Best Karhu Running Shoes 2021

Karhu has been making running shoes for a long time.

Beginning in the early 1900s, Karhu started making running shoes that quickly caught on. The Finnish brand outfitted amateurs and professional alike, racking up a slew of gold medals in the process.

That work continues today with the best Karhu running shoes. The newest generation of Karhu kicks features innovative technology and droves of data, but it hasn’t lost the competitive spirit of its early iterations.

Here are our picks for the best Karhu running shoes:

• Best for Most People: Karhu Ikoni 2021
• Best for Cushioning: Karhu Synchron
• Best for Wide Feet: Karhu Ikoni HiVo
• Best for Support: Karhu Fusion 2021

[Updated June 15, 2021. This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2021. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]

Karhu built the original Ikoni from more than 100,000 3D foot scans captured during Fleet Feet’s fit id® outfitting process. The mountains of data informed the shoe’s shape and fit. The latest edition is even better.

Designers compiled more scans and more data to tweak the fit for the new model, making it a more comfortable, accommodating running shoe for most people. Fleet Feet testers said the fit works for a wide variety of foot shapes, and it feels comfortable from the first miles to the last.

Karhu outfitted the Ikoni with lightweight AeroFoam cushioning and a seamless engineered mesh upper for a ride and feel that’s well-suited to the bulk of your training miles and some up-tempo paces, as well.

Karhu engineered the Synchron to be the softest shoe in its lineup by packing it full of AeroFoam Nova cushioning.

The plush bed of foam creates a luxurious landing and smooth transition from heel to toe. Plus, it delivers impressive durability for hundreds of miles of easy running.

Fleet Feet runners said they also appreciated the stable feeling provided by the midsole. Although the Synchron is a neutral running shoe, the ride doesn't feel wobbly or unstable.

Wrapped in a lightweight mesh upper lined with a silky bootie, the new Karhu Synchron 2021 will keep you cruising in comfort for your longest runs.

Read more in our Karhu Synchron 2021 review.

The Karhu Ikoni, fit for more people.

Karhu developed the Karhu Ikoni HiVo with wider—or “high volume”—feet in mind. Designers leveraged the same fit id data to turn the outstanding Ikoni 2020 into a fit for wider feet.

The HiVo model delivers the same lightweight feel and well-cushioned ride as the standard width version, but it provides a wider toe box and midfoot to accommodate larger feet. Karhu also kept the same Fulcrum technology for a smooth transition.

The best Karhu running shoe for support is the Fusion 2021, thanks to its 3/4-length Fulcrum technology.

Karhu’s signature Fulcrum tech helps maintain forward momentum by reducing how much you bounce up and down with each step. But the Fulcrum’s shape also delivers additional support.

The 3/4-length Fulcrum puts more medial support in the shoe, so you get a more stable ride, and it creates smoother transitions from heel to toe. Covered in a mesh upper, the Karhu Fusion is a lightweight, supportive running shoe that works for a variety of runners.

Read more in our Karhu Fusion 2021 review.

How We Picked the Best Karhu Running Shoes

We used data from our fit id® outfitting process, interviews with designers and real-life wear testing to determine the best Karhu running shoes for most runs and the most runners.

No two people (and no two runners) are the same, though. The best running shoes for you might not be the best shoes for your sister or that guy in your weekly pub run. You have to decide which shoes are best based on comfort, performance and price—that's why we offer a Happy Fit Guarantee, so you can try them out for yourself.

You can shop with confidence at Fleet Feet: We offer free shipping on all orders over $99, and you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.

Best Running Shoe Brands

Karhu makes some of the best running shoes in the business, but there are plenty of excellent shoes from other brands. See the best running shoe brands 2021 for more great shoes.