5 Options for Structuring Your Running Shoe Rotation - Part 2
Every runner, whether you are a running shoe sicko or not, needs a shoe rotation that works for you. Here we will help you decide how many shoes and which shoes you need in your shoe rotation based on your goals, mileage, preferences, and needs. We will cover daily trainers like the ASICS Novablast 5, uptempo shoes like the Adidas EVO SL, long run shoes like the Nike Vomero Plus, recovery day shoes like the Skechers Aero Burst, and race day shoes such as the Adidas Adios Pro 4.
Welcome back to the Supwell Shoe Rotation Pyramid. Whether you’re running in one pair or stacking up five, the Supwell Shoe Rotation Pyramid shows how to scale your setup based on your needs, goals, and mileage. From the all-in-one Novablast 5 for the minimalist to a five-pair arsenal of daily trainers, speed demons, and race-day rockets, we’ve got every level covered. This time, we’ve swapped out every shoe from the last pyramid for a completely fresh lineup— proving there’s more than one way to build the perfect rotation.
1 Shoe Rotation: One and Done
Asics Novablast 5—Daily runs, speed training, long runs
The Novablast 5 delivers the fun factor and versatility of a rotation within a single shoe - it’s bouncy, soft and comfortable for daily mileage, relatively protective for medium-long runs, and energetic enough to pick up the pace when you ask it to. The Novablast 5 will handle any beginner runner’s weekly training like a champ - no other shoes required.
Asics Novablast 5
2 Shoe Rotation: Getting Serious
For our two shoe rotation, we’ve paired a highly cushioned workhorse in the Nike Vomero 18 with the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, a reliable carbon plated racer.
Nike Vomero 18—Daily runs, long runs, recovery runs
The durable, stable, and protective Vomero 18 offers comfort and support for daily miles.
Nike Vomero 18
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5—Speed training, tempos, race day
The Hyperion Elite 5 delivers speed capability for tempos, progression runs, track days, and races. With a smooth, approachable underfoot feel, the Hyperion Elite 5 is a great introduction to carbon plated shoes for new runners.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
3 Shoe Rotation: Enthusiast
A three shoe rotation is the sweet spot for many runners, delivering performance and injury prevention benefits without breaking the bank. For this rotation, we’ve chosen two daily trainers and a shoe for workout sessions and race day.
Brooks Ghost 17—Daily mileage
The Ghost Max 17 is perfect for daily mileage. It has a workmanlike character that allows the shoe to get out of the way while you do the work of running.
Brooks Ghost 17
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Nike Vomero Plus—Long runs, recovery runs
The Vomero Plus is also great for daily mileage, but it is also max stack, bouncy, and comfort oriented, which also makes it ideal for fun mileage and longer efforts.
Adidas Adios Pro 4—Speed sessions, tempos, race day
The Adios Pro 4 is a durable race-day shoe, which means it can withstand the rigor and mileage during speed sessions and tempo runs, but also still perform well on race day.
Adidas Adios Pro 4
4 Shoe Rotation: Shoe Sicko
Once you buy your fourth running shoe, you automatically get your Shoe Sicko card, signifying that you have every tool at your disposal to put in the work. When you have 4 shoes in your rotation you can have one that is perfect for eating up the daily miles, another that provides the comfort and protection necessary for long runs and recovery runs, one that provides some speed assistance for speed sessions and tempo runs, and a designated race day shoe. This rotation features a diverse and balanced variety of foam compounds, plate positions, and stack heights for injury prevention.
Hoka Clifton 10—Daily Mileage
The Clifton 10 is a traditional daily trainer that is perfect for daily mileage. It has the comfort and versatility to be able to handle the majority of your weekly miles.
Hoka Clifton 10
Saucony Endorphin Trainer—Long runs, recovery runs
The Endorphin Trainer provides the comfort and protection necessary for long runs and recovery runs with some bounce and fun with the IncrediRun midsole foam.
Saucony Endorphin Trainer
ASICS Magic Speed 4—Speed sessions, tempos
The Magic Speed 4 is a lightweight speed demon, making it perfect for speed sessions and tempo runs.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo—Race day
The Metaspeed Edge Tokyo is a dual-foam, carbon-plated option that will give you all the speed assistance and light weight feel needed for race day.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
5 Shoe Rotation: Mileage Degenerate
Overkill? Maybe. Super fun? Yes. A five+ shoe rotation is optimal for mileage degenerates who seek variety and excitement in their training.
Adidas EVO SL—Uptempo daily miles, speed training
The EVO SL serves up an uptempo ride for fast efforts and fun daily miles.
Adidas Evo SL
Puma MagMax—Long runs
The MagMax delivers the utmost in long run protection.
Skechers Aero Burst—Daily runs, recovery runs
The Aero Burst provides soft comfort for recovery.
Skechers Aero Burst
Nike Streakfly 2—Short distance races
For racing, we’ve gone with polar opposites. The first is the low stack, ultra fast Streakfly 2 for short distance PR attempts and your fastest workouts. Think of it as a track spike for the roads.
Nike Streakfly 2
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Saucony Endorphin Elite 2—Long distance races
The soft, cushioned Endorphin Elite 2 is great for long distance racing, especially if you enjoy a softer, more comfort-oriented ride in your race day shoes.
Nike Streakfly 2
If you enjoyed this post, check out our alternate 5 Shoe Rotation Pyramid.
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