Running Shoes for Men – Honest Review of 2019

Side Note: Before shopping for running shoes for men, you need to find out what kind of foot strike you have: pronation, supination or neutral. This will help you allow you to choose shoes that will be comfortable and prevent future injuries. You can learn what kind of foot strike you have here.

With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to choose the right running shoes for men. This review will give you our honest, and complete opinion about each shoe, and can save you hours researching.

So without further ado, here are the best running shoes for men:

1. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 – Running Shoes for Men

Image by @casualtennis via Instagram

Just admit it: The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35’s look incredible. There are several other color options available too.

They made the top of our list not only because of their stunning style but also their impeccable reviews online. Not to mention, it’s my favorite shoe ever.

These lightweight shoes have a rubber outsole that provides great traction when running on different surfaces like grass, roads, and trails. The amazing feature about the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 is that it provides responsive cushioning. This versatility allows for the perfect all-in-one running shoe.

It doesn’t matter if you’re running several 200m or a 16-mile long run – these shoes can do it all.  These shoes offer a heel design that swoops back to avoid causing Achilles tension. It also offers one of the softest soles on the market – making it even more desirable for athletes dealing with current or previous injuries.

Although these are on the higher-end side of shoes, their durability and versatility make it well worth it.

2. New Balance Zante Pursuit V1 Fresh Foam – Running Shoes for Men

New Balance Zante Pursuit V1 Fresh Foam Running Shoes for Men
Image by @roadtrailrun via Instagram

New Balance is dominating the shoe game right now. The Zante Pursuit easily made our list because it’s one of the best well-rounded shoes out there.

It’s stylish. I mean look at it. These shoes feel stable to run in and stick out of the crowd. The Zante’s make shoes like Brooks Adrenaline GTS look like trash, and make you never want to switch back to any other shoe.

The Fresh Foam sole is soft and allows for a nice bounce effect when you’re running. These shoes not only look good, but they also make you feel good too. The added confidence from the pop and even the structure of the shoe almost forces you to run faster.

I’ve been running for a few months now, and these are the ones I use daily. I have noticed a strong decrease in times, especially in my mile pace. I will continue to buy these and would strongly recommend them for people who have been running for at least a few months and want an extra edge.

It’s a great shoe for anyone who considers themselves to be intermediate to fast distance runners.

3. Sketchers Go Run Ride 7 – Running Shoes for Men

Image by @sketcherstw via Instagram

The Sketchers Go Run Ride 7’s were the dark horse of our list. They got an honorable mention for their price and consistent five-star reviews. If you have a midfoot or neutral strike, then these shoes are definitely for you. No doubt.

You’re in for a smooth run with these comfortable and lightweight shoes. Its’ responsive Flight Gen cushioning has the running world raving. These shoes are durable, cheap, and fast. They are the perfect shoes especially for beginners or people who just need a consistent training shoe.

With the Go Run Ride 7’s, you don’t have to worry about your shoe wearing out quickly. Even on wet surfaces, they offer an open knit upper for easy drainage. It’s the perfect shoe for long runs! These shoes can take a ton of mileage and can last a long time. Unlike other shoes, the Go Run Ride 7’s allow room to “spread” your toes at the front of the shoe. Its strong grip on surfaces allows you to be less injury-prone.

If you’re just starting to consistently run, we would recommend these to try out first.

Avoid: ASICS GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoes for Men

Image by @chattiboy via Instagram

This section is important to include because making a mistake like buying an ASICS Men’s Gel Venture 5 can be costly. It may be tempting to just go straight to Amazon and purchase, but please, don’t do it. 

If I were you, I would only get this shoe if you’re just starting. That way, in case, if you do not want to continue running daily, at least you have normal shoes you can also lift weights with. Other than that, I wouldn’t use this for intensive training purposes.

The ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5’s are a best seller on Amazon – for two main reasons: because it’s cheap, and it gets the job done. In this situation, the price is so low because they are easy to run through (only about 250 miles). Despite its high ratings, I believe these are the worst shoes you can own for running.

But if you truly want to take this seriously, I would stay away from these.

Many users say this shoe is best for trail running and the sole has a solid grip. But the real reason is that these aren’t the most lightweight shoes and can feel like bricks on your feet. Do yourself a favor, either stay away or just get this for everyday use.

Conclusion

Congrats! You are now up to date with the three major running shoes for men that are taking over the market right now. We highly recommend these top shoes for you this year. Once again, we would suggest finding out what kind of strike you have, and always staying consistent with your running!

The best thing you can do for you and your body is to try all the running shoes out there that you can. While these three shoes are our preferences, it might not be the same as everyone else’s.

So with each of our articles, we like to give action items to help people get started now:

  1. Find out what kind of strike you have to match your shoe.
  2. Use this article as a foundation for understanding shoes currently on the market.
  3. Purchase your first or next running shoes on Amazon (Pegasus 35, Zante, or Go Run Ride 7).
  4. Test them out and adjust!

Vlad Castillo Jr.

Hi! It's great to meet you. My name is Vladimir, but my friends just call me Vlad. As a former four-year Division 1 track & field athlete, I created this blog to continue my passion. In my spare time, I love writing, listening to new music and lifting weights.