Best Running Shoes for Traction (2024)

1

Brooks Ghost 16

Score: 9/10

Brooks Ghost 16

Excellent grip on wet and dry surfaces, suitable for various terrains.

Comfort

8/10

Spacious fit with improved cushioning, though heel counter stiffness may cause discomfort.

Quotes from Reviewers

R

Road Runner Sports

The new and improved mesh upper provides the perfect balance of stretchy comfort and a secure fit.

R

Road Runner Sports

I found the Go6 to be really nicely balanced.

R

Road Runner Sports

The only thing I will say is that although the heel collars are nicely padded, there is a very stiff heel counter that bends in quite a lot. I have experienced some pressure from it on the base of my Achilles.

Durability

8/10

Durable outsole and upper, though ventilation holes may affect longevity.

Weight

7/10

Lighter than previous models, but not the lightest option available.

Support

7/10

Offers stability with a stiff heel counter, but lacks midfoot support.
2

puma Velocity Nitro 3

Score: 9/10

puma Velocity Nitro 3

Excellent traction with PUMAGrip rubber, even in wet conditions.

Traction

9/10

K

Kofuzi

The Puma grip outsole, which I will discuss in the outsole section, has lived up to its reputation as a great traction compound.

K

Kofuzi

The performance of the Puma grip was absolutely fantastic; it felt so planted.

K

Kofuzi

The redesigned rubber pattern is lighter, yet still grippy.

Comfort

8/10

Comfortable with responsive cushioning, but slightly heavier and less breathable.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The tongue is quite padded, and it extends slightly further up onto the top of the foot than it did last year.

K

Kofuzi

The fit for me in the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a size eight in the UK. This is a very comfortable shoe.

K

Kofuzi

There's still a lot of padding at the back of the shoe, which does soak up sweat a little bit. In general, it's not the most breathable upper out there.

Durability

8/10

Durable with dual foam construction and reliable outsole, but heavier than before.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The Puma grip outsole, which I will discuss in the outsole section, has lived up to its reputation as a great traction compound.

K

Kofuzi

I fully expect that I could get this up to 350 to 400 miles.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe will be posted on Subwell as soon as it's available on Running Warehouse.

Weight

7/10

Slightly heavier than previous models but maintains a good balance.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The increased stack height of the shoe, along with the added puffiness in the heel cup, contributes a substantial amount of weight this year.

K

Kofuzi

It weighs in at 283 g or 10 oz, which is a slight increase in weight compared to the Velocity Nitro 2.

K

Kofuzi

It has increased slightly in weight, but I don't think it's the kind of weight that makes a significant difference in terms of the experience.

Support

7/10

Balanced ride with dual density midsole, but firmer than some might prefer.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The heel has been slightly redesigned to, I think, cradle the foot a bit more from the sides, as opposed to padding it right behind the foot.

K

Kofuzi

The dual-density midsole setup features a top layer made of Puma's Nitro foam, which is nitrogen-infused.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe is firmer than I would prefer for my daily training needs.

3

Karhu Ikoni 3.0

Score: 9/10

Karhu Ikoni 3.0

Offers good traction on wet surfaces with a sole that prevents stones from getting stuck.

Comfort

8/10

The Karhu Ikoni 3.0 offers a comfortable fit with a plush heel collar and smooth fabric, though some may find the toe box material excessive.

Quotes from Reviewers

S

Seth James DeMoor

The heel collar is plushly padded and covered in a silky smooth fabric that feels really good on your heel and helps prevent blisters.

S

Seth James DeMoor

The 2021 model features a refined fit through the midfoot, thanks to an anatomical lacing system and an M-lock design.

S

Seth James DeMoor

The overall score for the upper is receiving a significant deduction because there's too much material in the toe box, causing it to scrunch up.

Durability

9/10

The Karhu Ikoni 3.0 is highly durable, showing little wear after extensive use.

Weight

7/10

Feels lighter than it is due to Fulcrum technology, though it is on the heavier side.

Support

8/10

Provides extra support for high arches, though less noticeable for flat-arched runners.
4

PUMA Deviate Nitro 3

Score: 9/10

PUMA Deviate Nitro 3

Exceptional grip suitable for various conditions, though design may trap stones.

Traction

9/10

K

Kofuzi

It has exceptional grip with the Puma grip on the bottom. I did a wet park run in these shoes, and my park run includes a little bit of off-road terrain. They handled those conditions without any issues.

K

Kofuzi

I feel like the outsole pattern is fresh and modern.

K

Kofuzi

The opening through which you can see the window into the power plate is a bit bigger and longer in this year's dev8 Nitro 3. So, for those of you who often have rocks getting stuck in the bottom of your shoe, it's definitely going to be a rock magnet.

Comfort

8/10

Offers a snug fit with excellent cushioning, though it may require sizing up for some.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The fit of the DV8 Nitro 3 is slightly more snug, so if you are the type of person who sometimes opts for the next half size, I recommend you go up half a size for this one.

K

Kofuzi

The engineered knit is a much softer material, and it's more breathable as well.

K

Kofuzi

I have to agree; I really like the underfoot feel. It's definitely on the firmer side, so if you're looking for that soft, cushy, easy-day running experience, this is not going to be it.

Durability

7/10

Durable outsole with added structural support, though weight may be a concern.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

Both ears have Puma grip outsole rubber material, which is very durable and also very grippy.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe weighs a respectable 265 grams or 9.3 ounces.

K

Kofuzi

The outsole still features the Puma grip, but you can tell from the previous version that it seems like they've kind of slimmed it down, especially in the forefoot area.

Weight

6/10

Respectable weight for daily training, but not the lightest for racing.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

It weighs 260 g in my UK8, which isn't heavy, but it certainly isn't light.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe weighs a respectable 265 grams or 9.3 ounces.

K

Kofuzi

I was surprised at the weight because it didn't feel as heavy as the scale indicated. Maybe that's due to the bounce from the foam.

Support

7/10

Good support with carbon fiber plate, but snug fit may not suit all.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The shoe features a carbon fiber plate for added support and responsiveness.

K

Kofuzi

The upper is really nice and comfortable, fits true to size, and is accommodating for my wide feet.

K

Kofuzi

I really thought this nice little loop lacing feature here added some extra lockdown over the top.

5

Nike Pegasus 41

Score: 8/10

Nike Pegasus 41

Excellent grip in wet and dry conditions with a thick rubber outsole, though not ideal for very slick surfaces.

Traction

8/10

B

Ben Parkes

The traction in the shoe is excellent; I had no issues walking and running in wet conditions.

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe slips at 40 degrees on the grip test ramp.

Comfort

8/10

The Nike Pegasus 41 is highly comfortable with plush padding and a good lockdown fit, though it may cause overheating and heel slippage for some.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The Nike Pegasus 41 is one of the most comfortable running shoes I've worn in the Pegasus line.

B

Ben Parkes

The tongue on these items is nice and thick, especially where the laces cross.

B

Ben Parkes

Some users may experience overheating due to the thick padding, especially in hotter climates.

Durability

7/10

The shoe offers good durability with a solid outsole, though the upper may not withstand rough conditions.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe will last a long time. Pegasus is always due, and this hasn't changed.

B

Ben Parkes

The waffle outsole is also very durable.

B

Ben Parkes

The durability test shows that sandpaper can easily wear through this material.

Weight

7/10

Lightweight feel despite cushioning, but slightly heavier than some competitors.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe is lightweight, making it feel less clunky despite its cushioning.

B

Ben Parkes

The lack of excessive padding in the heel helps to keep the weight down.

Support

7/10

Solid fit with good arch support, though lacks a carbon plate and may not suit those used to lower heel-to-toe drops.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe offers a solid fit with good arch support, thanks to the dynamic midfoot system.

B

Ben Parkes

The wider toe box provides a stable platform for the foot.

6

Altra Via Olympus 2

Score: 8/10

Altra Via Olympus 2

Reliable traction on various surfaces with a generous rubber outsole.

Traction

8/10

T

The Run Testers

When it comes to the grip of that outsole, I found the traction to be quite reliable.

T

The Run Testers

There is a generous covering of outsole rubber.

Comfort

8/10

Offers plush cushioning and a roomy toe box, ideal for long runs, but may feel initially stiff and warm.

Quotes from Reviewers

Durability

7/10

Solid durability with resilient midsole, but softer outsole may affect longevity.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

The Run Testers

I also think the durability appears to be quite solid here.

T

The Run Testers

The Ego Max foam should also retain its resilience nicely.

Weight

6/10

Feels lighter than expected but is heavier than its predecessor.

Quotes from Reviewers

Support

7/10

Stable ride with a wide platform, but may need additional orthotic for stability.

Quotes from Reviewers

7

Hoka Cielo X1

Score: 8/10

Hoka Cielo X1

Provides good grip and traction with a durable outsole pattern.

Traction

8/10

B

Believe in the Run

The rubber protecting this midsole is exemplary; it offers almost full rubber coverage and is very tacky.

B

Believe in the Run

I love the rubber outsole that's on here; there's a lot of it.

B

Believe in the Run

I wish they had tried to cut a little more weight and been a bit more aggressive in terms of cutouts.

Comfort

7/10

Offers plush cushioning and smooth transitions but feels unstable when standing still.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

The cushioning did not wear out over 100 miles; it stayed fresh and bouncy.

B

Believe in the Run

Once you're moving, it feels unstable when you're standing around, but when I was running, that thing was just smooth.

B

Believe in the Run

The upper material is a type of knit fabric. It's heavy, absorbs sweat, and tends to retain it.

Durability

8/10

Excellent durability with no wear after 100 miles, but laces are problematic.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

There's plenty of rubber here on the bottom, and you can see there's basically no wear on this shoe at all.

B

Believe in the Run

The upper material will last you a long time.

B

Believe in the Run

These laces are terrible. They tie together well, but they don't stay tied.

Weight

6/10

Solid feel but heavier than competitors, affecting race day performance.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

It is on the heavier side, and I don't use it for its intended purpose.

B

Believe in the Run

The shoe is built somewhat like a rocket tank.

B

Believe in the Run

I can definitely feel that this shoe has a little bit more bulk to it.

Support

7/10

Stable during runs but unstable when standing still, with some pressure issues.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

The carbon plate provides it with a bit of stability.

B

Believe in the Run

The shoe isn't wild, and it doesn't cave in every time my foot hits the ground.

B

Believe in the Run

The downside of this arch side connecting piece is that at slower paces, like when I'm warming up and just getting ready to start the work portion of a workout, I definitely feel it.

8

Puma Magnify Nitro 2

Score: 8/10

Puma Magnify Nitro 2

Excellent traction with PUMAGRIP outsole, suitable for various surfaces.

Traction

8/10

T

The FOD Runner

The Puma grip outsole provides an impressive level of grip.

T

The FOD Runner

This shoe could possibly be used for light trails as well.

T

The FOD Runner

You feel secure when you hit those edges and those corners.

Comfort

8/10

Offers a plush and comfortable ride with a snug fit, though it may feel heavy and firm to some.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

The FOD Runner

It was a comfortable ride from start to finish.

T

The FOD Runner

The knit upper is very nice, very comfortable, and fits across the top of the foot nicely.

T

The FOD Runner

In wet weather, they can get a bit heavy, can't they? I think we all know that.

Durability

7/10

Durable outsole and foam, but some areas may wear faster.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

The FOD Runner

The Puma grip outsole provides an impressive level of grip and increases durability.

T

The FOD Runner

This Nitro foam is not going to deteriorate anytime soon.

T

The FOD Runner

A couple of bits of exposed midsole are coming through the bottom there.

Weight

6/10

Fair weight for a cushioned trainer, but heavier than some competitors.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

The FOD Runner

This comes in at 360 grams, and my daily trainer range is from 340 to 360 grams.

T

The FOD Runner

It is on the heavier end of the spectrum.

T

The FOD Runner

It's a little bit on the heavier side for a daily trainer, but it's not a huge deterrent.

Support

7/10

Provides good lockdown fit and mild stability, but not for high support needs.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

The FOD Runner

The internal and external molded heel provides a good lockdown fit.

T

The FOD Runner

Power tape is applied across the shoe to provide support.

T

The FOD Runner

It's not a stability shoe, but it does feel like it provides some stability as well.

9

Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Score: 8/10

Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Provides good traction on flat surfaces, but not ideal for long runs or uneven terrain.

Traction

8/10

T

TheGingerRunner

The outsole features a rubber layer across the forefoot and heel cup.

Comfort

7/10

Lightweight and comfortable for faster runs, but narrow fit and problematic lacing system may affect comfort.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

The Brooks Hyperion Tempo is utilizing some of its new technologies.

T

TheGingerRunner

The DNA Flash midsole is highly temperature-sensitive.

T

TheGingerRunner

The overall comfort and fit of the shoe are very nice.

Durability

6/10

Good build quality but shows premature wear, especially in heel padding and reflectors.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

I don't anticipate it will last as long as other shoes.

T

TheGingerRunner

The insole, as well as the upper, is just showing signs of typical wear and tear.

Weight

9/10

Exceptionally lightweight, enhancing the running experience, but lacks reflective elements.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

The shoe is actually pretty light at 8.2 ounces in my size, which is size 11.

Support

6/10

Offers a molded heel cup for support but lacks cushioning for long runs.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

The molded heel cup is reminiscent of many recent Nike generations.

T

TheGingerRunner

The lacing system is problematic, which leads to issues with fit.

r

Runrepeat.com

10

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Score: 8/10

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Improved traction with new outsole design, but may struggle on certain surfaces.

Traction

8/10

K

Kofuzi

The updated outsole design offers improved traction.

K

Kofuzi

The lattice design provides a better grip across the front of the foot.

K

Kofuzi

It struggles a bit with wet drain covers.

Comfort

8/10

Offers good impact absorption and a comfortable fit, though some may find it slightly firm.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The shoe provides a good amount of impact absorption and bounce at easy paces.

K

Kofuzi

The zonal mesh construction of the upper is stretchy and comfortable.

K

Kofuzi

The upper part feels a bit flimsy and unstructured.

Durability

7/10

Durable outsole with good coverage, but concerns about upper components.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The updated rubber outsole offers increased overall rubber coverage.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe can endure many miles without showing significant wear.

K

Kofuzi

There are concerns about the longevity of the knitted tongues.

Weight

9/10

Lightweight design, slightly heavier than predecessor but still among the lightest.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The shoe is lightweight, weighing 8.2 oz for men's size 9.

K

Kofuzi

It is slightly heavier than the Speed 3, but only by a few grams.

Support

7/10

Offers stability with a winged nylon plate, but may not suit all runners.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The winged nylon plate offers some stability.

K

Kofuzi

The gusseted tongue provides a secure fit.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe might feel a bit clunky at a relaxed pace.