10 Best Lightweight Running Shoes for 2021

The shoes you choose to run in can have a huge impact on your performance. There are a lot of options for running shoes out there, and thanks to the trend of minimalism that boomed in the 2010s, runners are now also faced with the option of choosing lightweight running shoes for their hobby as well as more traditional trainers for running. A great thing about lightweight running shoes is the fact that they can still offer the support you need without weighing you down.

There are lots of options for lightweight running shoes, no matter what kind of cushioning and support you are looking for. This can make it quite challenging to find the best-run shoes for your needs, as there is so much choice, but it does ensure that all runners can have their needs met, even those into minimalist running without having to be weighed down by a lack of quality. If you want to improve your performance on the track or running trail, then you should consider these lightweight running shoes.

View the Best Lightweight Running Shoes, Below.

• Nike Womens Free RN Flyknit Running Athletic
• Nike Men’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 Running Shoes
• New Balance Women’s Arishi V2
• On Running Mens Cloud Mesh Trainers
• HOKA ONE ONE Womens Cavu Running Shoe
• adidas Men’s Adizero Adios 4 Running Shoe
• ALTRA Women’s Superior 4 Trail Running Shoe
• Saucony Men’s Kinvara 10 Running Shoe
• Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3
• New Balance Men’s Beacon V1 Fresh Foam Running Shoe

1. Nike Womens Free RN Flyknit Running Athletic

These lightweight running shoes are made from an innovative material that is designed to wick away sweat during runs to help keep your feet dry and comfortable. The flat-seam construction with this moisture-wicking material will minimize chafing, making running more comfortable and safe. This lightweight running shoe will provide an accurate fit to all foot shapes and sizes as it has an elastic waist with an interior draw-cord that can be easily adjusted.

This new pair of running shoes for lightweight running have reflective strips on the side-seams to help you stay visible in poor weather and lighting conditions, making them versatile. These running shoes are brilliant for all kinds of runners as they come with a zip pocket on the rear that can be used to carry keys, money, or even a compact MP3 player so you can run hands-free without being weighed down.

These lightweight running shoes are very comfortable with moisture-wicking material and a new flat-seam construction to reduce chafing.

2. Nike Men’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 Running Shoes

This Nike Zoom Pegasus pair of running shoes are lighter in weight than any other one from this brand and have a foam sole to provide maximum comfort. They feature an innovative Nike Zoom foam midsole that provides the best energy return from this brand yet, making these some of the best running shoes to improve your performance. These lightweight running shoes feature a partial inner sleeve from toe to mid-foot to enhance performance so you can train harder and faster every time.

This Nike Zoom lightweight running shoe has an engineered heel collar that is designed to taper away from the foot to provide comfort and support around the Achilles tendon. This pair of lightweight running shoes have an angled heel that has been specially designed to optimize the initial touchdown on the trail running to provide a smooth transition during your run. These shoes for running are breathable and feel like featherweights on your feet.

These lightweight running shoes are breathable and have a featherweight feel, making them comfortable for all runners.

3. New Balance Women’s Arishi V2

These New Balance Fresh Foam lightweight running shoes are made to be incredibly comfortable with their lightweight foam interior. They feature some of the softest cushioning in the industry, making them one of the best shoe models for running. These lightweight running shoes are versatile as they can be worn for all kinds of runs, including on race day and trail running. They have a breathable mesh upper to keep feet cool.

The New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes have a sophisticated style and a great color range to suit all types of runners. The lace-up closure is adjustable for the most accurate fit making these running shoes comfortable and supportive of your feet. This lightweight running shoe offers responsive cushioning to enhance your performance during training and during races.

These lightweight running shoes feature some of the softest and lightest cushioning to support your feet during training.

4. On Running Mens Cloud Mesh Trainers

These lightweight shoes running, feature an innovative sole that is designed to provide a smooth ride with their increased grip pads. These lightweight running shoes feature the renowned The Cloud sock liner that is famous for its soft in-step feel and features a dual-density material that is made to be comfortable during all movement. This shoe also features a V-shaped and molded heel that will adapt to your foot to provide the specific support you need.

This lightweight running shoe is easy to wear, making them ideal for racing shoes, as they have a speed-lace system that allows you to secure and fasten the shoe at a fast speed. They have an engineered upper that is breathable and will keep the feet cool while you run, preventing chafing and other injuries. This is a versatile lightweight running shoe that can be worn for training, racing, or simply every day for unmatched comfort.

These are versatile running shoes that make them some of the best as they offer a smooth ride, good grip, and unmatched comfort.

5. HOKA ONE ONE Womens Cavu Running Shoe

These Hoka One lightweight running shoes are some of the greatest available as they have a mesh upper that is breathable and will keep the feet cool and dry during your run. They are ideal for cross-training and running, making them versatile. This lightweight running shoe has a breathable and lightweight mesh upper that has been streamlined to improve an enhanced performance. This Hoka One shoe features a moisture-wicking textured lining to wick away sweat during your run.

These Hoka One lightweight running shoes are made for durability and stability so they can be worn in the gym, during trail running, or even as an everyday shoe for comfort. This lightweight product from Hoka One has an accurate and adjustable fit through the lace-up closure, making them suitable for all foot sizes. The synthetic sole offers smooth traction and allows you to build on your performance on the road to improve your speed.

These Hoka One lightweight running shoes are some of the best as they have a breathable outer and a moisture-wicking lining for maximum comfort.

6. adidas Men’s Adizero Adios 4 Running Shoe

These lightweight running shoes come from one of the best brands in the business, making them one of the best. They have a narrow, snug fit to enhance performance, making them great racing shoes as they are streamlined. They have a breathable upper of mesh and textiles that will keep the foot cool during movement, as well as offering flexibility for a comfortable fit. These lightweight running shoes have responsive cushioning to avoid damage and offer comfort.

These cushioned lightweight running shoes have a durable rubber outsole that provides great traction in all weather conditions and on all surfaces. The midsole cushion will remain responsive for miles, making these shoes best for long-distance runners. Wearing these lighter weight run shoes allows you to improve your performance - as the more you put into your training, the more you will get out of these shoes.

These lightweight running shoes feature responsive cushioning to enhance performance and support the feet during workouts.

7. ALTRA Women’s Superior 4 Trail Running Shoe

These lightweight running shoes offer great traction and grip with their rubber sole, which is why they are best for road running, trail running, and racing. They have a knit, wrap-around upper that provides an accurate fit to your feet, making them comfortable and safe to wear during runs or races. These lightweight shoes have a resilient midsole that provides cushioning even after repeated wear, making this shoe a good investment.

These lightweight running shoes have a rounded heel for maximum comfort and support by encouraging the correct foot position when running. They have a sticky rubber outsole that provides a good grip on all kinds of terrains, even uneven or when going uphill. This runner shoe has a wide toe box that allows your feet to spread naturally to provide comfort and stability. They are designed to keep your heel and forefoot at the same distance from the ground to reduce impact and ensure the correct posture during training.

These lightweight running shoes have a durable rubber outsole to provide a great grip as well as resilient cushioning for maximum support.

8. Saucony Men’s Kinvara 10 Running Shoe

These lightweight running shoes are for neutral runners as they feature flexible EVA cushioning to provide a smooth and energetic ride. They have an engineered mesh upper that is breathable and will keep feet cool during workouts. These running shoes are supportive as they are designed to comfortably lock your feet down even when you push up the speed to prevent injury and offer balance.

This is a new lightweight running shoe that is actually the tenth version from the brand, so it features innovative technology to support your performance. The lace-up closure on these lightweight shoes is designed to be fast to adjust and also provides an accurate fit to all foot shapes. The rubber sole of this lightweight running shoe offers good traction and grip for a smooth ride on various trails.

This lightweight running shoe has an EVA footbed that offers balance, support, and comfort to enhance your performance on the road.

9. Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3

These lightweight running shoes are made from a translucent mesh that is designed to provide increased air ventilation and support to your feet during road running. This will keep the feet cool and dry during a workout to reduce chafing and prevent injuries like blisters. These lightweight running shoes come from a brand with a lot of experience in the footwear field so you can rest assured that they are quality and comfortable.

This lightweight running shoe features a durable outer that is abrasion-resistant while still remaining lightweight to protect your feet and provide balance on the road. They also feature a gum rubber sole that offers a good grip on all terrains. This one shoe can be worn by all genders as it has a unisex design making them highly versatile. The closure is a buckle that is fast to adjust so you don't have to waste time before your workout.

This lightweight shoe is unisex, making it versatile, and has a mesh upper to provide good airflow to reduce chafing.

10. New Balance Men’s Beacon V1 Fresh Foam Running Shoe

These New Balance lightweight runners have a circular knit upper that is designed to keep the feet cool and comfortable when working out. They have a cool texture against the skin while also providing a good airflow to keep the feet dry and cool. This New Balance shoe has moisture-wicking properties to remove sweat to keep you damp-free during your workout.

This New Balance shoe has an EVA sole that offers a good grip and traction, while also remaining lightweight. They have no heel, so there is no drop in these shoes, which is why they are so comfortable and allow you to fly around the track without an issue. They have lightweight cushioning in the interior to support your feet, which also makes this shoe more comfortable to wear. These New Balance shoes have an adjustable lace-up closure for the most accurate fit to your feet.

This lightweight running shoe from New Balance has breathable top materials and an adjustable closure for the most accurate fit.

Buyer’s Guide To Lightweight Run Shoes

It can be challenging to find the right shoe for your running hobby or training as there are so many options out there. The type of shoe that you will need can differ greatly based on the type of training you do, the support you need, and the overall fit required. Since the minimalist trend of the 2010s in the media, many runners are now opting for a type of shoe that is known as barefoot. This kind of shoe will not offer any kind of support as they are designed to make you feel as though you are running without shoes on.

There are a lot of benefits to barefoot or minimalist running as this kind of running can help people strengthen their feet and see better results over time. However, this kind of running can be quite hard to get into, and it is something that can require a specific trainer in order to avoid injury, which is why the lightweight running shoe was designed. Lightweight running shoes can still provide the support and comfort that you need during your workout without weighing you down with heavy materials.

The best lightweight running shoe will provide comfort and cushioning while enhancing your performance. There are lots of options out there, with new models being added to the market regularly, so it can be quite difficult to find the right pair for you. This buyers’ guide is designed to help you narrow down your options so you can find the best lightweight running shoes for your needs.

What is Lightweight Running?

In order for you to find the best lightweight running shoes for your needs, you first need to understand what these products are in the first place. Lightweight running is the name given to this kind of hobby when runners choose to use shoes that are made from light materials in order to enhance their performance. A lot of running shoes available are made more for looks, which means that they will be attractive but will not be great for this kind of hobby as they are heavy.

If you are looking to enhance your performance on the track or road, you will want to find shoes that are lightweight so you can push yourself to reach faster speeds. This type of running shoe is best for long-distance running, as they can provide support and comfort for a long time. Many of the products in this list are designed to enhance your performance based on how much effort you put into your workout.

There are so many options when it comes to this type of running, and many people claim that this type of running is the best one, as it can enhance your performance and build strength more effectively than other exercise types as you are not being weighed down by the shoes you wear. Also, this type of running can be done long-distance making it suitable for marathons and other types of fitness training.

It would not be advised for runners to use lightweight shoes for all of their training, as they will not last as long as other shoes you may have. It is important to note that although brands of lighter weight trainers have done everything they can to make sure that their shoes are high quality, the lightweight materials do not have as long of a lifespan as something like leather.

To get the longest lifespan out of the lightweight shoes that you buy, make sure they are being used in rotation with other sneakers you have.

How To Find Good Running Shoes

It can be quite hard to search for running shoes today as there are so many options out there. There are lots of brands and features to consider that you may feel as though you have to be an expert in minimalist running in order to find a good pair of shoes for the sport. However, this does not have to be the case. It can be quite easy to find running shoes that you will love simply by focusing on some key features such as:

Support

Lightweight shoes are designed to still offer support while also enhancing your performance with lighter weight materials that will not hold you back. This means that you will need to consider the support that is being offered in the shoe to determine whether it is the best option for you. Support can be given through midsole cushioning, with materials like foam and EVA being very popular. This kind of midsole will mold to the shape of your foot and provide direct cushioning to the pressure points that need it the most, like the arch, heel, and ball.

You can also consider the shape of the shoe, as some models in this review are made to be narrow or wide, based on the needs of the runner. This is something you can select based on the shape and size of your feet, which will determine the kind of support you need.

Comfort

These types of running shoes are ideal for long-distance running, but this will only be the case if you choose a comfortable pair. The support features mentioned above, like the foam midsole, can also be used to determine how comfortable shoes will be, but there are some other things to look out for. This includes the material of the upper, which in this kind of running shoe will typically be mesh or a similar fabric.

This kind of material will have good air ventilation meaning these kinds of shoes will keep the feet cool and dry during your workout. You should also consider moisture-wicking materials as another comfort factor as these will dry out sweat quickly to reduce chafing and blisters when running. The sole of the shoe is something that should also be considered when it comes to comfort, as this can really impact the way you feel when running.

The sole of these kinds of shoes should still offer traction, and many of them are also shock-absorbing, which is ideal for new runners or those who need a little extra support in this field. These kinds of soles will be comfortable and protective to avoid damage when working out.

Brand

There are so many options when it comes to the brand of running shoes, and we have explored some of the very best in this review. Ranging from Brooks, Asics, New Balance, and Hoka One, there is going to be at least one brand out there that you trust for their quality products. Determining which one brand is the best for you can make it easier for you to shop for new shoes every time as you will be focused only on these names.

The best brand for you can be determined by the quality and range of their products as well as the price of their shoes. You will want to find at least one new pair of shoes that are within your price range so you can get to training as soon as possible. As we have mentioned, it is recommended for you to have more than one pair of runners’ shoes in order to keep the lighter weight one in good shape for longer. This means that finding a brand with the best pricing is important.

Durability

Even though this kind of running shoe is not designed to last as long as those made from heavier materials, durability is still something you should consider. It can take a long time and perhaps a lot of money to find just one pair of shoes that are suitable for your running hobby, so you want to make sure they last. Even lighter weight materials, like mesh, can offer durability if they are streamlined and reinforced.

Look at shoe types that have double stitching, as this means they will be reinforced for longevity, as well as those with an interior lining. Not only will this make the shoe more comfortable, but it will also prevent the outer materials from becoming worn as quickly as the lining will be the first thing that gets damaged with repeated wear.

What are the Lightest Nike Running Shoes?

We have covered various different brands of run shoes in this article, and one of the greatest is Nike. When it comes to finding the best shoes for lightweight running, considering the acting weight is a great thing to do. This will determine whether the shoes are actual light in their weight and, therefore, suitable for training or race day. Out of the two Nike shoes we have explored in this review, the Nike Women’s Free RN Flyknit Running Athletic is the lightest as it weighs only 0.26 ounces.

The other Nike shoe we have in this review, the Nike Men’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 Running Shoe, is much heavier at 8 ounces. This does not mean that the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 is not a good running shoe, but it is important to note that it may not be the best option for you when it comes to minimalist running as it is heavier than other models out there by this brand.

Final Notes

Running can be a great exercise for both physical and mental health benefits. This is something that many people are partaking in, and a popular trend is minimalist or lightweight running. This kind of run is ideal for long distances, but it can also be performed on the road or treadmill. It simply requires tools that are lighter in weight than traditional trainers.

Wearing a light shoe during your workout can help enhance your performance as you are not being weighed down. Lightweight running is a great option for all runners, as it is easier and more comfortable than barefoot runs but with the same kind of benefits such as strengthening and faster speeds. If you want to improve your personal best, then you should get some lightweight running shoes.

Did You Know?

Lightweight running encourages you to land lightly on the ball of your feet, instead of the heel to reduce the impact on the body and decrease the risk of injury.

Expert Tip

To determine whether you need running shoes for stability, try standing barefoot on one foot then the other and see how much you move. If you find this difficult, then stability is what you need most.