Best Running Shoes for Cross-Country Runners in 2023

1. Brooks Launch 9

The Brooks Launch 9 is nothing fancy, but it does the job very well. It includes everything a cross-country runner would need to stay comfortable and protected during their practice or meet.

What We Like

This is an excellent choice for a new cross-country runner looking for a great shoe to see them through many miles.

It’s exceptionally lightweight, just over 7 ounces for an average-sized women’s shoe and just over 8 ounces for the men’s. They won’t weigh you down on the course!

There’s no fancy technology in this shoe. But it does provide everything a cross-country runner needs for high-school practices and meets.

A Creel Warp upper provides support from the outside in, and sections of open mesh allow for good ventilation throughout the shoe. You’ll get a good lockdown on the feet thanks to flat laces that can cinch down tightly.

The BioMoGo DNA midsole has been bolstered by an extra 2 mm. It’s a mixture of soft comfort and firm support, so it delivers speed and responsiveness without compromising comfort.

There’s also a generous, almost full-coverage layer of Green Rubber on the outsole. This makes the shoe quite durable and also offers great traction on typical cross-country surfaces.

Why We Like It

The Brooks Launch 9 is a classic running shoe that offers everything a cross-country runner needs to stay safe and comfortable on the course. It’s also incredibly lightweight and quite affordable for what you get.

What to Consider

The Green Rubber outsole is sustainable but doesn’t provide the best traction in wet weather. If you live somewhere that rains a lot, this may not be the right shoe for you.

What’s New

The Brooks Launch 9 is more sustainable than the 8, featuring a new Green Rubber outsole. It also has 2 mm more cushioning in the midsole, which is surprising as it’s also lost half an ounce in weight from the 8.

2. Nike Air Winflo 9

If you’re on a budget, we highly recommend the Nike Air Winflo 9. It’s fast, lightweight, and has a bit of a spring in its midsole while being surprisingly well-priced.

What We Like

The Nike Air Winflo 9 is a great shoe for those who want something light, comfortable, and with a bit of speedy responsiveness.

Cushlon foam in the midsole offers a good combination of softness and springiness. There’s also a Nike Air unit running the full length of the shoe, providing even more energy return.

The mesh upper is light and perforated to allow air to flow through it easily, cooling your feet down. A gusseted tongue reduces any chance of chafing, and the Flywire cables integrated into the lacing system help to get a more snug cinch down on the foot.

The outsole delivers excellent traction. Different tread patterns on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe provide slightly different grip for all types of surfaces.

A guidance line down the middle of the outsole also gently guides the foot through its natural gait, minimizing the risk of injury.

Why We Like It

The Winflo 9 is a high-value shoe for a friendly price. Teens with average to narrow feet will enjoy the light bounce this shoe provides, and it’s also light enough to be speedy.

What to Consider

The Winflo, like all Nikes, is on the narrow side and may not be suitable for runners with wide feet. If your teenager has wider-than-average feet, this might not be the best choice of shoe for them.

What’s New

There’s been an update to the Cushlon foam in the Nike Winflo 9, which has added some more bounce to the shoe.

3. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39

If your kid is a true Nike fan and you don’t mind spending a bit extra, the Pegasus 39 is a great choice. It’s durable, comfortable, and light, everything you need to tackle the XC course in style and comfort.

What We Like

Nike fans, the Pegasus 39 is a fantastic choice for a cross-country shoe. It looks good and offers a range of features ideal for protecting the feet and improving performance on the XC course.

A plush upper with comfortable padding around the ankle—including an internal heel counter—keep your foot well locked in. This allows you to take advantage of the arch support in the shoe, which is ideal for medium to high arches.

Aside from a full-length piece of React foam in the midsole, there are also two Air Zoom cushions, one in the heel and one in the forefoot. These do an excellent job of absorbing shock and giving you a bit of a bounce on the toe-off.

Firm carbon rubber on the outside of the sole and soft blown rubber on the medial side make the perfect combination for all varieties of terrain. You’ll have all the grip you need and a high level of durability as well.

Why We Like It

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 combines comfort, shock absorption, responsiveness, and style. It also comes in at a good price for what you get.

What to Consider

The upper of the Pegasus 39 is thick and plush, but that means it runs slightly warm in the heat. If you’re prone to your feet overheating, this may not be the best shoe for you.

What’s New

The Pegasus 39 has lost some weight compared to the 38. There’s also an double the Zoom Air units in the midsole, which contributes to a better bounce. The fit has been updated for a more supportive fit.

4. Saucony Peregrine 12

The Saucony Peregrine 12 is a trail running shoe. If there’s not enough traction under regular running shoes for your teen to run comfortably on their XC courses, this could be a good option.

What We Like

The Peregrine is a trail shoe but also ideal for cross-country running. With a rock plate built into the midsole, your teen’s feet will be well protected against hidden rocks on the course.

There’s a good-sized piece of PWRRUN foam in the midsole, with a somewhat unusual 4 mm heel-to-drop. It’s firmer than you may expect, which shouldn’t be a problem for shorter or mid-distances.

Added cushioning is provided by the thick, 7.2 mm insole, which increases the comfort and shock absorption of the shoe.

A stripped-down upper with supportive overlays and a snug, comfortable heel counter conforms to the foot to provide the support you need. Lock it down with comfortable laces to ensure that the shoe doesn’t move on your foot.

On the outsole, 5 mm lugs provide more than enough traction on dirt, grass, and other terrains. With these shoes, you’ll be able to handle almost any course, regardless of the ground conditions.

Why We Like It

The Saucony Peregrine 12 offers more grip than your average running shoe and can comfortably handle dirt, grass, or other rough terrains. It’s also a budget-friendly trail running shoe.

What to Consider

The heel collar is no longer as padded as it was in the previous version of the shoe. This may lead to chafing for some or feel uncomfortable as you run.

It also has a narrow midfoot, which can be a benefit for lockdown but may be uncomfortable for some runners.

What’s New

The 12 is an ounce lighter than the 11 and has a more streamlined upper. The outsole has also been revamped to be simpler while still performing its job well.

5. Nike Star Runner 3

The Nike Star Runner 3 is specifically designed for younger runners. They’re versatile, lightweight, and comfortable for cross-country running. Add their friendly price tag, and they make a great choice for first-time cross-country runners.

What We Like

This running shoe is a great choice for cross-country runners at the middle school level. Parents who are Nike fans, this shoe will get your child off on the right foot!

With lightweight foam underfoot, your middle schooler’s feet will be protected enough for short cross-country courses and comfortable enough not to become too fatigued. It also makes the shoe quite lightweight, which means increased speed on the course.

Breathable mesh keeps your youngster’s feet cool as they exercise, and a toe bumper around the forefoot helps to increase the durability of these shoes. Good news if your kid is hard on shoes!

There’s a generous layer of rubber underneath the shoes, which has a solid tread pattern on it to encourage good grip on cross-country surfaces. It also includes some recycled material, so you’re doing some good for the planet when you buy these.

Why We Like It

The Nike Star Runner 3 has been specifically designed for younger runners. It’s lightweight, versatile, looks good, and comes in multiple colors. It’s budget-friendly too, so it suits both kids and parents!

What to Consider

The Star Runner doesn’t offer a lot of support in the midsole. This is usually adequate for young runners, but those who need additional support for their feet most likely won’t find this shoe to be adequate.

What’s New

The shoe has been redesigned to have a sleeker, more streamlined look and feel. The outsole has also been updated with a new tread pattern.

6. ASICS Gel-Cumulus 24

The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 24 is exceptionally cushioned and ideal for youngsters who want a plush and protective shoe on the XC course.

What We Like

The Gel-Cumulus 24 is a great shoe for those who want a bit more cushioning underfoot. With a combination of Flytefoam cushioning in the heel, Flytefoam Blast in the forefoot, and gel padding in both the front and back of the shoe, there’s plenty of comfort and shock absorption in this shoe.

The engineered mesh upper is made from recycled material and has a sock-like fit for comfort and streamlining. A snug heel keeps the feet locked down and prevents any hint of unnecessary movement within the shoe.

In the forefoot, there’s something called 3D Space Construction, which is a foam that compresses at different rates for male or female feet. It’s designed differently in the men’s and women’s shoe to be appropriate for the male or female foot.

AHARPLUS rubber on the outsole covers strategic areas in order to lighten the shoe while still providing excellent grip on cross-country terrain.

Why We Like It

The Gel-Cumulus 24 is an excellent choice for cross-country runners who want a comfortable, plush, and protective shoe. For the technology it contains, it’s also surprisingly well priced.

What to Consider

Strangely, the Gel-Cumulus 24 isn’t very accommodating for wide feet, whereas the 23 was. You can get them in wide and extra wide widths, but they may still be too narrow to accommodate wide feet comfortably.

It’s also a little on the heavier side, which a youngster may not notice but could make a difference to your kid’s performance.

What’s New

The heel-to-toe drop of the 24 is 2 mm lower than on the 23. The heel has been revamped, the outsole has been lightened and simplified, and the midsole has been simplified, leading to the 24 being lighter than the 23.

Also, the Trusstic system of the shoe has been moved, increasing the comfort of the shoe.

7. Brooks Ghost 15

For runners who specifically like Brooks shoes, we recommend the Ghost 15 as a reliable, nothing-fancy cross-country shoe that does a good job of comforting, protecting, and supporting the feet.

What We Like

The Brooks Ghost 15 is the latest iteration of a much-loved shoe. It packs a lot of cushion into this shoe, making it unusually soft and comfortable.

DNA Loft foam runs the length of the shoe, offering softness and shock absorption throughout the shoe on every foot landing. It provides strong support for medium to high arches.

Although it delivers a little bit of energy return, it’s mainly comfort padding, so some might find the spring disappointing.

The midsole isn’t the only thing that’s plush. An unusually luxurious upper locks your foot in comfortably and safely, helped by the flat laces, which can cinch down more tightly than round ones.

A Segmented Crash Pad in the heel offers some flexibility but ultimately helps absorb shock when the foot lands.

You’ll find 5 mm of rubber underneath this shoe, which is more than the standard. It’s not only excellent for minimizing shock, but it also makes this shoe surprisingly durable and offers good traction.

Why We Like It

The Brooks Ghost 15 is a much-loved shoe and provides excellent cushioning and comfort on varied surfaces. It’s a solid and reliable option for cross-country runners.

What to Consider

The Ghost 15 is an exceptionally cushioned shoe, but it’s not the most responsive. If you want to go fast, you may want to choose a different shoe.

But if you want to go steady and stay comfortable over a long distance on varied terrain, then the shoe is appropriate.

The other thing that may be uncomfortable for some is the high heel-to-toe drop. At 12.4 mm, it’s one of the highest you’ll find, and even that extra 0.4 mm can make a difference to how the shoe feels and place extra strain on the feet.

What’s New

The 15 has had an update to the lacing system, and the upper has been slightly changed for a better fit. There’s no BioMoGo foam in this version, which was included in the 13. Instead, it features full-length DNA Loft foam.

8. New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12

New Balance is the way to go if your cross-country kid has wide feet. We recommend the Fresh Foam X 880v12, as it offers a great fit and contains all a cross-country runner needs to stay comfortable and get good results.

What We Like

New Balance shoes run naturally wide, which is great for those who don’t fit into narrow shoes like Nike or ASICS. The Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a fantastic shoe for youngsters getting into cross-country, and it also looks great on the feet.

With a modern, colorful design, the shoe is a popular choice. The upper isn’t just eye-catching, but it’s also quite plush, providing your feet with comfort and locking down quite well on wide feet.

Underfoot, a combination of Fresh Foam X and FuelCell foam provides a good combination of cloud-like padding and responsiveness where you need it.

You can take this shoe on any adventure between the comfortably padded midsole and the thick blown rubber outsole. It’s versatile enough to handle XC courses easily but still worn for other activities.

Why We Like It

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is an excellent choice for runners with wide feet. It fits well and locks down effectively, and you’ll also find great cushioning and a lot of plushness for the price.

What to Consider

The upper of this shoe could run a little warm in hot weather. Also, it’s heavier than most others on this list, having gained some weight from the previous version.

What’s New

The midsole is now dual-density, and the shoe weighs almost an ounce more than the previous version, which can be a downside. This could be due to the more padded upper.

9. Brooks Launch 9 GTS

Although flat feet are less common in young runners than in adults, if your young cross-country runner overpronates, the Brooks Launch 9 GTS is a good shoe choice to protect them from injury. It’s easy on the wallet as well!

What We Like

Those who need extra support for flat feet—overpronation—will appreciate the Launch 9 GTS’ mild stability features and wide, stable platform.

This is actually the stability version of our top shoe, the regular Launch 9. It has all the same great features while adding GuideRails along the medial and lateral sides of the midfoot, effectively stopping any rolling or twisting of the foot.

This is much lighter than the usual midsole stability system, but it does an excellent job of preventing overpronation. It’s also lighter than usual for a stability system, and it doesn’t intrude on the comfort or speed of your run.

BioMoGo foam in the midsole offers you the best of both comfort and springiness. This is balanced by the stiffness of the sole, which stops the shoe from twisting and also protects your feet from potential hazards on the ground.

To increase the durability of the shoe and help you stay safe on any surface, tacky and eco-friendly Green Rubber has been generously layered across the outsole.

Why We Like It

The Launch 9 GTS provides good support for overpronators without being intrusive or uncomfortable. It’s also more affordable than many other stability shoes and lighter as well, making it ideal for the XC course.

What to Consider

Although the guide rails are light and unobtrusive, this shoe may not be comfortable for those with neutral feet. It’s important to ensure you’re getting the right version of the shoe to avoid discomfort!

What’s New

With a sleeker upper, 2 mm more in the midsole, and a revamped, eco-friendly Green Rubber outsole, this shoe is more sustainable and has a better fit than its predecessor. It’s also lost a little bit of weight.

10. Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Shoe weight can make a difference in performance. If your cross-country runner is looking for shoes that won’t hold them back while they’re running, the Mizuno Wave Rider could be the shoe for them.

What We Like

The Wave Rider 26 weighs 10 ounces, but this is still a very lightweight shoe considering it has a Wave Plate in the midsole.

Enerzy foam cushions your feet as you run over unpredictable terrain. It provides both shock absorption and comfort, so your feet won’t fatigue as quickly as you run.

Aside from the foam, there’s a Wave Plate embedded in the midsole. This helps to disperse body weight evenly across the shoe, reducing pressure and fatigue on the feet. It also helps provide a stiffness to the shoe, making it more stable.

On the outsole, X10 Carbon Rubber covers the full forefoot and the high-wear areas of the heel to help you stay on your feet on a variety of cross-country surfaces.

Why We Like It

The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 has excellent features for cross-country running and is still lightweight enough to be comfortable. It’s also a reasonable price.

What to Consider

This shoe has a high heel-to-toe drop—12 mm—which may place some pressure on the forefoot for those who are midfoot or forefoot strikers.

What’s New

The jacquard mesh upper and cushioning have both been updated since the previous iteration of the shoe.

11. Brooks Revel 5

Sometimes you have no choice but to opt for the budget shoe. But you don’t need to worry about missing out on quality because the Brooks Revel comes in at under $100 without sacrificing cushion or protection.

What We Like

The Brooks Revel 5 is one of the best budget shoes on the market. This is a superb choice if you’re looking to spend less than $100 on a pair of running shoes for cross-country runners.

The knit mesh upper conforms comfortably to the foot and allows for good breathability. Stretchy, flat laces help to get a great lockdown on the foot.

The padding adapts to your unique stride and contours to the foot, providing you with padding and support where you need it most. It has great comfort, but also some bounce to it, which is unexpected but appreciated for a budget shoe.

There’s a layer of Green Rubber on the outsole, which cover the majority of the sole, providing the wearer with good grip on any surface.

Despite the impressive cushioning, plush upper, and excellent traction, this shoe is surprisingly lightweight, weighing in at just under 9 ounces.

Why We Like It

The Revel is a budget shoe, which makes it available to almost anyone. However, it’s lightweight, versatile, and comfortable enough to make any run feel like a dream.

What to Consider

The midsole of this shoe stiffens up in cold weather, which could mean that it’s less comfortable to run in when it’s cold. It may also lead to the foam flattening quicker in winter and diminishing the lifespan of the shoes.

What’s New

The upper has an updated FitKnit construction, and the outsole also has a new traction pattern for better grip. It’s also a little heavier than the previous version, although it’s still lightweight.