People ask which running brand is "best". There isn't one. Each of these brands has a house style — a shape, a foam feel, a philosophy — and the right one is whichever matches your foot and how you run. Here's the honest version.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Typical fit | Ride | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike | Narrow to medium | Springy, propulsive | Racing and fast training |
| ASICS | Medium, structured | Firm, supportive | Reliable daily trainers and stability |
| On | Medium, snug midfoot | Distinct, firm-then-soft | Design-led road shoes |
| HOKA | Medium to roomy | Soft, protective, rolling | Maximum cushioning |
| New Balance | Roomy, widths available | Balanced, comfortable | Fit options and everyday comfort |
| Saucony | Medium | Lively, well-rounded | Understated daily trainers |
| Salomon | Snug, locked-down | Firm, grippy | Trail and technical terrain |
Nike
Nike's running line is built around propulsion. The flagship models use a stiff plate and a highly resilient foam that returns energy when you push off — a formula the rest of the industry has since copied. The trade-off is that these shoes reward a faster, more forward-leaning stride and feel less at home on slow easy miles.
Fit runs on the narrow side, particularly in the forefoot. If your feet are wide, try half a size up or look elsewhere first.
Choose Nike if you want a shoe that feels fast, you're training for a race, or you like the lifestyle side of the range. Browse Nike.
ASICS
ASICS has the longest uninterrupted track record here, and the range reflects it: structured uppers, a firmer and more grounded ride, and a strong line in stability shoes for runners whose foot rolls inward.
The brand is also unusual in that its older models stay relevant. The GEL-1130 and GEL-NYC style models have become genuinely popular as everyday shoes, not just running ones.
Choose ASICS if you want dependable daily miles, you need support, or you prefer a firmer shoe that doesn't feel mushy. Browse ASICS.
On
On is the newest name on this list and the most immediately recognisable, thanks to the hollow "cloud" pods under the sole. That construction gives a ride unlike anything else — firm on contact, then compressing as you roll through. Some people love it instantly; some never adapt to it.
The midfoot tends to be snug and the overall look is deliberately clean, which is why a lot of On shoes get bought for walking and travel rather than running.
Choose On if you want something distinctive, you're mostly on roads and sidewalks, and you like a firmer, more precise feel. Browse On.
HOKA
HOKA started by doing one thing louder than everyone else: enormous amounts of foam. The shoes look extreme and are surprisingly light, and the rounded sole shape helps you roll forward rather than slap down.
That protection makes HOKA a common choice for runners coming back from injury, heavier runners, people on their feet all day, and anyone whose joints complain after long runs. The trade-off is less ground feel and a taller platform.
Choose HOKA if you want maximum cushioning, you run long, or you stand all day at work. Browse HOKA.
New Balance
New Balance's advantage is fit. The brand has taken width seriously longer than anyone, and its lasts are generally roomier through the toe box. The ride is middle-of-the-road in the best sense: nothing extreme, comfortable for a long time.
Choose New Balance if your feet are wide, you've had trouble with other brands pinching, or you want a shoe that does everything reasonably well. Browse New Balance.
Saucony
Saucony is the quiet one. Its daily trainers consistently score well with runners and rarely get marketed as hard as the competition. Fit is neutral-to-medium and the ride is lively without being gimmicky.
Choose Saucony if you want a straightforward, well-built running shoe without paying for a logo. Browse Saucony.
Salomon
Salomon is a trail brand first, and it shows. The shoes hold your foot tightly, the outsoles bite into loose ground, and the uppers are built to survive rocks and water. On pavement they feel firm and the lugs wear down quickly.
Choose Salomon if you run off-road, hike, or want something that handles bad weather. Browse Salomon.
So which one?
- Wide feet → New Balance, then HOKA.
- Narrow feet → Nike, then On.
- Sore joints after long runs → HOKA.
- Want support → ASICS.
- Training for a race → Nike, then Saucony.
- Off-road → Salomon.
- Standing all day → HOKA or New Balance.
And if none of that settles it, the honest answer is that fit beats brand every time. Work out your size first with our size guide, then read how to choose running shoes.