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Unleash your potential: The best running shoes for men
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If you like to push yourself to reach your full potential when working out (and maybe even a bit beyond), you need the right athletic footwear to match. When it comes to men’s running shoes, there’s certainly a lot to choose from.
Do you go with something lightweight? Is speed training important for your workouts? Would extra soft cushioning help you to run like the Daft Punk song: harder, better, faster, and stronger?
Knowing how to choose the right pair of running shoes is an important first step, but then comes the real challenge: picking out the best pair of running shoes to really unleash your full potential — whether you prefer the pavement, treadmill, a track or a little bit of everything.
That’s where we come in. We put together a list of the absolute best men’s running shoes available to buy today. Find top-quality, well-reviewed shoes from brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and more below.
Best men’s running shoes to transform your run
Variety is the spice of life, or so they say, and we say that applies to your footwear as well. From comfortable shoes that pad your run to footwear that works on different terrains, we put together the following list of quality running shoes depending on your needs.
Before you hit the ground running, take a look through our picks for the best men’s running shoes. You may just find the perfect sneaker to unleash your full potential.
Saucony
This running shoe by Saucony might be a great place to start your search. The simple design can offer a smooth ride, thanks to a nice balance between comfort and support.
“With a lightweight, breathable upper mesh and a technology they call Formfit, which helps the shoe hug your foot for a more customized experience, [this shoe] will help pump all those feel-good endorphins after a solid run,” says Andrew Blakey, a certified personal trainer and director of Your Future Fitness.
These come in a variety of vibrant colors, so finding something that matches your look and style should be easy.
Saucony Men’s Endorphin Speed 3, starting at $127
New Balance
“If having a lot of cushion is something that’s important to you, you’re going to want to check out this shoe,” Blakey says.
If the name isn’t a big enough clue, this shoe is all about cushioning your steps with comfort. The soft midsole foam is this shoe’s main claim to fame, but don’t ignore the mesh upper (great for breathability) and rubber outsole, which makes for a durable shoe.
Find several unique color designs and styles for this New Balance shoe, from the popping Blue/Pixel Green design (pictured) to the out-of-this-world Cosmic Pineapple/Silver Metallic look.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v13, starting at $124
Nike
Nike is an iconic brand for a reason, and this latest version of the Nike Pegasus running shoe proves it’s not all just talk. With an average rating of 4.7 stars from reviewers, this is a popular running shoe.
“The Nike Pegasus 40 is such a good everyday running shoe,” one reviewer says. “The sole provides grip even in [wet conditions] and there’s just enough cushion to provide support, but not too much to make the shoe feel heavy.”
The neutral design of this running shoe offers a crisp responsiveness while you move. Nike says it improved upon the design of the previous Pegasus shoe to add improved comfort to key areas (like the arch and toes).
Nike Pegasus 40 SE, starting at $170
On
“This lightweight shoe is perfect for those who need an extra boost during their runs,” says Dr. Gregory Alvarez, a podiatrist at the Ankle and Foot Centers of America. “It features a midsole that provides superior cushioning and shock absorption, while its outsole ensures excellent grip on all surfaces.”
Marketed as a hybrid running/lifestyle shoe by On, this sleek men’s running shoe has a bit of everything: good shock absorption, a foam midsole for a cushioned landing, and a synthetic mesh upper for added breathability.
This shoe also moves naturally with your foot at every turn, according to On, thanks to the brand’s patented Speedboard construction.
Adidas
Looking for something to keep up with you on those long runs? This supportive and lightweight shoe by Adidas may be the perfect fit.
“This running shoe is perfect for those who need an extra boost during their runs,” says Alvarez. “It features a midsole that provides superior cushioning and shock absorption, while its outsole ensures excellent grip on all surfaces.”
Alvarez also pointed out the mesh upper, which is great for keeping sweat to a minimum — which can be a big deal when your runs are the opposite of short and sweet.
Adidas Ultraboost Light Running Shoes, $190
Hoka
“This shoe is perfect for those who need a lot of cushioning and support,” says Alvarez. “Its Profly X midsole offers superior shock absorption, while the seamless mesh upper ensures maximum breathability.”
On a list full of men’s running shoes that offer great comfort and cushioning, this shoe by Hoka wins out over the competition as our choice for best shock absorption. Its durable, full-length midsole is just too good when it comes to offering comfort and stability.
As an added bonus, this shoe can work great on multiple surfaces and in different environments.
“Its outsole provides plenty of traction on any surface, so you can enjoy your run to the fullest,” says Alvarez.
Hoka Men’s Tecton X, starting at $170
Brooks
The Ghost line of running shoes by Brooks is a popular one among professional and casual runners alike.
“This running shoe is perfect for neutral runners,” says Alvarez. “It features a ‘BioMoGo DNA’ midsole that offers superior cushioning and shock absorption, while its engineered mesh upper provides plenty of breathability and support.”
Find an eye-popping selection of different colors and styles when you shop this shoe on Amazon. If you’re interested in how the newer model of Brooks Ghost running shoes compares, well, read on.
Brooks Ghost 14, starting at $80
Brooks
Featuring a lighter cushioning than the previous model, the Brooks Ghost 15 seems to have figured out a design for maximum comfort. Brooks advertises this shoe as a more refined version that creates a more seamless and secure fit for your foot.
“[It’s] said to have good cushioning and heel stability, which works well for longer runs,” says Dr. Marc Matarazzo, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.
This combination of a stable design and cushioning that’s built upon previous Brooks Ghost models might be the shoe for you if comfort is at the top of your list.
Brooks Ghost 15, starting at $99
Best lightweight shoe: Hoka Mach 5
Hoka
The streamlined design of this running shoe by Hoka offers up a sleek fit. It combines a lightweight build, thanks to a single mesh upper that’s designed for maximum breathability, with a responsive foam midsole.
Matarazzo recommended this shoe for its simple, yet comfortable, design that offers lots of cushioning.
Find a number of styles and designs when shopping this men’s running shoe on Dick’s Sporting Goods. There are a number of vibrant, almost neon-color designs, such as the White/Scuba (pictured), cool Ceramic, or Radiant Yellow styles.
How we picked the best men’s running shoes
- Customer reviews: We read through verified reviews from customers just like you to see what all the hubbub was about for some of the best men’s running shoes (and to make sure the hubbub was legit).
- Expert recommendations: We checked in with a number of professional sources to learn about the best men’s running shoes. This includes certified personal trainer and Your Future Fitness director Andrew Blakey; podiatrist at the Ankle and Foot Centers of America Dr. Gregory Alvarez; and orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine Dr. Marc Matarazzo.
- Star rating: Nothing under four stars here. We prioritized only the most well-loved shoes when picking out athletic footwear.
- Your needs: We picked running shoes that catered to different needs, from comfort to style, to make sure there was something for everyone.
Related: Read more about how we review products
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Dog rescued from Hurricane Milton floodwaters finds forever home: “We are going to give him the best life”
A 5-year-old bull terrier that was abandoned and reportedly tied to a post in chest-deep water as Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida in October has found a new home.
Over the last few weeks, hundreds have applied to be Trooper’s forever family after he was rescued from Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm, by Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales.
“I was kinda enraged at some point, how could anybody just possibly even think of doing an act like this, it was just awful,” Morales previously told CBS News when he was reunited with his four-legged friend.
Amy Raddar with the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee, Florida, said they were looking for a very specific adopter for Trooper.
“The outpouring has been so great,” she said.
Bull terriers are a unique breed, known for being sweet dogs, but are also high energy, strong and stubborn.
“I don’t always say people have to have breed experience, but in that particular dog, I think it’s important,” Raddar added.
Carla and Frank Spina, who live 400 miles away from Tallahassee, in Parkland, Florida, have 33 years of experience with bull terriers.
A friend forwarded a story about Trooper to the couple.
“I said to Frank, ‘Did you hear this story?’ And see I’m going to start crying, and he said, ‘Yeah, I didn’t tell you because I knew you would get upset,'” Carla Spina said.
The Spinas are bull terrier owners and love the breed. They got their first, named Krunchie, in 1992, followed by Diesel. A few years ago, they adopted Dallas.
“We’ve always had an infinity for bull terriers. That’s the breed that we love, they’re special,” said Frank Spina.
They said when they saw Trooper, they knew his needs and wanted to help. They applied to adopt the beloved dog, but there was one major hurdle. Trooper is weary of men because of his past trauma and the humane society wasn’t sure it would work out because of Frank.
The Spinas drove more than seven hours to Tallahassee to see if Trooper would fit in their family.
“Amy said, ‘Frank, why don’t you sit on that bench and see what happens?’ He came over and he got under my legs and I started scratching and his foot started moving,” Frank Spina said.
It was a perfect match, giving Trooper who was once tossed aside, a loving forever family.
“We will take good care of him,” Carla Spina told Raddar when she dropped off Trooper. “We just want everyone to know we are going to give him the best life.”
For the Spinas, it feels like their family’s missing piece was found.
“We are like living in a dream,” said Frank Spina. “We just can’t believe that a month ago we saw a news report and now a month later he’s in my bedroom.”
Lemonsoup14/Getty Images
Many investors have been flocking to gold in the last few years — and for good reason. It’s a great diversifier, it protects against inflation, and it’s a safe-haven asset when things go awry.
All of these things have led to a rise in gold demand and, subsequently, a run-up in gold prices. In fact, the average price of gold reached record highs several times this year — surpassing $2,700 by October.
While prices have dipped a bit since those highs, they’re still much higher than seen at most points in recent years. Where will they head next, though, and is gold still a smart investment of your money?
Learn how to add gold to your investment portfolio today.
What’s the gold price forecast for December 2024?
Here’s what experts have to say about the gold price forecast this month.
Anything can happen
With such a big increase over the last year or two, gold prices could easily go either way in December — and in the coming months.
“There is one thing that can drive the price of gold down — and that’s a credit crisis when every asset is being sold to urgently raise cash to service debts,” says Keith Weiner, CEO of Monetary Metals. “A crisis may be coming, though it’s hard to say it will be this month. All the other foreseeable events — war, government profligacy and debt, geopolitical shifting — seem much more likely to push more people to buy more gold.”
For these reasons, Weiner says gold has much more “upside potential than downside risk” in the near term.
“The bull market in gold will likely continue, as all the macro-economic and geopolitical drivers are still in full force,” he says.
Find out what the many benefits of gold investing are now.
If gold does drop, it could be an opportunity
Drew Martino, a wealth manager at Savvy Wealth, thinks there’s a chance gold prices continue dipping as they have in recent weeks.
But that can be a good thing, according to Martino.
“We never recommend buying gold based on short-term trends,” Martino says. “If you buy gold, you’re asking yourself what will the price be 10 years from now, not next month.”
With that timeframe in mind, any continuing price drops could actually work in your favor.
“If I had to speculate on the short-term price of gold, I’d say gold will continue downward pressures through the end of the year, creating an attractive entry point for the long-term investor,” Martino says.
Political uncertainty will factor in
One factor that could throw a big kink into gold’s trajectory is the change in political administrations.
“Leading up to the election, the price action took a pause, and then on the news that Trump won, a correction began,” Weiner says. “This was long anticipated by many industry observers. What’s interesting is that the correction was fairly shallow — around 10% — and appears to be over.”
What happens in the future in terms of economic decisions and geopolitical conflicts will certainly have a continued impact, though.
James Cordier, head trader at Alternative Options, says the incoming presidential administration could affect gold prices, as well, depending on what it does to drive down consumer prices.
In short: Investors will likely be looking less toward gold and more toward other assets, causing gold prices to tumble.
The bottom line
There’s no crystal ball showing where gold prices will fall in the near term, but if you do opt to invest, choose your gold vehicles wisely.
“There are different gold investment solutions to choose from. Gold ETFs have averaged nearly 6% and tangible gold nearly 8% average returns over the last 30 years,” Eric Elkins, CEO at Double E Financial Solutions, says.
These options have outperformed even traditional “conservative” investments, like money market accounts and bonds, Elkins says.
If you’re not sure what’s the best way to invest in gold for your goals, talk to an investment advisor or financial planner. They can help you make the best moves for your portfolio.
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