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Finding shoes you love can transform your running experience form slogging miles to logging miles and bring relief to your pavement-pounding joints. Pulling on your trainers should feel anticipatory and exciting — rather than bracing for an upcoming battle.
Our lead tester, Nathaniel Bailey, is a USA Track & Field certified coach working with high school and young adult athletes in the American West. Collectively, our shoe testing team has laced up over 300 pairs of men's running shoes since 2011. We've covered tens of thousands of miles of races, recovery runs, and long-distance courses to learn each pair's strengths and weaknesses, then split them open in the lab to examine every detail. We test dozens of new pairs each year, always evaluating them to find the optimal options for any type of stride and all manner of running goals.
Our overall favorite road running shoe — the one we recommend to most runners, even if you're new to running — is the Asics Novablast 5. It's comfortable, bouncy, and great for a wide variety of running mechanics and paces. Not only is it one of the best shoes we've tested, it's also an affordable price that we think is worth the investment.
Our first recommendation for savings is always to look for previous versions of top-scoring shoes — often available for 10-60% off regular retail prices. Right now, the best sub-$100 shoes that we recommend are the New Balance FuelCell Propel v5. They're responsive at quick paces, comfortable over long distances, and certain colors are currently on sale for as low as $65.
If you're just getting into running, certain walking shoes might serve you well during your transition. We've put a ton of other running gear to the test to make your runs better. We've tested running shirts and GPS watches to keep you comfortable and track your progress. We also have in-depth test results of trail running shoes.
Editor's Note: Our men's running shoe review was updated on May 21, 2025, with the results from our testing of new shoes from Adidas, Nike, Saucony, Brooks, On, Hoka, Asics, and Altra.
The Asics Novablast 5 is our go-to all-around running shoe. For daily mileage, it's comfortable, plush, and enjoyable. For faster running, the resilient FF Blast Max foam has a bouncy energy return, and the rocker geometry helps keep things rolling. Lead tester Nathaniel Bailey gushes, “Heel-strikers will love the smooth rolling feeling, and as a mid-foot striker, I love the trampoline-like forefoot on long runs. This is one of the most universally comfortable shoes I've ever run in.”
This version of the Novablast is a little more optimized for daily comfort than the previous model, happiest at easy-to-moderate paces, but we still have enjoyed small doses of 5K-paced training in this shoe. The lightweight and breathable upper of the Novablast 5 is comfortable and well-designed to provide a good fit for many runners.
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Daily Trainer
Sizes Available
6-15 US, regular & wide
Best Use
Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces
Measured Heel Stack Height
41 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
5 mm
The versatility in fit, ride, and performance is what makes this such an easy recommendation for many road runners. Tester Nathaniel Bailey notes, “The new Novablast is a bouncier ride that easily picks up the pace. Its traction is better than the v4 and I love it — from relaxing jogs to speedy workouts.” Not to mention, this shoe punches well above its price point.
As with the last version, the Novablast 5 struggles with traction. It's significantly improved from the last model, with a tackier AHAR Lo rubber and increased coverage. Still, it's not the best choice for runs on slick surfaces, although we've used it in the ice and snow of Montana winter training. Overall, if you want a fun and reliable training partner at a great price, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better option.
If the Novablast is still lacking some of your required features, consider:
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3, which is not quite as bouncy but with better traction, for around the same price
The Asics Superblast 2, which is exceptionally comfortable and even more capable of picking up the pace, but is much more expensive
If your typical week of running involves regular pace changes or training for a race, then the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is perfect for you. With 39 mm of premium Lightstrike Pro foam in the midsole, the Evo SL has a smooth, early midfoot rocker geometry and a lightweight, breathable upper. The result is an incredibly versatile shoe that's comfortable on easy runs and engaging when we push the pace. Our lead tester and track coach, Nathaniel, said, “This has quickly become my favorite shoe — not just in our lineup, but of all time.”
While it doesn't have quite as much top-end speed as some plated daily trainers and true race shoes, the Adizero Evo SL is far more comfortable (and fun) at relaxed paces. As a result, we reach for it regularly. It's become a favorite for progression runs that start slow and finish fast, as well as big, long runs with chunks of faster paces. Tester Nathaniel states, “It's simple yet fun, and versatile enough that I can do pretty much anything in it.” If you're training for a race and only want to have one shoe, this is the one we recommend. And if you have a rotation, it works great as an option for workouts at moderate paces, hard long runs, or faster easy days.
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Daily Trainer
Sizes Available
6.5-16 US, regular
Best Use
Versatile for variable paces
Measured Heel Stack Height
39 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
9 mm
There are two main drawbacks to this shoe compared to some key competitors. First, if you're a runner who values support or struggles with pronation-related injuries, this less-stable shoe probably isn't for you. And for runners really pushing for faster than a 5K pace, the Evo SL doesn't quite have the same punch as plated shoes. Still, this shoe is the best uptempo shoe available for most runners looking to push themselves — and for a very reasonable price.
If the Evo SL isn't quite ticking every box for you, check out:
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, which is also a seriously versatile speed trainer with better-planted stability, though it doesn't hold traction as well on wet roads
The Nike Zoom Fly 6, a carbon-plated shoe that helps you get used to the feeling of super shoes before the big race, and excels during long training runs
In just about every case, new runners are best served by a simple and reliable daily trainer with solid cushioning, a relatively natural geometry, and a stable-neutral ride that also works well for walking. The Saucony Ride 18 checks all of those boxes. It's not just a shoe for beginners, but it provides great value and a set of features that we think new runners will enjoy and benefit from. The PWRRUN+ midsole foam does a great job of insulating your legs from harsh landings, with our lead tester commenting, “I really enjoy this shoe for my easy mileage. It's soft without feeling mushy, and the upper feels great on days when I just want comfort.”
If you're a new runner, you might be wondering why we recommend this option over something like the excellent Novablast 5. There are two reasons. First, the geometry is more natural. The Ride doesn't have an extremely noticeable rocker or the forefoot trampoline that the Novablast does, letting your body more easily find its natural movement patterns. Second, it has a lower stack height, which feels a little more planted and stable for folks just starting out. Tester Nathaniel Bailey notes, “Even though they have good cushioning, I can feel the ground better in these shoes — which is a great help for folks just learning their running pattern.” This also means they feel significantly better while walking between bouts of running.
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Daily Trainer
Sizes Available
7-15 US, regular
Best Use
Relaxed running
Measured Heel Stack Height
34 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
6 mm
We don't have many complaints about the Ride. The upper is comfortable, but it does run a little warm on hot days. And the traction is a little subpar for wet roads or paths — though this is true for many similar shoes. Overall, the Ride is a great and durable introductory shoe, a consistent training companion, and comes at a reasonable price point.
If you're just starting your running journey, you also should consider:
The Brooks Glycerin 22, which is comfortable and has similar cushioning, but is even more stable with a wide forefoot base and a thicker stack
The Nike Vomero 18, which has a much thicker stack that's exceptionally comfortable, and is a great choice for heavier runners
If you're hunting for a good deal and a comfortable shoe, the New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 is currently a good one. These shoes are ideal for the easy-to-mid-paced runner who doesn't care too much about pushing the pace. Much of what we love about these shoes is their underfoot comfort. One tester mentioned, “I like this combination of the FuelCell midsole and TPU plate. It makes the Propel soft to land in, but still pushes me forward.”
Though these aren't the most stable shoes in our lineup, this plate adds the necessary stiffness to the plush midsole. We took these shoes on many outings and found they performed best on casual, long runs. Plus, the lightweight upper kept our feet cool on warm days. Nathaniel Bailey, our lead tester, said, “These shoes were very comfortable during even my long runs, with strategic cushioning and a well-designed upper.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Daily Trainer
Sizes Available
7-18 US, regular & wide
Best Use
Relaxed running
Measured Heel Stack Height
38 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
7 mm
The FuelCell Propel v5 isn't without its limitations. It weighs in at 10.52 ounces per shoe (US 10.5). This makes it one of the heavier shoes in our lineup. Also, the TPU plate that helps provide some stiffness also makes this shoe unstable and uncomfortable on uneven surfaces. However, for most casual runners, this shoe is a worthy contender — especially at its current discounted rate of up to 45% off of retail value.
For more bargain deals, also look into:
The Hoka Mach 6, a lightweight daily trainer that's comfortable underfoot and with great natural-feeling turnover at a range of speeds, and is on sale for around $105 right now
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, which is a performance-oriented shoe with great cushioning, a low weight, is responsive at faster paces, and can currently be purchased for about $110
The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 gives you a massive (42 mm!) chunk of soft and smooth foam to run on. It's one of the most comfortable cruisers in our lineup thanks to the excellent underfoot cushioning, smooth geometry, and comfortable upper materials. Lead tester Nathaniel notes, “I love how soft this feels underfoot — it seriously saves my legs and joints.” This is our go-to choice for recovery days when we want to feel insulated from the road.
Thanks to the excellent rocker geometry, we found that the More v5 rolls along better than some of its pillowy competition, which makes it more enjoyable for long runs. Thanks to a wide base and excellent sidewall structure, it's also one of the most stable max-cushioned shoes we've tested. One of our testers notes, “I really enjoy the sensation of sinking into the foam and rolling along that I get on easy days with this shoe.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Max-Cushion
Sizes Available
7-16 US, regular, wide & extra wide
Best Use
Relaxed running
Measured Heel Stack Height
42 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
7 mm
Of course, all that comfort comes at a cost. The More v5 is heavy. In fact, it's actually the heaviest shoe in our lineup. If you want a shoe that is protective and pillowy, then weight shouldn't matter much (but this shoe could stand to lose an ounce). Additionally, if you plan to run fast in your very comfortable shoes, you'll want to consider other soft options that are much more versatile. But if you're after a plush running experience to log miles at low paces, it's hard to beat the More v5.
If you're looking for premium comfort, some other standout options are:
The Hoka Skyward X, which is the only more comfortable shoe we've tested and feels otherworldly, but also costs a lot more
The Mizuno Neo Vista, which also has massively comfortable cushioning and an outstanding upper, but also surprising responsiveness that can better pick up the speed
Unlike traditional stability shoes, the Saucony Tempus 2 is actually fun to run in. Pairing a firmer PWRRUN foam frame with energetic PWRRUN PB foam in the midsole results in a shoe that provides significant amounts of support without compromising the ability to change pace. Tester Nathaniel Bailey remarked, “I appreciate this shoe on long, fast runs, where their responsiveness kicks in.” The rocker geometry helps keep things moving at faster paces, but doesn't feel forced or unnatural when jogging.
We found that the shoe feels best at comfortable to moderate paces. It can run fast workouts too, but it starts to get clunky when you're really ripping faster than 5K pace. We loved this shoe for long runs, where the combination of lower weight, excellent cushioning, and sneaky support left us feeling great two hours in. Our team noted, “The Tempus reset my expectations for stability shoes. It supports my feet and keeps me solidly locked in place without compromising all the fun in my runs.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Stability
Sizes Available
7-15 US, regular
Best Use
Versatile for variable paces
Measured Heel Stack Height
38 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
10 mm
We don't have a lot of things to complain about with the Tempus 2. The fit runs a little narrow, but we don't think it will be too narrow for most runners. When it comes to shoes, what works for one runner often won't work for the next. That's especially true when it comes to stability shoes. We found that the midfoot of this shoe was firm but not uncomfortable. Other runners may find that it is actually uncomfortable, which is worth noting. Overall, though, this is a top-notch stability trainer that we think will have wide appeal.
If you're looking for a supportive and stable shoe, other great options include:
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, with a comfortable upper fit and a classic, reliable, and stable design, that costs a little bit less
The Asics Gel-Kayano 31, a more plush and highly comfortable shoe that's even more stable at slower paces, and is a great option for runners logging low speeds
The Tempus 2 is the most fun stability shoe we've tested, and it's stuck around in our personal rotations as well.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
MYTH-BUSTING: Who Needs a Stability Shoe?
The vast majority of runners don't need a stability shoe, regardless of whether they pronate or supinate or are “neutral” runners. In fact, most current research suggests that choosing a shoe based on your movement patterns is ineffective at preventing injuries, with limited exceptions.
The best predictor of whether a shoe will work for you is how it feels when you try it on — not your arch shape or pronation/supination pattern. If it feels great, awesome. If not, move on.
For the most part, shoes don't cause or prevent injuries. Running injuries tend to be the result of repetitive stress, often tied to changing something quickly and not allowing your body to adapt. Strengthening your body, fueling well, and making smart training increases are the best methods of injury prevention.
Narrow fit through the midfoot is less accommodating
The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is the highest scoring shoe in our test, thanks to an incredibly low weight, high energy return FF Turbo Plus foam, and an aggressive yet natural feeling geometry. Our lead tester, Nathaniel Bailey, even says, “I love the explosive and propulsive midsole!” This impressive shoe is our favorite choice and our top recommendation for races ranging from a road mile to a full marathon. That's truly impressive, as many other racing shoes we've tested only work well at high speeds and suffer when the pace is slowed even a little.
We found the forefoot rocker of the Metaspeed Sky to be subtle while running, aiding in smooth transitions and a fast toe-off without feeling unnatural in the way some of its top competitors are. While other popular racing shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3 have a learning curve to getting the most propulsion, the Metaspeed Sky Paris does not. As one tester pointed out, “This combo of a natural rocker and a stiff upper makes it easy for pretty much anyone to race in the Metaspeed.” The 38 mm of stack height under the heel is plenty, offering protection from the road and leg-saving cushioning. This shoe is also by far the lightest in our lineup, weighing an almost impossible 6.85 ounces per shoe in men's US size 10.5!
SPECIFICATIONS
Style
Racing
Sizes Available
3.5-13 US, regular
Best Use
Ready to race
Measured Heel Stack Height
39 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
6 mm
That weight savings does come at a price, though — the worst part of the Metaspeed Sky Paris is its outsole. We get that Asics sacrificed traction to get lower weight, a choice that makes sense. But the shoe struggled to bite as well as other key competitors on cold and wet tracks and roads, making cornering a bit dicey. It's also rather unstable, further detracting from its surefootedness around bends. For most road races, though, the Metaspeed Sky is still the shoe we'd recommend to most people. It's comfortable for a race shoe, easy to get the benefits from with diverse strides, and, most importantly, it's fast.
If you need slightly different features for your next race, consider instead:
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, which isn't quite as explosively fast, but is more stable and has better traction, making it great on curvy courses
The Nike Vaporfly 4, which has a more aggressive learning curve to gain the same insane propulsion, but is even lighter than the Metaspeed
The Metaspeed Sky Paris is now the shoe we grab for almost any race on pavement.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
MYTH-BUSTING: Carbon Plates Don't Make a Shoe Fast
There is a common misconception that the carbon plate is what makes a super shoe fast. In reality, it is the combination of highly resilient foam, rocker geometry, and low weight that gives the majority of the performance enhancements. In fact, one study found that cutting up the carbon plate in a pair of super shoes did not meaningfully affect energy savings.
There are plenty of carbon-plated shoes that simply aren't fast. Plates are also used to provide direction, add stability, or increase stiffness — or even as a training companion to prep you for the feeling of carbon-plated race day shoes.
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We've tested all the shoes in our lineup with a standardized test plan, and ranked them according to their performance.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
How We Tested
Our running experts have tested hundreds of pairs of running shoes since 2011, and more than 165 pairs of men's shoes specifically. Before even starting tests, we complete extensive market research to determine which competitors are worthy of entering the lineup. We then purchase each pair, take copious in-house measurements, and send each contender through extensive hands-on testing on the road. We utilize tester experience combined with data gathered by our in-house testing team to produce detailed reviews for our readers.
A Note on Stack Height
We have reported specs on stack height and the subsequent heel-to-toe-drop differential for every shoe, and you may notice that our measurements sometimes differ from what the manufacturers claim. Why is this? Well, there's no industry standard for this measurement, so each company can choose its own method for calculating this differential — with no requirement to divulge their methods. To have standardized and comparable data, we cut every shoe in half and measure all of these things ourselves based on the World Athletics stack height standards used to regulate professional racing. Our stack height includes the insole, stack, and tread — everything that will be underneath your foot when wearing the shoe.
We tested and compared all the top contenders on the market to help you make the best choice possible for your feet and running style.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
To analyze all aspects of a running shoe's performance, we devised — and continually revise — a comprehensive testing plan. Each shoe is put through a rigorous set of runs. First, each shoe completes a standardized 6-mile test loop that contains hardpacked dirt, loose gravel, asphalt, concrete, and grass surfaces. Additionally, each shoe in our current lineup has run through at least 50 miles, including:
The only exceptions made are for super-shoes, which don't go for easy runs. They're purpose-built for running fast, so that's how we test them. Most shoes log significantly more than this over the course of testing, and the majority continue to be worn for months after the testing period is complete.
Comfort vs. Performance
Most running shoes exist on a spectrum with comfort on one end and performance on the other. The features that can make a shoe extremely comfortable, like plush cushioning and a soft knit upper, often come with weight and responsiveness penalties that make running fast harder. That's why we test all the shoes over a wide range of workouts and paces. When deciding on your next shoe, we recommend determining your needs and intended use. That will help you decide where on the comfort-performance spectrum you should look.
We put each pair of shoes through standardized testing to provide a fair assessment.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
We then score each shoe on six weighted metrics:
Cushioning (35% of overall score weighting)
Upper Comfort (25% weighting)
Stability (20% weighting)
Responsiveness (10% weighting)
Weight (5% weighting)
Traction (5% weighting)
By the end of our testing, we've collected and compiled a complete picture of how each shoe handles pretty much any type of run users will take them on. The shoes also go through a rigorous testing process in our lab, where we gather measurements on geometry, stack height, and more to help us better understand and explain why certain shoes are better for certain applications.
If you're able to try-before-you-buy, your chances of being happy once you're miles out on a long run are much higher.
Each shoe we test clocks a lot of mileage on a variety of terrain.
Why Trust GearLab
A team of experts and professionals helps to shape this review. Starting with lead tester Nathaniel Bailey, who has always loved running. He competed in track and cross country at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. Now, he continues to chase “fast” times on the roads. Nathaniel is a USATF-certified coach who works with post-collegiate and high school runners, sharing his passion for the sport and continuing to develop his knowledge of endurance sports and physiology.
Professional running biomechanics consultant, Carrie Vickers, helped to inform and design our testing methods and provided additional guidance for our advice on how to choose the best shoes for you. Carrie is an accomplished national-class runner, having ranked in numerous Olympic, US National, and World Championship competitions for steeplechase. Though it has since been broken, she once held the world record for the 2000-meter steeplechase. Carrie also helped to design our jogging stroller review.
Our laboratory team includes manufacturing engineer, Sentry Kelly, taking apart and meticulously measuring every pair of shoes in a standardized and comparable way.
In addition to running all these shoes through their paces, we sent a second pair to our testing facility to get precise measurements on things like stack height, compression stiffness, and rocker angle.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Analysis and Test Results
Running shoes are often designed with a specific purpose. Max-cushioned shoes are designed to eat up mileage while providing excellent comfort. Race shoes are designed for speed at the expense of everything else. It doesn't make sense to buy a race shoe for your easy runs, so we'll break down each performance metric into three categories: Daily Trainers, Max-Cushioned Trainers, and Race Shoes.
Your Mileage May Vary
We do our best to provide thorough and unbiased reviews. We scour the internet for user feedback on the shoes we tested to see if our experiences align with those of other runners. We're confident that our scoring accurately reflects the differences between the shoes in our lineup. Still, what we like best may not work for everyone. For example, our lead testers for men's and women's running shoes agree on most pairs but have different experiences in some shoes due to differences in footstrike, stride, or foot shape. If you're interested in a certain shoe, we recommend reading through the individual review to see if we call out any type of runner for whom the shoe may not work.
Between our article on how to choose running shoes and our detailed reviews, we believe you'll find the best running shoe for your needs and budget here. Read on to see how each contender performs in the different test metrics.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Value is a huge consideration when you're logging miles. Some runners want to get the most mileage per dollar they can, while others care more about performance than durability. The Asics Novablast 5 is our favorite model for value, blending top-tier performance, superb comfort, and exceptional versatility at a reasonable price. The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is another standout contender with incredible performance at a surprisingly decent price.
Past versions of shoes are always a great value, though they tend to sell out quickly after the new model is released. Leading up to new version drops, shoes also tend to go on sale. We try to keep up with these sales to offer you shoes we can solidly recommend the performance of, at outstanding — but often temporary — prices. The New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 is one such example, which can currently be found for slightly over half of its retail value.
Budget Shoes for Beginners
Burning through running shoes can get expensive — we have firsthand experience with that. Shopping for a good deal is always advisable, but we think that super low-budget, entry-level shoes are almost never worth the money. Instead of purchasing an entry-level trainer like that, we highly recommend shopping around for previous models of our award-winners.
Cushioning
When we're assessing this category, we're most interested in how a shoe feels underfoot while running. That includes questions like:
Do our feet feel protected from the road?
How well does the cushioning insulate our legs over longer efforts?
Are transitions through our foot during landing smooth or choppy?
Do we feel as though we're “bottoming out” the cushioning?
How much compression does the foam have?
How much resilience (energy return) does the foam have?
How stiff is the shoe?
New Balance Fresh Foam X More V5Asics Novablast 5
A closer look at our favorite max-cushion shoe (the More v5) compared to our favorite daily trainer (the Novablast). Click the button below to choose any two shoes in our lineup to compare their cushioning directly to one another.
Daily trainers are the workhorses of the running shoe world. They're designed to get you through the majority of your mileage feeling comfortable, but should still be able to handle most workouts you'll throw at them. As with all running shoes, daily trainers sit in different places on the comfort vs. performance spectrum. Some we classify as speed trainers, meaning they're best suited to faster running. Others are more comfort-oriented, providing plush cushioning but less versatility.
The Novablast 5 has enough cushioning that some might consider it “maximally cushioned”, yet it still performs like your favorite daily trainer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
One of our favorite all-around shoes, the Asics Novablast 5, straddles the line between daily trainer and max-cushioning. By the numbers, it probably should sit in the max-cushioning category, with 41 mm of foam at the heel. However, it doesn't run like a max-cushioned shoe and is remarkably versatile. So, we think it's best considered as a daily trainer. It's extremely well cushioned, scoring among the highest in the daily trainer category.
The Nike Vomero 18 is in a similar position, offering a higher stack height with excellent all-around comfort. For runners who value cushioning above all else, this is a great daily trainer. Another Nike trainer that sits on the edge of daily trainer and max-cushioning, the Zoom Fly 6, recorded a very high score thanks to a 41 mm stack height of ZoomX foam. Landings in this shoe are soft and bouncy, and have a great level of responsiveness. The Zoom Fly would make a great marathon training shoe.
The Zoom Fly is extremely comfortable thanks to the excellent midsole, and is also very versatile. It's a great companion for serious training.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 takes home high marks and is a good choice for uptempo running, and we love it for long runs thanks to its excellent foam. The Rebel has a soft and bouncy underfoot feeling, making it a joy to run in.
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL has a slightly firmer feel underfoot, but also becomes more bouncy at higher speeds. While the Rebel's 30 mm of stack height feels softer and scores higher, we tend to prefer the firmer and more bouncy ride of the Evo at a wider range of paces. It feels better across the pace spectrum than the Rebel does. The Evo also tends to feel better towards the end of a long run, likely due to the 39 mm of stack height and more resilient foam.
Both the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are high-performing speed trainers. They're better for uptempo running than other daily trainers, but still have plenty of cushioning for the longest runs. Both have a firmer underfoot feel and are stiffer, thanks to their respective plates.
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 provides a plush landing pad with its NITRO foam in the midsole.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 and Adidas Adizero SL2 are both great compromises that each provides plush cushioning with the ability to hit faster paces. Both shoes ended up with a high rank in our testing thanks to their balanced performances and excellent price points.
Minimalist and low-drop daily trainers, like the Altra Torin 8, tend to score lower in this category. They're lower to the ground and don't make use of more modern, highly resilient foams. On the other hand, the Altra Vanish Tempo utilizes a more energetic foam and slightly higher stack height to provide the best cushioning from a low-drop shoe in our lineup.
The Vanish Tempo has great cushioning, thanks to the Ego Pro foam that compresses well and has good energy return.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning: Max-Cushioned Trainers
Max-cushioned trainers tend to be best for eating up long mileage at easy paces. However, some of our favorite all-around trainers fall into this category and utilize some technology from top-tier race shoes to provide versatile, high-performing comfort. Nothing beats the Hoka Skyward X when it comes to the most cushioning money can buy. Utilizing a huge stack of both PEBA and EVA foams, the Skyward is soft, bouncy, and smooth. If you like ground-feel or moderate paces (or saving money), though, this isn't the shoe for you.
It's hard to argue with the max-stack of modern, fun foam in the Skyward X.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
For runners who love the comfort offered by the Skyward X but hate the price tag, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 might be the perfect solution. The big slab of smooth cushioning is excellent for recovery days, but struggles to run faster. If you want more pace, the Mizuno Neo Vista has a huge stack of foam and a smooth rocker geometry to create one of the most versatile and comfortable rides in our test. We love this shoe as a daily option, and while it feels best at easy paces, you can also use it for threshold workouts.
Just look at all that highly-compressible and resilient foam. The Neo Vista is one of the most comfortable and versatile daily trainers in the lineup as a result.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Close behind is the Asics Superblast 2, which is slightly less cushioned but more oriented towards faster paces. It can eat up the easy miles, but this is also a shoe that could work as a marathon racer for some runners.
The Superblast 2 can eat up long miles easily thanks to the FF Turbo Plus foam.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
When it comes to easy running, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 takes a similar approach. A huge chunk of soft foam makes them comfortable and smooth for your recovery runs.
The PWRRUN PB foam of the Triumph 22 is extremely soft, almost pillowy.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning: Race Shoes
The super shoes in our lineup have all been designed to get you through a marathon comfortably. That means they all have high levels of cushioning underfoot, and almost all of them are bouncy and soft. They all fall right under the World Athletics limit for race shoes of 40 mm stack height. They utilize highly resilient PEBA-based or similar supercritical foams to provide a performance and comfort benefit. The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris stands out for its cushioning that feels both bottomless and responsive. Close behind is the Nike Alphafly 3, which has a more mechanical feeling transition from mid to forefoot but also has a massive chunk of ZoomX foam.
The Metaspeed Sky Paris has excellent, bottomless comfort.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 offers a phenomenal amount of cushioning thanks to its Lightstrike Pro foam, which is soft and energetic. However, due to the aggressive forefoot rocker, we think it may not work as well for forefoot strikers. Similarly, the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 offers great comfort and a bouncy ride. But when we're fatigued, the softer heel of the Cielo starts to feel like it requires a little effort to climb up onto the midfoot.
The Cielo X1 2.0 is extremely cushioned, responsive, and bouncy. It also lacks stability, and if you're fatigued and landing far back on your heels, it can feel difficult to climb up out of the heel of the shoe, as this video shows.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
When assessing upper comfort, we consider things like upper materials and stiffness, breathability, fit, and lockdown. We note any particular hotspots or rubbing that the shoe causes and test to verify if it is a shoe issue or a product of our socks and lacing. High on our list of priorities is a snug fit that keeps our foot stable and provides confidence through corners and uneven terrain. We want an upper that offers good support and locks down our heel without our toes feeling cramped. The tongue has to wrap our midfoot precisely, and the laces have to hold us snugly without causing pressure or hotspots.
Upper Comfort: Daily Trainers
Knit-uppers tend to be the most comfortable, thanks to their soft material and slightly stretchy fit. They tend to struggle with breathability, though. Two of our favorites in this category are the Novablast 5 and the Ghost 16. The Adrenaline GTS 23 also feels snug with excellent lockdown and a gusseted tongue that stays put. When it comes to plush comfort, the Vomero 18 also stands out thanks to its soft materials that feel extremely comfortable when clicking off miles.
The Vomero has made its way into Nathaniel's regular rotation (outside of testing) thanks to its comfortable upper and plush ride that doesn't feel clunky.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort: Max-Cushioned Trainers
Most max-cushioned shoes are geared towards comfort, so the upper tends to feel good. One of our favorite uppers in the entire lineup is in this category — the Mizuno Neo Vista. It utilizes a sock-like knit upper that wraps your foot comfortably and breathes well. The Neo Vista stands out for its execution, and it takes home the highest score for an upper in the lineup. The Skyward X also receives high marks, but runners should be aware of its overly narrow fit.
We tend to enjoy form-fitting, soft knit uppers. The Gel-Nimbus 26 has a great one.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort: Race Shoes
All the shoes in this category have a lightweight upper, designed to save weight while still providing lockdown. We love the upper materials of the LightLock upper on the Adios Pro 4, which are soft and mildly stretchy, while also remaining highly breathable and lightweight. The AtomKnit upper of the Alphafly 3 is also one of the most comfortable among race shoes, providing a soft yet secure lockdown and a built-in tongue that doesn't rub. Close behind is the New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite v4, which has a wider, more roomy fit than the other shoes in this test.
The LightLock upper of the Adios Pro 4 might not look like anything different than a typical racing upper, but it is surprisingly comfortable. We wouldn't mind it on some other shoes too...
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
Here, we're interested in how stable a shoe feels, both in terms of support during footstrike and laterally on broken terrain. Stability-specific shoes are tricky — we are glad to see an industry shift towards stability shoes that use less medial posting and are more inherently stable neutral trainers. That's more in keeping with most current peer-reviewed evidence. You might need support depending on your natural mechanics, but remember that shoes are not a solution to mechanical issues. You should work with a running-focused physical therapist or sports medicine doctor to resolve those mechanical issues rather than self-diagnose your running mechanics and attempt to address them with a shoe.
Stability: Daily Trainers
We love the Saucony Tempus 2 for its non-invasive and enjoyable approach to stability. It is a versatile shoe that we think many runners will get along with. It utilizes an innovative frame of different foam materials to provide a lightweight and comfortable midsole with lots of support. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is a decent all-arounder that utilizes a more old-school approach to stability. It uses sidewalls, medial posting, and crash pads to direct your natural movement.
The Tempus 2 uses innovative techniques to provide fun stability.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Among daily trainers, shoes that provide a strong lockdown and a wide, low base are often the most stable. The Asics Novablast 5 and Brooks Glycerin 22 are standouts in this area. Similarly, both the Puma Velocity Nitro and Deviate Nitro provide a strong lockdown and a stable base that performs well on uneven surfaces and hard impacts. The low-to-the-ground Torin 8 offers a very planted feel with good ground feel, perfect for uneven terrain. However, the zero-drop geometry of this shoe makes it a little limited for runners who prefer a little support, or have weak lower legs.
The natural feel of the Torin 8 is great for runners who have established lower leg strength, want ground feel, and prefer a stable platform.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability: Max-Cushioned Trainers
As a rule of thumb, most max-cushioned shoes aren't a great stability option. However, the Asics Gel-Kayano 31 provides the best support and stability in the test. It utilizes a wide platform to provide inherent stability and uses geometry rather than uncomfortable medial posting to keep your foot moving forward. It's also well cushioned, although our testers who land heel-midfoot found the cushioning to be better than those who land mid-forefoot. The Superblast 2 comes up again in this metric. Sidewalls and a wide platform make this a stable max-cushioned shoe, which is great for runners who want a faster option that has some support.
The wide base of the Kayano provides for great inherent stability without sacrificing comfort.
Stability: Race Shoes
Most racing shoes are pretty unstable. In this test, the Supercomp Elite v4 stood out for its above-average stability. Thanks to its wide platform and geometry, it's the best option for runners who want some support in their race shoe. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is more stable than most of the other super shoes in the lineup, although its narrower fit and platform may not work for all runners.
A wide base and stable geometry make the Supercomp Elite v4 the most stable race-day shoe in our lineup.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
If you can get past the narrow fit, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB is a firmer super shoe, which results in a pretty stable and confidence-inspiring platform. This might be a great option for runners looking for their first super shoe who don't want an extremely aggressive option.
Compared to some other options, the Hyperion Elite is firmer. It still is quite plush, but provides more support than most other options as a result of that firmer ride.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness
In this category, we're most interested in how a shoe handles different paces. We assess each shoe across a few rough pace categories:
Easy running
Moderate running (roughly marathon pace)
Threshold (between marathon and 10K pace)
Fast (5K pace and faster)
Fast Features
There are a lot of factors that go into how fast or responsive a shoe feels. Weight is a significant factor, and foam resilience is another. Composite stiffeners (like carbon plates) can benefit some runners, but depend on the type and location of the plate, as well as the specific stride of the runner — the benefits are far from universal. Rocker geometry, or the curve on the bottom of the shoe, changes how a runner rolls through their stride, and can make a shoe feel responsive.
Responsiveness: Daily Trainers
A good daily trainer should be able to comfortably handle moderate to threshold paces. Daily trainers that err on the side of speed training should thrive at those efforts. No shoe does versatile responsiveness better than the Evo SL. It can smash workouts or easy mileage, and remain very comfortable for both. It does feel a little more energetic at faster paces, and it also encourages you to squeeze the pace when you're going easy. But it's easy enough to control, and sets a new standard for pace versatility.
The Evo SL is fanstastic for both easy mileage, or faster sessions.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The Saucony Endorphin Speed is another prime example of excellent responsiveness in a daily trainer. It utilizes a nylon plate, rocker geometry, and excellent PWRRUN PB foam to provide an energetic, fast-rolling ride. We found it thrives at threshold pace and can handle fast intervals as well. Compared to the Evo, it has a little more speed at the top-end, and seems to do a little better on extended workouts. However, it's far less comfortable for long or easy efforts.
The Endorphin Speed has near-perfect responsiveness for a daily trainer that is optimized for uptempo efforts.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The Hoka Mach 6 and Adidas Adizero SL2 are both excellent examples of versatile daily trainers. Both have premium foams that give a responsive and resilient ride. The Hoka utilizes more intense rocker geometry than the Adidas, but both are great for moderate efforts and longer threshold workouts. Neither have quite the snap and stiffness of some plated options, but some runners might find them ideal for fast workouts. If you can accommodate a narrower fit, we highly recommend these daily trainers. The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 performs extremely well. It has a snappy toe-off and bouncy forefoot thanks to glass-infused rods and Lightstrike Pro foam.
The Mach 6 is highly versatile thanks to it's lightweight build, rockered ride, and supercritical foam.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
If it weren't for the bad upper, we would be shouting about how great the Hoka Mach X 2 is. It's expensive for a daily trainer, but it has enough punch thanks to the plated and aggressive rocker geometry to really rip hard sessions. It could be a racer for some runners as well. Finally, we love the responsiveness and low ride of the Saucony Kinvara 15. Its responsiveness is a result of a firmer foam and extremely low weight. We think it's a great option for fast workouts, for runners who don't like training in plates but want a faster shoe, or for runners who regularly run their workouts on grass/uneven loops, where higher stacks and softer foams tend to work against you.
The Kinvara uses a classic approach to fast running - lightweight, low-slung, firm.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness: Max-Cushioned Trainers
Most max-cushioned shoes simply aren't responsive. However, the Asics Superblast 2 and Mizuno Neo Vista buck that trend. Both utilize tech from racing shoes (high-end foam or plates) to help provide a more versatile ride. These “super trainers” are the ultimate do-it-all shoes for serious runners. Both are some of our favorite shoes as a result, but they come at high costs that make them less attractive for most runners.
The Neo Vista is extremely versatile, and could be fast enough to be a racer for some runners.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
When it comes to more typical max-cushioned shoes, the New Balance Fresh Foam More v5 is our preference for responsiveness. It's not fast, but the rocker geometry helps keep things rolling a bit more than in other options. Even though the Skyward X also has tech from racing shoes, it doesn't have the versatility of the Superblast or Neo Vista. It sits squarely in the easy-running category.
We've called the New Balance Fresh Foam More a pillow that rolls well thanks to its rockered geometry.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness: Race Shoes
In this category, responsiveness is what matters most. The Metaspeed Sky Paris takes top marks. It's the fastest shoe we've worn, and although the soft foam isn't ideal for all-out speed at a faster-than-mile pace, we think it makes a solid road mile shoe. The foam is extremely resilient, and the rocker feels natural.
Race Shoe Responsiveness Over Varying Effort Levels
Product
Easy (Recovery)
Moderate (Marathon)
Threshold (10K)
Fast (5K+)
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
4
5
4.9
4.6
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
4
5
5
4
Nike Vaporfly 4
4
4
4.8
5
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
5
4
4
4
Nike Alphafly 3
3
5
4.5
4
Hoka Cielo X1 2
3
5
4
4
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
5
3.5
3
2.8
The Metaspeed Sky Paris can rip across a range of distances — though its competitors aren't far behind.
Close behind is the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, which is a similarly versatile option. We loved it down to about a 5K pace. Any faster, and we found the forefoot rocker started to interfere with our mechanics.
The aggressive forefoot rocker on this shoe makes it less ideal for all out paces, when many runners tend to move forward in their landing. But it still rips around 5K pace.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Nike Alphafly 3 is fast, but its versatility is limited thanks to its overall bulk and design, which makes it best suited to longer distances. For short and fast races, we love the Nike Vaporfly 4, which utilizes a lower stack height to provide a nimble and quick feel.
The latest version of the Vaporfly is better suited to sub-marathon distances. Our testers love it for hard track sessions.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
Weight has been proven to be a significant factor in running economy and performance. Weight often differs from the manufacturer listings, and we weigh each size 10.5 per shoe in-house to compare each pair more accurately. There is often a tradeoff with lightweight designs when it comes to overall stability and predicted durability. Many lightweight designs use thinner and lighter upper materials or reduce or eliminate the rubber tread on the outsole. More traditionally designed shoes with padded uppers and durable outsoles are among the heavier designs we tested.
Weight: Daily Trainers
When it comes to daily trainers, the Kinvara 15 takes home top marks. It's an exceptionally light shoe, which makes it a joy to run fast in. Close behind is the Rebel v4, with a more modern take on the lightweight daily trainer.
There's not much to the Kinvara, which makes it light (and reasonably fast).
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight: Max-Cushioned Trainers
High stack height often means heavy weight. The Skyward X and More v5 highlight that, taking home the lowest scores in this category. However, it doesn't have to be that way. The Superblast 2 weighs about as much as the average daily trainer, just with far more foam underfoot.
The Cloudsurfer has tons of comfort, and yet weighs less than many daily trainers.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Weight: Race Shoes
The lightest shoe we've tested is the Nike Vaporfly 4, which is absurdly light and practically disappears on our feet. Weighing less than half an ounce more, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is also insanely light, adding to its responsive feeling and overall race-readiness.
It's hard to explain just how light the Metaspeed Sky Paris is.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Traction
No one likes sliding around corners or slipping on wet asphalt. We assess each shoe across a range of Montana weather and surfaces, reporting our findings. Honestly, most road shoes will handle typical road-running conditions just fine. However, wet performance can be an issue for some shoes and some rubber compounds. Similarly, the presence and shape of lugs and siping in an outsole significantly alter how confidence-inspiring a shoe is while running fast on loose surfaces.
Traction: Daily Trainers
This one is simple. If you want reliable traction in a range of conditions, regardless of terrain, just get the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 and call it a day. The PumaGrip outsole is the best in our testing, without a doubt. When we're running through the winter in Montana, it's the shoe we grab on the nastiest of days.
The PumaGrip outsole on the Velocity Nitro 3 provides seriously excellent traction.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Our second favorite outsole compound is the Continental rubber found on some Adidas shoes, like the Evo SL, which can really grab well for a shoe with no lugs. New Balance offerings, like the Rebel v4 and Propel v5, utilize a diamond-shaped outsole tread that we've found bites well on wet roads.
Adidas Adizero Evo SLNew Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
Comparing the lug-less but grippy tread of the Evo SL to the intense tread pattern of the Rebel v4. Click the button below to compare the tread of any two shoes in our current lineup.
Most of the max-cushioned shoes in our lineup have average traction levels. The Cloudsurfer 7 stands out as having very poor traction, thanks to its exposed midsole that struggles to grip in mixed conditions.
The exposed foam midsole of the On Cloudsurfer is fine in dry conditions but struggles when things get wet, cold, or loose.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Traction: Race Shoes
The Supercomp Elite v4 again takes top marks in this category. The diamond-pattern outsole with nearly full coverage grabs well on loose or slick surfaces. It's also highly durable. The Endorphin Pro 4 has a decent amount of grip, on par with that of many daily trainers.
The full-coverage rubber outsole of the SuperComp Elite has the best grab of any super shoe in our lineup.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Conclusion
Finding the perfect running shoe isn't easy (there's a reason so many runners have a rotation), but after spending hundreds of hours and logging dozens of miles in every pair of shoes in our lineup, we hope we can at least make it easier for you. Don't forget to check out our individual gear reviews linked throughout this article for more detailed information about each design. We hope that this review will help you find the right shoe for your fitness needs and budget, and one that will provide you with an awesome running experience.
However you like to run, there's a shoe that can help you do it at a price that's worth it for you.
