If you’re like us and you love to run, you no doubt at some point have wondered “what is the best running shoe that is currently available?” However, it is near to impossible to choose just one shoe out of the thousands that are available as there is no “perfect” shoe for everyone. Unfortunately, running shoes are not a one-size-fits-all proposition, so the question of which is the best running shoe is answered best by saying: whichever running shoe you like the best and feel the most comfortable running in. However, that still leaves a few thousand shoes to choose from, so you’ll have to narrow down the list a bit.

The Neutral Running Shoe

If you know that you need a neutral running shoe, you are probably more knowledgeable than the majority of runners out there. Often, runners simply choose a shoe based upon a shoe store clerk’s recommendation, well-meant advice from a friend or something that they read online. They don’t always end up getting the shoe that would fit them most comfortably because they didn’t ask the right person. If they had gone down to the local sporting goods store and asked one of those experts about running shoes, they would have likely received a very different recommendation. Some of those specific recommendations are the best neutral running shoes.

What Are Neutral Running Shoes?

A neutral running shoe is one that has been specifically designed to fit a person with neutral arches.

If you don’t know exactly what a neutral running shoe is or why you have been told to get one, you probably should have that information before you plunk down the sum of a new pair of running shoes. The best neutral running shoes for men and the best neutral running shoes for women can both climb steeply in price, and for you to understand why you’re paying more, you need to understand just what a neutral running shoe is.

Going to the sporting goods store to look at running shoes will result in a number of questions and some big choices. It is likely at some point you have decided that you are a neutral runner if you are reading this article, but there are other options as well. Do you require more stability? Do you need a shoe with motion control? There are as many factors that affect shoe buying as there are brands of running shoes out there. But you need the best neutral running shoes and that starts with determining which shoes are neutral running shoes.

How to Tell Neutral Running Shoes From the Rest

A neutral running shoe is one that has been specifically designed to fit a person with neutral arches. Your arch is the curving portion of the underside of your foot. If you have no arch, you are considered flat-footed but this is pretty rare. Almost everyone’s foot falls into three basic arch categories, high arches, low arches and neutral arches. Obviously, that is where you really want to be, as you’re in sort of the Goldilocks zone for feet – an arch that isn’t too high and isn’t too low. That’s when you know you want to be shopping for the best neutral running shoes.

Here are five shoes for the ladies and five shoes for the guys that are highly recommended and top the list of the best neutral running shoes.

The Best Neutral Running Shoes for Men

1. New Balance Men’s M775V1 Running Shoe

The New Balance M775 is one of the top five best neutral running shoes for guys. This is designed to fit a neutral runner perfectly and moves in accordance with how the foot actually moves. It is made of synthetic material with a rubber sole and cush+ midsole technology. There are two things that make this shoe really great. First, it is a very lightweight shoe that gives you just enough strength to make it feel like you’re not just wearing a sock. The second thing is that this is an affordable running shoe. New Balance is a company well-known for making quality products at much lower prices than their name brand counterparts.

Price: $33.19 – $74.95

2. New Balance Men’s M890v4 Neutral Light Running Shoe

The second shoe on our list is also from New Balance. This is the New Balance Men’s M890v4 Neutral Light Running Shoe, and the difference between this shoe and the M775 is the expanded features that this shoe has as well as the slighter higher price. Of course, this is from new balance so it is still less expensive than even the low end of the name brand price spectrum. This shoe features a weight of just 8.5 ounces and drops from heel to toe by 8mm. Technology like the one piece FantomFit upper and the REVlite foam midsole some with this shoe, as well as the ABZORB shock absorbent cushioning.

Price: $39.60 – $105.72

3. Nike Men’s Revolution 2 Running Shoe

The third shoe that we’re showcasing in the men’s section is the Nike Men’s Revolution 2 Running Shoe. This is from Nike so you know it’s a good shoe and it has gotten rave review from guys who have worn it. Surprisingly, this is one of the best neutral running shoes for men when it comes to price as well. You’re going to pay a little more for the brand name of course, but the shoe isn’t overpriced. In fact, for the features that it has and how well made it is, it is almost a steal.
Price: $37.62 – $150.00

4. Mizuno Men’s Wave Sayonara Running Shoe

The Japanese sports equipment company Mizuno is the maker of the number four shoe on our list for guy’s neutral running shoes. The Mizuno Men’s Wave Sayonara Running Shoe is a well-made shoe that has so many features that you’ll have a difficult time keeping track of them all. Of course, you’re going to pay a premium price for all of these features, but it is well worth it when you look at what the shoe has to offer. The Sayonara features DynamotionFit, so that you can get the best fitting shoe possible and without the normal stresses that shoes cause on the foot. The midsole on the Sayonara is a highly advanced shock absorber and this shoe has the perfect balance of stability and soft cushioning.
Price: $107.95 – $120.00

5. Saucony Men’s Triumph 11 Running Shoe

The last (but certainly not least) shoe that is on our men’s list is the Saucony Men’s Triumph 11 Running Shoe. This is a shoe that fits the exact description of one of the best neutral running shoes on the market and features comfort and power all in one package, all at an affordable price as well.

Price: $51.19 – $140.00

The Best Neutral Running Shoes for Women

1. Skechers Women’s Go Run 3 Running Shoe

The first running shoe on our list of the best neutral running shoes for women is the Skechers Women’s Go Run 3 Running Shoe. This is a great shoe as well and it comes from a great brand of shoe, one that is popular with kids and adults alike. Skechers is a leading name in the field of shoes and they have got to that point by creating high-quality products. This pair of women’s neutral running shoes is no exception. It is also a great looking shoe, if that makes any difference to you, and it comes with a padded collar and traction sensors that use GOimpulse technology. This is quite a flexible shoe and lighter than some of the other running shoes on this list.

Price: $44.99 – $107.00

2. Saucony Women’s Virrata 2 Running Shoe

The second neutral running shoe for women that we are going to look at is the Saucony Women’s Virrata 2 Running Shoe. This shoe epitomizes the top of the line neutral running shoes for the ladies and comes in a whole bunch of very bright, vibrant colors. It also features handcrafting on the shoe itself as well as the sole and has a two-inch heel with a three-quarters-of-an-inch platform.

Price: $35.65 – $90.00

3. New Balance Women’s W3190V2 Neutral Running Shoe

Third for the ladies is the New Balance Women’s W3190V2 Neutral Running Shoe. This is the women’s counterpart of the New Balance M775 for men and it is a great, lightweight shoe for neutral runners. It has some of the same features as some of the other New Balance shoes on this list, but has the distinction of being one of the few New Balance shoes that are not machine made.

Price: $35.64 – $89.95

4. ASICS Women’s Gel-Preleus Running Shoe

Fourth is an extremely comfortable running shoe that reviewers are raving about – mostly because of the gel that makes walking or running a pleasure. The ASICS Women’s Gel-Preleus Running Shoe is lightweight, affordable and designed to exact specification to be a great premium shoe for female neutral runners who are serious about their hobby. It features enhanced foot motion but is flexible enough that those with neutral arches will have a great run wearing them. As a bonus, they come in five, bright/pastel colors.

Price: $44.99 – $100.00

5. New Balance Women’s W890v4 Neutral Light Running Shoe

The last running shoe that is on our list is also from the New Balance brand. This is the New Balance Women’s W890v4 Neutral Light Running Shoe and it is a well-made neutral running shoe that has some of the best features that New Balance has to offer. This synthetic running shoe features a rubber sole with an 8 millimeter heel-to-toe drop and the upper section is just one FantomFit piece. It is very lightweight, weighing only 6.4 ounces and features New Balance’s ABZORB shock absorber technology.

Price: $36.23 – $109.95

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