8 Hand-Picked Running Shoes That Nail the Clean Aesthetic

Many running shoes are decked out with bright colors that make the wearer look flashy and fast. But many runners prefer more subdued palates for their footwear, especially when wearing their shoes in settings outside of running (which most of us do).

A research study involving 512 university students in Taiwan found that black is the most popular sport shoe color. And participants preferred to pair white as the accent color for the shoe. The participants noted that black and white running shoes are suitable for “formal” occasions.

Similarly, research out of The Ohio State University found that, when shoe shopping, consumers tend to pair similar colors when designing their preferred shoe over contrasting colors, showing preference for simplicity in running shoes.

If that sounds like you, we’ve dug into Outside’s annual in-depth running shoe testing and analysis to bring you the best white, black, grey, and tan running shoes for the perfect mix of performance and preference.

Runners who prefer bold, energetic shoe colors can find quality colorful running shoes alongside research on how shoe color impacts run speed.

The Best White Running Shoes for 2025

Mount to Coast R1

$160 at Fleet Feet (Men’s)  $160 at Fleet Feet (Women’s)

Weight: 8.5 oz (men), 7.5 oz (women)

Stack height: 35–27 mm

Drop: 8 mm

Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men’s), 6.5-11 (women’s)

The Mount to Coast R1 earned the best natural ride in our 2025 best running shoes testing. Those looking for white running shoes have options with the R1 in an all-white version or a white upper with a black midsole.

Testers noted the smooth, stable ride with an adjustable lacing system. While Mount to Coast is new to the shoe scene, they have made quick ground with athletes thanks to their versatile ride and comfort as an everyday trainer.

Designed as an ultrarunning shoe, the shoe has an almost minimalist feel, their flexible, medium-stack-height midsole allowing for natural foot motion while delivering smooth, bouncy cushioning. The shoe uses a unique combination of a PEBA-blend midsole and an S-shaped PU-based insert extending from the lateral midfoot to the big toe. That insert offers gentle guidance and stability.

Another unique aspect of the shoe is its dual lacing system with traditional laces across the midfoot and a separate quick-pull tie for the forefoot. Customize the tension along your foot using the various lacing systems.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

$290 at Fleet Feet (Unisex)

Weight: 7.0 oz (men)

Stack height: 39.5–31.5 mm

Drop: 8 mm

Sizing: 3.5-14 (men’s/unisex)

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 was the runner-up marathon racer shoe on the Outside best running shoes of 2025. The springy, trampoline-like response of the thick midsole—just inside legal limits for racing—is so strong that the shoe is unstable when walking or going for a slow jog. The faster the pace, the more responsive the shoe became.

All that pop comes from the proprietary “IncrediRUN” foam midsole, paired with a curved, embedded fiber plate that is slotted to offer some side-to-side forefoot flexibility. Up front, the sole turns upward in an aggressive toe spring that invites speed.

The shoe is airy for hot days with a knit and mesh upper and a knit tongue. Testers noted the breathability of the shoe, though the heel collar felt a bit warm. With unisex sizing, the range on these shoes is large, including half sizes through size 12.

Athletes looking for white running shoes will find two options – one with a white upper and grey midsole or one with a white upper featuring small black accents and a streak of tie-dye yellow and orange through the midsole.

The Best Black Running Shoes for 2025

Brooks Glycerin Max

$200 at Brooks (Women’s) $200 at Brooks (Men’s)

$200 at Road Runner Sports (Women’s) $200 at Road Runner Sports (Men’s)

Weight: 10.5 oz (men), 9.5 oz (women)

Stack height: 45–39 mm

Drop: 6 mm

Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men’s), 5-12 (women’s)

If distance training is on the schedule for you, adding a pair of Brooks Glycerin Max to your shoe quiver is a good move. Outside’s expert team of testers found the shoe to be the ideal distance trainer in their extensive 2025 running shoe testing.

It is the highest-stacked Brooks shoe to date, yet it still manages to avoid feeling excessively tall and unstable thanks to its wide base and innovative foam. You’ll find the DNA Tuned midsole truly “tuned” to your various support needs throughout the stride. That’s because the foam has different densities in different locations to offer a soft landing on the outside of the heel, support from a firmer zone inside the heel, and a smooth transition to a more responsive, peppy feel in the forefoot.

The women’s black running shoe is all black except for the logo, which is orchid, a very light purple that almost looks grey. For men, the black running shoe option is all black in the upper with a white midsole and the logo in winter sky, a deep blue.

Mizuno Neo Zen

$150 at Fleet Feet (Women’s) $150 at Fleet Feet (Men’s)

Weight: 8.4 oz (men), 7.1 oz (women)

Stack height: 39.5–33.5 mm

Drop: 6 mm

Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men’s), 6-12 (women’s)

Mizuno has finally delivered a softer shoe after lagging behind the industry as materials shifted and runner expectations changed. It was worth the wait, as the Mizuno Neo Zen feels like nothing else available.

The nitrogen-infused supercritical TPU midsole is very soft yet responsive, allowing it to absorb impact while propelling the runner forward. Impressively lightweight is how Outside characterized the shoe, despite its 39.5 mm of foam underfoot. While the shoe delivers a smooth, energetic ride, it lacks a plate in all that foam, which keeps the shoe from being considered for racing. The stretchy, one-piece knit upper delivers a comfortable and secure sock-like fit.

The men’s black running shoe has either a black stripe along the midsole or offers a pop of color Mizuno calls raspberry. The women’s design is similar but offers an icy blue stripe through the midsole.

Hoka Gaviota 5

$175 at REI (Women’s) $175 at REI (Men’s)

Weight: 9.1 oz (women’s); 10.9 oz (men’s)

Stack height: 34–28 mm (women’s); 36–30 mm (men’s)

Drop: 6 mm

Hoka offers a new stability shoe design with the Gaviota 5. Instead of the traditional J-shaped higher-density foam designed to guide the foot as it rolls inward, the shoe uses a softer, H-shaped frame. The new design offers a more holistically stable and cushioned ride.

The creel jacquard upper is flexible but not stretchy, keeping the foot comfortably in place as the cushioning does its job and helping to ensure the shoe doesn’t feel tippy, according to Outside’s testers.

If you prefer a black-on-black running shoe, the Hoka Gaviota 5 offers that all-black appearance in both men’s and women’s sizes.

The Best Grey Running Shoes for 2025

Brooks Hyperion GTS 2

$140 at Brooks (Women’s) $140 at Brooks (Men’s)

$140 at Running Warehouse (Women’s) $140 at Running Warehouse (Men’s)

Weight: 7.6 oz (men’s), 6.9 oz (women’s)

Stack height: 31.5–23.5 mm

Drop: 8 mm

Runners looking for a stability racing shoe should evaluate Brooks Hyperion GTS 2. The newest edition of the shoe features more foam, but the foam is lighter and more responsive than what was in the original model. It gives the shoe a bouncy feel, which might inspire you to increase your pace.

The shoe provides stabilizing guide rails that run along the sides of the heel and midfoot to reduce over-rotation and heel shift, even toward the end of a long run when fatigue peaks. While the Outside testing team labeled the shoes great for racing, they also found that the shoe serves athletes well as a daily trainer, especially if you don’t want a softer, squishier shoe.

Grey running shoes can appear muted. But you won’t find that with this shoe. The grey upper features pops of coral on the logo and midsole and black laces to give it character.

Mount to Coast P1

$160 at Fleet Feet (Women’s) $160 at Fleet Feet (Men’s)

Weight: 9.9 oz (men’s size 9, women’s size 10.5)

Stack height: 37–27 mm

Drop: 10 mm

Ultrarunners looking for a stability shoe will find the Mount to Coast P1 ideal for going long. However, testers also found them comfortable and adaptable to short runs as well. Despite 37 millimeters of cushion underfoot, the shoe offers a connected feel with the ground, thanks to the firmly bouncy PEBA-based midsole foam.

The shoe allows your foot to move naturally, but still dampens landings to put less strain on your body. Mount to Coast’s stability strategy is unique in that it focuses more on reducing rotation in the forefoot—not the heel—by using an S-shaped insert of flexible plastic that is designed to help activate the arch muscles. The upper also includes an arch wrap that offers an especially supportive feel.

Cinder is Mount to Coast’s grey running shoe available for both men and women. It’s all over monochrome design makes for a fashionable shoe you won’t mind wearing out and about, right before or after logging your miles.

The Best Tan Running Shoes for 2025

​​Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

$140 at Brooks (Women’s) $140 at Brooks (Men’s)

$140 at Road Runners Sports (Women’s) $140 at Road Runner Sports (Men’s)

Weight: 8.0 oz (women’s); 10.0 oz (men’s)

Stack height: 35.5–23.5 mm

Drop: 12 mm

Using Brooks GuideRails strategy for stability, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 offers firm, responsive support to reduce excessive inward roll to your foot. This year’s model features lighter, softer foam, giving it a peppier feel.

The engineered mesh upper that lets the foot breathe provides a secure, comfortable fit with a double-layer reinforced arch panel. The support is present whether you’re doing speedwork or easy miles, making it a versatile and go-to trainer.

Brooks tan running shoes are limited edition, meaning you might not be able to snag the colorway for long. But while you can, they offer a goes-with-anything design with just a small pop of pink in the women’s version, and green accent in the men’s version.