Daily Training: these are the running shoes in which you will run most of your training miles in.
A good daily trainer will be cushioned enough to be comfortable but responsive enough to allow you to increase the pace. The upper will have a snug but comfortable fit. Since they will be used for many many miles, durability is another aspect that we value when rating daily trainers.
Usually daily trainers have a price around $120-$140 (with notable exceptions).
Let’s have a look, by brand, to the best daily trainers you should try right now.
Asics Daily Trainers
Asics Gel Cumulus 26
The Cumulus is Asics’ main daily training running shoe and one that we often recommend to beginners as their first running shoe. With a Heel drop of 8mm and around 9 ounces in weight, it is perfect for different speeds.
Try these if: you are a beginner, or if you are looking for an extremely comfortable daily trainer that is also at ease while increasing the pace.
Read the full review of the Asics Cumulus 26 here.
Asics Gel Nimbus 26
The Nimbus is the premium, max-cushioned version of the Cumulus 26. The Nimbus is sensibly softer and plusher than the Cumulus and a tad heavier.
While being extremely comfortable for long or slow/recovery runs, it will struggle a little more to increase the pace – both because of the weight and the plushness of the cushioning.
Try these if: you are a heavier runner, a runner that enjoys a soft, comfortable run or a runner looking for a shoe for easy/recovery runs.
Read the full review of the Asics Nimbus 26 here.
Asics Novablast 4
The Novablast 4 is a daily trainer more suited to faster-paced runs than relaxed ones. The 4th version is still lightweight, but firmer and more stable than earlier versions.
It has a similar weight to the Cumulus 26 (and the same heel drop). It is highly cushioned, but the ride is fast and responsive.
Try these if: you are a faster runner or somebody who enjoys a responsive ride for their daily runs.
Adidas Daily Trainers
Adidas Adizero SL2
The Adizero SL 2 treads the line between a daily trainer and a lightweight, speed trainer. It is light enough for fast miles but cushioned enough to use them often.
To put it in context, it is not as soft as the Asics Cumulus but is softer than the Brooks Ghost.
Try these if: you like to be light on your feet and to vary your speed during a run. It’s a daily trainer for fast, efficient runners.
Read the full review of the Adidas Adizero SL 2 here.
Adidas Supernova Rise
The Adidas Supernova Rise is a superb all-round daily trainer. It features support rods which stiffen its forefoot, giving it a mild rockered ride with efficient transitions.
It is a textbook daily trainer: comfortable, stable, durable. It can be used for different type of runs at different mileage and speed.
Try these if: you are a runner of any level looking for one of the best daily trainers on the market today.
Read the full review of the Adidas Supernova Rise.
Brooks Daily Trainers
Brooks Ghost 16
The Ghost has remained the shoe that its most loyal fans love. And this is both a good and a bad thing.
You know what you are getting with the Ghost: a solid, robust, well cushioned and supportive shoe.
At the same time, it does not excel in either of these things – making it a little flat and boring in comparison with some other daily trainers out there.
Try these if: you are a beginner who wants a safe choice for your first pair of running shoes.
Read our full review of the Brooks Ghost 16.
Brooks Ghost Max
Brooks introduced the Ghost Max as a more premium, more expensive version of the traditional Ghost. This comes with a lower drop (6mm), more cushioning and a lively ride.
Try these if: if you enjoy a stable, efficient ride with a cushioned shoe that returns a good amount of energy.
Read our full review of the Brooks Ghost Max.
Hoka Daily Trainers
Hoka Mach 6
The Hoka Mach 6 is a very balanced daily trainer: light in weight and quite responsive. If you have the Mach 5 as a reference, the 6 is a completely different shoe.
While the Mach 5 was extremely soft and bouncy, the Mach 6 has a more lively feeling and it works best at slightly higher paces.
Try these if: You want a durable, comfortable shoe for long rides where you want to pick up the pace.
Read our full review of the Hoka Mach 6.
Hoka Rincon 4
The Rincon 4 is a daily trainer with a firm ride. It is suited to short of middle distance runs, but if you are used to a slightly firmer ride, you can use for long runs too.
It is not fast enough to be a fast trainer or soft enough to be a recovery trainer. Daily mileage is where it shines.
Try these if: you want to try a Hoka running shoe and want to take advantage of a very competitive price.
Read our full review of the Hoka Rincon 4.
Hoka Clifton 9
The Clifton has been such a success in Hoka’s line that the brand is waiting before releasing a 10th version. It’s one of the most popular shoes in their lineup for sure.
It is very highly cushioned and the ride is definitely soft. One of the most appreciated characteristics is the high level of cushion for such a light weight shoe.
Try these if: you’re a runner looking for a highly cushioned daily trainer with a rockered ride to run long distances with.
Read our review of the Hoka Clifton 9.
Mizuno Daily Trainers
Mizuno Wave Rider 28
The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a supremely well-made daily trainer that can log miles and take a beating. The firm cushion is fantastic for middle-length distances (5k, 10k, 15k), but for a larger runner is not great for the longer distances.
It is a stable, stiff trainer which is not that lightweight. It is not a bad shoe, but not our favorite of the bunch for sure.
Try these if: you enjoy stable, stiff rides over middle distances.
Read our Mizuno Wave Rider 28 review.
Mizuno Neo Vista
Now, here is a Mizuno trainer with a futuristic look and feel!
The Neo Vista is extremely soft. It does not have a lot of rebound or energy return, but it’s the definition of comfort.
Try these if: you are a not too heavy runner who wants a real marshmellow-like feeling for your long and recovery runs.
Read our Mizuno Neo Vista review.
New Balance Daily Trainers
New Balance FuelCell Propel v5
The Propel v5 is one of the best daily trainers on the market – according to us – and at a price of $120 is definitely a must-try.
Sandwiched in between the FuelCell midsole there is a TPU plate that provides a sense of stability and provides a responsive transition.
Try these if: you are looking for a soft, comfortable and inherently stable shoe to log all your miles in.
Read our review of the New Balance FuelCell Propel v5.
New Balance Fresh Foam X880 v14
The 880 used to be NB’s go to daily trainer. It still is one of the favorite trainers of NB professional runners – but for most runners the Propel would be a better choice.
This shoe does not have a lot of cushioning and not a lot of rebound – but its light weight and stability allow it to pick up the pace and to run long both.
Try these if: you are an experienced runner who wants a daily trainer able to go faster.
Read our New Balance X880 V14 review.
Nike Daily Trainers
Nike Pegasus Plus
Nike has released a premium version of the Pegasus, aptly called “Pegasus Plus”. This shoe is significantly more expensive ($180) than the regular Pegasus, but it comes with a full lenght ZoomX midsole.
What this means, it’s a light weight, soft trainer mostly for easy runs.
Try these if: you want the comfort of the Pegasus but are willing to pay extra to get a softer, more fun Pegasus.
Read our full review of the Nike Pegasus Plus.
Nike Pegasus 41
No list of daily trainers would be complete without the Nike Pegasus 41.
It is comfortable, with a great upper fit. It is quite firm though (we believe due to the Airbag setup).
It is – as usual – a very solid, dependable daily trainer that can do it all, but nowadays it’s a bit too much “in the middle” to excel at any given thing.
Try these if: you are a massive Pegasus fan and want the feel the same fit now with a ReactX midsole. Or if you are a beginner and want a shoe that will most likely fit you and serve you well.
Read our full review of the Nike Pegasus 41.
Nike Winflo 11
The Winflo is Nike’s entry-level running shoe (ok, there are other ones such as the Revolution, but they are not on the same level).
Priced slightly above $100, it’s an incredibly versatile shoe that can be used for running and a series of other activities.
It is comfortable, soft and one of the best looking running shoes out there this year.
Read our full review of the Nike Winflo 11 here.
Try these if: you are a beginner looking for your very first running shoe or if you want a generic “sports” shoe that is at ease running up to 10k.
On Daily Trainers
On Cloudsurfer 7
The On Cloudsurfer is designed to be a daily trainer but it feels more like a max-cushioned trainer due to its plush ride. Its upper is first class in terms of comfort and it’s best suited to short runs at easy/recovery paces.
Try these if: you are a light runner who doesn’t need stability. It has a super soft ride with very unique transitions.
Read our On Cloudsurfer 7 full review here.
Puma Daily Trainers
Puma Deviate Nitro 3
One of the best shoes of the year for sure.
Great comfort and ride at any speed, it can definitely double as a race day shoe. It’s not the cheapest, but its quality and versatility justify the slightly higher price.
Try these if: you do any kind of running!
Read our full review of the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 here.
Puma Velocity Nitro 3
This is the definition of a “do it all” shoe. The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is probably one of the best well rounded shoes considering all factors regarding running type and price.
The Nitro foam is soft and squishy but when you lace them up you can feel that bottom layer of stiffer foam.
Try these if: you are ok with a slightly narrow fit and want a shoe that can really do it all from slow to fast runs of different lengths.
Read our full review of the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 here.
Reebok Daily Trainers
Reebok FloatZig 1
The Reebok FloatZig 1 is a fantastic daily trainer that will let you push the pace, but with ample cushion for longer runs. With an incredibly soft ride, and lots of bounce, these shoes were a joy in which to run.
This midsole design is used to help disperse weight and momentum as you land during your stride. This technology allows for the shoe to be very flexible.
Try these if: You are curious about trying one of the best shoes Reebok has produced in a decade. Only avoid if you have weak ankles, as it’s not a stable shoe at all.
Read our review of the Reebok FloatZig 1 here.
Saucony Daily Training
Saucony Ride 17
The Saucony Ride 17 is a superb neutral daily trainer which excels in versatility. While it still doesn’t have much flair, it has excellent stability and durability, and it represents great value. Version 17 has a more modern ride than version 16 due to its upgraded PWRRUN+ midsole. It has noticeably more energy return but it comes in at a much heavier weight.
It is definitely one of the best daily trainers released in 2024.
Try these if: you are looking for a very versatile shoe; a modern trainer which can handle most types of run. Its only drawback might be it’s a little heavy – but not so to ruin the enjoyment during runs.
Read our review of the Saucony Ride 17 here.
