Apr 27, 2026 12 min read

RoundUps

The Best Running Shoe Brands, Right Now

After testing every major running shoe brand this year, here are the brands making the best running shoes right now, ranked by category wins.

These are the brands behind the #1 shoes in each major running category this year. One brand is clearly dominating, again.

With so many new running shoes dropping each year, it can be overwhelming to figure out which brands are really delivering the goods, and not just for one type of run, but across the board.

I test and rank shoes across every major running category, from daily trainers and racing flats to ultra-distance trail shoes and everything in between (you can learn more about my review process here). This roundup pulls together all my current #1 picks to answer a simple but surprisingly insightful question:

Which brands are actually making the best running shoes right now?

One brand stands out above the rest, with five different models ranked #1 in their respective categories.

I love periodically updating this post, and seeing all the data from my shoe reviews laid out in a way that uncovers anomalies and insights that would otherwise be impossible to notice without one tester, reviewing shoes across the board. Let's get to it!

If you purchase gear through links in this article, I may earn a small affiliate commission. For my training tools, exclusive content, free newsletter, and more perks become a member, (it's free!). -Alastair ✌🏼

The best shoes in every category, and the brands behind them

Each of the following shoes is currently sitting at the top of its category on this site, based on real-world testing, performance, value, and comfort.

Best daily trainer

Top Shoe: Altra Experience Flow 3 | Brand: Altra | Price: $145 at Altra

Key Specs: 8.4oz (238g), 4mm drop (32mm/28mm), FootShape toe box

Why it wins: Smooth, calm, and dependable. The EGO P35 midsole keeps easy and steady miles feeling effortless without going dead, and the wide toe box stays comfortable when feet swell on long runs. The shoe that just works, day in and day out.

Best tempo running shoe

Top Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 | Brand: Saucony | Price: $170 at Saucony

Key Specs: 8.6oz (244g), 8mm drop (36mm/28mm), nylon plate, medium width

Why it wins: Lightweight, lively, and surprisingly stable. PWRRUN PB foam plus a nylon plate makes it ideal for tempo runs, intervals, and progression long runs, while still being forgiving at easier paces. Still the tempo G.O.A.T.

Best carbon plated race day shoe

Top Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 | Brand: Saucony | Price: $290 at Saucony (available June 1)

Key Specs: 7.5oz (213g), 8mm drop (39.5mm/31.5mm), carbon plate, medium width with good volume

Why it wins: A carbon super shoe with smoother geometry over the V2, breathable upper, and the most distinctive bouncy ride in racing right now. The new IncrediRUN midsole is genuinely unlike anything else on the market. Tied for the top spot with the HOKA Rocket X 3 ($250, 7.3oz, 7mm drop), which is the better pick if you want a more controlled, low-stack racer.

Best stability shoe

Top Shoe: Saucony Hurricane 25 | Brand: Saucony | Price: $160 at Saucony

Key Specs: 10.5oz (298g), 6mm drop (38mm/32mm), medium width (wide available)

Why it wins: Max-cushioned, planted, and built for daily training and long runs for runners who need extra support without the stiff, corrective feel of older stability shoes. Also one of the best picks for heavier runners.

Best max cushioned shoe

Top Shoe: Altra FWD VIA 2 | Brand: Altra | Price: $165 at Altra

Key Specs: 9.8oz (278g), 4mm drop (37mm/33mm), wide toe box (Original FootShape Fit), true to size

Why it wins: A plush, max-cushioned road shoe built for comfort-first daily training, recovery runs, and marathon prep. The EGO P35 midsole strikes a balance between soft landings and stable transitions, and the subtle rocker keeps a natural, efficient stride flowing even on tired legs. Wide platform feels confident on long marathon-distance days.

Best super trainer

Top Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Azura | Brand: Saucony | Price: $150 at Saucony

Key Specs: 8.5oz (241g), 8mm drop (40mm/32mm), no plate, medium width

Why it wins: The most well-rounded super trainer in my rotation. Tall stack, soft-but-stable foam, and a planted ride that makes long easy days feel effortless without going dead under tempo pickups. Genuinely one shoe that can do nearly everything.

Best all-mountain trail shoe

Top Shoe: Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 | Brand: Saucony | Price: $160 at Saucony

Key Specs: 10.7oz (303g), 4mm drop (38mm/34mm), PWRRUN PB midsole over PWRRUN frame, Vibram Megagrip outsole, medium width

Why it wins: The do-it-all trail shoe. PWRRUN PB midsole over a PWRRUN frame keeps it cushioned enough for ultras and agile enough for technical lines, while the Vibram Megagrip outsole grips everything from wet rock to loose gravel. Stable on uneven ground without losing energy return on smoother sections.

Best ultra running shoe

Top Shoe: Mount To Coast T1 | Brand: Mount To Coast | Price: $180 at mounttocoast.com

Key Specs: 9.1oz (258g), 4mm drop (36mm/32mm), roomy fit

Why it wins: Grippy, accommodating, breathable, and balanced. Mount To Coast's distance-focused approach shows here, and the T1 holds up over the kind of long, mixed-terrain efforts that punish lesser shoes.

Best lightweight trail racing shoe

Top Shoe: Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 MATRYX | Brand: Merrell | Price: $160 at Merrell

Key Specs: 8.9oz (252g), 4mm drop (27mm/23mm), MATRYX upper, medium fit

Why it wins: A race-day weapon for skyrunning and fast mountain races up to 50K. Light, breathable, ultra-responsive, and the MATRYX upper holds up to the abuse better than most race shoes at this weight.

Best road-to-trail hybrid

Top Shoe: Altra Experience Wild 3 | Brand: Altra | Price: $150 at Altra

Key Specs: 10.3oz (292g), 4mm drop (32mm/28mm), FootShape toe box, medium-grip outsole

Why it wins: Genuinely works on both road and light trail without feeling compromised on either. Smooth on pavement, capable on dirt and gravel, and the FootShape toe box keeps long mixed-terrain efforts comfortable.

📊 Brand leaderboard: which brand is really winning?

UPDATED APRIL 27 2026: I tallied up all the podium finishes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) from all my different running shoe roundups, and here's how the brands stack up, right now:

Brand	🥇 1st Place	🥈 2nd Place	🥉 3rd Place	Total Podiums
Saucony	5	0	1	6
HOKA	1	2	3	6
Mount To Coast	1	3	1	5
Altra	3	0	0	3
Nike	0	1	2	3
New Balance	0	2	0	2
ASICS	0	1	1	2
Adidas	0	1	0	1
Arc'teryx	0	1	0	1
The North Face	0	1	0	1
Merrell	1	0	0	1
Salomon	0	0	1	1
On	0	0	1	1

👑 The winner? Saucony, again.

With five category #1s and six total podium finishes, Saucony is dominating harder than last year. The Endorphin family alone (Speed 5, Elite 3, Azura) takes three of the most contested categories on the road, while the Hurricane 25 quietly owns stability and the Xodus Ultra 4 anchors the trail side. That's a genuinely complete rotation from a single brand, which is rare.

HOKA is tied with Saucony on total podium count (6) and is the most complete brand across the full category range. Tied for race day with the Rocket X 3, plus runner-up finishes in tempo (Mach 7) and race (Cielo X1 3.0), and three bronzes (Arahi 8 stability, Speedgoat 7 all-mountain, Zinal 2 trail-racing). If you want one brand that covers every category to a high standard, HOKA is the safest answer.

Altra is the comeback story. Three solo #1s in daily training (Experience Flow 3), max cushioned (FWD VIA 2), and road-to-trail (Experience Wild 3). The brand's foot-shaped, low-drop formula has finally clicked for road runners.

Mount To Coast has the second-highest second-place count on the table. Five total podiums across stability, super-trainer, all-mountain, ultra, and road-to-trail from a brand most runners haven't heard of yet. Worth knowing about.

The biggest absence from this year's leaderboard is Brooks, which had podium finishes in the 2025 list but has dropped off entirely this year. The full Brooks lineup is still solid for everyday running, but no individual model is currently in the top three of any category.

Brand by brand: what each one does best, in 2026

A quick read on each major brand and where they actually shine right now:

Saucony: Owns the road. Endorphin family for tempo, racing, and super-trainer duty. Hurricane 25 in stability, Xodus Ultra 4 on trail. See my best Saucony running shoes roundup.
HOKA: Most complete brand. Top-three in nearly every category. Best single-brand answer for runners who want range. See my best HOKA running shoes roundup.
Altra: Strongest year in a long time. Three solo category wins. Foot-shaped, low-drop daily trainers and road-to-trail shoes that finally feel right.
Mount To Coast: Specialist distance brand. Five podiums across stability, super-trainer, all-mountain, ultra, and road-to-trail. See my best Mount To Coast running shoes roundup.
Nike: Doesn't lead a category but doesn't fall off either. Vaporfly 4 and Alphafly 3 still race, ACG Pegasus Trail covers road-to-trail, Vomero 18 logs miles.
New Balance: Quiet consistency. Rebel v5 in daily training, 1080v15 in long runs, SuperComp Elite v5 in racing. See my best New Balance running shoes roundup.
ASICS: Reliable runners-up. Novablast 5 silver in daily training, Megablast bronze in super-trainer. Versatile and durable.
Adidas: The most experimental brand. Adios Pro 4 silver in race, EVO SL covers tempo, Prime X 2 Strung is the boundary-pushing super shoe.
On: CloudTec geometry has matured. Cloudsurfer 2 bronze in daily, plus podium-near finishes across most other categories. See my best On running shoes roundup.
Salomon: Strongest specialist trail brand. Aero Glide 4 bronze in long-run, plus deep all-mountain and road-to-trail lineups. See my best Salomon running shoes roundup.
Merrell: The trail brand that's quietly become a serious running brand. MTL Long Sky 2 MATRYX wins trail racing.
Brooks: No individual podium finishes this year, but still makes reliable everyday shoes across daily training, max cushioned, and stability. The brand to consider when you want no-drama mileage.
Arc'teryx and The North Face: Both tied for silver in trail racing (Sylan and VECTIV Sky 2). Two brands you wouldn't have associated with the sharp end of trail racing five years ago.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best running shoe brand right now?

Saucony, by a clear margin. Five category #1s across road and trail, with three Endorphin shoes alone earning top finishes. HOKA is tied on total podium count and is the most complete brand if you want range, and Altra has had its strongest year in a long time with three solo wins. The right answer for any individual runner depends on what kind of running they do most.

What is the best running shoe brand for beginners?

HOKA, ASICS, and Brooks are the safest brands for new runners. The HOKA Bondi 9, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, and Brooks Ghost Max 3 are all forgiving, well-cushioned, and easy to run in straight out of the box. Avoid carbon-plated racers and zero-drop shoes for your first pair.

Which is the best running shoe brand for stability or overpronation?

Saucony with the Hurricane 25 is my top pick for a max-cushioned modern stability shoe that doesn't feel corrective. Mount To Coast with the P1 and HOKA with the Arahi 8 are excellent alternatives, and the ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 is the safest mainstream pick for traditional guided support.

What is the best brand for marathon running?

Saucony, HOKA, Adidas, and Nike are all making podium-level marathon racers. The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 and HOKA Rocket X 3 are my two most-recommended marathon racers, with the Elite 3 being the more cushioned pick for runners who want comfort across the full distance, and the Rocket X 3 being the more controlled, lighter option.

Best running shoe brand for trail running?

For all-mountain and ultra trail running, Saucony, Mount To Coast, and HOKA are my top three. For trail racing specifically, Merrell, Arc'teryx, and The North Face have all leapt forward. Salomon still has the deepest specialist trail lineup if you want true mountain capability.

Are HOKA the best running shoe brand?

HOKA is tied on total podium count with Saucony but has only one category #1 in 2026 (Rocket X 3, tied with the Endorphin Elite 3). HOKA's strength is being top-three in almost every category, which makes it the safest single-brand answer for runners who want range without committing to a specialist.

Final thoughts

If you're trying to decide which brand to trust for your next pair of running shoes, this breakdown gives you a good idea of who's making consistently great products across the board.

That said, not every runner has the same needs, so it's worth checking out each individual roundup to find the right fit for you:

And if you've found a shoe that's working great for you, let me know in the comments. I love hearing what everyone's running in.

Live clean: run free! -Alastair ✌🏼

If you haven't already, signup for my free newsletter, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more content like this. -Alastair

Subscribe to new posts

reviews, training tips, and thoughtful stories for runners

Alastair Dixon — Hi, I’m Alastair — long-time runner, shoe and gear reviewer, and storyteller. This blog is my space to share it all, I hope you enjoy the high-quality content. Peace ✌🏼