Runner’s Gift Guide: Best Running Shoes 2022

“Best” is a subjective term, especially when this year has delivered so many bold updates to key running shoes. The lens we used for choosing our best road runners to gift is selecting those styles a runner would not go wrong with if they received them. Nothing smells quite so good as a fresh pair of running shoes, so dive into this selection and choose for your BFF road runner.

Best Gifts: Road Running Shoes 2022

Saysh Two (women-specific) | $185

“Premium” doesn’t even begin to describe the beautifully designed shoes from Allyson Felix’s brand Saysh. While a lifestyle shoe, Saysh has made the list as the statement shoe from the United States most decorated female Olympian. What Felix and her company stands for is female empowerment through sport and speaking out. When any woman steps into a pair of Saysh, we like to think she walks figuratively a little taller. What’s a better gift than that?

The second version that came out this year comes in new colors (including a decadent goldenrod and forest green) and includes thick satin laces that dare to be an accessory on their own. These lifestyle sneakers scream spoiled in the best way. A note on sizing: We agree with what the Saysh site points out—the fit is quite snug, so order a half size larger.

Tracksmith Eliot Runner| Pre-order $198

Just in time for the fresh smell of winter comes Tracksmith’s first foray into the running shoe game. Disclaimer: we have yet to put this shoe to the test, but we did get to hold it at a recent visit to the Tracksmith Clubhouse. With that in mind, acknowledge this recommendation is based purely on aesthetics and that fresh shoe smell, until we can take it for a proper spin. True to Tracksmith style, the retro stripe and commitment to quality is dripping, and recommended for those tapping into a true Nor’easter style. As of typing, the Eliot is currently on pre-order, but sometimes the wait is worth it.

Brooks Glycerin 20 | $160

Look no further than this shoe for the runner who enjoys a familiar, comfortable ride with a modern bounce. Brooks used its new cushioning compound—DNA Loft v3, a blend of EVA, air, and nitrogen gas—in this 20th edition of the Glycerin, and it shines underfoot. The cush is soft but resilient—testers could actually feel the bounce-back—and crazy lightweight. The midsole and outsole are redesigned to give runners more room throughout the midfoot, which produces a smoother and more stable transition from heel strike to toe-off. The stretchy and secure engineered mesh upper and soft, padded tongue add to the joys of this comfy workhorse.

On Cloudmonster | $170

Testers called this shoe “fun” and “bouncy” to run in, ideal for long runs, recovery runs, or just anytime you’re craving a little extra soft bounce.The Cloudmonster’s cushioning comes from ten rows of massive, hexagonal pods—the largest on any On shoe to date—which allow the brand’s resilient foam to compress upon impact for a cushy ride. Yet the ride is surprisingly stable and lively as well. Above the pods, a full-length, slightly-helix-shaped, flexible, and responsive polypropylene plate delivers a smooth transition from heel strike to the peppy toe-off. Comfort is the theme throughout, with a roomy, soft and breathable upper and lace loops securing the foot in a soft, even hug.

Saucony Tempus | $160

Know a runner who likes fast runs but needs some extra stability? Saucony’s new Tempus might be their perfect present. It provides strong foot support and guidance when you need it, but it’s also a speedy, lightweight, cushioned trainer and racer that delivers a smooth, plush, and propulsive ride. The peppy underfoot feel stems from a full-length midsole of ultralight, high-cushioning, and maximum-rebounding PEBA-based foam. To make this super foam stable, Saucony surrounded it in a frame of denser, more supportive EVA foam. One tester called it “a perfect combination of light weight and lateral stability, while unbelievably responsive under the entire foot.”

Skechers Razor 4 | $145

The Razor 4 is a light, fast uptempo trainer that could double as a racer. At its core is an updated version of Skechers’ ground-breaking Hyper Burst foam, made from TPU beads rather than EVA, which gives it a more rubbery, springier feel. The new foam sinks in on impact, delivering a soft, smooth touchdown and transition, then firms up almost immediately into a bouncy, lively underfoot platform that gets you back in the air quickly. Enhancing that rapid toe-off is a flexible, forefoot, H-shaped plate made of carbon-infused pebax. Topping off the smooth ride is a soft, foot-hugging upper and a more generous fit.

Topo Specter | $160

The Specter stands out due to its generous forefoot fit, balanced cushioning and stability, and natural, smooth-rolling ride. The highest-stack, most cushioned Topo model to date, the Specter maintains a grounded feel by using two foams underfoot. The core of the midsole is made of ultra-light, ultra-soft, bouncy Pebax foam. To keep this squishy foam from sinking too far, it is surrounded on the bottom and sides by a somewhat firmer EVA-blend foam. One tester said that the well-cushioned ride was “underlayed with a stable platform that supported my stance—so much so that I’d note my feet and lower legs relaxing as runs progressed.”

Asics Gel Nimbus Lite 3 | $160

For an uber-comfortable fit and ride without excess weight, it’s hard to beat the Nimbus Lite 3. A plush mesh upper and a stretchy knit tongue feels like a lightly-supported snug sock. Impact-absorbing gel under the rear foot reduces shock, while energetic foam in the rest of the midsole adds flexibility, comfort, and relief during long outings. Despite the light weight, the shoe is tuned for comfort, not speed, although it won’t get in the way during pick-ups. Thanks to an upper made from 70 percent recycled materials, wearing (and gifting) this shoe feels good in more ways than one.

Adidas Adizero Boston 11 | $160

The Adidas Boston 11 is a high-mileage, cushioned shoe that is at home on long pace runs. The 11s are more maximalist than earlier editions, making them less lively at faster tempos, but they start to shine as your splits pile up. With a Continental rubber outsole providing long-lasting grip, fiberglass energy rods speeding the roll onto your toes, and a dual-density midsole of TPU-based Lightstrike Pro over firmer, durable EVA Lightstrike delivering responsive cushioning, these daily trainers afford comfort and durability on a variety of runs. Expect to get twice the mileage out of these Bostons than you might get from similar competitor’s models. Plus, the new, lighter mesh upper is made with 50% recycled materials.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 | $150

For the runner seeking more, New Balance’s Fresh Foam More v4 delivers. This shoe is plush, with 34mm of the softest Fresh Foam ever under the heel and 31mm under the forefoot. Surprisingly, the ride isn’t wobbly or overly squishy. Credit the stability to the extra wide base and the contoured top of the midsole which combine so that when you sink in, the midsole wraps around and cradles your foot. And when you hit bottom, the foam gently bounces back while a rocker toe rolls you forward. The fit is soft and generous, and the ride is dreamy for any runner who likes to float far above the harsh ground.

Altra Vanish Tempo | $190

The Vanish Tempo is for the runner who wants a shoe with both a balanced, natural feel and the highly-cushioned bounce of a supershoe. Built on a 33mm stack of Altra’s lively, nitrogen-infused midsole foam with an aggressive, early rocker, the Tempo lacks a plate, making its ride a little softer and more forgiving than carbon-plated racers, if not quite as snappy and propulsive. Testers reported that the shoe delivered a plush and lively feeling regardless of the pace or stride. The breathable, engineered mesh upper provides a superb mid-foot lockdown, and narrow-footed runners will appreciate the slimmer profile.

Hoka Kawana | $140

Know someone who loves Hoka shoes? Outside’s Gear Guy columnist does, and says the Kawana is his favorite Hoka model ever. He particularly enjoyed the feel of the new midsole foam, which is denser than previous Hoka foams, providing a sweet balance between soft cushioning on long runs and lively responsiveness during speed workouts or steeep ascents. He also appreciated the smooth stabilizing effect of the swallow-tail “crash pad” off the back of the sole, and the comfy and supportive wrap of the mesh upper. Chances are your Hoka-loving runner will too.

Puma XX Nitro (women specific)| $160

Launched this year, Puma designed a shoe specifically with female anatomy in mind. The XX features a narrower heel hold and narrower fit at the arch and instep than what’s found in most men’s or unisex shoes, or even in women’s versions of shoes offered to both genders. The shoe also addresses the fact that women have a wider base of support relative to their height compared to men—the angle of our hips to the ground is different, and influences how women’s feet hit the ground. In short, women tend to pronate more than men. A great choice to give to your favorite female runner looking to log mild training miles over the winter.

Best Gifts: Trail Running Shoes 2022

Altra Mont Blanc BOA Edition | $210

Your favorite long-distance trail runner will geek out over the twin BOA dials on this premium trail shoe. Each dial tightens a different set of laces, letting you fine-tune the tension to your fit preference. Underfoot, Altra’s lightest nitrogen-infused foam sinks in and contours around your foot before firming up and bouncing back, providing a unique combination of cushion, ground feel, and lively responsiveness. The foot-shaped forefoot allows your toes to spread out for a naturally-stable stance enhanced by unobtrusive guide rails on both sides of the arch, while the thin, light sole with strategically-placed lugs delivers a sure-footed grip.

Brooks Caldera 6 | $150

With a generous amount of cushioning from soft, lightweight, slightly-bouncy DNA Loft v3—a combination of EVA, rubber, air, and nitrogen—the Caldera is meant for comfort over speed. We love it for runs when we just want to zone out. Its wide base flares out slightly from the top of the midsole, where it surrounds the foot like a bucket seat. A combination of a gusseted tongue and lacing eyelets that wrap all the way down to the midsole lock the foot down securely and comfortably. The result is a forgiving shoe that enables you to roll over rocky, varied terrain without having to focus too hard on foot placement.

Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure | $120

Check out this lightweight, low-profile, flexible shoe if the runner on your list does most miles on gravel roads or smooth dirt trails. At the shoe’s core is Reebok’s Floatride Energy foam—a TPE-based blend delivering a soft-and-bouncy ride. On the bottom, a nearly full-coverage, grippy-rubber outsole echoes gravel bike tire tread, with smaller, tightly-spaced lugs in the center for a smooth roll on firm sections, and larger—but still shallow—lugs on the perimeter for digging in when needed. On top, the upper is made of a flexible and airy, yet rugged, ripstop mesh made of 100 percent recycled plastic.

Hoka Tecton X | $200

The new Hoka Tecton X is a rare carbon-plated shoe that’s not just for fast runners with efficient strides, but provides a peppy ride for all abilities. Designers ditched the standard single carbon plate in favor of two parallel ones. These plates move independently, producing a more forgiving, flexible ride. Surrounding the plates is a dual-density midsole: Hoka’s most responsive, energetic EVA on bottom, topped with a layer of softer foam directly underfoot. Where the rubber meets the road, tightly spaced four-millimeter lugs deliver a grippy yet sensitive ride on everything from gravel roads to dusty, winding singletrack.

Saucony Peregrine 12 | $130

Gift this shoe to the runner who likes a natural, close-to-the-ground feel that allows for quick, nimble feet over any terrain. A new rock plate provides more flexible protection and an airy upper better releases moisture while delivering a strong foothold that doesn’t restrict foot motion. A thin, flexible saddle and soft, gusseted tongue hugs the midfoot, while the toe box is wide and free. The aggressive five-millimeter lugs and sticky rubber sole inspired confident strides. Any runner who loves to dance over the trail will love this award-winning off-road speedster.

Merrel MTL Long Sky 2 | $140

The MTL Long Sky 2 won our testers’ hearts not because of one feature that stood out, but by having each element come together seamlessly to deliver protection and cushioning without removing the nimble feel of dancing over the trail. The toothy outsole provides ample traction on wet and dry trails, gripping strongly with widely-spaced, five-millimeter-deep, chevron-shaped lugs. The midsole delivers a firm, connected ride that is neither harsh nor squishy, and the upper wraps securely over the booty-style gusseted tongue with an airy forefoot allowing plenty of room for the toes. In sum: durable, versatile, and reliable.

Hoka Mafate Speed 4 | $185

Imagine a trail shoe with a tank’s toughness, a four-wheeler’s grip, and a Ferrari’s engine, and you’ve got a good picture of the Hoka Mafate Speed 4. Underfoot, the new dual-density EVA foam midsole has a soft layer on top of a firmer one to create a balance between a cushioned and responsive ride. But the shoe’s strongest attribute is its ground-biting traction: The sole employs multi-directional, textured, five-millimeter lugs separated by flex grooves to clench into tricky terrain, whether soft, loose, or rocky. Testers also raved about the new single-layer woven jacquard mesh upper, which provides a flexible, slightly stretchy hug.

Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 8 | $140

The agile fit and ride make the Terra Kiger 8 stand out for runners looking to maneuver adeptly on rugged footing. Soft landings are delivered by an ample  layer of Nike’s soft-and-slightly-bouncy React midsole foam under the heel. The low, 24-millimeter forefoot employs a Zoom Air unit that combines pressurized air and tightly stretched fibers to produce bouncy, powerful push-offs. Flexible, segmented rock plates between the midsole and outsole protect both heel and forefoot while high-abrasion rubber holds onto a variety of trails and conditions. The snug, breathable mesh upper is fully lined to block out excessive dirt and pebble.

Asics Fuji Lite 3 | $120

Asics Fuji Lite 3 will delight your off-road speedster. The low height and light weight give it a nimble, quick-footed quality that begs for fast, fun trail running while still providing comfort at slower paces. Large, multi-directional, five-millimeter-deep lugs dig in for off-road confidence, while their flat top surfaces and tight spacing let the shoes also transition smoothly to roads. The engineered mesh upper provides inadequate lockdown to anchor the foot when bombing down steep, technical terrain, but is comfortable and secure for easy to moderate trails. With its versatility and vivacity, the shoe is a bargain.