes that will keep your feet as comfortable as humanly possible for the whole duration of your run.
Pros
- Great heel cupping system
- Seamless construction for less irritation
- Mesh stretch upper for ventilation and support
- Lots of cushioning in the rear and forefoot
- Nonscuff rubber sole
- Lot of bounce back and impact absorption
Cons
- Hard plastic in the heel may cause slight irritation
- Fit slightly small
Our Rating
If you are looking for a lightweight, breathable, and comfortable running shoe with good cushioning and great running efficiency, the Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider 19 Running Shoe definitely makes for a fantastic running shoe choice.
Design
Perhaps the best part about the Mizuno Running Shoes is that they feature an U4icX strobel board along the whole bottom. This helps to provide you with unparalleled cushioning and shock absorption. Each step that you take feels like you are running on a bouncy cloud, something that helps reduce arch and under foot pain for the duration of your run.
Another thing that makes the Mizuno Wave Rider 19 Running Shoes great for running long distances is that they have a breathable mesh upper. This lets your feet breathe and stay cool while you run, plus it also helps moisture evaporate so your feet don’t get too hot and sweaty, something that can cause blisters and irritation.
Yet another thing that makes these particular running shoes a fantastic choice is that they feature Parallel Wave Technology. This means that the Mizuno Running Shoes help to reinforce the natural movement and gait of your feet and stride, thus keeping you on track, providing a decent amount of support, and keeping your feet quite comfortable too. These things also have a refined toe spring to help transfer energy from every landing into your takeoff, thus helping to increase your running efficiency.
Something else that everyone can appreciate about these running shoes is the synthetic outer sole which is very durable, helps absorb impact, and even better, it won’t scuff up the ground of an indoor running surface. We also like the classic 3D Mizuno fit that provides support from all angles to help reduce pain and reinforce your natural foot form even more. Even better is the premium sock liner that helps wick away moisture more than ever, it helps provide for a snug and secure fit, and it also provides you with quite a bit of rebound power as well.
Value for money
The Mizuno Men's Wave Rider 19 Running Shoes cost around 80 dollars, which is quite affordable for such a good pair of shoes. They provide a whole lot of value thanks to the various features that help keep your feet comfortable, cool, well supported, and also help to increase your running efficiency as well.
Build quality
The build quality of these particular Mizuno Running Shoes is quite good. Their special design makes them quite durable, yet very comfortable and breathable at the same time. They have enough cushioning and support to keep your feet pain free while running, and they have some neat power conversion features too.
Pros
- Strobel board for cushioning and impact absorption
- Durable scuff free synthetic outer sole
- Wave technology to provide a flexible fit that reinforces natural motion
- Classic 3D Mizuno fit for multi-directional support
- Lightweight and breathable
- Good for impact absorption
- Help wick away moisture
Cons
- Too narrow for wide or flat feet
- May be a little stiff for some – need breaking in
Our Rating
If you are looking for a basic and affordable pair of running shoes, the ASICS Men’s Gel Contend 3 Running Shoe is without a doubt a fantastic choice. They don’t have all that many special features, but they are more than adequate enough for some intense running routines.
Design
One of the best parts about this ASICS model of running shoe is that they feature a full-length gel cushioning pad. This is fantastic because it helps to provide a soft running surface all along the shoe from front to back. The gel cushioning absorbs most of the impact that would otherwise be transferred to your feet from each step that you take, this helping to reduce pain and letting you run for longer with ease.
Another really neat part about the ASICS Men's Gel Contend 3 Running Shoes is that the inner liner can be removed in order to accommodate for orthotic inserts. The shoes themselves may not have that much arch support, but thanks to being able to fit your own specialized insoles, you have the choice of having them provide them with the exact amount of support that you need to keep your feet in proper form and pain free.
The next thing we really like about these ASICS Running Shoes is that they have multiple mesh underlays. This helps to make these shoes very lightweight and breathable. Having cool feet that aren’t covered in sweat is essential to a comfortable running experience, which is exactly what these shoes provide you with, not to mention that being lightweight helps increase how far you can run as well. These shoes also have a very durable outer sole in order to help them last for a long time, absorb impact, and put a certain spring in your step too.
Value for money
For around 50 dollars, you really can’t go wrong with the ASICS Men's Gel Contend 3 Running Shoes. They don’t have the most advanced features out of all the shoes on this list, but they do more than enough to keep your feet cool, comfortable, and pain free for as long as you run.
Build quality
The build quality of these shoes is pretty decent no doubt. Their synthetic and mesh build helps keep them lightweight and breathable while also maintaining a certain amount of durability. Plus the synthetic outer sole is quite tough, not to mention that being able to replace the insoles with your own orthotics is a great feature too.
Pros
- Mesh for lightweight breathability
- Removable insoles
- Good cushioning – full-length gel pad
- Great for impact absorption
Cons
- Not much arch or heel support
- Not very flexible
Conclusion
The best running shoes for men are the ones that help support your arches and heels, help absorb impact with good cushioning, transfer energy of every step, and keep your feet feeling light and cool. Of course, everyone has different needs, so we would definitely recommend checking out several of the above options before you make a final decision.
Running is a great sport, so if you are having problems with finding a good pair of running shoes, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can!
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