Road running shoes
Road shoes are judged mainly on cushioning and comfort. Start with the price range that fits your budget.
How the road running shoes rankings work
Road shoes are made for pavement and other hard, smooth surfaces.
We rank 15 road running shoes in three price ranges: Smart Buy (under $110, 5 products), Sweet Spot ($110 to $160, 5 products), and Top Shelf (over $160, 5 products). Regular prices run from $75 to $225. Each ranking holds at most five products, and a product appears in one price range only.
Cushioning and comfort makes up 45% of every score and ride and energy return 25%. Weight, and durability count 15% each.
Scores come from manufacturer specifications, independent reviews and owner reviews. We do not test products in person. How we score.