5 Options for Structuring Your Running Shoe Rotation
Every runner needs a shoe rotation. Here we will help you decide how many shoes you need in your shoe rotation based on your goals, mileage, preferences, and needs. We will cover daily trainers like the Salomon Aero Glide 3, speed workout shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, long run shoes like the Mizuno Neo Vista 2, recovery day shoes like the Hoka Bondi 9, and race day shoes such as the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo.
Whether you’re a one-shoe runner or stacking up five pairs in your lineup, the Supwell Shoe Rotation Pyramid shows how to scale your setup based on your needs, goals, and mileage. From versatile do-it-alls like the Adizero SL2 to hyper-specialized combos featuring the Alphafly 3 and Neo Vista 2, we’ve mapped out the ideal rotation for every type of runner.
1 Shoe Rotation: One and Done
Adidas Adizero SL2—Daily runs, speed training, long runs
If you’re looking for one shoe to do it all, you can’t go wrong with the Adizero SL2. With a layer of Adidas’ soft, bouncy Lightstrike Pro race foam sandwiched in a carrier of resilient EVA, the SL2 midsole can handle anything you throw at it. Comfortable for daily miles, responsive enough for speed training and races, highly durable, and affordable at $130, the SL2 is the best performance running shoe for beginners on the market.
2 Shoe Rotation: Getting Serious
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 and Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 are an excellent one-two punch shoe rotation.
Salomon Aero Glide 3—Daily runs, recovery runs, long runs
The Aero Glide 3 is our top pick if you’re looking for a workhorse shoe that can support the bulk of your daily training needs; it has a lightweight construction, a comfortable, roomy fit, and a bouncy, cushioned beaded TPU midsole that’s designed to go the distance.
Salomon Aero Glide 3
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Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3—Tempos, speed training, race day
For anything faster, the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is up to the task. With best-in-class durability and a responsive, stable midsole that makes turning over the legs effortless, there’s no better training/race day companion than the Deviate Nitro Elite 3.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
3 Shoe Rotation: Enthusiast
Once you get into 3 shoe rotation territory, there’s more room for specialization.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5—Fun daily miles, tempos
For daily miles, we’ve paired a fun, uptempo trainer in the Endorphin Speed 5 with the Neo Vista 2. The Speed 5 is peppy enough to handle workouts and races, but we've picked another shoe for workouts and races.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
Mizuno Neo Vista 2—Recovery runs, long runs
The Neo Vista 2 is a great choice as a max stack, ultra-comfortable long run cruiser.
Mizuno Neo Vista 2
Nike Alaphafly 3—Speed training, race day, long runs with pace
The Alphafly 3 brings true carbon-plated demon time capability to this rotation: from long runs with blocks of pace, to interval sessions, to race day, the Alphafly 3 has you covered.
4 Shoe Rotation: Shoe Sicko
With a 4 shoe rotation, your significant other might be raising alarm bells about the number of shoe boxes piling up in the garage. But variety is the spice of running, right? Each shoe in a 4 shoe rotation should earn its keep by doing a specific job:
Puma Magnify Nitro 3—Daily miles, recovery runs
The Magnify Nitro 3 provides a soft, bouncy daily ride.
Puma Magnify Nitro 3
On Cloudmonster Hyper—Fun daily miles, long runs
The Cloudmonster Hyper offers an alternative daily option on days when you want more of a fun shoe than a workhorse and it has great long run capability.
Adidas Boston 13—Speed training
The Boston 13 brings a workmanlike, traditional speed training experience to the table and is great for short intervals, tempos, and any type of workout where you'll be picking up the pace.
Adidas Boston 13
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo—Race day
The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo exemplifies the best in what modern race day midsole technology has to offer.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
5 Shoe Rotation: Mileage Degenerate
Rotating between models with varying stack heights, heel-toe drops, softness levels, and midsole technologies helps to prevent repetitive strain injuries by strengthening different running-specific muscle groups. Here are our picks for a 5-shoe rotation.
Hoka Bondi 9—Recovery Runs
Our diversified rotation consists of a a max cushion, low drop recovery shoe in the Bondi 9.
Hoka Bondi 9
Puma Velocity Nitro 4—Streamlined daily miles
You get a lower-stack, streamlined 10mm drop daily trainer in the Velocity Nitro 4.
Puma Velocity Nitro 4
Brooks Hyperion Max 3—Long runs and tempos
For long runs and tempos, the Hyperion Max 3 is a great a dual foam champion due to its protective midsole and uncanny speed assistance.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3
Puma Fast-R 3—Speed training and short distance races
When you have a 5 shoe rotation you can have a couple of different speed training and race day shoes to best suit your needs for a particular workout or race distance. The Fast-R 3 is ideal for pushing the fastest paces and for shorter race distances (5k to half marathon).
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
New Balance SC Elite v5—Long distance races and peak long runs
We are loving the New Balance SC Elite v5 for comfort and reliability over long distances and it would be a great marathon race day shoe, combining speed assistance, stability, and comfort over the full 26.2.
New Balance SC Elite v5
Supwell Shoe Matcher
Whether you're looking for a reliable easy run shoe, pampering comfort on recovery days, a long-run cruiser, or a race day weapon, check out our Shoe Matcher tool to get matched. We've done the extensive testing, so you don't have to.
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