Whether you're tackling a road marathon or you’ve just discovered your local 5K park run, the most important piece of kit you need is a pair of the best running shoes for your gait. Finding running trainers that best suit your feet and goals can be the difference between heavily pounding the pavement, and feeling free and easy while you float over the miles. We're working through this season's shoes – with reviews going up already – to find the best shoes for every type of middle to long distance runner. Sprinters: you're on your own.
Nike managed to enhance the already amazing Zoom Pegasus Turbo with the . The upper mesh-fabric has been updated so it’s even lighter now whilst retaining and improving on the stability of the shoe. The foam base has also been updated without compromising on the metrics of this great all-rounder.
What makes the Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 the best on our running shoe list is it’s versatility and looks. It’s comfortable enough for longer runs but it also provides great traction on concrete and other hard surfaces for all you urban runners.
As for looks, the Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 still has the trademark protruding-heel design which it takes from its big brother the ZoomX Vaporfly Next%. The latter has a bulkier look to it whereas the Turbo 2 operates with gentler lines and softer curves.
The ZoomX midsole delivers an unmatched energy return while the specially-shaped heel helps you land softer and rocks you forward. Using the Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 will make you feel unstoppable both on the road and in the gym too.
Asics’ Gel system has always been synonymous with supreme cushioning and the is no different. We haven’t got enough space here to list all the technology that went into these shoes, but it’s safe to say that it’s similar to a description of a modern commercial airjet.
The trademarked I.G.S. technology – coupled with the Guidance Line system – provides outstanding gait support while the Trusstic system adds to the already great stability.
Understandably, all the extra cushioning adds a bit to the weight of the shoes, something to be expected. The Gel-Nimbus 21 was designed for comfortable, long-distance runs and not explosive sprints. There are better shoes for that purpose.
The Gel-Nimbus 21 looks pretty much like a professional running shoe, just like the Brooks and Saucony models below. It definitely isn't a bad thing, but if you are after more swag, try the Adidas UltraBoost 19 or the On Cloud X.
Given all the extra padding, the Gel-Nimbus 21 can feel a bit warmer when the weather is hot. The shoes have great breathability but even that won’t counterbalance all the thick cushioning.
Nevertheless, a great shoe for any serious runner out there.
The Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4% shook the marathon world, combining four outstanding, speed-enhancing features to help elite runners break world records, and mortals with a decent bank balance smash their own personal records. Now, a year later, the updated, unisex Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit brings Nike’s signature knit to the shoe to create a lighter upper with better breathability.
Designed for the road or track, the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit running shoes boast ZoomX foam – the company’s most responsive EVA foam to date. It’s ultra-lightweight, soft and capable of providing up to 85-percent energy return, all of which makes this a very fast and surprisingly stable shoe to run in. Next, tucked away within that magic foam is a full-length curved carbon fibre plate that covers the entire sole. This increases stiffness, creates a sensation of propulsion and puts more acceleration into each push off. For added traction there’s a blown rubber super-thin outsole, but this runs just under just the forefoot section rather than the whole shoe to save on weight. Finally the heel also features another thin layer of Zoom foam with added grip to soften impact.
Put all of this together into a running shoe that weighs just 195g and, according to Nike, you get an average of 4% improvement in running economy – that means you’re 4% more efficient as opposed to 4% faster – compared to their previous fastest racing flat. Sadly, they are also more than 4% more expensive than most other running shoes. But with plenty of cushioning for long distances, and just the right amount of stiffness to propel you forward, the super lightweight Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit running shoes are the best you can buy if you’re putting in long hours training for a big race.
The most substantial revamp of the wildly popular UltraBOOST since its launch back in 2015, the UltraBOOST 19 features several updates designed to make it feel more comfortable and responsive on the foot.
That starts with Adidas adding 20% more Boost into the midsole, which makes the shoe firmer and bouncier when running, with the torsion system built into the sole also adding some snap to the heel-to-toe transition of the shoe.
It’s still a shoe focused on comfort over speed, however, and the Primeknit 360 upper is a full sock that sits on top of the midsole to completely wrap the foot. The snug mesh around the midsection prevents your foot from sliding around in the knitted upper and replaces the plastic cage on previous UltraBOOSTs, which could be uncomfortably tight – so much so that some runners took to cutting it off.
Saucony’s Triumph ISO line has always managed to provide a supremely comfortable ride without completely sacrificing speed, and the fifth edition of the shoe is the best yet in this regard.
That’s mostly down the Everun midsole and topsole in the shoe. Everun is Saucony’s proprietary foam and it provides a similarly springy ride as Adidas’s Boost. As a result of the double layer of the foam in the Triumph ISO 5, you’ll be consistently surprised at how fast you’re going on your easy and steady runs, because it will feel easier than ever before.
The weight of the shoe does count against it when you really try and push the pace, so it’s not one you’ll see down the track or on the start line of a 5K very often, but the Triumph ISO will certainly serve you well for long races and training runs.
The New Balance Fresh Foam Roav Knit represents a good blend of all things you would expect from a good pair of trainers: you can go for a jog or a lighter run in the city, wear it in the gym or whilst training on your Wattbike Atom at home, you may even put it on when you pop down to the shops.
But because it is okay in a lot of things, it doesn't excel in any. Saying that, thanks to the Fresh Foam technology, these shoes feel comfortable, even on cobbled streets and wonky concrete, let alone on a treadmill. The Ultra heel's fan-like design locks around the top of the heel while leaving enough room at the bottom for a comfortable fit.
The sole is made out of a rubber compound that enhances the durability without compromising on the comfort levels. The knitted top is in-line with the latest technology in running, providing a snug fit without suffocating your feet.
On Running's urban running shoe, the Cloudswift, was designed for cobbled streets and hard pavements. The Helium sole provides very good energy return and the soft upper mesh feels comfortable yet snug.
The Cloudswift is recommended for people who don't like overly soft, super-cushioned runs; these shoes can straighten out uneven running surfaces like no other.
Due to the stiffer sole and the soft upper, it can be difficult sometimes to find the perfect hold for runners with high bridges. Tie the elastic laces loosely and it won't feel secure enough; tie it tight and it might be uncomfortable.
They look great, though. The rugged sole and the TPU mechanical side band gives the Cloudswift a very distinctive look, something you can wear with any outfit (probably not with a suit).
Comfort comes first, second and third with this cushioned shoe from Brooks, and while it won’t win many plaudits from those seeking maximum speed from their footwear, it’s so nice to pull on that you might just forget about PB hunting for a while.
The plush collar on the shoe sets the tone for what’s to come when you slip your foot in, as it wraps the ankle in what feels like a duvet’s worth of padding. The midsole contains Brooks’s DNA Loft cushioning, which provides an ultra-soft feel to every step, and the breathable upper stretches to wrap around the foot.
Heavier runners in particular will appreciate the level of support offered by the Glycerin, and it would also make for a good marathon shoe for runners who’ve found lightweight options like the Boston Boost uncomfortable over long distances. Save this one for easy running days and it won't let you down.
Becoming an elite runner is as much about the reps you crank out in the gym as the miles you rack up on the track. The On Cloud X is designed to push you through a strength workout, but is a great standalone good running shoe in its own right. Billed as the lightest fully-cushioned running shoe in the world (229g for size 8.5), it is much firmer under foot than your average cross trainer, so you may not want to rely on it every day.
However, it has the latest CloudTech midsole, accompanied by Zero-Gravity foam, to provide support for those quick changes of direction. The heel is engineered for comfort and support, while the upper is engineered from a highly breathable lightweight mesh. As always with On running shoes, the design and construction is flawless.
Adidas came up with a new midsole when they created the Pulseboost HD called – drumroll, please! – Boost HD. It delivers more stability and responsiveness, something you will need in the city where these running shoes belong.
The Boost HD is the same some that the Ultraboost uses; and we liked that shoe, quite much. The knit upper is in line with the latest trend in running shoes, giving your toes freedom whilst holding them firmly. Knitted uppers are great because they mould to each individual foot and ditch the one-size-fits-all mentality.
For some reason, Adidas thought it was a good idea to put a QR code on the tongue of the Pulseboost HD that leads you to an exclusive playlist. Not only people's taste in music varies widely, but it is safe to assume that any playlist will get boring sooner or later, making the QR code obsolete pretty quickly.
Apart from this small glitch, it is a great running shoe and worth trying out.
Last year we had the Brooks Ghost 9 in this list, but it has been usurped by the Brooks Levitate 2. As the name would suggest, this shoe is all about the energy return. Brooks’ most responsive midsole is equipped with the DNA AMP tech that promises to ‘control, capture and return’ your energy, to ensure you’re bounding along the track or trails.
The company is also adding new Achilles Guard tech to protect that all-important tendon, while the arrow-point pattern on the crystal rubber outsole gives you rapid movement from the heel to the toe. There’s an internal bootie that promises comfort and support, while the FitKnit upper wraps around the heel to guard against irritation.
