The Best Red Running Shoes in Summer 2023
We know how important it is to look good and feel confident when running. Here are the best red running shoes from fans of crimson to coral and everything in between.
Sometimes life is that simple. Like when you make the perfect cup of morning coffee. Or when you hit every green on the way home. Or when you shirt coordinates perfectly with your shoes because you picked the perfect pair of running shoes in the exact shade you wanted. If that exact shade is red and you're looking to have a beautifully simple life made happy by a great colored shoe, here are the best red running shoes for you.
The Best Running Shoes With Red Colorways
Running shoe brands have innovated in the colorway game over the past few yers, but there are still classic red colorways out there. To find our list, we looked at the best overall running shoes on the market today. We then narrowed our choices based on the shoes that came in red. Here are the best red running shoes available today.
1. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 ($170): Best Overall Red Running Shoe
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is an uptempo and everyday running shoe with a fast and comfortable ride. Part of Saucony's popular Endorphin series whose shoes are characterized by a pronounced rocker platform, the Speed 3 uses a PEBA-based foam called PWRRUN PB that provides a soft and bouncy ride. There's also a nylon plate that helps stabilize the platform and add a touch of pop. The Endorphin Speed 3 is a great do-it-all shoe because the PWRRUN PB foam is soft and compliant at slower paces but transforms into a snappy and responsive compound at faster training efforts.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
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2. Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 ($160): Best Max Cushion Red Running shoe
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is the king of comfort. It has a max stack midsole with 41.5 mm of FF Blast Plus Eco foam, an unusually fun stretchy tongue, soft upper and padded heel collar. It's great for heel strikers and forefoot/midfoot strikers alike; the Asics gel component in the heel provides cushioning and rebound in the heel, while the foam, which is similar to what's used in the extremely bouncy Novablast, combined with the rocker create a nice foundation for smooth toe-off. This is most comfortable at your daily training pace or slower (think at least 1 minute to 90 seconds per mile slower than your race paces).
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
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3. Brooks Hyperion Max ($170): Best Red Uptempo Running Shoe
The Brooks Hyperion Max is a non-plated uptempo shoe with a lightweight construction and snappy ride. The Hyperion Max uses Brooks' DNA Flash foam, which is a responsive and versatile compound that's accommodating for slower paces and performance-ready at faster paces. At 7.8 ounces for a US mens 9, the Hyperion Max feels feather-light and eager to tackle anything you have on the training calendar, from everyday aerobic-paced runs to track sessions and longer efforts.
Brooks Hyperion Max
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4. Brooks Ghost 15 ($140): Best Red Daily Trainer
The Brooks Ghost is a classic everyday running shoe with a comfortable and accomodating feel. The upper is padded around the heel and breathable through the midfoot anf forefoot. The toebox is wide enough for most runners, and the red colorway is bright with pops of blue mixed in. The midsole in the Ghost is Brooks DNA Loft foam, a supercritical EVA that's cushioned and slightly bouncy. The ride isn't the most exciting, but the Ghost is the kind of shoe you buy for its hundreds of miles of reliable companionship.
Brooks Ghost 15
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5. Saucony Endorphin Pro 3: Best Red Shoe for Fast Long Runs
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a great super shoe option for runners who are picking up their first carbon-plated pair. The shoe uses Saucony's PWRRUN PB beaded PB foam, a durable and bouncy compound that provides energy return over the course of a long run. The Pro 3 has a more stable platform than its competitors due to a wider heel landing area, which is helpful for heel strikers and for keeping a comfortable feel at slower paces. We love the Pro 3 for faster long runs, because it has the cushion you want for the duration and the snap you want for the pace. They're also $25 cheaper than most super shoe competitors, though $225 is still a steep ticket.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
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6. Asics Metaspeed Sky+: Best Red Shoe for Marathon Racing
The ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ has a responsive and fast ride best for runners who prefer a firmer platform. The FF Turbo foam used in the Sky+ has a firmer feel than other super foams like Nike's ZoomX and Saucony's PWRRUN PB, which in the Metaspeed Sky+ provides a supremely bouncy experience when paired with the carbon fiber plate and steep forefoot rocker. The upper is light and airy, ideal for races where your feet will be heating up the pavement.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky+
7. Saucony Kinvara 14: Best Lightweight Red Shoe
The Saucony Kinvara is a popular lightweight running shoe that has been on the market for over 14 years. It was initially introduced as a transitional shoe between minimalist and regular trainers, and it has maintained its appeal as a lightweight option for daily training, workouts, and races. The latest version, the Kinvara 14, has increased stack height while remaining the lightest in the series. It offers a flexible, cushioned, and fast ride, making it suitable for various paces and distances.
Saucony Kinvara 14
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8. Altra Vanish Tempo: Best Zero Drop Red Shoe
The Altra Vanish Tempo is a zero-drop shoe that's designed for runners who want a soft and fast underfoot experience. It's the non-plated version of the brand's Altra Vanish Carbon marathon racer, and it retains the same supercritical TPE EGO PRO foam, comfortable upper and EVA foam outsole instead of rubber. Without the plate, the forefoot and toe-off experience can feel soft when trying to pick up the pace, so the Vanish Tempo can be either a daily training option or a workout shoe depending on your preference. Either way, the EGO PRO provides a confident and comfortable ride that will protect the legs from harsh runs on concrete or asphalt.
Altra Vanish Tempo
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9. Saucony Guide 16 ($140): Best Red Stability Shoe
The Saucony Guide 16 is the stability version of the tried-and-true Saucony Ride. It's a great all-rounder, as it offers a comfortable and secure fit for long or short miles. It has a refined upper and gusseted tongue that stays in place no matter how you land. The Guide has a moderate level of cushioning with a PWRRUN+ insole (beaded TPU) and PWRRUN midsole (EVA), making it suitable for daily training runs (35 mm heel, 27 mm forefoot, 8 mm drop). The shoe has mild to moderate stability through features the Hollow Tech support frame and sidewalls, which provide guidance without being too firm against the inner side of the foot.
Saucony Guide 16
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10. Adidas Adizero SL ($60 Sale): Best Affordable Red Running Shoe
The Adidas Adizero SL fills a gap in the Adidas training lineup, offering a shoe that falls between the heavier Boston and speed-focused Adios models. The Adidas Adizero SL is a daily trainer that combines performance and liveliness for runners due to the light weight, mix of EVA-based Lightstrike and supercritical TPE Lightstrike Pro foams in the midsole. With a full-contact outsole, responsive ride and comfortable ride, the Adizero SL is a great option for daily training and even longer runs, as well as picking up the pace for faster workouts. This is often on sale for under $100—at time of publication, Adidas was running a sale with certain models available for $60 depending on the colorway (I grabbed a pair of the solar red version for $60).
Adidas Adizero SL
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Final Thoughts
While color is only one piece of the urnnning shoe puzzle, we're big fans of considering aesthetics when making a shoe purchase. After all, the shoe is the most important tool in the running experience, so it's an opportunity to showcase your style. Whether you're looking to race a marathon or find a new easy running shoe, there's a high performance red running shoe out there for you.
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