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Best running shoes in Australia

We’ve read hundreds of reviews from real customers to find the 7 best running shoes so that you can pound the pavement in comfort.

Tim Falk
Tim Falk

Updated

Fact checked
Photo of a female jogger in the park, with sun flare in the background.

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The best running shoes in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the running shoes in this list based on extensive research, real customer reviews and personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall running shoes: Asics Gel Kayano 27

  • Long-running shoe line
  • Stability
  • Expensive
  • A little heavier than some other options

Price (RRP): $259.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Sportitude
Buy at rebel
Buy at Kogan

Why we chose it

Asics first launched the Kayano back in 1993, and the latest iteration of this popular shoe has garnered plenty of positive reviews from Australian customers. The Kayano 27s also received honourable mentions in a number of other categories on this page, so they’re our pick as the best overall running shoes.

Designed to offer gender-specific cushioning, these shoes feature a Flytefoam Propel midsole and a mesh upper to help keep feet cool. They use SPACE TRUSSTIC technology to improve stability and reduce weight, and also use reflective materials to increase visibility in low-light conditions.

Best running shoes for women: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20

  • Sturdy and stable
  • Multiple widths available
  • There are cheaper options available
  • Some users complain about different fit to previous models

Price (RRP): $229.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Sportitude
Buy at rebel
Buy at The Athlete's Foot

Why we chose it

Boasting an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from rebel customers, plus plenty of other positive reviews around the world wide web, the Adrenaline GTS 20s from Brooks take the win as the best running shoes for women.

Offering medium support and a lighter upper than previous iterations, these shoes are designed to offer stability and plush cushioning. They feature "GuideRails" built into the midsole to stop your feet from rolling in or out, and a blown rubber outsole to ensure durability.

Best running shoes for men: Asics Gel Nimbus 22

  • Stable and steady
  • Plush cushioning
  • On the higher end of the price spectrum
  • Not the lightest

Price (RRP): $240

Buy at Amazon
Buy at rebel
Buy at Catch
Buy at The Athlete's Foot

Why we chose it

If you're searching for reliable running shoes you can use every day, there's a lot to like about the Asics Gel Nimbus 22s. With lots of positive reviews from customers in Australia and internationally, they're our choice as the best running shoes for men.

A neutral jogger designed for long runs, the Nimbus 22s use gel technology at the front and back as well as Flytefoam Propel in the midsole to provide a plush ride. Other features include a jacquard mesh upper, a lightweight AHAR outsole and a moulded EVA sock liner.

Best running shoes for flat feet: Mizuno Wave Inspire 16

  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Breathable fit
  • Toe region may be too narrow for some people
  • Not the best-looking option in some people's eyes

Price (RRP): $219.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Sportitude
Buy at rebel
Buy at The Athlete's Foot

Why we chose it

If you're searching for an everyday shoe that offers increased stability, the Mizuno Wave Inspire 16s are well worth checking out. Designed to tackle overpronation, the Wave Inspire 16s have received many positive reviews around the world wide web.

Featuring SmoothRide Support Wave technology that is meant to cushion every step, the Wave Inspire 16 features upper mesh to increase breathability. Other features include an internal toe cap, an impact-absorbing midsole and Cloudfoam cushions.

Best long-distance running shoes: Nike Zoom Fly 3

  • Impressive performance
  • Lightweight and streamlined
  • Pricey
  • May be unstable for those with wide feet

Price (RRP): $230

Buy at Amazon
Buy at rebel
Buy at Nike
Buy at The Athlete's Foot

Why we chose it

The Zoom Fly 3 is essentially a cheaper alternative to the controversial Vaporfly shoes that helped Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge break the two-hour marathon barrier in 2019. And with plenty of positive consumer reviews, the Zoom Fly 3 is definitely worth considering if you're a long-distance runner.

Featuring a full-length carbon-fibre plate and Nike's React cushioning, they're designed to provide flexible cushioning and a smooth run. The sleek and lightweight upper contributes to the racing look and the inner sleeve and low collar add to the streamlined feel.

Best neutral running shoes: New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v10

New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v10

  • Wide and extra-wide sizes available
  • Versatile everyday running shoes
  • Some users criticise durability
  • Some customers complain of different feel to previous iterations

Price (RRP): $200

Buy at rebel
Buy at New Balance
Buy at The Athlete's Foot

Why we chose it

Priced at $200 and highly rated by rebel customers and other reviewers, the New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v10s are our choice as the best neutral running shoes.

Designed for men and women with a neutral step, the 880 v10s use a Fresh Foam X midsole to deliver stable cushioning. The upper mesh has been engineered to be breathable and comfortable, while the blown rubber outsole takes care of grip. There are also wide and extra-wide options available for anyone with broad feet.

Best trail running shoes: Salomon Speedcross 5

  • Excellent traction
  • All-round performance
  • Some customers complain about a lack of durability
  • Not the most breathable shoes

Price (RRP): $229.99

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

The Salomon Speedcross 5 is one of the best-rated trail running shoes on Amazon. It's also garnered plenty of positive ratings from buyers and reviewers around the world, so it's our recommendation if you're searching for trail running shoes.

Available in a wide range of colours, the Speedcross 5s provide enhanced grip and a deeper heel unit than the previous model. There's a completely melded upper designed to move naturally with your foot, while larger lugs on the sole offer increased traction in mud and soft terrain.

Methodology

13
Brands considered
60+
Products compared
7
Best running shoes chosen
  • We based our findings on key product features and reviews from real customers (as of September 2020).
  • We compared running shoes from 13 leading brands that are available across Australia.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

If you're still not sure which running shoes are best for you, check out our full buying guide on how to choose running shoes.

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