A carbon-plated shoe will technically beat a classic, neutral runner for straight-line speed and efficiency, and you can read more about that in our analysis of New Balance’s top-end shoes, but you don’t need all those extra bells and whistles.
Neutral runners are still the meat and potatoes in this sport.
When it comes to everyday running, whether it's training towards a goal or staying fit in general, they are still the best option. They last long, they’re stable, and they provide more than enough cushioning. They don’t have any one outstanding feature, but that’s why they're quintessential runners; they can do it all.
Let's break down four of our most popular neutral runners: the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 V14, the Brooks Ghost 16, the Asics Gel-Cumulus 26, the Mizuno Wave Rider 28, and the Hoka Clifton 9. Hopefully, by the end of this article you’ll have a better idea as to which one suits you best.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 V14
The New Balance 880 has been our most popular runner (actually, maybe our most popular product in general) for the past 10 years, and with good reason. If you were to describe the perfect neutral runner that works for most people and also seamlessly evolves with the times, it’s the 880.
It has an 8-millimetre drop, which is right around average for the runners on this list, and the Fresh Foam cushioning starts off firm but softens up nicely over time. This makes for a plush ride, but it’s also quite responsive. It’s not springy like their FuelCell, but it provides solid ground feel without any discomfort.
It’s actually an extremely comfortable shoe; the upper is one of the softest and certainly the most adaptable on this list, but it also maintains its shape very well. This is one of those shoes that doesn’t change much from one generation to the next, as New Balance prefers to subtly tweak it, and it’s a motto that has clearly paid dividends.
If you don’t have the luxury to try on shoes and want to give yourself the best shot at success, go for the 880. It works for most people and, of course, comes in a variety of widths if you do have trouble in that department.
Brooks Ghost 16
The Ghost has a 12-millimetre drop, which is quite a bit more aggressive than the 880. It pitches you onto your toes a lot more, so for those of you who like that in your runner, you’ll definitely appreciate it.
The cushioning is perhaps even a little firmer than the 880s out of the box, but with more of a spring as well. You’ll feel it push back on impact, but you still have great feel for the ground. It does have a slightly more pronounced arch than some of the other shoes here, which you should keep in mind if you’re looking for the most neutral option.
The upper doesn’t have the same buttery soft feel that the 880’s has. It’s more structured and rigid, but it’s still mesh, so it’s not uncomfortable. It obviously breaks in over time, but you’ll feel it cocoon your foot a little more, so if you like that sensation of a shoe disappearing on your foot, you should look at something else. But if you want to feel more locked in, then it’s perfect.
Brooks Ghost 16 Running
women's
Brooks Ghost 16 Running
men's
Asics Gel-Cumulus 26
The Cumulus has much more cushioning than the average neutral runner. In fact, I would say it’s teetering on the edge of those high-cushioned shoes like the Brooks Ghost Max or New Balance 1080. If you like a softer ride but don’t want to go all the way to a pillowy sensation, then it could be the perfect option. Of course, you lose a bit of ground feel, but that’s a sacrifice those who like this style of runner are more than happy to make, and it’s still more stable than those shoes that have even more cushioning.
The upper maintains that softer theme — it’s made from an extremely pliable mesh that has zero pressure points whatsoever, but also doesn’t provide much-added support. It has an 8-millimetre stack height, which, again, puts it on the lower end of average for this list.
This is probably the most instantly comfortable shoe on this list, so a lot of people will step into it and appreciate it right away. Just remember that it is softer than average for a neutral runner, and that comes with certain benefits but also some drawbacks.
ASICS Cumulus 26 Running
women's
ASICS Cumulus 26 Running
men's
Mizuno Wave Rider 28
Mizuno has done really well with the Wave Rider 28. The cushioning is plush but responsive; it’s noticeably firmer than the Cumulus but also softer than the 880 and the Ghost. They have struck a great balance between that plush comfort, great ground feel, and a solid amount of spring, and that’s not an easy combination to hit. Because of that, it’s one of the most well-rounded neutral runners and very pleasant at different speeds.
It also has a very comfortable upper that is a little narrower than average, but after a bit of break-in, it will work for most foot types. The heel-to-toe drop is 12 millimetres, so on the steeper side for the shoes on this list, and the ride is totally neutral, so great for those of you who don’t want the shoe to overpower your natural gait.
The Wave Rider is a great shoe, one of my favourites here. I do wish it had a slightly wider toe box to give it a bit more stability, but I’ll definitely be looking to put more miles into this one next season.
Hoka Clifton 9
The Hoka Clifton 9 is technically a maximalist shoe, but considering some of the other gargantuan options in Hoka’s lineup, it can be considered one of their more traditional, neutral shoes.
While it does have more stack and more foam than the other shoes on this list, the cushioning is responsive and still provides excellent ground feel. This is what really sets it apart from shoes like the Bondi and makes it an overall better everyday running option.
The upper is very comfortable but also much more supportive than it has been previously. The mesh is made from a tighter weave, and the tongue is gusseted on either side, which makes for a streamlined fit and adds to that more locked-in sensation.
Of course, you’ll still benefit from the more maximalist design — it relieves stress on the joints and guides you through your gait cycle very efficiently. This is a sensation not everyone is going to love, especially if you are used to the more neutral feel of some of the other runners on this list, but if you are looking to try out this style of shoe without going too extreme, the Clifton 9 is one of the best options right now.
Hoka Clifton 9 Running
women's
Hoka Clifton 9 Running
men's
Hopefully we were able to help shed some light on this very popular style of running shoe and you can make a more educated decision as to which one suits you best.
If you want to come try on any of these shoes we have some awesome shoe fitters you can visit in store, or you can buy them online.