5 Best Speed Training Shoes in May 2025 - Supwell Power Rankings
Here are the 5 best speed training shoes on the market in May 2025.
Welcome to the May 2025 edition of the SUPWELL POWER RANKINGS. With new releases every week and the dozens of shoes we test monthly, this series is a way to keep a running list of the best shoes on the market updated each month. Here are the 5 best speed training shoes for May 2025.
Methodology note: Our criteria for this list is enjoyment, mileage accumulation on the Supwell team, adoption in the hobby jogger community, US market availability and price/value.
Adidas Boston 13
The Boston 13 is true to the spirit of what we want from this category. It’s comfortable enough for warming up and cooling down, but appropriately lean and mean for faster efforts. While other shoes in this category are going up in stack height, this one went down a few millimeters. We’ve found it to be a reliable training companion for runs of all types, but a specialist for marathon pace work and faster. Per usual, Adidas is teasing us with an unnecessarily drawn out release cycle, but expect to see this start popping up in the next few weeks.
Adidas Boston 13
Hoka Mach X2
Every running shoe has its tradeoffs: softer foams are less stable and not as reliable for fast running; plated shoes can be too aggressive and uncomfortable for relaxed efforts; max cushioned cruisers are typically heavier and harder to get going on speedy days. The Mach X2 is one of the rare shoes that negotiates these tradeoffs with confidence and grace; it’s cushioned but lightweight, equal parts protection and bounce. This is our pick for long run workouts and for runners who want a race option outside of Carbon County.
Hoka Mach X2
Asics Magic Speed 4
The Magic Speed 4 is back on the list this month after a brief hiatus. We’re rejiggering the categories, so the Evo SL is booted off the Speed Power Rankings since most hobby joggers aren’t using it for that purpose. The Magic Speed 4 is back because, like the Boston 13, it feels purpose-built for speed—not for Zone 3/steasy/kind-of-fast miles. The full carbon plate and FFTurbo forefoot give it a racer feel, while the FF Blast rear lends it comfort and impact absorption. It takes a few runs to break in, but once it does it rides like a dream.
Asics Magic Speed 4
Nike Pegasus Plus
Deals are a heckuva drug. The Pegasus Plus is holding on as a top 5 speed trainer largely due to its $108 sale price—there’s nothing better for fast running at that sub-$120 price point. This shoe is peppy, streamlined and confidence-inducing. It’s not too soft for really digging in and ripping mile race pace, and it’s cushioned enough for runs up to an hour. While the Magic Speed 4 and Mach X2 are more cushioned for marathon-style workouts, this is an excellent option for track days or runners training for shorter distance races.
Nike Pegasus Plus
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On Cloudboom Zone
The Cloudboom Zone is the best version of what the Nike Pegasus Plus is trying to be. Lightweight construction, moderate stack, full race foam and (mostly) non-plated. The Zone is a winner due to the tuning of the PEBA foam here—it’s bouncy at all paces but especially lively when pushing power through the midfoot due to the plastic midfoot shank. At $210 MSRP, it is indeed steep, but the ride is better than all of the shoes in the moderate stack speed training segment. If you’re looking for a fun and different option, this is a great choice. Make sure to check Onward for a deal.
On Cloudboom Zone
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