Best Running Shoes of the Year 2024: Every Award Winner and Runner-Up Worth Knowing

Introduction

Every year produces a handful of running shoes that rise above the rest, and 2024 was an unusually strong one across every category. The picks below cover the full spectrum: race day super shoes, beginner-friendly carbon racers, super trainers, daily trainers, max cushion cruisers, stability workhorses, underrated sleepers, lifestyle crossovers, and the value picks we recommend most often.

The short version: the Nike Alphafly 3 reclaimed the race day crown, the Asics Superblast 2 remained the do-it-all benchmark, and a few surprises like the Diadora Gherardo Carbon and Brooks Glycerin Max shook up their categories. Here is every winner and runner-up, category by category.

Race Day Super Shoes

Winner: Nike Alphafly 3

The Alphafly 3 brought back everything that made the original special after a disappointing second version. It feels like the best of the Vaporfly and the original Alphafly blended into one shoe: light, bouncy, and fun, with a forefoot air unit that adds real pop when you need it most in the later miles of a marathon. The surprise was the weight. In larger men’s sizes it still comes in under eight ounces, which is remarkable given the plate and air technology packed in. For every race of the year where shoe choice was open, this was the one on foot.

Runner-Up: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

The Sky Paris is a phenomenal race shoe that kept its predecessor’s lightness while softening the foam slightly, and the result is a ride that some runners may prefer even over the top pick. The updates from the previous version were meaningful without changing the shoe’s character. It is a genuine alternative for marathon day, not just a consolation prize.

Beginner Racing Shoes

Winner: New Balance SC Elite v4

This is the shoe we recommend to runners who want a race day experience without the aggressive edge of an elite super shoe. The FuelCell foam is soft, responsive, and forgiving, and the wider platform helps when your form breaks down late in a marathon. The upper delivers a secure lockdown while still feeling approachable, closer to a daily trainer fit than a razor-thin race upper. It has also become a favorite among runners with wider feet, thanks to a roomy midfoot that does not pinch.

Runner-Up: Salomon S/Lab Spectur

The Spectur was designed specifically for runners expecting to be on course for longer than three and a half hours. Premium foam and a carbon fiber plate give it real race shoe snap, but a stable heel and added structure keep your form together over long distances. Many testers ended up using it for daily miles as well, which says a lot about how comfortable it is.

Super Trainers

Winner: Nike Zoomfly 6

The Zoomfly 6 was the surprise here, since earlier versions never clicked. With ZoomX foam underfoot and a carbon fiber plate, it now feels like a true training companion to the Alphafly 3, giving you that familiar ride so race day feels natural. The upper is structured, the collar is well padded, and it is durable enough for daily use. It is a touch heavy for a racer, but determined runners could absolutely race in it.

Runner-Up: Hoka Cielo X1

The Cielo X1 was pitched as a premium race shoe, but its weight, unusual upper, and fussy lacing pushed it into super trainer territory instead, and that is where it shined. Testers logged huge mileage in it and kept coming back: the rocker rolls beautifully, the cushioning kept legs feeling fresh, and it could still pick up the pace when asked. The main drawback is the $275 price, though the generous outsole rubber means it should last hundreds of miles.

Daily Trainers

Winner: Puma Deviate Nitro 3

The Deviate Nitro 3 is a daily trainer that can do everything: easy mileage, long runs, and tempo work. The Nitro foam is bouncy and durable, the PWRPLATE adds snap without feeling too aggressive for everyday use, and Puma Grip delivered excellent traction through a full summer of testing. The upper breathes well and fits cleanly. If someone asks for a daily trainer with a bit more spice than a standard EVA shoe, this is the recommendation.

Runner-Up: New Balance Rebel v4

Technically an uptempo trainer, the Rebel v4 earned its daily trainer status by feeling great at any speed. It is light and nimble with a bouncy FuelCell midsole, yet it stays comfortable on easy days. It is also one of the best-looking shoes of the year. Early word on the v5 suggests the thin forefoot criticism will be addressed, but this version remains a fantastic pick for quick, versatile miles.

Max Cushion Trainers

Winner: Brooks Glycerin Max

The Glycerin Max shocked the testers who least expected to love a Brooks design. The trick is a dual-density supercritical foam that chemically bonds two foams together with no adhesive: soft and squishy on landing, yet bouncy and stable through the core. The wide platform keeps the big stack feeling planted, the mesh upper is simple but well padded, and turnover is easy enough that you can pick up the pace when you feel good. Not the lightest shoe, but arguably the most enjoyable max cushion ride of the year.

Runner-Up: Puma MagMax Nitro

Puma’s surprise entry arrived with a huge stack of responsive Nitro foam and, crucially, the best uppers the brand has produced. The knit tongue and sidewalls lock your foot into a secure groove, so the giant slab of foam never feels unstable, aided further by a very wide base and reliable Puma Grip. It breathes adequately despite the substantial build, and it is simply fun to run in.

Fit and Function

Winner: Brooks Hyperion Max 2

The Hyperion Max 2 may wear the best upper of any shoe this year, with a race-style fit and sawtooth laces that lock the foot in perfectly. The best version of DNA FLASH foam Brooks has produced and a nylon plate make it shine at tempo pace, where the ride feels connected and energetic. The trade-off: at slower paces the ride turns firm and a bit harsh, so it rewards runners who keep the pace honest.

Runner-Up: Mount to Coast R1

From a brand-new company, the R1 was a genuine surprise hit. Its GOLOW frame harnesses the foot for stability over long miles, and the standout feature is a zonal lacing system with a forefoot toggle: loosen the front of the shoe mid-run to accommodate swelling while keeping the top locked down. Combined with zero forefoot sag, it is a compelling road ultra shoe that rolls smoothly through the stride. It even handled 20-mile training runs with ease.

Stability

Winner: Asics Gel-Kayano 31

The Kayano 31 remains the industry standard for stability trainers. Asics has moved away from hard medial posting and now uses geometry and a wide platform to deliver a stable, smooth ride. It looks better than ever, stays reasonably light for the category, and earns miles from the stability review team and even pro athletes on easy days. If you need guidance in your ride, this is still the default answer.

Runner-Up: Mount to Coast P1

The P1 uses a modern light-stability approach: a 3D arch element for guidance, a two-piece molded insole for targeted support, and a PEBA-blend midsole that bounces nicely. It is a clean, good-looking package that the stability reviewers put serious mileage into and genuinely enjoyed. Even testers who avoid stability shoes said this is the one they would wear.

Most Underrated

Winner: Topo Athletic Spectre 2

The Spectre 2 deserved far more conversation than it got. It is a beautifully simple shoe: a wide, natural toe box that wraps the foot well, a 37mm heel stack, a 5mm drop, and a slab of genuine PEBA foam delivering a bouncy, comfortable, versatile ride. Ultra runners keep drifting to Topo for exactly this kind of shoe, and the price makes it an easy recommendation.

Runner-Up: Mizuno Neo Vista

The Neo Vista was a hit with literally everyone who tried it, which almost never happens. The knit upper, often a gamble, worked beautifully and locked the foot in well, while the cushioned midsole with a plate rolled along smoothly. It leans soft underfoot, but the ride stays fun and cohesive. It is a refreshing sign of Mizuno doing something new and interesting.

Biggest Surprise

Winner: Diadora Gherardo Carbon

Diadora had solid racing models before, but nothing great, until the Gherardo Carbon. At $300 it is expensive, though you are buying a more limited production shoe with genuinely premium elements: a durable, well-fitting Matrix upper, an Ana PEBA midsole, a carbon fiber plate, and a fairly light package. The foam finally feels right in line with the other super shoes, bouncy and energetic. A slightly lighter build and more aggressive toe spring would make it perfect, but the fit and ride are already dialed.

Runner-Up: Hoka Skyward X

The Skyward X appeared out of nowhere and essentially delivered the Cielo X1 experience at a better price. You get a huge stack of foam, a comfortable upper that fits like a traditional shoe with a proper heel counter, and a wild double-frame carbon design with independent suspension on each side. It rolls through the stride and leaves your legs feeling fresh after long efforts.

Lifestyle Running Shoes

Winner: Adidas Ultraboost 5X

The Ultraboost line looked dead as a running shoe, and then the 5X made it legitimate again. The foam got lighter, enough that it now undercuts a standard daily trainer in weight, and the knit upper fits beautifully. It is a solid ride for any distance and looks great with casual clothes, making it ideal for gym runs, short city miles, or travel. The midsole could use a touch more flexibility, but as a run-and-live-in shoe it is excellent.

Runner-Up: Veja Condor 3

Veja remains the only company building a running shoe sustainably from top to bottom, sourcing materials from the same country where they are made, in Brazil, with fair wages and worker benefits. The first two Condors underwhelmed, but the third finally delivers a ride that is good enough: not the bounciest or lightest, but comfortable and pleasant. As a lifestyle shoe, it may be the one most worn of the year.

Best Wide Foot Running Shoes

Honorable Mention: On Cloudrunner 2

The Cloudrunner 2 offers extra room that wider-footed runners appreciate, along with a luxurious feeling upper and a simpler, less-cloudy version of On’s CloudTec midsole. It is a straightforward daily trainer that simply does its job well, and it doubles nicely as a casual crossover shoe.

Winner: New Balance SC Elite v4

New Balance has long catered to wider feet, and the SC Elite v4 proves it. The lacing opens up generously across the midfoot, and unlike many shoes that are roomy at the toes but pinch where the upper narrows, this one keeps width where it matters. Add in the marathon-ready carbon plate and forgiving FuelCell ride, and it is both a race shoe and a wide-foot solution in one. It is a rare double winner this year.

Best Shoes for Heavier Runners

Tie: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Endorphin Speed 4 blends the best of versions two and three into a balanced, slightly aggressive ride. The PWRRUN PB foam with a nylon plate delivers both comfort and performance, which is exactly what bigger runners need: cushioning that holds up under more load but still bounces back to life. It also earns a spot in the do-it-all conversation below.

Tie: Asics Superblast 2

The Superblast 2 is on everyone’s list, and for good reason. The FlytFoam and Turbo Plus midsole combination produces a super bouncy ride, and every element works together, from upper to midsole. It is versatile across any distance and pace, comfortable under heavier impact, and responsive even when you are smashing it down. If you could only own one shoe, this would be a strong candidate.

Best Do-It-All Shoes

Pick: Asics Superblast 2

At $200 it is not cheap, but it is worth every mile and lasts a long time. Yes, availability is chronically terrible, but that is demand and limited production, not artificial scarcity. It can do fast days, recovery days, and long runs, which is why it keeps winning even when it would be boring to hand it shoe of the year yet again.

Pick: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Already covered above, and it earns its place here twice. Balanced, comfortable, quick when you want it to be, and dependable as a daily trainer.

Pick: Hoka Mach 6

The Mach 6 has always been a genuinely lightweight daily trainer, and this version keeps the formula: just enough cushioning in a light package, an upper that always fits well, and a friendly price point. It is a simple shoe, which is harder to execute than it sounds, and it is exactly what many runners want.

Best Value and One to Watch

Winner: Adidas Adizero SL 2

At $130, the Adizero SL 2 may be the best value in running shoes this year. A full-length bed of Lightstrike Pro wrapped in an improved Lightstrike 2.0 midsole gives it a genuinely premium, bouncy ride in a light package, and the upper fits well with a fast, energetic look. The trade-offs are real but manageable: a standard outsole instead of Continental rubber, and a low-volume, slightly narrow toe box that wider feet will not enjoy. For high school and college runners, budget-conscious buyers, or anyone unsure how committed they are to running, this is an easy recommendation.

One to Watch: Hoka Mach X 2

The Mach X 2 was loved by almost every tester for its soft, bouncy foam, nylon plate, and light, fast ride that could nearly pass as a racer. The one serious flaw was the heel collar, where a minimal race-style upper with a rough edge caused real discomfort for some runners. Hoka has already fixed the collar for 2025 while keeping the rest of the shoe intact, so if the ride is what mattered, watch this one closely next year.

Overall Buying Advice

If you can only buy one shoe, the Asics Superblast 2 remains the safest do-it-all choice, assuming you can find it in stock. For race day, the Nike Alphafly 3 is the top pick, with the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris as a close alternative. Newer runners or those wanting a friendlier racer should start with the New Balance SC Elite v4. On a tight budget, the Adidas Adizero SL 2 at $130 punches far above its price. And if cushioning is the priority, the Brooks Glycerin Max proved that max comfort and a bouncy, stable ride can coexist.

Match the shoe to your actual running: a racer for goal marathons, a super trainer for high-mileage weeks, a simple daily trainer for everything else. That simple framework will get you further than any single hype shoe.

Conclusion

2024 delivered standout shoes in every corner of the running market, from the return of the Alphafly to unexpected winners like the Diadora Gherardo Carbon and Brooks Glycerin Max. The consistent theme is that shoes no longer have to choose between fun and function. Whether you are racing a marathon, logging daily miles, or just want something that looks good and runs well, there is a pick on this list built for exactly that.