Best Long Distance Running Shoes 2024

Running long distances requires mental and physical fortitude to stave off the discomfort (and sometimes boredom) that comes with logging big miles. The same can be said for your running shoes.

Like any shoes, the best long distance running shoes will depend on how you run, your weight, your preferences and your goals. There isn’t one best pair of long distance running shoes for everyone, but you can find the right pair for your specific needs.

Do you want to break your marathon PR? Or are you looking for a Sunday afternoon cruiser to clear your head? Whatever you need, we picked out the best long distance running shoes for every runner.

Here are our picks for the best long distance running shoes:

• Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
• HOKA Clifton 9
• Mizuno Wave Rider 28
• HOKA Speedgoat 6
• Brooks Glycerin 21
• Karhu Mestari Run
• New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3
• On Cloudmonster 2
• Craft CTM Ultra 3

[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2024. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]

Keep your legs feeling fresh over long miles in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.

A powerful nylon plate embedded in the midsole provides all the spring and energy return of a plated shoe, without the stiffness of a carbon-fiber plate. It is sandwiched between PWRRUN PB cushioning, full of cushion, bounce and propulsion. We love using this shoe to train for marathons, half marathons, which we noted in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 review. The nylon plate is more durable than its carbon-plated counterpart, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, yet gives you plenty of pop and energy for your long runs.

When you're in it for the long haul, there aren't many shoes that can match the HOKA Clifton 9.

Designers packed the Clifton 9 with a new EVA foam compound. The new midsole is one of HOKA's lightest and most energetic foams yet, which gives you a protective but featherlight ride. HOKA also added 3 mm of this foam to the midsole, increasing the stack height and cushion, so you can run for miles.

A refreshed engineered mesh upper is soft and secure, while strategically placed rubber on the outsole gives you excellent traction on pavement without adding any unnecessary ounces.

What didn't change, though, is the early stage Meta-Rocker design that encourages snappy steps or the streamlined silhouette that gives the shoe a speedy look. In our HOKA Clifton 9 review, Caroline says, “It’s got that same soft yet slightly responsive midsole, gentle rocker shape and overall cushy ride. I felt like the rocker shape gives it a bit of a rigid feeling underfoot, but it’s still flexible enough to provide smooth toe-offs.”

HOKA built the original Clifton to provide maximum cushioning and minimal weight, and the Clifton 9 continues the legacy.

Read more in the HOKA Clifton 9 review.

When you're heading out for the long haul, you can depend on the Mizuno Wave Rider 28.

The Wave Rider 28 balances cushion and responsive propulsion thanks to Mizuno's bio-based ENERZY NXT midsole foam. It provides both energy return and shock absorption, so you’ll feel fresh no matter how far you run.

A Pebax Rnew® Wave Plate embedded in the midsole helps disperse the impact from landing and turn it into a smooth transition from heel to toe.

Lastly, a soft Jacquard mesh upper is lightweight and breathable for supreme comfort on the roads.

ASICS engineered the GlideRide 3 with its GUIDESOLE technology to create a curved sole that promotes smooth transitions over long miles.

ASICS updated this shoe to make it more cushioned and comfortable over many miles by adding their lighter, FF BLAST+ foam. The new foam combines with FLYTEFOAM® Propel to provide more energy return to your legs as you run, keeping you feeling fresh for longer.

The updated GlideRide 3 features a softer engineered mesh upper that wraps around your foot for a more comfortable fit and provides the ventilation your feet need to stay cool and dry. A 3D printed overlay creates a sense of structure in the upper without adding weight or excess stiffness.

The GlideRide 3 is designed specifically with long runs in mind, offering neutral support, long-lasting cushioning and exceptional outsole durability in addition to a unique rocker shape to keep you rolling.

HOKA named the Speedgoat after Karl “The Speedgoat” Meltzer, one of the most prolific and decorated ultrarunners of all time. So, with a name like Speedgoat, there are a lot of expectations. And the HOKA Speedgoat 6 meets them all.

In its sixth iteration, the Speedgoat's lightweight and resilient CMEVA midsole foam gives you reliable cushioning for everything from trail runs to ultramarathons. Plus, an aggressive outsole gives the Speedgoat 6 excellent traction and grip for unpredictable trail conditions.

In our HOKA Speedgoat 6 review, one Fleet Feet tester said, “The Speedgoat 6 has enough cushion to feel comfortable and protective, but I like that it’s not squishy on the run. I need a stable surface between me and the trail."

Wrap your feet in luxury with the Brooks Glycerin 21.

Luxury begins the moment you step into the updated Glycerin. A new upper enhances the fit and feel of the shoe on your foot, making it comfortable and breathable for the long haul.

All of the premium amenities are built on top of a full-length DNA LOFT v3 midsole. DNA LOFT v3 foam is the softest foam composition Brooks makes, and it’s infused with nitrogen to make it softer, lighter and bouncier. The Glycerin 21 is supremely cushioned, soaking up the repeated pounding that running imparts.

Sure, there are running shoes with more cushioning than the Glycerin. But few, if any, running shoes deliver the soft underfoot feel and all-around comfort of the Glycerin 21. It’s that immediate plushness and unbelievable comfort that makes the Glycerin the best long distance running shoe for soft cushioning.

Love the Glycerin, but need some stability? Check out the Glycerin GTS 21.

When you're running long distances, you want to be comfortable. That's where the Karhu Mestari Run shines.

A thick, plush bed of cushioning gives you soft landings, while Karhu’s signature Fulcrum helps you roll through the miles with ease.

The asymmetrical lacing securely wraps your foot over the thick stack of foam, while the breathable knit mesh upper makes sure your feet don’t overheat when your run is on fire.

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 will take you from training to racing and help you log your fastest times yet.

A roomy, minimal upper keeps the SuperComp Trainer v3 comfortable for big miles. Then, New Balance used their lightweight and bouncy FuelCell foam, added a carbon-fiber plate and created strategic midsole voids to boost your energy and roll you through your runs.

While testing out this shoe in our New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3 review, one runner even stated, “The FuelCell cushioning is very bouncy and fun to run in, and the rocker geometry keeps my momentum moving forward. The carbon-fiber plate gives the midsole some much-needed rigidity that keeps the bouncy cushioning more responsive.”

When you're training for big mileage, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 is an ideal choice.

The Cloudmonster 2 is one of On’s most cushioned running shoes. Perfect for long-distance running and marathon training, a dynamic blend of comfort and performance will have you reaching for this stylish pair of trainers for your long runs, easy days and recovery walks.

To protect your feet from the road mile after mile, the On Cloudmonster 2 features large CloudTec® elements for cushioning layered with a snappy, full-length Speedboard for a smooth and stable ride. The midsole consists of a double-layer of Helion™ foam that is lightweight, durable and temperature-resistant to give you your best run.

In addition to its wide toe box and generous fit, read why testers at Fleet Feet loved the On Cloudmonster 2 for their long runs and daily training.

The Craft CTM Ultra 3 is a fast and lightweight shoe built for putting in the miles. Craft’s generous stack of Ud Foam™ is fast, light and long-lasting. This responsive cushioning will give you consistent propulsion throughout the run, while the finely tuned details help you keep the proper form as effortlessly as possible for as long as possible.

The Craft CTM Ultra 3 has a one-piece mesh upper that fits like a glove, but still allows some extra room for your toes. An Ultratrac lug design outsole provides excellent traction as you turn corners and even allows you to run on light trails.

Meeting the needs of elite athletes as well as everyday runners, the Craft CTM Ultra 3 is a lightweight, pro-grade running shoe that is comfortable and cushioned so you can run for miles (or days) on end.

How We Picked the Best Long Distance Running Shoes

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

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.