Jump to:
These shoes took a journey to get to you. As the final days of summer dwindled, we asked brands to show us their best in class. The leaves turned, snow fell, and the pages of our training calendars filled. We put more than 100 different models through their paces and considered each for a spot on this list. After months of running and thousands of miles on the feet of our 280 wear-testers, the 25 here rose to the top.
We evaluated them based on how each performed on the roads, trails, tracks, and racecourses with a focus on qualities like cushioning, flexibility, stability, and overall ride. This spring, the winners have arrived. And now you can finally meet them.
Nike Vaporfly 3
Available March 2023
Asics Gel-Cumulus 25
Available April 1, 2023
Saucony Ride 16
Available April 2023
Brooks Hyperion Max
Altra Via Olympus
Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX
Merrell Skyfire 2
Available March 2023
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
