Running is one of the best forms of cardio exercise.
The drawback can often be bad weather. For that reason, many people run indoors on a treadmill.
Using a treadmill means you’ll want the right running shoes. They should provide secure traction, not weigh much, and be comfortable.
In this guide, we will look at the best running shoes for treadmill. Ready? Let’s jump right in!
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
Best Running Shoes For Treadmill
- Brooks Men’s Ghost 13 – Best Overall
- Mizuno Women’s Wave Sky 4 Waveknit Running Shoe – Best Women’s
- Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 – Best Knee Support
- Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes – Best Breathability
- ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes – Best Women’s For Stability
- Saucony Men’s Ride 14 Running Shoe – Best For Traction
- Saucony Women’s Kinvara 12 – Best For HIIT Style Running
- New Balance Men’s 890 V7 Running Shoe – Best Men’s For Stability
- Brooks Women’s Levitate 3 – Best For Improving Stride
Reviews – The Best Running Shoes For Treadmill
Brooks Men’s Ghost 13 – Best Overall
Here are our best overall running shoes for the treadmill. The Brooks Men’s Ghost 13 has balanced cushioning designed for treadmill use. It features BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning.
This combo works together to provide softness, durability, and responsiveness. The Brooks Ghost 13 is a lightweight shoe and has a 12mm midsole drop. It also has a Segmented Crash Pad tread design.
This is a system of shock absorbers built into the tread. It’s designed to support a smooth heel to toe stride. It’s also designed for a secure fit.
PROS
- Uses A Dual Cushioning System
- Features A System Of Shock Absorbers
- Designed To Fit Securely
CONS
- Some Users Feel The Upper Is Not Soft Enough
Mizuno Women’s Wave Sky 4 Waveknit Running Shoe – Best Women’s
Here are our best women’s running shoes. These shoes feature a special wave plate that spreads the shock of impact.
The Mizuno Women’s Wave Sky 4 Waveknit running shoe fits securely and provides soft cushioning. The U4ic midsole has a 10mm drop and provides good shock reduction and durability.
The Wave Sky 4 has a rubber sole for improved durability. The Sky 4 stretches to your foot to help provide a secure fit. Finally, these shoes provide a smooth heel to toe transition.
PROS
- Provides Good Shock Absorption
- Features A Durable Rubber Sole
- Stretches For A Secure Fit
CONS
- These Shoes Run Smaller Than The Listed Sizes
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 – Best Knee Support
Here’s running shoes that provide good support and stability for treadmill use. The Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 provides good balance and cushioning. The GTS 21 is a lightweight running shoe with a 12mm midsole drop.
The mesh upper provides good breathability. These shoes feature a “Guiderails” support system for good knee protection. The knees can be a problem for some users. The built-in Guiderails make this our pick for best knee support.
PROS
- Lightweight With Good Breathability
- Soft Cushioning & Good Balance
- Features A “Guiderails” Knee Support System
CONS
- The Toe Box May Be Too Small For Some Users
Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes – Best Breathability
Here’s our pick for running shoes with the best breathability. The Nike Pegasus 36 running shoes have mesh in high heat areas for improved ventilation. This means those areas have good airflow and keep your feet cool.
The Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 running shoes are designed for a snug fit. There’s also a rubber sole with a slimmer heel. The tongue is smaller to reduce overall bulk. The midsole drop is dependent on shoe size. These shoes provide good traction and shock absorption.
PROS
- Features Mesh In Higher Heat Areas Of The Shoe
- There Are Rubber Soles For Durability
- These Shoes Provide Good Traction For Safety While Using The Treadmill
CONS
- Some Users Feel These Shoes Could Be More Durable
ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes – Best Women’s For Stability
These ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes are the best for stability. They’re designed to absorb shock and provide a firm heel to toe stride. The Gel-Venture 7 has a heel gel system to cushion shock. They have a rubber sole to improve shoe durability.
Also, they have a midsole drop of 10mm. Plus, there’s additional cushioning for support. Finally, the ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 7 shoes mold to the shape of your feet. This helps foot comfort while running on the treadmill.
PROS
- Designed To Absorb Shock
- Rubber Soles For Strength
- Provide Extra Cushioning
CONS
- The Sizes Run A Little Small
Saucony Men’s Ride 14 Running Shoe – Best For Traction
This is our choice for running shoes with the best traction. The Saucony Men’s Ride 14 features mesh on the upper and slides for improved breathability. They have a rubber sole for good treadmill traction.
The Ride 14 has balanced cushioning for excellent overall foot support. The Saucony Men’s Ride 14’s feature a solid, snug fit. They’re also lightweight so users can run at any treadmill speed they choose.
PROS
- Mesh Throughout The Shoe For Breathability
- Rubber Sole For Good Treadmill Traction
- Even Cushioning For Comfort
CONS
- Some Users Feel They Run Small
Saucony Women’s Kinvara 12 – Best For HIIT Style Running
The Saucony Women’s Kinvara 12 have a light and fast design. These shoes feature PWRRUN midsole cushioning. This supports your heel to toe treadmill stride. The Kinvara 12 is a lightweight shoe that contours to your feet.
This makes it easy to log more miles on the treadmill. This design is ideal for HIIT-style running. HIIT alternates all-out sprinting with periods of slower walking.
Finally, these shoes have a mesh upper to keep your feet cool.
PROS
- Lightweight Shoe Designed For Speed
- Supports Your Stride
- Contoured To Fit Your Foot Shape
CONS
- Some Users Feel They Run Large
New Balance Men’s 890 V7 Running Shoe – Best Men’s For Stability
Here’s our pick for the best stability in men’s running shoes. The New Balance Men’s 890 V7 is a 100% synthetic running shoe. It has a rubber sole with a treadmill-contact EVA outsole. This provides excellent stability while running on the treadmill.
Also, this lightweight shoe is designed for a snug fit. Finally, it has a breathable mesh upper to help keep feet cool.
PROS
- Designed For A Snug, Supportive Fit
- Breathable Mesh Uppers Keeps Feet Cool
- Rubber Sole With An EVA Outsole For Traction
CONS
- Some Users Find The Insoles Slip During Use
Brooks Women’s Levitate 3 – Best For Improving Stride
This shoe has a stingy midsole that transfers energy back to your feet. The Brooks Women’s Levitate 3 provides cushioned support for long treadmill runs. The Levitate 3 has a tread designed to help you move from heel to toe quickly.
The springy design improves your lift while running on the treadmill. They are light and feature a secure fit. Finally, the Brooks Levitate 3 is flexible and adjusts to your running style. All these features make this the best running shoe for improving stride efficiency.
PROS
- Springy Design Adds Lift To User Stride
- Light & Flexible
- Provides A Secure Fit
CONS
- May Cause Heel Blisters For Some Users
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Running Shoes For Treadmill?
Why Should You Wear Running Shoes For The Treadmill?
There’s a difference between running shoes for the treadmill and regular running shoes. When you run on a treadmill, the running track is flatter than other surfaces. That means it may be easier to slip. For this reason, the best running shoes for treadmill use should provide good traction. They should also support a good heel to toe stride. These features allow you to run with confidence.
Types Of Treadmills
There are several types of treadmills available. They all feature a running deck and use a belt for the running surface. The decks can vary in size and width based on design. A compact treadmill will have decks 60” or less. A full sized treadmill will have a larger running area.
Most treadmills are motorized. Some treadmills are manual. This means they are powered by your own movement. A manual treadmill may be harder to use and require more foot and leg strength.
The best treadmills of any type will also feature an incline. It’s important to have good foot stability and traction regardless of the type of treadmill.
What You Should Look For In Running Shoes For Treadmill
There are several features you should consider before choosing running shoes for the treadmill. These features include:
- Lightweight – Your running shoes should be light. This means the weight of your running shoes won’t wear you down. The weight of your running shoes should not be a factor in achieving your distance goals. Inexperienced runners may find a heavy shoe makes it harder to run for long periods. All of the running shoes in our guide are lightweight.
- Breathable – Another consideration is how hot your shoes make your feet feel. Running shoes with mesh uppers and sides allow your feet to breathe. Your feet will stay cooler than shoes without mesh. A harder material will reduce breathability. They won’t keep your feet cool. They will also weigh more. All of these negative features will make running on the treadmill harder.
- Good Cushioning – No doubt you want to get the most out of your treadmill sessions. Your shoes should provide good cushioning from heel to toe. This supports your heel to toe stride. It also helps your feet absorb shock. The shoes in this guide all feature good cushioning. Our best overall, the Brooks Men’s Ghost 13, uses an advanced dual cushioning system.
- Comfortable – Your treadmill running shoes should be comfortable. Avoid shoes that are not. Also, avoid running shoes that hurt your feet. Either of these problems can cut your treadmill session short. Some running shoes contour to your feet for a secure yet comfortable fit. This helps build confidence when running.
- Flexible – Good flexibility is important when running. This means they allow your feet to roll comfortably when using the treadmill.
- Traction – Most of the running shoes in this guide have rubber soles. This provides good traction on the treadmill belt. If you’re running at a fast pace or an incline, you’ll want secure footing.
- Durability – The best running shoes for treadmill should be durable. You’ll want shoes that last a long time. This is also a safety factor. Good durability also applies to any outdoor use.
Types of Running Shoes For Treadmill Use
The best running shoes for treadmill use come in three main types. This is to accommodate different types of feet:
- Normal Arch – Roughly 60% of the population has the type of foot.
- Flat – Only about 20% of the population experience flat feet
- High Arch – About 20% of the population has high arches.
The next section covers types of feet and relates to shoe type.
What Kind Of Feet Do You Have?
Before you can choose the best running shoes for treadmill, you should know your foot type. Based on this, you will want to check the shoes for height and width. The toe box should not feel too small. Your feet should feel comfortable and not feel cramped inside the running shoes. You will want to choose running shoes designed for the type of feet you have.
Normal Feet
The majority of people have normal feet. Most footwear options are made for this foot type. Regardless, it’s important to be sure of your foot type. You don’t want to buy running shoes that are not effective. If you have a high arch or flat feet, you’ll need shoes designed for that purpose.
Flat Feet
If you have flat feet, your feet will not have a visible arch. The arch is the curve from your toe to your heel. People with flat feet tend to roll their feet inward when running. There are shoes designed for people with this type of feet. Are you someone with flat feet? You’ll want to make sure your running shoes accommodate this.
Highly Arched Feet
People with high arched feet need extra support. This is because walking and running can cause the arch of their feet to roll outward. If you’re someone with high arched feet, you’ll need running shoes with good cushioning. The shoes should be designed to absorb shock.
What Is Pronation?
As your feet hit the treadmill, they roll inward to distribute the impact. This is called pronation.
Like types of feet and types of shoes, there are three types of pronation.
They are:
- Neutral Pronation – As your outside heel hits the treadmill, your foot rolls inward. It does this until your forefoot is completely on the treadmill. When you push off, you’ll push off evenly across your forefoot.
- Overpronation – After your outside heel hits the treadmill, your foot rolls inward. This means more inward roll than normal. It causes the push-off to come from your big toe. This can lead to uneven shock distribution. The big toe does most of the push-off work.
- Underpronation – After your outside heel hits the treadmill, the inward roll of your foot is less than normal. That will cause more impact force on the outside of your foot. In this case, the push-off work is done by the smaller toes.
One way to check pronation is to examine the wear pattern on your shoes. If you’re an overpronator, there will be extra wear on the inside of the front sole. An underpronator will have more wear on the outside of the shoe.
What Does “Drop” Mean?
This is also called the “offset”. The term “drop” is the difference between the heel and the forefoot measurements.
This refers to how much your toes fall or “drop” below your heel. This is important because a high drop can mean more heel strikes.
It may also transfer some strain away from your lower leg. That means more knee strain. A lower drop will shift any strain down to the calf and Achilles tendon.
Neither option is ideal. When choosing a shoe’s drop, you should choose the most natural feel. The shoe should feel comfortable. You should also consider personal running mechanics and any history of injury.
Most shoes have a drop between 8 and 12mm. Some shoes have less than 6mm. Finally, a few shoes feature a no drop minimalist design. The running shoes in this guide are all between 10 and 12mm.
Conclusion
Have you recently purchased a treadmill and need the best running shoes to go with it? The best running shoes for treadmill provide solid traction and good stride efficiency. They have good cushioning, durable soles, and optimal breathability.
Our best overall is the Brooks Men’s Ghost 13. These shoes have two special cushioning systems. Plus, there’s an exclusive shock absorbing system built into the tread.
What about the best choice for women? That’s the Mizuno Women’s Wave Sky 4 Waveknit Running Shoe. These shoes feature a special wave plate to absorb shock. They fit securely and have a durable rubber sole. They also have excellent cushioning.
Finally, do you engage in the popular HIIT style training on the treadmill? You’ll want the Saucony Women’s Kinvara 12. These are fast and light. The special midsole design improves lift-off and treadmill contact. This means when you run all out, you’ll run more securely and efficiently.
It goes without saying that the best running shoes are based on your exercise goals. Use our guide to choose the right ones for you!
