Article by RoadTrailRun Contributors
Best Road Running Shoes of 2023
Our annual survey of the year’s best road and trail running shoes, apparel and gear is compiled via survey of our contributors. 26 contributors participated in this year's survey. Not all contributors received every product and for each shoe tested differing quantities were provided by brands. Most shoes discussed here were review samples although a considerable number of personal purchases are included.
Multiple categories were surveyed including: Favorite Daily Trainer, Favorite Tempo, Long Run, Easy Days, Short and Fast, Half and Full Marathon, Most Surprising, Overall Shoe of the Year, Brand of the Year. Pull up a chair, beer or coffee and dig in to what the team enjoyed in 2023.
The RTR Team had quite a year on road and trail with 19 contributors chiming in with their distances and race results below. They logged just under 32,000 miles / 51,400 kilometers of running and, including our trail runners, ascending a staggering over 2,400,000 feet / 743,000 meters of vertical. And that is before we talk about their hiking, cycling and other activities. They sure put in the distance to test the gear and had wonderful performances as you can see below before we get into the shoes!!
Name | Location | Total 23 Run Distance (miles) | PR's and Race Achievements | Vertical Feet Ascent | Vertical Meters Ascent | Cycling Distance | Hiking Distance | Nordic/Ski Mo Distance |
Michael Postaski | Idaho,USA | 3142 | Pulse Endurance Runs 24H - 1st Pl. (123.74M) Scout Mountain 100M - 1st Pl. (23:37) Boise Trails Challenge - 3 days 13H *CR (221.5M) | 487,188 |
| 1,435 | 96 | 77 |
Dom Layfield | California, USA | 1600 | Ran Quad Dipsea, 20 years after running it for the first time. | 300,961 |
| 87 |
| 70 |
Michael Ellenberger | Chicago | 2550 | 2:21:19 marathon PR (2023 Grandma's Marathon); 24:43 8K PR (2023 Shamrock Shuffle) | 24,987 |
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Sam Winebaum | New Hampshire USA | 1270 | A few decent AG podiums in my 52nd year of running. A broken knee cap derailed my season ending half marathons | 55,100 |
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| 172 | approx.125 |
Marcel Krebs | Germany | 1635 | 3:17 marathon PR (2023 Hamburg Marathon), 1:32 half marathon PR (2023 Berlin Half Marathon) |
| 55 |
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Jeff Valliere | Colorado | 1,758 | Pikes Peak Marathon - 3rd AG, Bolder Boulder 10K - 5th AG, Celebrated my 2,000th (recorded) ascent of Green Mountain, Several local Strava PR's and CR's | 661,526 |
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Daniel da Silva | Dubai | 1311 | 3:42 marathon PR (2013 Dubai Marathon) |
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Nils Scharff | Germany | 2464 | 6 PRs over 4 distances: 5k - 17:31 > 17:29; 10k - 36:20 > 36:10 > 35:54; Half - 1:19:35 > 1:17:29; Marathon - 2:52:38 > 2:48:44 > 2:46:47 |
| 23,954 | 2348km | 201km | 9 |
Jamie Hershfang | Chicago | 3015 | The Speed Project Relay -course record | 60,507 |
| 1628 miles |
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Steven Gedwill | Chicago | 1055 | Half Marathon PR 1:45:59 | 8,359 |
| 92 |
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Alexandra Zvezdin | Quebec | 1515 | 42:50 10km and 1st place in a 10km trail with 457m of vert | 87,923 |
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| 548 km | 548km and 45 174m of vertical |
Adam Glueck | California, USA | 819 | 2nd M Overall in Pacifica Foothills 30km, 3rd M Overall in Marin Ultra Challenge 50km in < 5 hours | 115,384 |
| 636.7 miles | 137 miles |
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Markus Zinkl | Germany |
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| 81,520 |
| 1572 km |
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Sally Reiley | Marblehead, MA | 1530 | Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, no PRs | 37,562 |
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Ryan Eiler | Boston area | 2900 | Philadelphia Marathon 2:17, US Olympic Trials Qualifying time |
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Derek Li | Singapore | 2406 | Rotterdam marathon DNF. Berlin marathon 3:02. |
| 9,518 |
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Renee Krusemark | Nebraska | 2947 | First trail 50 miler; first time running more than 100-mile training weeks. | 222,853 |
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| 125 |
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What is your Favorite Daily Trainer of 2023 and Why? | |
Ben David | Hoka Mach 5 - it's so smooth and clean, very streamlined, great for easy running and those days you want to pick it up just a bit |
Markus Zinkl | Puma Velocity Nitro 2. Not a 2023 release but still my favorite daily trainer. The fit and step in feel is just perfect for me and feels like the last was custom-made for me. While the foam is not the most exciting, it just works. |
Nils Scharff | adidas Boston 12 - A very well tuned combination of carbon fiber rods, two midsole foams and a nice forefoot rocker make for a shoe which works from recovery miles to track workouts. It feels fast and efficient, offers an almost perfect lockdown, great traction and durability. It even looks good and is quite a bit cheaper than most of its competitors. |
Jeremy Marie | On CloudFlow 4. Versatile, sits well between comfort and speed, can handle both endurance and intervals. |
Mike Postaski | Topo Cyclone 2. This was a personal purchase after reading great reviews and it has lived up to expectations. A do-it-all road shoe, easy to run at all paces. |
Ryan Eiler | NB SC Trainer — While I wouldn't use it for racing, its depth of cushion, quality build, and high-performance comfort always make for an enjoyable experience. It covers a wide range of paces, and the bouncy ride it delivers makes me always want to reach for them over my other trainers. |
Jeff Beck | Topo Atmos. One of the best new midsoles out there balancing cushioning and bounce - all with Topo's foot shaped toebox. What's not to love? |
Peter Stuart | ON Cloudeclipse. Rides beautifully, picks up the pace nicely and is comfortable. |
Michael Ellenberger | Nike Vomero 17. Nike is perennially near the top of the “Racers” list, but we don’t see it atop the “Trainers” category all that often… the Pegasus has had more misses than hits lately, and some fan favorites like the Nike Zoom Fly have undergone significant changes… but the Vomero is king (for me) this year. It’s bouncy, it’s smooth, it’s enjoyable for long and short runs… my only complaint is the stiff heel counter, which gave my Achilles some issues… and I still kept running in it, regardless! Special shoutouts to the Brandblack Kaiju, Brooks Hyperion Max, and New Balance SC Trainer V2, all of which are enjoyable trainers I put significant miles on this year. |
Dom Layfield | Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 -- Just a great shoe at any speed. Wonderfully light, bouncy, fun. |
Joost De Raeymaeker | Topo Athletics Cyclone 2 It's quite a departure from the original Cyclone, which I also liked very much, but it was definitely worth the makeover. An all new comfortable upper and a great new midsole for a flexible, comfortable and energetic ride, all with that fantastic wide forefoot and arch support Topo is known for. |
Renee Krusemark | Saucony Ride 16 because it’s lightweight and versatile. The NB Rebel v3 isn’t new, but I have a slight preference for that shoe in comparison because of the more responsive (yet forgiving) midsole. |
Markus Zinkl | Nike Vomero 17 Nike nailed it with the Vomero this year. The combination of Cushlon and ZoomX in the midsole make it a great allrounder, which is the most important for me in a daily trainer. Add it a good midsole, which can handle also packed down trails and you have a winner in my books. |
Marcel Krebs | ASICS Novablast 4: Soft, bouncy, stable and light - the Novablast makes daily training fun! The NB4 is also pretty versatile and is a great option for an allrounder for lots of runners. Honorable mention: Saucony Triumph 21. The Triumph is also an excellent daily trainer which handles lots of paces very well. It is stable, bouncy and comfortable and therefore even more suitable for recovery runs and (slower) long runs. |
Sally Reiley | Asics Novablast 4 : Bouncy, easy, comfortable, responsive HM: NB SC Trainer 2, Adidas Boston 12, Saucony Endorphins Speed 3 |
John Tribbia | Adidas Supernova Rise: The shoe lives up to its promise of redefining comfort for everyday runners. Its plush midsole, supportive platform, and accommodating upper create a seamless running experience that prioritizes comfort and confidence above all else. While not the lightest or most responsive shoe on the market, it excels in providing a luxuriously comfortable ride for a variety of running scenarios. |
Daniel Da Silva | NB SC Trainer v2. This soe lives up to its name: trainer. Light and bouncy, this carbon plated training shoe is capable of handling all your daily training and more! It’s one of those lace up and go type of shoes! |
Jamie Hershfang | Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. The versatility from long runs to tempo/speed work and everything in between. |
Beto Hughes | On CloudSurfer 7. Very comfortable, soft and energetic for daily training. Cushioned, stable and smooth rocker with a nice fit and style. |
Alex Zvezdin | Brooks Levitate Stealthfit 5. Firm and responsive ride for both slow and fast paces. |
Steve Gedwill | Hoka Mach 5, comfortable breathable upper, soft enough for longer efforts, works well for mixing in strides |
Adam Glueck | Hoka Mach X. Like the Saucony Endorphin Speed, this shoe has some of the energy return and cushion of plated super-foam trainers and racers, but is slightly less responsive. It does however have excellent stability, and provides a predictable and comfortable ride for longer distances when the endorphin speeds sometimes upset my shins. |
Sam Winebaum | Saucony Ride 17- The Ride 13 was my daily trainer of the year 2020 and then the model drifted, The Ride 17 has everything I need for 90% of my runs: enough cushion and now more stack height than the 13, a lively somewhat firmer than Triumph new PWRRUN+ foam, decently lightweight at just under 10 oz for a big 35/27 stack height and enough flexibility. Honorable Mention: On Cloudeclipse |
Zack Dunn | Asics Gel-Cumulus 25 - This was a shoe that was my go-to for daily runs. It provided good cushioning without feeling extremely overbuilt or clunky. The upper was also really great in providing a great and comfortable fit. |
No clear winner in the category with theTopo Cyclone 2 (RTR Review) getting 3 votes edging out the ASICS Novablast 4 (RTR Review), Hoka Mach 5 (RTR Review), Nike Vomero 17 (RTR Review) and New Balance SC Trainer (RTR Review) each with 2 votes
| What is your Favorite Tempo Shoe of 2023 and Why? |
Ben David | Atreyu The Race Model - this is Atreyu's best shoe yet in my opinion; it's light, clean and durable. It's a 'no fuss' carbon plated shoe that works well for tempo runs or racing |
Markus Zinkl | Adidas Adizero Boston 12. Cushion, Propulsion and a versatile ride in one package. In addition to that, losing some weight to its predecessor. Adidas nailed it with this one this year. |
Nils Scharff | Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 - The Cyclone 2 was a big surprise for me and totally went under the radar. It's very flexible full PEBA midsole offers tons of fun and a very energetic but kind of natural ride. Topos natural footbed underlines this impression and is outrageously comfy. The Cyclone 2 ways barely 200 grams in my US 10.5 and works for everything from recovery runs to interval sessions. It's a true supershoe - even without any plates or maximalist stack heights. |
Jeremy Marie | Adidas Adios Pro 3. I've ran some big chunks of tempo during my IronMan prep this spring and it's always been a "run and forget" shoe for me, more so than the Alphafly, despite this one being more...efficient? |
Ryan Eiler | Nike Vaporfly 3, for its versatility at maximal and moderate paces. Legs never feel banged up, even after a hard workout. ZoomX propulsion is always enjoyable. |
Jeff Beck | Skechers Performance GoRun Ride 11. Not a typical tempo shoe, but great cushioning and bounce for slower/bigger runners like me. |
Peter Stuart | Topo Athletic Cyclone 2. Pebax is bouncy, the ride is quick and enjoyable. |
Michael Ellenberger | New Balance SC Trainer V2. New Balance has really expertly threaded the needle here; this is definitely a “trainer” (thus the name), but geometry and plate (and NB’s terrific foam composition) really give this shoe range. I ran many workouts in the V2. |
Dom Layfield | Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 -- Just a great shoe at any speed. |
Joost De Raeymaeker | Hoka Mach X I've really enjoyed the Mach series over the last couple of years. The Mach 4 was my go to shoe for quite a while. The X feels the same at first, but then you get that extra pop from the foam and plate. Great for picking it up. My only quibble is that Hokas tend to be rather narrow in the forefoot. |
Renee Krusemark | For non-plated options, the Ride 16 or Rebel v3 (not a 2023 release). |
Markus Zinkl | Adidas Boston 12 Cushion and propulsion and a versatile ride in one package. In addition to that, losing some of the weight to its predecessor. Adidas nailed it with this one this year. |
Marcel Krebs | Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2: While being a pretty good and versatile choice for race day, the S/Lab Phantasm 2 also shines as a tempo shoe. It handles many paces from uptempo training over intervals up to faster long runs. Honorable mentions: New Balance SC Elite 3: A great option especially for runners who prefer a carbon-plated shoe with a very soft midsole and a glove-like fit. For those runners it is also a good option for race day. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3: Still one of the most versatile and fun shoes on the market. While not being as "wild" as v1, the Endorphin Speed 3 became more versatile and stable in the meantime which makes it not only an excellent tempo shoe, but also a great alternative for long runs and as a daily trainer. |
Sally Reiley | Asics Magic Speed 3 Honorable Mentions: Saucony Kinvara Pro, Nike Vaporfly 3 |
John Tribbia | Salomon AeroVolt. The Aero Volt is the perfect shoe for runners of all levels and abilities. Whether you're a casual runner looking for a comfortable and versatile shoe or a serious athlete looking for a shoe that can handle long distances and fast paces, the Aero Volt is a great choice. Here are just a few of the things that make the Aero Volt so great: Excellent cushioning and shock absorption Breathable and comfortable upper Versatile enough for most any running surface Perfect for everyday training, long runs, and even races |
Daniel Da Silva | NB SC Trainer v2. Hate to sound like a broken record, but this shoe is a do it all. Tempo runs feel really good in them. You have the pop of a plated super shoe with the comfort and durability of a daily trainer. Simply amazing! |
Jamie Hershfang | 361 Flame ST. Light and snappy. |
Beto Hughes | 361 Flame ST, it is a versatile shoe perfect for Tempo runs and even races, it is fast and stable. |
Steve Gedwill | Skechers Razor 4, Nice Rocker, lightweight, stiff forefoot, snappy with H-Plate |
Adam Glueck | Saucony Endorphin Speed 3: These are fantastic shoes. I love how they can handle both slower and faster speeds. The foam is responsive and I feel like I get less beat up legs from running long distances in these. I also had great success trail racing this shoe over longer distances, whenever I didn’t require too much grip. |
Sam Winebaum | adidas Adizeo Boston 12: a bit softer than before and more forgiving it has plenty of snappy response without being race shoe punishing or unstable. Honorable Mention: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2. It’s flatter plate and friendly foam and upper make it an ideal tempo shoe. |
Zack Dunn | Adidas Takumi Sen 9 - Probably not a shoe that can work for everyone for tempos, but it is the one I loved the most. It provided amazing responsiveness with some extra snap from the rods within the midsole. It was also pretty lightweight which helped when doing faster intervals/tempo runs. |
The Adizero Boston 12 (RTR Review) ties the Topo Cyclone 2 (RTR Review) with 3 votes. Quite a contrast between the all business Energy Rod(ed) Boston and the free, flexible and unplated all PEBAX foam Cyclone 2 The 361 Flame ST and New Balance SC Trainer not far behind at 2 votes each.
| What is your Favorite Long Run Shoe 2023 and Why |
Ben David | Adidas Prime X Strung - I like this model in that it's a bit lighter and is clearly very, very cushioned, absolutely great for cruising long miles |
Markus Zinkl | Diadoro Atomo v7000. This one really surprised me this year. Really nice and cushioned ride, lowish 5mm drop, moderate weight. It ticks a lot of boxes for me and as plus on the side looks amazing. |
Nils Scharff | ASICS Superblast - Up to 47mm of stack height, at less than 240 grams in my US 10.5. What more can I say? It's comfy, it's fast, it's fun and it can go the distance! |
Jeremy Marie | New Balance SC Elite v3. So smooth and bouncy. Way less aggressive than the other super shoes. |
Ryan Eiler | NB SC Trainer — Depth of cushion, quality build, and high-performance comfort. |
Jeff Beck | Saucony Triumph 21 One of the best shoes of last year got an improved upper with an even better fit and hold, the midsole still has a great blend of firm and bouncy performance. |
Peter Stuart | ON Cloud Eclipse |
Michael Ellenberger | New Balance SC Trainer V2 - again?! This category is a bit of a cheat for me; I really enjoy making long runs fast, but you still want a shoe that won’t totally trash your feet. The new SC Trainer is a great blend of comfort and speed, and I highly recommend it. |
Joost De Raeymaeker | Adidas PrimeX 2 Strung A joy to run in for any distance, but I really like it to just keep on going. Some will say it's a toned down, more controlled version of the original PrimeX Strung and that that takes away some of the excitement, but on a long run, you don't really want excitement. You want a shoe that you can rely on and that just keeps you going. |
Renee Krusemark | The upcoming Ride 17 has more underfoot than the Ride 16, although it is heavier. The Novablast v4 also has a good stack and comfort at a relative light weight. |
Marcel Krebs | Saucony Triumph 21: The Triumph is comfortable, stable and bouncy. It offers plenty of cushion and is therefore an excellent option for long runs during marathon preparation. The Triumph features an abrasion-resistant outsole and offers an excellent package to eat up many, many miles. Honorable mentions: ASICS Superblast: The Superblast features a firmer midsole than the Triumph and comes in a significantly lighter package. It is an excellent alternative especially for sub3 marathoners and faster long runs in general. This is where the Superblast really shines (and also the reason for mixed reviews). In contrast, the Triumph 21 is the softer and more versatile alternative. HOKA Mach X: The HOKA Mach X is a great option if you are looking for a plated shoe for faster long runs or uptempo training. It features a PEBAX plate and a slap of Peba in the midsole. |
Sally Reiley | New Balance SC Trainer 2 - favorite shoe to pull on for the long miles as well as daily miles, bouncy, quick, easy on the legs HM: Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 |
Daniel Da Silva | NB SC Elite v3. Loved doing most of my long runs in them. They are light enough, super bouncy (Energy Arc technology), not super aggressive and very comfortable. Great for those long miles! |
Jamie Hershfang | Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 |
Beto Hughes | Asics Superblast this shoe can do long runs with ease with all that cushion at a lightweight, it is fun and energetic. |
Steve Gedwill | New Balance SC Elite V3, Even thought it is plated, it is comfortable and soft enough for longer distances, lightweight and soft underfoot |
Adam Glueck | I really enjoyed the Brooks Hyperion Max for longer distances, as despite it being a more flexible unplated trainer, it felt light, and provided responsive cushion. |
Sam Winebaum | On Cloudeclipse: Outstanding ride flow for a max cushion shoe with the ability to run any pace/ any distance using its effective (finally) CloudTech Phase elements that compress and roll with the gait so well. Honorable Mention: ASICS Superblast for its infinite deep energetic cushion and light light weight but it loses to Cloudeclipse as its front geometry is not nearly as smooth. |
Zack Dunn | New Balance Propel v4 - This one is definitely a shoe that I think is super underrated and gets overshadowed by other NB options. However, with the Fuelcell midsole foam, and a TPU plate, this shoe provided great cushioning with some slight snappiness that made it great for long runs up to the 17 mile range. |
New Balance dominates the category with both the New Balance SC Elite v3 (RTR Review) and SC Trainer v1 and v2 (RTR Review) getting 3 votes each. New Balance for sure has mastered the faster pace long run shoe and we look forward to seeing if the SC Elite v4 leans more racing. The adidas Prime X Strung (RTR Review), On Cloudeclipse (RTR Review) , and Saucony Triumph 21 (RTR Review) also saw strong support with 2 votes each.
| What was your Favorite Easy Recovery Run Shoe of 2023 and Why? |
Ben David | On Cloud Eclipse |
Nils Scharff | ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 - ASICS goal with the 25th Nimbus was to make the most comfortable running shoe on the planet. And at least in my book they achieved this while even making it a very well working cruiser for recovery- and slower long runs. |
Jeremy Marie | NIke Invincible Run Flyknit 2. I know it's not the latest, but you can still find it at bargain prices, and those have changed my mind on super cushion recovery shoes. |
Ryan Eiler | Asics Nimbus 25 — Tons of mellow, stable cushioning, exceptionally comfortable upper. It's not exciting, but it really gets the job done. |
Jeff Beck | New Balance 1080v13. New Balance delivers a Fresh Foam midsole that lives up to the name. Great chill runner. Honorable Mention: On Cloud Eclipse for a fun ride at slow paces. |
Peter Stuart | Topo Athletic Atmos. Nicely cushioned and fit is a little better for me than the Hoka Clifton 9. |
Joost De Raeymaeker | Topo Atmos Another great new shoe from this brand. I've been a fan of Topo since the first shoe I tested. The Atmos is this soft, easygoing, very well cushioned marvel with that wide forefoot and arch support I simply love. |
Renee Krusemark | ASICS Novablast 4. The shoe is still relatively lightweight for the stack height and provides a comfortable and bouncy ride. Or the upcoming Saucony Ride 17. |
Markus Zinkl | New Balance FreshFoam X 1080v13 What an update this year! NB changed the FreshFoam X formula and boy is it different now. Lighter, softer and bouncier. The overall weight of the shoe dropped as well, making it great for days with heavy legs. Easily the softest midsole I have run in by a mile. Stability is still ok and so at easy paces the 1080v13 is just a joy to run in. Honorable Mention: Diadoro Atomo v7000. For all the reasons, I wrote in favorite long run. In addition to that it's amazing a slow paces as well. |
Marcel Krebs | Saucony Triumph 21: For the same reasons which make it an excellent choice for long runs and as a daily trainer: It is stable, very well cushioned and makes even those slow miles fun to run. Honorable mention: ASICS Nimbus 26. The Nimbus is probably the most comfortable shoe in the market. It also features an improved outsole rubber which offers better grip and extended longevity. Compared to the Triumph, the midsole feels a little flat, but if comfort is your no. 1 priority, you should definitely have a look at the Nimbus 26 too. |
Sally Reiley | Saucony Triumph 21 RFG - comfortable and forgiving and mellow, also has the sustainability vote |
Daniel Da Silva | Brooks Ghost Max. I really enjoyed my easy recovery runs in the Ghost Max. Extremely comfortable, super cushioned with a great weight. My honorable mention goes to the Puma Magnify Nitro 2, which also also an amazing easy day shoe. Great cushioning for the tired legs. |
Jamie Hershfang | Saucony Triumph 21. Soft, yet still feels responsive, and crazy durable. |
Beto Hughes | Asics Superblast it is stable and fun to run really helps on those recovery days when the legs are a bit tired. |
Steve Gedwill | New Balance SC Trainer, super plush, great roomy upper |
Adam Glueck | The Hoka Mach X for its stability and softer foam. |
Sam Winebaum | Saucony RFG: Friendly and soft from its cotton upper to bio based midsole and outsole the RFG is about the most sustainable major brand actual run shoe to date and one that doesn’t in any way compromise on performance for easier pace runs. Lively and bouncy it is a joy to train in and especially on tired legs and sore feet. Honorable Mentions: Puma Magnify Nitro 2 and On Cloudeclipse |
Zack Dunn | Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 - Really loved the new version of the Nimbus with some pretty big updates. In terms of daily/easy running, this shoe gave me the cushion and forgiveness I love to have on easy recovery efforts. From the midsole to the outsole to the upper, I loved everything about this shoe. |
With 4 total votes, 2 for the regular Saucony Triumph 21 (RTR Review) and two for the sustainabile materials and processing focused Triumph (21) RFG version (RTR Review), the Triumph edges out the ASICS GEL Nimbus 25 (RTR Review) with 3 votes.
| What is your Favorite Short and Fast Shoe (Race & Intervals) of 2023 and Why? |
Ben David | Asics Meta Speed Sky+ - super grippy and lively, very light, would race it in anything up to a half marathon |
Markus Zinkl | Nike Streakfly. While the Adidas Takumi Sen 9 is the better full on short race shoe, I found the Streakfly more fun and versatile. ZoomX still gives enough of spring for me, even without a plate. |
Nils Scharff | Puma FAST-FWD - Puma's short distance road racer is one of a kind. It's stand out geometry just works if you strike at a very distinct point between mid- and forefoot. But I do and boy is it fun! |
Jeremy Marie | I'm still gravitating to the Vaporfly 2. And despite other really great shoes, lighter ones like the Puma Fast-FWD, the VF%2 still has the crown. |
Ryan Eiler | adidas Takumi Sen — Aggressive, race-ready upper, Lightstrike Pro rebounds quickly and energetically. Outsole provides fantastic grip at hard effort. |
Jeff Beck | ASICS Novablast 4. A bouncy ride that works well at slow paces, but even better when the pace picks up. |
Peter Stuart | UnderArmour UA Flow Velociti Elite. Snappy, fast and fun. looks great. |
Michael Ellenberger | Hoka Cielo Road (aka Hoka Cielo RD). The true “racing flat” has been dying for years now (I’m tired of writing that, at this point) and while the Cielo Road does have a carbon plate - and is squarely a super shoe (at least in its inclusion of next generation technologies) - it’s the closest thing to an old-school racer we’ve gotten from Hoka in a long while, and is quicker and more versatile than, say, the Nike Streakfly. Anyone racing under the HM on the roads should give this a serious look! |
Joost De Raeymaeker | Adidas Adios 8 Again, quite a departure from what the Adios once was, but I feel Adidas is back on track with a modern version of the Adios. It feels snappy, fast and reactive. Just what you need for shorter work. |
Renee Krusemark | Nike Vaporfly 3 for plated options, or the not-new NB Rebel v3. |
Markus Zinkl | Nike Streakfly While the Adidas Takumi Sen 9 is the better full on short race shoe, I found the Streakfly more fun and versatile. ZoomX still gives enough of spring for me, even without a plate. In addition the incredibly low weight makes fast turnover very easy. |
Marcel Krebs | Saucony Endorphin Elite: Excellent propulsion and fit; very aggressive rocker and wide forefoot at a pretty low weight; for fast runners (marathon time 2:45 and faster) also a great option for the marathon. Honorable mentions: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2: Very versatile; handles everything from uptempo and intervals up to the half and full marathon distance; excellent fit. HOKA Rocket X 2: As versatile as the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 and even more stable; good choice especially for those with narrow and low volume forefoot. |
Sally Reiley | Adidas Prime X Strung (can I vote for V1?) - biggest ego-stroking pace picker-upper brings-smiles-to-the-face shoe out there! MH: Asics Metaspeed Sky+ , Nike Vaporfly 3 |
Daniel Da Silva | Nike Vaporfly Next% 3. Light weight, with enough cushioning and great energy return. While I didn’t get on with the Vaporfly 2, the third iteration is a great success in my opinion. |
Jamie Hershfang | Nike Vaporfly 3. Soft, yet not too soft like some of the other carbon plated racing shoes. |
Beto Hughes | Antepes Muscle Runners, this shoe is a tool that works excellently for intervals and short races, has really helped me to work on my form and muscles during speed workout days. |
Alex Zvezdin | Brooks Hyperion Max. Fun, light & non-plated option for short races and intervals on roads |
Steve Gedwill | Hoka Rocket X2, the upper reminds me of the Vaporfly 1, but with better lockdown, lightweight, very responsive |
Adam Glueck | Saucony Sinister. Despite its incredibly light weight, the Saucony sinister combines a slab or incredibly responsive PEBA foam, excellent grip, a precise upper, and just enough cushion to perform fantastically on both road and light trails. I love this shoe for track workouts, hill climbs, and short distance racing. |
Sam Winebaum | No question the super light, agile and versatile Saucony Sinister. Even shorter smoother trail racing is so much fun. No plate just a biggish slab or PWRRUN Pb and a stout outsole with a super secure upper. Honorable Mentions (both similar to Sinister): Nike Streakfly and Topo Cyclone 2 |
Zack Dunn | Adidas Takumi Sen 9 - Definitely this option is perfect for short/intervals. Was able to do many great track sessions and even some 10k races. Responsive, and super snappy. |
No question Nike dominates the fast and short category with the Vaporfly 3 (RTR Review) leading the way with 3 votes, Streakfly (RTR Review) with 2 votes and Vaporfly 2 getting 1 vote. The Adizero Takumi Sen (RTR Review) and Saucony Sinister (RTR Review) also get 2 votes each.
| What is your Favorite Half/Marathon Race Shoe of 2023 and Why? |
Ben David | Asics Meta Speed Sky+ - see above |
Markus Zinkl | Nike Vaporfly 2. Haven't run in the 3 yet, so the 2 is still my shoe to go. I just like the light weight and amazing energy return it gives me. |
Nils Scharff | Nike Vaporfly 3 - There haven't been so many new racing options this year, but the VF3 stands out anyways. I've always preferred the Alphafly over its sibbling, but this year I was highly considering the VF3 over my beloved AF. In the end it came down to stability in the later miles, which made me run both my marathons in AFs again. But the VF3 is my weapon of choice of any other distance from 5k to 21.1. |
Jeremy Marie | For HM, it's the Vaporfly 2 without a doubt. For a full marathon...it might be the same, but the AlphaFly, despite the...weirdness to run in, is incredibly efficient, as long as I can control my running form. If I were to choose one for both distances...I'd take the Alphafly. |
Ryan Eiler | Adidas Adios Pro — I haven't found a shoe that returns as much energy and reduces fatigue to the same degree as the Pro. |
Jeff Beck | New Balance SC Trainer 2. It's big, well cushioned, and plated, with plenty of room in the toebox. Also reigned in just slightly from the first version, and that restraint makes it legal for races. |
Peter Stuart | NB SC Elite V3. My go to race day shoe. |
Michael Ellenberger | The Nike Vaporfly 3 is so good I almost forgot they came out this year; they’ve become so quickly adopted that they don’t seem like the “cool new shoe” anymore - instead, they’ve very nearly replaced the Vaporfly Next% 2 as the most ubiquitous race shoe. And for good reason! I think they’re the best half marathon racing shoe out there and (as we’ve covered many times) a near equal with the Alphafly, subject to your preference. Lots coming in 2024 - including that new Alphafly 3 I can’t wait to get my hands on - but the Vaporfly 3 isn’t going anywhere. For new entries, the ASICS Magic Speed 3 and Atreyu Race Model are both very near the top of bang-for-your-budget racing options (and aren’t shoes I’d hesitate to toe the line in). The Magic Speed is a little firmer and more kinetic feeling, while the Atreyu is softer, bouncier, even a little more out-of-control (in the way the Adidas Adios Pro is). Both great! |
Joost De Raeymaeker | ON Cloudboom Echo 3 Everything about this shoe breathes quality. I didn't get around to running a fall marathon this year, but if I had, this would have been my pick for the day over the Vaporfly 3 I used in spring. |
Renee Krusemark | Nike Vaporfly 3. I still prefer v1, but VF v3 brings the same lightweight, fast ride. |
Markus Zinkl | Nike Vaporfly 2 Haven't run in the 3 yet, so the 2 is still my shoe to go. I just like the light weight and amazing energy return it gives me. |
Marcel Krebs | ASICS Metaspeed Sky+: Still my favorite shoe for race day; almost perfect balance of bounce, rocker, stability, fit & weight. Honorable mentions: Nike Vaporfly 3 comes closest to the Metaspeed Sky+ as far as the performance is concerned. VF3 less stable at the rear foot. Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 & HOKA Rocket X 2: are pretty good alternatives especially if you are looking for a versatile shoe for uptempo and interval training which you can also use at race day. |
Sally Reiley | Nike Vaporfly 3: I have had great success racing marathons in the VF1, 2, and 3 so I know this shoe works for me. Fits well, responsive, legs feel fresh after 26.2. |
Daniel Da Silva | From what I tested in 2023, the NB SC Elite v3 will take the win. Super comfortable with great cushioning and energy return. Great for the half and full marathon. |
Jamie Hershfang | Nike Vaporfly Next% 3. Hard to beat. |
Beto Hughes | Saucony Endorphin Elite it feels fast and aggressive at HM pace and smooth at Marathon Pace. |
Steve Gedwill | New Balance SC Elite V3, checks all the boxes, responsive, comfortable, soft for those last few miles |
Adam Glueck | The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3: I ran this shoe for a trail 50km, and many of my other long runs. It doesn’t quite match the performance of a carbon plated shoe for shorter distances, but for a marathon or above, I really appreciate the slightly more flexible nylon plate while still having an energy saving foam, comfortable upper, and decent stability and outsole grip. |
Sam Winebaum | Nike Vaporfly 3 with close behind the more agile, lower stack, flexible XTEP 160X 2.0 |
The Nike Vaporfly 3 (RTR Review) runs away with this category with 6 votes, plus 2 votes for the Vaporfly 2. New Balance SC Elite v3 (RTR Review) comes in next with 3 votes followed by the ASICS Metaspeed Sky + (RTR Review) with two votes.
| What was the most surprising road shoe of 2023. Good or Bad |
Ben David | I thought the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 was disappointing. The Deviate Nitro is such a fun, poppy shoe. The Nitro Elite 2 lacks the same excitement and pop. |
Nils Scharff | adidas Adizero Boston 12 - The addition of Lightstrike 2.0 was a game changer for adidas. Add in the best fitting upper the German brand has made in years and you have a real winner which will win over many of the diehard Boston fans of old, which got rejected by the last two versions. |
Jeremy Marie | PUMA Fast-FWD. It has some flaws, the most obvious one being a really dedicated tool, but the combination of low weight, responsiveness, and extreme geometry will make you fly on track workout and 5-10k races. |
Ryan Eiler | Tracksmith Eliot Runner — Missed the mark on performance, but it fits the bill for the Tracksmith 'performance casual' lifestyle. |
Jeff Beck | Topo Atmos. This shoe is a turning point for Topo, great design, even better execution. |
Peter Stuart | On Cloudeclipse. I haven't loved ON shoes (except for Cloud Monster). The Eclipse delivers on all of the promise of On. |
Michael Ellenberger | Skechers Performance Speed Beast. I forgot about this shoe until just now (as I assume many others have, too) - but they’re a terrific plated trainer or racer. I wouldn’t pay full retail, but I would gladly add a pair to my lineup at a discount! |
Joost De Raeymaeker | ON Cloudboom Echo 3 This shoe was a very pleasant surprise for me. I hadn't run in any ON shoes before and for the longest time had heard mixed things about them, so when I put the Echo 3 on my feet and felt that incredible feat of engineering and quality, I was surprised in a very positive way. It was the only shoe that really surprised me in 2023. |
Renee Krusemark | Not surprising, but the trend of shoes getting more stack and wider platforms (and some weight gain). The Saucony Ride and ASICS Novablast are two examples. We’ll continue to see this trend in 2024. |
Markus Zinkl | 361° Centauri While the shoe did not make my lists above, it is the first shoe with a TPE midsole I tried. The sensation it gave was unique, really feeling it compress and preload until the toe-off. |
Marcel Krebs | Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2: With the S/Lab Phantasm 2, Salomon made its way to the first league of super shoes almost out of nowhere. It's a totally new shoe compared to the Phantasm CF. Its midsole is soft and bouncy; the fit in the toebox is generous and the heelhold excellent. It looks awesome and works also pretty well as and tempo and interval shoe. |
Sally Reiley | TOPO Atmos - Wow! Also Tracksmith Eliot Runner - not exactly a race shoe but possibly the classiest looking wear-with-anything comfortable athletic shoe, a triumph as the very first shoe made by a Boston based upscale running apparel company . |
Daniel Da Silva | The adidas Adizero Adios Evo 1 in my opinion was very surprising. Adidas has kept it a secret until just before the Berlin Marathon. In a US9 it weighs 138gr (4.9oz). My sample size US11 only weighed 150gr (5.3oz). A real piece of engineering and innovation. It will push every other shoe manufacturer to find a new technology to make this happen! |
Jamie Hershfang | 361 Flame ST. Feels so light and responsive. Not a shoe I would have probably tried if I didn't get a chance to test them, but so glad I did. |
Beto Hughes | Nike Vomero 17 was a surprise that this good old shoe has evolved and now it feels better than ever, a very versatile daily trainer. |
Alex Zvezdin | Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. Amazing feeling of being propelled forward, I'm just not enough of a road runner to use it daily. |
Steve Gedwill | Mizuno Wave Flash, super stiff and firm, beat my legs up pretty good after a few runs |
Adam Glueck | I was surprised by the Saucony Sinister, because of just how light and cushioned it happened to be, as well as that it had enough outsole grip to be viable on trails. It’s a really fun shoe |
Sam Winebaum | On Cloudeclipse . Don’t judge a book by its cover on an On by its always stunning looks but often rough rides! It looks clunky but at long last Cloud elements here in the new Phase approach, collapsing sequentially, work superbly and at any pace with the rough Speeboard now an at the ground shank. Honorable Mention: Saucony Sinister for its surprising terrain versatility for such a light shoe. ASICS taking huge risks and super sizing its vital legacy Nimbus and Kayano and going all out with Superblast and succeeding with all three, although less sofor me. Topo for 2 totally modern riding yet anatomical fitting shoes in Atmos and Cyclone 2 |
Zack Dunn | Taking yet another category for me is the Takumi Sen 9. As a college 5k-10k racer, I love it when companies come out with shorter-distance racing shoes. Therefore, I was pretty ecstatic when the Takumi Sen came out, and even more so when I ran in it and loved it! |
In this category as so many of our contributors run both road and trail we asked them to pick their single best of the year. We will cover the trail shoes in our Best of 2023 Trail shortly.
| What is your Overall Favorite Run Shoe (road, trail, or if both your single pick) of the Year and Why |
Ben David | Hoka Mach 5 and Hoka Carbon X 2 - a good duo! Both are highly wearable, non-elitist, durable and fun |
Markus Zinkl | Scarpa Kalibra HT. I've never tried a technical mountain running shoe, which nails the balance between comfort and agility on technical terrain. |
Nils Scharff | ASICS Superblast. Honorable mentions: adidas Boston 12, Topo Cyclone 2 |
Jeremy Marie | Adidas Adios Pro 3. As described before, it's versatile for longer efforts, stable, durable. The Pegasus trail 4 GTX is an unexpected surprise. The ON Cloudflow 4, despite its price, is my perfect do-it-all, plateless shoe. |
Mike Postaski | Topo MTN Racer 3 - Reasons listed earlier - I feel like everyone should have this shoe in their rotation. Honorable Mention - Salmon S/LAB Genesis - not a 2023 shoe, but Courtney started using them this year and we know how that turned out. Honorable Mention #2 - Topo Cyclone 2 - Perhaps my favorite road shoe ever. |
Ryan Eiler | 1. NB SC Trainer — This shoe is so versatile across a wide range of paces, and also happens to be exceptionally comfortable. Its high build quality makes it durable and able to handle high mileage. Aside from fast workouts, the SC Trainer with its bouncy ride is a shoe that I find myself reaching for consistently. 2. Hoka Mach X 3. Nike Vaporfly 3 |
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Jeff Beck | Road: Topo Atmos, Honorable Mentions: ASICS Nimbus 25 and Saucony Triumph 21. All three are incredible soft and smooth daily trainers that can do just about all of it. Atmos takes the crown but a narrow margin. Trail: ASICS Trabuco Max 2, Honorable Mentions: Hoka Stinson 7 and Saucony Ultra Ridge GTX. The Trabuco Max 2 is has tons of protection and cushioning while being a little more versatile, the Stinson is an all-mountain beast that gives all week cushioning, and the Ultra Ridge takes the very good Xodus Ultra midsole/outsole and mates it to a lightweight boot upper - I had no idea I'd appreciate *that* much ankle support. |
Peter Stuart | On Cloud Eclipse, Topo Atmos, New Balance SC Trainer V2. |
Michael Ellenberger | Nike VaporFly 3. As I said in my review, we’re already seeing so many of these shoes on start lines that it’s hard to believe the shoe is only a few months old (and rarely discounted). Honorable mentions: Hoka Cielo Road (Hoka’s biggest racing success in a while!) and the Nike Vomero 17. |
Dom Layfield | Topo Athletic Cyclone 2. Pretty much perfect from my perspective. Light, fast, comfy, bouncy. Can do everything. |
Joost De Raeymaeker | Adidas PrimeX 2 Strung My favorite of 2023 for all the reasons I mentioned in the road shoe category. Honorable mentions: ON Cloudboom Echo 3 Topo Atmos |
Renee Krusemark |
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Marcel Krebs | Road: The ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ is still my favorite race day shoe and I am really looking forward to the Metaspeed Sky 2 which should be released in spring 2024. An older pair also works as an excellent trainer for intervals and sprint sessions. It also perfectly fits my gait cycle (stride runner). If you are a cadence runner, have a look at the ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ Honorable mention: Saucony Triumph 21; probably one of the most underrated shoes; soft, bouncy, stable and comfortable with lots of cusioning; perfect allrounder for lots of runners; advanced runners combine the Triumph with a shoe for fast intervals and race day. Trail: HOKA Mafate Speed 4: top notch grip even in wet and muddy conditions, plenty of cushioning also for long ultra races and a great fit make it a very versatile option for everything except for very technical terrain and short & fast races. The longer I wear them, the more I extend the usecases as far as surfaces and distances are concerned. Honorable mention: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2: With the S/Lab Phantasm 2, Salomon made its way to the first league of supershoes almost out of nowhere. It's a totally new shoe compared to the Phantasm CF. Its midsole is soft and bouncy; the fit in the toebox is generous and the heelhold excellent. It looks awesome and works also pretty well as an tempo and interval shoe. |
Sally Reiley | Nike Vaporfly 3 Honorable Mentions: New Balance SC Trainer, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 |
John Tribbia | Salomon Sense Ride 5 Honorable Mentions: Norda 002, adidas Supernova Rise |
Daniel Da Silva | NB SC Trainer v2. A staple in my training in 2023. Great cushioning and energy return. A real do it all! Honorable mentions go to NB SC Elite v3 and Brooks Ghost Max. |
Jamie Hershfang | 1. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. The versatility is hard to beat. 2. Topo Atmos 3. 361 Flame ST. |
Beto Hughes | Saucony Endorphin Elite is my favorite race day shoe for what it can do and the versatility. Metaspeed Sky+ stable and fast for marathon and longer runs and efforts SC Elite v3 very soft and fast for race day. |
Alex Zvezdin | 1. Arc'teryx Vertex 2. Brooks Hyperion Max 3. Brooks Cascadia 16 |
Steve Gedwill | 1.New Balance SC Elite V3 2.Hoka Rocket X2 3. Nike Alphafly 2 |
Adam Glueck | My favorite shoe would be the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, honorable mention to the Puma Fast-Trac Apex Nitro and the Saucony Sinister |
Sam Winebaum | Going with most Smiles for this category and two Saucony gave me the most smiles in 2023 at two extremes: The super fun Sinister which is an impossibly light and incredibly versatile shoe road or trail. Not far behind is the most mellow of rides the Triumph RFG which compromises nothing in performance to deliver what may be the most sustainable shoe yet from a major brand. Honorable Mentions: On Cloudeclipse. On finally did it! A friendly fast or slow marvel that makes their re-imagined Cloud elements a truly effective method of cushioning and rolling forward through the gait cycle. NNormal Kjerag which again like Sinister is a super light shoe of course more trail focused that crosses over to fast road running and even trekking. |
| What is your Overall Favorite Run Brand of 2023 and Why? |
Ben David | Hoka continues to deliver and evolve in ways that not every company is right now |
Markus Zinkl | Strong year for adidas this year. Evo Pro 1, Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, Boston 12, Adios 8. Strongest updates/releases imo. Runner up: On. Seem they finally getting their and accepted to rethink their midsole design Puma. Solid updates and for me personally the Fast-Trac Apex was a real pleasant surprise. |
Nils Scharff | ASICS - Superblast, Fujitrail and Nimbus were all big hits for me. The new Novablast probably adds to this list. Honorable mentions: adidas - great updates on Adios and Boston, brave attempts with Prime X and EVO 1! |
Jeremy Marie | ON, for their evolution from firm and harsh running shoes to something really nice now, and their top quality garments |
Mike Postaski | Topo - A very diverse lineup for road/trail that covers all the bases. Perhaps they're only lacking in the top-end racer category. Honorable mention - Merrell Trail, Saucony Trail |
Ryan Eiler | adidas continues to push the envelope and deliver superb products, competing with Nike at the highest level. Saucony - Their shoes are always on the mark, and are usually tough to critique. ASICS - I find myself using their shoes several times a week, whether it's a Nimbus, MagicSpeed, or Metaspeed, they always fit and perform well. |
Jeff Beck | Saucony, Honorable Mentions: Topo and ASICS. Saucony continues to fire on all cylinders for both road and dirt - and I didn't even test their plated race shoes that everyone raves about. Topo made a massive turn for the best with the Atmos, and ASICS was very similar to Saucony, when you're that good at road and trail, it's a great thing. |
Peter Stuart | New Balance, ON, Topo Athletic |
Michael Ellenberger | Nike returns to the top for me this year, with standout options across training and racing. Honorable mentions of Atreyu, which really rounded out its lineup by adding the Race Model late in 2023 (and maintaining the Daily Trainer and - my favorite - Base Model), and Craft who (once they figure out sizing) can be a major player in road running |
Joost De Raeymaeker | adidas For getting their Adios line on the right track again. I enjoyed the Adios 8 and the PrimeX 2 Strung is a fantastic shoe. Honorable mentions: Topo, Hoka |
Renee Krusemark | For both road and trail, Saucony consistently released quality running shoes. I can’t think of a Saucony shoe, road or trail that I haven’t enjoyed. |
Markus Zinkl | Strong year for adidas this year. Evo Pro 1, Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, Boston 12, Adios 8. Strongest updates/releases imo. Runner ups: On. Seem they finally getting their and accepted to rethink their midsole design Puma. Solid updates and for me personally the Fast-Trac Apex was a real pleasant surprise. |
Marcel Krebs | ASICS: The product lineup from ASICS was already decent and continuously improved during the last couple of years. In 2023, ASICS ramped up especially their trail game with the introduction of the Fuji Speed 2 for faster mid distances races on technical terrain and the very comfortable Trabucco 11. The Fuji Lite 4 combines the accommodating fit of a road shoe with a grippy outsole and a well balanced midsole which make it an excellent door to trail shoe. If rumors hold true, a trail version of the Metaspeed will round up the lineup with a light carbon plated long distances racer which should be a quite interesting shoe too. On the road, the lineup is almost complete and flawless. While I would wish for a little more responsive midsole in the Nimbus, it is still a very comfortable recovery shoe. The Novablast 4 is an excellent daily trainer which also works well for longer distances. The Superblast features the same midsole foam as the Metaspeed and is therefore a great option as an uptempo trainer and also works well as a long run option for faster runners. When it comes race day, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ is still my favorite even though it is a 2022 model and I can't wait for the Metaspeed Sky 2. Honorable mentions: Saucony: While Saucony switched to a 2 year update cycle for some of their most popular shoes like the Endorphin Speed 3 and the Endorphin Pro 3, the brand still has a great line up in 2023. That's because shoes like the Speed 3 and the Pro 3 are still top notch shoes in their categories. In addition, the Saucony Triumph is one of the most comfortable and versatile shoes on the market even though it had "just" an upper update. With the Saucony Endorphin Elite the brand also added an excellent race day option for ambitious runners to their lineup. It will be very interesting to see how the major update will perform in 2024, especially the Endorphin Speed 4 and the Endorphin Pro 4 as well as the re-designed Triumph 22 which was shown recently at the TRE in Austin, Texas. HOKA: Similar to Saucony, HOKA did not update some of their most successful shoes in 2023 like the Mafate Speed 4, the Speedgoat 5 or the Mach 5 which are still awesome choices in their categories. In addition, with the introduction of the Rocket X 2, HOKA made a huge statement in the road racing super shoe game. Their 2024 outlook also seems promising: A more aggressive outsole for the Tecton X3, a more energetic midsole of the Mach X 2 and an updated Mach 6 with a supercritical foam midsole promise an exciting running shoe year 2024. |
Sally Reiley | Saucony. I haven't met a Saucony shoe I did not like. Endorphin line continues to be an absolute favorite for fast! |
Daniel Da Silva | New Balance really surprised me in 2023. The duo SC Trainer v2 and SC Elite v3 worked great for me! Really enjoyed running in them. Honorable mentions goes to Adidas for the innovation and its amazing Adizero Adios Evo 1 and to ASICS for the innovation with the Kayano 30 and Nimbus 25! |
Jamie Hershfang | 1. New Balance. The tech and shoe updates have been amazing, while the apparel is functional and versatile. 2. Saucony 3. Oiselle |
Beto Hughes | Saucony always makes good updates each year that works for most runners. New Balance making versatile shoes for training and racing. On Running is going in the right direction, getting better and better with their new line of shoes and foam updates. |
Alex Zvezdin | Brooks continues to amaze me with great shoes for both road and trails. Great effort to also make shoe selection easy for consumers on the website with the shoe finder, but above all I love seeing how they continue to focus on making comfortable and durable shoes without getting wrapped up in the gorp/fashion trends like some other brands. |
Steve Gedwill | 1. New Balance 2. Hoka 3. Nike. New Balance put out my favorite long run and race shoe this year! |
Adam Glueck | I’ve been really impressed with Saucony. They’re tried a lot of cool shoe ideas and technologies from the Plated Endorphin Edge (which is really fun for shorter trail races), to the amazing sinister, and trainer/racers like the Endorphin Speed 3. Saucony’s willingness to try putting PEBA in everything and experiment with geometries and outsoles is really impressive. Honorable mention to Hoka for bringing new foams and ideas to their shoes, I love the Zinal and Mach X and have heard great things about the rocket X |
Sam Winebaum | Tiny Topo is my brand of the year for 3 fantastic road shoes in Cyclone 2, Atmos, and Specter, none with plates, and for the continued evolution of their trail line. Dynamic underfoot with genuine PEBAX in the mix and always with the best fitting truly anatomical uppers. ASICS took big risks with their legacy trainers and introduced the max max cushioned Superblast and it all worked in the market. Saucony for consistent gradual improvement although they haven’t quite nailed the top end race shoe for me. adidas finally moved away from over aggressive Adizero shoes with Boston 12, and the beyond bold Prime X 2 Strung and the lightest racer ever in EVO. Supernova Rise finally gave them a modern, more mainstream daily trainer. And late in 2023 our tests of 5 different Merrell trail shoes have them in an early lead for 2024. |
Zack Dunn | This one is pretty hard, as many companies have made great strides. For me, I think Saucony and adidas are the top two contenders for me, but I can't seem to choose one. Both put out some extremely great shoes and have really stood out to me as innovative. |
While Saucony (5) edges out adidas (4) and New Balance (4) by one vote, essentially it’s a tie. These brands executed brilliantly in 2023 with Saucony refining each and every model successfully, adidas focusing on the fast end of things at Adizero, with New Balance serving the faster recreational runner seeking soft and comfort even in fast shoes very well.
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