Best Running Shoes for Beginners in 2026

By Editorial Team | April 2026

The best beginner running shoe should disappear under you. The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26 does that job better than flashier alternatives because it gives you cushioning, a stable platform and a familiar 8 mm drop without turning the ride into mush.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Product	Price	Best for
Best overall	ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26	£119.99	Easy miles, daily training and long walks
Best upgrade	ASICS Novablast 5	£135.00	Beginners who want more bounce for mixed-paced runs
Best budget	Saucony Ride 18	£78.00	Runners who want a cheaper, dependable daily trainer

Based on hands-on research, expert review consensus (RTings, Wirecutter, relevant subreddits), and current pricing.

Best overall: ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26

ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26 — £119.99

This is the shoe you buy when you want your runs to feel less annoying, not more exciting. Our 7.3/10 score matches the brief: it is a cushioned neutral trainer that handles repeated road miles, recovery runs and long walks without asking much from your legs.

Why we picked it:

• PureGEL in the heel and FF BLAST+ Eco foam take the sting out of daily miles.
• The 38.5 mm heel stack and 30.5 mm forefoot give you plenty of underfoot protection for longer runs.
• The broad, accommodating platform adds calm stability without making this a support shoe.

The trade-off: It is steady, not snappy, and the average energy return shows up fast if you try to use it for tempos or races.

If you want a reliable road trainer, buy the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26 and move on with your training.

Best upgrade: ASICS Novablast 5

ASICS Novablast 5 — £135.00

The upgrade buys you a livelier ride. The Novablast 5 is the better call if you want one shoe that can handle easy runs, steady runs and the occasional quicker effort without feeling dead underfoot.

Worth it if: you are a beginner who already knows you hate shoes that feel flat and wants more bounce for mixed training.

Best budget pick: Saucony Ride 18

Saucony Ride 18 — £78.00

This is the smarter cheap buy if you just want a straight-ahead daily trainer that does not overcomplicate anything. It is lighter than old-school tank trainers, balanced enough for regular road runs, and it undercuts the ASICS by a wide margin.

Worth it if: you want a no-drama shoe for building mileage and you would rather keep £40 in your pocket than chase extra cushioning.

How we chose

We prioritised cushioning, fit, stability, weight and whether the shoe actually works for beginner-friendly road running. We also checked current pricing and compared the subject shoe against currently available alternatives that show up repeatedly in expert roundups from Runner’s World, RunRepeat and Fleet Feet.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26 good for beginners? Yes. It is one of the safer first-shoe buys because it is comfortable, stable and not overly aggressive.

Is it worth £119.99? Yes, if you want a durable daily trainer with a more forgiving ride than budget shoes. If you want more speed and bounce, spend a little more on the Novablast 5.

How long should running shoes last? For most road runners, expect roughly 300 to 500 miles before cushioning starts to feel tired, depending on your weight, gait and surfaces.