Shoe ReviewsBeginners
44 shoes reviewed
BudgetASICS
Excite 10
The best beginner shoe at this price: a firm heel counter, plush heel padding, a comfy upper and decent arch support.
BudgetASICS
Gel Pulse 16
The best budget max-cushion shoe for beginners: soft and very comfortable.
BudgetAction
Athleo Turbo-501
The only shoe here with a truly balanced midsole: soft yet responsive, stable and durable.
BudgetCult
Quasar
A soft, well-designed beginner shoe that covers all the basics. Only durability holds it back.
Daily trainerAdidas
Supernova Rise 3
The best pick for beginners running 5 km to 21 km.
StabilityASICS
Gel-Kayano 33
This became my favourite Kayano of all the ones I have tested, and at ₹17,000 it is one of the safest full marathon shoes in India for most runners. Very heavy runners and severe overpronators who dislike soft foam should stick with the Kayano 32.
Daily trainerNew Balance
1080 v15
It is one of my top 5 long-run shoes of the year and my favourite among them. I would not pay ₹15,000 or more for any shoe, so buy it on offer; on a tighter budget the Novablast 5 at ₹10,000 gives most of the fun.
BudgetASICS
Excite 11
The Excite 11 is a plusher, more protective beginner shoe than the Excite 10, and worth it at around ₹3,000 to ₹3,500. At ₹5,000, spend a little more on a Nimbus 27 or another shoe that gives far better value.
WalkingSega
Rewell
For ₹1,500, no one makes a more durable, walking-friendly and beginner-friendly shoe. It is a 10/10 for office goers, walkers and all-day standing, and an 8/10 for beginner runners, held back by a tight, hot upper.
StabilityASICS
GT-1000 14
The GT-1000 14 is far better than the last version and a soft, comfortable mild-stability shoe for walking and beginners, but it is not worth ₹10,000. Buy the GT-2000 14 or another option instead, or wait until it drops to ₹4,000–5,000.
Max cushionASICS
Superblast 3
If money is no issue and you want one shoe that makes you love running, the Superblast 3 is the one I recommend. No other shoe this year gave me this much fun, though the soft exposed midsole wears quickly.
BudgetElevar
Arc Racer
At ₹4,000 I would buy it with my eyes closed for beginners, slow runners, walking and all-day standing. Just get the size right, because the fit is its one big letdown.
Max cushionASICS
Gel-Nimbus 28
For heavy beginners, walk-runners and recovery days, it is one of the most comfortable shoes in the world. With ₹17,000 in hand I would not buy it again: I'd buy a discounted Nimbus 27 and a lighter daily trainer.
WalkingAdidas
AeroVortexGlide
At ₹2,000 this is an Adidas I really like for absolute beginners who want one shoe for walking, gym, occasional jogging and casual wear. It is not for serious runners, and I place it at B-, between B and C.
StabilityNew Balance
860 v14
The 860v14 is one of the best shoes for flat feet and overpronation, and for me it beat the Kayano with extra bounce and stability. I give it 9 out of 10 overall, and at ₹6,000–9,000 it is a highly recommended buy.
BudgetRed Tape
Comfort Walk
For about ₹1,200 this is one of the best shoes I have found for beginner running, indoor sports, gym and casual wear, with a foam I really liked. Just check the forefoot width and expect the outsole to wear.
Daily trainerASICS
Cumulus 27
One of the best shoes in the ASICS line-up for beginners and recreational runners who want a stable, durable daily trainer. At ₹8,000 to ₹8,500 I don't think any other brand matches it, but I wouldn't recommend it at the ₹12,000 to ₹13,000 retail price.
BudgetCult
Dynex
If you want something like the ASICS Novablast 5 on a budget under ₹2,000, this is the shoe. Expect it to last around 500 km rather than the 600–800 km of an international brand.
BudgetLotto
EnergeX
The EnergeX surprised me more than almost any shoe this year. For under ₹2,000 it is a top pick for beginners, heavier runners, slow runners, walkers and people on their feet all day, but not for fast running.
Max cushionNike
Comfort Ride EasyOn
On first try it felt very soft and very stable, a beginner-friendly max-cushion shoe for slow, chatty runs at about half the Vomero Premium's price. It is for casual run-club runners, not serious runners.
Daily trainerAdidas
Supernova Rise 2
Of about 20 beginner-friendly daily trainers I tested between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000, this one suited me best. Under ₹8,000 it is one of the best value-for-money shoes you will ever get.
BudgetRed Tape
Arrow Pro
The Red Tape Arrow Pro is a well-built budget stability shoe for beginners with flat feet or overpronation who walk and jog up to 10–15 km. Under ₹1,500 it is worth the money, but it is not a springy long-run shoe.
BudgetDecathlon
Kiprun JogFlow 190.1
For a beginner running slowly at 7 to 10 min/km and building up to a half marathon, this is a soft, stable shoe worth considering. I rate it 6 at the ₹2,500 I paid, and 7 if you get it for ₹2,000.
Max cushionASICS
Gel-Nimbus 27
A premium, highly protective max-cushion shoe for beginners, heavy runners and long distances, and one of my top three max-cushion daily trainers. ₹16,000 is too expensive, but at around ₹11,000 I'd pick it over the 26 without a second thought.
BudgetNike
Interact Run
The Interact Run was one of the few shoes in Nike's budget series that did not disappoint me, light, breathable and soft with a stable ride. Buy it only if you get it under ₹5,000 to ₹6,000.
WalkingNike
Quest 6
The midsole disappointed me: firm, with no softness or energy return. Buy it only under ₹5,000, as a good-looking, durable Nike for walking and casual jogging, not for serious running.
BudgetAdidas
Duramo Speed 2
If you want an Evo SL-like shoe under ₹5,000, this is your only option. It is an amazing, versatile trainer for beginners to marathoners, and if you find it under ₹5,000, buy it.
BudgetAdidas
Duramo SL 2
The Duramo SL 2 surprised me and is one of the budget shoes I liked most this year. Under ₹3,500 it is a great pick for beginners and also a durable walking shoe.
Max cushionSaucony
Triumph 22
I was disappointed, because the PEBA blend made it plush but not at all energetic, and it lost the versatility of the Triumph 21. For heavy runners, beginners, slow marathoners and walkers it is a durable, premium shoe, and at around ₹8,000 you can buy it without thinking.
Max cushionAdidas
Ultraboost 5
The Ultraboost 5 is the most underrated max-cushion daily trainer, soft with energy return that other max-cushion shoes lack. I would not recommend it at ₹17,000–18,000, but under ₹10,000 just buy it.
Max cushionPuma
MagMax Nitro
The MagMax is one of the most comfortable shoes I tested this year and a protective max-cushion shoe for slow, easy running, scoring 38/50. If you get it for ₹12,000, close your eyes and buy it.
BudgetAdidas
Questar 3
The Questar 3 surprised me with its soft, protective ride and premium-feeling upper, a step up from the Galaxy 7. It suits beginners and heavier beginners running slowly up to 10 km, but only at ₹3,000 to ₹3,500, not at retail.
WalkingAdidas
Galaxy 7
For beginners on a tight budget who walk or run 2 to 5 km, it is one of the options if you find it under ₹2,000. Avoid it for fast running, high mileage, wet roads or if you need soft cushioning.
StabilityASICS
Gel-Kayano 31
After 60 km I could not find a single flaw. At the current discount price, the Kayano 31 is one of the best stability shoes on the market and I give it full marks, though I would not recommend it at retail price.
Max cushionASICS
Superblast 2
The Superblast 2 is one of the greatest super trainers, light, balanced and with energy return, and I set every PB in it. I rate it 9/10 overall and 8/10 for my own slower profile; at around ₹15,000 it is an absolute banger.
Daily trainerNew Balance
1080 v14
If you want Novablast-style comfort with more stability and durability, consider the 1080 v14; it will be one of the top daily trainers of 2025. Buy it with a 10 to 20% offer, not at full price.
StabilityASICS
GT-1000 13
The GT-1000 13 does its job for light, beginner runners who slightly overpronate, and it is a great walking shoe, but the midsole did not protect me well. I would not buy it at retail, only at around ₹4,000–4,500.
Daily trainerASICS
Cumulus 26 Lite-Show
If you want Nimbus-style premium cushioning in a lighter shoe, this is ASICS's answer. If the breathability and the fading outsole grip after about 100 km do not bother you, it is amazing value for money.
StabilityPuma
ForeverRun Nitro
After nearly 500 km, the ForeverRun Nitro is a mild stability shoe that does not feel like one, thanks to its bouncy Nitro foam. At ₹7,000–9,000 it is the best value for money.
Max cushionASICS
Gel-Nimbus 25
The plushness of the Nimbus 25 is something I have not found in any other shoe, and it is a joy for beginners, slow runners, heavy runners and anyone recovering from injury. At around ₹6,000 it is absolute value for money, and I give it 8 out of 10.
Daily trainerSaucony
Ride 17
The Ride 17 is a textbook daily trainer: comfortable, stable and durable, with a balanced foam that works from 4:30 to 10:00/km. If you can find it for ₹6,000–7,000, it is value for money and worth buying.
StabilityASICS
GT-2000 13
For me the GT-2000 13 is the best lightweight moderate-stability shoe on the market and one of the best shoes under ₹6,000. Beginners and flat-footed runners under 85 kg can buy it with their eyes closed, as long as they size up for the snug forefoot.
Versatile trainerASICS
Novablast 4
After 100 km, the Novablast 4 is one of the best-value lightweight daily trainers, with a smooth, stable, moderately bouncy ride across all my paces. I rate it 7.75 out of 10.
Daily trainerAdidas
Pureboost 5
The Pureboost 5 is one of the best daily trainers you can get under ₹6,000, with balanced, bouncy Light Boost that stays fun even at slow paces. Grab it under ₹6,000; it is not worth the ₹12,000 retail price.