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.

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 its staggering 206 grams (7.3 oz), the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is our #1 lightweight option for going the distance. It’s delightfully cushioned, keeping the legs fresh and ready as it infuses outlandish tons of energy in each toe-off.

A real star in the long haul game, the Pro 3’s midsole ticks all boxes. It’s light and fresh, overflowing golden retriever energy. It emerged as 36.5% softer than average on our durometer, melting shaped like our feet in each landing. The refreshing feel starts from above, though, with a minimalistic 1.2 mm tongue padding allowing easy airflow throughout the foot.

No matter the direction, the Pro 3 is one of the toughest shoes we’ve ever tried to bend. The guilt goes to the carbon plate, which powerfully ignited our strides with unrivaled grace. Locking the tip of the shoe to attest its resistance to being bent 90º confirmed our manual assessments - it topped the charts with a 94.4N resistance, meaning it’s 193% (!) stiffer than average.

On scorching sunny days, the breathable upper might not be sufficient for wide-footers. Our caliper measured the toebox to be 94.3 mm at the widest part, noticeably below the average of 97.8 mm.

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.