The Best Running Shoes of 2016 (so far)

$120 – The Ghost 9 is a very solid, no-nonsense neutral running shoe that delivers on all aspects. A new seamless upper improves on an already great fit. The cushioning is soft and the traction great even on wet surfaces.

$120 – The Saucony Ride 9 is a neutral trainer, designed to be durable and perform well while running on road and track surfaces. With the large amount of cushioning and ample use of rubber combined with a relatively low weight, the Ride 9s could be considered a racing shoe for distances over 10km.

$140 – Newest introduction to the Asics family, the DynaFlyte is a premium well cushioned neutral shoe. It is the first Asics shoe to utilize the FlyteFoam derived from the ultra-expensive MetaRun and makes for a fantastic shoe, although on the expensive side compared to the competition.

$130 – The adidas Supernova Sequence 9 road-running shoe is a top tier stability shoe that offers a superbly cushioned ride together with support coming from both the midsole and the overlays locking down the engineered mesh of the upper. Despite the bulked-out features of the shoe, it’s surprisingly light, coming in at 1.2 ounces less per shoe than the previous model in its line!

$120 – Long time Running Shoes Guru favorite, the Structure 19 combines the soft cushioning of the Zoom Air with a very stable three density medial post. Engineered mesh in the upper improve massively on the comfort of the 18.

$120 – The Ravenna 7 are some of the first that would come to mind when I would make a recommendation to runners who need a little support. They respond well to speed and distance, which means they can certainly be a go-to shoe.

$130 – Hoka One One is the brand that brought us maximal cushioning and the Clifton is the shoe that converts the skeptics. The Clifton 3 improves upon an already stellar platform. It combines ultra soft cushioning and comfort into a lightweight package delivering a ride as smooth as they come.

$140 – The Asics 33-M 2 is a lightweight highly cushioned trainer designed for runners with a neutral foot strike. This shoe is an excellent option for runners looking for a trainer that can provide a natural maximum cushioned ride, remain lightweight, and withstand the mileage.

$160 – The LunarEpic launched in a mid version. Runners everywhere loved the soft bouncy cushioning of the innovative Lunar midsole but almost universally hated the mid cut, reporting heel blisters. Nike now released the low version which completely eliminates the issue.

$110 – The Sayonara replaces both the Elixir and the Precision in Mizuno’s line while being lighter than either shoe. It is meant as a fast training/race day shoe, but its responsive cushioning and engineering of the sole will support longer distances on a regular basis.

$135 – These shoes are the perfect balance of lightweight, minimal, and supportive. The Fate II’s offer an incredibly comfortable fit, while also providing adequate support and grip through rough terrain.

$90 – Weighting in at 9 ounces for only $90 – the 33 DFA 2 is an incredibly attractive offer from Asics – we would go as far as to say they are a must buy.

$110 – New introduction in 2016 for Mizuno, the Catalyst is the lightweight support shoe that the world was waiting for. Great stability and a very smooth heel-to-toe transition are its main points. It is meant for going fast, but it can take long runs with ease.

$120 – The DS Trainer is one of those shoes that has always been good, but has improved with time.

$100 – The Vazee Prism adds a touch of stability to the sleek, fast Vazee line. For $100, it is definitely worth a try.

$120 – If you are looking for an introduction to trail running, the Speed Instinct is what we call a road/trail hybrid. Comfortable enough to run on pavement, but rugged enough to take you through some non-technical trails. Combine this with very light weight, low stack height and a stable base and you have found your very first trail running shoe.

$120 – The Lone Peak 3.0 improves over already incredibly successful 2.0 and 2.5 – Liked for the zero drop, toebox design that allows for maximum toe spread and a particularly grippy outsole, it is a shoe we recommend to all kind of trail runners, but particularly for ultra runners for 50 milers and up.

$100 – Ready for running on challenging terrains thanks to very aggressive lug pattern and a 3/4 rock plate, the Summit sports a no-sew upper that is quite flexible and quite low weigth. Couple all this with a $100 price-point and we can see this shoe be very successful for NB going forward.

$60 – The Cohesion continues its tradition of being an amazing value for its money. It’s a very versatile choice for daily use and our main recommendation if you are looking for a good running shoe on a budget. It also comes in a wide version.

$60 – The Duramo 7 looks more expensive than its list price. It has a nice responsive cushioning thanks to Adiprene and the seamless upper is truly amazing to see at this price point.There are some concerns over durability though.

$60 – The Asics Gel Contend 3 is a budget shoe that offers a cushioned ride in an inexpensive package. This focus on cushioning makes the shoe slightly heavier than similar models, but does not take away from the overall great performance of the shoe.