The Best Road Running Shoes for Pavement, Concrete, and Other Street Surfaces

Whether you are planning to run in competitive athletics or simply for fitness, the shoes you use will come in handy in helping you to achieve the targeted goals. To be the best runner, you need the best shoes that offer good cushioning, are lightweight, and provide a perfect fit.

However, selecting the right shoes is no walk in the park because of the large number of pieces in the market. To help you out of the challenge, we went into the market and selected the best running shoes in the market and reviewed them. Scroll deeper to read through our best road running shoes and select the perfect pair.

The Best Road Running Shoes Are …

Product	Details
1. Skechers Men's Go Run Razor 3 Sneaker	Top Pick	Weight: 8 oz Heel-toe drop: 5mm Support Type: Neutral to underpronation	Check Current Price
2. Hoka One One Rincon 2		Weight: grams Heel-toe drop: 5mm Shoe type: Traditional lace-up Support Type: Neutral	Check Current Price
3. Salomon, Sonic 3 BALANCE Men's Running Shoe		Weight: 252 grams Midsole-toe drop: 8 mm Support Type: Neutral to underpronation	Check Current Price
4. Asics Gel Contend 5		Weight: 291 grams Head-toe drop: 10mm Support Type: Neutral	Check Current Price
5. Reebok Men's Floatride Run Fast 2.0		Weight: 7.7 oz Feel-to-toe drop: 8mm Support Type: Neutral to underpronation	Check Current Price
6. ASICS Gel Kayano 26		Weight: 310 grams Heel-toe-balance: 10mm Pronation: moderate	Check Current Price
7. Mizuno Wave Duel		Weight: 200 grams Heel-to-toe drop: 9mm Material composition: Synthetic	Check Current Price
8. Under Armour Men's HOVR Machina		Weight: 295 grams Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm Outsole: Rubber	Check Current Price
9. Brooks Men’s Hyperion Tempo Running Shoe		Weight: 207 grams Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm Upper part construction: Synthetic and mesh	Check Current Price

1. Skechers Men’s Go Run Razor 3 Sneaker — Best Street Running Shoes

Coming at the top of our list is this Skechers Men’s Go Run Razor 3 Sneaker, a carefully designed pair of shoes that most runners turn to rock their best times. It is a versatile and lightweight trainer or race shoe that you can rely on for extra comfort and performance.

The most notable thing about this shoe is the HYPER BURST cushioning design, which helps keep your feet feeling comfortable throughout the racing period. HYPER BURST is a new type of midsole foam made with its SuperCritical process that helps in two ways.

One, it is lightweight, meaning that you will not feel like you are carrying an extra load with your feet. Two, it is resilient and responsive so that it takes the shape of your heel, giving you a firm feel and comfortable feel.

When running on the road or pavements, you need a shoe that provides awesome traction, allowing you to run faster and enjoy every moment. This shoe is designed with strategically-placed rubber outsoles that allow you to strike with midfoot for greater efficiency with every stride. This is why most people who have turned to this shoe can enjoy their best times.

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2. Hoka One One Rincon 2 — Best Shoes for Running on Pavement (Asphalt)

If you want to make running on pavements easy and fun, go for this Hoka One One Rincon 2. Like our first pick, this shoe is light and will make you feel like you are floating on waves. You will also like this model because, in addition to rocking top-rated features, it is more affordable compared to other similar models.

This shoe rocks a super-light single-layer upper mesh that makes breathability easy without adding weight. Then, the shoe rocks a balanced cushioning with its full-compression EVA midsole that connects well with every ride for extra comfort when running on concrete.

Another awesome thing about the shoe is that it uses the revised early-stage Meta-Rocker to create a sort of a fulcrum, helping you enjoy a smooth transition from heel–strike through to the toe-off. With the easy transition, you do not need a lot of time to get used to this shoe.

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3. Salomon, Sonic 3 BALANCE Men’s Running Shoe — Best Shoes for Running on Concrete

When it comes to running shoes, Salomon’s is associated with some of the best brands out there, such as this Salomon, Sonic 3 BALANCE Men’s Running Shoe. The shoe is designed with the latest technology that makes the shoe easy to use and enjoyable when running through the streets.

If you love running like us, this shoe will make you miss every morning run in the streets. The most notable thing about this shoe is its Optivibe foam that is designed to offer optimum cushioning to help reduce vibrations and protect your muscles from fatigue.

The cushioning also features a road-specific Sensifit that helps to make the shoe more comfortable. We also liked the shoe because it is optimized for transition. It is created using a Geometric Decoupling axis that is carefully centered to make your transition from contact to propulsion easy. The easy transition helps to ensure you can run at top speed with ease.

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4. Asics Gel Contend 5

Mention ASICS and every elite athlete out there will tell you one thing – it is one of the best brands when it comes to running shoes. Their commitment to offering the best quality footwear is evident in this Asics Gel Contend 5, a unique shoe designed for top performance.

Simply put – if you want to enjoy better performance, this shoe will not disappoint. When you are running in the streets, this shoe will be your excellent partner because it is designed with Rearfoot Gel Technology that attenuates shock during the impact.

This implies that every step will feel like you are floating on air as the shoe bears the pressure, helping you to reduce fatigue and rock smooth transition.

Running in the streets is also likely to result in heavy sweating, but you should not worry about it because this shoe is designed with an Ortholite Sockliner that will wick away perspiration and moisture.

Whether you are doing your morning jogs for fitness or competing in races, you can expect the Sockliner to keep your feet feeling fresh and free from bad smell.

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5. Reebok Men’s Floatride Run Fast 2.0

Have you been training or competing and feel it is time to move on by running faster? One of the best shoes to use is this Men’s Floatride Run Fast 2.0 from Reebok. The shoe is designed with a lightweight design that helps to balance comfort and responsiveness, allowing you to enjoy every stride as you run faster towards the finishing line.

This Floatride Run Fast 2 cushioning is made using Pebax-based foam that makes it lighter and firm. The cushioning foam takes the shape of the foot and makes every step feel natural. This is why the shoe has become one of the popular picks for most runs, from the long ones such as street marathons to shorter fitness running in concrete.

Another awe-inspiring thing about the shoe is that its upper part is light and does not add significant weight. Furthermore, it is strong and well meshed to keep your feet well aerated and fresh until you are done. Whether you are a starter or veteran street runner, this is one show that will never disappoint.

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6. ASICS Gel Kayano 26

ASICS makes our list again with this Gel Kayano 26 road running shoe from ASICS, a high-performance model designed to make running easy and enjoyable. ASICS used GEL technology for enhanced cushioning to provide high-density shock absorption and comfort, especially when running over long distances.

This efficiency has made the shoe one of the popular brands, especially for the new marathoners targeting to make new records. Using Flytefoam Lyte Technology, the shoe has a lightweight midsole formulation that provides continuous cushioning. This technology works with toe and heel cushioning to make the transition from the strike (with the heel) through takeoff (with the toes).

To make the shoe more effective for long-distance running, it has a Jacquard mesh upper part that allows the air to move easily and keep your feet feeling fresh. Furthermore, the meshed upper part helps to keep the shoe light and supports the foot to make every stride feel natural.

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7. Mizuno Wave Duel

Next on our list is this Wave Duel from Mizuno, a unique shoe designed for speed and responsiveness. Top runners prefer the shoe because it serves as a great piece for both road events, such as marathons, as well as track sessions. In addition to the awesome features, the shoe is sold affordably.

The most notable thing about this shoe is the Mizuno Wave Technology that helps make you run faster. True to Mizuno’s claim that the shoe can help you run faster, most elite athletes who use the shoe report clocking faster speeds after shifting to this shoe.

The upper part of the shoe is designed with Airmesh that helps to make the airflow easily to create a better environment for your feet. The meshing makes it easy for air to move freely and keep your feet feeling fresh from the start to the end of the marathon or running competitions.

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8. Under Armour Men’s HOVR Machina

Are you shopping for a heavily cushioned road running shoe that you can rely on for comfort and top performance? This Men’s HOVR Machina, one of the latest designs from Under Armour, might be the answer that you are looking for.

We liked the shoe because it offers an ample toe box, allowing the foot to move comfortably and breathe well through the meshed upper part. When we got this pair of shoes, we were quick to note its proprietary foam and light propulsion plate located under the midsole.

In addition to supporting your foot, the shoe serves as a propeller, helping you to repeat your strides rapidly and run faster. So, if you have been trying to reach your fastest time in the coming road competitions, this might be the shoe for you.

The outsole of the shoe is made with synthetic rubber and features a combination of large and small lugs that offer a perfect grip when running on the road.

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9. Brooks Men’s Hyperion Tempo Running Shoe

The last shoe to make our list is this Men’s Hyperion Tempo Running Shoe from Brooks, a highly respected brand that stops at nothing when it comes to designing quality products. When designing this shoe, Brooks’ focus was to help runners make the best when running on pavements or streets.

We liked the way the shoe allows the feet to recover and simplifies running so that you can run faster. So, whether you want a shoe to compete in the next marathon or training in paved neighborhood roads, this will be a great choice.

The shoe is constructed with a super-light yet highly responsive cushioning for extra comfort. Using a new DNA Flash midsole that is made using DNA material and nitrogen, the shoe has a spongy experience to help you run faster.

The cushioning also extends to the toes and heel, taking the shape of your foot arch to prevent fatigue and injury from vibrations. The upper part of the shoe is woven to help enhance the shoe’s strength without increasing weight. The woven design also allows air to pass easily and keep your feet feeling fresh when running.

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Buying Guide

Now that we have looked at the best road running shoes in our reviews above, we know that the number might still look large, and you might be wondering, “How do I pick the ideal choice?”

Here is a guide to help you pick the perfect option:

Things That You That You Need To Know When Selecting Road Running Shoes

The perfect road running shoes should fit your legs well, ensuring to cushion every part, and making propulsion feel natural and comfortable. So, you need to understand the following things before selecting the preferred shoes:

Why Heel-to-Toe Drop Matters

When buying running shoes, heel-to-toe drop (offset) refers to the difference between the forefoot and heel measurements. It means the distance that your toes will drop below the heel. Offset is very important because a higher drop results in a bigger heel strike and also transfers strain away from the lower leg and up towards the knee.

It is important to note that neither too high nor too low offset is good. The ideal offset should depend on personal running mechanics. Most shoes have an offset of 8-12 millimeters, but some minimalist designs might have as low as 6mm.

What Is Pronation?

This is the rolling of an athlete’s foot, starting from the heel to the toe via the foot strike. A neutral or proper strike pattern should start with the outside of the heel and then shift up to the ball of the foot in an even manner. A neutral strike is the best way to keep the stress of the impact low.

Overpronation happens when an athlete rolls too much towards the inner part of the feet during a foot strike cycle. On the other hand, underpronation, also known as supination, is when the foot rolls too much to the outside. The problem of supination is common when you are using a high arch.

Determine Your Arch Type

To buy the right type of running shoe, it is important to ensure you go for the model designed to work with your arch. So, what is your arch type? There are three types of arch types:

• Normal curve: A normal arch is when you have a clear curve along the inside section of your foot. The band should be less than ½ the width of the foot linking the toe and the heel
• Low arch: Your feet have a low arch if its imprint shows that the inside of your foot does not make a clear curve.
• High arch: Your foot is categorized as having a high arch curve if its imprint makes a noticeable curve on the inside and has a thin band connecting the toe and heel. Some people with high arches do not even have any band connecting the toe and heel.

What To Look For When Buying Running Shoes

Now that you know what heel-to-toe drop is, pronation and arch type, it is time to pick the perfect shoe. Here are the things to look for when buying road running shoes:

Upper Part

The upper part means the section that is above the sole of the shoe. Traditionally, the upper part was made using layers of fabrics and sewn mesh, but the modern designs are departing from that construction. Instead, they are using knitting and printing to craft upper pieces that easily stretch and offer more support.

Ankle Collar

This is the upper wrap of a shoe opening that helps to hold the heel in position. Here, you should pay close to whether your heel slips easily. The goal is ensuring that the show has an ankle collar that interacts well with your bones, especially on the side of the ankles. If the collar irritates the Achilles tendon, that shoe is not good for you, so keep looking for a more comfortable model.

Toe box

The toe box refers to the upper section starting from the eyelets to the front end of the shoe. The best shoe for running should have a toe box that allows your foot to spread in both length and width. While the focus on the foot size and show measurements can help you to determine the right toe box, you should ensure to test the shoe well before making the final decision to buy.

Midsole

This is the foam section or material between the upper and outsole. The midsole is meant to cushion the runner from the impact and support the foot as it takes the next stride. The best shoe should have a midsole that feels right when running at top speed, meaning it should cushion you well and rebound fast to support the next stride.

Heel Stabilizing Features

Today’s best running shoes should have advanced heel stabilizing features to help reduce the problem of excessive motion or rolling inward. So check for the shoe with technologies or features such as dual-density, varus wedges, and wider shoe geometry. These technologies should allow your foot to move naturally and comfortably.

Sockliner

This is a removable pad inside the shoe that helps to cushion controls on your foot. Together with the shoe geometry, the sockliner is used to provide arch support, helping to reduce stress, especially when running over long distances or for a long time.

Forefoot Cushioning

The design of the midsole is aimed at helping to reduce the impact of the biggest forces of a stride. While your body mechanics help to cushion everything that is above the ankle, the structures of the foot are protected by the forefoot cushioning.

Only Buy From The Best Brands

As the demand for shoes keeps rising, a lot of companies have taken interest and joined the sector. However, not all of them are driven by the desire to offer quality. So, if you are not careful, there is a danger of buying the wrong shoes.

The best way to determine the right brand is sticking with the top-rated manufacturers. These are with years of proven excellence, and athletes out can attest to their commitment to quality. Some great examples include Salomon, ASICS, Adidas, and Reeboks.

Final Thoughts

Road running can be fun and fulfilling, especially when you can achieve your targets. To do this, you need the best shoes for road running that are designed to help you run faster and safer.

The shoes we have reviewed above have the best features and rock the latest technologies to keep your feet cushioned, aerated, and protected. Whether you are an elite athlete or simply want to participate in road running for fun, the above shoes will not disappoint. Remember to ensure you only pick the perfect fit.

Although we stand with the nine top road running shoes we discussed in our reviews above (they sparkle in every way), the Skechers Men’s Go Run Razor 3 Sneaker was more outstanding. Although pricey, it is light and comes with features that every road runner wants to run faster and become a winner.