10 Long-Distance Running Shoes That'll Help You Get Across the Finish Line

• Super lightweight
• Built for execution

• The kinda insane shape might affect gait
• Not necessary for more casual runners

Mizuno's Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Lo is built for absolute performance. It's the kind of shoe thats built for running and running quickly. The flat photos don't do this shoe justice, but it has quite an insane shape that cuts inward at the heel, forcing a midfoot-to-toe strike.

It is lightweight with a tight fit, and you gotta wear higher socks so the higher ankle doesn't rub. It's kind of like wearing, I don't know, a skin-tight swimsuit to knock a few seconds of your swim time. Which is to say, if those few seconds matter to you, this shoe can help get you there.

• Responsive
• Best for comfortable long-distance paces

• Laces super long and not my favorite material
• Specific aesthetic

If, however, you are not trying to win the marathon and just trying to finish it, On's brand-new Cloudboom Max is for you. These shoes are meant to give you as much cushioning as possible without sacrificing support, and to do so as comfortably as possible.

It has an embedded glass fiber Speedboard, which functions to keep your feet supported and propelled forward throughout the length of a run. But this on is a bit more comfortable than more elite carbon plates. That said, I found the laces on these to be crazy long (which can be useful for some foot types) but also just texturally off—a diamond-shaped flat lace that just felt not great to me.

• Great cushion
• Solid mixed-terrain grip

• Not the best toe box
• Not as durable as you might want a mixed-terrain shoe to be

Salomon's Aero Glide matches excellent cushioning with a solid underfoot grip. It's built for gravel, but we think it performs best on more mixed terrains. Say, if you're going on a run outside and might hit some gravel or dirt patches. The stack height is too high for anything like trail run—mixed terrain is where it's at.

• Super fun for running
• Feels great for all distance types

• A bit narrow for some
• Heavier than early models

New Balance's FuelCell SuperComp sneaker is as fun to look at as it is to run in. It's cushioned but bouncy, able to really disperse impact for as long as you need 'em to. They have a stabilizing carbon fiber plate (so you can race in them, too) and extra forefoot foam for a nicer underfoot feel.

The midsole is angled not just for looks—though looks they have—but to provide more cushion with minimal added weight. That said, these are a bit heavier than earlier models and some find the toebox on this iteration too narrow.

• Bouncy
• Improved comfy toe box

• Not a super-cushioned feel
• Some find the upper not as comfortable as earlier styles

Saucony's Endorphin has had a few iterations of the race-day-ready shoe, and this one has some slight upgrades to make for a supported long run. The big upgrades on this iteration is the semi-rigid nylon plate, which is slightly more flexible and less noticeably uncomfortable than your standard carbon plate. There is cushion but it's an overall firmer (even stiff) run than some other maxed-out cushion shoes.

• Roomy toe box
• Flexible feeling

• Run small
• Low heel drop not the right fit for all feet

Altra Running designs its shoes for optimal foot health, paying particular design attention to the toe-box design on every shoe. This one has a toe box wide enough to spread out in and feel comfortable even if your feet swell after running for a while. It has a supportive full-length carbon plate—this iteration has been updated with an even longer plate—on the inside and flexible, grippy grooves on the outside. It's designed to work with your foot rather than dominate your stride. The Carbon 2 has a slightly higher stack hight than the original version, which may or may not work for your run style.

• Grippy outsole
• Good for neutral or overpronating runners

• Some reviewers report they can be squeaky
• Laces don't feel super secure

If we're running off anecdotes alone, Asics Gel-Kayano sneakers have been my personal go-to sneakers since college. As someone who is prone to shin splints and complaining a lot, this sneaker line has consistently saved me from them. They are easy to put on, are comfy without feeling heavy, and don't smush my toes into an uncomfortable position. Some of the material upgrades have been great, like the breathable knit collar and extra-grippy outsole. They're great for neutral runners and anyone with low arches.

These aren't going for any marathon-length runs (OK, I'm not going anywhere near a marathon-length run right now in my journey) and I'd imagine they are too heavy for PRing anything.

• Stable
• Roomy toes

• Not supersoft underfoot
• Heel a bit stiff

A lot of runners have good experiences with the Brooks Ghost series, and the 17 is the latest iteration. The shoe is roomy, with a spaced-out toe box and a comfortable mesh upper. The support is solidly neutral, and I find it feels a bit stiff for someone who's used to more cushioning on a running shoe. The heel and midsole are on the firmer side, but for feet and runners who don't need a ton of support and want that quick response, these are a good fit. We like how there are narrow, medium, wide, and extra-wide size options.

• Come in regular and wide sizes
• Lightweight

• No carbon plate
• Some were disappointed in midsole changes from Mach 5 to 6

Of course Hokas are known for insane cushioning—not always the best choice for long-distance running—but the brand can tone it down, too. The Mach 6 is a longtime marathoner favorite with a lower, firmer cushion (than, say, the Clifton) that makes landings soft but not so soft that you feel stuck to the ground. It has a neutral stability and light weight but doesn't have the added carbon plate that some other long-distance shoes use to maintain long-run stability and response.

• Waterproof
• Light for a trail shoe

• Run narrow
• Gore-Tex construction can feel even tighter on wide feet

The Nike Pegasus is a perennial favorite for long-distance runners, particularly anyone with narrower feet. But if you're running outside—either trail running or just getting miles in the great outdoors—it's hard to beat a go-to sneaker done up in Gore-Tex. This runs just like a regular runner would: It doesn't feel too bulky or heavy, like some trail shoes can. The outer is waterproof, and the high ankle cuff and extended toe add extra foot protection.

Materials

Long-distance running shoes tend to get the best sneaker innovations because they need them. Sneakers jogging a few miles inside just don't need the same durability. Here we're looking for built-out midsoles, grippy outsoles, and uppers to preference. There are options for knit and gusseted, cushioned, and waterproof.

Support

Those sneaker innovations include details and designs that make a shoe better at giving consistent support for long periods of time. You generally need a thoughtful midsole for the best support. For long-distance support, carbon-fiber plates are the best right now.

Cushion

How much cushion is the right amount of cushion is purely personal. Some people want a soft, cushy landing, while others want to feel propelled forward. There's no better way to see how much cushion you like than to try out the shoes.

Keeping in mind that not all running shoes are right for all people, we stuck to the shoes that a range of us have tested and worn over the years. Many picks are the latest in a sneaker line, so we've seen these evolve, too.

We're never going let a sneaker slip by without taking a critical eye to its construction, makeup, and longevity. We're serious about our sneakers—and even more so when it comes to sneakers that need to perform like these.