10 Best Running Shoes for Beginners

The last thing you want when you’re getting into running for the first time (or after a long hiatus) is a wet, sweaty running shoe during those crucial first miles of your run. Remember that breathability is important in every type of climate and is especially important as your workout mileage increases.

Breathability is determined by the materials and construction of a shoe. Modern mesh fabrics have allowed shoemakers to be able to create highly durable, lightweight, extremely breathable shoes that will help keep your feet comfortable for mile after mile. Another thing, if you think you'll eventually get into participating in Tough Mudder or Spartan races, you'll want to think long and hard about breathability, as these races often (ok, always) include water obstacles that will leave you with wet shoes that you'll want to have dry out as soon as possible.

Since you're just beginning, we'll let you in on a little secret that grizzled running veterans rely on; when you're stuck in your routine, or even if you just want something different that day, there's nothing better than trail running, especially in a beautiful place. People who road run or run on a treadmill can tell you about the monotony that can come with running mile after mile with little to no change in scenery. To be honest it can amount to pure drudgery.

Heading outdoors for a trail run, especially to new trails you're not familiar with, is a great way to get out of your rut, break your routine, and start having fun running again. And since you're probably a beginner if you're reading this, why not start it outright from the very beginning, and incorporate trail running into your routine as soon as possible.

Our buying guide provides models for all types of terrain. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast already, you are going to love the trail runners on our list. They are top-rated selections for a reason. For city and treadmill runners, we have perfect offerings that can handle the pavement. Regardless of your terrain, our goal was to bring you the best of both worlds.

Most novice runners don’t realize that choosing a running shoe that is supportive, and especially one that's supportive in the right places for their specific foot and ankle characteristics, can absolutely make or break their running experience.

Support typically comes from the ankle cuff and side panels of a shoe. These areas can be strategically reinforced with extra materials, or materials that are stiffer than the rest of the shoe, to give you the support that you want and need. Especially if you're a heavier runner, you'll want to be sure to buy a pair with plenty of support to help make sure that your feet and ankles get the support they need.

The last thing you want or need as a beginning runner is to have injuries and discomfort right out of the blocks when you're starting off, so be sure to buy a pair that can help prevent these things by giving you solid and well-designed support.

We made sure to note these models on our buying guide, so if support is something you’ve been looking for, you’ve come to the right place.

Research has shown that wearing a visually appealing running shoe is important because when runners are happy with the looks of their shoes, they are twice as likely to take them out for a run and even run for longer distances. That being said, we would never suggest buying a running shoe on looks alone and it’s a cardinal sin in the running world. Quite frankly it's just plain silly to buy a pair on looks alone.

However, beware of buying a pair that has all the characteristics you're looking for but that you don't think looks good. If you do this, it's highly likely that you'll wear them a couple of times, and then suddenly stop running because consciously or subconsciously you're embarrassed about how you look.

When you take a look at our list, you'll see that these selections are the latest and greatest in terms of design and style. Today’s runners no longer have to choose between a good-looking running shoe and a high-performing one, as long as they know what to look for and stay true to their personal style.

The most common rookie runner mistake is simple and actually pretty easy to avoid; choosing the wrong size running shoe. Everybody's feet are unique, and each manufacturer sizes their shoes a little bit differently. It's common knowledge, both to experienced runners as well as the layperson that Nike shoes, while typically quite excellent, tend to run small in size compared to other brands. In addition, feet tend to swell towards the end of the day, your run, or a strenuous workout. This is why choosing a size that’s similar to your everyday shoes can be a mistake.

Seasoned runners typically run in a half size larger than their regular shoes and are always aware of a shoe’s tendency to run larger or smaller. We noted which runners are slightly larger or smaller to help you make a selection. We also suggest sizing your feet at the end of the day or after you’ve gone out for a nice run.