The best running shoes in 2026, according to a podiatrist 

Finding the best running shoes in 2026 can feel overwhelming, especially with the growing number of models promising speed, comfort and injury prevention. Running has surged in popularity across Singapore in recent years, driven by post-pandemic lifestyle shifts and an increase in races, marathons, and run communities. As more people take up the sport, there is also greater curiosity around gear and how it impacts performance.

While posture and running technique are key to running efficiently and staying injury-free, footwear plays an equally important role. The right pair should do more than fit comfortably. It should protect your feet from repeated impact, support your stride and suit the type of running you do. The buzz surrounding high-performance models such as adidas’ adizero EVO SL, it raises the question of whether popular shoes truly live up to the hype for everyday runners in Singapore.

To gain clarity, we spoke with Lewis Nurney, Head of Podiatry at UFIT Club Street. We asked him what runners should prioritise when choosing shoes and invited him to evaluate some of the most talked-about models on the market today. One statistic stood out. According to Lewis, about 80 percent of the patients he sees are wearing the wrong shoe size. It is a reminder that before chasing trends or new technology, getting the basics right matters most.

What to look out for in a running shoe

Running in poorly fitted shoes can increase discomfort and injury risk. Beyond choosing the correct length and width, Lewis stresses the importance of matching footwear to its intended purpose.

“There are shoes for easy running, for walking, for hiking, for playing tennis. Choose shoes that are specific to your usage. When you have the right shoe that fits, you are already ahead.”

Max cushioning shoes: good or bad?

Max cushioning shoes often spark debate because of perceived stability trade-offs, but Lewis sees value in them for training.

“With running and sports, typically the more volume you can do without getting injured will benefit performance. Max cushioning shoes are said to unlock more volume, meaning you can clock more distance without feeling too tired or sore. So they can be very useful.”

Examples of max cushioning models include the HOKA Bondi 9, Asics Nimbus and New Balance 1080v15.

How often should you replace your running shoes?

As a general guideline, Lewis recommends replacing running shoes after roughly 400 to 500km of mileage. Since many runners do not track this, about a year of use is a practical benchmark. Singapore’s heat and humidity can accelerate wear, meaning shoes may break down faster than expected.

Signs it may be time for a replacement include:

• Visible wear on the outsole
• Reduced cushioning or support
• Foam that appears creased or compressed
• Uneven wear across the sole

Not sure which pair to pick for your next run? We asked Lewis to rank some of the top running shoes in Singapore, here’s his verdict.

lululemon Women’s Wildfeel Trail Running Shoes 

RATING: 6/10 

“lululemon is relatively new to running shoes, and this is a trail-based option. However, I actually spent time with the lululemon trail athletes in Morocco last year and some of the shoes they’re developing look really, really great. So the grip’s nice, and they fit nicely.” 

adidas Adizero EVO SL Shoes 

RATING: 6/10

“It looks great, it’s super fun, bouncy and lightweight – which makes it a really popular shoe. If you have a nice running technique and you have good stability, it’s going to feel amazing. However, if you don’t have the perfect running form, it’s a little bit unforgiving, and we do see a lot of issues with stability.”

New Balance 1080v15 

RATING: 8/10

“Classic shoe, it’s been around for many years. It’s very safe, beginner-friendly, wide-fitting and comfortable. It’s not the fastest, but it’s going to be great if you’re doing your daily mileage and clockingup the volume.”

Asics Kayano 32

RATING: 9/10

“It’s one of the staple shoes for any podiatrist. It has maximum stability, is wide-fitting, really stable. If you have a foot injury, this is probably the best shoe you can get. It’s a little heavy, but it’s really safe and comfortable.”

HOKA Bondi 9 

RATING: 10/10

“Excellent shoe, wide-fitting, max cushion, really stable. This is one of our favourites if you are a heavier runner or if you have bunions or big toe pain.”

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 

RATING: 9/10

“It’s a little bit of a lighter-weight shoe, more aggressive. It has a plastic plate rather than a carbon plate. It’s more beginner to intermediate friendly, very fast, excellent grip, wide-fitting and stable.”

Puma Deviate NITRO 4 Running Shoes

RATING: 8/10 

“Great shoes, very aggressive. Version four is actually wider than version three, and that’s based on feedback of the version three being too narrow for typical Asian feet. So, great shoe, really balanced, has a relatively high heel as well, it’s a good one if you have tight calves.”

On Cloudsurfer 2

RATING: 7/10 

“Great shoes, very fashionable. What I would say is that they are not the most stable. So when we have patients in the clinic with On Clouds’ they tend to look great, but they tend to be a little soft, and it’s the softness that makes them feel good – so it’s a great travel and walking shoe. However, if you have a super high arch or flat feet, the shoes can be too soft and eventually lead to more problems.”

All the items are independently selected by our editorial team. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. But we only recommend products we love. Promise.