There are many running shoes made for different types of running. Each one is meant to be used for a different situation. Whether you want to just go for a run, or run a fast time on the track, there is a shoe made for you.
The shoes that made this list are each the best for a certain use case. The specifications used to rate them are the price, cushion, and weight of the shoes. This doesn’t mean that they are extremely light, cushioned, or inexpensive, but that they have the perfect mix of these three things for their specific purpose.
Best for Easy Runs: On Cloudmonster 2
The On Cloudmonster has an unusual design that looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Even though they may look unusual, it is intended to soften the impact of running, which is what makes it good for an easy running shoe.
These shoes cost around $170. Even though this is expensive, it is comparable for high end shoes (Brooks).
They weigh about 9.7 oz. An article from Amanda Brooks says, “They’re light enough to make a great 5K or 10K shoe too for the average runner” (Brooks). Because they are so lightweight, they also have much more versatility, which can be helpful if you want to avoid spending a lot of money on many pairs of shoes.
The cushioning on these shoes is one of the most important parts of an easy running shoe, since you will likely be using them for longer distances. An article on Believe in the Run says, “In reality, it’s not that high of a stack compared to some other max cushion shoes,” (“On Cloudmonster Review: Wow, We Finally Love an on Running Shoe”). The lower stack height of the shoes saves on weight without compromising on the cushioning.
Best for Speed Workouts: Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
This shoe is an older super shoe that is very versatile. It is meant for races on the road that are 5k or longer. Using something similar to what you plan on racing in for workouts is always a good idea when you are preparing for a certain event, which is what makes these so good for workouts.
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 has a price tag of $225. While it is a bit pricier, it is slightly less when compared to other super shoes (Law).
These shoes weigh 7.2 ounces. This helps contribute to making them a good shoe for faster paces (Klein). Being able to speed up without feeling weighed down is a very important aspect for faster shoes to have.
As for cushion, an article from The Doctors of Running writes, “There is a solid heel bevel in the rearfoot that is slightly lateral. This provides a smooth transition at heel strike and the foam compresses nicely underfoot” (Klein). This shows that even being lighter, there is enough of an outsole to take some of the impact when running quicker.
The Doctors of Running also states, “The Endorphin Pro 3 is a super foam, max stack height, carbon fiber plated racing shoe that can handle racing from the 5k to the marathon” (Klein). When looking for a workout shoe, you want something similar to a racing shoe to get your body used to the feeling of these shoes.
Best for Road Racing: Nike Alphafly 3
Nike has made many supershoes, with their first being so good that they got banned. The Alphafly 3 is just one of Nike’s newest shoes meant to help runners reach very fast performances.
These shoes cost about $285 (Sánchez, “Nike Alphafly 3”). This is quite expensive, but they are not something that you will be using for every day running. These are very specifically created for running races on the road. Because they are not supposed to be used very often, they should last a longer time if you make sure you are only using them for specific races or workouts.
The Alphafly 3s are extremely light shoes. “If your priority is minimizing weight, the Vaporfly 3 stands out as the pinnacle of lightweight supershoes, weighing in at a feather-like 6.7 oz” (Sánchez, “Nike Alphafly 3”). Being so light, they are perfect for road races, since they will have very minimal effect on your running form.
According to Carlos Sáncez, “The impressive stack height, filled with the state-of-the-art ZoomX foam, provides exceptional cushioning, even for those who strike heavily with their heels.” This means that these shoes have enough cushion to lessen the impact, regardless of your stride type. You won’t have to intentionally change your gate to get the most out of the Alphafly 3s. An article from runners world also explains, “Three iterations later, and improved stability and comfort has remained a key focus in the Alphafly 3. Distinct from versions one and two, the latest version has a continuous outsole for stability.” With the extra stability, that makes these more useful for an even wider array of people, because some simply need shoes that will be stable enough for them to avoid injury.
Best for Trail Racing: Saucony Peregrine 15
Trail racing is a fairly niche part of the sport of running. It requires training and gear much different from any other type of running. One of these pieces of gear that is different is the shoes. Saucony has created a shoe perfect for racing on the trails with the Saucony Peregrine 15.
The Saucony Peregrine is $140, which is very reasonable for a shoe meant for races. An article from Believe in the Run says, “At $140, it’s an exceptional value for a shoe that delivers so much in terms of comfort, durability, and trail-ready features” (“Saucony Peregrine 15 Review”). Many shoes with similar features would likely be much more than $140.
These shoes are protective enough for a running shoe meant for trail running. An article on Run and Become explains this, saying, “Forefoot Rock Guard for added protection…Softer and more responsive midsole cushioning.” The additional protective features are necessary when running on rough terrain. The article goes on to say, “This is another trail offering from Saucony that employs its Speedroll geometry for a smooth and quick turnover” (“Saucony Peregrine 15”). Having a shape that allows you to push off with ease is something that is very important for trail events, especially in ones that require multiple hours of racing.
These shoes are a bit heavier, at 9.7 ounces, but that is expected for a trial shoe. When running on trails, it is very necessary to create a solid barrier between your feet and the ground. Since trails often have exposed roots and loose rocks, they need to create the outsole in a way that increases traction. Even though they are heavier, it is better for this specific type of shoe because of what is intended for.
Best for Track Races: Nike Dragonfly
The Dragonfly Track Spikes are one of the most popular spikes used in track and cross country. Being one of the first super spikes introduced, it’s no surprise that so many high level athletes use these as there go-to on the track.
These spikes come in at $150 (Salas). Currently, you will probably be able to find these for much less, since they have released the Dragonfly 2s recently.
These shoes have very minimal cushion, which is expected for a track spike. “The shoe still feels like a track spike and has some aggressiveness to the ride, but also forgiving enough for most to heel strike as well if needed late in a race” (Salas). This shows that these shoes have the perfect amount of cushion for track shoes. It is just enough to cushion on a surface that is already soft while not adding any unnecessary weight. Carlos Sánchez backs this up in his review, saying, “we found the elite-level ZoomX foam provides plenty of cushioning for a spike” (Sánchez, “Nike Zoom X”T).
The Dragonfly is an extremely light shoe at 4.7 ounces. This makes them perfect for any distance event on the track. “The Nike Dragonfly is a top shelf distance racing spike for both track and cross country events (for those that allow). The shoe is very lightweight and provides enough versatility for 1500-10000m events” (Klein). Because they are so light, it allows runners the option to use them for longer events where they need to take thousands of steps over the course of a race. Sánchez also explains how they were able to make these shoes so light, saying, “in their pursuit of an ultra-lightweight spike, Nike minimized padding and sacrificed comfort, incorporating only two strips in the rearfoot area that extend through the heel.” There were some sacrifices made when trying to make these very light, but none of the things that were removed would negatively impact performance.
Each shoe on this list was chosen because they work well for what they were designed to do. Each of these balances cushion, weight and price better than the other options that are available. Ultimately, when looking for shoes, you need to consider what you want to use them for, and how well they will perform the tasks that you want them to.