Shoes, like most things, are getting more expensive each year. When I was working in running stores almost 20 years ago, I was shocked when shoes started to consistently hit $100. Now, shoes in that price range are considered "budget running shoes" while the standard shoes cost $140-$200 (or more). While foams, upper materials and rides have dramatically improved, durability has seemed to suffer over the years. While at one time you could reliably expect a shoe to last 300-500 miles (running stores and companies would always say), now many shoes are lasting far less than that. Particularly with my unique biomechanics, reporting on durability is a key feature I assess when reviewing and testing shoes. With increasing costs and economic challenges, I have decided to put together a list of the most durable running to help people find shoes that will last, especially for those who are hard on shoes.
The Most Durable Running Shoes
By Matthew Klein
What Does Shoe Durability Refer To?
Shoe durability refers to how long the shoe will last. This includes how long the outsole (bottom part of the shoe) holds up before ripping away, how long the midsole holds its cushioning properties and how long the upper continues to adequately hold the foot on the platform. Different running mechanics, movements and individual tolerances will impact how long a shoe will last. While most running companies will say shoes will last 300-500 miles, most evidence suggests shoes actually last 100 miles (regardless of price) and how long they last after that depends on the individual. People who tend to scuff their feet or who land really hard may experience lower durability in shoes compared to those who are light on their feet. There is some variability (like everything) in what makes shoes more or less durable for certain people. Regardless, there are still some key footwear factors that can influence durability.
What are Examples of Non-Durable Running Shoes?
Shoes that tend to be less durable include those with a complete lack or only partial outsole coverage on the bottom of the shoes, softer foams/materials, and lighter materials. Exposed midsole materials, which are already on the softer side, are often the first areas to get worn down on the bottom of a shoe. These materials are designed to provide cushioning and not abrasion resistance, so an entire exposed bottom of this can wear away quickly. Partial length outsole can also be problematic since those who scuff their feet can easily catch and pull them off prematurely. While some people may be able to continue running after this, losing outsole pieces changes the compression and feel of a shoe, often creating non-optimal biomechanical changes that can put more stress on certain parts of the foot, ankle, knee or hip. Softer foams, usually those that are highly compliant (soft) and less resilient (don't bounce back) and sink in tend to be less durable as those foams often compress more and lose their softness/cushioning properties quickly. This quickly being challenged with newer foams on the market but is still common. Finally, extremely light materials, like ones used in super light midsoles or uppers, tend to have less durability. Lighter materials are often less dense and durability at the expense of saving weight, which is why they are used more frequently in shoes meant for less use, like super racing shoes, compared to training shoes on which people are supposed to be able to put a ton of miles on.
What are Some Typical Elements That Make a Running Shoe Durable?
These are a few of the things we often see in a shoe that make it durable. Note it does not take all of these elements to help make it durable, but there is often a combination of some of these that help achieve a lasting ride.
- Full-Length Outsole: An outsole is additional rubber or materials on the bottom part of a shoe to add durability and abrasion resistance. When the material travels the entire length of a shoe, it is often more durable. When it only goes partial length, it makes it easier to get caught and pulled off the shoe.
- Firmer Midsole and Outsole Materials: Firmer materials tend to deform and wear down less compared to softer materials.
- Thicker or Tougher Materials: These often weigh more but thicker amounts of outsole or thicker components of an upper will often last longer than thinner materials.
List of Durable Running Shoes
(All shoes below were tested by Doctors of Running team for over 100 miles)
Road Training Shoes
Adidas Supernova Rise 2
(Strong sections of Adiwear outsole and a resilient midsole make this a tank of a trainer)
Adidas Adizero Boston 12
(Long sections of Continental Rubber and a resilient midsole foam + rods make this a fast and durable plated trainer)
Asics Superblast 2
(Sections of ASICS Grip, a tough bottom layer of midsole and a ton of shoe make this super trainer one that lasts)
Asics Nimbus 27
(Full length AHAR and firmer midsole makes this premium trainer highly durable)
Asics Novablast 5
(One of the most popular shoes out there, the AHAR LO rubber and a soft but tough midsole make this a shoe that can keep going for tons of miles)
Brooks Hyperion 2
(A rare lightweight shoe in this mix, the roadtrack outsole and less shoe overall provide more durability despite less shoe being there)
Adidas Supernova Rise 2
(Strong sections of Adiwear outsole and a resilient midsole make this a tank of a trainer)
Adidas Adizero Boston 12
(Long sections of Continental Rubber and a resilient midsole foam + rods make this a fast and durable plated trainer)
Asics Superblast 2
(Sections of ASICS Grip, a tough bottom layer of midsole and a ton of shoe make this super trainer one that lasts)
Asics Nimbus 27
(Full length AHAR and firmer midsole makes this premium trainer highly durable)
Asics Novablast 5
(One of the most popular shoes out there, the AHAR LO rubber and a soft but tough midsole make this a shoe that can keep going for tons of miles)
Brooks Hyperion 2
(A rare lightweight shoe in this mix, the roadtrack outsole and less shoe overall provide more durability despite less shoe being there)
Karhu Mestari Run
(A well rockered sole and tough rubber outsole pieces make this a durable workhorse for running and walking)
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2
(A favorite of Andrea, the G3 rubber outsole, plate and resilient midsole will keep you going for hundreds of miles)
Mount to Coast R1
(The CPU outsole and firmer resilient PEBA midsole make this a shoe that will wear out longer after you)
New Balance SC Trainer v3
(Thick outsole rubber and a firmer FuelCell compound, this super trainer can handle any distance)
Saucony Ride 18
(One of the lighter, faster trainers out there, the XT-900 carbon rubber and resilient midsole make this a durable workhorse trainer)
Saucony Triumph 22
(One of the few premium trainers to use PEBA, the XT-900 carbon rubber and PWRRUN PB foam provide cushion for miles)
Road Stability Shoes
Adidas Supernova Solution 2
(A well-covered Adiwear outsole and a resilient PEBA midsole make this the lightest and one of the more durable stability shoes out there)
Asics GT 2000 13
(One of the best and most durable stability shoes out there, the AHAR LO-HRD rubber outsole and a resilient midsole make this a solid option)
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
(A continually popular running shoe, the RoadTack outsole keeps this shoe durable while the guiderails provide stability for miles)
Mizuno Wave Horizon 8 (Review Soon)
(An incredibly thick and full coverage amount of X10 rubber keep this tank of a shoe going for miles)
Mount to Coast P1
(Like the R1, the full length rubber outsole and durable LightCell midsole keep this ultramarathon stability shoe going)
Nike Structure 25
(The quiet but consistent Structure features tons of High Abrasion Green rubber that combined with a firmer midsole provides sustainable durability)
Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2
(The ForeverRun Nitro 2 returns with a solid amount of PumaGrip that both holds up well and provides solid traction)
(A well rockered sole and tough rubber outsole pieces make this a durable workhorse for running and walking)
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2
(A favorite of Andrea, the G3 rubber outsole, plate and resilient midsole will keep you going for hundreds of miles)
Mount to Coast R1
(The CPU outsole and firmer resilient PEBA midsole make this a shoe that will wear out longer after you)
New Balance SC Trainer v3
(Thick outsole rubber and a firmer FuelCell compound, this super trainer can handle any distance)
Saucony Ride 18
(One of the lighter, faster trainers out there, the XT-900 carbon rubber and resilient midsole make this a durable workhorse trainer)
Saucony Triumph 22
(One of the few premium trainers to use PEBA, the XT-900 carbon rubber and PWRRUN PB foam provide cushion for miles)
Road Stability Shoes
Adidas Supernova Solution 2
(A well-covered Adiwear outsole and a resilient PEBA midsole make this the lightest and one of the more durable stability shoes out there)
Asics GT 2000 13
(One of the best and most durable stability shoes out there, the AHAR LO-HRD rubber outsole and a resilient midsole make this a solid option)
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
(A continually popular running shoe, the RoadTack outsole keeps this shoe durable while the guiderails provide stability for miles)
Mizuno Wave Horizon 8 (Review Soon)
(An incredibly thick and full coverage amount of X10 rubber keep this tank of a shoe going for miles)
Mount to Coast P1
(Like the R1, the full length rubber outsole and durable LightCell midsole keep this ultramarathon stability shoe going)
Nike Structure 25
(The quiet but consistent Structure features tons of High Abrasion Green rubber that combined with a firmer midsole provides sustainable durability)
Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2
(The ForeverRun Nitro 2 returns with a solid amount of PumaGrip that both holds up well and provides solid traction)
Road Super Shoes
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
(By far the most durable super shoe on the market, the full length continental rubber and resilient midsole will hold up no matter what your race distance is)
Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung 2
(One of the tallest shoes on the market also features one of the thickest outsoles of continental rubber that won't break down no matter how hard I have tried)
Asics Metaspeed Edge/Sky Paris
(Despite being one of the lightest super shoes, the full length ASICS Grip outsole in the Edge/Sky Paris hold up as well as the resilient FF Turbo+ midsole)
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3
(Like its lightweight training cousin, the full length G3 outsole holds on for incredibly long periods)
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
(Despite having patches of XT-900 outsole, the Speed 4's lifespan is long with the resilient PWRRUN PB midsole)
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
(Similar to the Speed 4, the XT-900 rubber and PWRRUN PB hold up for miles of workouts and races)
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
(By far the most durable super shoe on the market, the full length continental rubber and resilient midsole will hold up no matter what your race distance is)
Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung 2
(One of the tallest shoes on the market also features one of the thickest outsoles of continental rubber that won't break down no matter how hard I have tried)
Asics Metaspeed Edge/Sky Paris
(Despite being one of the lightest super shoes, the full length ASICS Grip outsole in the Edge/Sky Paris hold up as well as the resilient FF Turbo+ midsole)
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3
(Like its lightweight training cousin, the full length G3 outsole holds on for incredibly long periods)
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
(Despite having patches of XT-900 outsole, the Speed 4's lifespan is long with the resilient PWRRUN PB midsole)
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
(Similar to the Speed 4, the XT-900 rubber and PWRRUN PB hold up for miles of workouts and races)
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
*Using the link to purchase helps support Doctors of Running. Thanks so much!
Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt: The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt)
Saysky Running Gear: We were really taken aback by this Scandinavian company's ultra-thin, durable performance clothing
Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
Ciele Hat: Our team's favorite running hat of choice!
Fractel Hats: Our team's wider fitting running hat of choice!
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