Tech

Best Running shoes 2023

1. Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2

The best overall race running shoes available today

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 206g (men’s)
Heel drop: 8mm

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 is the best running shoe, thanks to its impressive energy return that feels like nothing we’ve experienced before. This is a shoe made for running and running fast. When we tested it, we were extremely impressed by its springiness, courtesy of a full-length articulated carbon footplate and generous 40mm of ZoomX foam that never feels squishy or marshmallowy.

Its minimalist mesh upper is highly breathable, with the bare minimum of padding strategically positioned for comfort without adding too much weight. Our feel felt well connected and secure throughout our runs. The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 is a superb shoe for track days and races, with the potential to propel you to a new personal record. However, we’d recommend supplementing it with another, more affordable shoe from this list for your everyday training.

2. Adidas Adistar

The best running shoe for slower runs

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 345g (men’s)
Heel drop: 6mm

The Adidas Adistar impressed us with its well-designed rocker that keeps propelling you forward during long training sessions. It’s not the lightest shoe we’ve ever tested, but its dual-density foam is tough and resilient, standing up well even after some serious mileage.

We also liked the shoe’s integrated cage system, which gives this running shoe a snug and comfortable fit. The upper is made of recycled ocean plastic and recycled polyester, which is also welcome from a sustainability standpoint.

Overall the Adidas Adistar is an excellent running shoe for those long, slow sessions and will help you maintain your form when your mind begins to wander, and you’re running on autopilot. Even after several hours, the shoes don’t feel sluggish, and the rocker design means you’re unlikely to drag your feet despite the shoes’ stack height.

3. Hoka One One Bondi X

The best long-distance running shoes

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 300g (men’s)
Heel drop: 5mm

The Hoka One One Bondi X has the company’s familiar chunky style but feels snappy thanks to an embedded carbon plate. This is a new feature for the Bondi line, and together with a full-size moulded EVA sole, it results in a springy and responsive ride.

It’s softer, wider and generally more forgiving than the Carbon X 2 and better suited to squeezing a few extra miles out of your training runs than breaking personal records on race day. In our tests, we found it particularly helpful after the 10-mile mark, when our form sometimes tends to suffer.

You’ll either love or hate its distinctive looks (the fluorescent color scheme and hefty heel unit are hard to miss), but if you’re happy to embrace its style, you’ll find it’s thoroughly enjoyable when you’re hitting the pavement for a few hours.

4. Saucony Endorphin Speed

The best running shoe for fast sessions

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 221g (men’s)
Heel drop: 8mm

If you’ve fallen out of love with running recently, the Saucony Endorphin Speed could be the best running shoe to rekindle your passion for the pavement.

This is a neutral motion-control shoe, meaning it isn’t designed to prevent the twisting motion of over-pronation but does help your foot roll and transfer energy more effectively thanks to a nylon plate in the midsole. The result is a springy, fun (but not bouncy) feel with each step.

It’s an exceptionally light shoe, and Saucony has pared down the design as much as possible to shave off extra grams. We can’t guarantee that it’ll help you hit a new personal best in your next race, but we wouldn’t be surprised.

5. Saucony Ride 15

The best running shoe for everyday training

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 247g (men’s)
Heel drop: 8mm

The Saucony Ride 15 isn’t a new shoe, but it’s extremely good value and a solid everyday training choice. It’s firm but comfortable, with enough cushion to keep you going through the miles. A good energy return from Saucony’s trademark PWRRUN foam outsole and an 8mm drop make the shoes great for ‘neutral’ runners who don’t over- or under-pronate.

They are not fast shoes for races in the same way some carbon-plated super-shoes might be, but Ride 15s are excellent value, comfortable on the road and good solid training shoes.

The Ride 16s are out now, but the Ride 15s are cheaper than ever and still amazingly-constructed regular-rotation running shoes. If you love running mid-distance on weekends (let’s say eight to twelve miles) plus a few shorter five-mile sessions mid-week, these are the shoes for you.

6. Asics Metaspeed Sky Plus

Another great race shoe that gives Nike a run for its money

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 210g (men’s)
Heel drop: 5mm

If you’re looking for a race shoe that’s a great alternative to what Nike and Adidas currently have to offer, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Plus is well worth your consideration. It’s a running shoe built to keep you quick over short and long distances

When we reviewed the Metaspeed Sky, we appreciated the spring provided by the full-length carbon plate and curved design, together with the shoe’s lightweight, responsive foam. It compresses at each footstrike before springing back into shape, giving a controlled feel while propelling you forward.

It’s pricier than the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 above, and it does have its predecessor’s issues with durability in the heel, but it’s a superb shoe nonetheless and feels great to run in.

7. Asics Gel-Nimbus 25

The best running shoe for comfort

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 299g (Mens UK size 8)
Heel drop: 8mm

The Asics Gel-Nimbus series is packed with excellent running shoes and the Gel-Nimbus 25 are our top pick if you’re after a neutral shoe built for comfort and stability over long distances.

In our Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 review we rated these running shoes for comfort, which is thanks to their extremely cushioned design. It feels to fantastic to slip your feet into them. Asics’ PureGel technology is also built-in here, which is designed to handle impact, delivering a smooth rise.

These shoes are not the best option for stability, breathability or fast runs – the Gel-Nimbus 24 are more light and versatile. But if comfort is your priority and you’re a slow runner who prefers pavement and road running, they’re a fantastic choice.

8. Saucony Endorphin Pro 2

A comfortable, springy carbon shoe for picking up the pace

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 213g (men’s)
Heel drop: 8mm

Sitting in between the Hoka One One Bondi X and the Asics Metaspeed Sky listed above, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 is a versatile carbon plate running shoe that works well at a variety of distances – particularly training sessions at a race pace.

It might feel odd at first, but once you pick up speed, you’ll feel the benefit of that plate together with the shoe’s SpeedRoll geometry, which propels you forward with each step. There’s also less exposed foam than you’ll find on many performance shoes, which lends some welcome durability.

The chief downside of this road running shoe is its price; at $200 / £190 / AU$319.99, it’s pretty steep. If cash is tight and you’re in the market for more of a daily shoe, take a look at the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 instead; its use of nylon in place of carbon gives a similarly lively ride while keeping costs down.

9. Saucony Guide 16

The best running shoe for unstable runners

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 221g
Heel drop: 8mm

The Saucony Guide 16 is our top pick if you overpronate and need some added stability when you run. Then again, if you don’t have any particular issues with the way you run, we recomend these shoes for any runner who wants to feel secure as they complete their miles.

It’s rare that running trainers are comfortable from the get-go, usually needing a few miles to break them in. But during our testing we were pleasantly surprised to find that this shoe is incredibly comfortable. As soon as you lace the trainers up, their foam tech ensures you have a cushioned run. They’re also incredibly lightweight at 221g, meaning you won’t be carrying too much extra weight as you attempt a new PB in them.

Unfortunately, these Saucony trainers aren’t waterproof, which is disappointing and means we wouldn’t recommend them for trails. However, they are a great everyday running shoe that we think are ideal for 5 and 10k runs.

10. Salomon Index.01

The best no-nonsense running shoe – and recyclable

SPECIFICATIONS

Heel drop: 9mm
Weight: 285g (unisex)

In terms of environmental impact, the Salomon Index.01 steals a lead on the Reebok Floatride Energy Grow (below) due to its closed-loop manufacturing process. The whole shoe is recyclable, and when you’ve run it into the ground, you can return it to Salomon to be transformed into other garments.

Of course, that would be little use if the Salomon Index.01 wasn’t good quality, high-performance shoe – but thankfully, it is. It feels firmer than the Reebok, making it a better choice if you’re looking for support, with a curved sole and unusual rear overhang that we found gave a welcome forward jolt of propulsion.

The upper is pleasantly breathable, and its understated design means it can shift easily between training sessions and running errands. We did find that the upper began to show dirt quite quickly, and the initial price is fairly steep, so it’s worth considering the Floatride Energy Grow as a more affordable alternative.

Best Running shoes 2023

1. Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2

SPECIFICATIONS

2. Adidas Adistar

SPECIFICATIONS

3. Hoka One One Bondi X

SPECIFICATIONS

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