5 Biggest Running Shoe Gimmicks in 2025
Here we are looking at 5 running shoe gimmicks in 2025. We’ll take a closer look at the DNA Tuned midsole of the Brooks Glycerin 22, the CloudTec phase in the On Cloudsurfer 2, the removable carbon fiber plate in the Speedland RX: FPY, the Air Zoom units in the Nike Pegasus 41, and the midsole bubbles in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5.
Gimmick alert! From Air Zoom units that make us wonder if they’re even there to tuned midsoles that are hit or miss, here are our 5 biggest running shoe gimmicks of 2025.
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1. Brooks Glycerin 22 DNA Tuned Midsole
DNA Tuned itself is far from a gimmick; the concept of chemically altering specific areas of a midsole to achieve different properties is very innovative, and Brooks has proven its worth in the forgiving heel / responsive forefoot of the Glycerin Max. Unfortunately, whatever “tuning” Brooks did with the DNA Tuned in the Glycerin 22 resulted in a brick. This midsole feels uniformly lackluster from heel to forefoot.
Brooks Glycerin 22
2. On Cloudsurfer 2 CloudTec Phase
Like DNA Tuned, CloudTec Phase is a proven concept when implemented well. In the Cloudeclipse, On used a midsole foam soft enough to allow the CloudTec Phase pods to properly compress. In the Cloudsurfer 2 (and reportedly in the Cloudsurfer Max,) however, On made their Helion foam significantly firmer, cancelling out the squish and energy return that CloudTec Phase is engineered to provide.
On Cloudsurfer 2
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3. Speedland RX:FPY Removal Carbon Fiber Plate
With a removable carbon fiber plate, the Speedland RX:FPY is designed to handle all your training and racing needs. In our testing, however, the plateless configuration of the shoe makes a lot more sense. This is a great non-plated elevated daily trainer / long run cruiser in the same vein as the Puma Magmax and Saucony Endorphin Trainer. With the plate, the shoe turns into a sub-par racer that’s heavier and less bouncy than a dedicated marathon shoe.
Speedland RX:FPY
4. Nike Pegasus 41 Air Zoom Units
Don’t get us wrong, Nike’s Air Zoom is one of the most iconic midsole innovations of all time. Air Zoom gives the Alphafly 3 its signature wild forefoot bounce, and grants the Pegasus Premium its floaty, unique ride. In the Pegasus 41, though, the Air Zoom units are so small that they don’t contribute to the midsole in a meaningful way. This feels more like a marketing ploy than a genuine use of Nike’s signature technology.
Nike Pegasus 41
5. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 Midsole Bubbles
The Hyperion Elite 5 is a versatile race shoe with a bouncy, Vaporfly 2-like ride. Its distinct midsole bubbles, however, feel designed for aesthetics over function. DNA Gold itself is excellent, and Brooks has a winning geometry here, but the bubbles don’t compress and rebound any more than the rest of the midsole. It might be easier to notice additional compression if the bubbles weren’t positioned at the platform’s rear-midfoot area.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
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