by 
This article was written by Jonathan Beverly and Jeff Dengate and provided by our partners at Runner's World.
Desperately need a new pair of sneaks? Look no further. These are the best running shoes of the year, according to the uber-knowledgable editors at Runner's World. Whether you like pounding the pavement or hitting the trails, read on to find your new favorite pair.
Saucony Hurricane ISO 2
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Editor’s Choice, Spring 2016
Price: $160
Summary: Testers praised the Hurricane ISO 2 for the fit of its well-padded, two-layer upper that hugs the heal and midfoot while providing plenty of toe room. A new energy-return foam layer combines with firmer foam in the midsole for a ride that is comfy, responsive, and stable.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
RELATED: 7 Simple Exercises That Show Results After One Workout
Saucony Peregrine 6
Type: Trail Shoe
Award: Editor’s Choice, Spring 2016
Price: $120
Summary: The remade Peregrine was improved in every aspect. Bouncy Everun foam and a softer outsole increases the cushioning while the new sticky rubber sole provides great traction on all surfaces. The shoe remains light, low, and fast, yet wide and supportive enough to be stable.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v2
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Spring 2016
Price: $100
Summary: For the Zante v2, New Balance opened up the fit around the arch and extended the midfoot saddle farther forward. The forefoot is more cushioned, and the outsole has thicker rubber with tiny cuts to improve flexibility. The ride hits the sweet spot between cushioning and responsiveness.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Topo MT-2
Type: Trail Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Spring 2016
Price: $100
Summary: For this second version of the MT, Topo increased the thickness of the midsole and beefed up the overlays for more control and durability. The shoe remains light, low, and flexible while performing admirably on most surfaces.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Brooks Transcend 3
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Update, Spring 2016
Price: $170
Summary: The Transcend 3 is lighter and less bulky than previous versions while still providing a protective ride. The guiderails along the side of the midsole that keep your foot from straying out of line are softer, and the toe is more turned up to allow a quicker roll.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Want to run faster? Start with these moves:
Mizuno Wave Catalyst
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Debut, Spring 2016
Price: $110
Summary: The Wave Catalyst delivers the ride of a classic Mizuno light-but-stable performance shoe. The sole is low, wide, and firmly responsive, providing just enough cushioning for protection without slowing your turnover.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Asics Gel-Fujilyte
Type: Trail Shoe
Award: Best Debut, Spring 2016
Price: $110
Summary: The Gel-Fujilyte is designed to provide unobtrusive, simple protection, with a seamless upper that hugs the heel and midfoot, and a low, lightly cushioned sole. Asics uses firmer foam in a midfoot shank for stability and as a thin, rock-resistant plate under the forefoot—without compromising flexibility or the smooth ride.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
RELATED: Lose Your Belly with Just Two Exercise Moves
Skechers GOrun 4 - 2016
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Editor’s Choice, Summer 2016
Price: $105
Summary: While Skechers considered the updates too minor to merit a new model number, this is a significantly better-fitting, better-riding shoe than last year’s GOrun 4. The new upper, made from a circular knit, is supportive where necessary and new foam in the sole delivers a springier ride.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Mizuno Wave Hitogami 3
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Summer 2016
Price: $100
Summary: The update of the Hitogami 3 returns with a flexible, slipper-like fit. Labeled a racer, the Hitogami has enough stability from the rearfoot Wave plate to serve as a training shoe for light and efficient runners.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Adidas Adizero Adios 3
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Update, Summer 2016
Price: $140
Summary: For the Adios 3, Adidas tweaked the outsole, wrapping the forefoot in a thin, waffle-cut layer of stretchy Continental rubber, improving flexibility, traction, and durability. The mesh and suede-like upper feels softer and fits larger feet than previous versions.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Debut, Summer 2016
Price: $130
Summary: The Vongo is one of a new generation of shoes designed to reduce excess inward rolling in a less-complex, smoother-running shoe. The base is wide, straight, and flared in the forefoot for support. Added Fresh Foam under the arch makes the midsole firmer and comfortable.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Hoka One One Clayton
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Editor's Choice, Fall 2016
Price: $150
Summary: The Clayton looks like a tall, maximalist shoe. That’s because of high “sidewalls” that wrap up to cradle your foot. While there’s still loads of cushioning, the foam is firmer than other lightweight models, so you waste less energy when forcefully pushing off the ground at high speed.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Saucony Xodus ISO
Type: Trail Shoe
Award: Editor's Choice, Fall 2016
Price: $130
Summary: The Saucony Xodus ISO uses the proprietary outsole, which grips well in wet and dry conditions. The chevron-shaped lugs run from edge to edge but are flattened on the bottom so the shoe also rides smoothly on stretches of road. A 3 mm-thick layer of bouncy foam placed directly below the sockliner provides a plush shoe that’s rugged enough for long days over any trail.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Brooks Ghost 9
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Fall 2016
Price: $120
Summary: The Ghost 9 delivers a ton for considerably less than most running shoes. It has the soft heel cushioning that runners love for long efforts and a firmer forefoot that feels fast anytime you decide to pick up the pace. The outsole has a thick layer of rubber, so it’s going to withstand heavy pounding and a lot of miles; but there are plenty of grooves in that rubber, which provides for smooth ground contact.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Asics Gel-Kahana 8
Type: Trail Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Fall 2016
Price: $85
Summary: The gel-and-foam midsole of the Gel-Kahana delivers the comfort you’d expect from a road shoe. Trail-specific additions like the deeper tread and sharper edges to improve traction let you maximize your time on loose surfaces. The tight-weave mesh upper keeps dirt out while keeping your foot warmer if you use it on roads in the winter.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Nike Lunarglide 8
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Update, Fall 2016
Price: $120
Summary: The LunarGlide is categorized within Nike’s new “Run Easy” silo—shoes meant to deliver superior comfort and a plush ride. A spongy layer encapsulated by durable foam can withstand the abuse of running. The biggest change comes to the outer material, which has been reconfigured using a podlike design and laser-cut grooves for flexibility.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
RELATED: The 18-Minute Fitness Routine That Will Totally Change Your Body
Topo Athletic Ultrafly
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Debut, Fall 2016
Price: $120
Summary: A heavily padded collar of the Ultrafly hugs your heel, and the snug upper cradles your arch for a secure fit, but the brand’s toebox gives you a little extra breathing room up front—it’s spacious but not oversized. With above-average scores for cushioning, it won’t be mistaken for a minimalist shoe.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi
Type: Trail Shoe
Award: Best Debut, Fall 2016
Price: $95
Summary: The Gobi is a lightweight, zippy shoe with a relatively soft heel, considering how thin the midsole is. Big diamond-shaped lugs underfoot prove versatile for all types of terrain. They have plenty of edges to bite into soft ground, but are flattened to roll smoothly on hard-packed trails and paved roads.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Nike Air Zoom Structure 20
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Editor's Choice, Winter 2016
Price: $120
Summary: The Structure 20 offers stability using a slanted block of foam that angles higher toward the medial (inner) edge of the shoe and is fused in the molding process to a softer foam that makes up the rest of the shoe. This process eliminates glues and other joining materials that would typically make a shoe stiff.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Nike Zoom Span
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Winter 2016
Price: $100
Summary: The Span is similar to the Nike Pegasus but with light stability, thanks to a short support wedge under the arch. Neutral runners who don’t need the helping hand won’t even feel that device since there’s a layer of softer foam over top of it.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Mizuno Wave Sayonara 4
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Buy, Winter 2016
Price: $110
Summary: The Sayonara 4 continues with the same midsole and outsole configuration as the v3, but it has gotten considerably firmer. Fast, efficient testers who like a fair amount of road feel will appreciate this shoe for up-tempo days.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
RELATED: This Is the Best Exercise to Work ALL Those Core Muscles
Saucony Triumph ISO 3
Type: Road Shoe
Award: Best Update, Winter 2016
Price: $150
Summary: Saucony added a bigger slab of bouncy foam in the heel of the Truimph ISO 3 for improved responsiveness on heel strike. The improved flexibility and spacious toebox were well received by our testers.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
