Best Treadmill Running Shoes – The Only Gear You Need

The midsole is made of supercritical foam, which gives the Mach 6 its fast underfoot feel. It is very lightweight and shock-absorbing. However, some runners may need time to adjust to how bouncy it feels. It’s a great option for runners who need neutral shoes, but plush and bouncy foam can be challenging for runners needing extra stability.

Runners planning to run HIIT workouts and other fast-paced runs should consider a shoe like the Hoka Mach 6. You’ll be hitting faster speeds in no time!

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 is a great daily trainer with a fully rubberized outsole. The traction and curved sole will keep you firmly planted and on your toes as you tackle the steepest inclines. The cushioning is great for running inclines and declines, too!

The 880 isn’t the most tech-forward running shoe, which makes it a hard treadmill running shoe to get excited about. Still, that approach makes this running shoe better for beginners and versatile for training of all types. It doesn’t matter what speed you are going with the 880 or how steep the incline is.

A generous size range makes the New Balance 880 good for users who can’t find their size in other models. The fit should complement most foot shapes, and the cushioning is neither too much nor too little for most activities.

The Brooks Glycerin is super similar to the Ghost but has more cushioning, especially in the forefoot. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly shoe with more cushioning, the Glycerin 21 fits the bill. The cushioning cradles your foot around the heel, giving you a soft yet sturdy underfoot feel.

I recommend the Glycerin for beginners because it works for all types of training. It has enough support for recovery runs and long runs, as well as up-tempo runs. Whatever your goals—even if you haven’t figured those out yet—the Glycerin handles it. The rocker-shaped sole encourages a smooth landing and toe-off.

The Glycerin has a 10mm offset or drop. The stack height in the heel is 28mm, and 18mm in the forefoot. It may not be the best option for midfoot or forefoot runners, but it is ideal for heel strikers wanting a cushioned landing.

If you’re looking for a max cushioned shoe for treadmill walking, check out the Hoka Clifton 9. These have a plush design with a bouncy feel underfoot to provide a lot of cushion while you walk. Even though the Clifton 9 has been updated to include thicker cushioning in this model from the previous Clifton 8, it’s still lightweight.

The engineered knit upper is breathable but provides good support. The Clifton 9 has a nice toe box to provide plenty of room with neutral support. The Hoka Clifton 9 has a supportive outsole ideal for walking and running. Heel strikers might want a little more heel-to-toe drop than the 5mm that the Clifton 9 has, but overall, this is a great max-cushioned shoe for most.

If you’re looking for a plush shoe for walking on your treadmill, consider the Hoka Clifton 9.

The Asics GT-1000 13 is not the flashiest shoe on this list. It doesn’t have top foams like supercritical or PEBA. Instead, the Asics GT-1000 uses traditional EVA and gel cushioning. This midsole material keeps the price low.

As a stability shoe, the GT-1000 corrects for overpronation. Overpronation occurs when the foot rolls inward toward the centerline too far, causing pain while running. Visible pronation without pain is not usually overpronation. The GT-1000’s correction is mild but unsuitable for neutral runners who do not overpronate.

For budget shoppers looking for more options, I suggest checking the current prices of any shoes on this list. Sales run all the time, and the current model will go on sale before the new edition comes out.

I have run in more Altra running shoes than any other brand since 2014. My first Altra road shoe was the Altra One 2.5, and it remains one of my favorite shoes of all time. The Altra Experience Flow is quite different from Altra’s heritage shoes with its prominent rocker shape, 4mm drop, and more subtle foot shape. Yet, my sister won’t stop telling me I need a pair.

It was always hard to convert other runners to Altra due to the zero-drop platform and clown-show toebox. This Altra has a wide toe box and low drop that’s friendly for more runners. I like it for running on a manual treadmill because it gives you even more of that natural feel without overdoing it.

I was a little disappointed not to see some supercritical or PEBA foam in the Altra Experience Flow. I think that is a key ingredient Altra is missing in some of their daily trainers to make them competitive with other brands. However, EVA consistently feels the softest for runners, promising a really smooth and comfortable run on your challenging manual treadmill.

Another option that we love from Brooks is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. These are stability shoes with guide rails that support your feet and ankles. GTS stands for “go to support.” The guide rails sit on either side of your feet to help support your feet if you pronate or supinate. Pronation is when your foot rolls inward when landing, and supination is when it rolls outward when landing.

Whether you have those problems or not, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is great for most. The guide rails are there if you need them, but they won’t get in your way. Also, the Adrenaline GTS 23 is designed for a wide variety of uses. These are the ones to consider, from walking to running outdoors and indoors on your treadmill.

The Adrenaline GTS 23 is almost identical to the Ghost. I was a little sad to see that it uses DNA Loft v2 instead of the v3 used in the Ghost 16. I hope the next GTS iteration has the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam, too.

We love how many sizes and fits these mid-level cushioned shoes come in. No matter your size or how wide your feet are, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 comes in several sizes and widths. We highly suggest giving these a look if you’re looking for the best stable treadmill running shoes.

Most days, I (Kaleigh) train in zero-drop running shoes. The Altra Rivera 3 was the shoe that got me through my last bout of marathon training, and the 4 will be in my next rotation. By keeping your heels and toes on the same level, these shoes help strengthen your feet while you run. All the other models on this list have a drop from the heels to the toes.

These shoes have medium cushioning and a stack height of 28 mm, so your toes and heels can sit at this same height. Altras are great for mid and forefoot striking, so we recommend giving these a whirl if this sounds like your stride. It’s a great shoe for making the first step from traditional shoes to barefoot running, too.

The upper is breathable with a layered mesh, and the underfoot is soft yet responsive. The Altra Rivera 4 are the best zero-drop treadmill running shoes because they are designed with all the benefits of zero-drop shoes and a good outsole for all kinds of running. Consider these if you’re looking for a shoe to help with your balance and overall performance.

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is a shoe I’ve come very close to adding to my rotation, and it is still calling my name. If I were training for a shorter race (not a marathon), I would buy them in an instant. They feel so bouncy and unbelievably light. They are perfect for speed training and race day, even though they don’t have a carbon fiber plate.

If you want a super shoe but don’t want to pay $200+, this is the shoe for you. The Rebel v4 is priced comparably to a daily trainer, so you won’t break the bank. I love this shoe for runners who want something really bouncy and fast for HIIT workouts.

New Balance has a reputation as a dad shoe, but this is not a shoe for cutting the grass or smoking meats. It has an ultra-breathable upper and a reasonably rubberized outsole. When I went for a spin in these shoes, I didn’t feel like I was slipping around at all, and you will appreciate the extra breathability with the lack of airflow on the treadmill.

Check out the Rebel v4 if you are in the mood to run fast.