Editor’s note, May 4, 2026: We are in the process of testing all the new spring shoe releases including the now available Brooks Ghost 18 . The Ghost 17 , currently on this list, is on sale now with 20 percent off. New runners tend to ask me, “What’s the best running shoe?” My answer: it all depends on the runner. Maybe you’re training for a marathon , trying to get faster , or just want a new pair of kicks to start jogging . From beginner to vet, road to trail, neutral to stability, there are all kinds of shoes to choose from. For men’s running shoes, specifically, you kind of have the upper hand in terms of construction because most running shoes are designed for men’s feet by default. Even on unisex racing shoes, runners with smaller ankles often need to use special tricks like the heel lock lacing technique to tighten the fit, because they were built based on a men's last with a wider collar. That doesn’t mean you can check out when it comes to finding the best fit.…
