# What are the quietest running shoes for minimal noise during runs? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What are the quietest running shoes for minimal noise during runs?

## Products

### Asics Gel-Nimbus 26
```yaml
product: asics-gel-nimbus-26
brand: Asics
price_gbp: 99.61
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 8 mm
size: True to size
weight: 303 g
cushioning: FF BLAST PLUS ECO with PureGEL
stack_height: Heel 40.4 mm; Forefoot 32.0 mm
midsole_material: FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam
outsole_material: AHAR+ / ASICS rubber
```

- **Price:** £99.61 [^1]
- **Summary:** The Gel-Nimbus 26 is a highly cushioned, neutral daily trainer with a plush heel aided by PureGEL and a full-length FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole for soft landings and smooth transitions. It suits runners seeking maximum cushioning for long runs and recovery miles, including heavier runners or those who prefer a high-stack, comfortable ride.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3]

### Hoka Clifton 9
```yaml
product: hoka-clifton-9
brand: Hoka
price_gbp: 86.28
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 5.00 mm
weight: 8.70 oz
cushioning: Balanced
stack_height: 32/27 mm
midsole_material: Compression molded EVA foam
outsole_material: Durabrasion rubber
```

- **Price:** £86.28 [^4]
- **Summary:** The Clifton 9 is a light, highly cushioned daily trainer with increased stack height and a responsive CMEVA midsole. It suits runners seeking plush protection and a smooth ride for daily miles and recovery runs.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5], [^6], [^7]

### Notace Yama T1
```yaml
product: notace-yama-t1
brand: Notace
price_gbp: 121.75
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: Women's 5.5-11; Men's 7-13
weight: 7.5 oz
cushioning: Low
stack_height: 15 mm
midsole_material: Engineered eTPU
outsole_material: Rubber
```

- **Price:** £121.75 [^8]
- **Summary:** The Notace Yama T1 is a lightweight minimalist trail shoe with a wide toe box, zero-drop platform, engineered eTPU midsole, and 3mm multidirectional lugs. It suits runners who prefer natural foot movement, strong ground feel, and low cushioning on smoother trails, walking routes, or everyday wear.
- **Ideal For:** Its lightweight 15 mm stack, low cushioning, flexible engineered eTPU midsole, and 3mm lugs create a streamlined shoe with less material and pronounced ground feel, making it a reasonable choice for runners seeking minimal noise on smooth trails.

### Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV
```yaml
product: vivobarefoot-primus-lite-iv
brand: Vivobarefoot
price_gbp: 73.79
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: 38-44
weight: 200 g
cushioning: very little
stack_height: 5.5 mm
midsole_material: None
outsole_material: 60% Polymer, 30% Silica, 10% Vulcanised Chemical
```

- **Price:** £73.79 [^9]
- **Summary:** The Primus Lite IV is a lightweight, wide barefoot trainer with a zero-drop design, very little cushioning, and a thin flexible outsole. It suits runners and gym users who want strong ground feedback and natural foot movement, especially on roads and indoor surfaces.
- **Ideal For:** Its 5.5 mm stack, 0 mm drop, very little cushioning, and flexible 2 mm outsole can help reduce impact noise compared with heavily cushioned shoes, making it suitable for quiet road or treadmill running.
- **Additional Sources:** [^10]

### Vibram V-Run
```yaml
product: vibram-v-run
brand: Vibram
price_gbp: 75.26
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: EU 35-50
weight: 136 g per shoe
cushioning: Minimal cushioning
stack_height: 7.8 mm heel, 7.9 mm forefoot
midsole_material: 4 mm EVA
outsole_material: 2.5 mm rubber, XS RUN
```

- **Price:** £75.26 [^11]
- **Summary:** The Vibram V-Run is a lightweight, breathable minimalist running shoe with a thin sole, flexible construction, and strong ground feel. It suits runners transitioning to barefoot-style running and those who prefer natural movement over substantial cushioning.
- **Ideal For:** Its 136 g weight, 7.8 mm stack height, zero drop, flexible minimalist construction, and thin rubber outsole can help reduce footfall noise compared with bulky, heavily cushioned running shoes.
- **Additional Sources:** [^12]

### Altra Escalante 5
```yaml
product: altra-escalante-5
brand: Altra
price_gbp: 103.26
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: Men's US 6-14; Women's US 5.5-12
weight: Men's 9.7 oz / 255 g; Women's 7.75 oz / 221 g
cushioning: Low
stack_height: 24 mm
midsole_material: Altra EGO foam
outsole_material: Rubber
```

- **Price:** £103.26 [^13]
- **Summary:** The Altra Escalante 5 is a lightweight, low-cushion road shoe with a zero-drop platform, flexible ride, and roomy Original FootShape toe box. It suits runners who prefer ground feel, natural foot movement, daily training, speedwork, walking, and casual wear.
- **Ideal For:** Its low 24 mm stack, flexible ride, and rubber outsole may help reduce impact noise compared with taller, heavily cushioned running shoes, making it a suitable option for runners seeking quieter road runs.
- **Additional Sources:** [^14], [^15]

### Topo Athletic ST-6
```yaml
product: topo-athletic-st-6
brand: Topo Athletic
price_gbp: 82.57
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: US men's 7-14
weight: 6.6 oz (187 g)
cushioning: Minimal
stack_height: 14 mm
midsole_material: ZipFoam 2.0
outsole_material: Rubber
```

- **Price:** £82.57 [^16]
- **Summary:** The Topo Athletic ST-6 is a lightweight, zero-drop shoe with minimal cushioning, a flexible design, and a roomy toe box. It suits runners who prefer a close-to-barefoot feel, as well as gym and training users.
- **Ideal For:** Its lightweight 14 mm profile, flexible construction, minimal cushioning, and rubber outsole may help reduce impact and shoe noise during indoor treadmill or track runs, making it a suitable option for runners seeking minimal noise.
- **Additional Sources:** [^17], [^18]

### Xero Shoes HFS II
```yaml
product: xero-shoes-hfs-ii
brand: Xero Shoes
price_gbp: 72.31
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: True to size
weight: 8.3 oz for men's 9; 6.7 oz for women's 7
cushioning: Lightly cushioned
stack_height: 9 mm
midsole_material: EVA foam
```

- **Price:** £72.31 [^19]
- **Summary:** The Xero Shoes HFS II is a lightweight, zero-drop minimalist running shoe with a thin BareFoam layer and tire-tread-inspired outsole. It suits runners transitioning to barefoot footwear who want more protection and grip than the original HFS, especially for roads, light trails, gym workouts, and everyday wear.
- **Ideal For:** Its lightweight construction, minimal cushioning, 9 mm stack height, flexible sole, and tire-tread-inspired outsole may help reduce noise during runs compared with heavier, more cushioned shoes, particularly on smooth surfaces.
- **Additional Sources:** [^20]

### Merrell Trail Glove 8
```yaml
product: merrell-trail-glove-8
brand: Merrell
price_gbp: 74.42
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
drop: 0 mm
size: Men's US 5-15; Women's US 5-11
weight: 220 g per shoe
cushioning: Barefoot
stack_height: 14 mm
midsole_material: FloatPro foam
outsole_material: Vibram TC5+
```

- **Price:** £74.42 [^21]
- **Summary:** The Merrell Trail Glove 8 is a lightweight, zero-drop minimalist trail shoe with a 14 mm stack, FloatPro foam midsole, and Vibram TC5+ outsole. Its breathable mesh and TPU upper, protective toe cap, and grippy outsole suit trail running, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
- **Ideal For:** Its 220 g per-shoe weight, thin 14 mm stack, and flexible minimalist construction can help reduce outsole impact and foot slap for runners seeking quieter runs, although the Vibram TC5+ outsole prioritizes trail traction over maximum silence.
- **Additional Sources:** [^22], [^23]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: ASICS, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/gel-nimbus-26/p/1013B512-400.html
[^2]: Running Warehouse, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.runningwarehouse.com/ASICS_Gel_Nimbus_26/descpage-GNIMB26.html
[^3]: Sportsshoes, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/asics-gel-nimbus-26/
[^4]: REI, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.rei.com/product/217110/hoka-clifton-9-road-running-shoes-mens
[^5]: Running Warehouse, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.runningwarehouse.com/hoka-clifton-9.html
[^6]: Zappos, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.zappos.com/p/mens-hoka-clifton-9-gtx-asphalt-grey-gravel/product/9874960/color/1108535
[^7]: HOKA, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mens-everyday-running-shoes/clifton-9/1127895.html
[^8]: Notace, accessed 2026-09-13. https://notace.com/products/yama-men
[^9]: Vivobarefoot, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.vivobarefoot.com/rw/primus-lite-iv-mens
[^10]: ELM Active, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.elmactive.shoes/product2/PRIMUS-LITE-IV.htm
[^11]: Vibram, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.vibram.com/dk/shop/sales/men/v-run/M31_2_FigIvoryAGreen.html
[^12]: Shop4Runners, accessed 2026-09-13. https://shop4runners.eu/fivefingers-v-run-7655
[^13]: Altra Running, accessed 2026-09-13. https://eu.altrarunning.com/en-ie/products/mens-escalante-5-al0a85t297n
[^14]: Running Warehouse, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Altra_Escalante_5/descpage-AESC5M5.html
[^15]: REI, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.rei.com/product/C07471/altra-escalante-5-road-running-shoes-womens
[^16]: Topo Athletic, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.topoathletic.com/mens-st-6
[^17]: Running Warehouse, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Topo_Athletic_ST-6/descpage-TO6STM0.html
[^18]: Running Warehouse Europe, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.runningwarehouse.eu/Topo_Athletic_ST-6/descpage-T6STMGG-EN.html
[^19]: Xero Shoes US, accessed 2026-09-13. https://xeroshoes.com/products/hfs-men
[^20]: Xero Shoes EU, accessed 2026-09-13. https://xeroshoes.eu/products/hfs-ii-men-clearance
[^21]: Outdoorweb, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.outdoorweb.eu/TRAIL-GLOVE-8-M-comet
[^22]: Merrell, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.merrell.com/US/en/trail-glove-8/61055M.html
[^23]: Zappos, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.zappos.com/p/merrell-trail-glove-8-black/product/10032301/color/3