The 6 Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024 (2024)

Best Overall Running Shoe for Women

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 - Women's

Weight (per shoe): 8.21 oz | Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 12mm

The improved Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is an upgraded version of a reliable favorite. With built-in GuideRails, a DNA Loft midsole, and enough upper comfort for long, steamy runs, this is our top recommendation for most runners. The Adrenaline fits like a classic road running shoe, adding familiarity to one of Brooks' most popular lines. Runners seeking a durable, marathon-worthy shoe with stability at its heart will love the Adrenaline 23 and everything it has to offer.

The Adrenaline is a shoe built for stability, which works well for runners who overpronate. For some, the slight rigidity of the lateral edges might be more noticeable than is preferred. Still, it's a great option for distance efforts, and the weight and responsiveness reflect this. While not a sprinting shoe, we feel the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, as evidenced by the final scores. If reliability, comfort, and a bit of support are what you're after, we wholeheartedly recommend the updated Adrenaline 23. We also love the versatile Brooks Glycerin 20 as a durable, jill-of-all-trades shoe.

Read more: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 review

Best Bang for Your Buck

Saucony Kinvara 14 - Women's

Weight (per shoe): 5.55 oz| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm

The Saucony Kinvara 14 is a versatile road running shoe available for less than many of our other top contenders, making it a high-value option. With a peppy PWRRUN foam midsole and ultra-lightweight build, the Kinvara feels nearly weightless during runs. It is cushioned well enough for long distances, but its flexible responsiveness lends itself beautifully to workouts when you want to pick up the pace. We recommend the Kinvara because of its versatile structure and fantastic price point.

The Kinvara is a lightweight shoe, meaning it lacks the lateral stability of its heavier counterparts. Runners seeking stability or a super plush feeling may find the minimal build of this shoe lacking — though the stack is noticeably higher on the Kinvara 14 than it was on the 13, a change that has proven pretty divisive among users. The outsole of the Kinvara is also a bit foamier than some, making it a poor choice for crossing over into burlier terrain. But for a versatile shoe with a wallet-friendly price, we still feel the Kinvara is the best value. Shoes we tested that cost less, like the Brooks Revel 6, scored lower in metrics like cushioning and responsiveness.

Read more: Saucony Kinvara 14 review

Best Underfoot Cushion

Asics Gel-Kayano 30 - Women's

Weight (per shoe): 8.01 oz | Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 11mm

If you have been dreaming of a super plush shoe with buttery soft laces and enough responsiveness to get you hustling, look no further because we have the answer to your prayers. The Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is the super-cushioned, maximalist shoe that all others wish it could be. Its thick and comfortable stack hosts enough energy return to be considered responsive while also providing some rearfoot stability. If comfort is what you're after, this might be your perfect match.

The Gel-Kayano 30 runs a bit short in length, so we recommend sizing up by half a size when you buy. The chunky outsole is cozy as can be, but this shoe also runs on the heavier side because of all of its comfort elements. And even though the outsole is semi-responsive, there are many other shoes that are more speed-focused if that is what you desire. The thickness of the stack on this shoe certainly isn't going to be every runner's cup of tea, but for those looking for optimal comfort while running, this is a great shoe to try out. Hoka fans might consider the similar Hoka Clifton 9, although it scored just slightly lower in a few of our test metrics (you can directly compare the two models here).

Read more: Asics Gel-Kayano 30 review

Best Balance of Comfort and Responsiveness

Puma Deviate Nitro 2 - Women's

Weight (per shoe): 7.02 oz | Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is our top recommendation for a versatile and race-ready shoe due to its strong responsiveness and balanced cushion. The padding is intelligently placed, providing comfort that is suitable for longer races but responsive enough to help you break a new PR. For runners looking for their first racing shoe, this could make a great first purchase. Veteran runners motivated to shed time and PR on the regular will also enjoy the fit, speed, and affordability that this shoe offers.

The Deviate Nitro 2 is slightly more built than other racing kicks on the market, which contributes to its slightly heavy weight. Other racing shoes (like the Nike Vaporfly 3) are ultra-lightweight, but they ultimately lack the comfort and support of this one. Runners in need of a plush ride won't enjoy the scant yet specific cushioning of the Deviate, but if a comfortable-for-racing shoe is what you are looking for, this is a fantastic place to start.

Read more: Puma Deviate Nitro 2 review

Best for Racing

Nike Vaporfly 3 - Women's

Weight (per shoe): 4.98 oz | Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

The Nike Vaporfly 3 is, hands down, the most responsive shoe we tested this season. With a full-length carbon fiber plate embedded into its outsole, a wildly minimal upper, and a streamlined fit, this shoe comes out of the box ready to race. Its skewed lace bed structure ensures a snug fit, and the Flyknit yarn weave of the upper provides prime breathability. Once you start to dial up your speed in the Vaporfly, you're met with a pop, pop, pop sound as one footfall powerfully encourages the next.

If you aren't looking for a speed shoe, don't buy the Vaporfly 3. It has a high stack, responsively rigid outsole, and minimalistic upper, so it lacks the versatility to be a daily trainer or a distance training shoe. The upper weave works well for racing, but this is not the shoe we recommend for runners needing stability —our top choice for stability is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. The Vaporfly is also quite expensive, nearly double the price of many shoes we tested. However, if it fits into your budget and training plan, the Vaporfly is a great investment for race days and speed work.

Read more: Nike Vaporfly 3 review

Best Daily Trainer

Brooks Glycerin 20 - Women's

Weight (per shoe): 8.11 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10mm

The Brooks Glycerin 20 is one of the shoes we recommend as nearly universally comfortable. With many width options available, there is a size to fit runners of all foot shapes and sizes. The nitrogen-infused midsole offers a bit more responsiveness than most familiar-fitting shoes, and with this comes excellent versatility. From long runs to speed workouts to cross-training days, the Glycerin is our go-to pick for those looking to keep things simple. If you want a shoe that will do it all with you in comfort, look no further.

The simplicity of the Glycerin might not appeal to runners who desire a lot of tech in their gear. While it offers many of the elements of more tech-forward kicks, its overall fit and ride are classic when compared to racing or maximalist shoes. It's also on the heavier side when compared to its competition. The weight is distributed well, but it lacks the levity of some of the others. But if you want a comfortable shoe that is ready for anything you throw at it, the Glycerin is one we keep coming back to. For even more cushioning, check out the Asics Gel-Kayano 30. The updated Glycerin 21 is also reported to have more cushioning, but we've yet to test it.

Read more: Brooks Glycerin 20 review

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Why You Should Trust Us

Over the last decade, our running experts have tested over 100 pairs of the most popular running shoes. Before kicking off our testing, we extensively researched the market, spending hours comparing features, materials, and fit to help you find the best options out there. Once our lineup was solidified, we tested these running shoes for several months, where we truly put them through the wringer. We subjected each contender to over 30 miles of running, which is more than 480 miles overall, running hard and far to find which kicks can hold up and which aren't worth the time. We ran on various terrains, such as pavement, beaches, tracks for speed workouts, and dirt trails. Yes, our legs are tired, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Beyond just testing road running shoes out in the field, we cut them open and assess what they are made of in our lab. We measure and remeasure stack heights, outsole thicknesses, heel-to-toe differentials, and dozens of other things to see if they match what the manufacturers claim. In many cases, we found slight discrepancies, which further informed our testing process.

Our tests are grouped into five weighted rating metrics:

• Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25% of overall score weighting)

• Responsiveness (25% weighting)

• Stability (20% weighting)

• Upper Comfort (15% weighting)

• Weight (15% weighting)

Our lead road running expert is exercise specialist Ally Arcuri. She is an avid runner, fitness junkie, cancer survivor, accomplished ultramarathoner, PE teacher, and yoga teacher. Ally has broken tape at quite a few middle-distance races and intends to win more now that her cancer journey is behind her. You can find Ally and her dog out running, from open roads to beaches to trails. Her years of work in physical therapy help guide her through the sea of running gear available, and a degree in kinesiology provides valuable scientific insight.

Analysis and Test Results

Whether you're training for a marathon or walking your dog, picking the right shoe for your needs can be challenging. Recent advancements in materials and design have led to a bewildering array of choices, with every company catering to a different need. Plus, the improvements made in traditional models, the progression toward minimalist or barefoot footwear, and the recent eruption of maximally cushioned products have added new layers of complexity. Luckily, we are here to help you make sense of it all and guide you towards finding your new running mate.

Before diving in, it's important to decide if road-specific running shoes are the best choice for you. If you run primarily on roads, sidewalks, the treadmill, or a track, you are in the right spot. Even if you take an occasional cruise through dirt roads and light cross-country trails, a road-running shoe will likely be your best option. If you are more interested in bombing down rocky trails, our lineup of epic trail running shoes will have better options for you, many of which crossover onto roads beautifully.

Value

At GearLab, we buy all of our products at retail prices just like you and have our testing team put them through an aggressive battery of tests without looking at the price tag. We consider the price only after accurately and fairly scoring each pair of shoes across our metrics. We've found that value, durability, and versatility go hand-in-hand. If a shoe only performs well in one situation, its value is often lower than a more well-rounded option. Some shoes are designed for very specific purposes, like the race-ready (and very expensive) Nike Vaporfly 3. It is up to you to determine if you want to invest in one versatile, high-value shoe or in an array of kicks with different strengths.

The Saucony Kinvara 14 is at the top of our list when it comes to value. Available for less than many of the other shoes on the market, its comfort and versatility solidify its standing. The Brooks Adrenaline and Brooks Glycerin are other excellent choices in terms of value. Though they cost more than the Kinvara, both are highly versatile. A shoe that you can wear daily, or in most situations, has the makings of a fantastic value.

Cushioning and Landing Comfort

Whether you run a few miles a year or are tied to a rigorous training schedule, it's called "pounding pavement" for a reason. With that pounding in mind, our testers consider this metric one of the most important evaluation criteria for road-focused running shoes.

Nothing makes someone want to stop running more than tired, blistered feet or achy joints, so we used this category to judge a few different shoe traits. We review the ability to cushion the feet and provide adequate shock absorption for each contender. We also compare the construction of midsoles and materials through feel and by cutting each pair open in our lab. Deconstructing each pair in this way gave us a holistic view of what each shoe is made of and how well each holds up to the manufacturers' claims of underfoot cushion. We got to know each shoe and assessed its ideal running scenarios, whether built for long runs or speed workouts (or neither).

Maximalist-style shoes are trending, and many brands are keeping up with the demands. Out of the shoes we tested, Asics rose to the tippy top in this metric with the innovative release of the Gel-Kayano 30. The plush underfoot stack and buttery rebound make it a shoe for runners seeking a bit of luxury during their pavement-pounding sessions. The heel of the Kayano stands at 37mm, and the forefoot at 26mm, making it the highest-stacked shoe in our lineup.

The Hoka Clifton 9 scored slightly behind the Gel-Kayano 30, but barely. The Clifton is a standout shoe in many metrics, but especially when it comes to underfoot cushion. With a thick stack and pillowy landing comfort, it is a great shoe to check out if your joints are begging you for comfort. Much like the Kayano, the Clifton is tall. Its stack is 34mm and 28mm in the heel and forefoot, respectively, providing a thick crash pad for your feet.

If a maximalist-style shoe is not for you, there are a few more traditionally-shaped options that offer optimal landing comfort. The award-winning Brooks Adrenaline 23 and Brooks Glycerin 20 are two classic-style kicks with great underfoot comfort. The Brooks Ghost 15 is another high-scoring shoe in this metric, thanks to its specifically-placed cushion.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness describes how a shoe responds to the energy you put into it, how quickly and efficiently your feet travel through the motions of each stride, and how agile you feel doing so. Often but not always, the higher a shoe scores in responsiveness, the lower it scores in landing comfort, and vice versa. The thicker and softer cushioning that increases landing comfort can sometimes make a shoe feel spongy and hinder responsiveness. Manufacturers have greatly increased the balance of cushioning and responsiveness in ultra-comfy kicks through new technologically advanced foams and materials. While individual foot shape and muscle composition can dictate how agile a runner may feel in a certain pair of shoes, certain patterns and indicators help us reasonably assess this complicated metric.

The most responsive shoes in our lineup all have carbon fiber plates embedded into their soles, which provide a strong launchpad for runners. Instead of simply absorbing the impact, these plates almost propel the body forward, ensuring that the energy put into each footfall is returned. The Nike Vaporfly 3 is the most responsive shoe we tested this season. With a sleek shape and powerful outsole, this is the shoe we recommend to runners looking to tackle speedwork and set PR's. While not a great everyday shoe, the Vaporfly is a prime pick for racing since it provides such powerful energy return.

The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 earned incredibly high marks in this metric as well. Also hosting a carbon plate, the Deviate Nitro offers a bit more softness than the Vaporfly, which makes it more appropriate for daily training and longer races. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is another highly responsive running shoe with a plate for added propulsion. The Endorphin Speed also offers a streamlined fit but with a slightly more convex shape and softer body, two elements that create a more forgiving ride than the aforementioned Deviate and Vaporfly.

Stability

Stability is another crucial metric in the world of running. When referencing stability, we are talking about the lateral stability a shoe offers. Lateral stability is significant for runners who tend to over or underpronate while running. Over time, small imbalances can lead to huge, lingering injuries. Running shoe manufacturers add structural support by reinforcing the lateral midsole of their shoes. Sometimes, they will also insert more rigid materials to stabilize the shoe and promote proper foot alignment through the stride.

In general, we have found that stability-increasing structures and weight are at odds, but the extra ounces are often worth a lifetime of proper running form. Many speed shoes lack stability, so it is up to you to determine whether you want to have a lineup of shoes or just one pair. If possible, we recommend having a pair for long, daily runs and a more responsive pair for speed work and racing. Of course, it isn't always an option to purchase and tote around multiple pairs. In that case, opting for something with a balance of responsive energy return and stability is the way to go.

The Brooks Adrenaline and the Asics Gel-Kayano are two of our top recommendations when it comes to lateral stability. The former has built-in structures to encourage proper gait patterning, and the latter has a bulbous heel shape that helps correct wonky strides.

The Altra Torin 7 is a super stable shoe that earned its merits here by providing a zero-drop differential instead of extra structures. By forcing the heel to ride in line with the toe (or 1mm higher, as we measured in our testing), the body can rely on the rear musculature of the body for additional strength and security. Zero-drop shoes are not for all runners, but they are fantastic for those who are prone to rolling their ankles because the shape helps prevent it.

The Brooks Ghost, Brooks Glycerin, and Hoka Clifton are all honorable mentions in this category as well. Even without specified structures, all three pairs provide balanced structure and comfort.

Upper Comfort

Aside from style, the first thing we notice about a shoe is its upper comfort. We are highly picky about how the tongue and lace combo touches our feet. Nobody wants the lace bed digging into their upper foot, so we weeded out the aggressive from the smooth. The flexibility of materials, foot box shape, and overall upper design and construction all play into this, ideally coalescing in a shoe that lets you forget you're even wearing it. Feet often swell as your running heats up, so tight and unforgiving laces that obstruct blood flow are a sure way for a shoe to get a lower score in this area.

The high-scoring Brooks Adrenaline earned the top marks in this category due to its familiar fit, comfortable weave, and variety of width options. The tongue of the Adrenaline is nearly half an inch thick, providing great comfort across the lace bed. The Brooks Glycerin and Asics Gel-Kayano both scored closely behind the Adrenaline. The Lululemon Blissfeel 2 is a standout because of its unique-to-you upper. The knit of the upper textile conforms to your feet after just a few runs, providing a more tailored upper than most. The upper does run hot though, which caused us to deduct a few points from the Blissfeel's overall score.

The Nike Pegasus 40 stands out but in a slightly different way than the Blissfeel. The cushy upper, plush tongue, and roomy toe box offer a bit more comfort than past versions. When you are spending hours running in a shoe, ensuring that the upper fits your unique anatomy in a comfortable way is crucial to executing enjoyable runs.

Another standout is the New Balance FreshFoam X 880v13. The upper of this versatile runner fits like the most delicious sockliner you've ever felt. It encases your feet in soft, supple synthetic mesh and provides ample toebox real estate. The toebox gives your toes enough space to splay and adjust to the terrain as you run, and it is also built tall enough to eliminate any pressure or pain on your toes vertically.

Weight

We can't deny that shoe weight affects running ability, but we caution against judging shoes based solely on this metric. This may be one of the first things we notice as we pull shoes out of the box — could a few ounces hold the key to your running success? It all depends on what your goals are. Unless elite-level racing is in your near future, we'd suggest using weight as a secondary deciding factor after more noticeable criteria like upper and landing comfort. Once you've narrowed down your selection slightly, you can use weight to hone in on your final choice.

The lightest shoe we tested is the Nike Vaporfly 3, which is why we love it as a racing shoe. The Saucony Kinvara 14 is another extremely lightweight shoe, though far less niche (and almost mindbogglingly cheaper). If you want a lightweight shoe with some versatility, the Kinvara is worth considering. The Hoka Mach 5 is a fantastic option if you want combined levity and speed. It rides like a responsive shoe but with enough comfort for long, easy distances.

Conclusion

The footwear market, especially running shoes, is oversaturated with options and full of lingo and misleading marketing. Therefore, finding the right running shoe to add to your kit can be a huge and daunting task. Fortunately, we have the details you need to make an informed decision. We spent months reviewing the most popular women's models on the market, from lightweight minimalist superstars to plush maximalist mileage hogs — and everything else in between. Have fun out there!