7 Best Lightweight Running Shoes in 2024 (2024)

Mach 5 might be a bit of a stretch, but it sure is lightning fast. It gobbles miles with ease, delivering otherworldly comfort for effortless miles at a feather-light 225 grams (7.9 oz). It's a clear favorite, with the average shoe weighing 267 grams (9.4 oz).

Beyond lab accolades, the Mach 5 thrives on the road. Its rockered design felt lovely on our feet, creating silky-smooth transitions and easing out our most intense efforts with an energetic aura. Our landings felt safe and sound, thanks to the widened base, specifically at the heel - in our lab, our caliper measured a midsole width of 96.7 mm at the heel, 6.9 mm wider than the average running shoe.

Not only it can go fast, but it can go far too. A master of all trades of comfort, this Hoka features a lovely downy midsole that emerged as a whooping 39% softer than average, melting our feet and our heart. Remarkably flexible, the Mach 5 gracefully follows the foot's natural movement, as confirmed by its 36.2% below-the-average resistance to our 90º bending test.

However, wintery climates are the nemesis of the Mach 5. Its traction system didn’t stand a chance on wet pavement, feeling quite slippery and hurting our performance.

The Saucony Kinvara 14 shows us that looks can be deceiving. While its chunky midsole gives us a weighty impression of the shoe, it totally defies expectations by tipping our scale at a barely-there weight of only 6.84 oz (194g). What's more, it's a versatile workhorse of a shoe that proved to be more than capable of tackling any of our test runs, so when it comes to the best lightweight daily trainer, the Kinvara 14 is truly a no-brainer.

Playing a large part in the versatility of the Kinvara 14 is how flexible it is. Requiring only 15.3N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees in our flex test makes the Kinvara 14 49.8% more flexible than the average road shoe. This greatly factors into the shoe's overall comfort as it is able to bend along with the natural movement of our foot with ease, making the shoe feel extremely forgiving on the foot, whether we take it for mile-gobbling long-distance efforts or pavement-pounding high-paced sessions.

The main drawback of the Kinvara 14 is its toebox, which is 3.1 mm narrower than average in the area around the big toe, measuring only 74 mm wide. This means that runners with wide feet will likely have to contend with hotspots or even blisters as the shoe constricts the natural splaying of the foot.

Faster than its shadow, Nike’s ZoomX Streakfly is our best speed trainer in the lightweight division. This non-plated modern hyper-shoe exhales pure speed while enhancing agility and comfort through its cushioning, breathability, and flexibility.

Streakfly unveiled its dynamic and powerhouse persona on our streets, unleashing bursts of energy in every stride. Its power lies in the plush ZoomX midsole, as confirmed by our 12.1 HA durometer reading.

This airy shoe never burdened us, it actually melted away on foot. Our scales confirm its weightlessness at 6.0 oz (171g), the lightest we’ve ever encountered in the lab. Its lack of a carbon plate makes it easy to maneuver, as shown in how we sped through corners smoothly. Our bend test confirms it’s 55.6% more flexible than average, making it comfortable for recovery paces as well.

Even during summer training, we felt like flying with the upper’s well-ventilated nature. Heat easily escapes, effectively keeping sweat, blisters, and hotspots out of the way. Our breathability test results align with a perfect score.

However, the shoe’s lack of structure and support makes it uncomfortable to run distances beyond 10K. Best to use pairs with more stability for longer distances.

Alphafly 3 goes lightning fast at any distance. Characterized by boundless energy, revolutionary stability, and a refreshing ride, our lab and run tests wholeheartedly endorse this shoe as best for marathons in the lightweight running category. Going fast and far feels effortless with this Nike pair.

This beast is on fire, effortlessly keeping up with our fastest speed. It boasts a superior combination of the rigid FlyPlate and the Air Pods, adding power to every stride. Our bend test reveals it takes a solid force of 71.7N to flex this shoe to 90 degrees, 147.2% greater than average. This stiffness shows itself through strong and consistent energy return.

While instability is often found in racers, it doesn’t hold for Alphafly 3. Despite rising to skyscraper heights, the foam strategically has dual-density layers. The bottom layer is an ultra-soft 18.1 HA for gentle landings, while the top layer is a firm 29.3 HA to enhance surefootedness. This feature comes alive at longer distances, inspiring confidence since it prevents leg fatigue.

Running a marathon is a breeze with Alphafly 3’s lightweight package and ultra-breathable upper. It scored the highest rating on our breathability test and only weighed 7.1 oz (201g).

While this shoe is light, the case isn’t the same as its price. It costs a steep $285, but honestly, we think it’s worth the investment for peak performance.

With a delicate 7.8 oz (220g), the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is our #1 lightweight option for going the distance. It takes us fast and far with its delightful cushion and dynamic midsole that infuses tons of energy in each toe-off. It’s hard not to love this shoe, with a long lifespan as the cherry on top.

A champion in the long haul game, the Pro 4’s midsole ticks all boxes packing comfort, responsiveness, and stability in one. Our foot is supported by dual-density layers: a soft and springy 18.5 HA top layer and a balanced 22.0 HA bottom layer, providing added stability during endurance runs, especially as fatigue sets in. Sandwiched in between is a rigid S-shaped carbon plate that promotes smooth forward motions. No matter the direction, EP4 is one of the toughest shoes we’ve ever tried to bend. Our flex test reveals it’s 137.5% stiffer than average, explaining the energy rebound we feel.

The toughness displayed by this supershoe’s outsole is unmatched. We barely saw any wear after double-digit miles. Our lab results confirm it exceeds the average: a tough 85.3 HC, 2.1 mm thick, and 33.3% less indentation than average in our Dremel test.

Its stacked 38.1 mm heel and steep 9.5 mm incline show it’s made for heel-strikers. Mid-to-forefoot strikers should find a pair that will suit their running technique.

Runners searching for a lightweight and light-in-the-pocket shoe can’t go wrong with Saucony Axon 3. It stood out in our lab and actual runs as a high-performance shoe with low weight and a low price tag. At only $100, it’s $37 cheaper than the average running shoe and offers unmatched value with its premium comfort, light build, and lasting durability.

Axon 3’s airy construction results in less burdened strides, allowing us to pick up the pace. Our scales reveal it’s only 8.6 oz (244g), 8.3% lighter than the average running shoe. Adding to its weightless feel is the well-ventilated upper that scored a high 4/5 on our breathability test.

For its weight and price, we were pleasantly surprised with its generous cushioning. We can run long miles feeling supported by the tall and plush stack. Our durometer reading shows it’s 22.1% softer than average, confirming its cozy sensation.

The outsole looked pristine after repetitive test runs. Axon 3 combines a thicker and tougher-than-average rubber to ensure it can take the abuse of several training blocks. Not only that, it gripped various surfaces with exceptional consistency.

Axon 3 feels quite rigid for easy runs. Our lab tests reveal it’s stiffer than average on all sides. Runners who prefer a more natural feel should check other alternatives.