10 Best Neutral Running Shoes
Neutral running shoes are highly versatile and suitable for various different runners. These kinds of running shoes don’t have any specific medical support, like a cushioned wedge or anything else that may impact your performance on the track. This does not mean that a neutral shoe is not supportive as they can be very much so and can keep you comfortable for hours, which is why they are the best option for many people.
There are lots of different neutral running shoes available based on the kind of support you need and the budget you have. This can make it quite hard to find the right neutral running shoe for your needs, which is why we have created this review. We will help you find the best neutral running shoes that offer cushioning and support.
View the Best Neutral Running Shoes, Below.
- adidas Men’s Ultraboost 19 Running Shoe
- Brooks Women’s Ghost 12
- Nike Women’s Flex RN 2018 Running Shoe
- Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider 22 Knit Running Shoe
- Brooks Women’s Glycerin 17
- Saucony Men’s Kinvara 10 Running Shoe
- Nike Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35
- Saucony Triumph ISO 5
- ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 21 Running Shoes
- Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3
1. adidas Men’s Ultraboost 19 Running Shoe
These Adidas neutral running shoes are durable and comfortable to offer just enough support on the track. Adidas is one of the best brands in the business, so you can rest assured that these neutral shoes are of high quality. They have a synthetic upper that is designed to provide durability to the shoe so they can withstand repeated wear. These neutral running shoes have a soft sock liner that makes them very comfortable to wear from the moment you slip your foot into them.
These Adidas trainers for running have a rubber sole that offers smooth traction and just enough grip to keep you balanced on the road or treadmill. They are lightweight and breathable to keep your feet cool and dry when working out. The lace-up closure is adjustable for an accurate fit, and the forefoot offers enough room for your toes to spread naturally. These Adidas racing shoes offer stability, balance, and a natural feel, making them ideal for all kinds of runs.
These neutral running shoes are comfortable and offer smooth traction so they can be worn on the track or treadmill, making them perfect for daily training.
Check Price on Amazon ➞2. Brooks Women’s Ghost 12
The Brooks Ghost 11 and 12 are very comfortable as they have high energizing cushioning in the midsole. The Brooks Ghost is a renowned type of trail running shoes as they offer stability and balance in the forefoot. This provides just-right softness underfoot that is responsive and durable. These Brooks sneakers are lightweight and offer smooth traction making them highly versatile. They are breathable to keep you cool and dry even when running all day long.
These neutral running shoes are adjustable as they have a lace-up closure. This allows you to get the most accurate fit for your foot shape and size. These running shoes have a shock-absorbing Mizuno Wave pad in the sole to reduce the impact of every step and offer a smooth heel-to-toe transition. These Brooks Ghost stability shoes are popular models for a reason, and they will offer you as runner support for miles. They are a great daily trainer.
These Brooks Ghost neutral running shoes are lightweight and have a shock-absorbing pad to improve your performance and can be worn as a daily trainer.
Check Price on Amazon ➞3. Nike Women’s Flex RN 2018 Running Shoe
These neutral shoes are lightweight and breathable to improve your performance on the track and ground. The synthetic sole is smooth and has just the right level of grip to keep you balanced without impacting your running speed. Nike is one of the best brands in the business, ensuring they are high quality and a great option for daily training as they will not wear out.
These Nike trail running shoes have a soft interior that is very comfortable on your body. This makes them suitable to be worn for long periods of time as they will not cause injury or pain. The midsole is made from balance fresh foam to offer stability and comfort. These Nike neutral running shoes are available in a great range of colors to suit all styles and needs of all runners. They have a low heel drop and are lighter than other trail shoes, making them suitable for runs.
These Nike neutral running shoes are lightweight and breathable to improve your performance on the road or track, as well as offering extra cushioning in the midsole.
Check Price on Amazon ➞4. Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider 22 Knit Running Shoe
These neutral running shoes are very comfortable as they are made from textile and fabric materials. This makes them lightweight and breathable, making them suitable to wear for long periods of time. These neutral running shoes have midsole cushioning that is shock-absorbing, making them very comfortable and supportive. The forefoot is wide to provide stability and balance, making these shoes very comfortable.
These neutral running shoes have a removable cushioned sock liner to provide additional support and cushioning to those who need it. The cushioning is a moldable balance fresh foam and will bounce back after wear, so these shoes will feel comfortable even with repeated wear. They have a durable rubber sole that provides smooth traction on the road or treadmill, making them a great daily trainer. The upper is breathable to keep your body cool during runs.
These neutral running shoes are very comfortable as they have a cushioned foam footbed that is moldable and provides stability.
Check Price on Amazon ➞5. Brooks Women’s Glycerin 17
These Brooks stability shoes provide a good level of softness and cushioning. They have a cushioned foam midsole that is moldable to provide direct support to the pressure points of your foot. Even though these shoes have a good level of cushioning, they are sleek in style and look great. This Brooks shoe is available in various different colors to suit all runners, and they are available at a great price.
These sneakers have a plush Mizuno Wave sock liner that is stretchy to fit all foot shapes and sizes. They provide a good transition between heel-and-toe with the interior cushioning. This will improve your performance on the track, road, or treadmill as they are incredibly comfortable. They have a large forefoot making them suitable for wider foot shapes. Brooks is a renowned brand for shoes ensuring these are high quality and suitable for daily training.
These Brooks neutral runner shoes are very comfortable as they have a cushioned foam midsole and a plush sock liner to offer cushioning and comfort.
Check Price on Amazon ➞6. Saucony Men’s Kinvara 10 Running Shoe
These Saucony neutral shoes have a flexible EVA foam footbed that offers to cushion and are very supportive. This makes these shoes very comfortable and suitable to wear for long periods of time and they are a great daily trainer. This neutral shoe will reduce pain in the pressure points with the foam midsole and wide forefoot. The mesh upper of these shoes provides good air ventilation to keep your foot cool during runs.
These shoes are breathable, which will keep you cool and dry. This will prevent chafing and blistering, making them highly comfortable and safe to wear – even for long periods of time. These Saucony shoes are available in various colors to suit all runners, and they are available at a great price, so they are accessible. Saucony is a renowned brand in the business, and they are great quality.
These Saucony shoes are very supportive as they have an EVA foam footbed and mesh panels for breathability.
Check Price on Amazon ➞7. Nike Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35
The Pegasus 36 and 35 come from one of the best brands in the business, so they are of high quality. Nike is a renowned brand in this industry, and this model is one of many that are recommended in this guide. They are made from lightweight but durable materials to provide both comfort and durability. These shoes are suitable for runners of all abilities as they are comfortable and cushioned, with a durable outsole so they will not wear over time.
These Nike shoes offer just the right level of supportive cushioning, making them suitable for beginner runners. They have a foam midsole and wide forefoot, making them comfortable. The Pegasus 36 will prevent injury by offering shock-absorption in the midsole. These shoes provide smooth traction on the road as they have a rubber sole making them suitable for all runs.
These shoes are comfortable and supportive, with the foam midsole and breathable upper, making them suitable for even beginners.
Check Price on Amazon ➞8. Saucony Triumph ISO 5
These Saucony runner shoes are designed to provide consistent comfort and pressure relief. This makes these shoes suitable for runners of all abilities, including beginners. These shoes have a lightweight cushioned foam footbed that will mold to the shape of your foot to provide direct cushioning to pressure points of the foot and reduce the impact from the ground.
These Saucony shoes have reflective elements on the exterior, making them safe to wear during all hours of the day. They have a durable sole that offers a good level of grip to keep you balanced on the road, track, or treadmill. These shoes have a contoured insole that makes them very comfortable to wear for all foot sizes, even wide feet, and this means they are extra supportive. These shoes feel soft on the foot and will remain comfortable during runs.
These shoes offer consistent comfort with the cushioned and contoured footbed, making them suitable for all runs and foot sizes.
Check Price on Amazon ➞9. ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 21 Running Shoes
These runners have unique GEL cushioning at the heel and ball of the foot to reduce pressure. This will prevent injury and keep them comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. They provide a smooth ride while maintaining direct contact with the ground with the durable outsole. This will prevent injury while improving performance during runs.
These sneakers have mesh panels on the upper to improve airflow. This will make the shoes breathable and keep the foot cool, even when wearing them for long periods of time during runs. They have a durable rubber sole that offers a good grip and smooth traction on the road. With such high-quality features, they come at a great price, which is why they are one of the best.
These shoes are very comfortable as they have unique cushioning and a good grip on the road to improve your performance during runs.
Check Price on Amazon ➞10. Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3
These trainers are lightweight and breathable as they have a fabric upper, which has a soft feel on the foot. They are available in various different colors to suit both men and women. They are designed to keep the foot cool and dry, even when running for long periods of time, so they will prevent blisters. These shoes provide smooth traction to provide balance and extra stability.
These runners have an adjustable lace-up closure that provides an accurate fit on all foot sizes, which is why they are suitable for men and women. They are incredibly comfortable as the midsole is lightly cushioned. This will reduce the pressure and pain that can sometimes come with running, making them ideal for beginners to the sport. They come at a great price, making them highly accessible.
These shoes are lightly cushioned in the midsole and have a breathable upper, making them very comfortable.
Check Price on Amazon ➞Buyer’s Guide To Neutral Shoes For Running
Runners of all abilities will benefit from neutral running shoes. These types of trail shoes are made to offer the right level of comfort and are very supportive, making them ideal for wearing for long periods of time. These kinds of sneakers may come with some lightweight cushioning in the footbed to cushion the pressure points of the foot and provide comfort, balance, and stability.
There are lots of different kinds of sneakers available, as you can see from this review, but they all have one thing in common. These kinds of shoes are designed to enhance your performance rather than hindering it. This is why neutral running shoes are typically lightweight and have smooth soles to offer good traction, so you can push yourself harder during runs without being held back.
It can be quite difficult to find the best shoe for your needs as there are lots of models out there and various things to consider, which is why we have created this guide. If you are just starting out in running, then you should definitely invest in neutral shoes as they will reduce injury while also supporting your natural performance, but they can also be worn by those who have some prior experience in this exercise.
This buyer’s guide will help you find the best shoe for your needs as we will help you narrow down your options with the following considerations.
What Actually Is A Neutral Running Shoe?
Neutral sneakers are highly versatile, and they can be worn by runners of all abilities. These kinds of trainers will offer just the right level of cushioning to make them comfortable and very supportive, but they will not hinder your performance on the track or treadmill. There are some specific support features that will be present in every neutral running shoe you can consider:
Form-Fitting Upper
Most of the products in this review are made from fabric or similar flexible material on the upper. This allows the shoe to fit accurately and snugly to your foot shape and size, so you can put all of your power into this part of the body. Neutral sneakers are lightweight and streamlined so you can really push yourself and will not be held back by the sneakers you wear. They have a mesh upper that will provide good airflow and keep the foot cool. They will keep you cool during runs and will feel very comfortable on your foot. This allows you to push yourself harder during a workout without feeling pressure.
Neutral Arch
Neutral trainers are suitable for various different kinds of runners, and they can prevent issues like high arches. This is because they have a neutral arch (hence the name of the running shoe) and encourage the correct foot position when running. This can prevent injury during exercise as well as avoiding long-term damage to your body. This can also improve the fit of the shoe, ensuring the cushion is in the right place and supporting a normal stride during movement.
This arch encourages the correct foot pronation from the offset, reducing injury. The height of these sneakers is often low and natural to boost performance and keep the feet comfortable. This is why you need to find sneakers that fit you properly, so they can give you the support you need.
Lightweight Cushioning
Most neutral trainers will have some form of cushioning in the insole. This is often lightweight, to not hinder performance by weighing the shoe down, and will provide targeted supportive cushioning to pressure points. This is why these sneakers are very comfortable to wear and are recommended for beginners in this sport, as well as being suitable for those with more experience.
In most cases, this cushioning will be shock-absorbing. This means they will reduce the impact of every step you make when running to limit pressure and pain. This is a brilliant feature for beginners to running, but it can also prevent experienced joggers from permanently damaging their feet or muscles in their lower and upper body. These trainers are also ideal for those who have previous injuries or suffer from issues like a flat foot. The cushioning will continue to encourage the correct foot position, reducing pain and further issue.
Durable Outsole
Neutral trainers are versatile, and they can be worn on an outdoor track or treadmill, which is why they are often the best option. This means that they need to have a durable outsole and upper that will keep the shoes in a good and safe condition, even with repeated wear. This kind of shoe will have a rubber or synthetic lining around the outsole and upper to keep them in good condition for longer.
This kind of outsole can also be shock-absorbing to prevent injury when running and will keep them comfortable to wear. The more durable the shoe is, the better value for money they will be. Even if you are paying a high price for sneakers, if they are designed to last then, this will be worth it. You want to make sure you can get a lot of wear out of your sneakers in order to get the best deal.
Weight Matters
All of the best neutral running sneakers are lightweight. They are typically made from flexible upper fabrics and similar materials to provide breathability. Shoes that have a breathable upper will not only be more comfortable, as you will remain cool as you work up a sweat, but they will also be safer to wear for long periods of time.
This is because the airflow in the running shoe will reduce sweating, which in turn reduces the chafing of your skin against the shoe. Chafing will result in blisters, which can be very painful and make training more difficult. Lightweight neutral sneakers are ideal for those who want to improve their performance on the track and improve their running distance without putting their body at risk of damage.
This is because shoes that are heavier, such as those made from leather or similar durable materials, actually require you to expend more ability and energy. Shoes that have an upper made from mesh or fabric will be lighter in weight. They will also have less cushioning, which can make you feel as though you are running faster because you’re not being weighed down.
There is no denying that running is a difficult exercise for all the family, but wearing highly rated runners like those in this list is a great way to protect yourself. This is why a neutral running shoe is such a great option for runners of all abilities as they are the best combination of lightweight upper materials and inner cushioning. They are both comfortable and supportive, without hindering your performance during the sport so you can push harder and get the results you want.
The Best Run Shoes For Beginners
A neutral running shoe is often recommended to beginners in the sport of running, although they can be worn by all abilities. This is because they are comfortable and offer just the right level of supportive cushioning that will enable you to build up strength and stamina. Running, like most exercises, will get easier with practice.
However, this will not be the case if you choose to wear running shoes that have heavy cushioning and a very thick sole. This is because you will not be relying on your own power when running in these kinds of shoes and will actually be held back by the weight of these kinds of sneakers, preventing you from being able to keep track of your progress and making necessary improvements.
The neutral running shoe does still provide some form of cushioning, but this is a lighter cushioning as this does not affect the impact on the ground of your feet, which is necessary to build up strength. Wearing a neutral running shoe can prevent injury and will reduce the pressure you feel when trying to run for the first time, but they still allow some reliance on your own strength and speed.
This will allow you to push yourself during a workout and get better at the sport with practice. This is why this type of shoe can be worn by all runners.
Do I Actually Need Neutral Running Shoes?
If you already own multiple pairs of sneakers or runners’ trainers, then you are likely to be reluctant to fork out for another pair. In some cases, it may not be necessary for you to do this. This is due to the fact it is possible to use an orthopedic insole in some running shoes to provide the additional support you are looking for. However, this isn’t always the best idea.
As we have mentioned, there are several significant features that make a neutral running shoe what they are. This includes the cushioning, which may be found in other insoles, but there are some other significant factors at play here as well. This includes the lightweight upper materials that a neutral shoe is made from and the smooth sole for balance.
This breathable upper is designed to keep you cool during a workout and prevent chafing. This is important to runners of all abilities and is something that cannot be found in shoes made from heavier materials. Inserting an insole into this type of shoe will not prevent injury, even if it does feel comfortable.
Neutral running sneakers are specially designed to provide a good level of cushioning and stability to reduce injury and pressure. However, they offer this without hindering your performance. The running shoes you already own are probably too heavy for this sport and will not be as comfortable as a neutral running shoe. You may actually be holding yourself back by wearing the wrong types of shoes, and no insole will be able to change that.
It is also possible that inserting an orthopedic insole into sneakers you already own will ruin the fit of these shoes, making them too tight and, therefore, not fit for purpose. You need to find shoes that fit you well in order to get the most out of running. This is why neutral sneakers have flexible upper materials and wide forefoots to allow the foot to move naturally inside the shoe.
Inserting an insole into an already ill-fitting shoe will only cause more issues for you.
Can I Wear Shoes That Aren’t Aimed At My Sex?
You may find a pair of neutral runners that you love the style of in the sale at a great price, but before purchasing notice that they are aimed at the other gender. You may still want to purchase these running shoes, as they seem to fit and look good on you– and besides, no one will know the difference, right?
Wearing shoes that are aimed at the opposite gender will actually cause you issues down the line, which is something you will certainly notice and should, therefore, be avoided. Neutral trainers that are aimed at women should be worn by women, as they offer specific supportive cushioning for their bodies. Women’s feet tend to have a slightly higher arch than men’s, and this is just something that occurs naturally.
Therefore, in order to get the specific support you need for your feet when running, you should stick to neutral runners that are aimed at your gender. It is likely that these shoes will have a more accurate fit as well, as they consider not only the shoe size number you are but also how wide your foot will be naturally and therefore, how much room you will need in the toe box.
How Long Should I Wear Neutral Running Shoes?
Neutral sneakers typically need to be replaced every three to five months, based on how often you use them and how durable they are. For example, Adidas running shoes that have a thick rubber outsole will probably last a little bit longer than those from a lesser-known brand that are made without.
You will probably be able to tell from looking at your shoes when they need to be replaced, as they can become worn and torn over time. You will probably also notice that your sneakers are no longer providing the kind of cushioning that they used to, as all midsoles will deflate over time. With this in mind, you will want to replace your sneakers as soon as possible in order to keep yourself protected during running.
However, even if you do not notice that your shoes have worn out, it is still important that you replace them regularly to ensure that you are getting the level of support you need. This will reduce injury and pain, as well as ensuring that you are making progress during your workouts.
What are the Best Sneakers for Running a Marathon?
When it comes to running for a long period of time, you will want to find shoes that are comfortable and fit you well. This is important as they will be able to provide the balance you need when running long distances and offer stability so you can keep going. With this in mind, look for shoes that are made from light materials and have a heavy-duty sole such as those made from rubber.
Make sure that you can comfortably move and wriggle your toes in the shoes you are trying on, as this is what will provide balance. You will also want to consider those that have light cushioning in the midsole, as this will support the correct foot position even during movement. Try to choose shoes that come from a reputable brand, as they will be made to a higher quality and, therefore, will be worth your investment.
When it comes to running a marathon, make sure you are fully trained and comfortable.
Did You Know?
Women naturally have higher arches in their foot, which is why they need to choose neutral running shoes aimed at this gender specifically to get the support they need.
Expert Tip
Consider neutral running shoes that have a durable outsole as they will last longer than those without, even with repeated wear and use.