Best Shoes For Forefoot Strikers

Best Shoes For Forefoot Strikers

We rank the best running shoes on the market by their quality and performance according to experienced forefoot-foot striking runners.

Our rankings reflect the fair and accurate judgments of real runners by applying data science to thousands of verified shoe reviews. Our reviews are collected from the most knowledgeable and experienced runners in the world.

Click through to each shoe page below to view a full set of ratings, pros, cons, and written reviews for each shoe.

Select men or women above.

These Rankings Are For Forefoot Strikers

The below rankings and LRC grades are calculated using data specific to forefoot strikers. Ratings and review counts will differ from shoes' overall numbers.

  1. HOKA ONE ONE Mach 5
    Trainer Neutral
    9.2 4 reviews
    A popular HOKA shoe that gets great marks in fit, comfort, cushioning, and appearance with lower marks in durability.
    8 oz. (men's), 7 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 30mm stack height
    $139
    Running Warehouse 16 colors

  2. Nike Zoom Fly 5
    Trainer Neutral
    9.1 5 reviews
    A training shoe with a carbon plate and ZoomX foam the Zoom Fly 5 gets great marks in comfort and cushioning while still being durable and relatively light.
    11.1 oz. (men's), 8.5 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 42mm stack height
    $160 $127.97
    Nike 2 colors
    $159
    Running Warehouse 1 color
    $160
    Nike 2 colors
    $170
    Nike 3 colors

  3. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
    Trainer Neutral
    9.1 11 reviews
    Nike's workhorse trainer, reviewers like its looks and give it above average ratings on comfort and cushioning, but not durability.
    9.4 oz. (men's), 7.7 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 33mm stack height
    $130 $78.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $91.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $110.97
    Nike 2 colors
    $130
    Nike 7 colors
    $140
    Nike 1 color
    $144
    Running Warehouse 2 colors

  4. Brooks Ghost 14
    Trainer Neutral
    9.1 5 reviews
    A popular trainer that gets great marks in comfort and durability while still strong in cushioning. The Brooks Ghost 15 is ranked even higher.
    10 oz. (men's), 8.8 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 36mm stack height
    $160 $89
    Running Warehouse 5 colors
    $160 $119.95
    Brooks 4 colors

  5. ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25
    Trainer Neutral
    9.1 4 reviews
    The GEL-Nimbus 25 unbelievably ranks #1 in both comfort and cushioning as of September 2023, and gets praised for its durability.
    10.2 oz. (men's), 9 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 42mm stack height
    $160 $119
    Running Warehouse 18 colors

  6. adidas adizero Boston 12
    Trainer Neutral
    9.1 3 reviews
    adidas highest rated shoe as of September 2023, the adizero Boston 12 is a trainer with super foam and carbon rods to be very performance oriented.
    9.4 oz. (men's), 8 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 37mm stack height
    $160 $109.95
    Holabird Sports 1 color
    $160 $114
    Running Warehouse 2 colors
    $159
    Running Warehouse 4 colors

  7. ASICS GEL-Kayano 30
    Trainer Stability
    9.1 4 reviews
    ASICS' flagship stability shoe, this revision stands out for its high ratings on comfort and durability.
    10.7 oz. (men's), 9.3 oz. (women's), moderate stability pronation, 40mm stack height
    $159
    Running Warehouse 23 colors
    $159.95
    Holabird Sports 14 colors

  8. ASICS Novablast 3
    Trainer Neutral
    9.1 5 reviews
    The ASICS Novablast 3 is a popular all-around trainer that gets gets great marks in cushioning and value. Cam Levins and Deena Kastor both use this shoe for easy runs.
    8.7 oz. (men's), 7.7 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 41mm stack height
    $140 $95.95
    Holabird Sports 3 colors
    $140 $99
    Running Warehouse 22 colors

  9. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2
    Trainer Neutral
    9.0 3 reviews
    9.7 oz. (men's), 7.8 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 40mm stack height
    $179
    Running Warehouse 1 color
    $179.95
    Holabird Sports 1 color

  10. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40
    Trainer Neutral
    9.0 7 reviews
    The most popular trainer on LetsRun. Rated lower than older Pegasus revisions. 1/3 of users love it, but about 1/5 strongly don't.
    10.2 oz. (men's), 8.5 oz. (women's), neutral pronation, 33mm stack height
    $130 $83.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $85.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $89
    Running Warehouse 1 color
    $130 $97.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $98.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $103.97
    Nike 2 colors
    $130 $108.97
    Nike 1 color
    $130 $110.97
    Nike 6 colors
    $130 $111.97
    Nike 2 colors
    $130 $112.97
    Nike 1 color
    $129
    Running Warehouse 17 colors
    $130
    Nike 9 colors
    $140
    Nike 6 colors