If you want to nab that legendary “runner’s high,” you’ll need to lace up some of the best jogging shoes. The right sneakers will give your joints the cushion and support they crave, and prevent you from heading home with achy, blistered feet. Trust me: As a longtime runner and certified running coach, I’ve tried at least five dozen different pairs while training for marathons and ultramarathons, and have learned firsthand just how big of a role shoes can play in how much you enjoy your walks or runs. But with so many options out there and all kinds of fancy tech (Zero-drop! Carbon plate! Rocker bottom!), it’s easy to get lost in a sea of jargon.
To help you find the right jogging shoe for your feet, I tapped podiatrists to learn what makes a great pair and get their top recs. I also chatted with a number of runners who’ve worn those recommended shoes—sometimes for hundreds of miles—to find what they actually feel like when, well, rubber literally hits the road. Our top pick is the New Balance 1080v14 because they’re backed by experts and runners alike, and have just the right amount of bounce and cushion for all types of joggers. Whether you’re heading out for a marathon, short jog, or anything in between, these expert-approved picks below will make the miles fly by.
The best jogging shoes, at a glance
How we chose the best jogging shoes
What to look for in jogging shoes
- Fit: When it comes to jogging shoes, what’s most important is getting a proper fit. “It should feel snug, but not tight,” says Anne Sharkey, DPM, a podiatrist based in Texas. “Kind of like you’re getting a gentle hug or a squeeze, and you should always have enough room to wiggle your toes.”
- Arch support: You want to make sure to get the right arch support to match your foot type. If you’ve got low arches—a.k.a. flat feet—you’ll want stability shoes that guide your feet into proper alignment. (How to tell? Your bare footprint will look like one big oval with no hole where your arch is.) Normal or high-arched feet can reach for neutral shoes.
- Cushion: Dr. Tine says that most of us (and especially anyone over age 30) can benefit from wearing well-cushioned shoes. Whether you’re on pavement or a treadmill, running is pretty high impact, which can do a number on our joints when the miles add up. Having a good amount of foam in your shoes can help to minimize all the wear and tear of daily running.
- Traction: Keep in mind the conditions you’ll be running in: If you’re heading to the trails, or live in a rainy climate where the streets are often wet and slick, the best shoe will have more traction on the outsole—check out a trail running shoe with lugs on the bottom like the Nike Pegasus or a road running shoe with an extra-grippy rubber outsole like the Puma Velocity Nitro. These will help you finish your run still standing upright.
How we selected the best jogging shoes
To find you the best jogging shoes available today, we consulted podiatrists who work with runners to learn more about what to look for in a good pair for various foot types and preferences. We also got their suggestions for specific models to check out. Then, to learn what those recs actually feel like to jog in, we chatted with everyday runners who keep these shoes in their own closets and have worn them for all kinds of runs, from easy morning miles to major marathon races. I’m a certified running coach so I vetted the picks myself and spoked with other certified trainers for their recs. Those that made our cut not only got a podiatrist seal of approval for foot health, but also passed the vibe check with real joggers who happily slip them on over and over again—some for hundreds of miles.
Best Overall: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14
Original image by Glamour contributor Jennifer Heimlich
These soft, reliable sneakers are just what the foot doctor ordered—literally. Stephanie Tine, DPM, a podiatric physician who specializes in sports medicine, says that most of her patients who try the Fresh Foam 1080s find them to be super comfy. “They’re just really great shoes,” she says. “They’re well-made. And they’re cushioned, too.” These New Balances even earned a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), and have a loyal following among runners who love the supportive Fresh Foam X cushioning that has just the right amount of bounce. Honestly, I always keep a pair in my closet. The foam is soft enough to create a gentle buffer between my feet and the road, but not so pillowy that I feel like I’m sinking into them. Instead, they just give my stride a light, lively perkiness. Whether I’m using them as training shoes or walking shoes, they’re the kind of kicks that are so comfortable I can just forget about them altogether.
Widths: Narrow, standard, wide, and extra wide | Cushioning: Extra | Support: Neutral
- Pros: Balanced cushioning; lightweight; comes in four widths
- Cons: Run a little big
Best Jogging Shoes for Long Distances: On Cloudmonster
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Original image by Glamour contributor Jennifer Heimlich
Looking for shoes that’ll soak up the shock of your strides for miles on end? Check out the On Cloudmonster. It’s the Swiss brand’s most cushioned model, and many people love its top-notch impact absorption, says Anne Sharkey, DPM, a podiatrist based in Texas. Here, On’s signature pods on the sole are set beneath a stiff plate that helps drive you forward and cushy foam in the midsole that gives you an extra dose of padding. Runner Meagan Brooks says these shoes “feel like running on a bouncy house.” She recently wore them to race the Every Woman’s Marathon, and loves how lightweight but supportive they are. “My toes also don’t get squished, which was my problem with my previous brand,” she adds. They give her enough traction on wet, even slightly snowy roads, so she can keep up her training no matter the weather. Plus, cushy runners are a hot 2025 sneaker trend right now.
Widths: Standard | Cushioning: Maximum | Support: Neutral
- Pros: Major cushioning with great bounce; lightweight; wide toe box
- Cons: Small rocks can get caught in the sole
Best Cushioned Jogging Shoes: Hoka Clifton 9
Original image by Glamour contributor Stacy Smith
Hoka is the king of cushion. And the Cliftons—which also boast the APMA Seal of Acceptance—are a regular podiatrist recommendation. Dr. Tine herself rocks them both at work and on runs. “I can wear them all day and not have foot pain or back pain,” she says. The plush EVA foam softens the impact of your strides while the aggressive rocker bottom makes it easy to roll through your feet from landing to takeoff. The result? Your feet and legs just might feel a bit fresher than usual when the miles add up. Runner Stacy Smith compares the sensation to “running on clouds” and adds that they don’t feel as bulky as they look. Although, she does get lots of comments about their beefy stack height (38 millimeters between your feet and the ground, to be exact), which can make a pretty bold statement.
Widths: Standard | Cushioning: Extra | Support: Neutral
- Pros: Tons of cushioning; durable
- Cons: Bulky; foam can feel too soft for some
Best Jogging Shoes for Beginners: Adidas Ultraboost 5X
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Original image by Glamour contributor Jennifer Heimlich
When you first start running, it helps to have a shoe that both feels good and looks good enough to make you wanna lace up. The Adidas Ultraboost 5X checks both boxes. I find it honestly makes running more fun, with springy cushion and a fast, easy push-off as you propel your body into the air. Meanwhile, the stretchy mesh upper conforms right to your feet, which is very helpful because it minimizes unwanted friction and keeps blisters at bay. Bonus: The cute styling and cushy sole also makes this no-fuss daily trainer great to wear for standing all day.
Widths: Standard | Cushioning: Moderate | Support: Neutral
- Pros: Bouncy ride; stretchy, breathable upper; made with recycled materials
- Cons: Can be too wide for narrow feet
Best Jogging Shoes for Seniors: Brooks Ghost 16
Original image by Glamour contributor Pamela Stahl
Although mature joints can benefit from extra cushioning, Dr. Tine finds that seniors can sometimes struggle with super-thick soles. “Sometimes they trip or just don’t feel stable,” she says. That’s why she suggests the APMA-approved Brooks Ghost. With Goldilocks levels of soft foam, this longtime runner fave absorbs shock without making you feel like you’re teetering on top of stilts.
“I’m 70 years old, and because of the Ghost I can still run,” says Pamela Stahl, who struggles with a neuroma (benign tumor) and a displaced toe. “The cushion and the support just keeps everything from hurting.” That said, if you need more stability, Dr. Tine recommends trying the Brooks Glycerin GTS 21.
Widths: Narrow, standard, wide, and extra wide | Cushioning: Moderate | Support: Neutral
- Pros: Great cushion and support; made with recycled materials; comes in four widths
- Cons: Limited colorways in alternate width options
Best Jogging Shoes for Wide Feet: Hoka Bondi 9
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Original image by Glamour contributor Uma Staehler
Just when you thought Hoka couldn’t possibly add more foam to its shoes, they released the Hoka Bondi 9 with the thickest stack height yet: It’s got a whopping 42 millimeters of chunky cushion underneath the heel. But the Bondi’s got more to offer than just XXL vibes. Personally, I find the ultra-padded tongue and heel make this sneaker feel downright cozy, while the rocker bottom helps push me forward to keep up the pace. Dr. Tine also recommends the Bondi to anyone with wide feet, since the toe box offers plenty of room. Need even more space? This style comes in wide and extra wide.
