It is time to renew your wardrobe with a pair of the best road running shoes, but where to start looking? Road running is kind of convenient because of the nature of the road. Concrete or asphalt paths are usually very flat and easy to traverse.
There are some inconveniences, however, regarding the impact of running on flat solid ground on your legs, especially your feet. To counter that, you need to find runners that absorb shock, so your feet and ankles don’t take much stress. This is especially important considering the length and frequency of running sessions many of us stick to.
In this article, we are going to review the best models that fit the description – the shoes with great shock absorption and comfort, and a few cool features here and there that should help you perform better.
The table contains a 2021-reviewed list of the best road running shoes on the market. All the items on the table excel in their performance, and all you need to do is to decide which set of features will suit you the best.
| A Guide on Best Road Running Shoes in 2021 | Pros | Cons | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 Shield | Highly visible Awesome traction Upper is water-resistan | Small sizing Narrow toe box | 4,98 | Check Price |
| Brooks Adrenaline 21 | Light Soft & comfortable Awesome traction | Small sizing Narrow toe box | 4,96 | Check Price |
| Inov-8 RoadTalon 240 | Light Shock absorption Bouncy | Small sizing The toe box is tight | 4,95 | Check Price |
| Brooks Ghost 13 | Great cushioning Soft midsole Great traction Good for beginners and runners with experience | Not great for rain Not great for overpronation Wide toe box | 4,92 | Check Price |
| Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 | Covers long distances well Lightweight Comfortable | Narrow toe box Not great for rain | 4,91 | Check Price |
Best Road Running Shoes #1: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 Shield
Nike is known to be a provider of the best sports equipment in the world. Many Nike fans have been proven again and again that this is the case. They don’t fall behind in the running shoe category. For this particular model we believe it’s the best road running shoes for women, and here’s why.
The upper is made of water-resistant materials and contains mesh that perfectly hugs the foot, snuggly enough to make them unnoticeable, yet firmly so the runner doesn’t have any problems during their session. Water-resistant materials help especially during rainy days. We wouldn’t recommend exposing them to bodies of water too often.
Night-running sessions can be appealing to many, and Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 are equipped with reflective strips, making them highly visible in evenings and at night, providing safety measures when running on the road.
Zoom technology by Nike refers to their cushioning technology that massively absorbs the shock across the footing, and the sole is designed to create good traction against smooth surfaces like asphalt or concrete. The material is made of special rubber that prevents slipping on wet surfaces.
Pros
- Highly visible
- Awesome traction
- Upper is water-resistant
Cons
- Small sizing
- Narrow toe box
Best Road Running Shoes #2: Brooks Adrenaline 21
If you are looking for the best road running shoes for men, Adrenaline GTS 21 should be the one. The shoes are lightweight, made of materials that don’t add up to their weight, yet durable and efficient enough for great performance.
Support and cushioning are the keywords that describe Adrenaline GTS 21. BioMoGo and Loft DNA are technologies implemented in the midsole, adding softness, comfort, and balance during running. They are designed to help support overpronation, which is the most common gait pattern among men. The version for women is customized for the gait and stride pattern usually found among women.
The solution to overpronation is found in the guide rail technology which accommodates support according to overpronation patterns. This means that the shoe will support you well no matter the extent of your overpronation. This technology also adds less weight but improves the overall durability of the shoes.
Outside traction is amazing with Adrenaline GTS 21. The sole pattern and materials make them suitable for both road running and occasional trailing, so they are a great option if you want an occasional off-road action.
The upper is streamlined allowing for excellent breathability and sweat/heat regulation. It holds the upper foot snuggly yet the hold is stable with no wiggling. It’s flexible and accommodates the wearer’s foot naturally.
Pros
- Light
- Soft & comfortable
- Awesome traction
Cons
- Not for neutral runners
- Wide toe box
Best Road Running Shoes #3: Inov-8 RoadTalon 240
Inov-8 has created a shoe specifically for running on the road, great for marathons and triathlons. The traction development was focused specifically on smoother surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, cobblestone, and ceramic tiles. The slipperiness, though present in extreme situations (wet tiles for example), is minimal or non-existent on most urban surfaces.
Its equipment with PowerFlow midsole technology provides up to 10% additional shock absorption when compared to other products of the same category. That makes them easily the best road running shoes in terms of comfort and cushioning.
That’s not all. Cushioning usually means less energy return, but that’s not the case with RoadTalon. PowerFlow balanced the cushioning and bounce feature, allowing for an additional 15% energy return, allowing for faster and more efficient running.
The upper is made from AdapterWeb mesh that gives amazing breathability and sweat control fits snuggly to most feet, and it easily adapts to your feet over time for a customized shoe interior.
Inov-8 is not serious about the performance of their shoes, but they also take care of the design. RoadTalon is designed with care to provide a visual appeal.
In terms of pricing, these road running shoes are among the budget-friendly options as well. The value return is in our opinion much greater than expected.
Pros
- Light
- Shock absorption
- Bouncy
Cons
- Small sizing
- The toe box is tight
Best Road Running Shoes #4: Brooks Ghost 13
Brooks Ghost 13 for starters looks great. There are plenty of color patterns and that fit well with the Engineered Mesh upper that provides a unique cool-looking pattern.
The mesh upper not only looks appealing, but it has multiple functions. It’s flexible enough to adapt to your feet so you don’t even feel you’re wearing them. The feet slip in the shoe easily and comfortably. The mesh is also tight enough to keep your feet secure making them almost a part of your body.
What also puts them on the top list of the best street running shoes is a balance of cushioning, weight, and support. They are extremely lightweight, and that’s where they get their name.
The cushioning is shock-absorbing and very responsive, making them perfect for speed-work, marathons, as well as general training for running. They are durable and can easily cover long distances needed for the marathon itself and marathon practice runs.
The stepping is amazing in Ghost, and they are not only perfect for streets because of it rubber under-sole, but the pattern also helps with occasional off-road running, like dirt, grass, even rocky terrain. The shoe fits well and somewhat prevents injuries over uneven terrain.
Pros
- Great cushioning
- Soft midsole
- Great traction
- Good for beginners and runners with experience
Cons
- Not great for rain
- Not great for overpronation
- Wide toe box
Best Road Running Shoes #5: Asics Gel-Nimbus 22
Equipped with FlyteFoam Propel technology and the gel-like substance that absorbs the shock, Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 can boast of having one of the best sole technologies on the market. The shock absorption is amazing all the while it directs a lot of the energy back to the stride.
Trusstic technology placed under the arch of the sole gives a lot of stability while saving on weight at the same time. It is also in charge of protecting your shoes from wear and tear, greatly extending their lifespan even when running extensively. This makes it a favorite among many professional runners.
The mesh upper securely holds your feet in place adding to stability and reliability. It’s highly breathable and has some heat regulation capabilities. It flexes with the foot and after just a few days it adapts to your feet so that it individualizes the inner mold. It’s a highly customizable shoe.
The outsole is made of special materials that reduce wear on harsh terrains as well as on flat terrain, and the pattern is constructed so that the shoe tightly adheres to flat surfaces with every step, even on wet asphalt.
Pros
- Covers long distances well
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Cons
- Narrow toe box
- Not great for rain
Final words
Running on roads and flat surfaces is different than trailing, and we need shoes that are specifically designed for either. We find that the best road running shoes are Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Shield 37 for women and Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22. They fit the feet perfectly, the cushioning is amazing for both products, and they add springiness to every stride. Adrenaline GTS 22 also gives support with overpronation, and the shoe adapts to the overpronation patterns.
