Runners who travel know a packing trick: Instead of cramming our bulky running shoes in our luggage, we wear them. We wear them on planes, trains, and car rides. We wear them to tour cities, countrysides, museums, galleries, and trails. While others suffer from blisters and fatigue in their sandals, loafers, or even stylish hiking boots, we think to ourselves, “Ha! My feet are comfortable and supported, and I can walk all day!”
In the past, however, we’ve paid the price: We’ve looked like dorks.
But not anymore. Thankfully, most running shoe brands have figured out the value of making performance footwear in good-looking packages that render them almost incognito. Instead of sporting obnoxious color paneling and neon racing tones, some models now come in muted monochromatic styling that goes just as well with a dress or Bermudas as they do with split shorts.
Some running shoes are so stylish, in fact, that they even pass for “cool.” As a lead running shoe tester for Outside, I’ve tried nearly every running shoe on the market. I can attest that the eight running shoes below not only offer comfort and performance on the road and trails, they’re also easy on the eyes, and, according to my discerning 17-year-old son, steezy.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out our picks for the best running shirts and tanks for women, best women’s running shorts, and the best running shoes.
Craft Pacer
Color: Ghost
$135 at Zappos $150 at Craft Sportswear
All-gray shoes are underrated. Like a white shoe, they look great and go with everything, but don’t get as dirty. The Pacer is a lightweight, supremely comfortable shoe that is smooth on road runs, and can crossover to light trails thanks to its wider-than-most base with a hexagonally-lugged rubber outsole. Bonus: The Pacer comes in nine colorways if you prefer something brighter than the “Ghost” grey.
Nike Pegasus 41
Colors: White, black
$155 at Dick’s $145 at Nike
Whether you’re looking for an all-white or all-black shoe, the Pegasus 41 nails the styling in both options. This shoe is a solid, no-frills performer for walking or running, with a smooth roll and comfortable upper. It’s on the sportier end of the style spectrum, but not obnoxiously so. The shoe comes in 16(!) color options per gender, plus the ability to customize your own shoe styling.
Hoka Clifton 10
Colors: White or Cosmic gray/stardust
$150 at Zappos $150 at Hoka
It’s hard to find a Hoka that doesn’t scream “Hoka” in three-inch letters on its sidewall. And while the Clifton 10 still reads “Hoka,” the type is smaller and matched to the rest of the shoe. The Clifton 10 is still a Hoka with its fat midsole, but that performance feature is becoming stylistically mainstream, and all that cushioning makes day-long walking easy. (Disney park, or European city, anyone?) Note that these take up a lot of room in a suitcase.
On Cloudrunner 2
Colors: White/green, all black
$150 at Zappos $150 at On
The white with green and gold accented shoe has serious tennis vibes, and with summer in full swing and tennis having a moment as a popular spectator sport (someone please invite me to the U.S. Open!), the Cloudrunner 2 is on-trend. This is a comfortable shoe that transitions well from pavement to gravel path and mild dirt and back (though going off-road quickly soils its crisp looks, so if trails are on the regular schedule, you might want to choose the all-black color).
Veja Condor 3
Color: White
$200 at REI $200 at Veja
The Veja Condor 3 comes in some bold colorways, but it’s also available in a stark, all-white option. I love how this shoe feels underfoot: it rolls smoothly and has lively, comfortable cushioning that puts a spring in my step when walking or running on pavement. Thanks to a secure hold of the foot, the Condor 3 also works on moderate trails. I also appreciate that this shoe is made from sustainable and organic materials.
Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4
Color: Rune/Dark Arctic Silk
$170 at REI $170 at Zappos
If your travels include serious trail hikes and runs, or you don’t mind a little extra shoe on your road runs, the Norvan LD 4’s muted vibe in Rune/Dk arctic silk has you covered. And if you like a little color, check out the Pink Glow/Lt Pink Glow option, which resembles cotton candy at a summer fair. With a secure, protective upper, the shoe handles nearly any terrain comfortably and capably. The outsole features 4 millimeter lugs made of Vibram Megagrip, making you adventure-ready at all times.
Norda 005
Color: Neve
$325 at Backcountry $325 at Norda
The Norda 005 is a high-performance trail racer—complete with a carbon-fiber plate, super-critical foam, and an ultra-durable, sustainable BioDyneema upper—in a stealth package. The “Neve” colorway is a stylish light grey that pairs with anything. A luggy, Vibram outsole makes the shoe a trail charger, but it also runs smoothly on gentle terrain, and isn’t too clunky on paved sections or awkward while walking. This shoe strikes a great balance of urban/rugged cool.
Tracksmith Eliot Runner
Color: White/navy
$198 at Tracksmith
I’ve praised this shoe since it hit the market in 2022 for its preppy good looks combined with a peppy midsole that provides ample cushioning with minimal bulk. The lack of obnoxious branding adds to the Eliot Runner’s ability to blend in with any outfit, and the relatively low stack makes this shoe stable while walking and a solid partner in any hotel gym—I’ve found it’s not overbuilt and allows natural movement during lifts and bodyweight exercises. The white/navy model has been my travel go-to, but dirties quickly. My next pair might be navy/ivory or warm gray/pewter.
