Best Running Shoes of 2024: The 12 Models Runners Reached for Most

Introduction

This ranking is built from a large community poll in which around 500 individual shoe responses were collected, asking runners which models they had been reaching for most often. It is not a critic’s list; it reflects what everyday runners actually laced up and enjoyed throughout the year.

The headline stat: Asics dominated, with 30.1% of respondents naming an Asics shoe as their most-used. Adidas followed at 15%, then Nike at 12.3%, Hoka at 11.9%, Puma at 9.3%, and Saucony at 7.1%. Those six brands covered roughly 86% of all shoes recorded. Another telling number: 51% of all models mentioned were concentrated in the top 10, proof that when a shoe is a hit, runners keep coming back to it.

Best Overall: Asics SuperBlast 2

The Asics SuperBlast 2 won by a landslide, taking roughly double the votes of the second-place shoe, about 25% of all votes in the entire poll. The appeal is easy to understand: a bit more stack than a typical daily trainer, better durability and outsole grip than the original, and a super forgiving ride that never feels heavy or bulky. It covers an enormous range of uses, from easy miles to marathon training blocks, and Asics has set a very high bar with this one. The only catch is availability, which remains frustrating for many buyers.

Best Daily Value: Adidas Adizero SL2

The Adidas Adizero SL2 took second place, edging out the Metaspeed Sky Paris by just a couple of votes. It is a massive step up from the original SL, with big improvements in performance, feel, and fit. Runners repeatedly praised its availability and price as much as its capability, particularly for shorter efforts in the 5K to 10K range. The midsole now includes more Light Strike Pro, and a wide version exists for wider feet. It suits the Adidas European foot shape best, so a try-on is worth it if possible.

Best Premium Racer: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

Third place goes to the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, which earned about 11.1% of the top-10 votes and roughly 6% of all votes overall. The FF Turbo Plus midsole is energetic and compressive, and the flatter plate position seems to make the shoe work exceptionally well for many runners. It has carried runners to 10K and half marathon personal bests, and it is even lighter than its obvious Nike rival. Availability is the main complaint; it can be hard to find in stock.

Best Long Run Shoe: Nike Alphafly 3

The Nike Alphafly 3 took 8.6% of the top-10 votes and fourth place overall. It is widely considered unmatched for long runs: wonderful cushioning combined with a reduction in weight leaves runners feeling remarkably fresh after big Sunday sessions. It is seen as a return to form after the second version disappointed. Durability has held up well for many owners, though some apply a protective sealant to the heel area to keep the ZoomX foam from taking too much wear. Many buyers who race regularly end up owning more than one pair.

Best Budget-Friendly Trainer: Hoka Mach 6

The Hoka Mach 6 lands at number five with close to 5% of all votes overall and 8% of the top-10 results. Its appeal is largely about value: it comes in well below the pricier Mach X2 while offering a lower stack and something more usable on a daily basis. For runners who want one dependable shoe for most of their week without stretching the budget, this is an easy recommendation.

Best Tempo Trainer: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Sixth place belongs to the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, a model that has featured in best-of lists since the range first launched. It is light and snappy, with an energizing feel underfoot thanks to the nylon plate. The softness is slightly reduced compared with the previous version, but grip and durability are both improved, which matters in wet conditions. A very capable tempo and workout shoe.

Best All-Round Daily: Asics Novablast 4

The Asics Novablast 4 sits at number seven and, along with the rest of the brand’s entries, helps Asics account for about 21% of the entire top 10. It is a superb daily operator with improved outsole grip, a very good blend of soft cushioning and responsiveness, and impressive durability. It absorbs the miles comfortably and can be thrown on for almost any session regardless of pace or intent.

Best Plate Trainer: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

Puma lands at number eight with the Deviate Nitro Elite 3, a shoe many considered excellent value at around 195 GBP in the UK. The midsole is super soft, forgiving, and energetic, and the plate makes it an ideal long run shoe. Durability is a genuine standout: it bucks the trend for carbon plate shoes, with no outsole degradation even approaching 100 miles, and grip is better than many rivals. The frustrating part is availability; stock seems limited and pairs sell out almost immediately. Puma simply needs to make more of them.

Best Value Carbon Trainer: Adidas Adizero Boston 12

Ninth place goes to the Adidas Adizero Boston 12, still hugely popular despite launching back in 2023. It rarely gets discounted, but the shoe earns its price: excellent grip from the Continental rubber layer, an improved midsole with a slightly softer Light Strike 2.0 compound plus a generous layer of Light Strike Pro, and an upper that is racy yet comfortable. A genuine all-rounder that has aged well.

Best Max Cushion Racer: Hoka Cielo X1

The Hoka Cielo X1 takes tenth place. It is something of a cruise liner of a shoe: very comfortable, with lots of cushioning and a stable, cozy ride that can still pick up the pace when needed. The trade-off is weight, which keeps it from feeling nimble. The bold, colorful upper design divides opinion, but the viewers clearly love running in it. The main wish is simply for a slightly lower price.

Just Outside the Top 10

Three models narrowly missed the cut but earned plenty of votes and deserve a mention.

The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 attracted loads of votes, helped by frequent heavy discounts that made it a bargain for a shoe with such strong midsole materials, a composite carbon plate, and outstanding grip from Puma’s PUMAGRIP rubber.

The Asics Neo Vista also just missed out, a max-cushion trainer with a distinctive chunky look that plenty of runners keep asking about.

And the Hoka Mach X2 missed the top 10 by only a few votes. It remains a favorite for its buttery soft midsole sitting on a crisp plate, a combination that feels blissful in motion. If your budget stretches beyond the Mach 6, it is a lovely upgrade.

Overall Buying Advice

The big takeaway from this ranking is that Asics is the brand runners are reaching for most, while Nike’s presence is narrowing to a single standout, the Alphafly 3. Hoka and Puma are gaining ground, On-running barely registers, and Saucony holds steady.

If you want one shoe that does nearly everything, the SuperBlast 2 is the community’s clear favorite, provided you can find it in stock. For value, the Adizero SL2 and Hoka Mach 6 are the smart picks. For racing and long runs, the Alphafly 3 and Metaspeed Sky Paris are the premium choices. And if durability tops your list, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 stands out among carbon plate shoes.

Conclusion

The community has spoken, and the Asics SuperBlast 2 is the runaway shoe of the year, with the Adizero SL2, Metaspeed Sky Paris, and Alphafly 3 forming a strong chasing pack. Whichever tier of this list fits your budget and training, each of these 12 models earned its place through genuine, repeated use by everyday runners rather than hype.