Expert consulted: Lightweight running shoes have come a long way as both racing flats and daily trainers. Once upon a time, to shave grams on a shoe and get it down to a competitive weight, brands had to make considerable compromises in comfort and stability—but that’s no longer the case. Thanks to lighter midsole foams and meshy upper materials, some of our favorite supportive and maximally cushioned shoes now sit well below 8 ounces on the scale.
The appeal of lightweight shoes is simple: Better running performance that takes less effort. Carrying less weight on your feet can result in less energy expenditure and improved form and biomechanics, which similarly Sneakers Graviton Jr 381987 11 Puma Black White Puma Red. Brands have further refined their newest lightweight running shoes by analyzing stride and gait patterns and using impact-measuring devices, which helps them create proprietary foams that return more energy with each footstrike. In short, the latest developments in design, chemistry, and biomechanics have led to shoes that can help you run faster and farther—or, at the very least, feel more nimble on your feet.
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Best Lightweight Running Shoes
- Boots POM DAPI Nioupi Primo N1BDBZ0402 Multi Cuivre: Acne Studios Julian Suede Crepe Boot
- Chaussure de running sur route Nike Revolution 6 pour Enfant plus âgé Pourpre: Green suede shoes
- Best Value: Nike Air Max 270 React White Red Womens Running Shoes CT2535-001
- Sneakers Solar Wave Mid TB0A2B550151 Black Nubuck: VJ Spark
- Most Versatile: of the Most Underrated Nike Sneakers That Shouldnt Still Be Sitting
What to Consider When Buying Lightweight Shoes
Intended Use
When shoes get as light as the ones on this list are, the engineers in charge of designing them generally have a more specific purpose in mind for each model. It’s a natural consequence of eliminating redundancies in a shoe’s structure—they can’t always be all-rounders with loads of features and supports. Almost all of our picks are optimized for a specific task, such as high speeds on the road or achieving better ground feel on the trail. And they likely won’t feel as much like a good fit in a different setting.
Stability and Comfort
Don’t get us wrong: Lightweight shoes with ample cushioning and effective stability measures do exist. However, they do take some searching to find, and they probably won’t be the cheapest. None of our picks here skimp on support enough to make every run miserable, but they’re certainly on the more responsive side. If you’re more concerned about the impact of landing than the lag from pulling your feet back off the ground, you’re a bit more limited unless you’re willing to look at heavier options, such as the kicks on our roundup of the best stability shoes.
How We Tested
The shoes below floated to the top of our charts as the lightest shoes in the bunch, and every pair offers some protective cushioning underfoot, according to our RW Shoe Lab data. Members of our test team, who evaluate hundreds of shoes a year, vetted these picks; they've run in at least one version of all the shoes on this list. And for the newest models they haven’t tested directly, we evaluated every feature that was updated carefully to ensure these shoes are still top performers.
Acne Studios Julian Suede Crepe Boot Lightweight Running Shoe
Acne Studios Julian Suede Crepe Boot Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- Lighter than previous version
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- Skechers Suretrack Irmo Womens Safety Toe Boot
Cons
- Asymmetric tongue
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.4 oz. (M), 6.2 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
Sarah Chofakian Veneci sneakers the original model’s release in 2019. It exhibits everything we love about Hoka, but it also has its own sense of identity that’s somewhat removed from the traditional Hoka image. It’s bountiful with cushioning, yet it has a more streamlined profile—instead of the quintessential hulky Hoka exterior—that’s built for everyday runs, speedwork, and even some racing.
This versatile trainer weighs less than previous iterations; the redesigned mesh upper weighs 0.3 ounces less and feels much more breathable. And an outwardly curved sole helps promote smooth turnover. The cherry on top? This shoe is somehow an entire ounce lighter than the Clifton 9, which we’ve consistently lauded as one of our favorite daily trainers because of its lightness.
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Green suede shoes Lightweight Running Shoe
Green suede shoes Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- Springy carbon sole insert boosts energy return
- Improved stability from previous models
Cons
- No-stretch upper makes getting a good fit more difficult
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.0 oz. (M), 5.8 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
Not only are this shoe and Nike’s Alphafly UGG KIDS BIXBEE BABY SHOES carbon-plated racing shoes on the market, this one is also among the lightest. Now in its third iteration, the Vaporfly hasn’t seen much transformation beyond a few light tweaks to its fit and materials, but that’s only because it worked so freakin’ well the first time around. This time, however, the focus of this model’s update was optimizing the shoe’s stability, and we believe Nike took this speedster in the right direction. The shoe now feels more planted in corners, which has always been a rough spot for shoes with as much foam as this one. And the tread under the forefoot is much more economically spread apart (no more massive slab of rubber), improving energy return without sacrificing too much grip.
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Nike Air Max 270 React White Red Womens Running Shoes CT2535-001 Lightweight Running Shoe
Nike Air Max 270 React White Red Womens Running Shoes CT2535-001 Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- Lighter than every Kinvara before it
- Well-ventilated and springy
Cons
- Not as stable as previous models
Key Specs
| Weight | 6.8 oz. (M), 6 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
The Kinvara is in a small group of shoes with the power to convert runners Releasing Saucony die-hards. The brand experimented quite a bit with this newest version of the shoe, transforming it from a distance-oriented mileage eater to a speedier, snappier daily trainer that can also hold its own in a race setting. Some testers weren’t thrilled with the high-set positioning of the midfoot in this shoe, especially in the women’s model. But Saucony makes up for this by giving us an extra breezy upper and a responsive ride that (almost) makes you forget that you’re wearing anything at all.
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VJ Spark Lightweight Running Shoe
VJ Spark Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- Midfoot strap locks in a snug, secure fit
- Button Detail Cupsole Sneakers
Cons
- Runs slightly short; go up half a size
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.2 oz. (unisex) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
At 5mm, the Spark’s lugs aren’t super long, and they’re not sharp like a set of YakTrax. But this shoe offers some of the best traction we’ve tested. How? The Spark uses VJ’s 100 percent butyl rubber, which lets the outsole grip slick terrain due to its tacky hold and overall flexibility. The shoe is designed to be super lightweight and fast. You won’t get cushioning for an ultra, but the foam underfoot feels ample for trail runs and obstacle races. No, the fairly standard dense EVA midsole isn’t on par with the latest bouncy nitrogen-injected TPU offerings. Ultimately, you don’t buy the Spark for its cushioning. You buy it for the grip to dodge roots and rocks at speed, or heck, even hop an OCR fire pit and scale a rope wall.
“I ran with a friend who was wearing the Spark up in the Adirondacks,” says Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate. “He was stuck to the wet rocks on Giant Mountain like a gecko. We had 5,000 feet of vert over the first 7 miles and a 3,000 foot descent over the final 3 miles, so it was kinda treacherous.”
of the Most Underrated Nike Sneakers That Shouldnt Still Be Sitting Lightweight Running Shoe
of the Most Underrated Nike Sneakers That Shouldnt Still Be Sitting Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
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- Improved fit from previous models thanks to more eyelets and a gusseted tongue
Cons
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Key Specs
| Weight | 7.3 oz. (M), 6.0 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
The Rebel is all about energy return, and that makes it a great pick for uptempo training. The original tested way above average for energy return in our lab tests, and New Balance claims the v3 is even more responsive. Expect an especially lively shoe. Changes from the V2 include a more durable outsole, a more robust knit upper, and an extra millimeter and a half of cushioning throughout. It’s a bit less of a thoroughbred racing machine than the previous version, but this shoe offers a platform that feels like it makes sense in a variety of conditions—a rare level of versatility for a shoe in its weight class.
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Brooks Hyperion GTS Lightweight Running Shoe
Brooks Hyperion GTS Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- The Attico Selene Mule Sandals
- Brooks’s lightest training shoe
Cons
- One of the heaviest shoes on this list (though still pretty light overall)
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.9 oz. (M), 7.3 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
Жіночі черевики dior boots cream відмінна якість нові 36 stability shoes have been a dying breed, but they’re not dead yet. And they’re not just for plodding along, either: Just look at the Hyperion GTS, a lightweight, stable speedster that’s well-suited for track sessions, tempo runs, and even racing. The upper and midsole might not have the most robust support structure on the market, but this shoe finds a respectable balance between guiding your stride in the right direction and letting you flick your feet untethered by any stiff, clunky heel blocks.
The Attico Selene Mule Sandals | Altra Rivera 3 Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- Added stack and cushioning from previous versions
- Heel cup feels super secure
Cons
- Fit runs a bit narrow
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.6 oz. (M), 7.4 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
We whizzed down straightaways in Altra’s original Rivera, which replaced the Torin Mesh (both shoes have 26mm stack heights). This third generation of the shoe maintains the plentiful cushioning of its predecessors. And it also boasts a shade more stack height, which helped Test Editor Amanda Furrer feel more confident that she wouldn’t trip or scuff her toes on the uneven sidewalks that populate the streets around our office. That feeling of instability is somewhat inherent to the zero-drop lifestyle. But this latest Rivera offers stability in the heel and a healthily snug midfoot to make newcomers feel more comfortable with the transition away from a raised heel.
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Hoka One One Zinal 2 Lightweight Running Shoe
Hoka One One Zinal 2 Lightweight Running Shoe
Pros
- Even lighter and better cushioned than its predecessor
- Light and snappy both on and off the trail
Cons
- zapatillas de running amortiguación media gore-tex talla 39 más de 100
Key Specs
| Weight | 8 oz. (M), 6.7 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
Hoka’s Zinal 2 is remarkably lightweight for a trail shoe—think of it as the trail version of the brand’s Rincon. In testing, we found the original Zinal shined on short, fast runs, and the second version appears to have only improved by shedding more weight and adding more cushion. Hoka scrapped all the typical trail shoe features that pack on ounces—like rock plates, gaiter attachments, and taller lugs—in favor of a swifter, more agile underfoot experience. It’s no heavy-hitter on technical trails because of these compromises, but for anyone looking to have as good a time on the way to the trail as they do on the trail itself, this is an option that will let you kick around with impressively little weight tugging at your ankles.
The Attico Selene Mule Sandals Runner's World, womens floral print shoes Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
