The Best Running Shoes to Buy for Run Club
Run clubs are all the rage right now, what should you have on feet?
Are run clubs fitness clubs or dating groups? That’s the debate that’s been going on online. And, hey, it might be a good place to meet a future partner. Finding someone with common interests and a positive lifestyle could be a good place to start. Run club has also become somewhat of a meme—you’ve seen the images of beginner runners spending $1,000 on gear to clock 12-minute miles. Everyone needs to start somewhere, and this isn’t shaming anyone’s fitness progress, but you don’t need a $400 carbon-plated shoe if you’re more concerned with getting through a few miles than the pace you’re running them at. With that in mind, we wanted to put together a list of shoes that are good, cool, everyday running shoes that you can pick up regardless of running level.
We scoured a lot of the brands to give a broad swath of things to pick from and strayed away from specialized footwear to find things for a broader spectrum of runners. But also we wanted things that look good on feet, too, because, let’s admit it, run club is a bit of a peacock fest. Running hats, shirtless dudes, vests, the right socks, expensive shorts, the list goes on. We can let someone else put that list together. But here are the best sneakers for run club.
All products are independently selected by our editors. Complex may collect a share of sales from the links on this page if you decide to shop them.
Saucony Hurricane 24
If there’s one thing Saucony does well, it’s running shoes. The brand has a running shoe for every need. Plated super shoes, speed-training shoes, high-end, budget-friendly, and everything in between. Saucony repositioned the Hurricane running shoe line this year. The Hurricane 24 is made to appeal to runners that want a maximalist shoe, similar to a Hoka. The shoe has a 6mm drop and weighs in at 10.6 oz. It’s chunky and wide, but good for beginner runners who want something comfortable on their feet for a few miles to long runs.
Shop Saucony's inventory of the Hurricane 24 here.
Nike Pegasus 41
Nike makes a lot of exciting super shoes that get all the headlines and people think they need to run out and buy them. And maybe they do. Innovation is what NIke does best. But for a long time, Nike wasn’t the best at making solid, mid-tier running shoes that serious runners could train in everyday. But the Pegasus has always been the workhorse of the brand’s running line. When Nike was too busy making Shox and other nonsense, the Pegasus was always there. Over the past few years, the shoe has seen a renewed push by Nike, with it becoming one of the centerpiece shoes around the Paris Olympics. It has Nike’s new ReactX foam which is more responsive than cushioning used in previous Pegasus models. But the shoe is still middle of the road, it doesn’t have an insane stack height or heel- to- toe drop or a carbon fiber plate. Just a good old pair of running shoes.
Shop Nike's inventory of the Pegasus 41 here.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
New Balance has been on a roll over the past five or so years. But they’ve also been on a run, too. Most people have been paying attention to what the company has been doing with its retro releases, but the brand has also had a solid string of performance running shoes. The one we’ve been seeing pop up the most is the Fresh Foam X 1080v13. That name is a mouthful. But the shoe is rather simple. It’s the most cushioned version of the shoe yet. It’s a long-lasting neutral running shoe that’s good for someone who doesn’t need too specialized of a shoe—that’s most people at run clubs. And it’s breathable. A good, good-looking option to go for.
Shop StockX's inventory of the Fresh Foam X 1080v13.
Hoka Mach 6
If you’ve thought about running recently, then the idea of getting a pair of Hokas likely has crossed your mind. But which pair should you get? Well that depends on what you need. You’ve probably seen people hit the streets in a pair of Bondis. And that’s a good choice for a maximalist running shoe. But the feedback online is that they’re best suited for those looking for a pair of work shoes or larger runners needing a shoe that can take a pounding. Something more middle of the road is the Mach series. It’s a lightweight shoe that has a new, improved midsole foam and, finally, has a rubberized tread on the outsole. It’s made to be a daily trainer, so it’s something you can regularly log miles in. That’s exactly what a run club sneaker should be. Something you can grab, throw on, and not think too much about. Although, I know you have your running kit laid out the night before running club anyway.
Shop Hoka's inventory of the Mach 6 here.
On Cloud Eclipse
Go anywhere and you’ll see someone in a pair of Ons. While they were first designated for the feet of European tourists, On has truly crossed over into the mainstream of America. Don’t forget, though, that the brand was created for performance footwear. (Even if the tech looks a little bit like Shox.) That’s where the On Cloud Eclipse comes into play. Sure, the brand is making super shoes at this point, but you don’t need those for the three-mile run club fun run. The Cloud Eclipse has a higher stack height than most On shoes. The shoe is soft enough for long runs, with its Helion Superfoam. It’s not super light, coming in at 10 oz, but a solid shoe overall. The reviews read that it’s one of the first On shoes that serious runners recommend to others.
Shop StockX's inventory of the On Cloud Eclipse.
ASICS Kayano 30
The Kayano series has been the north star for ASICS, and much of the running shoe industry, for over 30 years now. One of the brand’s latest iterations, the Kayano 30, comes at an exciting time for ASICS. The Kayano line in general, thanks to reissues of models from the past, has been white hot over the past few years. And it’s still rolling. The Kayano 30 may no longer have the full visible Gel midsole like models of the past, but it’s full-in on cushioning. It’s a higher stacked shoe with FF Blast cushioning on the midsole. It’s a lighter shoe with a lot of stability. But it works for neutral runners and ones with pronation issues. It’s the best of both worlds for a lot of wearers. I’ve seen people wear these casually, too, especially the throwback colorway, and they look good—something everyone wants at run club.
Shop ASICS's inventory of the Kayano 30 here.
Mizuno Neo Vista
Mizuno is onto something new with its Neo Vista shoe. Thick foam sole, knitted upper, still using the brand’s Wave technology in the midsole. The brand is coming into the new era of running while remaining true to its roots. The Neo Vistas are bouncy, soft, and light. And they come in nice two-toned faded colorways. It’s an eye catching shoe that’s ideal for an everyday trainer and long runs. One of the cool things about Mizuno is it’s not the same brand everyone is going to have on at run club, so maybe you’ll stand out with these.
Shop Mizuno's inventory of the Neo Vista here.
Brooks Glycerin 21
Wanna show everyone you know a thing or two about running at run club, and that this isn’t your first 5k? Get a pair of Brooks. When it comes to core running, Brooks is it. The brand has stayed true to its purpose over the years. Even in the swing of retro Y2K runners, Brooks hasn’t even jumped into the pool (which is a pretty bad thing tbh). Some might think Brooks has gotten boring over the years, and maybe they’re right, but the Glycerin 21 might be a step in the right direction. The shoe spices it up a bit from an aesthetic standpoint. And while it’s not a max cushioning shoe like you see from other brands, it has enough cushioning to be effective. It’s an everyday shoe. Need something solid? Go for these.
Shop Brooks's inventory of the Glycerin 31 here.
Adidas Supernova Rise
Adidas isn’t the first brand people run to these days when they want a new, cool running shoe. But maybe that is starting to change. Sure, they have $500 super shoes, but you’re not going to get those for run club. The Supernova Rise seems to be a good everyday option for people looking to just run. It doesn’t have a huge rocker or a plate, but it has enough cushioning and comes in actually exciting colorways. It uses Dreamstrike Plus for the foam, which is new and a superfoam for the brand,and it seems to do the job on this pair. Plus there’s just something about this faded midsole that makes these exciting.
Shop Adidas's inventory of the Supernova Rise here.
Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Puma? Yes, Puma. I’m always reluctant on the brand. But people are into what the brand is doing with running shoes lately. They're making affordable plated shoes at this point, but they’re also making a version of their popular Nitro running shoe without a plate, which would be best for run club. The decision to make them an eye-catching yellow, orange fade colorway helps the shoe’s case, too. The midsole has the Nitro foam for a shoe that’s not max stack height. But it’s more comparable to a Nike Pegasus and comes in at a respectable $135. So try them out if you wanna go with Puma.
Shop Puma's inventory of the Velocity Nitro 3 here.