The 5 Best Daily Running Shoes for Every Type of Runner

Editor’s note: we last updated this article on 14th October 2025 based on the latest shoes on the market. We continue to update this article whenever a new shoe is released that merits inclusion; most of the daily running shoe models for 2025 are already released.

We’ve tested hundreds of pairs of easy running shoes and now have chosen and ranked our very favorites. So here are the five best daily trainers in the world right now.

Daily trainers, or easy running shoes, are the type of sneakers that every runner needs, regardless of skill level.

They’re not made for workouts. They’re not made for races.

Daily trainers are made to be comfortable, supportive, and responsive, and are designed to handle about 80% of your mileage.

So, without further ado, here is our latest power ranking of such shoes.

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#5 Best for value: Puma Velocity Nitro 4

Score: 8.1

This isn’t Puma’s most cushioned easy running shoe. The Magnify Nitro 3 is probably better protection for your feet. But I find the Velocity Nitro 4 to be the best. A big reason for that is that the entire midsole is made out of Puma’s supercritical Nitro foam, which is an upgrade from previous versions of the Velocity.

This makes the shoe light and fast and fun to run in, but still supportive enough for an easy running shoe. And as a bonus, when brands switch to full supercritical foam, the price usually jumps, but this shoe stayed relatively cheap.

At first glance it feels flimsy because it’s quite flexible, and the stack height of 36 mm is small these days. But it has a tightly packed heel and the traction is really good. If you’re running in slippery areas, this is probably a good shoe for you.

We gave it an overall rating of 8.1. It gained a lot of points on value, given that it’s so affordable. It lost some points on comfort because the toe box is a little small.

The Velocity Nitro 4 is for you if you like to feel the ground under you, if traction matters, and if you like a bit of pop on easy days.

Stay away from it if you’ve gotten used to the big, chunky feel of today’s high-stack shoes—it feels smaller. And if durability is your main concern, this isn’t bad, but because it’s so flexible you’ll probably run through it faster than some of the bulkier shoes.

Here is my dedicated video review:

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#4 Best for durability: ASICS Nimbus 27

Score 8.5

The Nimbus is kind of a nightmare for these power rankings because it’s a bit of a boring shoe and I’ve mentioned it so many times already. But it’s also impossible to ignore. The Nimbus is ASICS’s perennial easy running shoe, and it’s been around almost as long as I have.

It’s heavy, it has no aspirations to be a workout shoe, but it does its one job very well: it takes you through many comfortable, easy miles. I’ve yet to meet a person who dislikes the Nimbus. When beginners ask me which shoe to buy, I usually point them to the Nimbus because it’s probably the safest shoe in the world.

The Nimbus 27 actually came with some key updates: a bit more supercritical foam in the midsole (lighter and bouncier), more traction on the outsole, and it’s the tallest Nimbus yet—while still lighter than the Nimbus 26.

We gave it an overall score of 8.5, with the value score being the highest. Not because it’s cheap, but because it lasts so long it’s worth the money.

Buy the Nimbus if you’re risk-averse about running shoes, if you like traditional-feeling trainers with some new tech updates, and if you value durability. Avoid it if you want something faster on easy days or if you want a marshmallow-soft feel like a Hoka Clifton. The Nimbus is comfortable, but the midsole is more firm than soft.

Here is my video review:

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#3 Best for cushioning: Brooks Glycerin 22

Score: 8.6

The Glycerin has been around for 22 years, and for the 22nd edition Brooks completely revamped the midsole. It’s now fully supercritical DNA foam, the same light, responsive foam Brooks uses in their workout shoes. It feels much more alive than the 21.

I loved running in it—much more than the 21. Comfort is excellent. But it slipped to number three for two reasons. First, another brand came out with a shoe I think is better. Second, one of its competitors aged better. I put in about 700 km in the Glycerin 22 and after that it started to feel flat. That’s still good durability, but when you’re talking about the very best you want more.

We gave it an 8.6.

Buy the Glycerin 22 if you want something as comfortable as anything on the market and with more pop than a standard EVA trainer. Avoid it if durability is the main thing you’re after.

And just to clear up a common question: the Glycerin Max is the more expensive, faster, more rockered version. If you only want it for easy running, just get the regular 22 and save the money.

Here is my dedicated video review:

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#2 Best for responsiveness: Nike Vomero 18

Score: 8.6

I had low expectations for the Vomero 18. At first it felt heavy, tall, and awkward. But as I ran more in it, it got better and better. The bounce stuck around at 300 km, 400 km. Over time I started reaching for the Vomero ahead of the Glycerin and Nimbus.

The difference is the big piece of ZoomX supercritical foam in the midsole. Despite the weight, it’s bouncy and responsive. It feels a little slow, but when you check your watch you’re actually running the same easy pace as in other shoes.

It’s very durable. That’s why we bumped its ranking up to 8.6, just ahead of the Glycerin.

Buy the Vomero 18 if you like highly cushioned shoes and you’re a midfoot or heel striker. Avoid it if you’re a forefoot striker, or if you want something light and low to the ground.

Here was my first look at the Nike Vomero 18:

#1 Best overall: ASICS MegaBlast

Score: 8.7

The MegaBlast is at the top of our rankings.

I didn’t like it on my first run. I was expecting Superblast, and it felt harder. The Superblast 2 was advertised as an everything shoe and it really was—it could do easy runs, workouts, races. When the MegaBlast came out as the next “Blast” shoe, I was skeptical.

But here’s what it is: the whole midsole is FF Turbo 2 foam, the same foam from ASICS’s fastest shoes, stacked super high. At first it feels firm, but it breaks in quickly and becomes very comfortable. It’s supportive, cushioned, but still light—7.5 oz, much lighter than anything else on this list.

It’s good for easy runs, but it can also pick up the pace. It feels comfortable for almost anything.

We gave it an 8.7. Comfort and performance were the highest scores. The only real negative is the price.

Buy it if you liked the Superblast 2 or want one shoe that can do everything. Avoid it if you’re looking for a budget trainer.

Here is my dedicated video review: