Top 10 shoes our testers are loving this February
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Our expert testers go through a lot of shoes, but we’ve narrowed it down to the 10 best. Each month we’ll update this list with our absolute favourites in four categories, including race day or speedwork shoes, daily trainers, stability shoes and trail shoes. This way, you can build your perfect shoe rotation.
Every runner is different, but we loved these shoes and hope that you will too.
Race Day or Speedwork Shoes
Best for neutral runners seeking a versatile, lightweight shoe with propulsive technology
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
A lightweight shoe for speedwork or daily training
Saucony has updated this shoe with a new S-curved winged nylon plate that delivers more support during faster efforts. The plate is mated to a new midsole that features an updated geometry with a wider platform for a more supportive and smoother ride. Saucony has also increased the stack height by using more PWRRUN PB foam, resulting in an 8 mm drop with 36 mm heel and 28 mm forefoot. The upper is now lighter and offers an improved foot-hugging fit. For the outsole, Saucony specs its durable XT-900 outsole. These updates work with Saucony’s SPEEDROLL technology, creating a shoe that’s suitable for speedwork, racing and faster-paced training.
Best for runners seeking a neutral, cushioned, non-plated shoe
Brooks Hyperion Max
A lightweight, rockered trainer for faster workouts
The Hyperion Max is a great option for neutral runners who want a fast, lightweight shoe without the stiffness of modern plated footwear. Brooks employs a unique nitrogen-infused DNA Flash midsole that provides firm, adaptive cushioning. This material is formed into a highly rockered shape that delivers a snappy ride and encourages faster turnover. For the upper, Brooks has chosen a stretch-woven material that’s breathable and delivers a foot-conforming fit. On the bottom of the shoe, Brooks has spec’d its Green Rubber compound that is environmentally friendly without compromising grip and durability.
Best for runners seeking a versatile trainer for daily runs and speed work.
Saucony Kinvara Pro
A nimble daily trainer with propulsive technology.
The Kinvara Pro, with its three-quarter-length carbon plate, delivers the rigidity and snappy propulsive performance many runners will appreciate. The shoe features an aggressive rocker for smooth transitions, and the maximal cushioning is a welcome addition on longer daily runs. This is a versatile shoe that blends much of the performance found in super shoes with the cushioning and protection of a maximal trainer.
Daily Trainers
Best for neutral runners seeking a smooth ride and great cushioning
Brooks Ghost 15
A daily trainer with exceptional cushioning and a higher drop
The Ghost 15 offers a smooth ride that will be appreciated by runners wanting a neutral shoe for daily training. The relatively high drop (12 mm) will also be welcomed by heel-strikers – a category often overlooked as the industry has moves toward lower-drop shoes. For the midsole, Brooks specs its DNA LOFT v2 material that’s lighter than previous iterations and provides exceptional cushioning. The upper has also been updated for a more secure and foot-conforming fit. Finally, the Ghost 15’s outsole features a segmented crash pad that encourages smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
Best for neutral runners seeking great fit, cushioning, and durability.
Mizuno Wave Sky 7
A versatile and well-cushioned daily trainer.
The Wave Sky 7 features Mizuno’s ENERZY Foam and softer ENERZY Core material for exceptional cushioning and responsiveness. The outsole consists of large swatches of X10 rubber that ensure excellent traction and durability. For the upper, Mizuno has spec’d a unique stretch woven fabric that is soft, breathable, and easily conforms to the runner’s foot. This is a well-cushioned shoe that will hold up to heavy mileage.
Best for runners seeking an affordable and versatile daily trainer without excess weight.
Saucony Ride 16
A neutral everyday trainer
Built with a full-length Puma NITROFOAM midsole, the Velocity Nitro 2 offers the perfect blend of cushioning and responsiveness, making it a good daily trainer for many neutral runners. The upper consists of an engineered mesh that is highly breathable and easily conforms to the shape of the runner’s foot. For the outsole, Puma has used its PUMAGRIP rubber compound that delivers a solid grip on a variety of surfaces without compromising durability. This is a great daily trainer at a shockingly good price.
Stability Shoes
Best for runners seeking stability, cushioning and comfort
Asics Gel-Kayano 30
An updated, time-tested classic stability shoe
The Gel-Kayano 30 is now using Asics’ 4D Guidance System, which provides more natural and adaptive support. The midsole consists of FF Blast Plus Eco foam that’s softer, lighter and delivers a smoother ride. At the back of the shoe, Asics has spec’d it’s PureGEL technology for efficient impact absorption. The brand has also bumped up the stack height to 40 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot for increased cushioning. The updated upper is a breathable, engineered stretch-knit material that provides support without bulky overlays. Finally, the outsole has also been tweaked with ultra-durable AHAR rubber being used more strategically to reduce weight.
Best for runners with a tendency to overpronate
Saucony Guide 16
A great daily training shoe with unobtrusive stability features
Runners seeking stability without comprising cushioning and responsiveness will appreciate the new Guide 16. The upper has been tweaked for an improved fit and better lockdown. Overlays have also been adjusted, as has the heel cup. For the midsole, Saucony continues to use its PWRRUN EVA foam, which delivers a nice balance of cushioning and responsiveness. Pronation control is provided by Saucony’s HOLLOW-TECH stability device, which consists of a firm TPU insert on the medial side of the shoe. Other notable details include an 8 mm drop that hits the sweet spot for many runners and an XT-900 carbon rubber outsole that delivers plenty of durability.
Trail Shoes
Best for runners seeking a plush ride, protection, and traction during long trail runs
New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3
A trail running shoe with maximum cushioning
Trail runners who want the benefits of maximal cushioning shoes will appreciate the Fresh Foam X More Trail v3. The shoes feature New Balance’s Fresh Foam X midsole, which is composed of 3 percent bio-based content and delivers exceptional cushioning while also reducing environmental impact. The midsole’s generous proportions (40 mm in the heel, 36 mm in the forefoot, and a 4 mm drop) also ensure excellent trail protection without the need for a traditional rock plate. A lightweight, seamless engineered mesh upper does an admirable job of providing a comfortable and secure fit, and the addition of abrasion-resistant overlays ensures your feet are protected when training in challenging trail conditions. Finally, New Balance has chosen Vibram’s aggressive Ecostep outsole for exceptional traction in a variety of trails.
Best for runners seeking a versatile shoe with a wide forefoot.
Altra Outroad 2
A hybrid road-to-trail shoe for packed trails and paved surfaces.
Altra shoe fans already know that the brand offers a unique wide forefoot shape that encourages a runner’s foot to splay when running, and the Outroad 2, with its roomy last, is no exception. The shoe bridges the gap between the current crop of trail-specific and road-specific shoes, offering a one-shoe solution for runners who spend their time training on the road and trails. The Outroad 2 achieves this dual-personality performance primarily through the use of a MaxTrac rubber outsole, which features densely spaced mid-size lugs for solid traction on the road and gentle trails. The midsole consists of Altra’s AltraEGO foam that delivers protective cushioning while remaining sufficiently responsive for faster-paced training. The upper is an engineered mesh that does a good job of maintaining breathability while keeping out dirt and trail debris.
Best for runners seeking maximum weather protection on sloppy trails.
Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX
A waterproof/breathable trail running shoe.
Thanks to its Gore-Tex lined upper, the Peregrine 13 GTX delivers unmatched wet-weather protection for runners training on muddy or snow-covered trails. A PWRRUN Foam midsole provides cushioning while maintaining the nimble and responsive ride desired by many trail runners. Additional trail protection comes from a rock guard insert positioned at the forefoot of the shoe. Finally, a PWRTRAC rubber outsole with highly aggressive lugs ensures traction in even the sloppiest conditions.
Products reviewed in this article:
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