Article by Michael Ellenberger and Ben David
Atreyu Daily Trainer 2 ($170 USD)
Introduction
Ben: The Atreyu Running Co continues to quietly make stellar running shoes. While it may not be a household name, the Austin-based brand has garnered a cult-like following. When they came onto the scene a few years ago, I was wowed by their shoes’ simplicity, affordability and sleek design. The Base Model looked like nothing else on the market (and ran that way too). The Race Model is an extremely lively carbon-plated option and priced far below anything else on the market. Atreyu continues to evolve under the thoughtful leadership of founder Michael Krajicek.
With the tagline of " “Premium simplicity, everyday performance”, the Daily Trainer 2, building on the well-received Daily Trainer 1.2, is a more versatile, longer-lasting model, using new “CPU (Casting Polyurethane) outsole technology.” for the outsole, a compound that is far lighter than the prior rubber and which contributes greatly to the big 54g drop in weight. Michael calls this latest model one of “premium simplicity” and it is that. The thoroughly modern supercritical 60% TPE / 40% PEBAX® blended foam midsole offers protection, responsiveness and cushion in ways that are far more substantial than earlier Atreyu models.
The shoe is comfortable, peppy and fun. Let’s say it clearly: The Daily Trainer 2 remains true to its roots while offering up a more advanced ride and greater comfort. Let’s take a closer look.
Michael: Atreyu came on the scene at exactly the right time for me. In February 2020, I was fresh out of law school, holding off an ever-present sore Achilles, and churning through shoes quickly, stacking mileage for a big year ahead. Of course, we know what happened in 2020 (I just searched my review - published February 17, 2020 - not one mention of “Coronavirus” or “pandemic”!), but the Atreyu Base Model was a bright spot for me that year; I went through my trial pair and several more, racking up the miles in Atreyu’s most stripped-down model. Since then, the brand has expanded - we’ve reviewed the previous Daily Trainer, the Daily Trainer 1.2, the Race Model and its predecessor The Artist, the Base Model 2 and Base Model 3, among others. Needless to say - we are big Atreyu fans here at RTR.
And against that backdrop, I was so excited to test the Daily Trainer 2. A full revamp - and a genuine step-up in class, priced at nearly twice what the original Base Model went for - was music to my ears. I took it on a run the day it arrived, and many more since.
Pros:
Smooth ride (Ben)
Upgraded supercritical foam is delightful (Ben/Michael)
Terrific upper (Ben/Michael)
Extremely light for a daily trainer with a gigantic 54g drop in weight from v1 (Ben/Michael)
Cons:
Now at a cost that is commensurate with the big brands (Ben/Michael)
Could use added stack at the heel (Ben/Michael)
Most comparable shoes (with your name next to each)
Nike Pegasus 41 (Ben, Michael)
Nike Pegasus Plus
Adidas EVO SL (Ben)
Brooks Hyperion Tempo (Michael)
Brooks Launch 11 (Michael)
Please find the testers full run bios at the end of the article after Comparisons.
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 7.7 oz / 218g (US9)
Prior Version Weight: 9.3oz / 264 g (US 9)
Sample Weight: men’s 7.7 oz / 218g US9, 7.5 oz / 213g US8.5
Stack Height: men’s 30 mm heel / 24 mm forefoot (6 mm drop spec)
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Ben: Upon step-in, you realize this is an upgraded Atreyu model. While the Base Model was colorful, fun and lively, this shoe offers more support and cushion underfoot. It also builds on the success of the Daily Trainer 1.2 which also represented a significant upgrade over v1 even while it stays at the same 30/24 stack height. My size 9 fits extremely well.
The 40% Pebax / 60% Supercritical TPE foam is noticeable even when just walking around the house getting ready to head out the door. The foam is responsive without being overly opinionated or prescriptive.
The lockdown is really nice here. No pinching or need to use a runner’s loop.
The upper itself is what Atreyu founder, Michael Krajicek, is calling AstroKnit: ‘Advanced Structural Thread with Reinforced Orientation.’ The ‘high-tenacity and elastomeric fibers’ are breathable but supportive and portend to be highly durable.
I can say that so far the upper seems highly durable and dependable. The somewhat sheer material may be an issue for some as it’s very see-through but, like the Atreyu Race Model, I kind of liked it.
Michael: I really only have positives to say about the upper and fit here, so let me jot down my two negatives before I forget: first, Ben’s color is cooler than mine, and I’m jealous (that’s a subjective negative, but I’m the reviewer here!), and next, the laces are kind of a pain. They’re flat, but they don’t twist flat; they tend to curl up in a bunch and I often found myself struggling to untie them, especially with gloves on. These things are minor.
The positives are much more substantive. First, the basics - the fit here is good. My 8.5 is on the snugger side - those in-between should size up - but I’d still call them true-to-size. They have a narrow midfoot but a relatively wide toebox, I think they should fit a lot of feet. I have no issues with lockdown or hotspots. And (despite my grass-is-greener envy), they do look sharp, both in the Atreyu classic white, and my more subtle grey. Michael and co. know how to design a running shoe that’s stylish and distinctly Atreyu.
In sum, I really think these are well-constructed, and Atreyu made a point of reinforcing the upper to provide durability - that’ll be key, because again, these are now a premium-priced option ($170), and while I had 6 pairs of the original Base Model and zero upper rips, I did hear of it happening - I think that will be negated here.
Midsole & Platform
Ben: As noted above, the midsole feels really responsive and lively, certainly more so than in the Base Model and the Daily Trainer 1.2. This is a more evolved Atreyu shoe while remaining true to its roots. It is still a simple shoe, with a no-nonsense ride.
In many ways it’s the anti-Nike, feeling homegrown, straightforward and incredibly easy to like. The Atreyu motto, after all, is ‘honor simplicity.’ Michael Krajicek notes that the goal of the newly designed midsole is ‘to pack every ounce with bounce while maintaining a mid-cushion stack for everyday training.’ No one would claim that this is intended as a race-day shoe, though it’s not afraid to go fast.
This is an easy, smooth-riding shoe for those not pining for a mega-stack, over-constructed daily trainer. It’s light and airy, with a nice accommodating platform.
Michael: Part of why this shoe costs more than before is that it bears a top-shelf midsole: a 40% Pebax / 60% Supercritical TPE blend that looks and feels deluxe. Atreyu calls it the “C.U.S.H. midsole” (Compression and Uplift Synchronization Hub) but whatever you want to call it, it’s nice - and here’s the thing. It’s nice, responsive, and supportive… at “only” 30mm.
This is what really got me, because I think so many of us are used to mega-stack trainers that are, admittedly, extremely bouncy and soft - because of course they are!
They’ve got a golf-ball-height of material underneath. I expected some compromise here, but I’m not really sure I’ve found it, functionally - the Daily Trainer feels amply cushioned without coming across wobbly or over-compensating with mush. It’s a really, really nice blend.
That’s not to say a little more than the 30/24 stack height wouldn’t have worked here - I think there’s a way that Atreyu could have packed 26/32 or 28/34 and still maintained a “midstack” portfolio. But, in the spirit of “reviewing the shoe as it comes,” I really can’t complain about anything here. It feels cushioned enough, I’m not out there jarring my bones, wishing for more cushion. In a blind test, I definitely would have guessed more than 30mm, so I suppose that’s worth something.
Outsole
Ben: The outsole is made up of what Atreyu is calling ‘Ground Resistance Impact Protection Casting Polyurethane.’ The stated goal is to use ‘as little material as possible to promote “ground feel,” while being incredibly durable.’ While earlier Atreyu models had a shorter life span, this ‘GripCast’ outsole promises to add longevity to the shoe.
Michael: It goes without saying that the outsole here will outlast the now-retired Base Model there’s a really slick (as in “cool,” not as in “slippery”) dual-layered “Ground Resistance Impact Protection Casting Polyurethane” outsole that works wonders here. I had no issues, even on snowy days - which I honestly didn’t expect, just looking at the shoe. Frankly, I thought I might have to hold these back for only clear, dry days, but not so - there’s grip here to match the durability. It’s not a trail shoe (and there really isn’t much tread/lug to speak of) but they do have a bite into the ground that’s impressive.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Ben: To sum up, here we have a really functional, fun daily trainer from a brand that’s easy to love. The Daily Trainer 2 is easy, likable and no-nonsense. It also represents an elevated Atreyu shoe, perhaps their most evolved shoe yet, with enhanced foams and a terrific upper. It is not looking to compete with the mega-stack shoes on the market today, but rather offer a streamlined, simple ride that just works. While some added stack in the heel would be appreciated, this shoe remains true to Atreyu’s identity and in keeping with their ‘honor simplicity’ tagline. If you’ve considered buying an Atreyu shoe before or are looking for something different, the Daily Trainer 2 deserves a chance.
Score: 9.7/10
(Slight deductions for price and forl wanting a bit more foam in the heel)
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Ride (50%): Fit (30%): Value (15%): Style (5%):
New Smiles Fun Score! Out of 5 This score is about how pleasing/fun the experience is on the run, or in the case of race type shoes how effective it is to race.
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Michael: On the run, the Daily Trainer 2 provides the best of both worlds. It’s light, sharp and springy enough to handle workouts, but there’s just enough cushion there to handle easy miles with ease. I’ve made this comment before and received pushback, so I may well be in the minority, but I do think the shoe could benefit from an 8mm drop - a slightly more elevated geometry from a couple millimeters of rear stack could work here, I think - but I review the shoe as it is, and it’s still quite a pleasant right. The (lack of) weight - about 7.5 oz. in my M8.5 - is noticeable and also really benefits the ride here.
Look, Atreyu has stepped into the big leagues. Consider my conclusion for the initial Daily Trainer: “This isn’t a shoe that’s going to necessarily wow runners, but for $110, it’s damn reliable, and frankly is one of the best bets for new or high-school/college runners who need something that can handle the mileage without breaking the bank.” A buyer is spending $170 now, so we can’t review with that kind of equivocation - and frankly, I don’t think you have to. If you de-logoed this and called it a prototype Pegasus 42, a Tracksmith Elliott 2, a Brooks Hyperion 3 - runners would believe you. That’s not to say it’s not distinctly Atreyu - it is, and ultimately the look suggests that - but it’s also a much more mature shoe than we’ve seen before from this brand (to be fair, I think the same can be said about the Race Model, which remains by far the best <$150 MSRP’d racer you can buy), and one that is in-line with most brand’s modern trainers of 2025. Light, simple, fun - this is a runner’s shoe.
I love the Daily Trainer 2 in a way I haven’t loved an Atreyu since Base Model v1. The Base Model 3 almost got me there - it was the most polished Atreyu shoe I had tried yet - but it still had those caveats: this is a great shoe if you don’t need a rubber outsole or this is a great shoe if you’re looking for something stripped-down. The Daily Trainer doesn’t make those concessions. This is a great shoe. Period.
Michael’s Score: 9.8/10
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7 Comparisons
Atreyu Daily Trainer 1 (RTR Review)
Michael: I didn’t test the 1.2 iterative update (RTR Review), but I did extensively test the Daily Trainer 1, and the DT2 is a significant update over its predecessor. I did like the almost door-to-trail if adding to shoe weight outsole on the DT1 - and really liked its comfortable cozy upper - but the DT2 is an improvement in nearly all ways. It’s more fun, more responsive, and just a better-fitting shoe across the board.
Ben: Ditto to essentially everything Michael says above. The Daily Trainer 2 is a more evolved shoe.
Adidas Evo SL (RTR Review soon)
Ben: These two shoes are remarkably similar, with the Atreyu icertainly flying way beneath the radar. They are both light, snappy, with a very good upper and ready to run fast. To me, the Adidas rides faster and at a better price point of $150 so it takes the edge here.
Nike Pegasus Plus (RTR Review)
Michael: The Pegasus Plus is probably my favorite trainer in Nike’s lineup (or a very close second behind the Invincible 3), and it has more similarities than differences with the DT2. Both are snappy and surprisingly light, but I think the ZoomX foam and geometry of the Pegasus Plus is slightly superior to that of the Atreyu. Plus, while the Atreyu upper is nice, I think the Turbo-homage, racing-stripe style of the Plus is hard to beat. I prefer the Nike.
Nike Pegasus 41 (RTR Review)
Michael: The Plus’s little brother (and the Premium’s really little brother!), I think this is probably the most direct comparison I have. Both are more firm than not, and both have functional, not flashy, uppers. The lower stack Atreyu is a gigantic 2.3 oz lighter. They’re not dissimilar, but I prefer the Atreyu for its pop and lack of harshness that I still feel the Zoom Air units bring to the Pegasus. If you like one, you’ll probably like the other.
361 Ventus (RTR Review)
Michael: The Ventus is really a good - a surprise pick in the 361 lineup. It’s also markedly softer (and higher stack at 35/27) than the DT2, despite being noticeably firmer than the Eleos in the 361 line and some runners will prefer that. I like both, but I prefer the slide edge that the DT2 has.
Brooks Hyperion 2 (RTR Review) and Hyperion Tempo (RTR Review)
Michael: I liked the Hyperion Tempo a lot, though it’s hard to find these days. I understand the Hyperion 2 to be pretty similar - I haven’t worn it. I think the Atreyu is very much in that vein, but I actually like how it feels higher stack, and a bit more “regular” than the Brooks feel (which feel like modified racers, rather than “true” trainers. That upper on the Tempo, though, is sublime. Both great - you can’t really go wrong.
New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel v4 (RTR Review
Ben: I didn’t get along overly well with Rebel v4 from New Balance. I found it to be rather unstable in the heel and somewhat mushy. The Atreyu is neither of those things. The stack is higher in the New Balance, but the Atreyu feels faster and offers a more streamlined fit. I’d go with the Atreyu.
The Atreyu Daily Trainer 2 will be available March 2025
Tester Profiles
Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A cancer survivor, he has run 23 marathons. He holds PRs of 3:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he still enjoys pushing himself and combining his running with supporting a variety of causes. Follow him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA
Michael is a patent attorney and graduate of Northwestern University Law School. Prior to law school, he competed collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs include a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:20:41 marathon PR at the 2025 Houston Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ in the future.
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10 comments:
What about vs the RM as a daily trainer? $50 difference is quite a bit, and I recall RTR (and others) mentioning that the RM also made for a good (plated) daily trainer. Thanks for the Atreyu love!
The Base Model is my favorite road shoe ever and it makes me sad that it is now going away. I never tried the DT 1/1.2 but my guess was what reviewers ended up saying (not at all the peppy fun of BM). I don't know, I guess if I had any desire for the DT1/1.2, then paying 50% more for DT2 sounds pretty worth it, but 100% more than a BM that is absolutely nothing like this bouncy, PEBA infused, much higher stacked DT2 is not appealing.
BM is fun as hell primarily because it isn't rockered, has much more comfort than actually minimal shoes, but still with lots of great feedback, and excellent turnover. (And I say this all as a 165 pound guy without great running form, but who yet gets as many miles out of these as any other... from a midsole that I don't find packs out as much as more complex shoes, an outsole whose damage ends up being more cosmetic due to the crazy light touch you can put into it, and upper durability that has never been issue for me and my somewhat fat feet.)
The comparisons here show maybe four shoes that are similar to the DT2 but I really don't think there is anything comparable to the BM. I would go out on a limb and guess that if someone had no idea the new shoe was from Atreyu that they would not guess this is who made it.
DT2.0 sounds like something I'd like - other than price. I think that's going to really bite them unfortunately. With the Evo SL [100% LSPro] mentioned and the Cyclone 2/3 [100% Pebax] as not only better competitors in terms of foam, but cheaper too... it's a hard sell
@Anonymous - the Race Model is definitely a functional trainer (think Zoom Fly?) but noticeably softer than this. Something about the foam and stack combination there makes it feel a good bit more wobbly to me. Definitely wouldn't rule it out - I brought the RM on a weeklong trip as my only shoe a few months ago - but it's not quite the same feel as the DT2 here.
@Anonymous2 - I love the Base Model. Sincerely. I have one more unopened pair (I think?!) and will probably see if there are any remaining 8.5s I can buy, or else scour eBay or something. It's by far the most gentle shoe on my achilles I've found - and just a damn fun running shoe. It won my "Shoe of the Year" it's first year and I don't think I've gone more than a few weeks without pulling a pair out since.
@TH - some sticker shock, to be sure! It's a tremendous shoe but will require more of a close look than the "eh, why not?" of the original $90 Base Model!
When is the release date on these? No mention of dt2 anywhere else…
Michael K at Atreyu said March, potentially early April.
Any comparison to the Topo Cyclone 2? See a lot of similarities there, and I'm a fan of both Cyclone 2 and Atreyu, especially base model.
I don't have a pair on-hand anymore, unfortunately, but my impressions are that while the Cyclone 2 is a lot softer than the DT2, the amount of cushioning and overall feel is relatively comparable. Fits are similar; I like the heel counter on the Topo better but otherwise would call the uppers a wash. The geometry of the DT2 feels a little more aggressive whereas I always thought the Cyclone 2 wasn't quite situated properly - it needs an extra bit of drop or perhaps just a stiffened mid-foot shank to get it going - which leads to that "bottoming out" feeling in the Topo. That's a long winded way of saying that both are good, the predominate difference is the softness of the Topo, but I prefer the geometry on the Atreyu!
Also a big base model fan (on fourth pair with a stockpiled last one in closet)so I understand the concern, but I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt here and see what they can do with PEBA and other more premium materials. I think it is going to lean way more toward the ride and feel of the base than the daily trainer. Way less built up in outsole and upper. I too have gotten 350mi+ out of a couple pairs but also one ripped the first day I used it (they sent a replacement) and I could see that being an issue to customers and from a customer service perspective.
The comp to the Cyclone 2/3 will be important to me.
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