Article by Ingrid Zasa, Peter Stuart, Courtney Kelly, Kurt Biesemans, Nils Scharff, Jen Schmidt, Michael Ellenberger, Adam Glueck, Markus Zinkl, Sam Winebaum, Sally Reiley, Ben David, Marcel Krebs, Nico Wagner
The 14 RoadTrailRun Contributors participating in our survey have accumulated thousands of kilometers and miles, set PR's at distances from 5K to the marathon, each reviewing dozens of road running shoes in 2025.
In their article they share their top 2025 picks in many categories from no frills daily trainers to plated and unplated max cushion trainers, easy recovery run shoes, short and long distance racing shoes as well as their overall Road Shoe of the Year, Shoe Brand of the Year and their Good and Not-So-Good Run Shoe Surprises.
In a year characterized by a shift in all types of run shoes to supercritical foams, higher stack heights, lighter weights and more forgiving and reactive rides there was much to ponder!
Finally to give readers context as to their picks, our contributors share their 2025 run accomplishments and challenges as well as 2026 goals.
What were your favorite road shoes of 2025? Please comment at the end of the article!
The majority of shoes were review samples provided at no charge with some personal purchases. Also to note that the number of pairs tested per model varied (both in samples provided and purchases) and with a relatively small survey the scoring was tight but yet clear trends emerged in the results.
Our index to all reviews, including all shoes covered in this article HERE
What is your Favorite Regular Nono Big Frills Everyday Daily Trainer of 2025? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | 1st: Hoka Clifton 10 - Soft, bouncy and comfortable, without getting too heavy. 2: On Cloudsurfer 2: great fit, soft. 3: Adidas Supernova Rise: Could use a little bit more softness |
| Peter Stuart | 1. Adidas EVO SL. Put more miles on it than any other shoe this year. Even though it's plated, it's only $150 and runs effortlessly and smoothly. 2.Asics MegaBlast is a close second. Not plated, even fewer frills, but simple perfection. both can go longer or quicker on any given day. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1. New Balance 1080 v15. 2. Nike Structure 26 (Stability) I reach for the structure for those recovery runs when my body is tired and needs extra alignment and form support. (Review Sample) 3. ASICS GEL Nimbus 27. An easy and reliable pick for everyday runs. Plenty of cushion without too much weight so you can pack on the miles. (Review Sample) |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) New Balance 880V15: A workhorse designed to take you on your everyday runs with ease and comfort. Whether you're logging recovery miles or pushing through steady runs, the 880 V15 has you covered. 2 ) Puma Foreverrun Nitro 2: A stable daily trainer that combines a high level of cushioning and stability, able to handle many paces 3) Altra Torin 8: A zero drop neutral long-distance trainer, offering a balance of comfort and responsiveness. Ideal for runners seeking a versatile shoe for daily running. |
| Jeremy Marie | On CloudSurfer 2. not a "pillowy" ride for sure despite the advertising, but the shoe has grown on me the more I use it. |
| Marcel Krebs | 1. ASICS Megablast: Light, bouncy, and surprisingly stable. This combination makes the Megablast an extremely versatile fun machine. As a daily trainer, it’s almost too good, yet it excels in this role—especially for ambitious athletes with good, neutral running form. 2.) New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5: Soft, light and stable but not as bouncy and fun as the Megablast. 3.) Topo Spectur 2: Cushioned yet responsive and fun midsole; less bouncy and more stable option for everyone who prefers a wider toebox. |
| Nico Wagner | 1. MTC H1, 2. Scott Pursuit Ride 2, 3. Adidas Adizero SL 2, |
| Nils Scharff | 1. ASICS Novablast 5 - Last year the Novablast 4 stood at this place and was my most run shoe of 2024 by far. This year the Novablast 5 improved on its predecessor with a more comfortable upper and a little more bounce and forgiveness under foot. And again - I haven't run more in any other shoe - 386km! 2. adidas EVO SL - With 383km run in the EVO SL it is a very close second on my daily trainer list. I would prefer it to the Novablast if it was just for the ride. But the EVO SL upper is a joke compared to what ASICS did - I can endure it just to experience the rest of the shoe but it's a clear flaw which the Novablast just don't has. 3. Puma Velocity Nitro 4 - I didn't expect to like the Velocity as much as I did. Compared to the other two it is less rockered, more flexible and using a very nice ATPU blend and with that the most modern midsole foam of the bunch. Because of it's tremendous PUMAGRIP outsole it is also very versatile and can be used on dirt- and fireroads without hesitation. |
| Jen Schmidt | 1) Puma Velocity Nitro 4: Lightweight, responsive, incredibly comfortable, and not plated - I like non-plated shoes for my easy miles. This one still feels snappy enough to pick up the pace on post-run strides without sacrificing comfort. Review sample. 2) NB Fresh Foam X 880 v14: Reliable, works for a range of feet and paces. Review sample. 3) Mizuno Wave Rider 29: Especially good for narrow feet and a neutral ride, affordable and well-executed. Review sample. |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. ASICS GT-2000 14 – A huge surprise for me, a perfect middle-ground daily trainer with a light, stable feel and just enough bounce for varied mileage. 2. Nike Structure 26 – Soft-yet-supportive with excellent heel security and durability for steady daily runs. 3. Atreyu Base Model v3 – Minimalist comfort that encourages efficient form and works surprisingly well for easy-to-moderate efforts. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Mount to Coast H1: I absolutely love the versatility of this shoe! While also being top of my trail picks, it always feels fast, fun, comfortable, and lightweight, with responsive cushioning that lets it go the distance. 2. Brooks Glycerin Max: I really enjoyed the versatility of this shoe. it's cushioned and comfortable, while still having good energy response when I pick up the pace. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. New Balance Rebel V5: Real fun do it all Daily Trainer for me. 2. Puma Velocity Nitro 4: Real close second. Probably the better all round shoe, but not as much fun as the Rebel. 3. Diadora Nucleo 2: Does everything well, but at the same dome doesn't stand out in a particular area. |
| Sam Winebaum | 1. Rebel v5-light, fast, simple, stable and reasonably priced, it bridges fast performance and easier runs just beautifully 2. Brooks Hyperion 3- similar to the Rebel in characteristics but not as light or as stable and lively. 3. New Balance 1080 v15-loses the so called and not so Fresh Foam and getting truly fresh with a new supercritical foam midsole and far lighter weight. Note that all shoes in my survey were review samples at no charge. |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Adidas EVO SL - Affordable, unplated, easy comfort and super responsive 2. NB Rebel V5 3. ASICS Novablast |
| Ben David | 1. Rebel v5, 2. 1080 v14 |
What is your favorite Intervals and Fast Workouts shoe of 2025 | |
| Ingrid Zasa | 1st: New Balance Rebel 5. Super light and great feedback for a non- carbon plated trainer. Fits perfectly and pushes through every stride 2nd: Puma Nitro Elite 3. Carbon plated, but more stable than other comparable shoes, which is why it's a perfect fit also for workouts and not only for races. Not on place one, because I would not recommend to wear carbon-plated shoes too often. 3rd: Hoka Clifton 10. A little heavier than the others, but perfect for longer fartleks, since it is bouncy and comfy at the same time. |
| Peter Stuart | 1. Nike Vaporfly 4. Simplified, a little less moon-bounce. A great speed day shoe. Super fun, very comfortable. 2. New Balance SC Elite V5 is a smooth stunner. 2. Hoka Rocket 3 also a fantastic speed and interval shoe. Tied for me. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1.Nike Vaporfly 4: The Vaporfly doubles as a shorter race shoe and trainer for me. Its low profile makes it an ideal pick for track workouts, and it does well cornering. (Review Sample) 2. Adidas Adios Pro 4: Although this is a racer, I do reach for it for longer duration intervals. It's super versatile in its speed, and is comfortable at recovery paces. (Personal Purchase) 3. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 3: This shoe is super fun to run in and has ample pop to get you moving at top speed. There are some stability concerns at the midfoot, but for short distance intervals it works well. (Review Sample) |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) Adidas Adizero Pro 4: A high-performance racing shoe designed for speed and efficiency. Very light and high energy return 2) New Balance SuperComp Elite v5: A lightweight shoe that offers an excellent combination of speed, comfort, and stability for longer races and faster training sessions. |
| Jeremy Marie | Puma Velocity Nitro 4 Simply put, an easy going, versatile, dynamic and cushy shoe with great traction. |
| Marcel Krebs | 1.) ASICS Megablast. For everyone out there who spares their plated "supershoes" for race day. The Megablast ist very light and bouncy and therefore the perfect training compagnion for the beforementioned plated shoes. 2.) ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo. As more and more runners also train in their supershoes, this is a great plated alternative to the Megablast, as the Edge Tokyo favors a high cadence the most within the Metaspeed lineup. 3.) HOKA Mach X 3: For those who prefer a more guided, rolling stride. Features a Pebax plate for propulsion and stability. The upper is noticeably improved compared to the previous model. |
| Nico Wagner | Adidas Adios 8, Boston 13, Scott Pursuit Ride 2 |
| Nils Scharff | 1. adidas Adizero Adios 9 - If you would ask me for which single shoe I don't have a proper replacement in my quiver it has to be the Adios 9. You can't get any better if you are looking for a light, flexible, no nonsense shoe to strengthen your calves in shorter track or hill workouts. 2. New Balance SC Elite v5 - The SC Elite isn't quite up there with the big dogs in terms of performance. But because of an extremely well executed upper and the additional comfort I reached for it over and over during my marathon training. |
| Jen Schmidt | 1) NB SuperComp Elite 5 - The SC Elite 5 felt amazing out of the box - energetic and fast without altering my stride. I did efficiency testing in a kinesiology lab with multiple pairs of supershoes, and this was the top performer for me due to the combination of energy return and balanced, natural running mechanics. Review sample 2) Nike Zoom Fly 6 - This version is an incredible improvement over previous iterations, which felt heavy and clunky to me. I felt that the ZF6 was closer to a Vaporfly in performance, and a true supertrainer partner to Nike's racing shoes. Review sample 3) Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 - The Cielo X1 2.0 is super bouncy, with a high rebound that rewards powerful strides. I liked it more for longer reps (800m and up) than true speed due to slightly less stability than comparable shoes, but it shines in mile repeats, long tempos, and distance races. Review sample |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. ASICS Metaspeed Ray – Crisp ground contact and forward geometry make it ideal for tempo or progression work. 2. Puma Deviate Nitro 3 – Stable enough for workouts yet energetic when pushed, bridging trainer and racer roles. 3. Puma Fast-R 3 – Hard to argue with one of the best super shoes ever made; it's not quite enough for long, marathon-type stuff for me but it sure loves the faster work. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Hoka Mach X3: Excellent cushion, responsive energy, and good stability 2. Nike ZoomX Streakfly 2: This flat is unbelievably light, with a high energy return foam, and excellent toe-spring from a carbon plate. I use this almost exclusively for track running, but for short intervals, it is tremendously fast and feels fantastic. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Kiprun Kipstorm Lab: Crazy light shoe even with a plate at this weight. (review coming soon) 2. - Beats the Adidas Takumi Sen 10 for me, due to a better upper. |
| Sam Winebaum | Will stick with my marathon type racers, most of my intervals are at 10K to Half pace and around 1 mile : 1st. Hyperion Elite 5 and 2nd .SC Elite v5 |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Nike Zoom Fly 6 - a perfect training companion to the AF3, loves pushing the pace 2. Hoka Mach X3. 3. ASICS Sonicblast |
| Ben David | Tracksmith Elliot Racer, VaporFly 4 |
Essentially a first place tie in the speed workouts category between the now lower stack height Nike Vaporfly 4 (RTR Review) and the Adizero Adios (RTR Review) with each two first place votes but VF with a 2nd place vote with the New Balance SC Elite v5 (RTR Review) coming in with 1 first place but 4 second place votes.
Favorite Plated Max (>40mm) or Mini Max (36-40mm) Trainer of 2025 and why? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | Nike Vomero 18: Heavy, but super comfortable. Needed a few runs to get used to it, and now I love it. |
| Peter Stuart | The Adidas EVO SL for sure fits into the mini-max category. Great at any speed. Hoka Mach X 3 definitely more of a trainer and fun on any day. Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Plated and surprisingly light feeling and smooth considering how much shoe there is here. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1. HOKA Rocket X3 — I love the stability of the Rocket X3 and the fit is just right on me. It has pickup when you need it but not quite a race shoe for me. (Review Sample) 2. Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 —Love the versatility of the Endorphin Speed 5. Great for daily miles to uptempo and speed work. Provides enough support to log the miles day after day. (Personal Purchase) 3. ASICS SonicBlast— This shoe has plenty of cushioning. The FF Leap foam is energetic and lightweight and made for speed training. I look forward to ASICS next iterations of this shoe. (Review Sample) |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) Skechers Aero Burst: A shoe delivering both plush softness and responsive energy return. The carbon-infused H-plate in the forefoot enhances toe-off propulsion while maintaining stability. |
| Macel Krebs | 1.) HOKA Rocket X 3. Fun, stable and light; also a great race day option if you need some support especially at the later miles or as a heelstriker. 2.) ON Running Cloudboom Strike: bouncy, light and propulsive! 3.) Diadora Gara Carbon 2. With a more compliant foam and less responsive ride than top notch racers, this shoe is an excellent choice for longer training miles or a tamed down racing option for runners looking for more stability. |
| Nils Scharff | 1. New Balance SC Elite v5 - The SC Elite was my go to "trainer" for the marathon pace sessions all summer as it is not as demanding on the body as my actual race day picks. 2. Tracksmith Eliot Racer - As the name already tells Tracksmith wants you to race in the Eliot Racer. But while it is just not up there compared to the performance of the bigger brands top notch racers it is a very stable and comfortable one and therefore makes for a great long distance trainer. Oh and its upper fits like a glove! |
| Jen Schmidt | 1) Hoka Mach X 3 - a versatile, "up for everything" kind of shoe that feels great at a wide range of paces and will accommodate many different feet. Review sample 2) Brooks Hyperion Max 3 - This quickly became my go-to for long road runs - I didn't love it as much for slower miles and it might be a bit heavy for racing, but the Hyperion Max 3 hits a sweet spot around 7-7:30/mi where you can cruise for a long time. Review sample 3) Nike Zoom Fly 6 - see above |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. Puma Deviate Nitro 3 – Seamless rocker and top-tier cushioning make it the best mix of comfort and performance. 2. ASICS Megablast – Bouncy and efficient for long runs without feeling sloppy. All fun. 3. Hoka Mach X – Smooth rolling ride and forgiving midsole make it versatile for both recovery and tempo. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Hoka Mach X3: Excellent cushion, responsive energy, and good stability 2. Hoka Rocket X Trail: I've really enjoyed the versatility of this shoe. It's got one of the best foams I've ever tested, a lightweight outsole, and comfortable upper. Although intended for trail and gravel, I've enjoyed it for interval and long runs due to the excellent upper and energy return. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Brooks Hyperion Max 3: Completely different to the Max 2, but now fits to the name and this category. Lost speed but gained comfort for long runs. |
| Sam Winebaum | 1) On Cloudboom Max-not the most exciting but a highly reliable durable do it all shoe. Very stable, well cushioned and comfortable. 2) Adizero Boston 13- more uptempo and lower stack it bridges tempo and daily runs wonderfully if you want a direct fast more responsive ride and at $160 is the best value in plated shoe of 2025 if not any shoe 3. Hyperion Max 3-huge in stack forgiving in cushion it has a more speed and tempo focused ride than the others due to its more aggressive if not carbon midfoot plating |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. (nylon plate) 2. Brooks HE 5 (a race shoe but I love it for training) 3. Hoka Mach X 3. HM Tracksmith Eliot Racer |
| Ben David | Hoka Mach X 3 |
| What is your Favorite Unplated Max (>40mm) or Mini Max (34- 40mm) Trainer of 2025 and why? | |
| Peter Stuart | ASICS MegaBlast. An elegant and smooth ride, good for long miles, disappears on the foot. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1. Nike Vomero Plus: This one takes the number one spot for me. This shoe is responsive, highly cushioned, and is just plain fun to run in. I can click through the miles with ease in these highly cushioned shoes. |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) Mizuno Wave Sky 9: A high-quality shoe offering firm cushioning and comfort during easy long runs or long runs at race pace. 2) New Balance Fresh Foam X More V6: Ideal for long runs or recovery days. The ultra-wide platform and the 4mm drop are a perfect balance between maximum cushioning and dependable stability |
| Jeremy Marie | On CloudSurfer Max. Max but dynamic, a bit firm for the first outings, but it relaxes a bit then Nice foothold, cushioned for long runs, and can handle mid-tempo paces well. |
| Nils Scharff | 1. ASICS Megablast - This has to be the Megablast which at 230g for 45mm stack has an unbelievable cushion-to-weight-ratio. It's bouncy, it's light, it's fast, it's forgiving and fun. It's less stable than the Superblast and has a more race like upper which might not the right taste for everyone. But in my eyes this is a rotation killer which can do everything from a 5k shakeout (it's comfy enough for that), over a longrun (it's cushioned enough for that) up to a hard trackworkout (it's light and fast enough for that). 2. Nike Vomero Plus - The Vomero Plus was a personal purchase as I won a giftcard for my local running shop. I got it at peak marathon training and it won me over at first sight. I have no other shoe which is as protective. But at the same time at has quite some energy to it and you can easily use it for uptempo paces. Probably the best Nike trainer in quite some time! |
| Marcel Krebs | 1.) ASICS Megablast: Fun, light, bouncy and versatile - the Megablast checks all the boxes! 2.) ON Running Cloudsurfer Max. More traditional and stable ride with plenty of cushion and an propulsive rocker. |
| Jen Schmidt | 1) Puma Velocity Nitro 4, 2) Mizuno Wave Rider 29, 3) Nike Vomero Plus |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. Mizuno Wave Sky 8 – The softest and most cushioned option of the year with zero harshness even on double-digit days. 2. Adidas Treadflow – Surprisingly smooth and responsive for a non-plated, mid-stack daily trainer. If you're a treadmill runner, definitely worth a look (but, I'll add - I'm not a fan of it outdoors). 3. Saucony Triumph 22 – A comfort classic with improved upper fit and plush feel. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Brooks Glycerin Max: I've found this shoe versatile with excellent but responsive cushion. It's not the fastest, but is stable, predictable, picks up speed well, and feels great for a wide variety of road running. 2. Nike Vomero Premium: This shoe has incredible bounce and energy return, and is extremely comfortable. For me though the stack height (55 mm!) and zoom air unit make it less versatile on account of being less stable. It is fun to be 2.4 inches taller though! |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. New Balance 1080v15: Finally, a lighter 1080 again, brings back some life into the line. 2. TYR Maverick v1: First shoe I ever run in from TYR. They nailed the midsole formula. Really springy and airy ride. Together with the amazingly light weight, this one is perfect for heavy legs. Only on second spot, because the 1080v15 has the better upper. |
| Sam Winebaum | 1. Nike Vomero Plus-Nike joins the future with both the Plus and Premium super max cushion shoes. The Premium at 55mm heel and substantial weight is a joy to run recovery to easy paces in while the Plus is more daily trainer focused and my top pick, 2. Diadora Atomo Star is Made in Italy has all supercritical foam midsole and a stable ride with some flexibility so easy to turn over. 3. Puma Magnify 3 similar to the Atomo Star but with more drop |
| Sally Reiley | 1. ASICS Megablast - versatile fast and fun ride 2. Mizuno Zen 3. Nike Vomero Premium - I LOVE this shoe. Big, bouncy, forgiving, easy fitting, fast |
| Ben David | Nike Vomero Plus |
 The Nike Vomero Plus (RTR Review) is 2nd in the more maximally cushioned category with 3 first place votes as well as two 2nds and one 3d place votes so it could argued this category is really a tie. The On Cloudsurfer Max is third in the polling. | |
What is your Favorite Shorter Races Shoe of 2025 and why? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | 1st: New Balance Rebel v5: All time favourite shoe. Would have liked to put it first place in all categories. If I had to choose one shoe to wear for everything all the time, I'd choose this one. Perfect balance of comfort, lightness, feedback. |
| Peter Stuart | Hoka Rocket 3 Nike Vaporfly 4 New Balance SC Elite V 5 |
| Courtney Kelly | 1.Nike Vaporfly 4: I love the ground feel of this shoe. It feels in control but ultra responsive. Stays true the Vaporfly branding and is an excellent option for track workouts and 5K racing (Review Sample) 2. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5: A super responsive and innovative design from Brooks. Came on the heels of the Hyperion Elite 4PB but with more punch. Served me well in my 10k race. (Review Sample) |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) Adidas Adizero Pro 4: A high-performance racing shoe designed for speed and efficiency. Very light and high energy return 2) New Balance SuperComp Elite v5: A lightweight shoe that offers an excellent combination of speed, comfort, and stability for longer races and faster training sessions. |
| Jeremy Marie | New Balance SC Pacer v2. Light, dynamic, stable, fun. |
| Nils Scharff | 1. Puma Fast-R 3 - The Fast-R 3 made quite some headlines with their "scientific" marketing approach which claims significant improvements in running efficiency for each and every of their testsubjects. At first running in this wild looking shoe felt a little odd to me. But once you get used to it and get going it flies. It doesn't feel particular bouncy or propulsive - at least not more than other shoes. But you are just faster in the Fast-R at an comparable effort. The secret sauce has to be the "over bite" of the carbon fiber plate in the front which just directs the propulsive forces in a rather horizontal direction compared to a more vertical movement in other shoes. And this just works. I ran 3 races in the Fast-R 3 over the summer (2x10k, 1x5k) and logged 4 PBs during those races. This is going to be my 5km - 21.1km racing shoe going forward. 2. adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 - Before ASICS and Puma dropped their latest racers the AP4 was up there with the best. A comfy upper, a new foam formulation and a rather aggressive forefoot geometry had me won over and this shoe still holds my half marathon PR. For the full marathon the soft and narrow heel might be a downside for anybody searching for a bit of stability in the later miles. But besides that it's by no means a bad shoe but compared to the bespoken summer releases it's just a tad heavier and less propulsive. |
| Marcel Krebs | 1.) PUMA Fast-R3. Probably the most agressive shoe on the market; if you can handle it, it's a very forceful weapon 2.) ASICS Metaspeed Ray. Amazingly light, soft & bouncy! 3.) HOKA Cielo X1 v2. So soft & bouncy with a pretty pronounced rocker |
| Jen Schmidt | 1) NB SuperComp Elite 5 2) Nike Vaporfly 4 - With updates in this version seemingly intended to distinguish the Vaporfly from the marathon and ultra-oriented Alphafly, the lower stack and light weight lend themselves well to shorter-distance racing. The VF4 feels more natural underfoot than the trampoline rebound of the Alphafly, especially at high cadence. Review sample 3. Hoka Cielo X1 V2 |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. ASICS Metaspeed Ray – Tuned for efficient turnover and perfect for 5 K-10 K racing. 2. Puma Fast-R 3 – As noted above, it's hard to argue with one of the best super shoes ever made; not a marathon shoe for me but good elsewhere. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. I'm still running in an old pair of Asics Metaspeed Sky for this, and love them 2. For shorter races, Nike Streakfly 2 |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Kiprun Kipstorm Lab: Crazy light shoe even with a plate at this weight. Beats the Adidas Takumi Sen 10 for me, due to a better upper. (review coming soon) |
| Sam Winebaum | Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, reactive and stable, Adizero Pro EVO 2 for short (5K-10K) so light and energetic, Puma Fast R3 get in a roll forward and it flies. |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Nike Vaporfly 4 - not the same as the OG Vaporfly but still a fun and fast choice for short races 2. Hoka Rocket X3 3. ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo |
| Ben David | Tracksmith Elliot Racer, Vaporfly 4 |
What is your Favorite Half/Marathon Race Shoe of 2025 and why? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | 1st: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3: Carbon plated, without having the unstableness carbon plated shoes usually come with. Great fit, great response. |
| Peter Stuart | Adidas Adios Pro 4. What a shoe! The 1-2 punch of the Adios EVO SL to train in and the Adios Pro 4 to race in was the big winning combination for me this year. The Adios Pro 4 has absurd bounce, stayed fresh and fast for a whole marathon and just cruised at race pace. Hoka Rocket 3. A little faster turnover than the Adidas, but super fun. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1. ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo: This shoe was an excellent replacement for my previous favorite marathon shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Elite. It is super lightweight and responsive for racing. I like the firmer FF Turbo Plus foam under my heel. It provides plenty of stability for those longer workouts and races. I would love to try the Metaspeed Sky as a comparison at some point. (Personal Purchase) 2. Adidas Adios Pro 4: I have yet to run a half marathon in the Adios Pro 4, but I wouldn’t hesitate to take it that distance. The cushioned Lightstrike Pro midsole and dynamic Energy Rods provide a bouncy and energetic ride. The updated Lighttraxxion outsole is thinner yet very grippy. It has become one of my top shoes for wet weather workouts. (Personal Purchase) |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) New Balance SuperComp Elite v5: A lightweight shoe that offers an excellent combination of speed, comfort, and stability for longer races and faster training sessions. |
| Jeremy Marie | Adidas Adios Pro 4: so bouncy and aggressive, very light. New Balance SC Elite V5: not as aggressive as the AP4, but more natural, feels easy and comfortable. |
| Nils Scharff | 1. ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo - As is often the case, I made quite a science out of choosing my competition shoes for this year's Berlin Marathon. And although I have many models to choose from as a shoe tester/reviewer, and buying additional models was not out of the question—after all, I wanted to set a new PB! But after my first run in the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, I no longer needed to worry about choosing shoes—I had found my marathon shoe! The enormous bounce of the FFLeap material under the forefoot was enjoyable from the start and, along with the noticeably low weight, is the most characteristic attribute of the Sky Tokyo. What's special is that not only is a lot of energy returned, but it's also particularly fast, as the FFLeap foam seems to be especially reactive. In combination with the high-set, flat carbon plate and the sole geometry with a relatively late but steep forefoot rocker and 5mm drop, the Sky Tokyo immediately reminded me of my beloved Alphafly 1, which has now finally arrived in the present thanks to ASICS' state-of-the-art materials. I immediately felt at home in the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo – the movement felt very natural to me. 2. ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo - The Edge Tokyo became a close second in my hunt for the perfect marathon shoe. It shares all the good attributes of the Sky Tokyo but with another plate configuration and swapped midsole foams. The result is a more stable heel and a slightly more rolling sensation due to the lower plate. The price for this is a slightly less directed forefoot movement and a little less bounce. But in the end both shoes are very close and you should just choose what feels more natural to your stride. 3. adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 - For shorter races I would choose the Fast-R ahead of the AP4, for longer races I would choose the ASICS instead. But in both categories it makes for a very capable second spot which speaks for its versatility. |
| Marcel Krebs | 1) ASICS Metaspeed Sky. Hands down the best racer for most ambitious runners on the market. It's bouncy, light and quite stable, especially for fore- and midfoot strikers. Cadence runners might prefer the Edge and Pros the Ray, but both of them can't do wrong with the Sky as well!
2) HOKA Rocket X 3. An excellent choice for everyone who is looking for a more stable ride on race day. It is still fun and bouncy but a little bit more tamed down. 3 ON Running Cloudboom Strike: bouncy, light and propulsive! |
| Jen Schmidt | 1. NB SuperComp Elite v5 2. Hoka Cielo X1 V2 3. Nike Vaporfly 4 |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. New Balance SC Elite v5 – I ran my half-marathon PB in it, so I'll give it recognition. Not as flashy as ASICS, Puma, or Nike offerings but a very competitive shoe that should work for a lot of folks. 2. ASICS Metaspeed Ray – I admit I have not yet taken this one above 15 miles, but I'd like to. I think it can handle it, assuming your form stays up. Could get sloppy otherwise. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Nike Vaporfly Next %2, they're still proving excellent 2. Hoka Mach X3 for more versatility and comfort over longer races |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3: To date the lightest, best fitting, most energetic shoe I ran. 2. New Balance SC Elite V5: Not quite on the level of the Puma, but with a more accommodating fit for most. 3. Diadora Gara Carbon 2: Most comfortable Marathon Race Shoe! |
| Sam Winebaum | 1. Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 (as long as a flat course as its soft bounce is so propulsive and its plate flexible), 2. SC Elite v5 (stable and consistent) |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo - tried and true at Berlin and NYC Marathons for me, just the right amount of bounce and forward spring yet super comfortable for my feet 2. Nike AF3 - has been my go-to for two years in marathons, has worked well for me 3.(tie) Brooks HE 5 NB SC Elite 5 Hoka Cielo X1 V2 |
| Ben David | ASICS Meta Speed Sky Tokyo |
But one could also argue New Balance SC Elite v5 (RTR Review) is also the top long racer for the team as it is a close second with 4 second place votes to the Sky's one but with one fewer first place votes. Both are superb racers and let's call it tie!
Note: we had more SC Elite samples than Tokyo series and some of the Tokyo were tester personal purchases).
What is your Favorite Easy Runs Recovery Shoe of 2025 and why? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | Hoka Clifton 10: Soft, bouncy and comfortable, without getting too heavy. Nike Vomero 18: Heavy, but super comfortable. Needed a few runs to get used to it, and now I love it. |
| Peter Stuart | 1. Nike Vomero 18. Soft, smooth and runs lighter than it is. A great daily trainer, but a pretty much unbeatable recovery day shoe. For me, it was preferable to the Vomero Plus. 2.Brooks Hyperion Max 3. A little stiffer, but also a good, protective recovery day shoe. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1. Brooks Hyperion 3: Easy rolling shoe with a balanced and comfortable ride. The Hyperion 3 is a great shoe for easy runs but also doubles for uptempo paces. (Review Sample) 2. ASICS Nimbus 27: A nice stable neutral option with plenty of cushion. Not the speediest shoe but does its job as an easy run shoe well! Very durable (Review Sample) |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1)Puma Foreverrun Nitro 2: A stable daily trainer that combines a high level of cushioning and stability, able to handle many paces. The shoe delivers additional support, which is welcome at the end of a heavy training week. |
| Jeremy Marie | Nike Invicible 3: an "old" one, but it's reliable, cushy and bouncy, very stable, a voluminous fit which is perfect for this kind of runs. |
| Nils Scharff | 1. Nike Vomero Plus - Like I said in the Max Cushion category: I have no shoe which is more protective and comfy. I guess that speaks for itself. As the new ZoomX formulation is not just bouncy but also protecting and shock absorbing you can't ask for a better shoe to roll you along the day after a hard workout. 2. Diadora Nucleo 2 - The Diadora doesn't have quite the bounce and rolling sensation of the Vomero. But if you are looking for one of the most comfortable uppers in any shoe paired with a touch of stability - don't look any further. |
| Macel Krebs | 1.) ON Running Cloudsurfer Max: Stable ride with plenty of cushion and an propulsing rocker. 2.) Diadora Nucleo 2: Very stable and comfortable 3.) HOKA Clifton 10: Maximum cushion & comfort |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. Mizuno Wave Sky 8 – Supreme plushness and smooth transitions that reduce leg fatigue. 2. Nike Structure 26 – Adds gentle guidance and exceptional heel support when legs are beat-up. 3. ASICS GT-2000 14 – I'm back in on stability. Soft underfoot and steady enough to handle relaxed double days. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Nike Vomero Premium: Incredible softness and bounce, not the fastest shoe, but as long as the terrain I'm running on is stable, it's very relaxing to run in. 2. Brooks Glycerin Max: Comfortable, versatile, and doesn't feel slow to run in. Much better stability than the Vomero 3. Hoka Mach X3: The softer plastic plate, high stack height, and soft foam makes this shoe relaxing even at easier paces. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. New Balance 1080v15: Even for easy runs I don't like heavy and clunky shoes. 1080v15 fits right in. |
| Sam Winebaum | Vomero Premium- no question the Premium rules the easy run closely followed by 2. UA x Speedland Infinite Mega and its easy on easy off almost slipper like (and they can be used for that) super comfy easy runs ride , 3. Bondi 9- the venerable Bondi got a huge midsole makeover with supercritical foam and 2mm more of it and an ounce weight drop. Darn pleasant! |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Nike Vomero Premium - soft and forgiving and easy on the legs while simultaneously being responsive and peppy 2. Brooks Glycerin Max 2 3. New Balance FF More V6 |
| Ben David | New Balance More v6 |
| What is your Favorite Top Road Running Shoe of 2025? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | 1st: Rebel v5 Most versatile shoe I've ever run 2nd: Nike Vomero 18: Great midsole, super comfy upper material and fit. would recommend for all runs beside tempo runs (too heavy for those) 3rd: On Cloudrunner 2: light and stylish daily trainer. Perfect for daily runs in which you want to mix up some speed. |
| Peter Stuart | 1. Adios EVO SL. 2. Asics MegaBlast 3. New Balance SC Elite V5 |
| Courtney Kelly | 1.ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo: I’m super impressed with FF Leap foam and ASICS’ innovation in general. I’m eager to try the other Metaspeed racers as well! (Personal Purchase) 2. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5: Great racer for 10k and below. Exciting to see Brooks taking some big leaps in their racing line.(Review Sample) 3. Adidas Adios Pro 4: Impressive shoe. Geometry and foam all come together to make a great 10k-half marathon shoe. (Personal Purchase) |
| Jeremy Marie | Puma Velocity Nitro 4: accessible, durable, fun, dynamic, comfy, low price...the fit might seem a bit narrow upfront for some but it’s not an issue for me. Mount to Coast H1: this brand is a total discovery for me, and this specific model checks many boxes for me. Comfy, secure hold, perfect traction on roads and light trails, excellent midsole foam. Probably the best door to trail shoe I’ve run, New Balance SC Elite v5: maybe less efficient than the Adios Pro 4, but it's easier to go with, more subtly efficient. More approachable than the Adidas for me, especially in a triathlon where you might start the run with not so fresh legs. |
| Kurt Biesemans | 1) Mizuno Wave Sky 9: A high-quality shoe offering firm cushioning and comfort during easy long runs or long runs at race pace. 2) New Balance 880V15: A versatile shoe able to handle both easy (recovery) runs and up-tempo runs |
| Nils Scharff | There are a lot of really good shoes this year and it comes down on how you weigh different aspects to crown a shoe of the year. Both the Megablast and the EVO SL are really fun and versatile from racing to recovery. And while the Megablast perfected this type of shoe the EVO SL delivers an almost as good experience at a far more reasonable price. Almost the same goes for the racing shoes: The Fast-R 3 seems a step ahead of the competition as long as you are able to run it with proper form (which means shorter distances for the most) and obliterated my 5 and 10k PBs several times. On the other hand ASICS created two models with their latest Metaspeed Tokyo series which are almost as fast but a lot more friendly and versatile. Which is the better shoe now? You tell me! But in the end I have to choose, so here we go: 1. Puma Fast-R 3 - Running PBs in your mid 30s are is a lot of fun. And as the Puma Fast-R 3 allowed me to do that not just once but four times this summer it is my favorite shoe of the year 2025! I applaud Puma for its bold engineering (and marketing). 2. ASICS Megablast - I honestly think the Megablast is one of the best trainers ever created. If I needed to choose one single shoe for all of my running for the rest of my life - this would be it. The ASICS engineers must have taken a deal with the devil to get this shoe this light! Honorable mentions: adidas Adizero EVO SL for the best shoe-to-money-ratio, ASICS Novablast 5 for the most miles I ran in any shoe this year and the two ASICS Metaspeed Tokyo models as they are the best racing / marathon shoes for almost all runners. |
| Marcel Krebs | 1.) ASICS Megablast. ASICS brought the fun back to the unplated shoe category! Fun, light, bouncy and versatile - the Megablast checks all the boxes! 2.) ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. The Metaspeed Sky remains the pinnacle of racing shoes for all the mortals of us. 3.) HOKA Rocket X 3. The most accesable plated supershoe among the big players. also a great longrun option. |
| Jen Schmidt | 1.NB SuperComp Elite 5 2.Hoka Mach X 3 3.Hoka Cielo X1 V2 |
| Michael Ellenberger | 1. Adidas Adizero SL EVO – Very hard to pick a favorite but this might well be it. Snappy, with good geometry and range. My only "complaint" was how fun it was - hard to slow down! 2. Nike Vomero Premium – My new go-to for anything that isn't a workout. I love these. About as bouncy as a shoe can be. Just use caution if you get in your car afterwards - they're tall! 3. ASICS Megablast – I'm very mildly conflicted on this inclusion because ASICS has so many other good shoes that I don't think the $225 Megablast needs to exist... but it does, and, let's be real, it's objectively great. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Mount to Coast H1: If I had to go somewhere, both road and trail, with one pair of shoes, this would be it. 2. Hoka Mach X3: Versatile and comfy, able to go fast, and cruise smoothly at slower paces. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3: Just gives you that WOW sensation, when you take the first steps. 2. Kiprun Kipstorm Lab: What a surprise this year and what a banger. 3. New Balance Rebel V5: The one shoe you look at in your Strava shoe list and wonder how you already run so much in it :D. |
| Sam Winebaum | 1. Rebel v5, the ultimate do-anyting shoe. 2. Vomero Premium huge, practical and big smiles 3. Mount to Coast H1 most versatile shoe ever? Better yet if the road includes stretches of gravel and trail. Honorable mention as I don't have enough runs yet in it Puma Fast R-3 truly different more rolling propulsion off the front. |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo - what a great shoe! Love the fit, the ride, the speed, the look, the race results! 2. Asics Megablast - this shoe can do it all, perfect training and long run shoe 3. Nike Vomero Premium - surprisingly fun - initially thought it was gimmicky, but this is that most comfortable shoe I can wear all day and yet is surprisingly runnable and peppy. Plus I like the added two inches to my height when I wear them |
| Ben David | Rebel v5 - easygoing, no frills, light and fun |
Road Shoe of the Year
Depending on how one looks at it, it may or may not edge out the ASICS Megablast (RTR Review) with its one 1st place vote, three 2nd place votes and one 3d place. Both are superb trainers!
| What were the most surprising road shoes of 2025. Both Good and Not-So-Good | |
| Ingrid Zasa | Good: New Balance Rebel V5 Not-so-good: Nike Vaporfly 3: I don't get why everyone likes this shoe. It's uncomfortable, super bad stability and much less energy return than other Carbon plated shoes. I guess either you have a "nike foot" or not. |
| Peter Stuart | Adidas EVO SL and Adios Pro 4. Nike Vaporfly 4. All great road shoes, super fun. Asics Megablast--no plate, but an excellent daily runner. |
| Courtney Kelly | Good: Skechers Aero Tempo surprised me. I was eager to see Skechers come back into the running scene and the Tempo was responsive and exciting. The upper needs a few tweaks but a great start for the company. (Review Sample) UnderArmour x Speedland Infinite Mega: I loved testing this shoe from Under Armour. The dials were a unique experience that helped find the perfect lockdown. (Review Sample) Not-so-good: On Cloudflow 5: Definitely not my most comfortable shoes, and it never seemed to break in. For a speed shoe it was quite clunky. (Review Sample) Puma Forever Run Nitro 2: I found this shoe to run way too snug on me. The overly complex overlays gave little flexibility throughout and caused some gait changes for me. They’re also quite heavy. Though I liked them through the first few runs, it became apparent that it wasn’t the right shoe for me. (Review Sample) |
| Kurt Biesemans | Good: Skechers Aero Burst - Didn’t expect this ‘fun ride’ from a shoe brand focussing on making comfy casual sneekers Not-so-good: Diadora Nucleo 2 - Felt like a cheap shoe, lacks support in every aspect. Diadora Atomo Star - Very narrow upper, caused abrasions on the sides of my feet and numbness in my feet |
| Jeremy Marie | Good: MTC H1 Not-so-good: no real bad surprise this year for me. Maybe more of an inadequate marketing take than a bad shoe: the CloudSurfer 2. Not pillowy as advertised, it’s more of a slighty firm (first miles) endurance/tempo shoe than a soft easy days one. |
| Nils Scharff | The most positive surprise is how much performance we got this year. Super foams are nowadays quite common in trainers - even the newest generation of ATPU as found in the Megablast or Velocity Nitro 4. Additionally boundaries in the supershoe technology get pushed further and further back with the newest generations like the Fast-R 3 and the Metaspeeds. Biggest surprise: adidas Adizero EVO SL - for how much performance it offers at such a reasonable price. |
| Marcel Krebs | ASICS Megablast. With the Megablast, ASICS brought the fun back to the unplated shoe category! Fun, light, bouncy and versatile - the Megablast checks all the boxes! |
| Jen Schmidt | Good: Hoka Cielo X1 V2 - It's hard to overstate how much of an improvement this is over HOKA's previous carbon-plated marathon shoes! Review sample. Puma Velocity Nitro 4 - I hadn't run in Puma road shoes before, and this was a major hit in the daily trainer category. Everything I wanted and nothing I didn't, at a highly reasonable $140 price point. Review sample. Neutral Nike Vaporfly 4 - this is a profound shift away from the VF2, the last version I ran in. I missed the rockered base and slightly higher stack of the previous version, although I appreciate the updates to the upper. Review sample. Not-so-good Mizuno supershoe and prototype - Mizuno's inconsistent sizing is a pain point that is yet to be solved, and is limiting for runners who want to try the brand. The Wave Rider fits true to size, yet their supershoes are at least half a size short, which I found very frustrating. Review sample. Nike Vomero Plus - I relied on the regular Vomero as a daily trainer, but the new beefed-up version is just too much shoe. I was surprised by how much the updates took this one away from its dependable, punch-above-its-price-tag roots. Review sample. |
| Michael Ellenberger | For good surprise - Nike Vomero Premium. It looks like a lifestyle shoe (or perhaps a moon boot!) but dang if it doesn’t run well. 55mm of rear stack feels stable and runnable at all sort of paces. I love it for recovery up even to mild tempo paces. Not so Good surprise - Skechers Aero Tempo. I was genuinely excited to see the return of the Skechers Performance line which, admittedly a bit muddled, has produced some real gems. The Aero Tempo looked the part but just didn’t have the fit (or, to a lesser degree, the function) to fit into a rotation, especially in this competitive of a year. Having poor heel lockdown is a bad start, and while the midsole was okay, it didn’t quite have that old-school Hyperburst magic I wanted. I had genuinely high expectations and they were not met. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Nike Vomero Premium: Kudos to Nike to making this stack height runnable. I don't think it's worth the money, but it is a running experience unlike any other shoe I've tried, the furthest I've been separated from the ground. 2. Mount to Coast H1: I know this wasn't intended as a road shoe, but it ended up being one of my favorites! |
| Markus Zinkl | Good: Kiprun Kipstorm Lab. Came out of nowhere and delivered big time. |
| Sam Winebaum | Good: Vomero Premium for good, shocking such a giant shoe is so fun and effective to run joining the equally plush and effective UA x Speedland Infinite Mega run "siippers". Puma Fast R3 new effective take on supershoe geometry. Mount to Coast for creating one of the best if not best do it all shoes ever in the H1 and to boot making it sustainable without compromises of weight, price or performance. Not-so-good: Adizero EVO SL despite its popularlity as its small plate is poorly located just below the sockliner over leverages/stifens the foot limiting the shoe to fast only for me and even then there are far better choices for me. |
| Sally Reiley | Good: Surprised that I like Vomero Premium so much (Peg Premium was NOT on my good list). Hugely disappointed in all the new Skechers lineup - for starters, the fit was not right for me. Not surprising, but Asics came out with so many great shoes in 2025 Brooks HE 5 was a pleasant surprise and I love it (plus the upper is sublime and fits my foot like a glove) Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is amazing! Mizuno came out fighting with lots of innovation: love the Zen Tracksmith introduces the first race shoe and the Eliot racer was a hit for me |
| Ben David | VaporFly 4, Novblast 5 |
| Who do you see as the Top Road Run Brand of 2025 and why? | |
| Ingrid Zasa | 1. Puma: Puma shoes seem to be made for my foot. I just discovered them this year, and I think the brand is way underrated 2. New Balance: Never disappoints - big pro: many trainers are way less expensive than the ones of other big brands 3 Asics: I have so many Asics shoes that I love, that it would feel wrong not putting the brand here. |
| Peter Stuart | Hoka has done a lot to build brand and community--and has some great shoes this year. I feel like they've energized and reinvigorated running locally here in LA. |
| Courtney Kelly | 1. ASICS is coming out with above and beyond performance foams while catering to different kinds of gait patterns. Their training and race shoe options make their shoes successful for many kinds of runners. I enjoyed running in the ASICS Nimbus and Cumulus this year. ASICS has done a good job staying true to the idea behind each model of shoe while making meaningful updates. This is comforting for consumers looking for consistency in a brand they love. 2. Nike - also making strides again with their shoes. I find their tiered models to fit each running style easy to understand (og, plus, premium). I’m also excited to see what 2026 brings for Nike, especially in the racing category. All their shoes have worked well for me this year. I have tested the Vomero 18, Vaporfly 4, Structure 26, and Vomero Plus. 3. Brooks and New Balance tie. I have so much respect for these brands trying to innovate and make a racing line competitive with the top names out there. They are so close! |
| Kurt Biesemans | New Balance. The have covered the whole range of shoes going from daily trainer, Max Stack, Max Cushioned and Race. They use qualitative materials which translates into shoes that perfect fit. |
| Nils Scharff | 1. ASICS - ASICS was on fire this year. It has the best daily trainer (Novablast), the best trainer ever made (Megablast) and a tremendous set of racing shoes with the three Metaspeeds. 2. Puma - With the Velocity 4 and the Magnify Nitro 3 Puma released a great set of trainers this year. But of course it was the Fast-R 3 which let everyone talk about the big cat and rightfully so. It is the next step in the supershoe evolution. 3. adidas - Besides the EVO SL for probably the best performance to price ratio in any shoe adidas had no standouts this year, but just a pretty solid lineup throughout. Supernova Rise 2, Boston 13, Adios 9, Takumi 11, Adios Pro 4 are all very solid shoes while some more experimental shoes like the Pro EVO 2 and the EVO Prime X are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. |
| Marcel Krebs | 1.) ASICS: The brand not only offers one of the most complete product lines on the market, but it also did an amazing job of making the non-plated category exciting again with the release of the Megablast. After years of everyone focusing on plated shoes, this was a refreshing change. Their race day offerings are top-notch, with tailored options for everyone's preferences. The Metaspeed Sky/Edge and the Ray are excellent choices for all ambitious runners. There is room for improvement in making the trail offering as exciting as the road product line. Especially, the MetaFuji 2 will be a very interesting release in 2026. 2.) HOKA: This was a close one! HOKA also offers a very complete product line with excellent new releases in 2 025. The Rocket X 3 is a very accessible and fun plated shoe for many runners on race day. It is especially suitable for those who need some stability or are heel strikers. For very ambitious runners, it is almost a perfect option for faster long runs as a super trainer. On the trails, its companion, the Rocket X Trail, is an excellent choice for runnable terrain over almost every distance. Room for improvement includes a bouncy, non-plated fun trainer to compete with the Megablast, revamped easy day options, and an absolute top-notch road racer to challenge the ASICS Metaspeed lineup and the Puma Fast R-3 — even though the Rocket X3 and Cielo X1 v2 have both been huge leaps forward in the right direction. 3.) Puma: Like the aforementioned brands, Puma offers a very wide and well-thought-out lineup, particularly with their Nitro series. This is especially true on the road. The Puma Fast R-3 is a top-notch racer for everyone who can handle it. There is a good chance that I would have ranked Puma even higher with more samples available. Having only tested the Fast R-3 myself in 2025, I am really looking forward to 2026, as there are many great models in the Puma lineup, with new releases right around the corner. |
| Jen Schmidt | HOKA - I haven't loved their shoes in the past, but somehow a few of their 2025 releases ended up being some of my favorite shoes of the year. Brooks - strong updates to both road and trail lines, and I think even better things are coming The North Face - Not always first to mind as a running brand since they have so many other sports as well, but their investment in trail shoes is starting to pay off. |
| Michael Ellenberger | Mizuno is the brand making the most noticeable upgrades, from trainers to racers. Lots of other brands hot on their heels; I cannot recommend Mizuno or ASICS enough, which is not something I thought I'd say even 3 years ago! |
| Adam Glueck | 1. Hoka: They're continuing to expand their line up with good foams, excited to see what's coming next. 2. Mount to Coast: Absolutely in love with the H1, I want to see them put this Circlecell foam in a road shoe and a trail shoe and maybe another higher stack ultra version and try those too. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Puma: With the FastR 3 they now have one of the best racing shoes out there, and I can't think of a bad shoe in the rest of their line-up. 2. La Sportiva: The Prodigio Pro alone is putting them on this list. 3. Diadora: They continue to bring out good shoes. Never run in a bad shoe from them for the last 3 years. |
| Sam Winebaum | 1. Brooks was on a roll with finally a great super shoe in the stable and light Hyperion Elite 5. Following the trends, the Hyperion Max 2 a fast max cushion tempo trainer with in the more classic in the unplated daily trainer the Hyperion 3. Not ignoring the mid range, the Ghost saw a big update and was joined by the Ghost Trail. While a 2026, I tested the Cascadia Elite which like the Hyperion Elite 5 road is a stable friendly super shoes for trails and roads for elites and the rest of us, reflecting Brooks careful attention to making pinnacle products accessible.. In a first, except for Puma, all shoes from Brooks had full supercritical foam midsoles with 3 different targeted compounds used. 2. ASICS finally cracked the RTR contributor's race shoe code with the Tokyo series shoes. With Megablast Sonicblast and Superblast they offered 3 distinct excellent super trainers. They also surprised with more budget finely crafted options in the GT 2000 for road and Fuji Lite 6 and Trabuco 13 for trail. If they have a gap to fill it is in the mid range well cushioned daily trainers with supercritical foams such as Nimbus and performance trail where they lagged in 2025. 3. New Balance with a top 3 pairing of Rebel v5, SC Elite v5 and 1080v15 although they lagged significantly in trail. Honorable Mentions: Nike on the strength of 2 Vomero: the all around Plus and the unique and effective Vomero Premium but now lagging the marathon super shoes and trail. Mount to Coast for H1 for their amazing versatility in a single shoe! |
| Sally Reiley | 1. Asics wins in 2025! 2. Puma was hot (though I did not get to run in many Puma offerings, I will go by hearsay) 3. Adidas - the EVO SL was a huge hit, and the race shoes (that I did not test) were solid |
| Ben David | 1.New Balance - just great shoes for every type of run, followed by 2. Brooks - fighting off stagnation with new offerings like the various max shoes |
Puma on the strength of the Fast-R3 as well as trainers Velocity 4 and Magnify 3 followed in 3d place.
Your key 2025 running highlights | |
| Ingrid Zasa | Biggest highlight of course Berlin Marathon - Amazing race as every year, but this year many things came together that made it possible for me to run a 10 min. PB. Another highlight was a local half marathon I ran a few days ago — three weeks after Berlin and only my second ever HM. I had just returned from a two-week holiday with little to no training, so my expectations were pretty much zero. I think I’ve never had so much fun in a race! The course itself was just okay, but I ran with a friend and we were able to chat until around kilometer 15. Somehow, I still finished in 1:30 — not only a five-minute PB, but also a time I’d never have thought I was capable of running. |
| Peter Stuart | I had a really excellent Marathon this year. Had to scratch my main race due to Covid diagnosis morning of, but parlayed the fitness to a race a month later and beat my goal time. More importantly it was really fun and I felt strong and smooth the whole time. |
| Kurt Biesmans | UTMB Tenerife Blue Trail (73km), George Fisher Tea round, (50km), UTMB Mallorca (100km) |
| Nico Wagner | Getting in shape for a 100k race in Switzerland this summer, which i dnfd (haha). But great time being a lot of the time outside |
| Nils Scharff | I raced three marathons this year (Copenhagen, Berlin, Frankfurt) and while all of those have been solid performances I didn't reach my goal of breaking 2:40h. But I actually PR'd in each and every of my other (shorter) races: 5k 16:58min > 16:19min > 16:15min 10k 35:27min > 34:57min > 34:44min > 33:56min > 33:09min HM 1:17:29h > 1:15:29h So I guess that's a really successful season! |
| Jen Schmidt | Way Too Cool 50k win, Silver State 50k win and CR, 5th and first AG at Tamalpa Headlands 50k (USATF national champs), 6th at Black Canyon 50k. Still a few XC and road races to go :) |
| Courtney Kelly | My highlight of the year was recovering from an injury that I didn’t know I would be able to come back from. My first outdoor run coming back from that injury felt incredible. Trying to achieve running fitness on an elliptical no matter how hard you try just isn't the same. The first race back from injury is always exciting and emotional. |
| Miichael Ellenberger | 2:20:41 marathon PR (Houston, 2025) and 66:46 half-marathon PR (Hidden Gem, 2025). |
| Adam Glueck | It's been a fun year. Race highlights would be winning the Oakland Hills 35km by 10+ minutes, and racing the US Trail Running Ultra Championships in Marin with my partner. It's also been great to connect more with my local community, and join local clubs for workouts on nearby trails. |
| Markus Zinkl | 1. Marathon PR in Prague this year 2. Dolomite through hike on the Alta Via 2 |
| Sally Reiley | Highlight of 2025 #1: I was healthy (injury-free) all year! #2: I competed in three WMM Majors: Boston (my 12th straight), Berlin (my first, star #5) and NYC (my 4th, Age Group World Championships were held within the race) and finished all three in 3:31. Consistent! I placed 2nd in AG in Berlin (age 66) and in NYC, I placed 3rd in a very competitive field for the Age Group World Championships. Highlight was going up on stage to receive my medal at a large Abbott WMM Awards Dinner. |
| Ben David | It meant a lot to mark ten years since my cancer diagnosis by running the nyc marathon |
| Jeremy Marie | One more year focusing on triathlons, but I brought in more fun in the mix’ a 60k trail race early April finishing around 20th - I couldn’t expect more considering the minimal specific trail training. Two Hyrox races in solo, finishing 6th AG in the second, a beautiful mountain triathlon in the Semnoz (Annecy), and a big weekend with a Half distance triathlon on Saturday (6th AG) and an Olympic distance on Sunday where I both won my AG and topped my 10k PR, having ran the 10k leg under 36´….i was quite happy ! |
| Macel Krebs | For sure going sub-3 at the Hamburg Marathon in spring, which was much earlier than expected! My current marathon personal best is 2:58:32. This time will be challenged in 2026, with the next target being sub-2:55! |
| What races, routes, run discoveries, training methods, challenges of any kind were most significant in 2025 for you and what are your 2026 goals. | |
| Ingrid Zasa | Kicking off this year with 4 months injured I didn't expect much of this running year. Until July I hadn't run any races and did not have too many expectiations for the rest of the year. Then I got my spot for Berlin, and decided to go for it: I did my best to get in shape in the remainin 10 weeks and learned that with the right amount of dedication and perseverance a lot is possible in a short time. On the other hand I also learned to listen more to my body and to rest whenever needed. Changing my running gear (including shoes of course) depending on my trainging and leg soarness also helped prevent further injuries. Looking back at this year with mixed feelings: the start really was not the best, but the outcome was amazing. In 2026 I am planning to go back to shorter distances: I finally want to break the 40min 10km wall! |
| Peter Stuart | Ran alone most of the year. Got back to some more trail running. Was tough to miss my A race due to Covid, but it all worked out. Did a bunch more track workouts this year too. Super fun. |
| Courtney Kelly | In February, I herniated a disk in my L4/L5 vertebrae. The impacted nerve led to muscle weakness in my left calf and foot (foot drop). I had little to no dorsiflexion. Lifting my foot up to run took immense concentration and brain power. I was scheduled to have spinal surgery in April, but my PT was able to revive the muscle and slowly have me return to running. For some time I thought I would never be able to run normally again. It was a scary and sad time for me. Unlike other injuries, doctors could tell me, “8 weeks for bone healing” or “3 weeks off”, there were so many unknowns. Though my left side is still experiencing some nerve impacts, my mileage is returning to where it once was and I feel a breakthrough is just around the corner. 2026 Calendar: Spring Half Marathon (or 2) Boston Marathon Achievements: I ran four races this year: 5k (June), 10k (June), half marathon (october) and another 10k(November). I missed my time goals but placed first female in all but the half marathon where I placed first in age group. I used a coach in my build for the half marathon (Sarah Manderscheid of Elevate Running), and the change in strategy was helpful both physically and mentally. My ultimate goal this year was to stay healthy, with a few bigger dreams of hitting sub 1:25 mins in the half and 38 mins in the 10k. Though neither of the goals were achieved, this year has been about building back strength and confidence. |
| Kurt Biesemans | Goal for 2026 is qualification for UTMB CCC |
| Nils Scharff | There were no secrets or shortcuts in my training - just consistency and a slightly higher volume over the summer. That's all. For 2026 we'll have an addition to our little family, so this might cost some training miles. But I'm totally here for it! |
| Marcel Krebs | The most significant race and highlight of 2025 was definitely the Hamburg Marathon, where I successfully achieved my sub-3 goal. It was the perfect race, even though my preparation was far from ideal. Afterward, I faced some unexpected events and injuries. Now, I’m already planning for 2026 and can’t wait to compete again. My biggest lesson was that no matter how hard you train alone, nothing beats training in a motivated group with runners at your level or above. For 2026, my focus will stay on the road, with a few trail highlights at the end of the year. As things return to normal, I’ll also focus more than ever on testing the best shoes and gear for our readers. I’ll pay special attention to plated and non-plated “supershoes,” aiming to log as many miles as possible during my marathon training block. |
| Jen Schmidt | My 2025 was focused on regaining fitness and returning to my favorite 50k distance after an injury took out my 2024 season. I raced four trail 50k's from February to August, then switched over to XC and roads to work on speed. In 2026, I am excited to step up in distance for my first 100k and then potentially take a shot at an OTQ in the marathon! |
| Michael Ellenberger | Had my best (Houston '25) and worst (Chicago '25) marathons of my "career" this year - keeping it interesting! Next year we once again go for sub-2:20 in the marathon and perhaps a sub 66:30 half. |
| Adam Glueck | 1. I've really enjoyed getting to explore new places by running. I think exploring dragon's back in Hong Kong on foot, the Scottish Highlands, Central Park in NYC, and all around Marin Headlands, has been a joy, and I'm excited to see where I'll be running next. |
| Markus Zinkl | Alta Via 2 trek was most significant. The hardest through hike I've done in a while. 2026 is to PR again at the Copenhagen Marathon. |
| Sam Winebaum | After a rough early winter with knee issues, I gradually regained form. More trail running this summer and relatively few races overall. So many shoes to test and as 2025 ends wish the weather and local race schedule permitted some races as I am in the best shape I have been in several. years. Here is to 2026 where I plan to race more 10K than halves. |
| Sally Reiley | Goal #1 for 2026 is to STAY HEALTHY, which means cross-training and strength training and good nutrition and good recovery as well as many miles of running. I am traveling to Japan to run the Tokyo Marathon March 1, which will be my 6th star and earn me the Abbott Six Star Medal. Only 160 women in my age group worldwide have done so. I will then run my "hometown" race the Boston Marathon, as always running on Team Eye and Ear raising funds for research at Mass Eye and Ear Hospital. Over the past twelve years I have raised over $360,000 for Mass Eye and Ear and hope to stretch myself and reach $400K (assuming a lot of help from all of my friends!). I still have not ruled out the Cape Town Marathon, which will be the site of the 2026 Age Group World Championships - it would be fun to go down and defend my podium position as #3 in the world. I plan to keep doing this as long as I can and as long as I am having fun. |
| Ben David | Really leaned into weight training this year and it helped!! Also aiming for consistency rather ‘home runs’ in both training and racing |
RoadTrailRun 2026 Holidays Gift Guides
36 Gift Ideas for Runners and Adventurers: Apparel, Socks, and Hats HERE
14 Gift Ideas for Runners and Adventurers: Sunglasses, GPS Watches, Music, Sensing HERE
22 Gift Ideas for Runners and Adventurers: Packs, Belts, Poles, Lighting, Hydration, Recovery/Rehab, Nutrition and Books HERE
Shopping at our partners below is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun
Some samples were provided at no charge for review purposes others were personal purchases. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below! Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes
RUNNING WAREHOUSE US
EUROPE Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
AUSTRALIA Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
FLEET FEET
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
BACKCOUNTRY
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
ROADRUNNERSPORTS
Men's and Women's SHOP HERE
TOP4RUNNING EUROPE
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Use RTR code RTRTOP4 for 5% off all products, even sale products
SPORTSSHOES.COM UK/EU
Use our code RTR235 for 5% off all products
BROOKS RUNNING
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
MARATHON SPORTS BOSTON
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
WATCH OUR YOUTUBE REVIEWS ON THE ROADTRAILRUN CHANNEL
Find all RoadTrailRun reviews at our index page HERE
Google "roadtrailrun Shoe Name" and you can be quite sure to find just about any run shoe and all kinds of run and hike gear over the last 10 plus years
RoadTrailRun Official Store Custom Fractel Caps and Bucket Hats
Cap:$35 Bucket:$39
Free US Economy Shipping!
Limited Release! SHOP HERE
Please Like and Follow RoadTrailRun
4 comments:
There's no T in Skechers... Just saying...
I'm not sure how you can have a reviewer that states (several times, in different categories) that the EVO SL is a plated shoe? And I'm definitely not sure how you published it?
It does have a small and for me very noticeable plate under the sockliner at midfoot which for me is more present and in the way than those in many full carbon shoes. Not my personal favorite shoe of 2025.Sam, Editor
Post a Comment