Runners give their verdicts on the best running shoes to buy

Whether you’re a casual runner, chasing a PB, or signed up for a new challenge, every good run is carried by a good shoe.

So, it’s worth investing time and money into purchasing a decent pair of runners to keep your runs smooth, energised, and most importantly, comfortable.

While I would say that I’m a ‘runner’ – under the belief that anyone who runs is a runner – I only have a limited number of miles under my belt. So I reached out to the pros to help me, and you, make a smart, informed decision about your next sneaker purchase.

Meet our run experts:

∙ Ultra-marathon athlete Nedd Brockmann

∙ Kic co-founder Laura Henshaw

∙ Elite15 Hyrox APAC athlete Peter Day

∙ Australian ultra-marathon runner Lucy Bartholomew

∙ Australian Olympic sprinter Bree Rizzo

∙ Head run coach at Nike Pacific Lydia O’Donnell

∙ Chloe and Amelia, every-single-day runners who love a weekend 5km and have a few marathons between them

The best shoes for beginners and daily miles

What’s your favourite ‘daily driver’ – those mid-week, everyday miles – where you just need a shoe that works, is reliable, and beginner-friendly?

Nedd: The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 feels like a hybrid between the Deviate 3 and Deviate Elite 3, which was one of my favourite shoes. It’s a touch lighter than the Deviate 3 but still super supportive. Feels nice and fast underfoot, and the carbon composite plate makes them snappy on my faster tempo runs – a great all-rounder.

Laura: I’m five months postpartum and have just run my first 3km since having my son, Atlas. I’ve been following our KICRun Return to Running Postpartum Program, which weaves in walking and running intervals to help you slowly and safely build back to 3km. The New Balance Ellipse have been my go-to. They have the perfect amount of cushioning and support if you’re learning to run.

Shop Laura’s pick: New Balance Ellipse

$240 | Shop here

Peter: The Asics Novablast 5, Nike Pegasus 41 or Brooks Adrenaline 24 are all really good and popular running shoes. Great for beginners and casual runners across a few distances!

Lucy: For a beginner looking for a hybrid shoe that can handle a mix of footpaths and light gravel trails, is a new addition to the Salomon line-up: the GRVL range. This is my go-to shoe, mostly because I always end up on roads and tracks where I am not sure where they’ll lead, so I like to be prepared for anything! The Salomon Aero Blaze 3 is my favourite – it’s a perfect partner to mix up terrains with.

Lydia: I suggest starting with a Nike Vomero 18. With both ZoomX foam and ReactX foam, you will benefit from great cushioning that helps minimise the risk of injury as you increase your mileage. It is a road running shoe built for all distances, has maximum cushioning, but still feels light on your feet. 

Shop Lydia’s pick: Nike Vomero 18

$220 | Shop here

The best shoes for long distances and marathons

What is your ‘holy grail’ shoe for long-distance training?

Nedd: The Puma MagMax Nitro 2 is my go-to shoe for longer/easier runs. Puma grip, in general, is the best on the market. Most of the lineup has incredible durability, but it’s got to be between the Magmax 2 and the Deviate 4. Puma has managed to make the MagMax 2 lighter than its predecessor, which I, personally, love.

Shop Nedd’s pick: Puma MagMax Nitro 2 Running Shoes

$280 | Shop here

Laura: Running the New York Marathon was honestly the hardest thing I have ever done, but it helped me prove to myself that I am capable of doing hard things. I ran the marathon in the New Balance FuelCell SC Elite. They’re built for marathons and race days.

Peter: You’re primarily looking for support, comfort and cushioning with this shoe. If you pronate, a stability shoe can help support your gait and arch, but you also want a midsole that is spongy and lightens the load on your joints. The majority of your weekly mileage is here, and you’re not aiming for PBs. Examples are ASICS Kayano, PUMA MagMax Nitro 2 or Brooks Ghost 18.

Chloe: Anyone who knows me knows I have about four pairs of running shoes in rotation at any given time, but the pair I can’t stop going back to are the On Cloudmonster. The On Cloudmonster 3s are the new loves of my life. They’re an absolute dream to get more Ks in, plenty of cushion, but a firm ride, so they’re still stable and responsive. I’m living in them.

Shop Chloe’s pick: On Cloudmonster 3

$290 | Shop here

Best for speed and intervals

What shoe are you choosing to give you some extra speed?

Peter: For sessions where you’re practising speed, technique and working your threshold, you’re ideally looking for a lighter shoe. While not needed, some athletes will choose carbon-plated shoes here. You can use the non-carbon-plated version of your race-day shoes to get the closest simulation without wearing out your main pair. Examples are Puma McLaren Racing Nitro 2, Asics Superblast 3 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. 

Shop Peter’s pick: Asics Superblast 3

$340 | Shop here

Lydia: When aiming to run fast, you want a lightweight shoe that feels streamlined, with significant cushioning. Find a shoe that helps push you onto your toes to improve your leg turnover. The quicker your legs turn over, the more efficient and faster you will run. The Nike Vaporfly is the perfect shoe as it gives you that spring forward in each step.

Best for recovery and low-impact

Which sneakers do you reach for to get that maximum ‘pillowy’ protection and support for low-intensity days?

Nedd: The Puma MagMax Nitro2 is a brilliant shoe, effortless pop and cushion for when you need it most. The perfect shoe to use after a big week or a long stint where everything’s tight and sore, I’m just trying to keep moving and get the kms in. These feel like running on clouds, but still keep me supported. Lighter than the MagMax 1, so still a fun shoe!

Laura: My go-to would be the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15. At Kic, we call them ‘the cloud shoes’, because it honestly feels like you’re running on clouds. They’re so cushioned and give your feet that little extra support, which I need right now as I’m slowly rebuilding my running fitness.

Shop Laura’s pick: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15

$280 | Shop here

Lucy: I lean towards the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 (even sounds therapeutic!), which gives you that foam freedom to run without breaking down the muscles as quickly. These are shoes that let you set the pace and don’t judge you for it! They are shoes that are with you for a long time and a good time.

Lydia: Increasing your shoes’ cushioning minimises impact on your legs in a run. Easy days are not about pushing your body in training; they exist to aid recovery by increasing blood flow without overtaxing it. A Nike Vomero Premium is the perfect example of an easy running day shoe. The Zoom-X foam midsole provides extreme cushioning, making each step feel a little less intense and helping to make the most out of your easy running days.

Shop Lydia’s pick: Nike Vomero Premium

$320 | Shop here

Best all-rounder

If someone only has the budget for one pair to do it all – gym, Parkrun, and long walks – which all-rounder should they buy?

Nedd: Puma Velocity Nitro 4 – if I could only have one pair for every day, this is it. It’s priced incredibly well and has the same foam as the top-tier racing shoes without a carbon plate. It’s the shoe I grab without even thinking, whether I’m heading out for a light jog, into the gym, or just on my feet all day. It’s light, it’s comfortable, and it just makes it easier to get out the door and get stuck in.

Amelia: The more serious I got about running, the higher my requirements of practicality and performance grew. This led to my first purchase of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3s, which I used for my first marathon. They were mid-performance shoes with enough response for speed, but also comfortable. They have been the only shoes I have worn since. I’m going on to buy the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5s, and I am so hooked that I now eagerly await every new release.

Shop Amelia’s pick: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

$300 | Shop here

Bree: My vote is the Nike Vomero Plus! They are my favourite running shoes at the moment – I have so many colours, and they’re so comfy!

Lydia: The Nike Pegasus 42 is my go-to everyday running shoe. I believe they are the most versatile running shoes on the market, as they are built for both speed and endurance. With the full-length Zoom Airbag, now sculpted to the shape of the foot, the Nike Pegasus are responsive and light, yet they still offer the cushioning required for high-mileage runs.

Shop Lydia’s pick: Nike Pegasus 42

$220 | Shop here

Best for race day

When chasing a PB or a massive goal, which ‘super shoe’ are you lacing up?

Nedd: The Puma Fast-R Nitro 3 or Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 – both of these are the ones I reach for when I’m going all out. When there’s a goal on the line, this is what’s on my feet. Fast R-3 is like having a Ferrari on your feet, and the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is your more traditional racing shoe. Both are unreal for different reasons. Once I lace either of these up, I know I’m about to have some fun.

Shop Nedd’s pick: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

$300 | Shop here

Peter: My checklist for the best shoes is: a wide sole and a strong grip. However, I’m also looking for the fastest and lightest option. This means the carbon-plated shoes, just so long as it doesn’t compromise during the sleds! Examples are PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 and Adidas Dropset Elite.

Lucy: For the roads/triathlon, I am whipping on the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3, and for ultra trail, the Salomon S/lab Genesis are my go-to. The best shoe for the race is the one you feel comfy in, have trained in and trust – don’t let anyone tell you anything else!

Lydia: Carbon-plated shoes are for everyone. Whether you are running a sub-three-hour marathon or your first half-marathon, these super shoes, such as the Nike Alphafly, are built to make your hard running feel slightly easier. A carbon plate is lightweight, sandwiched between foam and provides you with a snappy response, helping you move faster for longer. Speed shoes are not just built for elite runners or the front of the pack; all runners, of all abilities, will benefit from having a fast shoe on their feet.

Shop Lydia’s pick: Nike Alphafly

$390 | Shop now