Best Treadmill Running Shoes 2024

Buyer's Guide | Fleet Feet

By Tom Rivett, Mandy Wahl, Evan Matsumoto Updated on

Whether you are escaping bad weather or trying to catch up on your favorite TV shows while getting a workout in, the treadmill is a great tool for running. While most of the time the same great qualities that make up the best running shoes will also make for the best treadmill running shoes, there are a few differences when running on a treadmill versus running on the roads.

  1. Treadmills are inside. This means when looking for a shoe, breathability is a big factor. It is hot enough running inside, the last thing you need is for your feet to burn up because your shoes are not breathable.
  2. Treadmills are softer than pavement. This means that you may want a lighter weight shoe because it is less jarring on the muscles compared to running mile after mile on the pavement.
  3. No twists or turns on treadmills. You are always running straight on a treadmill, therefore you may not need as much traction on the outsole or structure on the upper as a road running shoe. Plus, you don’t have to deal with rain, snow or ice, so your footing is less of a concern.
  4. Treadmills are repetitive. Although softer than pavement, your foot is landing at the same place on the same surface over and over. Therefore, you may want some more cushion and if you excessively pronate, a stability shoe is more important.

The other question that you need to ask yourself: Are you only running on the treadmill in these shoes or do you also need a shoe that can do other workouts in the gym? If you are using the same shoes for group classes or other gym work, certain shoes will work better than others.

We’ve selected some of the best running shoes for you to log those miles on the treadmill. If you are looking for other great gear for treadmill training, check out our gift guide for at-home workouts.

We broke down the best men’s and women’s treadmill running shoes into four categories: daily trainer, lightweight, cushioned and stability. So whether you are completing speedwork with some fast intervals or beginner treadmill runner just starting out, here are the best treadmill running shoes:

Daily Trainers

Lightweight Shoes

Most Cushioned Shoes

Stability Shoes

[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.]

Daily Trainers

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40

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The same features that make the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 one of the best shoes for running on roads are also why it's one of the best shoes for running on the treadmill.

The Pegasus 40 is lightweight, cushioned and comfortable and checks all of the boxes to be a good treadmill shoe.

The waffle-inspired outsole encourages a natural running motion and has excellent traction in case your treadmill starts to get slippery from your own sweat. Plus, there are two Zoom Air units in the forefoot and heel, so you’ll feel nimble and bouncy as you put in the miles on the hamster wheel.

Brooks Ghost 16

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Balanced cushioning and versatile performance make the Brooks Ghost 16 a great treadmill shoe. Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam is springy and lightweight for a responsive ride that’s particularly nice when you’re running on a softer platform like a treadmill. So queue up another episode of your favorite podcast or show while you’re getting your treadmill miles in because you’ll love running and walking in the Ghost 16.

Read more in our Brooks Ghost 16 review.

Mizuno Wave Rider 27

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The Mizuno Wave Rider 27 will put a spring in your step. Its Wave Plate in the heel is designed to stabilize the foot, which is great when you are landing repetitively on the treadmill. The midsole consists of Mizuno’s Enerzy foam, which is a great combination of cushioning and energy return.

The forefoot design gives you extra flexibility so that you can push off the treadmill with ease. Mizuno also redesigned the upper to feature an air mesh that is breathable, stretchy and supportive, which is important as you rack up the miles indoors.

Karhu Ikoni 2.5

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Shaped by millions of 3D foot scans at Fleet Feet stores around the nation, the Karhu Ikoni 2.5 is one of the best-fitting shoes around. Its neutral support and moderate cushioning make it perfect for the treadmill. Karhu’s lightweight AeroFoam offers support that works with the unique footbed to provide individualized cushioning that’s just right for you.

The half-length Fulcrum rocker in the midfoot of the Ikoni promotes a rolling transition that is ideal for the treadmill since it absorbs some of the shock. A refreshed upper made of a breathable knit mesh uses Karhu’s M-Lock lacing system so you can dial in the fit of your Ikonis around the midfoot without constricting your toes.

Lightweight Shoes

Saucony Kinvara 14

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The Saucony Kinvara 14 is a lightweight, flexible shoe that gives you everything that you need to succeed and nothing extra to weigh you down. The PWRRUN cushioning in the Kinvara 14 gives the shoe the flexibility and responsiveness to power strong take-offs, smooth transitions and soft landings so you can reach top speeds with minimal impact.

The upper of this shoe is focused on breathability, perfect for those hot and stuffy gyms. The mesh is streamlined for a lighter and faster shoe. In our Saucony Kinvara 14, one runner said, “I love the sparkly upper. It’s like it was inspired by a mermaid. The mesh is thinly woven to make it lightweight and breathable.”

On Cloud X 3

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Take on the treadmill with the On Cloud X 3. This shoe combines Helion foam with On’s springy Speedboard to energize you every step of the way.

On raised the sidewalls to give both agility and stability for moving straight ahead, or in any other direction, which gives you confidence during HIIT workouts, too. They updated the design of the upper and added a star lacing pattern that helps it fit better and gives more lateral support, making it ideal for a gym workout after you step off the treadmill.

Read more in our On Cloud X 3 review.

Altra Rivera 3

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Feel grounded during your run with the Altra Rivera 3. The Rivera 3 sports Altra’s signature FootShaped toe box but with a sleeker look. The toe box is shaped to mimic the real shape of the human foot, which gives you more space in the forefoot to let your toes sit and splay naturally.

Altra added even more of their EGO foam to the midsole to give you more cushion with a nice bounce that is great to use on the treadmill. The breathable and sleek upper makes this shoe fit like a glove, so it’s great for racking up those miles while watching television or listening to your favorite music.

Most Cushioned

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13

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If you love cushion, the New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 is a great shoe for you. The Fresh Foam X midsole is plush and bouncy under your feet, and it provides the smoothest ride whether you’re pounding pavement or running on the treadmill.

The engineered knit upper in this shoe has strategic zones of stretch and structure. In the New Balance 1080 review, one tester said “the heel collar is snug and locks in the fit, while the mesh upper has a touch of flexibility with solid breathability,.”

This dynamic stretchiness allows the shoe to accommodate many different foot shapes and is breathable for when your workout heats up. While this is an amazing running shoe for the treadmill, it may not be ideal for other gym activities due to the stretchy upper.

HOKA Clifton 9

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Have your smoothest run on the treadmill with the HOKA Clifton 9. This iconic shoe has HOKA’s signature active rocker that propels you forward on the treadmill. It has a ton of plush cushioning but is still lightweight and energetic.

Your feet will stay cool thanks to a breathable engineered mesh upper. The heel tab allows you to take the shoe on and off easier and gives it a subtle style, and it helps to reduce rubbing on your Achilles to keep you blister-free. The Clifton is made for forward motion, so it performs best for walking and running.

Learn more about this shoe by checking out our review on the HOKA Clifton 9.

On Cloudstratus 3

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The On Cloudstratus 3 will have you landing soft thanks to a double layer of On’s CloudTec cushioning and a super plush midsole foam. Each CloudTec pod collapses when you land and springs back into shape as you toe off, giving you cushioning where and when you need it. Then, the snappy Speedboard provides a responsive and stable foundation for a smooth ride.

Runners loved the feel of running in the On Cloudstratus 3, with one reviewer stating" “The Cloudstratus 3 has the type of cushion that feels like running on a springboard. The shoe isn’t squishy, but the landings feel soft while the shape of the shoe rocks you forward. The result is an energetic feel with nice, smooth transitions,” in our On Cloudstratus 3 review.

The minimalist aesthetic is showcased in the upper for a look that stands out. Plus, the star-lacing system, improved heel hold and wide-fitting forefoot give you a great fit for walking, running and working out.

Stability Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam 860 v13

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New Balance’s popular stability shoe, the 860 v13, has Fresh Foam X cushioning to give it a soft landing and energetic response. By placing a firmer piece of foam under the arch, this shoe ensures a stable ride and reduces excess overpronation to help you run smoothly, making it perfect for runners and walkers with flexible arches.

The upper is stylish and breathable, perfect for running on a treadmill or hanging out with friends. There is also strategic embroidery on the sides to give the shoe extra foot support. Tackle some of the best treadmill workouts in the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13.

Read more in our New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v 13 review.

ASICS GT-2000 v12

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The ASICS GT-2000 is a lightweight stability shoe that’s perfect for running on the treadmill. The newest version of the GT-2000 features a streamlined and stylish upper that hugs your foot in all the right places while remaining breathable to keep your feet cool.

The FF Blast Plus™ foam in the midsole combines with ASICS’ signature PureGEL™ cushioning for a lightweight but cushioned ride that propels you forward. The 3D Guidance System™ provides stability to help reduce the inward roll of your feet, ensuring an efficient toe-off with every stride.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

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The Adrenaline GTS 23 is Brooks’ legendary stability shoe that has both support and the ideal softness for cruising through those miles on the treadmill. Brooks uses a GuideRail® support system, which shifts the stability focus from the feet to the knees—reducing excess movement so your knees and hips move more naturally. The upper fits comfortably around your foot giving you a great fit, good breathability and structure.

The soft, yet responsive, cushioning is buttery-smooth and adapts with your foot to make sure that you run happy mile after mile.

How We Chose the Best Treadmill Running Shoes

We consider several factors when choosing what are the best shoes for running on a treadmill. From ensuring we judge shoes according to their intended purpose to making sure you’re actually able to buy them, here are the things we consider when picking the best running shoes in each category:

  • Purpose. Comparing apples to apples
  • Performance. How well does it do its job?
  • Real-world testing. We put them to the test on real runs
  • Price. Is it affordable? Does its performance justify its cost?
  • Sales. Best-selling models are best-sellers for a reason
  • fit id® data. Our own data shows how shoes fit for different feet
  • Availability. It won’t be good if you can’t buy it
  • Designer interviews. We ask the people who made it

Standing Behind Our Picks

We picked the best treadmill running shoes based on what we think will work for the most people in the most situations. If you buy a pair of running shoes from us and you don’t like the way they look, fit or perform, bring them back within 60 days for a full refund. Plus, we offer free shipping on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.