Best Treadmill Running Shoes – 2024

Last Update: December 8, 2023

I know this is a treadmill review site, and I should love treadmills more than anything. But, there is one product category that I could talk about for days on end, because it is the one non-negotiable piece of running equipment you need. Now, I love a good barefoot running session, but most of us are going to spend the majority of our miles in running shoes. The real question is, do you need a separate pair of running shoes for the treadmill? Probably not. Should you have a separate pair of shoes for the treadmill? I can think of a few reasons why you should: treadmill maintenance, shoe longevity, and cushioning differences. I’ll get into those reasons more below, and now I present to you my picks for best treadmill running shoes!

Here’s Our List of the Best Treadmill Running Shoes

• Best Treadmill Running Shoes: Brooks Ghost 15
• Best Treadmill Running Stability Shoes for Pronation: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
• Best Treadmill Running Stability Shoes for Supination: On Cloudswift 3
• Best Treadmill Running Super Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
• Best Trail & Treadmill Running Shoe: Altra Outroad 2
• Best Cushioned Treadmill Running Shoe: Hoka Clifton 9
• Best Minimal Treadmill Running Shoe: Skora Fit
• Best Treadmill Running Shoes with Wide Toe Box: Topo Athletic Atmos
• Best Treadmill Running Shoes for Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
• Best Treadmill Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Bondi 8
• Best Women’s Treadmill Running Shoes: Hilma The Shoe

Best Treadmill Running Shoes: Brooks Ghost 15

Ideally, you can try a running shoe on before you make your purchase. But there are plenty of moments where that just isn’t possible, or you are feeling really brave. Without knowing a runner’s specific wants and needs, I would recommend the Brooks Ghost 15. It works great for so many people. As of the time I’m writing this review, there are 37 color options available for women and 30 for men. No brand makes that many running shoe color options unless it is a smash hit. And, the Brooks Ghost sure is.

Whether you are a new runner who has never had a pair of real running shoes or a runner starting their shoe search all over, the Brooks Ghost 15 is a great place to start. If I had to gift a pair of running shoes as a present to someone I have never met, you can bet that the Brooks Ghost is the shoe I am choosing. Most runners are looking for good cushioning, a little arch support, and a great step-in feel. The Ghost checks every box. It’s cushioned, but it isn’t a maximum cushion shoe, which some runners will find to be too much. It’s a neutral shoe so it works best for runners who do not have issues with overpronation or supination.

One of the reasons so many love the Ghost 15 is the color options! It comes in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide for men and women. There are tons of color options in the medium option, but I wished Brooks had more options for the other widths. The Ghost 15 is a high volume shoe which makes it the perfect fit for runners with high insteps and arches. If you have a low instep, this shoe may be too roomy for you. The Ghost 15 also has a great outsole that provides plenty of traction for running on all sorts of surfaces.

The Ghost 15 comes in whole and half sizes for women from 5 to 13, but it skips 12.5. For men, the Ghost 15 has half and full sizes from 7 to 12.5. It also comes in 13, 14, and 15. It has a heel to toe drop of 12mm for women and 11mm for men, which is one of the highest running shoe drops. It has a stack height of about 23mm/35mm. The midsole foam is a proprietary EVA blend created by Brooks called DNA Loft version 2. This foam is the softest foam Brooks makes. It creates a smooth and soft ride rather than a firm and springy one. If your treadmill is a bit firmer, this added softness will feel really nice.

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Best Treadmill Running Stability Shoes for Pronation: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

Stability shoes are quickly becoming a thing of the past, but the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 has managed to adapt with the times. While most runners won’t benefit from a stability shoe, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS has added support around the medial arch for those who do. It’s one of the best; “GTS” used to stand for “Go-to Shoe!” It has stuck around for 23 iterations, and I think it will be here for many more.

Pronation is not a bad thing. It does not need to be fixed. However, runners who are experiencing pain from overpronation may need more support from a shoe like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. If you know you pronate a lot and have experienced pain or injury from it in the past, the Adrenaline GTS 23 is a great way to improve your run. The Adrenaline uses guiderails along the sides of the shoe to “guide” your foot back into a neutral position. This design is superior to other running shoes that use “medial posts.” When stability shoes with medial posts break down, they can cause supination if you wear them for too long. That’s a whole new problem!

The Adrenaline uses DNA Loft version 2, Brooks’s softest midsole foam, to keep every step smooth and cushioned. It comes in sizes 7 to 12.5, 13, 14, and 15 for men. The women’s version comes in full and half sizes from 5 to 12 and 13 The Adrenaline also comes in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide for men and women. It comes in several different color options, though not all colors are available for all sizes. The Adrenaline is a high volume running shoe that has plenty of room for runners with high insteps and arches. If your instep is shorter, the Adrenaline may be too roomy. For most runners who need stability, this is a great daily trainer.

I wasn’t able to track down the exact stack height of the Adrenaline, but its cushioning level is comparable to the Brooks Ghost. It’s not quite a maximally cushioned shoe due to the low cushioning in the forefoot, but it provides plenty of cushioning in the heel for heel strikers. The heel to toe drop is 12mm. This drop provides the most lift to the heel that is typically found on a running shoe. This design may be helpful for runners with Achilles pain, but it may place too much stress on the front of the foot for others. Lastly, the Adrenaline has a great rubber outsole to make it durable and add traction for a variety of surfaces

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Best Treadmill Running Stability Shoes for Supination: On Cloudswift 3

Supination is the opposite of pronation. If these all sound like made-up words to you, supination is when your foot rolls too much to the outside. If you put a lot of pressure on your little toe and the outside edge of your foot, the On Cloudswift 3 is a great choice. It has great cushioning with On’s new helion superfoam and their innovative CloudTec, the collapsible loops on the bottom of the shoe that add cushioning.

Supination can cause pain in your little toe. It can also cause pain in the peroneus brevis and longus tendons. The On Cloudswift 3’s design is supportive and cushioned especially along the outside edge of your foot where this pain can be felt. Though the Cloudswift 3 is technically a neutral shoe this cushioning combined with its rocker and stiff Speedboard encourages you to keep a neutral stride. The upper combines a breathable knit with a more structured support around your arch. The Helion superfoam is dual-density, giving you a soft landing and a firm and speedy push-off zone.

On is known not just for being a running shoe brand; it also has really nice-looking shoes. The Cloudswift comes in seven fashionable colors for men and women. The women’s is available in full and half sizes from 5 to 11 while the men’s is available in 7 to 13 and 14. The Cloudswift is only available in a medium width. I consider it to be truly medium, not too wide or narrow. It isn’t the best option for runners who need additional width options. The Cloudswift’s sock-like upper gives it a foot-hugging fit.

The Cloudswift 3’s Helion foam makes it much softer than previous Cloudswift iterations. It has a 5mm heel to toe drop. The cushioning is not quite maximally plush, but it is quite nice. I couldn’t find a clear answer to the Cloudswift 3’s stack height, but the most measurement I came across most often was 33mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot which seems about right. You can get support and style in the Cloudswift 3. They look so nice that you will want to keep them clean by running indoors on your treadmill.

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Best Treadmill Running Super Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

Super shoes are all the craze. They make you super fast with superfoams and rigid plates. Yet, a super shoe can be a pricey investment. If you aren’t ready to race and need time to get used to the super shoe feel, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a great super shoe for training runs. Its price point makes more sense for treadmill running than other super shoes. Super shoes typically don’t hold up to the same mileage as other shoes, so keeping the Endorphin Speed 3 on the treadmill may help extend its life.

Saucony has developed an entire lineup of innovative running shoes with their Endorphin series. The Endorphin Speed 3 has all of the benefits of a super shoe at a lower price point. It is designed for daily running and racing if you need a shoe that does everything. If you are using the Speed 3 for daily training runs, it will have a longer life if used on a treadmill. Super shoes are designed to be as lightweight as possible which can reduce their durability. The Speed 3 and your treadmill are the perfect combo to make you feel super–dare I say–speedy.

The Speed 3 combines a bouncy midsole that uses PEBA foam and nylon plate with an ultra-light mesh upper. These shoes are perfect if you are saving the Endorphin Elite or Pro for race day. They also help you train at faster paces more easily. Combine these shoes with a bouncy treadmill, and you might just find your hardest paces have become a bit easier. It’s the perfect combination for training your muscles to handle faster speeds or to go farther if you back off the speed.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 comes in many fun colors. For men, you can find the Speed 3 in full and half sizes from 7 to 13. There’s also a men’s 14 and 15. The women’s version comes in full and half sizes from 5 to 12. There are no wide widths, unfortunately. It has a stack height of 36mm at the heel and 28mm at the forefoot with a heel to toe drop of 8mm. The Saucony Endorphin Speed is a neutral shoe with a high stack height.

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Best Trail & Treadmill Running Shoe: Altra Outroad 2

Treadmills and trail running occupy two vastly different types of running, but plenty of runners mix up their training routines regularly. If you live in snowy or rainy areas, trails may not always be accessible. If treadmill running is your backup plan, you might not want a dedicated pair of shoes for only the treadmill. The Altra Outroad 2 is my pick for a shoe that needs to do it all. This all-terrain shoe is everything the trail runner forced indoors needs.

The Altra Outroad 2 is your treadmill-to-road-to-trail running shoe, though you may need to clean out any rocks and debris from the shoe before running on your treadmill again. The tread is aggressive enough for all but very technical trails. The lugs (rubberized projections on the outsole) are flat to provide enough surface area that they won’t be torn up by road running. However, treadmill running should be even gentler on the lugs to increase their durability.

Altra is known for its wide toe boxes and zero drop platform. The Altra Outroad 2 is zero drop and uses Altra’s slim foot shape, which means the wide toe box isn’t as pronounced as some of the brand’s other models. The Outroad 2 has a stack height of 27 mm for a moderately cushioned ride. The upper is mesh to increase breathability and speed drying should your feet get wet while on the trails. The outsole is MaxTrac, a soft rubber compound that provides great traction. I’ve used a few shoes with MaxTrac outsoles on the road and trail, and I was impressed by how they held up. The midsole is Altra Ego, a TPU foam that adds bounce and durability to the sole.

You can snag the Outroad 2 in a women’s 5.5 to 12 or a men’s 7 to 13, 14, and 15. There are no wide widths. Those who loved the original Altra fit may be disappointed by the Outroad 2’s narrow fit. Newbies to the brand will appreciate the snugger fit. The Outroad is available in four colors. These colors tend to be bright and fun, so this is not the best shoe option for runners looking for a muted all-terrain shoe. Because the upper material is a bit thicker than what you might prefer on the treadmill, consider using a floor fan to keep you cool.

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Best Cushioned Treadmill Running Shoe: Hoka Clifton 9

The Hoka Clifton 9 is a soft and cushioned running shoe with a rocker sole. Many runners are drawn to the Hoka brand for the promise of comfort but find themselves overwhelmed by Hoka’s flashy silhouettes. The Hoka Clifton 9 is the perfect running shoe for new Hoka customers and avid fans alike. Prepare to have your foot encapsulated in soft EVA foam!

The best cushioned shoe is not necessarily the most cushioned shoe. The Hoka Clifton 9 has a stack height of 32 mm/27 mm for men and 29 mm/24 mm for women. Why might a shoe have a different stack height for men and women? While I couldn’t find Hoka’s reasoning, I suppose that it has to do with the expected weight differences between these two groups. The drop is the same at 5 mm. The Clifton 9 uses EVA foam in the midsole which is regularly found to be one of the most comfortable foams, though it is not as bouncy as more innovative midsole materials.

The Clifton 9 has a rocker sole, which means it rocks you forward to with each step to deliver a smooth ride. The cushioning cradles your foot on either side. This creates a little support on either side of your foot and feels like a “hug” for your foot. This feeling isn’t ideal for runners who don’t like a contoured fit or the sensation of added support around their foot. Together the rocker and the cushioning deliver the unique underfoot feeling that has made Hoka such a huge hit. In recent years, many brands have tried to copy the Clifton, so why not try the original?

The Hoka Clifton comes in a wide range of colors and sizes. There are fun and crazy colors as well as more muted, neutral colors. The women’s Clifton 9 is available in half and full sizes from 5 to 11 and size 12. The men’s Clifton is available in size 7 to 13, 14, 15, and 16. Men’s and women’s Cliftons are available in regular and wide widths. I would not recommend the Clifton 9 for runners or walkers with narrow feet. The Hoka Clifton 9 is probably one of the best options for runners with wide feet who want a lot of color options, because they have fun colors and neutrals. Lastly, you can also purchase the Clifton 9 with a Gore-tex upper. This material makes the Clifton 9 waterproof!

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Best Minimal Treadmill Running Shoe: Skora Fit

If you thought minimal running shoes were a thing of the past, you are wrong! The best thing for the running industry is to keep a wide variety of shoes available to match every runner. Minimalist running styles have plenty of advantages, even if they aren’t the best for race day anymore. Take it from someone who has walked and run on motorized treadmills barefoot, it’s not ideal. The Skora Fit provides just a bit of cushioning and protection to give you the minimal feel without the blisters.

While the Skora Fit is not a barefoot shoe, it is a minimal shoe. It has a 16mm stack height with no heel lift (zero drop). It has a rubberized outsole, to provide traction whether you are on the treadmill or on the road. The Skora Fit’s toe box is roomy for the full natural running experience. The laces are offset and slope toward the outside edge of the foot to reduce pressure on your instep. Skora has four running shoe models that progress you toward a more natural run, and I really like this concept for newbies to the minimal shoe space.

The Skora Fit comes in four different colors for men and women. The women’s Fit is available in sizes 6 to 10.5, and the men’s is available in sizes 8 to 13. There are no wide widths, but the shoes’ design should accommodate runners with slightly wider feet. It may not be a good fit for runners with very narrow feet.

The Skora Fit has an EVA midsole which provides a tried and true underfoot experience, but it does not feel very springy. The Fit isn’t going to do the work for you. These shoes are designed for runners and walkers who want to engage their feet and lower leg muscles for a challenging yet rewarding workout. The Fit is perfect for running, though some runners may need to transition into this style of shoe. It is also great for strength training.

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Best Treadmill Running Shoes with Wide Toe Box: Topo Athletic Atmos

The Topo Athletic Atmos is my choice for the best treadmill running shoe. At the time of writing this review, the shoe hasn’t even been released yet, but the other wide toe box options just aren’t that promising. I’ll update this review when I get more information on the Atmos. Topo has been my go-to brand for wide toe box shoes for the road and treadmill ever since Altra started narrowing their toe boxes. The Atmos is the treadmill shoe for a runner who need a wide toe box as well as the current rocker geometry and maximum cushioning dominating the shoe industry.

For the longest time, Topo and Altra were the only two running shoe brands I knew of that were consistently making running shoes with wide toe boxes. Yet, their shoes tended to do better in the trail space than on the road. The Atmos is another addition to their lineup that demonstrates that Topo is staying up to date. Even though I prefer lower stack heights, I know most runners will want that maximalist midsole cushion. The Atmos has a stack height of 33mm in the forefoot and 38mm in the heel for a 5mm heel to toe drop.

The Atmos has a wide toe box, but that doesn’t mean it is for wide feet. It has a molded heel cup to stay put even on narrower heels. If you need to use the extra eyelets to get a snug fit, I would recommend using the runner’s loop trick to keep the laces from sliding off the tongue and cutting into the top of your foot. It is available in three colors. The shoes are available in sizes 6 to 11 for women. The men’s are available in 7 to 13, 14, and 15. Most sizes are also available in wide.

The Topo Athletic Atmos will have a ZipFoam midsole. This is an upgrade EVA midsole that is light and soft. This foam is best for adding shock absorption to your run, so if you are using the treadmill to recover or build your mileage, the Atmos is a great companion. It isn’t the best option for runners who want a really bouncy underfoot feel like you would find in a running shoe that uses PEBA or supercritical foam.

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Best Treadmill Running Shoes for Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13

New Balance isn’t just a dad shoe. It’s a running shoe. Sure, the 1080 is comfortable enough to wear around town, but it is also a great shoe for logging tons of running miles. New Balance is one of the best brands for having a wide range of size and width options. The 1080v13 ensures everyone can get the plush underfoot feel of a maximally cushioned running shoe that fits just right.

Ever since World Athletics put a 40mm cap on how high race-legal running shoes can get, we have seen a lot of running shoes creep really close to that mark. The New Balance 1080v13 has a 38mm stack height in the heel and 32 mm in the forefoot to create a 6mm heel to toe drop. The 1080v13 is not so much a racing shoe, but if you had to wear your daily trainers during your next road race, the 1080 is soft, bouncy, and legal.

The New Balance 1080v13 comes in narrow, standard, wide, and extra wide. For women, you can snag these shoes in sizes 5 to 11.5, 12, and 13. Men can get the 1080v13 in 7 to 13, 14, 15, and 16. This size range is one of the most inclusive ranges I have seen on a running shoe. If you have wide feet, that wide or extra-wide option (in men and womens!) is awesome. There are six color that are mainly blue or grayscale. Unfortunately, not all widths are available in all of the colors.

Fresh foam, the midsole, is EVA. This foam is soft and mixed with air to give the 1080 plenty of shock absorption and bounce. My one issue with the 1080v13 is their tendency to turn into pancakes once you have put the maximum number of miles on them. For this reason, I don’t recommend them for every day use unless you replace your shoes promptly. It’s not that they are a bad product; they just aren’t meant to be loaded consistently. Running shoes also are built to last about 500 miles.

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Best Treadmill Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Bondi 8

The Hoka Bondi 8 isn’t a piece of medical equipment, even though the American Podiatric Medical Association gave their seal of acceptance to it. Plantar fasciitis is a complex injury that can be caused by a range of factors. Runners’ feet are differing in their needs, so not everyone will respond the same. I recovered from plantar fasciitis in minimalist shoes, but I’ve read the research. It points toward shoes more like the Hoka Bondi. I can tell you all about the windlass mechanism, the medial arch, and the plantar fascia, but I know it’s boring. So, the Bondi 8 is a great option for runners at their wits’ end with plantar fasciitis.

For a long time, the Hoka Bondi was the top shoe when it came to cushioning. If anything was going to turn runners away from the Bondi it was the garishly thick midsoles. Considering its proportions, this shoe is actually quite lightweight. The Bondi 8 is now among many other high cushion models from various brands all vying for a portion of the market that Hoka created. The Bondi 8 uses an EVA foam to cushion the midsole and has a stack height of 29mm/33mm for men and 27mm/31mm for women to provide plenty of midfoot and forefoot cushioning. Thus, the heel to toe drop is only 4mm, which is on the lower side but should be comfortable for many runners and walkers.

The Hoka Bondi 8’s cushion combines with a rigid sole and rocker technology to take the pressure off your feet. The rocker technology helps move your foot through each step without straining the plantar fascia tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and inserts at the heel (where most runners will experience plantar fasciitis pain). While the Bondi 8 may not work for every runner or walker recovering from plantar fasciitis, there is plenty of scientific evidence and anecdotal evidence to support the Bondi 8 as an effective tool for recovery. Injured runners and walkers should also consider supplementing their routines with plenty of rehabilitation exercises, massage, and ice therapy.

The Bondi 8 is a great running shoe for daily training, recovery runs, and long runs. It has great traction for road and treadmill running. When used in conjunction with a treadmill, runners may see even more benefits toward maximizing shock absorption. The Bondi 8 comes in several different colors with over 20 styles available for men and women. The Bondi 8 comes in regular and wide for women and wide and extra-wide for men. The men’s size range is 7 to 13, 14, 15, and 16. The women’s sizes include 5 to 11 and 12.

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Best Women’s Treadmill Running Shoes: Hilma The Shoe

If there’s anything I love about running shoes, it is innovation. I really wanted to include smaller brands on this list when it was possible, because there are so many brands making great running shoes that don’t have the recognition of Brooks, Nike, New Balance, Asics, and others. Yet, brands like Hilma are doing something really special. Hilma is a women’s oly running shoe brand that has one running shoe model with three variations. The Fit One, Two, and Three are all designed with women’s foot anatomy in mind. That means, they aren’t just smaller men’s shoes. They are designed for anatomical differences like narrower heels and high insteps.

Hilma The Shoe comes in three fits. Fit One is narrower and designed for those with a long second or third toe. The Fit Two has a rounded and roomy toe box for those with long big toes or toes that are about the same length, but the width is medium through the rest of the shoe. The Fit Three is a wide women’s shoe with a pointed toe like the Fit One but wider. They have a helpful quiz to help you find the right fit for you. I got the Fit Two as my result, which definitely aligns with my running shoe preferences. The quiz will also recommend whether you should size up, down, or stick to your regular size.

All three fits have a few similarities. For one, they all use a sugarcane-based EVA foam, which is really cool compared to the traditional EVA source: petroleum. The soles are built for road and light trails with great lugs for traction. The upper material is a breathable mesh, though in my experience the design of the Hilma shoe looks a little less breathable than running shoes I am used to. It has an 8mm drop, which is a moderately high drop. This makes the shoe an easier transition for runners who wear heeled shoes with their work or casual attire.

I absolutely love the look of the Hilma The Shoe. The colorways are very cute, fashionable, and exciting. A lot of brands tend to make women’s shoe colors too crazy or too boring, but Hilma has a great balance with most of their shoes falling in between. Their shoes are available in sizes 5 to 12. If you have been frustrated by what other brands offer, this shoe could be for you!

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Factors To Consider When Finding The Best Treadmill Running Shoe

Where You Will Wear Them

Outsoles

These running shoes don’t have to be kept on the treadmill. Many of them have outsoles that are perfect for roads to easy trails. Shoes that are only going to be worn on the treadmill may not need as much of a rubber outsole as your outside running shoes, but it’s certainly not a bad thing to have. The only shoes that I don’t recommend for treadmill running are trail running shoes. The lugs on the bottoms of these shoes may breakdown quickly on a treadmill belt compared to running on their intended surface, trails.

Super Shoes

Additionally, super shoes are probably overkill for treadmill running unless you are trying to break some treadmill records. These shoes are better matched to outdoor running where you can run based on feel rather than sticking to a set pace. Super shoes are great for testing your limits and pushing the pace, while treadmills don’t quite give you the same dynamic abilities to vary your running pace on a whim. Yet, if you need to prepare for an upcoming race where you plan to use your super shoes or just want the exciting underfoot feel, go for it! I like to compare my heart rate when wearing super shoes on a treadmill to wearing daily trainers at a set pace.

Treadmill Maintenance

Having a separate pair of running shoes for the treadmill may be better for the treadmill. Why? Because wearing your road or trail shoes on the treadmill could track debris onto the treadmill belt which could then make its way under the motor hood. This could cause issues with your treadmill and require more maintenance over time.

The Running Shoe Rotation

Runners tend to have two, three, four, or even more shoes in their running rotation at any given time. While this may cost more money initially, it could save you money in the long run (pun intended). Running shoe midsoles are made of foam. The longer the time between runs, the more this foam has a chances to restore to its normal shape. This is why walking every day in running shoes can be harder on the shoes than running a few miles; the foam is compressed for longer periods of time. As of the time of writing this review, I have six pairs of running shoes in my rotation: two treadmill running shoes for review purposes, a daily trainer, a speed shoe, a trail shoe, and a soon-to-be-retired racing shoe. You might not need this many running shoes, but it can be helpful. I should have to run 2,150 miles before I need to replace all of my shoes.

Do you need a stability running shoe?

If you go into any running shoe store, they might conduct a gait analysis. The practice of this “gait analysis” is something I tried really hard to change while I worked at one myself. Seeing a runner’s foot roll in (pronation) or out (supination) is not enough to recommend a stability running shoe. Runners who are not experiencing any pain, injury, or other such issues associated with instability should not be recommended stability shoes if they are using neutral shoes. You don’t need stability shoes just because your running form looks different. Also, most stability shoes only correct overpronation and will worsen supination. Runners who over supinate will typically benefit from a neutral running shoe and replacing their running shoes promptly after 300 to 500 miles.

What type of running are you doing on the treadmill?

If you want a running shoe just for the treadmill, consider what type of runs you will be doing most often on the treadmill. If you use the treadmill for all of your runs, go with a daily trainer. Some I have listed here include the Brooks Ghost, Hoka Clifton, New Balance 1080, and Hilma the Shoe. If you are running easy/recovery runs or long runs on the treadmill, a high cushion shoe like the Hoka Bondi and Topo Athletic Atmos might be a good choice. Lastly, shoes like the Endorphin Speed 3 is a great option for speed work. These shoes do not have to be restricted to their recommended category. You can use a speed work shoe for a long run and a high cushioned shoe for long runs if that is your desired underfoot feel.

How cushioned is your treadmill?

If you have a really bouncy treadmill like a NordicTrack or ProForm, you can wear a firmer shoe than you do on the road to try to maintain a similar underfoot feel across surfaces. These would include the On Cloudswift 3 and Skora Fit from this list. If you want to maximize your shock absorption on a cushioned treadmill or firm treadmill, a soft shoe like the New Balance 1080, Hoka Clifton and Bondi, and Brooks Ghost are great options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need road running shoes for the treadmill?

Road running shoes are the best category of running shoes for the treadmill. They will provide all the right support for running without wearing out too quickly like trail shoes. If you are running on the treadmill for two miles or less as a warm-up or cool-down to other exercise, a gym and cross-training shoe should work just fine, though they may not be as comfortable as a dedicated running shoe. Some examples of these shoes are the Reebok Nano, the Nike Metcon, and the Altra Solstice.

What Hoka is best for the treadmill?

My top picks for the treadmill and from Hoka in general are the Clifton and the Bondi. Runners who need more stability could also consider the Arahi and the Gaviota.

What is the best budget treadmill running shoe?

Most running shoes are priced between $140 to $160. That said, there are options for runners on a budget. The best way to get a quality running shoe on a budget is to look for older versions of the running shoe you like. Most running shoes are updated every year, and the brand will discount the old model when the new running shoe is released. Alternatively, shoes like the Brooks Launch and the Brooks Trace are more affordable options to one of the top running shoes, the Brooks Ghost. Keep in mind that more affordable running shoes may not last as long as others. A good rule of thumb is that your running shoes should cost about $0.25 per mile that you get out of them. Super shoes are an anomaly. These are some of the worst shoes for runners on a budget because they typically cost upwards of $200 and last for as little as 100 miles.

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