The Best Running Shoes for Men
If you want to protect your body against the dangerous amount of wear and tear that running inflicts over the years, you'll need a pair of sturdy, well-made running shoes. After about 500 miles, wear to the insoles or outsoles usually leaves most pairs ready for replacement. To ensure our feet are supported, it's vital to our health that we make good purchases when it comes to shoes. Running shoes typically have more cushion, less weight, and more drop than your average pair of shoes. They're designed this way to encourage better form and prevent injury. So whether your morning run takes you through the mountains or across countless city blocks, our guide to finding the best running shoe should help find a match for every environment and condition.
Under Armour Charged Assert 8
First Off the Line
The Charged Assert 8 are a pair of premium running shoes that can help you excel in various terrain. These shoes have a neutral sole and moderate cushioning, perfect for runners who want to break out the distance on hard surfaces. In addition to a comfortable bottom, the Charged Assert 8 will keep your feet cool with a porous fabric built to keep you in the race all day. With over twenty styles to choose from and with the backing of one of the top sports accessory manufacturers, The Charged 8 Assert has our stamp of approval for all-day arch support and durable design.
Pros:
- Available in countless shades of black, white, and grey
- The outsole is reinforced with sturdy rubber near impact points
- Less than ten ounces of total weight
Cons:
- The shoes run slightly small to size
Adidas Ultraboost 20
Style on the Streets
If you’re an everyday runner looking to up your game for the next race, Adidas’s Ultraboost 20 will take you to the finish line. The key to the Ultraboost’s power is the glove-like fit of the shoe’s upper weave. This comfortable fabric keeps your foot in place without causing it to overheat, giving you extra power with every step. Also, the heel of this impressive footwear is made of elastane, a spandex material incorporated to give your ankle enough room to maneuver without being overly restricting. The Ultraboost is perfect for the runner concerned about having the perfect form and making every step count, and we couldn’t recommend it more highly.
Pros:
- High-quality rubber offers superior outsole grip
- The interior weave won’t irritate exposed skin
- Removable insole for extra insole support
Cons:
- For the price, these shoes could be lighter
Brooks Ghost 13
In It for the Long Haul
Folks in the running community looking to protect their feet from long-term wear have nothing but praise for Brooks’ Ghost 13 shoe, and it’s easy to see why. This running shoe is designed with the distance runner in mind, boasting maximalist padding and a patented outsole engineered to dial down shock on your knees. While heavily padded running shoes were originally designed for the trail, the cushioning and grip provided by the Ghost 13 also make this shoe ideal for running on pavement. The midsole drop of 12mm will encourage running on your heels as well, making this product a smart pick for form-conscious athletes and newbies alike.
Pros:
- Colors available in red, yellow, green, blue, and more
- Perform well in wet conditions
- Large openings keep your feet constantly ventilated
Cons:
- Sizing may be complicated for wide feet
ASICS Gel-Venture 7
Over the River and Through the Woods
Finding a happy balance between joint protection and speed is the name of the game when purchasing trail running shoes. ASICS’s Gel-Venture 7 line of sneakers are a sight to behold on the mountain because of their unique traction design and lightweight materials. As the name implies, these shoes’ heels are reinforced with gel padding, which takes the bite out of downhill shock. What the name doesn’t imply is the outsole built for navigating inclines and declines. When a shoe has reversed lugs or grooves in the outsole, dirt and terrain tend to slip significantly less. Simply put, the Gel-Venture 7 is built for supporting your lower body throughout rigorous exercises, and it makes you look good doing them.
Pros:
- The all-synthetic build is extremely lightweight
- High abrasion rubber provides extra protection for the midsole
- Built for neutral-to-supinated feet
- Incredible value for the price
Cons:
- Low-quality laces
Adidas Lite Racer Adapt
Minimalist Masterpiece
Adidas is often a top choice in stylish footwear, even when it comes to practical shoes. The Lite Racer Adapt is the culmination of form and function with a sleek, slip-on build and muted design. This shoe has no pronation, meaning it’s great for users with a normal stride who don’t favor one side of the leg. The front of the shoe is available either with one solid band or with laces tied in place; either way, sizing is key because they can’t be tightened. If you’re looking for shoes to tackle adverse weather and muddy conditions, the Lite Racer Adapt is not the shoe for you. However, if you want to show off your style and have a comfortable run in the sunshine, slip these on.
Pros:
- Only 8.4 ounces in total
- An ideal pick for street running or general use
Cons:
- Uneven terrain and debris can damage the mesh
- The soles can get slippery in abnormally wet conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to know about a running shoe’s level of drop?
“Drop” is a term for the difference in height between the sole in the heel and the sole near the toes. Most running shoes have a standard 10mm drop and encourage striking the ground first with your heel. Runners who want to use the full length of their sole should check out zero drop running shoes instead. Zero drop running shoes still contain padding but have it evenly distributed throughout the length of the foot. While zero drop shoes will make your ankle and tendons work harder, running on the balls of your feet tend to give you faster acceleration.
What is pronation?
Pronation is the degree to which your foot is angled when hitting the ground. All runners have natural pronation that makes their feet curve slightly inward. Poorly built shoes or other podiatric issues can lead to overpronation, or its opposite: supination.
Overpronation is a common issue for runners that can lead to injury if not addressed properly. If you notice that your soles are wearing out more quickly on the inside of your shoes, there’s a chance your feet may be overpronating. Fortunately, purchasing motion control stability shoes with a specialty construction will correct this overstep. Supination, while rare, can be fixed with neutral shoes.
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