Our Style and Fitness Editors Agree—These Are the Best Sneakers of the Year

Adidas’s lightest Boost sneaker ever offers a barely-there feel with rock-solid energy return mile after mile. The Continental rubber outsole, long a staple in the Ultraboost line, provides next-level traction to pair with that responsiveness. Bonus: It’s built eco-friendly with at least 20 percent recycled materials.

A bold look, a featherweight design, and a seriously grippy MaxTrac outsole—everything we look for in a must-have trail runner. A well-placed toe overlay and seamless trail-gaiter compatibility keep your feet protected from whatever the terrain throws at you.

Arc’teryx’s deceptively simple Norvan LD 3 is one of its most capable shoes. Lightweight and breathable, with a chunky, aggressive 4mm lug pattern, it’s built for extended technical trail runs.

With maximum cushioning and impact absorption, the featherweight Trabuco Max 3 might be ASICS’s most comfy trail runner yet. The dynamic design adds advanced sole technology to help propel you with a steady forward roll.

Brooks’s maximally-cushioned runner, which we already loved, gets even more of a good thing. This time, the high stack of foam is the brand’s nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3, which provides even more energy return with all that comfort. Even with the extra height, this is a perfectly balanced pair for walking and road running. Plus, it looks darn good in bold Moroccan blue!

This Italian-made runner is all about balance. The weight, stability, and cushioning are all just right, making this shoe the perfect companion for everything from daily training sessions to long-distance runs.

Hoka’s latest super shoe has polarized runners, but we think it’s one of the best, most responsive road racing shoes on the market. The combination of the carbon plate, rocker shape, and bouncy foam served us well on the ultra-hilly Big Sur marathon course.

One of Merrell’s most tough-as-nails trail runners, the Agility Peak 5 is a zero-compromise shoe. It’s tech-forward and built for tough trails with tons of debris, neck-snapping directional changes, and plenty of vertical. Pro tip: Opt for one of two available Gore-Tex models for serious, year-round trail run readiness in any weather.

This isn’t quite a super shoe for the trail, but the Zegama 2 does have some super qualities—namely, Nike’s responsive ZoomX midsole foam paired with a lugged Vibram outsole for traction. Those features put this pair in the perfect spot for runners who transition from road to trail and back, as we did logging miles on the sides of busy roads on a long run in the country.

This maxxed out trainer has massive midsole cushioning for ultimate comfort, but it’s lighter than you would expect. That’s paired with snappy rebound for a cool, comfy, and oh-so-responsive ride. Ready, steady, roll forward…

Built for the everyman, Reebok’s FloatZig 1 features a unique design that lets it accommodate every runner, from novices to road-running warriors. It’s cushy, it’s springy, and it’s buttery smooth for all skill levels.

For gram counters and elite road racers, there’s Salomon’s S/LAB Phantasm 2. It’s lighter, more responsive, and just plain better than its predecessor in every way. With a combo of springy foam and a full-length carbon-fiber plate, it’s purpose-built to propel you forward.

Smooth, snappy, and built for speed training—that’s the Endorphin Pro 4. Its unique combination of two cushioning foams and a full carbon plate ensures longitudinal stiffness, a snug yet comfy fit, and maximum efficiency throughout your stride.

With a built-in “heel pillow,” an air-cooled memory foam insole, and a max-cushioned midsole, this is not only Skechers’ most comfy walking shoe but one of the most comfortable shoes we’ve tested in 2024. Bonus: An authentic Goodyear rubber outsole promises ultimate traction in any weather condition.

True to its name, Nobull eliminates the fluff from its footwear. The versatile Drive Knit is a hybrid workout shoe designed to move seamlessly from the treadmill to the power rack and back again. We love the ultra-breathable performance knit upper.

If you want one shoe for all of your gym workouts, this will be it. Reebok’s Nano Gym is a deceptively simple kick with the chops and the versatility to take you from the treadmill and elliptical to the free weights and weight machines. A plush collar adds a just-right level of comfort, no matter where and how you like to work out.

These lifting shoes look to make life easier for anyone sick of specialized training footwear that crushes their little piggies into narrow toeboxes. The “anatomical” toebox here allows you to splay your toes more naturally, and the raised heel has a grippy non-slip tread to keep you from sliding during explosive movements.

Another in UA’s rock-solid (get it?) line of trainers, the Project Rock 7 ticks all our must-have boxes for the perfect trainer. It’s well-cushioned, responsive, and breathable. Plus, we love the plush collar foam for a buttery-soft, next-to-skin feel around the ankle.

This trainer gives you the close-to-the-ground feel you want with barefoot shoes, but the flexible outsole gives you more support for lunges and lateral movement. Whether you’re bodyweight training, practicing calisthenics, or doing an animal flow series, it’s uniquely designed to move with you.

Nike levels up the already awesome Metcon with extra heel foam and improved forefoot flexibility. The result is a versatile, adaptable, and reliable trainer that’s built for your most dynamic moves. Cardio, plyometrics, weight training—the Metcon 6 has you covered.

New Balance upgrades its own take on hybrid b-ball shoe construction. Most noteworthy: a dual-foam, split-sole design that’s purpose-built for lightning-fast lateral changes and demanding takeoffs and landings. It’s all wrapped in breezy, featherweight mesh for maximum comfort and breathability.

Nike’s solid nod to Sabrina Ionescu, this namesake kick combines the brand’s latest CushIon foam with Air Zoom cushioning for maximum responsiveness and a stay-fresh design. A super-tacky outsole helps keep you well-planted and ready to move confidently on the court.

A dash of retro ’90s sportswear style with a healthy dose of 21st-century tennis-sneak tech—that’s the Roger Clubhouse Pro from On. It’s lightweight, breathable, and ultra-cushy on the inside, while a “superfoam” midsole and an open herringbone tread provide plenty of comfort and sticky traction on any surface, wet or dry.

Stephen Curry’s namesake kicks are purpose-built for on-court stability, comfort, and movement. That’s all courtesy of dual-density foam cushioning, a molded sockliner, and a proprietary UA Flow outsole for maximum all-around performance.

Wilson kicks it back to basics with the straightforward, no-nonsense Rush Pro 4.5. The brand’s best-selling tennis shoe gets a new-for-2024 upgrade with the best breathability, support, and abrasion resistance of any shoe in the RP lineup yet.

Built for the court but redesigned for the course, Puma’s Slipstream G Spikeless ticks all the right boxes. The lightweight design has a one-year weatherproof leather upper on top and a carbon rubber outsole with 60 traction lug elements down below. It’s grippy, cushy, and extra stable for even the longest days on the green.

It ain’t broke, so Fila didn’t fix it. The brand’s fan-favorite Axilus sneaker gets a just-right upgrade for 2024. But all the best parts remain—including a sticky rubber outsole, a durable foot cage, and an arch-enhancing sockliner—to level up your on-court game.

Both timeless and modern, the Samba OG is a footwear icon. The low-slung silhouette combines a soft leather upper, tasteful suede details, and a handsome (yet practical) gum sole for reliable stickiness from the pitch to the street.

With a crisp, clean, ageless design, APL’s aptly named Nostalgia ’87 is an instant contemporary classic. It’s a pitch-perfect blend of sport and luxury, deftly balancing good looks and function. It might just be too nice to play in, but you’ll look a lot cooler if you do.

Superb retro styling meets legit on-court function—that’s Autry’s Dallas Low Sneaker. The low-top profile adds just-right detailing over a vintage red/white colorway, making these already feel like your favorite pair of street kicks straight out of the box.

Soccer shoe turned streetwear kick, done the Cole Haan way. The GrandPrø Breakaway combines the classic low-slung style of ’90s footwear with latest-gen comfort. A rolled collar, quilted quarters, and a removable footbed all make this a far more comfy shoe than its high-fashion appearance should allow.

With sleek, street-ready style in bone or rugged, work-ready good looks in tan/ivory, Lululemon’s Cityverse canvas sneaker is a do-it-all shoe that combines fashion and function. Plus, the waxed-cotton canvas upper and high-abrasion rubber outsole add durability and reliable traction over any terrain.