Best Running Shoes in Australia (2026 Guide)
The best running shoes Australia offers in 2026, compared and ranked — daily trainers, max-cushion cruisers, stability shoes and tempo picks from ASICS, Brooks, Hoka, New Balance and Saucony, with live AUD prices checked on Amazon Australia.
Last updated: 27 October 2026The short answer
For most runners, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 is the best running shoe in Australia in 2026 — soft, protective cushioning that handles easy kilometres and long runs alike. Want one shoe for every day? The Brooks Ghost 17 is the best running shoes Australia pick for daily training. Overpronate? Choose the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24. Chasing speed? The ASICS Novablast 5. Wide feet? The New Balance 1080v14 comes in four widths. Full rankings below — every pick links to Amazon Australia for the live price.
Quick picks — the best running shoes Australia 2026
| Shoe | Best for | Type | Drop | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 | Best overall · max cushion | Neutral | 8mm | Check Price |
| Brooks Ghost 17 | Best daily trainer | Neutral | 10mm | Check Price |
| Hoka Clifton 10 | Best cushioned comfort | Neutral | 8mm | Check Price |
| Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 | Best stability | Stability | 12mm | Check Price |
| ASICS Novablast 5 | Best tempo | Neutral · energetic | 8mm | Check Price |
| New Balance 1080v14 | Best for wide feet | Neutral | 6mm | Check Price |
| Saucony Ride 18 | Best value daily | Neutral | 8mm | Check Price |
The best running shoes Australia has for every type of run
Seven shoes, seven jobs — ranked on cushioning, fit options and how each one handles Australian roads, paths and summers.
1. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27
Maximum soft cushioning for easy days and long runs — the cloud-like flagship of the Nimbus line.
The Nimbus 27 pairs FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam with a PureGEL insert that ASICS positions as its softest heel cushioning. The result is the most forgiving ride in this guide — the shoe tired legs ask for on recovery days, and beginners can grow into for long distances.
- Softest, most protective cushioning here
- Handles long runs and easy days equally well
- Wide (2E) option on ASICS Australia
- Too soft and heavy for fast workouts
- Premium price bracket
2. Brooks Ghost 17
The do-everything trainer — balanced cushioning, a smooth ride and fit options for almost every foot.
Brooks lowered the Ghost’s drop to 10mm for the 17, keeping the balanced DNA Loft v3 ride that made the line Australia’s default recommendation for new runners. If you can only own one pair from this list of the best running shoes Australia sells, this is the safest choice.
- Balanced ride suits almost every run
- Excellent first-shoe choice
- Width options across the range
- Not as plush as the Nimbus or Clifton
- Conservative styling
3. Hoka Clifton 10
Light-feeling cushion with Hoka’s signature rocker — rated 4.6/5 from 85 verified reviews at RunDNA.
The Clifton formula — a thick bed of compression-moulded EVA with an early-stage MetaRocker — keeps easy runs smooth and joints happy. The men’s range even stretches to a 4E X-Wide, rare in cushioned trainers. A Clifton 11 has since launched; the 10 remains widely stocked in Australia.
- Smooth rocker ride, easy on joints
- 4E X-Wide option for men
- Strong verified-review record at AU retailers
- Foam feels firmer than the Nimbus
- Successor model (Clifton 11) is now on sale — compare listings
4. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
GuideRails support that only engages when your stride drifts — stability without a rigid post.
Instead of a hard medial post, the Adrenaline’s GuideRails act like bumpers — quiet when your form is good, supportive when fatigue sets in. It’s the stability pick in most lists of the best running shoes Australia offers, and it’s stocked locally even in narrow women’s widths.
- Support that doesn’t fight natural strides
- Best width range in this guide, incl. narrow
- High 12mm drop suits heel strikers
- 12mm drop won’t suit forefoot strikers
- Firmer feel than the neutral picks
5. ASICS Novablast 5
Bouncy FF BLAST MAX foam and a trampoline-inspired sole — the fun shoe for faster days.
The Novablast 5 is the liveliest shoe here: ASICS’ FF BLAST MAX foam (note — some blogs mislabel it; ASICS Australia lists MAX) returns energy with every step, making tempo runs and progression long runs feel playful rather than punishing.
- Most energetic ride in this guide
- Light for its cushioning
- Doubles as a daily trainer for efficient runners
- Bouncy geometry is less stable at slow paces
- Wide-fit availability in AU is limited
6. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14
Premium Fresh Foam X cushioning in four widths — including an actual narrow, which almost nobody else offers.
The 1080 is New Balance’s flagship trainer, and the v14’s Fresh Foam X midsole is soft without going vague. The headline for Australian shoppers: four width options, so wide feet get a proper fit instead of a size-up compromise — a big reason it anchors best running shoes Australia lists year after year.
- Four widths — narrow to extra wide
- Soft, premium daily ride
- Lower 6mm drop suits midfoot strikers
- Premium pricing
- Soft foam is not the most responsive at tempo
7. Saucony Ride 18
A light, honest daily trainer with PWRRUN+ cushioning — the smart-money pick.
The Ride 18 keeps things simple: a responsive PWRRUN+ midsole, a breathable engineered mesh upper and a weight under 260g. For runners who want one dependable shoe without flagship pricing, it quietly does everything the Ghost does at a friendlier bracket.
- Light and responsive for daily miles
- Friendlier price bracket than flagships
- Wide (2E) option available
- Less plush than Nimbus/Clifton on long runs
- Smaller AU retail presence than ASICS/Brooks
How to choose running shoes: categories, drop and fit
Start with your pronation. Neutral shoes (Nimbus, Ghost, Clifton, 1080, Ride) suit runners whose feet roll normally. If your shoes wear on the inside edge and your arches collapse inward, a stability shoe (Adrenaline GTS 24, or the ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 from our walking shoes guide’s stability family) keeps your stride aligned. Not sure? A gait check at a specialist AU retailer like The Athlete’s Foot settles it in minutes.
Drop is personal. The “drop” is the height difference between heel and forefoot. Higher drops (10–12mm — Ghost, Adrenaline) suit heel strikers and tight calves; lower drops (6–8mm — 1080, Nimbus, Novablast) load the calves and Achilles more and suit midfoot strikers. Change drop gradually — a sudden switch is a classic injury trigger.
Running shoes are not walking shoes. Running multiplies impact forces compared with walking, so trainers use lighter, bouncier foams and flex where a runner’s foot bends; walking shoes are typically heavier, stiffer and more durable underfoot. Our Best Walking Shoes guide covers the walking side properly — don’t buy one shoe expecting it to be best at both.
New to running? Start with a daily trainer (Ghost 17 or Ride 18), build distance slowly, and if you’re near a city, Australia’s free weekly parkrun events are the friendliest 5k you’ll ever run.
Australian sizing notes for running shoes
- AU retailers sell US sizing for these brands; women’s AU matches the US number. adidas Australia lists US sizes with UK running half a size lower.
- New Balance quirk: NB’s US-to-UK conversion differs by half a size from most brands — trust the NB size chart on the listing, not your usual UK size.
- Width letters: B = women’s standard / men’s narrow, D = men’s standard, 2E = wide, 4E = extra wide (ASICS, Brooks and New Balance all use this system).
- Brooks conversion: women’s sizes run about 1.5 below the equivalent men’s size.
- Feet swell on runs — most runners go half a size up from their casual shoes and keep a thumbnail of space at the toe.
Running shoe questions, answered
What are the best running shoes in Australia in 2026?
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 is our best overall running shoe for its soft, protective cushioning. The Brooks Ghost 17 is the best daily trainer, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is best for stability, and the New Balance 1080v14 is best for wide feet.
What running shoes are best for beginners?
A neutral daily trainer — the Brooks Ghost 17 or Saucony Ride 18. They balance cushioning and responsiveness, come in multiple widths, and handle everything from your first 5k to regular weekly training.
Do I need stability running shoes?
Only if you overpronate — your foot rolls inward excessively, visible as inside-edge wear on old shoes. Stability models like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (GuideRails) or ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 support your stride; neutral runners are better served by neutral shoes.
How often should you replace running shoes?
Most road trainers last roughly 500–800 km before the foam loses its cushioning. Signs it is time: the midsole feels flat, new aches appear, or the outsole tread is worn smooth. Rotating two pairs extends both pairs’ life.
What’s the difference between running shoes and walking shoes?
Running multiplies impact forces compared with walking, so running shoes use lighter, bouncier foams and flex at the forefoot. Walking shoes are heavier and stiffer for durability. See our Best Walking Shoes guide for the walking-specific picks.
How do running shoe sizes work in Australia?
Australian stores sell these brands in US sizing; women’s AU matches the US number. Most runners choose half a size up from casual shoes, and width letters run B (narrow/standard women’s), D (standard men’s), 2E (wide) and 4E (extra wide).
Related guides: Best Walking Shoes in Australia · Best Work Boots in Australia · Best Steel Cap Boots in Australia · Best Sneakers in Australia · Top Running Shoes in Australia. Browse all categories on the homepage.
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