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The best shoes to wear on the treadmill are known as running shoes, but they’re not the same as traditional sneakers. Running shoes are designed specifically for running, and they have a few key features that make them ideal for treadmills.

When you’re running, your feet hit the ground with each step, so it’s important to wear shoes that are sturdy enough to support your body weight when you’re running at high speeds. Running shoes have thick soles made of foam or rubber (or both), which give your feet plenty of cushioning and protection from shock.

Running shoes also have special insoles that absorb shock and help keep your heel aligned with your toes during high-impact activities like jogging or sprinting on a treadmill.

If you’ve ever spent time jogging on an unpaved path or trail, then you know how much more difficult it is to run in loose sand or mud than on concrete or asphalt surfaces. The same principle applies to treadmills: if your feet aren’t being cushioned by sufficient padding, then every step could feel like stepping on a rock instead of just walking normally across a smooth surface.

Best Shoes For a Treadmill

Running on a treadmill resembles road running more than trail running, because there are no twists, turns, puddles, obstacles. Ideal for speed runs! But, the surface is softer than roads.

That’s why nearly all road running shoes (which is ⅔ of the market) can be used for running on a treadmill. We have tested more than 100 running shoes that are treadmill-ready to pick out the best ones for you.

We have selected five categories depending on what you may consider a priority. It is the shoe’s versatility? Cushioning? Support? Ability to go fast? Price? You’ve got the top pick in each of these.

In this guide you will also find expert advice on how to choose the best treadmill running shoes.

How we test running shoes

With nearly 500 shoes for treadmill running, it is our goal to help you choose the right one.

Our team spends hours scrutinizing every single release through our independent shoe testing lab:

  • Our committed testers log 30-50 miles in each pair to provide extensive feedback.
  • We then slice the shoes up into pieces and measure over 30 different parameters to translate “performance” into comparable data.
  • All tested shoes are purchased with our own funds to help us stay unbiased.
  • To make it even more comprehensive, our system collates thousands of expert and user reviews on all treadmill running shoes.

In the end, each shoe gets a CoreScore. It is a number from 0 to 100 that allows us to compare and rank all running shoes.

The best shoes for running on the treadmill end up on this list.

Best treadmill running shoes overall

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

Pros

  • Wider than Pegasus 37
  • Very stable ride
  • Peppy toe-off
  • Hugs your feet
  • Padded upper
  • Very durable (400-500miles)
  • Grippy even on dirt roads
  • Legit workhorse
  • Doubles as a gym shoe
  • A joy to run in

Cons

  • Runs warm
  • Above-average weight

Verdict

Now on its 38th iteration, the Nike Pegasus continues to convince us that it’s the GOAT of all workhorse shoes. It has surpassed everything we threw at it with flying colors! 

We love to put our shoes to the test to really see how they’d perform, and this shoe has been nothing short of AWESOME. From daily runs, tempo sessions to gym training, it eats them all up. 

To reach this rank, of course, we had to evaluate it as a treadmill shoe, and it’s been fantastic! When it comes to blending comfort and pop, nothing does it better than the Pegasus 38. 

And its stability was just as great. In our lab tests, we have gathered that it’s 109.5mm wide in the forefoot and 80.7mm wide in the heel. In essence, it’s as stable as you can get! 

Like a true Pegasus, this version doesn’t skimp on durability. Although its React midsole is 18% softer than average foams, it still is dense. After a series of rough wear tests, it’s still not bottoming out. Because of this, we’re estimating it’s going to last well between 400-500 miles. 

If you think the party stops there, it only gets better! 

The traction of this shoe is INSANE. Even on dirt, we felt confident. And its superb lockdown takes everything to a whole new level. The upper hugged our feet so well, we had NO issues with slips. 

At $120, the Nike Pegasus 38 is terrific!

Treadmill running shoes with best cushioning

Brooks Glycerin 19

Pros

  • Plushy
  • Wide-feet friendly
  • Tongue stays put
  • Perfect midfoot lock
  • Soft and stable ride
  • Durable
  • Great grip even on dirt roads
  • Roomy toebox
  • Smooth ride
  • Perfect for daily runs

Cons

  • Lacks pep underfoot
  • Too warm for summer days

Verdict

The Brooks Glycerin 19 is dubbed as Brooks’ softest running shoe yet, and we couldn’t disagree. Seriously, its cushioning is just out of this world! 

We’re telling you, this shoe’s comfort is just a solid 10/10. It’s very plush underfoot, it’s almost like our feet were enveloped with fluffy clouds! And because we’re geeks for everything shoes, we’ve measured that it’s 75% softer than other shoes. 

If the feet had dreams, it’s this one right here. 

And the upper only makes this shoe streets ahead! It’s soft and well-padded, it’s been giving our feet nothing but pampering from the first stride down to the last. 

With the gusseted tongue, our feet are locked securely in place. No wobbling, no rolling. It’s just pure goodness when it comes to lockdown. 

And if you’re thinking this shoe forgoes sturdiness in favor of comfort. Well, it’s here to prove you wrong. After pacing it through, the midsole is just as lively as it was fresh from the box. The outsole is not wearing out either! With its high-strength qualities, you can easily get 400-500 miles before retiring it in your closet.

Best treadmill running shoes for speed

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

Pros

  • Fun, peppy ride
  • Runs like a race shoe
  • Lightweight
  • Plenty breathable
  • Smooth rockered transitions
  • Great lockdown
  • 2 pairs of laces
  • One shoe Race, Tempo, Trainer
  • More flexible than other carbon-plated shoes
  • Reflective detail for night runs
  • Easy to put on (pull tab on the tongue and heel)

Cons

  • Learning curve needed for heel strikers or slower paces
  • Slipper on wet surfaces

Verdict

It can break records, and it sure has got everything to pace you on your treadmill. If we can pick one shoe that screams fast, the obvious answer is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. 

It’s the superlative of bouncy. So much so, we felt like we were zooming through the blocks with each step in it! 

And unlike other speed trainers, it doesn’t fall short on comfort. It’s NOT harsh to the feet at all. If anything, all we got underfoot was pure softness. 

In our lab tests, we have gathered that it’s 39.6N flexible (contrary to the average 37.2N). In simpler terms, it’s more supportive than other daily trainers and it doesn’t lose its ability to be a fun ride! 

At 8.1 oz, it’s got the makings of a dedicated race-day shoe. It’s super lightweight, we totally forgot about it on the run. 

Even better, its lockdown is king! The upper just molded into our feet, keeping everything nice and tucked in. ZERO wobbling and slips in this shoe. 

Ultimately, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is true to its name. It’s made for speed, and it sure does run like it! And if you want one shoe for your tempo training runs and race day, this is THE shoe. 

Best road treadmill running shoes

Pros

  • Glove-like fit
  • Perfect lockdown
  • Has an elf tab
  • Lightweight
  • Balanced
  • Superb comfort
  • Extremely stable
  • Large reflective elements

Cons

  • Stiff for an everyday trainer
  • Not a tempo shoe either
  • Break-in period needed

Verdict

Among all the shoes we’ve tested, nothing comes close to how the Saucony Endorphin Speed fits the bill as a speedster that can certainly go the distance! Whether it’s a 10K, half marathon, or marathon, you can set PBs in this baby! Might feel weird while walking or jogging, but becomes a perfect fit when you really pick up the pace. It’s made for speed, and it sticks to that!

Best treadmill running shoes for flat feet

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21

Pros

  • fits true to size
  • secure fit
  • great stability
  • gusseted tongue
  • soft but not mushy
  • superb durability
  • no lace bite

Cons

  • not for speedy runs
  • could be lighter

Verdict

Being a staple among runners who overpronate, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS sure does everything right. And having tested past editions, the Adrenaline GTS 21 is easily our choice for the best of the best! 

Unlike other stability shoes in our arsenal, it’s not rock solid. On the contrary, it’s a very balanced ride – an amazing blend of support and comfort. In each step, we were surefooted and cushioned. 

Even better, stability is only there when you need it. So if you’re a neutral runner in need of extra support, this shoe is just as enjoyable as it is for those with moderate to severe overpronation. 

And the upper has been nothing but cozy. Even better, it does a stellar job in locking the feet in place, taking support a step further. 

Like a true Brooks, it doesn’t shy on strength! We love to really hammer our shoes on the pavement, and this one is no different. And boy did this shoe wow us! It still looks and runs like brand-new. 

At 10.2 oz, this shoe just tips our scales! But if it means more support and comfort, plus a solid durability, we’d be more than willing to take it any day.

Best value treadmill running shoes

Reebok Floatride Energy 3

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Responsive
  • Peppy ride
  • Heel tab
  • Lugged outsole
  • Durable
  • Price

Cons

  • Feels a touch long
  • Runs a bit warm

Verdict

If you want comfort that lasts, nothing does it better than the Reebok Floatride Energy 3. For a shoe that doesn’t break the bank, we were more than surprised! 

Upon step-in, our feet were welcomed with a 360-degree plushness. The upper was soft, we swear we could run barefoot in it. And the midsole? It’s as pillowy as it could get. 

The breathability just won us over! When we tested it out under hot temps, this shoe was marvelous. 

And good news to our fellow wide-footed runners, this shoe has more than enough room to open up to our feet. The toe box is amply spaced, you can wiggle your toes with no sweat. 

With its gusseted tongue, lockdown is taken up a notch. The tongue stays in place, and the feet are tucked in. In our test runs, we had NO issues with slips. 

Because we love to really bruise our shoes (to see how good they are), we had to really beat up the Reebok Floatride Energy 3. And amazingly, it withstood everything we threw at it! 

After clocking 100 miles, its quality is A-OK!

Pros

  • Fits like a glove
  • Stable
  • Springy, responsive ride
  • Superb breathability
  • Durable
  • Great right out of the box
  • Very soft and comfortable
  • Accomodates wider forefeet
  • Perfect for long or recovery runs
  • Reflective elements for night runs

Cons

  • Really tall
  • Untrusting grip

Verdict

Thanks for making our daily runs nice and stable, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21! The upper hugged our feet well, and the midsole is balanced – it’s neither mushy nor too rigid. It just kept our motions in check, preventing any excessive movements. It’s certainly not a light shoe, but having tested its precursors, we can say that Brooks is heading in the right direction! Apart from support, what stood out to us also is its tank-like durability.

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