A daily trainer is the shoe you grab for most of your runs: easy kilometres, the weekend long run, and the odd faster session when you can’t be bothered to switch shoes. It needs enough cushioning to protect your legs, enough durability to last 600 km or more, and a fit you forget about.
We picked seven shoes that are sold in Canada right now and cover the main types of runner. Each pick lists what it does best, who should skip it, Canadian list prices, and where to buy.
Our picks at a glance
| Shoe | Best for | List price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| ASICS Novablast 6 | Best overall | $190 |
| Brooks Ghost 18 | Beginners and heel strikers | $180 |
| HOKA Mach 7 | Lightweight | $170 |
| adidas Adizero Evo SL | Easy runs and faster days in one shoe | $180 |
| ASICS GT-2000 15 | Stability and wide feet | $180 |
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 | Max cushion and cold, wet roads | $210 |
| Brooks Revel 9 | Budget | Check price |
List prices are the regular Canadian retail prices we found on brand and Canadian retailer sites in September 2026. Sale prices change daily, so check the store before you buy.
How we picked
We have not run in every shoe on this list, and we won’t pretend we have. Instead we compared published lab measurements from RunRepeat, which cuts shoes in half and measures stack height, weight, cushioning and outsole wear, with long-term reviews from testers like Canadian Running and Doctors of Running. Then we checked each shoe is actually sold in Canada and noted the Canadian price.
1. ASICS Novablast 6: best overall
Who it’s for: most runners who want one shoe for everything.
The Novablast 6 is the easiest shoe on this list to recommend. It has a tall, soft platform (RunRepeat measured 39.2 mm at the heel) but still weighs only about 8.8 oz in a men’s size 9, so it doesn’t feel clumsy when you speed up. Lab tests put its outsole wear at roughly half the average, which means it should last a long time for the price.
- Good: soft but lively ride, light for its height, durable outsole, breathable upper.
- Not so good: less stable than the Novablast 5, and the toe box narrows toward the front.
- Skip it if: you have wide feet or want a firm, stable feel.
Also at: ASICS Canada
2. Brooks Ghost 18: best for beginners and heel strikers
Who it’s for: new runners, walkers who jog, and anyone who lands on their heel.
The Ghost is the shoe running store staff hand to beginners, and the 18th version doesn’t change the formula. It has a 10 mm drop, soft DNA Loft v3 foam and a plain, predictable ride. At about 10.2 oz for men it’s heavier than the others here, so it’s better for steady running than fast sessions. Wide and extra-wide versions are easy to find.
- Good: comfortable from the first run, forgiving for heel strikers, comes in wide sizes.
- Not so good: heavy, and it feels flat when you try to run fast.
- Skip it if: you want a lively, bouncy shoe.
Also at: Sporting Life · Brooks Canada
3. HOKA Mach 7: best lightweight trainer
Who it’s for: runners who like a light shoe but still want real cushioning.
At about 7.9 oz, the Mach 7 is one of the lightest proper daily trainers you can buy. It has a smooth rocker that rolls you forward and flexes easily, so it works for recovery runs and quicker days alike. RunRepeat’s tests show better energy return than most shoes in this class.
- Good: very light, versatile, breathable, better grip than the Mach 6.
- Not so good: snug fit, and the stiff heel counter can bother some Achilles tendons.
- Skip it if: you have wide feet. The 2E version helps, but the shoe runs narrow.
Also at: Running Room · HOKA Canada
4. adidas Adizero Evo SL: best for easy runs and faster days
Who it’s for: runners who want one shoe that also handles tempo runs.
The Evo SL uses the same Lightstrike Pro foam as adidas’s race shoes, without the carbon rods or the race-day price. RunRepeat measured the highest energy return of any daily trainer it tested, and the shoe is also very flexible, so it doesn’t feel like a stiff racing shoe on easy days. It’s often on sale in Canada. Sporting Life had it at 25% off when we checked.
- Good: springy, light, breathable, great value on sale.
- Not so good: thin laces, a short tongue, and the toe box mesh wears faster than average.
- Skip it if: you want a plush, protective shoe for very long, slow runs.
Also at: Sporting Life · adidas Canada
5. ASICS GT-2000 15: best stability shoe
Who it’s for: runners whose feet roll inward, and anyone who needs wide widths.
Stability shoes used to feel heavy and stiff. The GT-2000 15 is lighter and more flexible than the last version, with better durability and grip on wet roads, while keeping the guided feel that makes it a stability shoe. It comes in regular, 2E and 4E widths for men.
- Good: stable without feeling rigid, very durable, grips well in the wet, three widths.
- Not so good: toe box can feel a bit tight, and the price went up.
- Skip it if: you have a neutral stride and don’t need support.
Also at: ASICS Canada
6. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28: best max cushion, and a good pick for Canadian fall and winter
Who it’s for: heavier runners, long slow runs, and anyone running on cold or wet pavement.
The Nimbus 28 is a big, soft, protective shoe (39.5 mm at the heel), yet it feels stable thanks to a wide base and firm sidewalls. Two things make it a good fit for Canada: its outsole scored about 90% above average for grip in RunRepeat’s traction test, and the less breathable upper is a plus once the temperature drops.
- Good: very comfortable, excellent grip, stable for a max-cushion shoe, warm in cool weather.
- Not so good: not bouncy, runs hot in summer, and it’s the priciest shoe here.
- Skip it if: you want a light or fast-feeling shoe.
Also at: Sport Chek · ASICS Canada
7. Brooks Revel 9: best budget pick
Who it’s for: new runners on a budget, and people who run and walk in the same shoe.
The Revel 9 is one of the cheapest shoes in Brooks’s road range and one of the easiest to recommend to beginners. It’s comfortable, grippy and durable, with a wider base that makes it more stable than earlier versions. A wide version is available.
- Good: great value, stable, durable, fine for walking too.
- Not so good: heavier than the Revel 8, a little stiff, limited toe room.
- Skip it if: you plan to train for a half marathon or longer. One of the shoes above will serve you better.
Also at: Brooks Canada
How to choose a daily running shoe
Start with fit, not the brand
The best shoe is the one that fits your foot. You want about a thumb’s width of space past your longest toe, a heel that doesn’t slip, and no pressure points across the widest part of your foot. If you have wide feet, look for 2E or 4E versions (Ghost 18, GT-2000 15, Revel 9).
Neutral or stability
Most runners do fine in a neutral shoe. If your knees or arches ache and your old shoes wear heavily on the inside edge, try a stability shoe like the GT-2000 15.
Heel drop
Drop is the height difference between heel and forefoot. Higher drops (around 10 mm, like the Ghost 18) suit heel strikers and people with tight calves. If you’re changing to a lower drop, do it gradually.
When to replace them
Most daily trainers last 500 to 800 km. Replace them when the foam feels flat, your legs feel beaten up after easy runs, or the outsole is worn through to the foam.
When to buy in Canada
Running shoes usually drop in price when the next version arrives, which is why last year’s model is often 25% to 40% off. Boxing Day, Black Friday and end-of-summer sales are the other good times to buy. Follow Gizly’s deals page to catch price drops on these shoes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a daily trainer for a race?
Yes. For a 5K or 10K, a light, lively trainer like the Evo SL or Mach 7 works well. For a marathon, most runners are more comfortable in a dedicated race shoe.
Are running shoes cheaper on Amazon.ca?
Sometimes. Amazon.ca often has older colourways at a discount, but size availability varies. Brand stores and Canadian running shops are better for trying sizes and for free returns.
Do I need different shoes for winter?
For cleared roads and sidewalks, a grippy trainer like the Nimbus 28 works. For snow and ice, look at a trail shoe with lugs or add traction cleats.
Last checked: September 2026. Prices and availability change often. If you spot an out-of-date price, let us know.
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