Brands like HOKA: 10 running shoe brands worth your attention

HOKA’s maximalist approach and distinctive aesthetic have undeniably changed how we think about running shoes. But while their chunky soles and bold designs have earned a devoted following, they’re not the only brand pushing boundaries in running footwear innovation.

Whether you’re looking to diversify your running rotation or find a fresh approach to performance, today’s market offers a wealth of alternatives worth exploring.

To help you find the perfect running brand — one that works for you and your running style, we’ve rounded up 1- top running shoe brands to help you find the perfect option for your next training block.

1. Saucony

Founded in 1898 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Saucony (pronounced “Sock-A-Knee”) draws its name and logo inspiration from the local Saucony Creek, where three distinct boulders formed a symbol that would later represent the brand’s core values: performance, health, and community.

Today’s Saucony lineup reflects over a century of running expertise, with models designed to meet every runner’s needs.

The Endorphin Speed 4 showcases Saucony’s innovative spirit, combining a re-engineered nylon plate with SPEEDROLL™ Technology and PWRRUN PB™ superfoam cushioning. This versatile trainer weighs in at just 8.2 ounces for men and 7.2 ounces for women, making it perfect for both tempo runs and race day.

For runners seeking maximum cushioning and support, the Hurricane 24 delivers with its dual-cushioning system that pairs plush PWRRUN PB™ foam with a supportive PWRRUN™ foam frame. The shoe’s CenterPath Technology™ creates a broader platform and higher sidewalls, while its asymmetric profile and rocker shape guide each stride from impact to toe-off, ensuring comfort through even the longest training runs.

2. Brooks

Founded in 1914 in Philadelphia, Brooks began as a manufacturer of ballet slippers and bathing shoes before finding its true calling in running. Now headquartered along Seattle’s Burke-Gilman trail, Brooks has evolved into a brand singularly focused on understanding and enhancing human movement through innovative running gear.

After decades of studying how runners move, Brooks has created a lineup that blends laboratory innovation with real-world comfort.

The Brooks Glycerin Max features a dual-layer nitrogen-infused midsole. The shoe combines DNA Tuned foam with maximum cushioning technology to deliver both impact protection and responsive energy return, creating a uniquely soft yet dynamic ride.

For runners seeking stability, the Adrenaline GTS 24 delivers with its GuideRails® support system and nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam. This “Go-To Support” shoe keeps excess motion in check while providing adaptable cushioning that responds to each runner’s unique stride pattern, making it a reliable choice for everyday training miles.

3. On

Founded in 2010 in the Swiss Alps, On emerged from a singular vision: to revolutionize the sensation of running through innovative cushioning technology. What began as an experiment by former professional athlete Olivier Bernhard and his two co-founders has evolved into a global performance brand that’s challenging industry giants with its distinctive approach to running technology.

The On Cloudsurfer Next showcases the brand’s latest evolution with CloudTec Phase® technology, which works in harmony with their proprietary Helion superfoam to deliver a uniquely smooth and energetic ride.

For marathon racers and performance-focused runners, the Cloudboom Strike represents On’s most advanced racing technology. The shoe features a  drop-in midsole construction utilizing Helion HF foam and an innovative bounceboard design.

4. New Balance

Founded in 1906 in Boston, New Balance has maintained its independence while evolving from its origins in arch supports to become a global athletic apparel and footwear brand.

For over a century, the brand has been pushing the boundaries of performance through new technology. Its Fresh Foam platform delivers ultra-soft comfort without compromising responsiveness, creating a uniquely plush running experience. While, the FuelCell midsole technology provides a lightweight, energetic ride with exceptional energy return, demonstrating the brand’s ability to blend comfort with speed.

For trail enthusiasts and all-weather runners, New Balance has partnered with Vibram® to craft outsoles for superior traction and GORE-TEX® to improve water resistance. Its approach to innovation extends beyond footwear into its performance apparel line, featuring climate-control innovations like NB DRY and NB ICE for year-round comfort.

5. Nike

Nike needs no introduction. Since Bill Bowerman poured rubber into his wife’s waffle iron in the early 1970s, the brand’s mission has been to revolutionize athletic performance through innovative design.

From its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 to its transformation into Nike in 1971, the brand has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation. The company’s impact on running reached new heights with the development of its proprietary cushioning systems – Zoom Air and ZoomX – but it was the introduction of the Vaporfly that truly changed the game, with studies showing potential run time improvements of up to 4.2%.

Nike’s relentless pursuit of human potential reached a historic milestone with the Breaking 2 project, where Eliud Kipchoge achieved the first sub-two-hour marathon. Today, the iconic swoosh appears on everything from track spikes to trail runners, each shoe carrying forward Bowerman’s legacy of athletic innovation.

6. ASICS

Founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Japan, ASICS grew from a small startup into a global athletic powerhouse guided by the Latin philosophy “Anima sana in corpore sano” — a sound mind in a sound body. Onitsuka’s vision of making sports accessible to everyone, from beginners to professionals, has shaped the brand’s approach to innovation for over seven decades.

That spirit of making performance accessible to all runners lives on in ASICS’ current lineup.

The NOVABLAST™ 5 features a new midsole material that creates an energized, comfortable running experience through innovative lightweight construction. Each element, from the upper to the tongue tooling, has been thoughtfully refined to enhance performance.

For runners seeking versatile stability, the GT-2000™ 13 delivers with its proprietary 3D GUIDANCE SYSTEM™. This daily trainer adapts to each runner’s unique movement patterns while maintaining a lightweight feel, making it equally suitable for easy recovery days and longer training runs.

7. Topo Athletic

Founded in 2013 by former D1 track athlete Tony Post, Topo Athletic emerged from nearly three decades of footwear industry experience and a simple observation: runners needed a shoe that bridged the gap between natural running benefits and traditional shoe features.

The brand’s unique approach to footwear design has resonated with a growing community of runners seeking a better moving experience.

The Ultraventure 4 features Topo’s signature roomy toe box. The trail running shoe combines ZipFoam™ technology with a Vibram® XS Trek EVO outsole, creating a perfect balance of cushioning and grip for both light trails and road-to-trail transitions. Sustainability meets performance in its recycled mesh upper with strategic PU reinforcement.

For road runners looking to log serious miles, the Specter 2 delivers with its upgraded Pebax Powered® midsole, offering a responsive yet cushioned ride that maintains the original’s lightweight feel. Enhanced durability and traction in the outsole make this performance trainer ready for both daily training and uptempo sessions.

8. Tracksmith

Founded in 2014 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Tracksmith is an independent running brand dedicated to celebrating the “Amateur Spirit” and championing the “Running Class” – competitive non-professional athletes pursuing personal excellence.

Its first HQ was at the Boston Marathon’s halfway point before moving to Boston’s Newbury Street, the brand’s New England heritage deeply influences its approach to running culture.

This commitment to authentic performance wrapped in understated style defines Tracksmith’s venture into footwear. The Eliot Runner, the brand’s debut shoe, draws inspiration from New England’s natural running surfaces. This neutral trainer (9.2oz, 9mm drop) delivers a uniquely responsive ride that mimics the soft, resilient feel of pine needle trails and wooden tracks. The shoe’s 33.5mm heel stack and 24.5mm forefoot height balance cushioning with connection to the ground.

Looking ahead to 2025, Tracksmith will expand its footwear line with the Eliot Racer, a carbon-plated racing shoe that promises the highest energy return in laboratory testing. This addition aims to bring the brand’s philosophy of understated excellence to the competitive racing scene.

9. Puma

Founded in 1948, PUMA began its journey in sport with a clear mission: to be the fastest. From outfitting track athletes in those early days to today’s comprehensive running collection, the brand has maintained its focus on speed and performance innovation.

Today, the brand’s racing DNA comes alive through PUMA’s signature NITRO™ technology.

The Deviate NITRO™ 3 highlights its speed-first philosophy, combining nitrogen-infused NITROFOAM™ with a carbon fiber PWRPLATE for explosive energy return. The shoe balances performance with sustainability, featuring an upper made with 20% recycled materials, while its 39mm/29mm stack height delivers cushioning for daily training miles without sacrificing responsiveness.

The brand’s FASTER+ program continues to push boundaries by applying cross-sport engineering insights to running, ensuring each innovation serves the singular goal of making athletes better, faster, and stronger.

10. Mount to Coast

Mount to Coast was founded with a singular focus: designing shoes for runners who venture beyond the marathon. Operating from its own biomechanics laboratory, the brand brings cross-industry innovation to ultra-distance running footwear.

The proof is in the performance: in spring 2024, British ultrarunner Justin Montague shattered the JOGLE record by nearly 40 hours, covering 854 miles across Britain in a single pair of Mount to Coast R1s.

The R1’s ZeroSag midsole insert, co-developed with BASF, draws inspiration from automotive technology to deliver consistent cushioning over extreme distances. The nitrogen-infused PEBA-hybrid LightCELL foam base provides 45% more energy return than traditional EVA while weighing 50% less, and the proprietary GOFLOW geometry maintains natural stride efficiency through the longest runs.