I Ran More Than 400 Miles Last Year. Here Are My Honest Thoughts on the 3 Most Popular Running Shoes

First up is the Nike Pegasus, a road running shoe that’s made partially of sustainable materials. It’s intended to be an everyday running sneaker, one that can carry you from tempo runs to speed workouts to casual recovery jogs, and I can attest it holds up well through all that and more. In the past I was reluctant to wear Nike sneakers because they were too narrow for my foot. But it seems the brand has addressed that concern in recent years, widening the toe box of its running models to better accommodate a wider range of foot shapes. I do still go up a half size to ensure I have ample room, especially as my feet swell on longer efforts, but they otherwise fit extremely well and don’t give me any blisters or hot spots even through the first few miles.

The Pegasus 41 has a midsole made of ReactX foam, a proprietary material designed to give you just the right amount of energy return to keep you feeling fresh throughout any workout, but not nearly as much as a carbon-plate sneaker, like what you might call a race shoe. The upper mesh is highly breathable, which is great for summer, but not so minimal that my feet have been getting chilly in winter (though it definitely isn’t the best sneaker for tromping through cold inclement weather). The tongue is also fixed in place to prevent twisting, which is a nice detail not to have to think about.

I had the greatest level of ground feel with the Nike Pegasus, despite it having almost the same stack height as the Hoka Clifton. For trail running (even if it’s just a dirt path in Central Park), this is very helpful to really get a sense of the terrain. But some road runners may not like the sensation over longer distances. It also has the greatest drop of all three shoes—again, a trait that comes down to personal preference and the nuances of your natural gait—which may account for some of that extra ground feel I mentioned.

Being the lowest price point of these three styles, I can see why it came in at number one. It also comes in a huge range of colors, including a fully customizable option and a limited edition colorway designed by Eliud Kipchoge. Overall, I’d say the Nike Pegasus is a great all-around shoe for runners of any level, but especially anyone focused on shorter distances, like the mile or 5k.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 5 to 12
• Width: standard and extra wide
• Weight: 8.8 oz
• Drop: 10 mm
• Heel Stack: 34 mm
• Toe Stack: 24 mm

Hoka is well known for its emphasis on comfort and cushioning—the super-thick soles caused quite a stir when the brand first started gaining traction—and the Cliftons are no exception. They’re marketed as a great everyday running sneaker, for all levels, with a middle level of cushioning and neutral stability. And they really do live up to the hype.

I’ve owned many different iterations of Cliftons throughout the years, and have to say they’re definitely a go-to favorite. Of the three on this list, these are the sneakers I would recommend most for anyone just getting started or getting back into running. They are the lightest of the three shoes on this list (despite that intense foam sole), and have the smallest drop, which I prefer over a more dramatic drop. While I tend to go up a half size in plenty of other running shoe brands (like Nike, Asics, New Balance), Hokas fit me true to size with plenty of room in the toe box to keep me comfortable on even super-hot long runs. But the real reason I recommend these for new(ish) runners is the cushioning.

The Hoka Cliftons are incredibly cushy, yet don’t give you that marshmallow feeling of sinking into your shoe—there’s still plenty of rebound (though perhaps not as much as the Nike Pegasus or Asics Gel-Nimbus). And the 5 mm drop gives you a feeling more like walking flat on a cloud rather than rocking back and forth. They can also carry you through workouts of any length, including marathon training runs, making them a great investment for runners who like to switch things up or who don’t necessarily have a goal distance as of yet. And the exaggerated heel tab makes these incredibly easy to slip on, no tugging required.

This classic sneaker may be too soft for folks looking to really gain speed in a track workout or who prefer more stability, but for anyone easing their way back into running or looking for a sneaker that can do both 5k races and 18-mile long runs, I highly recommend the Hoka Clifton.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 5 to 12
• Width: standard and wide
• Weight: 7.3 oz
• Drop: 5 mm
• Heel Stack: 32 mm
• Toe Stack: 27 mm

Yes, the Asics Gel-Nimbus are the most expensive sneakers on this list, but there is one key reason you might find them very much worth the splurge: stability. The Gel-Nimbus allows for a natural gait, with no rocking to encourage your foot to move in a specific way, which is great for newer runners so you can really get at true sense of how it feels to run. And the combination of a snug, cushioned upper and sock liner with the thick sole makes your foot feel securely supported and helps keep your feet and ankles in line as you run. I will admit, on my first run, I felt that the sole was stiffer and less cushy than the other two models, but after that any stiffness was gone and these sneakers felt flexible and easy to run in. Even during rainy and snowy runs, as well as runs over uneven trails in Central Park, I felt confident placing my feet knowing I wasn’t going to stumble, slip or twist my ankle.

The mesh upper is a much tighter weave than either the Nike Pegasus or the Hoka Clifton, making these a particularly good shoe for rainy or cold weather. Like with Nike, I find I’m most comfortable going up a half size from my usual shoe size with Asics. I wore these sneakers for a variety of runs ranging from 1.5 miles up to 11 miles and liked them for all, but would prefer something snappier for spring workouts or something with softer cushion for long marathon training runs (like anything over 15 miles).

I recommend the Asics Gel-Nimbus for anyone looking for a solid everyday running shoe for easy runs, that also provides great stability without making you feel locked in or limited. And it even comes in narrow widths (only in black, but still), which the other two do not, in addition to wide and standard, so you can truly find your ideal fit.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: US 5 to 13
• Width: standard, wide and narrow
• Weight: 9.3 oz
• Drop: 8 mm
• Heel Stack: 42 mm
• Toe Stack: 34 mm