The Best Neutral Running Shoes in 2023

Most running sneakers will fit you well if you have an ordinary foot with normal pronation. However, with so many brands and models available, it is easy to get confused. This article gathered our top picks for the best neutral running shoes that will perform well, last long, and prevent injuries.

We break down our list by different types, use case scenarios, running experience, and budgets. So, you can choose your perfect neutral running shoes for 2023.

The 12 Best Neutral Running Shoes by Categories

• 

  BEST OVERALL

  Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40

  From $130

• 

  BEST FOR MEN

  Brooks Ghost 15

  From $140

• 

  BEST FOR WOMEN

  Asics Nimbus 25

  From $160

• 

  BEST CUSHIONING

  New Balance More v4

  From $150

• 

  THE BEST FOR BEGINNERS

  New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3

  From $130

• 

  THE BEST FOR 5K/10K

  Nike ZoomX Streakfly

  From $160

• 

  BEST LIGHTWEIGHT

  Adidas Takumisen 9

  From $180

• 

  THE BEST RACE DAY SHOE

  Nike Vaporfly NEXT% 3

  From $250

• 

  BEST FROM SAUCONY

  Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

  From $170

• 

  THE BEST FROM ASICS

  Asics Novablast 3

  From $140

• 

  THE MOST INNOVATIVE

  ON Cloudmonster

  From $170

• 

  THE BEST FOR HEAVY RUNNERS

  Hoka Bondi 8

  From $165

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40—The Best Neutral Running Shoe Overall

Nike Pegasus is an excellent shoe for beginners and experienced runners too. It can be your first marathon shoe and the sneaker to improve your PBs.

Compared to the previous model (Nike Pegasus 39), the classic daily trainer has improved veery slightly. The upper was improved, the shoe features a different lacing system and has lost a little in weight.

The midsole is made of React foam which performs well and lasts long. The cushioning is balanced and comfortable for daily trainers. The upper fits perfectly but is more breathable than before.

The Nike Pegasus 40 is versatile and able to pick up the pace when needed. You can take it through an entire training cycle: from recovery and easy runs to speed workouts and race day. It is the best value for the money when you need just one pair to log all your running miles.

The Regular size has a little narrow toe-box (typical for all Nike sneakers) and will fit even narrow feet runners well. However, there are two options for wider feet: Wide and Extra-Wide.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $129.99

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $130.00

Brooks Ghost 15—The Best Neutral Running Shoe for Men

The Ghost is the best-selling neutral running shoe in the US. It is prevalent, and many people repurchase the same model after the previous pair wears out, which isn't an easy thing to do, to be honest. Men usually change Ghost out of boredom rather than the shoe's age.

Very little. The shoe became a little more breathable but lost some plushness and flexibility. Nothing critical; it just feels a bit stiffer than the Ghost 14.

The shoe is built to last. You can log 600 miles; after laundry, it will still look great, feel fresh, and perform well. The outsole is thick and grippy, even on wet pavement. The sneaker has a standard design and build. The upper is breathable, but you would prefer something lighter for hot summer days. Still no guested tongue.

The Ghost is a versatile and comfortable shoe. It is a little heavy and difficult to pick up the pace, but its support is enormous. You can even run your first marathon in the Ghost, but they aren't a good choice if you want to bet your personal best.

The shoe is true to size and available in 4 widths variations: Narrow, Regular, Wide, and Extra-Wide.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $139.95

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $139.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $140.00

Asics Nimbus 25—The Best Women's Neutral Running Shoe

It's an entirely different shoe compared to the Gel-Nimbus 24. The sneakers gained 15mm in the stack and lost 2mm in drop. The Engineered mesh in the upper was replaced with a more appropriate knit material. The gel pad was removed from the forefoot, so now it's hidden only in the heel.

It added 20% more foam in the midsole, now made of the entire Flight Foam Blast+ Eco layer with an 8mm hill-to-toe offset. The upper is stretchy and structured enough to ensure a secure fit.

The sneaker has a lot of padding around the ankle, providing a good lockdown. The tongue is gusseted and stretchy. The outsole features a thin rubber layer that brings nice and soft landings.

The running shoe delivers a soft and plush feeling. Due to extra cushioning, your legs will feel fresh the next day after the long run. The sneakers are versatile—you can run recovery training and up to a marathon.

The shoe is true to size with a regular toe box. It's available in 3 widths variations: Regular, Wide, and Extra-Wide.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $159.95

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $159.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $160.00

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4—The Best Cushioning

The shoe isn't a brick anymore. The initial price for the shoe is lower than with the previous model. It's the best value for money in the max cushioning category.

The shoe features a high stack of Fresh Foam X, the lightest and softest foam of the brand. The heel's outsole spreads slightly upon landing, increasing stability. The layer of rubber on the outsole is thick, meaning more durability for the shoe. The upper is regular and comfortable, made of mesh.

The shoe is plush and comfy. It feels soft but bouncy, ensuring responsiveness regardless of plushness. The More is heavy, but it doesn't feel heavy. You can even pick up the pace in the sneakers.

The padding in the tongue and around the collar became lighter, but the shoe still has an excellent lockdown. The shoe is available in Regular, Wide, and Extra-Wide widths. However, even the Regular size offers plenty of space in the toe box. So, for narrow-feet runners, I suggest different sneakers.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $149.95

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $149.99

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $149.99

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3—The Best Neutral Running Shoe for Beginners

The shoe added 1.5mm in the stack and has a more minimalistic design. The price tag is reasonable for what the sneakers provide.

The shoe is 29.5mm high in the heel with a 6mm drop. The upper is light, breathable, and comfy for hot weather. The tongue is thin and gusseted. The midsole features FuelCell foam that delivers a bouncy feeling. Plenty of rubber in the forefoot and some stability spots under the heel.

The shoe provides an energetic, responsive, and comfortable ride. It is very lightweight for daily trainers: only 6.4oz/180g for women and 8.1oz/230g for men. So, the sneakers are suitable for the entire cycle of training.

The New Balance Rebel fits true to size for regular feet shape. It is available in Regular and Wide widths.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $129.95

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $129.99

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $129.99

Nike ZoomX Streakfly—The Best Neutral Running Shoe for 5K/10K

The Streak line was the fastest marathon sneakers by Nike before the Vaporfly was introduced. Now, it is the best neutral running shoe for shorter distances from 5k to 10k.

The shoe is very light, just 6.5oz/183g. The upper is also lightweight and breathable. The midsole features Zoom X foam in the midsole that is bouncy and responsive but not very durable. The rubber on the outsole is located only under the toe. However, the grip is enough, especially for forefoot strikers.

The shoe has a relatively small 32mm stack, providing a cushioned ride. The shoe is flexible, with additional stability elements in the center. Despite not being very durable, the shoe's price is very reasonable for the unbeatable performance you get.

The engineered knit upper fits the foot like a sock. A little padding in the heel and tongue improves lockdown and comfort. The shoe is available in a Regular width only that goes with a little wider toe box, as for Nike.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $159.99

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $160.00

Adidas Takumi Sen 9—The Best Lightweight Neutral Running Shoe

The shoe lost weight a little, and the upper was improved. Minor changes compared to the previous model.

The upper features the Celermesh upper, which is structured and not stretchy. The tongue is semi-gusseted, and challenging to make it flat on your feet. The midsole contains the same Lightstride Pro foam of the same stack as in the previous model.

The fiberglass-infused energy roads go through the midsole, adding springiness when you bend it. The outsole is covered with grippy Continental rubber spots in places that need traction and tend to wear down.

The shoe brings in a lot of fun and speed. It disappears on foot. The midsole is enough bouncy and responsive. The ride is pretty stable despite a relatively narrow footprint.

The lockdown is tight and secure. There is a little bit of padding in the heel that increases comfort. The shoe is true to size, with plenty of room in the toe box. It is available in Regular width only.

Pricing

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  Free & Prime Delivery

  $179.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $180.00

Nike Vaporfly NEXT% 3—The Best Neutral Running Race Day Shoe

The Vaprofly is your unique shoe for a race day. It isn't durable and doesn't suppose to be—you can get 300 miles of it tops. Still, people hunt for the shoe as they sell out very quickly. The Asics Metaspeed Sky is the closest alternative with a comparable feel and performance.

Minor changes compared to the previous generation. The platform became slightly wider with a bit more room in the toe box. The upper was reinforced around the toes to extend the shoe's life.

The engineered mesh upper is breathable, lightweight, and won't harm your speed. The structured laces securely lock. The midsole has a high stack of super light ZoomX foam, which is the first element to wear down.

The outsole and midsole are a perfect combination that delivers outstanding performance. The lacing goes to the side to release pressure and provides a secure lockdown.

It is your unique neutral running shoes for race day. The sneakers deliver the Vaprfly magic, feeling like a natural extension of your leg. The fresh pair provides incomparable light cushioning and bounce. It weighs almost nothing—around 5.6oz/160g. The full-length carbon plate propels you forward, ensuring an energy-efficient cruise.

Nike added a bit of pocket padding to the tongue and around the ankle, but still, there is scarce of support overall. The shoe is true-to-size, unisex, and regular width only that will fit most feet well.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $249.99

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $250.00

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3—The Best Neutral Running Shoe from Saucony

Minor improvements from the previous model, which was a perfect neutral long-run shoe. The stack became 1mm higher, and the platform expanded slightly to the sides. The plastic plate added wings on the sides that give extra stability. The colorway became more solid and bold. Overall, it's an excellent deal for the price.

The upper is light and features engineered mesh. The tongue is gusseted and a little shorter than usual. In the midsole, the shoe features the PowerRun PB, the best-performing foam of Saucony.

The outsole traction is decent, but it gets a little slippy when you touch wet tiles with the exposed midsole between the heel and forefoot.

The running shoe feels light, bouncy, and energetic. The Speedroll geometry provides a roll-through feeling and an energy-efficient ride. I noticed a slight decrease in my heart rate compared to my current lightweight tempo trainers.

The sneakers provide a secure and comfortable lockdown. The shoe has a slightly wide toe box that is usual for Saucony but will be loose for explicitly narrow feet. There are two widths options—Regular and Wide.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $169.95

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $169.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $170.00

Asics Novablast 3—The Best Neutral Running Shoe from Asics

The shoe added more stack but became lighter overall. Also, it gained a remarkable design. Like the Nike Pegasus, the sneaker is versatile and full-cycle ready.

It features a full layer of Flight Foam blast+ in a midsole, which brings excellent cushioning and lasts long. The upper is mesh but more breathable and lightweight. It fits well. The outsole is thick enough and grippy.

The running shoe is available in Regular width only, which will be comfortable for most athletes. So, the extra wide- and narrow-foot runners should try it on before buying or consider different models from our list.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $139.95

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $139.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $140.00

ON Cloudmonster—The Most Innovative Neutral Running Shoe

The Cloudmonster is a challenger on our list. The brand stands out with a unique and noticeable midsole design. The shoe grabs the eyeballs wherever you are.

After a few iterations, ON achieved excellent cushioning and responsiveness with the OnCloudTech technology.

The shoe is built differently and feels different than everything you wore before, and it takes time to adapt. The sneaker ensures excellent lockdown and support.

The Cloudmoster provides a springy ride and will withstand long miles without drawbacks in performance.

The running shoe is available in Narrow and Regular variations. So, the wide-foot owners should better try different models from our list.

The Cloudmonster is the most expensive neutral daily trainer on our list. You can get an equal performance from the Pegasus, which costs just half the price. Although, if you want to stand out, the Cloudmoster is just what you need.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $169.99

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $169.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $169.99

Hoka Bondi 8—The Best Neutral Running Shoe for Heavy Runners

Hoka is known for superb cushioning in the shoe, and the Bondi 8 is the max cushion sneaker they produce. Overall, it's the best price for the mileage you can cover with the neutral running shoe.

The new version of the shoe is lighter without any degradation of cushioning or stability, which was very anticipated.

The upper features engineered mesh, which is a little warm, especially on hot summer days. There is decent padding around the collar and in the tongue, which is gusseted.

The midsole has a high stack and expands to the bottom, making landings softer. The outsole has zonal rubber placement that lightens the shoe and makes it last longer.

The shoe delivers a soft and plush feeling and enormous comfort. The meta-rocker geometry provides a roll-through sense. The sneakers aren't very flexible but comfortable for cruising miles. The Bondi 8 is an excellent daily trainer for running easy miles and recovery, but too soft and a little heavy for tempo training.

The active foot frame securely locks down the heel. The shoe has a snug fit and is narrow in the toe box. It is a good choice for narrow-feet runners, and for wider feet, there are Wide and Extra-Wide widths variations.

Pricing

• 

  Free & Prime Delivery

  $165.00

• 

  Free Delivery & 365-day return

  $164.95

• 

  Buy from vendor

  $165.00

How We Shortlisted the Best Neutral Running Shoes?

The starting point of our research is the popularity of running shoes. We check the search trends on Google worldwide and the number of units sold in the US.

Afterward, we gather expert reviews and customer feedback and benchmark the selected sneakers by five criteria:

1. Functionality
2. Comfort
3. Quality
4. Durability
5. Price

Each shoe can get a maximum of 5 points per criterion. So, the overall rating can make up to 25 points—the higher, the better.

Lastly, we prioritize newer models. New versions feature the latest foams, technologies, and materials. Usually, there are improvements from the previous generations. Finally, finding newer models in the size, width, and color you want is easier.

F.A.Q. about the best neutral running shoes

Which running shoes are neutral?

Neutral running shoes provide moderate cushioning and support for runners with a neutral or medium arch.

What are neutral running shoes good for?

Neutral running shoes suit runners with neutral or medium arches and do not overpronate or supinate. They offer moderate support and cushioning, making them versatile for different types of running.

Can anyone run in neutral shoes?

Not everyone can run in neutral shoes. Neutral shoes suit runners with neutral or medium arches and do not overpronate or supinate. It is important to get fitted by a professional to ensure the proper shoe type for your foot and running style.

Can a neutral runner run in stability shoes?

A neutral runner can run in stability shoes, but it is not always necessary. Stability shoes provide additional support for runners who overpronate, which can cause injuries. If a neutral runner does not overpronate, they may not require the extra support offered by stability shoes. It is essential to consult with a professional and consider personal preference when selecting running shoes.

Alex Roven

I completed my first 10K on a dare. In a year, I ran a half-marathon. Another year later, I finished a marathon race. Today I run 4 marathons a year and a half-marathon every week. I learned everything about running the hard way. So, I help runners achieve better results easier.