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With summer just around the corner, runners across the country are getting out the door with fewer layers and more sunshine in the forecast. For some, it’s the perfect time to build base or sharpen up for a target race, while others are simply reveling in the endorphins that come from a loop around the neighborhood. Whatever your goals are for the season, there’s nothing that puts a pep in your step quite like a fresh pair of running shoes.
At Runner’s World, we’re constantly striving to help you find the best footwear for your body and your goals. For that you’ll want to consider where you spend the most time running, how fast you’re planning to run in the shoe, and whether or not you overpronate, among other key factors. Thankfully, the RW test team of editorial staff, wear testers, and freelance contributors are always testing the latest models from top brands, so we’ve got hands-on experience with neutral road trainers, trail running shoes, and race-day shoes alike.
Best Overall – Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.9 oz (M), 6.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 7mm (M), 6mm (W) |
| Heel Stack | 39mm (M), 36mm (W) |
| Forefoot Stack | 32mm (M), 30mm (W) |
Running coaches generally advise their athletes against wearing lightweight, peppy, go-fast shoes outside of speed-oriented workouts and races because speed-oriented shoes put unnecessary wear and tear on runners’ legs. While the fun police are correct, it’s a shame that our daily trainers just aren’t as invigorating as our favorite race day kicks.
That’s what makes the Adidas Adizero Evo SL so special: It’s a race-inspired trainer with enough cushioning and durability for regular use. The Adizero Evo SL is the training-oriented version of Adidas’s premier road racing shoe, the $500 Adizero Pro Evo 1. The Adizero Evo SL uses the same Lightstrike Pro thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE) cushioning and cuts a very similar shape. While it lacks a carbon plate (or “energy rods in Adidas’s case), the Adizero Evo SL uses a nylon shank to stabilize the thick and lightweight midsole foam.
The result is a lightweight neutral shoe with plenty of energy return and enough cushioning to avoid above-average post-run fatigue, according to testers. “I didn’t feel like my shoes were fitter than me, but I also did feel that my shoes were getting me back into a little bit more shape,” one tester said.
However, testers found it tough to keep the shoe’s tongue in the same place, which may have been related to a slightly sloppy fit from the shoe’s midsole.
Best Value – Under Armour Sonic 7
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.1 oz. (M), 7.5 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 26mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 18mm |
Need a running shoe that won’t drain your bank account? Running reviews editor Amanda Furrer recommends the Sonic 7. With its $110 price, it costs $40 to 50 less than typical trainers, but it still offers solid performance for day-to-day running. “It’s a budget shoe, but doesn’t feel like a low-end shoe,” said one RW tester.
The Sonic 7’s midsole is made with Hovr cushioning, a proprietary Under Armour foam made of olefin wax— it generates a firm, responsive ride that helps you pick up the pace. While that’s good for short and middle distances, testers report that the support isn’t quite enough for long-distance running.
Up top, the jacquard upper creates a snug wrap around the foot and offers good breathability for a comfortable, distraction-free fit. On the bottom, the Sonic features a full-coverage rubber outsole that solidly grips dry pavement, though testers noted some slippage in wet conditions.
Let’s face it: The Sonic 7 isn’t perfect–more expensive trainers weigh less and have bouncier cushioning foams–but it’s light enough and peppy, and a solid overall shoe if you’re looking for a bargain.
Best Trail Running Shoe – Altra Lone Peak 9+
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.6 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0 mm |
Altra released plus and non-plus versions of its most popular trail shoe, the Lone Peak. Almost everything is the same between the Lone Peak 9 and 9+, with one exception: the latter’s Vibram Megagrip outsole. In an email to Runner’s World, Altra said it wanted to offer a more technical option with “unparalleled grip in wet and variable conditions.”
Testers mentioned the comfort of the Lone Peak 9+, praising the wide toe box and “perfect balance of cushioning.” But they positively raved about the outsole.
“If I had to pick only ONE thing that I liked best about the Lone Peak 9+, it would be the Vibram Megagrip,” said tester Shelby Brett. “It felt grippy, secure and trustworthy on both uphills and downhills, allowing me to feel the lugs digging in and toeing off to get to the top of a climb as well as the confidence and security to let it rip on steep snowy downhills where it’s often necessary to shift and adjust direction to navigate around debris or my trail dog. I greatly appreciate that the lugs on the shoe are significant and that they go in multiple directions, again adding to my confidence underfoot.”
The shoe is also updated with a ripstop upper, which has no-sew quarter-panel overlays. This further elevates the durability of the Lone Peak 9+. Bonus: The lacing system has an additional eyelet for a more locked-in fit.
Best Long Distance Running Shoes – Adidas Adios Pro 4
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.1 oz. (M), 6.1 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Type | Road Racing |
| Drop | 6mm (M), 5mm (W) |
| Heel Stack | 39mm (M), 37mm (W) |
| Forefoot Stack | 33mm (M), 32mm (W) |
Right now, running brands are in fierce competition to create the very best super shoes—elite racing models designed for blazing through a marathon. Notably bouncy with a smooth ride and good traction, the Adidas Adios Pro 4 is our current favorite (and the shoe Dengate planned to wear to last year’s NYC Marathon).
In developing the Adios Pro 4, Adidas threw in everything and the kitchen sink. The massive midsole stacks two layers of the brand’s top-tier Lightstrike Pro foam, a material derived from thermoplastic polyester elastomers that absorbs impacts well and offers high energy return. The foam is paired with carbon-infused energy rods that align with the metatarsal bones of the foot. They boost the shoe’s energy return and create a snappy, energetic feel. A thin textile upper saves weight, and on the bottom, the Adios Pro 4 wears a full-coverage Continental rubber outsole—a rare feature for shoes in this class—for reliable grip on pavement.
RW testers were overwhelmingly pleased with this shoe’s lively feel and especially its soft and propulsive midsole. One praised its “amazing blend of cushioning and speed performance,” while another appreciated its grippy outsole and called it “a class above most super shoes.”
Not everyone was wholly satisfied with the shoe, though. Some testers noted issues with instability, especially with the soft heel foam. Despite that quibble, the Adios remains an absolute stunner in a hotly contested category. For an extra bit of oomph at your next race, this is the shoe to try.
Best Cushioned Daily Trainer – Brooks Glycerin Max Running Shoe
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz. (M), 9.5 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral road |
| Drop | 6mm |
| Heel Stack | 42.25mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 39.25mm |
Released this last October, the newish Glycerin Max showcases some exciting tech for runners who love a pillowy ride for mellow- to moderate-paced training runs.
The first thing you’ll notice about this shoe is its massive midsole: Just over 42mm tall at the heel, it’s exceptionally thick. And it features a new foam—DNA Tuned—that’s infused with nitrogen gas. Brooks already has other nitrogen-infused foams, but DNA Tuned has larger gas cells in the heel and smaller cells in the forefoot. This gives it excellent shock absorption at landing, then responsive bounce at toe-off, all while trimming weight.
The rocker sole shape promotes smooth transitions, ensuring this massive shoe doesn’t feel clunky underfoot. Finally, it’s topped with a breathable and well-padded engineered mesh upper for a plushness that envelops your feet.
The verdict on this new shoe? It’s a winner. Furrer appreciated its super-soft ride, and found it surprisingly peppy. The RW testers agreed. “They’ve provided so much comfort with each step,” said one. “From heel to forefoot, they felt like clouds.”