The treadmill is a useful piece of equipment for both avid runners and beginners.
It makes workouts possible in inclement weather and can help control pace and effort.
Running on a treadmill is different than running on asphalt or trails, and runners who train on one regularly can benefit by having a specific pair of shoes for running indoors. Running on a treadmill means you don’t encounter obstacles, uneven terrain, or curves. That typically means less worrying about large treads and traction because you won’t encounter slippery or bumpy terrain.
Our reviewers slid on countless pairs of running shoes and headed to the gym (or their home treadmills) to test them out. This review of the best treadmill running shoes includes the 10 shoes we agreed reign supreme for indoor running.
Our Review Process
We started this process by researching the top running shoes on the market and deciphering which would likely be best for treadmill workouts. Our reviewers laced up dozens of shoes over months of treadmill training to see which ones offered the best fit, performance, and durability.
We performed various workouts, from sprints to long-distance runs, incline runs, and more, to determine which shoes are best for those who avidly or occasionally run on treadmills.
Why Do You Need Separate Shoes for the Treadmill?
If you run in a traditional daily trainer, you may not need a separate pair of running shoes for your treadmill. However, if you often switch between road or trail running and treadmill running, you’ll probably get tired of cleaning your shoes every time you decide to run inside.
Running on a treadmill is also quite different than running outdoors. The motion is more repetitive, causing your feet to land in nearly the same spot and position with every stride.
Generally, treadmill runners benefit from lightweight, supportive, and well-cushioned shoes. The treadmill’s track is softer than pavement, but the impact is repetitive. Cushioning provides comfort and impact protection, and lightweight construction is less jarring for joints and muscles. Breathability also helps keep feet cool and comfortable while training indoors.
If you’re an avid runner incorporating treadmill running into weekly or monthly training, you’ll appreciate having a pair suited to the unique running surface and specific treadmill workouts.
The 10 Best Running Shoes for a Treadmill
After months of research and testing, our Marathon Sports team members, avid runners, and reviewers reported their favorite shoes for treadmill workouts.
These are the 10 best running shoes for a treadmill.
- Brooks Ghost 18
- Nike Pegasus 42
- HOKA Clifton 11
- Saucony Ride 19
- Mizuno Wave Rider 30
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
- On Cloudsurfer Max
- New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v15
- Altra Torin 9
- adidas Adizero Evo SL
Brooks Ghost 18
The Ghost is a legendary everyday trainer from the iconic athletic company Brooks. Our team members have tested numerous editions of the Ghost on pavement, so we were eager to see how the latest edition, the Ghost 18, performed on the treadmill.
The Ghost 18 proved to be one of our favorite treadmill long-distance running shoes due to the impact protection of the DNA LOFT v3 midsole cushioning and overall upper comfort. This year’s foam is lighter and less dense than previous versions, creating a more luxurious feel. It also has a firm, grounded platform that won’t feel unstable or wobbly through repetitive treadmill workouts.
The Brooks Ghost 18 features an ultra-comfortable engineered air mesh upper that provides a snug, supportive fit and maximum breathability. This iconic daily trainer is also lightweight at 10.2 ounces for men’s shoes and 9.2 oz for women’s.
Nike Pegasus 42
The Nike Pegasus is one of the most popular neutral running shoes ever sold. This year’s edition, the Pegasus 42, is one of our team’s favorites for daily training and the treadmill. It’s a consistent, neutral running shoe that doesn’t require many changes from edition to edition because it has been nearly perfected over the course of 40 years.
The Pegasus 42 does offer a few upgrades, including Nike’s new ReactX midsole foam designed to be 13% more responsive. The “Peg” 42 features a moderate amount of cushioning underfoot with a new full-length Air Zoom unit for impact protection without sacrificing responsiveness.
Our reviewer team found the Pegasus 42 as one of the most comfortable and responsive shoes we tested on the treadmill. It remained durable, supportive, cool, and luxurious when sprinting or logging hours.
HOKA Clifton 11
The Clifton is HOKA’s popular daily trainer. The Clifton 11 is their latest edition, and it boasts maximum cushioning, an engineered mesh upper, and a refined, more comfortable heel tab. The shoe’s rocker design will propel you into your next stride on the treadmill, while the compression-molded EVA foam midsole protects feet and joints from pain due to repetitive movement.
In our Clifton 11 Review, our team continuously praises the Clifton for its comfort, impact protection, and smooth transitions from heel to toe. We felt it performed just as impressively on the treadmill as on the road, offering long lasting comfort and shock absorption.
Saucony Ride 19
Treadmill running tends to exaggerate certain things. You have repetitive impact and a slightly flat, predictable surface. The Ride 19 handles that kind of running well because it feels consistent from the first mile to the last.
A big part of that comes from PWRRUN+ foam, which has a bit more energy return than standard EVA setups. On a treadmill, where your pace is often locked in, that extra rebound helps the shoe feel a little more alive underfoot.
The Ride 18 had decent cushioning, but Saucony added more foam underfoot with this version. The shoe is a bit heavier because of it, which is just the tradeoff. On a treadmill, though, where you’re running in a straight line without any surface variation to deal with, that extra stack is nice. Longer sessions are a lot more comfortable underfoot.
The upper is another strong point here. Engineered mesh keeps airflow moving reasonably well. Our reviewers liked that Saucony was pretty generous with the heel padding and that there’s not really a big break-in period like with some shoes. Overall, it’s a simple shoe, but that’s part of what a lot of runners like about it.
Mizuno Wave Rider 30
Mizuno is known for innovative tech that provides both comfort and performance. Our reviewers strongly feel the newest version of the Wave Rider definitely lives up to this reputation.
Mizuno’s one-of-a-kind Wave plate evenly distributes the force of your footfalls throughout the shoe, increasing stability and providing improved cushioning. But the main source of the highly comfortable feel is the two layers of Mizuno ENERZY NXT foam that makes up the midsole, offering equal amounts of softness and resilience for improved performance.
Despite these many features geared toward comfort, the Wave Rider 30 weighs just 9.4 ounces for men and 8.1 ounces for women. In addition, you can be confident they’ll last for hundreds of treadmill runs to come, thanks to the X10 carbon rubber outsole, a durable material designed for long-term use.
The Wave Rider 30 features a newly redesigned knit upper that securely wraps the foot while delivering superior breathability and comfort. A gusseted tongue works in tandem with the upper to keep your feet locked in place, providing a snug, secure fit from warmup strolls to long runs.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
Step into the Nimbus 28, and the cushioning makes itself known immediately. The FF Blast+ foam paired with PureGEL in the heel creates a soft, well-protected landing that’s great for longer treadmill sessions. It’s not a fast shoe, necessarily, but it has solid shock absorption and feels consistent.
The midsole is pretty much max-stack, which our reviewers like for hitting the treadmill. It’s nice to have decent impact absorption when you’re going through the same motion over and over. Bonus points: even with all the cushioning, the Nimbus 28 is very stable.
On the bottom, the Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole keeps things planted on the belt without any slipping. For easy miles and long steady efforts, the Nimbus 28 is a truly comfortable, uncomplicated shoe to spend time in.
On Cloudsurfer Max
The On Cloudsurfer Max is an ultra-cushioned trainer that will keep you cool, comfortable, and protected from repetitive impacts on the treadmill. The most significant feature of the Cloudsurfer Max is its dual-layer of CloudTec Phase pods and Helion superfoam, providing maximim impact protection and comfort with every step.
The Cloudsurfer Max also features a breathable mesh upper with a flat knit collar and tongue for even more step-in comfort. In addition to all the groundbreaking running shoe technology, our reviewers appreciated the wide fit and secure next-gen lacing system that made running on the treadmill more worry-free.
The upper’s polyester is also made with recycled material, an added environmentally-friendly bonus.
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v15
The 1080 v15 was made for comfort, and it doesn’t take long after putting it on to figure that out. The whole thing (the midsole, upper, fit, etc.) is built around making long miles feel easy.
The midsole foam is new this time around. The Infinion foam replaced the longtime Fresh Foam X compound with something that still feels plush underfoot but has noticeably more rebound. The 1080 has always been soft (sometimes to a fault), but with this update, New Balance put a little more energy back into the ride.
It’s also lighter than the v14, which many of our reviewers noted. Max-cushion shoes can feel heavy and clunky after 45 minutes, and this one doesn’t really feel that way. The forefoot is still flexible enough that the shoe bends with your foot rather than working against it, which might sound basic, but isn’t always a given in this category.
Fit has always been a strength of the 1080 line, and that hasn’t changed. Multiple width options, a knit upper that stretches a bit without losing its shape, and enough room in the forefoot that different foot types tend to work in it. Knit uppers sometimes look worn out after a few months, but this one holds up better than most.
It’s still a comfort-first shoe. But the weight and foam updates give it a little more range than the v14 had overall.
Altra Torin 9
The Altra Torin received rave reviewers from our team members as one of the most comfortable shoes for treadmills and road running. This latest version of the iconic Torin shoe features Altra’s brand new P35X cushioning, a redesigned heel and tongue, and a grippy Vibram XS Run AW outsole.
Our team members have tested numerous editions of the Torin over the years and have praised the Torin 9 as the most comfortable, plush version yet. Altra’s Standard FootShape fit is also a favorite for its wide toe box that allows the toes to move freely for a more comfortable and natural run.
The verdict is in, and the Altra Torin 9 is just as comfortable, well-cushioned, and reliable on the treadmill as on the road.
adidas Adizero Evo SL
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a lightweight daily trainer made for running fast and pushing limits. Features that make it an ideal treadmill running shoe include the lightweight LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam, breathable engineered mesh upper, and padded heel and tongue for comfort when performing a repetitive motion.
The rubber outsole is made for the road, so it’s a bit grippy, but our reviewers didn’t find that it held them back when performing fast-paced or long-distance treadmill workouts. We appreciated the Evo SL’s cushioned yet responsive ride, which makes it ideal for more high-performance training yet comfortable for walking or slower paces too.
Recap of the Best Shoes for Treadmill Running
The past few years have brought some groundbreaking running shoe technology that is bound to improve your comfort and performance on the treadmill. Additionally, some tried-and-true favorites have remained similar to years past because they’re already so near perfection.
You can find all the shoes listed above at Marathon Sports, so shop and upgrade your treadmill workouts today!
