The 10 best running shoes of 2023
We tested tons of great shoes this year, but only the very best make the list
This is the season to get a fresh pair of kicks and the selection has never been better. Here is our selection of the top shoes from 2023, ranging from daily trainers to marathon shoes, speedwork kicks, trail running shoes and waterproof models that can stand up to the worst of winter.
Asics Magic Speed 3
Designed to give you that extra speed for new PRs.
In addition to the softer cushioning experience, this shoe helps create better stability throughout your stride. A full-length carbon plate is sandwiched in the Midsole to propel your foot forward. This helps create a smoother and more propulsive experience during the toe-off phase of your stride. Both layers of the Midsole are reconstructed with Ff blastâ„¢ PLUS cushioning. This makes the ride feel bouncier and more energetic during tempo runs and races.
Brooks Glycerin 20 Road Running Shoes
Feel like you’re running over clouds while you pound the pavement. Plush, responsive and comfortable, the Brooks Glycerin 20 lets you forget your feet and focus on your run.
Brooks redesigned the midsole and outsole by widening the platform for smooth and easy transitions. The upper gives you a secure fit thanks to plush and breathable engineered air-mesh. It wraps comfortably around my foot. The heel collar and tongue feel super soft, and the laces are slightly textured to prevent slippage. A bonus is that the laces are long enough to tie the marathon loop. The materials feel premium and add to the overall plushness of the shoe.
Plush, responsive and comfortable, the Brooks Glycerin 20 lets you forget your feet and focus on your run.
Mizuno Wave Sky 7
The Mizuno Wave Sky 7 is the ultimate running shoe for maximum cushioning and unparalleled comfort.
Mizuno upped its game with the Wave Sky 7 by adding 2 millimeters of Enerzy foam to the midsole. This super soft and bouncy foam gives you 17% more cushioning on landings and 15% more energy return during toe-offs to keep you running quickly and comfortably no matter the distance. Designers then used a Wave construction that layers a softer foam on top of a more rigid foam, so it feels soft when you land but stable when you push off. To keep your feet cool during hard efforts, wider breathability holes on top of the toes and midfoot prevent stuffiness.
Saucony Kinvara Pro
Designed to be most efficient at conversation pace, the Kinvara Pro has that perfect mix of snappy speed and soft cushioning for smooth miles.
Efficiency is everything, and that’s why we created the Kinvara Pro. The first of its kind on the market, it’s built to power your daily runs with ease. Combining high-performance PWRRUN PB cushioning with a ¾ carbon-fiber plate for an effortless ride, this shoe brings a lightweight and breezy feel to your everyday training. D
New Balance Fuel Cell Propel V4
Bouncy, lightweight training shoes.
New and experienced runners alike will appreciate the underfoot ride and innovative technology packed into the New Balance FuelCell Propel v4. Featuring a thick FuelCell midsole combined with a TPU plate, this running shoe is designed to maximize comfort and traction to help keep you moving at top speeds.
Brooks Hyperion Max
Lightweight and cushioned, the Brooks Hyperion Max will get your legs moving and make running a bit more fun.
This lightweight shoe will give a pep in your step. It’s made with nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH cushioning that returns energy and adapts to your stride. The substantial midsole foam helps absorb impact on speed workouts or a long run, so you can train harder and longer. The Hyperion Max is ready for forward motion with its Rapid Roll technology. The unique curve of the heel and toe propels you forward for quick transitions to make hard running feel effortless. The Green Rubber outsole is designed with the environment in mind, yet it also boasts a lightweight feel and durability to help your performance. A light stretch woven upper and 3D Fit Print provides optimal structure and breathability.
The North Face Summit Vectiv Eminus
The North Face VECTIV Eminus trail-running shoes deliver smooth on-trail performance from touchdown to toe-off.
Maximum cushion for your daily training. Designed to keep you moving along the trail, the Vectiv Enduris ensure maximum energy return thanks to the Vectiv technology, rocker midsole, and the stabilizing TPU plate. The thicker EVA reduces foot fatigue, kilometre after kilometre.
Salomon Ultra Glide 2
Designed to adapt to varying surfaces, the men’s Salomon Ultra Glide 2 trail-running shoes are lightweight and comfortable—ideal for long distances and weaving through challenging terrain.
Lightweight, responsive comfort, no matter how far you’re planning to run. Designed for ultramarathons, the Ultra Glide’s mesh upper lets your feet breathe, while SensiFitâ„¢ construction offer support and flex as your foot swells later in the race. Protective overlays in key areas deflect rocks and sticks, and a Quicklaceâ„¢ system makes it easy to tweak the fit or swap in fresh socks at the aid station. Burly Contagrip® lugs grab onto any surface for dependable traction.
Altra Outroad 2
Featuring grippy outsoles and a snug, comfortable fit, the men’s Altra Outroad 2 trail-running shoes offer a cushioned ride on both trails and roads, so you’ll be ready wherever your run takes you.
The Outroad 2 is here with the road to trail features you need to run outside the lines. This updated Outroad is equipped for road running and light trail excursions. Featuring a new upper material and a more durable construction, this shoe is updated and up for anything. You can count on our fan-favorite grippy MaxTracâ„¢ outsole and Altra EGOâ„¢ midsole foam for your next trail adventure. This shoe comes in our Slim FootShapeâ„¢ fit for a more snug, comfortable fit while still giving your toes the room they need.
Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX
Plow through puddles and stride through slush, the waterproof Peregrine is ready for the wildest routes.
For sloppy or wet runs, the men’s Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX trail-running shoes offer the waterproof protection and reliable grip you need to hit the trails, regardless of the weather. Forecast calls for good speed.
Products reviewed in this article:
Asics Magic Speed 3
Mizuno Wave Sky 7
Saucony Kinvara Pro
New Balance Fuel Cell Propel V4
Brooks Hyperion Max
The North Face Summit Vectiv Eminus
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Altra Outroad 2
Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX