7 Best Long Distance Running Shoes in 2024 (2024)

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is an amazingly cushioned, superbly energetic, and extremely lightweight super shoe. After subjecting it to long runs and intensive lab tests, we crowned it the Best Long Distance Running Shoe with its perfect blend of comfort and speed.

The Endorphin Pro 3 more than surpasses the stack height and softness of the average road running shoe. We measured its stack height to be 35 mm—a towering 3.2 mm above the average. Our durometer also verified the softness of the midsole that we felt on our runs— a whopping 36.7% softer (on average) than road running shoes. This combination makes the shoe both comfortable and forgiving for long runs.

The shoe's soft and bouncy midsole foam is complemented by a stiff and rigid carbon plate. On our flexibility test, we needed a force of 94.4N to bend it—almost thrice the force needed to bend an average road running shoe (31.8N). The shoe felt like a springboard on our feet and made us feel like we could conquer our long-run PBs.

It was easy to forget we were wearing shoes. At a mere 206g (7.3 oz), the Endorphin Pro 3 is one of the lightest race shoes we’ve ever tested. That’s 61g (2.2 oz) lighter than the average road running shoe, 21g (0.7 oz) lighter than the average of carbon-plated shoes, and even 8g (0.3 oz) lighter than race shoes.

Unfortunately, the toebox of the Endorphin Pro 3 is 3.3 mm narrower than the average road running shoe. Runners with wide feet may want to look at other shoes for a better fit.

We put the best long-distance running shoes to the test — in and out of the lab — and discovered Novablast 4 to be the ultimate daily trainer. It has the cushion, stability, and durability needed to support the demanding needs of endurance runs. We feel like we can run endlessly with Novablast's immense comfort.

The main star is the FF Blast+ ECO foam, which feels cloud-like and bouncy underfoot. It rises to an above-average 39.2/30.2 mm stack so we never run out of comfort no matter where we land. Our durometer confirms it's 28.7% softer than average. Despite its plushness, the ride feels surprisingly stable as Novablast ensures steady landings with its ultra-wide platform.

As a non-plated shoe, it flows effortlessly with our motions. This is exactly what we’re looking for in a daily trainer. Our bend test confirms that it's 13.5% more flexible than average — another element that highlights comfort.

We noticed the outsole can withstand long hours of impact as the shoe barely had any scratches after double-digit miles. In our Dremel test, this pair showed significantly less wear than average, cementing its position as a durable and long-lasting shoe.

We found that the outsole lacks grip on wet surfaces. Best to stick to dry roads and urban settings while using this pair.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 epitomizes cloud-like plushness, earning its place as our top choice for the best-cushioned long-distance running shoe after extensive long runs and rigorous lab evaluations. Its generous stack height and luxuriously padded yet breathable upper take comfort to the next level, making it an ideal companion for endurance runs, where stability is paramount—a characteristic often lacking in maximalist shoes.

Embracing the foot with padding from all angles, the Gel Nimbus 26 features a knit upper that exudes a premium feel and stretches to our foot shape. Contrary to expectations, our lab tests reveal commendable breathability, scoring a solid 4/5 rating.

At the heart of its comfort lies the midsole, ingeniously blending height and softness in its foam construction. It boasts a staggering 40.4 mm heel height, augmented by the PureGEL technology for gentler landings. As confirmed by our durometer, it offers an unmatched cushioned experience as it's 21.6% softer than the average road running shoe.

Surprisingly surefooted despite its size, the shoe's expansive platform—with an extra 5.0/11.4 mm in the forefoot and heel, respectively—promotes stability even during long, fatiguing LSD runs, instilling confidence and mitigating any injury concerns.

However, its undeniable bulkiness, tipping the scales at 10.7 oz (303g), may pose challenges for those seeking to maintain faster paces.

AP3 goes lightning fast at any distance. Characterized by boundless energy, a stable ride and an airy build, our lab and run testers have no doubts about AP3 being our best recommendation for long-distance racers.

This beast is on fire, effortlessly keeping up with our fastest pace. It boasts a mega-stack and a rigid platform that adds power to every stride. Compared to other shoes we put up against our flex test, AP3 ranked 50.0% stiffer than average - confirming the pop of energy we feel every time we land our foot.

While instability is often found in racing models, it doesn’t hold true for this racer. Its firm cushion and wide landing base in the forefoot enhance stability. It’s one of the most stable supershoes we’ve tried with no lateral wobble. This feature comes alive at high speeds, inspiring confidence even in sharp turns. Also assuring our safety is its grippy Continental outsole.

Running a marathon is a breeze with AP3’s lightweight package and ultra-breathable upper. It scored the highest rating on our breathability test and weighs 7.7 oz (218g), which is at par with other racing models.

Adios, heel-strikers! We warn caution about its heel that’s 6.1 mm narrower than average.

Among all the running shoes we tested both outdoors and inside the lab, the ASICS Gel Kayano 29 stands strong as the best stability shoe for long distances. The combination of its unrivaled support features, top-tier comfort, and first-class durability make it the ultimate support shoe for overpronators.

During marathon training, the Gel Kayano 29 really was a worthy companion. The dual-density foam technology, when put together with the midsole material, provides steady and superior stability for overpronators. We really felt how these shoes helped our ankles when it came to excessive rolling inwards.

On our long weekend runs, our feet felt comfortable even after double-digit miles. Based on our measurements done in the lab, the heel stack height sits at 33.1 mm which is above the average of other running shoes we tested in the lab. We also used our durometer to test the foam's softness and the numbers were nothing short of extraordinary. It is 26% softer than average. No wonder each step felt like velvet.

Even after long training blocks and back-to-back long runs, the Gel Kayano 29's outsole stood strong. Measuring 4.1 mm, the outsole rubber is 15% thicker than average. This definitely seals the deal for the ASICS Gel Kayano 29 as the best stability shoe that will support runners for miles and miles... and more miles!

We did notice that the shoe felt a bit stuffy inside, especially during extra long runs on hot days. Our lab's breathability test also backed up its lack of ventilation, so runners looking for the "wind-in-the-toes" feeling will want to find other options.

The Brooks Ghost 15 makes easy runs feel even easier. A superbly comfortable, extremely durable, and pleasantly stable shoe, the Brooks Ghost 15 is clearly the best long-distance running shoe for easy days.

With a higher-than-average-stack height of 36.3 mm, the Ghost 15 has enough cushioning that made our feet very comfortable during long and easy runs. Additionally, its midsole which is 35% softer than the average road running shoe, felt almost luxurious.

The Brooks Ghost 15 has a robust outsole which we measured to be 5.76% harder than average. The outsole also did well on our Dremel test, only scraping away 0.4 mm of rubber while the average shoe was stripped of 0.9 mm of rubber. It's clear that the Ghost 15 can easily last until the 1000 km threshold.

Although not a stability shoe, the Ghost 15 offers substantial stability due to a wider platform, especially the heel which measures 95.8 mm (5.9 mm more than the average).

The Brooks Ghost 15 is not the best shoe for forefoot strikers. With a forefoot stack of 23.1 (1.1 mm lower than average), it is not well protected in that area. It also has a massive 13.2 mm drop which is too steep for forefoot strikers.

Among long-distance running shoes we analyzed in and out of the lab, Tecton X 2 is the ultimate trail winner. It satisfies our need for speed while ensuring our stability and safety on rough terrains. On top of that, its dual-density foam and twin carbon plate configuration offer a cushioned and dynamic ride, making long miles roll by.

Tecton boasts above-average stacks, providing all-day comfort for any footstriker. It features two parallel carbon plates embedded between the midsole's layers. These plates act as one but feel substantially less stiff vs. one solid plate. Together with the top foam, which our durometer shows is a soft 21.8 HA, the ride feels more comfortable. Meanwhile, the layer closer to the ground is a firmer 26.1 HA for better stability and protection.

We find Tecton to be well-suited for trails because of its balanced and wide midsole, low 5.6 mm drop, and grippy outsole. The outsole features 3.6 mm lugs that bite effectively on most surfaces.

In our runs, we discovered the highly breathable and protective MATRYX upper. It's one of the few shoes in the market that excels in both our breathability and Dremel lab tests. It’s perfect for all seasons and will last a long time.

At $225, Tecton’s price may be too steep for some considering the average trail shoe is only $137. But honestly, we think it’s worth the investment for everything it offers.