The 16 Best Running Shoes Available Right Now

This guide provides our picks for the best shoes for different kinds of runs — from speed sessions to easy days to long-distance journeys.

Introduction

Even with the postponement of the Olympics and major marathons, the running shoe industry shows no signs of slowing down. Our favorite brands continue rolling out new versions of favorites, upgrades to classics and more brand-new foams and lasts than you’d even think possible. While finding the right pair of sneakers is incredibly personal, we keep tabs on the latest releases and try them out to see what lives up to the hype. This list incorporates recent winners as well as time-tested standbys so you can find the perfect pair of shoes no matter how you run.

How We Test Shoes

Throughout the year, our crew tests and reviews some of the most buzzed-about running shoes. We work with a variety of brands to make sure we’re on top of what you’ll see when you walk into your local running specialty store.

We take to the roads in 90-degree weather and 0-degree weather, noting how that temperature affects the foam and gel. We also wear the shoes to walk around all day and on long travel weekends to get an overarching picture of what each shoe can actually do and what its limitations are. Beyond pure fit, we evaluate shoes from a durability, comfort and reliability perspective. We note if the shoes make us feel zippy, help us slog through training miles or fall a little flat.

We then separate them into three distinct categories because we know that in order to prevent injuries, it’s best to rotate sneakers. While it can seem pricey, it helps your sneakers last longer and will keep your feet in better shape. Without further ado, here are our 16 favorite running shoes right now.

The Best Running Shoes for Speed

These shoes are, at their core, race-day shoes. They’re the ones you’ll pull on for track practices and 200-meter repeats. They are the ones you want to wear to log PRs in competitive situations. Editor’s note: normally Nike’s blazing Next % sneakers would appear in this section, but as those shoes are not currently available, we’ve left them out for the time being.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel

These speedy sneakers use the same foam, FuelCell, as the New Balance 5280 spike-like track shoes, the ones Jenny Simpson wore the past two years to win the Fifth Avenue Mile. While they feel a bit funky when you first step in — “it took a minute for my heel to settle and my toes to have some room,” one tester says — the shoes are surprisingly stable. Testers like the feel, calling it “incredibly aggressive and bouncy,” which makes it ideal for fast speeds, even, as one tester puts it, “when I’m not feeling fast in any other way.” If you’re looking to boost your track workouts, these add a shotgun blast.

Weight: 7.3 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 6 mm

Reebok Floatride Run Fast 2

Reebok dove into running back in 2017 and now makes race-day speed shoes that are practically lighter than your kit. While we love the Run Fast Pros, that $250 price tag is hefty, so we recommend the FloatRide Run Fast 2 for $110 less.  “The shoe is super light, and it feels that way,” says one tester. “I’d place it at the halfway point between a racing flat and an everyday trainer.” The mesh upper is breathable and perfect for a speedy mile through a marathon. These shoes feel extra springy on the track and turf so when you bust out 100-meter repeats, you get a boost of energy.

Weight: 7.7 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8mm

Skechers GoRun Razor 3 Hyper

These shoes feel great right from the start. You may have a little extra room along the toe, but the lateral walls and heel cup provide support and a nice fit. The Hyper Burst midsole is brand new for the brand and feels squishy, yet slightly firm to the touch. “These disappear when running,” one tester says. “I ran in sub-32 degrees and could feel the foam warming up underneath me.” There were no hotspots, and you can really feel the ground. “I could even feel the little rocks under my feet when racing downhill.” If you have a hilly race, these are the fast shoes for you.

Weight: 6.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 4 mm

Hoka One One Carbon X

Following in the carbon-fiber trend, Hoka One One launched the Carbon X, a race-day shoe for the everyman. The smooth, bouncy and fun sneaker features a carbon-fiber plate atop compression molded EVA and Injected R-bound. Whether you’re a heel striker or midfoot striker, the rocker on this sneaker will propel you forward. We tested under a variety of conditions, including a half marathon, from which we emerged with no hot spots or blisters. The one downside is the lack of stability off the pavement, but it’s still one of our favorite fitness products.

Weight: 8.7 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 5 mm

The Best Running Shoes for Long Runs

Long run shoes are cushioned to the max. Some offer a rocker to propel you forward over the hundreds of miles you plan to put on them, and others let you still feel the ground while the foam underfoot might look like it’s not going to let you.

Asics Gel-Nimbus Lite

The Gel-Nimbus is an ideal sneaker for longer, easy runs and heavy-duty mileage. True to its name, it’s an ounce lighter than its predecessor, the Gel-Nimbus 22. And the FlyteFoam midsole paired with rear and forefoot gel cushioning helps to lessen the impact of each footfall while simultaneously helping your foot through its forefoot to midfoot transition, or heel to toe if you’re a heel striker. “I really dig these shoes,” states one tester, who wore them while clocking his fastest-ever marathon, right before coronavirus made such events a fantasy. “They’re a solid all-rounder, crowd-pleaser sorta shoe.”

Weight: 9.7 ounces
Heel Height: 25 mm
Forefoot Height: 15 mm
Pronation: Neutral

Hoka One One Clifton Edge

Don’t let the funky looks fool you; some of Hoka’s most innovative sneakers are as smooth and supportive as they come. “Despite its pumped-up form, the Clifton Edge is lightweight and doesn’t feel bulky,” one tester says of this brand-new shoe, which just became available yesterday. “On the contrary, its upper is minimal but still provides plenty of support and a locked-in heel hold, and the oversized base is responsive and springy while providing all the stability it promises.”

Weight: 8.93 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 5 mm

Brooks Ghost 12

The Ghost has been a part of Brooks running line for seemingly forever — and it’s constantly at the top of the best-selling list for its all-around running prowess. Beginners to experts alike will find this shoe does what they need it to do. The blend of DNA Loft and BioMoGo DNA foam means the shoes are plushly supported but won’t weigh you down, so you sail through your training long runs. If you’ve run in the Ghost before, don’t worry about too many changes — it’s the engineered mesh upper that’s much sleeker than iterations past, but the responsive and soft feel is the same.

Weight: 10.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 12 mm

Adidas Ultraboost 20

When Adidas launched Ultraboost in 2015, it was revolutionary. The foam, fit and feel package was strong, and people loved the crossover value each sneaker carried, from runways to air travel to run commuting. Neutral runners will love the latest iteration’s heel-to-toe Primeknit upper that’s often woven with colorful thread so you know where the shoe provides a bit more give. We love these shoes for half-marathon training — and for traveling, too. The 10.9-ounce weight somehow didn’t slow us down, and it added much-needed cushion to all the pavement pounding. While $180 might seem steep, there are constantly sales on the shoe, so keep an eye out.

Weight: 10.9 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm

On Cloud X

This is the shoe you should reach for if you need a stable ride over the course of 100 miles. “It’s very light for a shoe this supportive,” one tester shares. “I had to adjust my running style to accommodate it, but I think this is true when swapping to any shoe. One thing I noticed was that they were super slippery on road paint (like on the yellow or white lines and bike lane lines) when running in the rain, but grippy otherwise.” There’s a lot of structure in this shoe, so you will have to get used to that, but with a dual-density sock liner and adaptive memory foam, soon enough these shoes will fit like a glove.

Weight: 8 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 6 mm

New Balance 1080 V10

New Balance nails the fit on version 10 of the well-cushioned and comfortable 1080s. Would we recommend them? “Without question,” says one tester. Pull these on for your weekly long runs to feel supported, yet springy, so your legs are fresh the next day. “These are the most comfortable New Balances I’ve ever worn,” raves another tester. “The layer of Fresh Foam was incredibly responsive and could easily compete with Hoka One One’s lightweight cushioning.”

Weight: 10.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8 mm

The Best Running Shoes for Easy Days

Finally, these easy run shoes are the ones that we’d pick up to run on tempo days as well as days when we’re just headed out for a five-miler or need to escape the house for a quickie.

Saucony Kinvara 11

A decade after the original Kinvara appeared, this shoe is still a favorite for the Saucony Racing Team — and for ours. “They offer enough support that my feet feel cradled,” says one tester. Lightweight PWRRUN cushioning, a flexible outsole for quick transitions and a form-fitting upper do the trick: “I see these as excellent shoes for quicker workouts and tempo runs. They aren’t true race shoes, but for anything 10k or below, I’d feel very comfortable racing in them.”

Weight: 7.8 ounces
Heel Height: 28.5 mm
Forefoot Height: 24.5 mm

Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3

“These shoes have everything I liked about the Waverider 21 and 22 but are definitely more comfortable and breathable with the knit upper,” one tester says. Featuring a SmoothRide midsole and Mizuno Wave cushioning, the shoes are sure to feel peppy as you run. “Mizuno made what I consider to be one of the most comfortable running shoes available even more comfortable while leaving the supportive heel structure in place.” Pick these up for tempo runs as well as long easy days — whatever you need.

Weight: 10 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 12 mm

Under Armour HOVR Sonic 2

Now just $91, these shoes are a steal for the number of times you’ll pull them on for easy runs and for everyday wear. A stretchy tongue and external heel clip make the fit snug, yet easy to slide off without untying the laces. The cushion is right in between rigid and plush, sure to please neutral runners. A super breathable knit upper make this one of the picks our testers reached for during hot summer days, but don’t let that dissuade you from buying for winter. A good pair of running socks will keep your feet warm. “If you’re a no-wasted-movement elite-ish runner, you probably won’t sweat it,” caveats one tester, “but if you’re more of a pavement-pounding middle-packer, you might feel the same over the final few miles of a longer run.”

Weight: 10 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8 mm

Altra Torin 4

The Torin 4 is a lightweight update to the Torin 3.5, despite the very plush 26 mm of cushion underfoot. A foot-shaped toe box means your toes actually have room to breathe. Testers who wore Altras for the first time were impressed with the comfortable and responsive feel. “I also found that with the zero drop, I was more responsive on the balls of my feet,” one tester observes. “I mentally fought against it at first, thinking that the sell of a ‘natural’ approach to foot strike wasn’t a real thing, but on hills, or even when I started to get tired, I found myself keeping pop in my forefoot and driving forward.”

Weight: 9.1 ounces
Stack Height: 26 mm (Zero Drop)

Nike Zoom Pegasus 37

The 37th version of the uber-popular Pegasus sneaker is the product of a new round of dynamic testing with both male and female runners. That research resulted in some major adjustments, most notably an airbag more than twice as thick (10mm vs. 4 mm) and concentrated in the forefoot. The result? “The new foam is noticeable,” says one tester of one of the newest entries on this list. “It’s a lot of softer and springier, but less responsive; the last two iterations of the Pegasus felt really quick and fast. I see the 37s as a return to form of sorts for what earlier iterations aspired to be: a no-nonsense running shoe for easy days.”

Weight: 10.05 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm

Allbirds Tree Dasher

A surprise addition to our compilation is Allbirds’ first foray into performance footwear. “The one-piece upper is knit from FSC Certified eucalyptus trees, a lighter, eco-friendly alternative to merino wool,” our tester reports. “Since it’s all once piece, you don’t feel the upper stretching or rubbing in weird ways. There are no hot spots.” She’s impressed with the stability as well: “Your feet have a decent amount of support as you pivot to change running lanes on the track or quickly turn a corner to avoid having to stop at a light. The slightly wider toebox helps with fit, too.” Because the laces do not permit a heel lock, it’s not ideal for those with ankle issues, but it’s perfect for bouncing around town and light recovery runs.

Weight: 10.05 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Ready to Bring It? You Can Do the Entire Original P90X for Free

Perhaps more than any time in history, a lot of us are scrambling for rewarding ways to work out at home. Thankfully, the latest apps and equipment offer loads of options, at a range of costs. But some of the classics can be just as effective at whipping you into shape, if not moreso. Which is why I was delighted by Reddit user SkaPlunk‘s recent discovery: the entire original P90X program is online, and it’s free.

For those unfamiliar, P90X (short for Power 90 Extreme) took the home workout world by sweat-soaked storm back in the day. Created by uber-charismatic former stand-up comic Tony Horton in 2005, the program sold more than 4.2 million copies, and even five years later, it accounted for half of parent company Beachbody LLC‘s $430 million revenue.

What’s so great about P90X? As someone who got hooked several years ago, I attribute the appeal of the program — which blends targeted weight and cardio routines into 10 days of workouts you can endlessly repeat — to its accessibility. Horton enthusiastically leads every workout with a rotating cast of disciples, whom he’s only too happy to rib in his goofy dad-joke kinda way. These folks come in all shapes and sizes, and Horton uses them to show alternative ways to do different moves, based on your own abilities and equipment.

That enables you to forge ahead when Horton himself is doing, say, clap push-ups or corn-cob pull-ups. As he says in just about every video: “Do your best, and forget the rest.” (I know, it’s cheesy, but it’ll grow on you, I swear.)

In short, it’s an excellent total-body workout to check out, especially at a time like this. As I mentioned earlier, the entire series is available, in all its standard-def glory, at archive.org. I got so nostalgic watching some of the footage, I just might jump back into it myself. How about you?

Editor’s note: If you like P90X but are looking for something more advanced, Beachbody On Demand offers a ton of other great fitness and nutrition programming for just about every body type, ability level and goal.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

How Athletes Reap the Benefits of Altitude Training Without Actually Moving to the Mountains

Join me, if you will, in 2010. No, this isn’t some Facebook 10-year challenge. It’s 22-year-old me riding a bike over Wolf Creek Pass in the Race Across America. I’m young, fit, and convinced I am invincible. I am also breathing through what feels like a straw. Someone is paying for me to ride a bike fast, and I can barely get up the hill. Nobody is paying me to walk in silly shoes, so I get to the top before handing over to the next rider, but I certainly considered a job in accounting halfway up that climb. I was born and raised in the UK, where the highest point is the summit of Ben Nevis at 4,413 feet. I haven’t been there. Wolf Creek pass tops out at 10,856 feet. As I crested the summit, it felt like all 6,443 of those extra feet were standing on my throat.

Unless you were born and raised in the mountains, you may have noticed that visiting them can be a pretty weird experience. Put aside for a second the strange proliferation of Subarus and the fact that literally everyone makes the same joke about waiting five minutes if you don’t like the weather: what I’m concerned with is the weird wheezing, surprise headaches, and difficulty sleeping even though you’re a thousand miles away from the noise and distraction of the city. 

That, my friends, is altitude.

Despite the fact that altitude makes you suck at just about everything, including moving, sleeping, drinking and breathing, athletes the world over have been voluntarily subjecting themselves to it for decades. Why? I assembled a crack squad of athletic boffins to find out. My A(ltitude) team included physical therapist and ultra-runner Tim Tollefson and exercise physiologist and coach Andrew Kastor, who both live and train in the thin air endurance mecca of Mammoth, California, as well as Neal Henderson, sports scientist and founder of Boulder, Colorado’s Apex Endurance, and Chessa Adsit-Morris, USATF trail marathon champion and Ph.D. candidate. I had no doubt that together, they could demystify the connections between altitude, air and athleticism. And that if I dug a little deeper, I could learn how to score the benefits of altitude exposure without moving to Mammoth or Boulder.

Altitude Training, Explained

Photo: Josh Wray

First, it’s important to understand what it is that makes you feel bad at altitude. Henderson explains: “What happens as you get farther from sea level is that particles in the air become less densely packed as a result of lower pressure and this partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) is reduced because of the reduced barometric pressure.” In layman’s terms, it’s not just that there is less oxygen in the air, there is less air in the air. The result in the body is that your blood oxygen levels drop. Note that this isn’t the same as your breathing being restricted. You still breathe normally at altitude — in fact you breathe more — you just get a little less oxygen in every lungful. 

If you spend long enough at altitude, much above 7,000 feet according to Kastor, your body responds to this low level of blood oxygen by creating more erythropoietin, the fabled EPO that you probably read about on the same day you threw away your little yellow wristband. The increase in EPO is one of a host of adaptational changes including decreased lactate, increased concentration of capillaries and blood vessels in muscle, increased aerobic enzyme concentration and increased red blood cell mass. Together, these involuntary tweaks allow altitude-adapted athletes to produce greater aerobic power for longer periods of time versus those living and training at sea-level. 

A recent study of Tibetan villagers who live their lives at around 15,000 feet revealed that they have 10 oxygen-processing genes not commonly found in lowland populations. And Egan Bernal, the winner of the 2019 Tour de France, hails from Bogotá, the 8,660-foot capital of Colombia.

Long story short, they can get more oxygen to their muscles and do more work. And yet. “Even fully acclimatized individuals to a given altitude are still impacted by that altitude — just to a lesser degree than a non-acclimatized individual will be,” Henderson is quick to point out. “Also, there is a significant variation in how a given individual will respond to high altitude.” 

It’s worth noting that this adaptation doesn’t happen overnight. According to Tollefson, “Most research supports an athlete spending three to four weeks at altitude for maximal adaptations.” Adsit-Morris adds that “the research has shown that there are benefits from short stints (one to two days) of altitude training as well.”

Henderson goes a bit deeper, explaining that in seven to 10 days the body will make changes that facilitate the offloading of oxygen from existing red cells. Later the actual number of those red cells carrying oxygen will increase.  “It takes three to four weeks of continuous exposure to altitude to achieve significant increases in red cell mass in responders” he says. 

Built-in Benefits

Photo: Mitchell Quiring

Henderson also points out that there is an actual benefit to all that wheezing and gasping I was doing on Wolf Creek Pass — or there would be if I had stayed there long enough.  “The respiratory muscles are just like other muscles in the body, and an increase in respiratory muscle endurance may be one of the factors that facilitates improvement in endurance performance at sea level after training at altitude.” In other words, your lungs get stronger.  

That being said, you actually de-train when you go to altitude because you can’t go as hard as you normally do. Sure, you might hit higher heart rates, but you’ll be doing less work because you’re moving less oxygen. Only once your body has had time to adapt to the altitude do you see the benefits.

There’s also what Adsit-Morris calls ‘the training camp effect.’ “Athletes generally tend to be able to focus and perform better during training camps,” she observes. “Living with other athletes, away from normal everyday stresses and distractions, athletes are able to focus all their energy and time on training. It is also easier to train with a group than alone. Having other athletes around keeps everyone accountable; we are more likely to do all the ‘little things’ we normally skip when we are busy, like stretching, core work and eating healthier.” The lack of, say, a thriving club scene in Mammoth probably doesn’t hurt either. 

Of course, some populations have been living at altitude for generations; these so-called “altitude natives” may enjoy athletic advantages thanks to one of the fastest natural selection adaptations ever seen. Not only do these altitude natives have more red cells, each red cell also carries more oxygen. 

A recent study of Tibetan villagers who live their lives at around 15,000 feet revealed that they have 10 oxygen-processing genes not commonly found in lowland populations. And Egan Bernal, the winner of the 2019 Tour de France, hails from Bogotá, the 8,660-foot capital of Colombia. 

The Live High, Train Low Secret

Photo: Miles Weaver

To overcome the issues around training at altitude, pros swear by the “live high, train low” (LHTL) approach. Using LHTL, athletes will sleep and live at altitude while training closer to sea level, which allows their performance to be uninhibited. 

“The athletes can run faster and farther at a lower altitude, thus producing greater muscular power, then quickly return back to the upper elevations to continue creating more red blood cells,” says Kastor, making sure to emphasize that “red blood cell production, along with all other training adaptations, takes place while the athlete is asleep.” 

Unless you are a very serious athlete, you’re probably not going to uproot your whole life to move to Mammoth or Boulder and make your lungs stronger. What if, instead of you going to the mountain, the mountain could come to you? Turns out it can.

It is also possible that high-oxygen environments could increase recovery speed. Henderson cites evidence of patients recovering more quickly from burns; he believes athletes could see concurrent benefits. 

Accordingly, the Kastor-led Mammoth Track Club has been using LHTL since 2001, when its runners began training 4,000 feet lower in Bishop, California. Meanwhile, at Henderson’s Apex Endurance in Boulder, Colorado, things get high tech: “When we have individuals preparing for competition at sea level, we tend to introduce weekly hyperoxic high-intensity training sessions [using a mask or altitude-controlled room to simulate sea level air] in order to replicate the output that can be maintained at sea level.” 

Altitude Simulation, No Mountain Required

At this point, the benefits of training — or at least living — at altitude are pretty clear. But unless you are a very serious athlete, you’re probably not going to uproot your whole life to move to Mammoth or Boulder and make your lungs stronger. What if, instead of you going to the mountain, the mountain could come to you? Turns out it can. 

Olympic cyclist and former world champion Shaun Wallace now runs Altitude Control Technologies, an industry leader in the field of “altitude simulation.” I spoke with the Live High, Train Low pioneer about how altitude is meeting athletes where they live. 

The summer after that race in Colorado, I spent weeks sleeping in a sweaty plastic tent. It wasn’t because I was not making enough money racing bikes to pay rent, although that was also true, but because I was trying to “sleep high” while living in San Diego. But Wallace says that merely sleeping at altitude is not enough. There might be an initial boost, but his experience has been that athletes begin to see more adaption with more time at altitude. 

“Once we learned to stop pushing the altitude higher and higher, and just increased the time instead, we got much better results,” he explains. This is pretty challenging with traditional altitude tents. I can tell you that eight hours in that sweatbox was bad enough, and had Tinder been around back then, I’d make for an instant “swipe left” if I added the mountain air boudoir experience to my profile. What Wallace’s company offers instead is rooms and whole homes that are altitude controlled. 

Although he can’t reveal his client’s names, it’s well known that the Nike Oregon project uses an altitude house for its runners, and ACT’s website proudly displays the logos of not only Nike but also the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Flyers, three NBA teams and legendary soccer club Real Madrid.

On a related note, altitude adaptation is thought to give such a huge advantage to home teams in high-altitude cities that FIFA once banned games above 8,200 feet. And Japan’s Institute of Sports Sciences recently built a 73-room altitude hotel in the hope of giving its athletes an edge at the (sea level) Tokyo games. 

Many athletes report not only increased performance at altitude, but also better and more restful sleep. Wallace confides that, somewhere between 4,000 and 8,000 feet, many people seem to find an altitude at which they recover better than they do at sea level. 

The Most Effective Hack: Maximizing an Altitude Window

Of course, converting your house isn’t cheap. You can get that same “breathing through a straw” altitude feeling by, well, breathing through a straw. Indeed, there are a lot of inspiratory muscle trainers on the market that claim to offer the benefits of altitude at a much lower cost by simply restricting your ability to breathe, but none of the experts we spoke to supported their use as a substitute for altitude. 

“They might have some benefit, but it’s not the same as altitude,” says Wallace, going on to explain that these devices make it harder to breathe by restricting your airway, rather than by creating a hypobaric atmosphere. This might sound the same, but the former works by strengthening your lungs and the latter by changing your blood. Henderson points out studies show that some athletes, especially less well-trained ones, might benefit from this kind of respiratory training, but it won’t make as much of a change as time at altitude. 

There is also plenty of evidence that repeated exposure to altitude helps, so if you are planning on climbing a 14er or racing the Leadville Trail 100 this year, even a few weekends in the high country is much better than nothing.

Still, certain gear can help you adapt to altitude and use it to your advantage. Wallace says that a good pulse oximeter is key. This little device measures the blood oxygen saturation (or SpO2) by estimating the amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in your blood. It does this by sending a beam of light through your finger and noting how much of the light is absorbed by red blood cells. Normal ranges are 94 to 100, and below that it’s not a good idea to train. Measuring every day would allow you to see your norm, Wallace says, and how you are adapting to training at altitude. The Garmin Forerunner 945 does exactly that, logging your SpO2 all day and tracking your body changing as you take that two-week hiking trip to Colorado. 

There is also plenty of evidence that repeated exposure to altitude helps, so if you are planning on climbing a 14er or racing the Leadville Trail 100 this year, even a few weekends in the high country is much better than nothing. Mammoth is a great spot for a DIY camp — it hosts thousands of athletes each year, and is well set up with running tracks, trails and a lift-assisted mountain bike park for those days when you’d rather not tax your lungs by riding up hill in order to send it down. 

If you want something more structured, Leadville hosts training camps in the highest incorporated city in North America. You can start at 10,152 feet in town and it’s uphill in just about every direction. I have been there, and it is indeed, ahem, breathtaking. Leadville also happens to host the most prestigious mountain bike, burro racing, and trail running events in the US, making it an endurance mecca despite being literally the hardest place in the country to work out. 

Photo: Alex Chiu

Adsit-Morris also has some tips for would-be altitude training athletes: “I would suggest getting bloodwork done before you go to altitude to make sure your iron levels are good, especially for women. Sometimes my coach will even have us “pre-load” with iron supplements before we begin our training camp. I also found that going into training with a good core routine was really essential. The first time I went to altitude, I had a lot of diaphragm cramping which I think was due to a lack of a strong core. Finally, have fun and enjoy the process!”

If your goals involve altitude, don’t despair. The real function of endurance events is to find your limit. Even at single digit speeds grinding up Wolf Creek pass a decade ago, I found mine. If you’ve read this far, you are far more informed than I was back then and hopefully not considering abandoning your sport altogether. If you are, just wait until you get home and feel like you’re running on premium fuel again, and maybe you’ll reconsider. Three weeks after we scaled Wolf Creek pass, I won a nice, flat, sea level race in Coastal California. 

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Here’s How to Burn Off the Thanksgiving Feast on Black Friday

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is typically known for a few key things: struggling to put up with your relatives, scoring sweet Black Friday deals … and incredible meals followed by tryptophan-induced drowsiness and the sinking feeling your favorite pants may never fit again.

Now, we can’t help you with your in-laws, and just about every other story on the site has you covered in the killer sales realm. But if shedding those extra Turkey Day calories is your main concern, you’ve come to the right place.

With the help of MyFitnessPal, we counted the calories in reasonable servings of several classic Thanksgiving dishes. Then we calculated how different activities can burn those calories right off — plus key pieces of gear that can help. (Note: We calculated calorie burn data based on a 175-pound body.) Scroll down and get ready to sweat any gluttonous regret away…

1. Ax the Turkey

You just consumed: 6 oz., 270 calories, 0g carbs, 30g protein, 12g fat
Burn it off with: 33 minutes of chopping wood
Using this gear: Hults Bruk Gran Splitting Axe

Few feelings are more satisfying then stepping out into that cold air and prepping some firewood the same way the pilgrims did. Get your technique down with these expert wood-splitting tips, then shoulder your weapon and start chopping.

2. Rep Out the Stuffing

You just consumed: 1 cup, 135 calories, 27g carbs, 4g protein, 1g fat
Burn it off with: 34 minutes of weightlifting
Using this gear: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)

Why not use those carbs to fuel soe fast and furious resistance training? Here’s an EMOM (every minute on the minute) routine we swear by: Warm up with some jumping jacks and running in place. Then grab those adjustable dumbbells and do the following five moves for 60 seconds each: biceps curls, triceps extensions,  renegade rows, squats and pushups, with little to no rest between sets. Repeat that circuit twice. Burn it out by alternating three 60-second rounds of sit-ups and lateral shuffles over a dumbbell and go from stuffed to pumped.

3. Spike the Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

You just consumed: 1 cup, 239 calories, 35g carbs, 4g protein, 9g fat
Burn it off with: 23 minutes of touch football
Using this gear: Wilson NFL The Duke Replica Official Size Composite Football

For many American families and friends, throwing the ol’ pigskin around after the feast is a time-honored tradition. Not the smash-mouth type? Just 19 minutes of competitive soccer or 23 minutes of ultimate frisbee can have a similar effect.

4. Pedal Off the Sweet Potatoes With Marshmallows

You just consumed: 1 cup, 393 calories, 92g carbs, 6g protein, 1g fat
Burn it off with: 30 minutes of vigorous bicycling (14 to 16 mph)
Using this gear: Giro Fixture MIPS Bike Helmet

It’s important to note that you’ll need to pedal with some degree of speed to kiss 400 calories goodbye this quickly. Easy way to tell if you’re going fast enough? Used your phone to map out an eight-mile course. Roll through it in half an hour and you’ll have hit that 16 mph pace. Need some actual wheels to go with that helmet? Here are six nicely priced road bikes we love.

5. Sweat Out the Cranberry Dressing

You just consumed: 1 cup, 152 calories, 39g carbs, 0g protein, 0g fat
Burn it off with: 21 minutes of High-Intensity Interval Training
Using this gear: Reebok Nano 9 Training Shoes

Just about every gym offers some sort of HIIT class these days. A couple of our favorites include Barry’s Bootcamp (with locations in 14 states) and Orangetheory Fitness (offered by hundreds of studios across the country). But you don’t even have to leave your house to try it: this gnarly HIIT workout is the perfect length and intensity to make you… just skip the cranberry sauce next time around.

6. Dash Off the Pumpkin Pie

You just consumed: 330 calories, 49g carbs, 6g protein, 14g fat
Burn it off with: 23 minutes of Running at a 6.7 mph (9-minute per mile pace)
Using this gear: Patagonia Men’s Strider Pro Running Shorts 

Just like with the bike ride above, you’ll want to make sure you’re running fast enough to hit the target. At the proper pace, you should be able to cover a bit more than 2.5 miles. Prefer to take it a bit slower? Run for 31 minutes at 5 mph (12-minute miles) for a similar burn.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

TRX’s Weird New Foam Roller Is Borderline Sadistic, and That’s Kind of the Point

If any fitness product is ripe for reinvention, it’s the foam roller. And while we were excited that TRX, a brand that has successfully reinvented home fitness, was tackling the challenge, we were initially mystified/horrified by the result. With its spiky, medieval-looking edges, the TRX Rocker appears borderline sadistic. Then we tried it out — and realized that’s exactly what makes it work so well.

See, with a lot of foam rollers, you have to really press hard to get that deep myofascial tissue release. Not so with the Rocker. While it does have low-intensity and medium-intensity zones for relaxation and semi-deep release, respectively, the truly standout feature is that pointy high-intensity zone.

Rock into such hard-to-target areas as the hamstrings, quads and calves with that section, and it’s like turning a Swedish massage into a deep-tissue session. The brand describes the effect as “hyper-focused muscle release,” and the site features a bevy of videos showing how to maximize it. All we know is that our calves feel positively glorious right now.

The Rocker comes in two sizes (13″ for $50; 26″ for $70) and just launched this week.

TRX’s New Foam Roller Is Weird as Hell, but It Works

If any fitness product is ripe for reinvention, it’s the foam roller. And while we were excited that TRX, a brand that has successfully reinvented home fitness, was tackling the challenge, we were initially mystified/horrified by the result. With its spiky, medieval-looking edges, the TRX Rocker appears borderline sadistic. Then we tried it out — and realized that’s exactly what makes it work so well.

See, with a lot of foam rollers, you have to really press hard to get that deep myofascial tissue release. Not so with the Rocker. While it does have low-intensity and medium-intensity zones for relaxation and semi-deep release, respectively, the truly standout feature is that pointy high-intensity zone.

Rock into such hard-to-target areas as the hamstrings, quads and calves with that section, and it’s like turning a Swedish massage into a deep-tissue session. The brand describes the effect as “hyper-focused muscle release,” and the site features a bevy of videos showing how to maximize it. All we know is that our calves feel positively glorious right now.

The Rocker comes in two sizes (13″ for $50; 26″ for $70) and just launched today.

The 15 Best New Running Shoes of 2019

This guide to the best running shoes of 2019 provides picks for the best running shoes for each type of runner and also offers tips and advice to know before you buy.

Introduction

This year brought an influx of sneakers to the marketplace — starting in January and sprinting toward the start of fall. It seems like each brand kept trying to one-up itself with new versions of favorites, upgrades to classics and more brand-new foams and lasts than we could possibly keep up with. While finding the right pair of sneakers for you is incredibly personal, we put a huge group of them to the test to narrow down the field. We logged over 500 miles to bring you this list of sneakers. You might have your go-to pair, but this is the complete list of all the latest and greatest so you can find the perfect pair of shoes no matter what type of runner you are.

How We Tested Them

Throughout the year, our fitness team tests and reviews some of the most buzzed-about running shoes. All shoes have been released in the past 365 days, whether that was a new version of a shoe or a brand-new shoe. We worked with a variety of brands to make sure we included all of the pairs you’ll see when you walk into your local running specialty store.

We took to the roads in 90-degree weather and 0-degree weather, noting how that temperature affected the foam and gel, plus wore the shoes to walk around all day, on long travel weekends and to fitness classes so we could get an overarching picture of what each shoe can actually do and what its limitations are. Beyond pure fit, we evaluated the shoes from a durability, comfort and reliability perspective. We noted if the shoes made us feel zippy, helped us slog through training miles or fell a little flat.

Once the testing period ended, we categorized our results into three distinct pillars: speed, easy runs and long runs. Our speed shoes are, at their core, race-day shoes. They’re the ones you’ll pull on for track practices and 200-meter repeats. They are the ones you want to wear to win your local 5K.

Our long run shoes are cushioned to the max. Some offer a rocker to propel you forward over the hundreds of miles you plan to put on them, and others let you still feel the ground while the foam underfoot might look like it’s not going to let you.

Finally, our easy run shoes are the ones that we’d pick up to run on tempo days as well as days when we’re just headed out for a five-miler or need to escape the house during the holidays for a quickie.

We separated them into these categories because we know that in order to prevent injuries, it’s best to rotate sneakers. While it can seem pricey, it helps your sneakers last longer and will keep your feet in better shape.

The Best Running Shoes for Speed

New Balance FuelCell Rebel

These speedy sneakers use the same foam, FuelCell, as the New Balance 5280 spike-like track shoes, the ones Jenny Simpson wore the past two years to win the Fifth Avenue Mile. While they feel a bit funky when you first step in — “it took a minute for my heel to settle and my toes to have some room,” one tester said — the shoes are surprisingly stable. Testers liked the feel, calling it “incredibly aggressive and bouncy,” which makes it ideal for fast speeds, even, as one tester put it, “when I’m not feeling fast in any other way.” If you’re looking to add a boost to your track workouts, these add a shotgun blast.

Weight: 7.3 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 6 mm

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%

This list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include the next iteration of the shoe that The New York Times heralds as the shoe that can help you run three to four percent faster — and now maybe more. These are the shoes that elite marathoners reach for on race day and during tempo runs. Compared to the 4%s, Nike updated the midsole with more foam, yet added no weight. The offset is slightly lower (down from 11 mm to 8 mm) so you feel more stable. The upper is made of Vaporweave, a material inspired by sailcloth, which means it’s water-resistant. If the flyknit upper of the 4% sneakers bothered you, these are made for you. The price tag is still $250, and keep in mind that the life of these shoes is only around 100 miles, so about four marathons. Our testers felt it wasn’t worth wearing these shoes (and wasting miles) for anything less than a 10K or 15K race; just pick traditional racing flats for shorter distances.

Weight: 6.6 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8 mm

Reebok Floatride Fast

With Reebok’s dive into running back in 2017, the brand has only expanded its running shoe picks to include a race-day speed shoe that’s practically lighter than your kit. The FloatRide Run Fast Pro is at the same price point as the Nike 4%, but much easier to find. However, a $250 price tag certainly isn’t friendly. So while we love these shoes, we’d recommend the FloatRide Run Fast for just $140 instead. The shoe fits to size, with “less lockdown than normal racing flats, lending the shoe a bit more approachability on weekly tempos and track workouts,” said one tester. “The shoe is super light, and it feels that way. I’d place it at the halfway point between a racing flat and an everyday trainer.” The mesh upper is breathable and perfect for a speedy mile through a marathon. These shoes feel extra springy on the track and turf so when you bust out 100-meter repeats (in a workout or during a few key moments of your marathon) you get a boost of energy.

Weight: 6.6 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8mm

Skechers GoRun Razor 3 Hyper

These shoes felt great right from the start. One tester found there was a little extra room along the toe, but the lateral walls and heel cup provided support and a nice fit. The Hyper Burst midsole is brand new for the brand and feels squishy, yet slightly firm to the touch. “These disappear when running,” one tester says. “I ran in sub-32 degrees and could feel the foam warming up underneath me.” There were no hotspots, and you can really feel the ground beneath you. “I could even feel the little rocks under my feet when racing downhill.” If you have a hilly race, these are the fast shoes for you.

Weight: 6.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 4 mm

Hoka One One Carbon X

Following in the carbon-fiber trend, Hoka One One launched the Carbon X, a race-day shoe for the everyman. Right from our first stride, the smooth, bouncy and fun sneaker features a carbon-fiber plate atop compression molded EVA and Injected R-bound as well. Whether you’re a heel striker or midfoot striker, the rocker on this sneaker will propel you forward. We tested under a variety of conditions, including a half marathon, from which we emerged with no hot spots or blisters. The one downside is the lack of stability off the pavement.

Weight: 8.7 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 5 mm

The Best Running Shoes for Easy Days

Saucony Kinvara 9

The Kinvara 8s are extremely popular, so when Saucony debuted the 9s it was a tricky balance to make sure the lightweight fit didn’t disappear as a full-length Everun midsole was added. Nearly a decade after the original one appeared, it’s still a favorite for the Saucony Racing Team — and for ours. “They offer enough support that my feet feel cradled,” said one tester. A minimal upper with two layers of fabric to hold your heel in place do just the trick: “I see these as excellent shoes for quicker workouts and tempo runs. They aren’t true race shoes, but for anything 10k or below, I’d feel very comfortable racing in them.”

Weight: 7.5 ounces
Heel Height: 23 mm
Forefoot Height: 19 mm

Mizuno Waveknit R2

Mizuno has long made shoes for those who need support, but the brand has steered clear of knit uppers in the past, opting for a more secure fabric. That is, until now. “These shoes had everything I liked about the Waverider 21 and 22 but are definitely more comfortable and breathable with the knit upper,” one tester said. “I liked these so much after my first eight miles in them that I decided to save them for the marathon. I felt really good throughout the race in them and didn’t have any issues with not enough foam or support or anything.” Built with the same Cloudwave technology, the shoes are sure to feel peppy as you run. “Mizuno made what I consider to be one of the most comfortable running shoes available even more comfortable. And it did that while leaving the supportive heel structure of the shoe in place — and produced some of its best colorways — too.” Pick these up for tempo runs as well as long easy days — whatever you need.

Weight: 10.2 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 12 mm

Under Armour HOVR Sonic 2

At just $100, these shoes are a steal for the number of times you’ll pull them on for easy runs and for everyday wear. A stretchy tongue and external heel clip made the fit snug, yet easy to slide off without un-tieing the laces. The cushion is right in between rigid and plush, a middle of the road sneaker that’s sure to please neutral runners. A super breathable knit upper made this one of the picks our testers reached for during hot summer days, but don’t let that dissuade you from buying for winter. A good pair of running socks will keep your feet warm. The one caveat is “if you’re a no-wasted-movement elite-ish runner, you probably won’t sweat it, but if you’re more of a pavement-pounding middle-packer, you might feel the same over the final few miles of a longer run,” one tester said.

Weight: 10 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8 mm

Altra Torin 4

The Torin 4 is a lightweight update to the Torin 3.5, despite the very plush 26 mm of cushion underfoot. A foot-shaped toe box means your toes actually have room to breathe. Testers who wore Altras for the first time were impressed with the comfortable and responsive feel. “Even with a soft mesh upper, the tightness is well balanced so you don’t find yourself moving around too much, or trying to find the right foot position,” one tester said. “I also found that with the zero drop, I was more responsive on the balls of my feet,” another tester observed. “I mentally fought against it at first, thinking that the sell of a ‘natural’ approach to foot strike wasn’t a real thing, but on hills, or even when I started to get tired, I found myself keeping pop in my forefoot and driving forward.”

Weight: 9.1 ounces
Stack Height: 26 mm (Zero Drop)

Nike Zoom Pegasus 36

The 36th version of the uber-popular Pegasus sneaker has a few updates from version 35 including a thinner tongue that allows you to tighten the laces. “I liked the locked-down feeling the laces gave me,” one tester said. “My foot didn’t slip from the heel cup and I felt completely secure.” All the details underfoot stay the same, so if you’re used to running the 35s, this version should feel great. “They fit well, feel light on the foot and keep my feet plenty stable navigating tight turns and sudden accelerations,” noted another tester. “That’s no small feat with a midsole as thick as what this shoe has.”

Weight: 8.9 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm

Salomon Sonic RA 2

Testers raved at how comfortable the Sonic RA sneakers are. “There’s lots of room in the toe box, more than any other I tested this round,” one tester said. “Fit was right though, and the tongue and cuff integrate perfectly with each other — no pressure points at all.” These sneakers would make even Goldilocks happy: not too minimalist or maximalist, but a good seat right in the middle. “I didn’t really notice them while I ran. No pressure points, weird fit things or anything.”

Weight: 9.17 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8 mm

The Best Running Shoes for Long Run Days

Hoka One One Rincon

These were one of the lightest, yet most plush sneakers we tested this time around, and we loved them. From the first step, these breathable shoes were speedy and durable. While we finally landed on keeping them in the long run category, we also found ourselves packing these for track practice, thanks to the 7.7-ounce weight. “From toe to heel, these are an ideal fit,” one tester said. These were one of the breakout sneakers of 2019. They would make for great marathon sneakers given the plush cushion, stable fit — and did we mention they’re just $115? What a steal for these shoes.

Weight: 7.7 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 5 mm

Asics Gel-Cumulus 20

The Asics Gel-Cumulus just celebrated its 20th birthday. The Gel-Cumulus is an ideal sneaker for longer, easy runs and heavy-duty mileage. It’s lighter than its predecessor, features the new FlyteFoam midsole and has a more breathable upper — all of which make it the best version yet. The fit in these shoes is described by testers as “snug, but the ankle support is appreciated,” and “like a glove.” For longer days when you need a bit more support, these are your pick. The FlyteFoam midsole paired with rear and forefoot gel cushioning helps to lessen the impact of each footfall while simultaneously helping your foot through its forefoot to midfoot transition, or heel to toe if you’re a heel striker. “Asics are the everyman’s running shoe,” stated one tester. “They aren’t flashy and they don’t need to be. Your dad pairs them with jeans, but will also beat you in the next local 5k in the same pair. These shoes fit right and cover the bases for almost every type of training.” They are the quality you expect from Asics shoes with a slightly more stiff ride that’ll help propel you forward to the finish. “If I want a dependable shoe that won’t give me issues, I’ll turn to these,” concluded another tester.

Weight: 10.5 ounces
Heel Height: 23 mm
Forefoot Height: 13 mm
Pronation: Under-Pronator and Neutral

Brooks Ghost 12

The Ghost has been a part of Brooks running line for seemingly forever — and it’s constantly at the top of the best-selling list for its all-around running prowess. Beginner to experts alike will find this shoe do what they need it to do. The blend of DNA Loft and BioMoGo DNA foam means the shoes are plushly supported, but won’t weigh you down, so you sail through your training long runs. If you’ve run in the Ghost before, don’t worry about too many changes — it’s the engineered mesh upper that’s much sleeker than iterations past, but the responsive and soft feel is the same.

Weight: 10.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 12 mm

Adidas Ultraboost 19

When Adidas launched Ultraboost in 2015, it was revolutionary. The foam, fit and feel package was strong, and people loved the crossover value each sneaker carried, from runways to air travel to run commuting. The 19 is the brand’s first variation on the beloved original. Neutral runners will love the new heel-to-toe Primeknit upper that’s woven with colorful thread so you know where the shoe provides a bit more give. We loved these for half-marathon training — and for traveling, too. The 10.9-ounce weight somehow didn’t slow us down, and added much-needed cushion to all the pavement pounding. While $180 might seem a little steep, there are constantly sales on the shoe, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Weight: 10.9 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm

On Cloud X

This is the shoe you should reach for if you need a stable ride over the course of 100 miles, which is exactly how many miles one tester logged. “It’s very light for a shoe this supportive,” one tester shared. “I had to adjust my running style to accommodate it, but I think this is true when swapping to any shoe. One thing I noticed was that they were super slippery on road paint (like on the yellow or white lines and bike lane lines) when running in the rain, but grippy otherwise.” There’s a lot of structure in this shoe, so you will have to get used to that, but with a dual-density sock liner and adaptive memory foam, soon enough these shoes will fit like a glove.

Weight: 8 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 6 mm

New Balance 1080 V9

New Balance nails the fit on version nine of the well-cushioned and extremely comfortable 1080s. Would we recommend them? “Without question,” said one tester. Pull these on for your weekly long runs to feel supported, yet springy, so your legs are fresh the next day. “These are the most comfortable New Balances I’ve ever worn,” raved another tester. “The layer of Fresh Foam was incredibly responsive and could easily compete with any of the Hoka One One models’ lightweight cushioning.”

Weight: 10.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 8 mm

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Get Ripped Quick with This Simple and Effective HIIT Workout

Staying fit on the road is always a challenge. We’re out of our routines, away from our gym and eating a diet that’s different from usual (let’s be honest — downright unhealthy). During work trips or vacations, fitness becomes even more abstract because there’s rarely even time to think about working out. Time is instead occupied by meetings, laying on the beach, or sampling the local fare.

The good news is everyone has fifteen minutes, and that’s all it takes to do an HIIT workout. The theory behind HIIT is that short, very intense anaerobic workouts offer different, complementary benefits to lower intensity aerobic workouts like jogging or going for a leisurely bike ride. HIIT is said to improve overall athletic performance, boost metabolism and burn fat.

Additional contribution by Meg Lappe.

The HIIT Workout

Step 1

Push-ups: Your hands are on the ground, just wider than shoulder-width apart, with middle fingers pointing straight ahead. Your body is in a straight line from shoulders to ankles. Feet are 12 inches or less apart. Begin with arms fully extended, lower your body until they bend at 90° or less, push back so arms are fully extended. While doing push-ups, keep eyes fixed straight ahead, rather than on the ground. Exhale as you push away from the ground.

Step 2

Superman Back Extensions: Lay on your stomach, preferably on a carpet or yoga mat. Stretch arms straight out front with palms facing the ground. Stretch legs straight back. For each rep, fix your eyes straight ahead and raise arms and legs simultaneously. Breathing into your stomach while you lift will help keep correct form.

Step 3

Leg Raises: Lay down flat, back to the ground, palms facing down. Position palms underneath your butt for support. For each rep, lift extended legs up until they form an angle of slightly less than 90° with the ground, then lower them to the ground. Your core should be engaged during the exercise. Breathe out while lifting the legs.

Step 4

Supine Hip Extensions: Laying flat on your back with arms extended at your sides, place your heels on a chair. For each rep, lift your hips so that a straight line forms between your knees and your shoulders. Exhale as your raise the hips.

Step 5

Squats: This is a bodyweight squat with no weights. Start with your feet slightly wider than should-width apart and toes pointed a few degrees out to the sides. Squat down by bending at the knees and pushing your butt back and your arms straight ahead, parallel to the ground with palms facing down. Your knees should remain aligned over your feet, no farther forward than your toes. The low back should be slightly arched, not hunched. Push through your heels to return to standing, with arms by your sides. For this exercise, breathe out while squatting down, breathe in while returning to standing position.

Step 6

Burpees: Begin in standing position. Do a squat, but at the bottom of the exercise, place your hands on the ground and jump your feet back into the upper push-up position. Complete the push-up, jump the feet forward, returning to the bottom of the squat position. From there, jump straight up in the air, arms pointed to the sky. Observe breathing patterns from the squat and the push-up. You’re basically just combining those two exercises.

Repeat: Do 20 reps of each exercise, breaking for 10 seconds of deep breaths between each. Repeat entire cycle 3-5 times. The whole thing should take about 15-20 minutes. Fitness geeks can substitute more intense variations of each exercise. For example, substitute clapping push-ups for regular push-ups. You know, for fun.

The Buying Guide

While the beauty of HIIT workouts is that you technically don’t need any equipment, adding a few basics to your kit will make it easier for you to get to work both at home and on the go.

Lululemon Reversible (Big) Mat

If you can go to the gym and pound out this workout, that’s great. But, if you feel like knocking it down while in your own home or on a business trip, we recommend a mat. It will help you find your space and avoid rug burn. This one is extra long at 7-feet, so you can properly lie on it without your legs or head hanging off.

Under Armour UA TriBase Reign

A sturdy pair of sneakers will keep you from slipping on whatever surface you find. Grass, wood floors, dirt and pavement are no match for these cross trainers. They’re available in four colors and don’t have a huge lift to them, so you’ll feel very grounded whether you’re doing push-ups, sit-ups or burpees.

Rhone Mako Short

Whether you prefer a 7-inch or 9-inch inseam, these Rhone shorts are unlined and moisture-wicking. Power through Supermans and squats without tugging at the shorts.

Arvin Goods Gym Sock

Sure, sneakers are great, but if you’re not outfitted with the proper socks, you might end up with blisters galore. These sustainable basics work just as well all day long as they do at the gym and during a HIIT workout.

C9 Short Sleeve Training T-Shirt

Depending on how quick your HIIT workout is, you might not sweat right away, but once you pass the threshold, be prepared. Look for shirts that wick moisture and sweat away from your body so you can attempt to stay cool while eeking out that last push-up.

The 15 Best New Running Shoes of 2018

This guide to the best running shoes of 2018 provides picks for the best running shoes for each type of runner and also offers tips and advice to know before you buy.

Introduction

This year brought an influx of sneakers to the marketplace — starting in January and sprinting toward the finish line of December. It seems like each brand kept trying to one-up itself with new versions of favorites, upgrades to classics and more brand new foams and lasts than we could possibly keep up with. While finding the right pair of sneakers for you is incredibly personal, we put a huge group of them to the test to narrow down the field for you. The team at Gear Patrol logged over 500 miles in just a couple weeks to bring you this list of sneakers. You might have your go-to pair, but we wanted to bring you a complete list of all the latest and greatest this year so you can find the perfect pair of shoes no matter what type of runner you are.

How We Tested Them

We started with a list of well over 50 pairs of sneakers. Throughout the year, our fitness team has been testing and reviewing some of the most buzzed-about sneakers. So, we were able to narrow down our list to 25 pairs of shoes that should be tested. All shoes had to be released in 2018, whether that was a new version of a shoe or a brand new shoe. We worked with 13 brands to make sure we included all of the pairs you’ll see when you walk into your local running specialty store.

We tapped eight testers and made sure we had two runners give feedback on every single pair of shoes. Two testers want to run the NYC marathon next year, one ran this year’s and another ran in 2017. We have one tester in the Brooklyn Track Club and two with esteemed cross country and track backgrounds. While the most intense testing happened over the past couple weeks, our Outdoors and Fitness team has been testing new shoes since January 1 and keeps track of the latest model releases, making sure we know the difference between the New Balance 1080 v6 and v7.

Once we had our team of testers, we distributed the running shoes and let the testing commence. We took to the roads in 50-degree weather and 0-degree weather, noting how that temperature affected the foam and gel, plus wore the shoes to walk around all day, on long travel weekends and to fitness classes so we could get an overarching picture of what each shoe can actually do and what its limitations are. Beyond pure fit, we evaluated the shoes from a durability, comfort and reliability perspective. We noted if the shoes made us feel zippy, helped us slog through training miles or fell a little flat.

Once the testing period ended, we categorized our results into three distinct pillars: speed, easy runs and long runs. Our speed shoes are, at their core, race day shoes. They’re the ones you’ll pull on for track practices and 200-meter repeats. They are the ones you want to win your local 5K in.

Our long run shoes are cushioned to the max. Some offer a rocker to propel you forward over the hundreds of miles you plan to put on them, and others let you still feel the ground while the foam underfoot might look like it’s not going to let you.

Finally, our easy run shoes are the ones that we’d pick up to run on tempo days as well as days when we’re just headed out for a five-miler or need to escape the house during the holidays for a quickie.

We separated them into these categories because we know that in order to prevent injuries, it’s best to rotate sneakers. While it’s pricey, it helps your sneakers last longer and will keep your feet in better shape.

The Buying Guide

The Best Running Shoes for Speed

Altra Escalante Racer

We tested the NYC racer, one of the special editions of the Escalante. We’ve run miles in the Escalante — a sneaker with a bit of cushion thanks to an AltraEgo midsole. In true Altra form, the foot-shaped toe box ensures proper toe splay. The durable and firm feeling comes through so you can alternate sprints with a recovery lap on long run days. The engineered upper offers plenty of breathability, which cuts back on weight and also allows plenty of airflow. Be aware when you go for runs in the winter that you might need a thicker sock.

Weight: 6.8 ounces
Heel Height: 22 mm
Forefoot Height: 22 mm

Nike VaporFly 4% Flyknit

This list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include the shoe that The New York Times heralds as the shoe that can help you run three to four percent faster. These are the shoes that elite marathoners reach for on race day and during tempo runs. Winners of the New York, Chicago and London marathons have all worn these: Shalane Flanagan, Galen Rupp and Eliud Kipchoge. The ZoomX foam paired with a full-length carbon plate gives runners a serious pop in their runs. “I’m a big fan of the minimal upper, which lacks traditional running shoe features like overlays and a heel counter,” says one tester. “My foot stayed nice and snug during runs slow and fast; I never once felt like I was slipping out of the shoe. No hot spots or issues with the Flyknit rubbing my Achilles.” Our testers thought it would be silly not to include this shoe, but with the caveat that it is $250 and after just a few runs the foam started to show wear and tear. The life of these shoes is only around 100 miles, so about four marathons, but our testers saw wear after just 30 miles. Our testers also felt it wasn’t worth wearing these (and wasting miles) for anything less than a 10K or 15K, just pick traditional racing flats for that distance.

Weight: 7.65 ounces
Drop: 10mm

Reebok Floatride Fast

With Reebok’s dive into running back in 2017, the brand has only expanded its running shoe picks to include a race day speed shoe that’s practically lighter than your kit. The FloatRide Run Fast Pro is at the same price point as the Nike 4%, but much easier to find. However, a $250 price tag certainly isn’t friendly. So while we love these shoes, we’d recommend the FloatRide Run Fast for just $140 instead. The mesh upper is breathable and perfect for a speedy mile through a marathon. These feel extra springy on the track and turf so when you bust out 100m repeats you get a boost of energy.

Weight: 6.6 ounces
Heel to Toe Drop: 8mm

Skechers GoRun Razor 3 Hyper

These felt great right from the start. One tester found there was a little extra room along the toe, but the lateral walls and heel cup provided support and a nice fit. The Hyper Burst midsole is brand new for the brand and feels squishy, yet slightly firm to the touch. “These disappear when running,” one tester says. “I ran in sub-32 degrees and could feel the foam warming up underneath me.” There were no hotspots, and you can really feel the ground beneath you. “I could feel the little rocks under my feet when racing downhill.” If you have a hilly race, these are the fast shoes for you.

Weight: 6.4 ounces
Heel to Toe Offset: 4 mm

New Balance 1400v6

This is the cheapest lightweight racing sneaker in the bunch. New Balance classifies them as racing flats, which makes sense considering the thin amount of foam underfoot — it’s solid thanks to Revlite technology. The upper is airy, yet form-fitting, so there’s a secure footing inside. The tongue is extremely thin but causes no itch or irritation, and instead sticks with the theme of a racing flat. Pull these on to speed through 5Ks, tempo runs and uphill all-out efforts.

Weight: 7.2 ounces
Heel Height: 25 mm
Forefoot Height: 15 mm

The Best Running Shoes for Easy Days

Saucony Kinvara 9

The Kinvara 8s are extremely popular, so when Saucony debuted the 9s it was a tricky balance to make sure the lightweight fit didn’t disappear as a full-length Everun midsole was added. Nine years after the original one appeared, it’s still a favorite for the Saucony Racing Team — and for ours. “They offer enough support that my feet feel cradled,” said one tester. A minimal upper with two layers of fabric to hold your heel in place do just the trick. “I see these as excellent shoes for quicker workouts and tempo runs. They aren’t true race shoes, but for anything 10k or below I’d feel very comfortable racing in them,” says one tester.

Weight: 7.5 ounces
Heel Height: 23 mm
Forefoot Height: 19 mm
Pronation: Neutral

Adidas SolarBoost

“These were extremely comfortable right out of the box with no break-in period. When I put them on and started jogging around the store I bought them from, I was grinning at how great they felt,” one tester says. These true-to-size running shoes found their home in one tester’s running shoe rotation thanks to the sock lining, material choices, plastic heel supports, the super-soft tongue and the dense woven mesh supports around the midfoot. “I’m 6’2″ and 180lbs with a pretty long stride, so I’ve struggled with minimally-cushioned shoes even though I like their lightweight feel and flexibility. These are solid and supportive enough that I feel comfortable lifting weights in them.”

Weight: 10.8 ounces
Heel Height: 32 mm
Forefoot Height: 22 mm

Mizuno Waveknit R2

Mizuno has long made shoes for those who need support, but the brand has steered clear of knit uppers in the past, opting for a more secure fabric. That is, until now. “These shoes had everything I liked about the Waverider 21 and 22 but are definitely more comfortable and breathable with the knit upper,” one tester said. “I liked these so much after my first eight miles in them that I decided to save them for the marathon. I felt really good throughout the race in them and didn’t have any issues with not enough foam or support or anything.” Built with the same Cloudwave technology, the shoes are sure to feel peppy as you run. “Mizuno made what I consider to be one of the most comfortable running shoes available even more comfortable. And it did that while leaving the supportive heel structure of the shoe in place — and produced some of its best colorways — too.” Pick these up for tempo runs as well as long easy days — whatever you need.

Weight: 10.2 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 12 mm

New Balance Beacon

Testers really liked the midsole for road and treadmill use. “I had no issue with the tongue or upper on my indoor and outdoor runs. It kept my feet warm enough over the Brooklyn Bridge and were comfortable enough to wear all day long. To be honest, the look was a bit much for me initially. The cushioning is almost as maximalist as a Hoka One One sneaker, but the upper is a pretty simple design for New Balance. It struck me as a very similar shoe to the 1080s, just with a lighter weight sole. I didn’t need to size up in these, found no blisters or hot spots and never felt that dreaded dead feeling.”

Weight: 7.5 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 6 mm

Nike Pegasus Turbo

As one of many launches from Nike this year, the Nike Pegasus Turbo was created with feedback from Eliud Kipchoge (winner of the Berlin and London marathons this year), who wanted an everyday sneaker as an alternative to the 4%. It’s a blend of ZoomX and React foam without the plate, so it’s a little more forgiving on longer runs and over time. “If you’re training for a race, this sneaker is for you. It has more support in the upper compared to the Epic React, but a similarly plush and soft feel,” says one tester. “The marshmallow-like feel of the React is replaced with a springy bounce in each step, propelling you forward for 100-meter repeats, 5Ks in the rain or race days across bridges. There’s ample forefoot room (more so than the Pegasus 35), but sizing can be tricky. I usually size up in Nike kicks by half a size, but kept with my regular size for these.” You can read an even more in-depth review of the shoes here.

Weight: 8.6 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm

The Best Running Shoes for Long Run Days

Hoka One One Bondi 6

As a road shoe, the Bondi 6 is the most cushioned shoe found in Hoka One One’s road offerings. The Bondi was roomy in the toe box, but otherwise true to size. “They are way more responsive than they look and the extreme amount of cushion provides the illusion I am running on trails,” one tester said. One thing to note was that the laces were a bit slippery, so we might recommend throwing on another pair of laces or using hickies to keep them in place.

Heel Height: 33mm
Forefoot Height: 29mm
Offset: 4mm

Asics Gel-Cumulus 20

The Asics Gel-Cumulus just celebrated its 20th birthday. The Gel-Cumulus is an ideal sneaker for longer, easy runs and heavy duty mileage. It’s lighter than its predecessor, features the new FlyteFoam midsole and has a more breathable upper — all of which make it the best version yet. The fit in these is described by testers as “snug, but the ankle support is appreciated,” and “like a glove.” For longer days when you need a bit more support, these are your pick. The FlyteFoam midsole paired with rear and forefoot gel cushioning helps to lessen the impact of each footfall while simultaneously helping your foot through its forefoot to midfoot transition, or heel to toe if you’re a heel striker. “Asics are the everyman’s running shoe. They aren’t flashy and they don’t need to be. Your dad pairs them with jeans, but will also beat you in the next local 5k in the same pair. These shoes fit right and cover the bases for almost every type of training,” says one tester. They are the quality you expect from Asics shoes with a slightly more stiff ride that’ll help propel you forward to the finish. “If I want a dependable shoe that won’t give me issues, I’ll turn to these,” says one tester.

Weight: 10.5 ounces
Heel Height: 23 mm
Forefoot Height: 13 mm
Pronation: Under-Pronator and Neutral

Brooks Glycerin 16

These are Brooks’s top of the line cushion runner for long days. Version 16 features a tweaked midsole that includes a new foam called DNA Loft. It’s just as plush and long-lasting as previous iterations. One tester noted that it was necessary to size up here for the perfect fit. While the initial step-in caused some confusion, once you start running, the consensus is that it feels great. “My first thought was that they had an extremely low heel cup, and I worried I would slip out the back. The longer I wore them the less I felt that way,” said one tester. “I had no pain after wearing all day, plus hopping on a bike and jumping into a fitness class. The foam underfoot feels plush, almost like you’re stepping onto a cloud.” The mesh upper features an engineered multi-layer fabric that creates a bootie feel when you lace it up.

Weight: 10.6 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 10 mm
Pronation: Neutral

New Balance 890sv6

The 890s, which have been around since 2012, disappeared when Vazee and Zante models became popular, but then were called back with a fresh foam midsole. Since v5, small updates have been made including a no-sew stretch mesh upper and TPU strips along the forefoot. “These were my favorite pair of the bunch. A longtime fan of New Balance, I found this model to combine the perfect amount of cushioning and spring. For a shoe that’s considered neutral, it had the pop and turnover I was looking for,” said one tester. Beyond a slightly more breathable upper, one tester was smitten. “I will continue to wear these and probably buy a second pair. They are perfect for the all-around running. Someone looking to log miles for a 5K and 10K race will enjoy them just as much as someone training for the next marathon. As someone who unfortunately logs most miles on concrete, these will protect my shins with the perfect amount of cushioning, yet provide enough energy return to keep the legs feeling fresh and quick.”

Weight: 9.0 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 6 mm
Pronation: Neutral

On Cloudace

This is the shoe you should reach for if you need a stable ride over the course of 100 miles, which is exactly how many miles one tester logged. While 11.8 ounces might seem like a lot for a stability shoe, “it’s very light for a shoe this supportive,” one tester shares. “I had to adjust my running style to accommodate it, but I think this is true when swapping to any shoe. One thing I noticed was that they were super slippery on road paint (like on yellow/white lines and bike lane lines) when running in the rain, but grippy otherwise though.” There’s a lot of structure in this shoe, so you will have to get used to that, but with a dual-density sock liner and adaptive memory foam, soon enough these shoes will fit like a glove. To read even more reviews on this, check out our individual one here.

Weight: 11.8 ounces
Heel to Toe Height: 7 mm

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