Explaining Every Running Shoe Brand’s Foam Compounds - Part 2
In part 2 of this series, we are breaking down the midsole foam compounds used by popular running shoe brands. In this second article, we will describe the popular foams used by Hoka, Mizuno, On, Puma, Salomon, and Skechers and help you pick which ones are likely to work best for you in your daily trainers, workout shoes, recovery shoes, and racers.
The running shoe foams don’t get any less confusing once you leave the big six. The Hoka mystery PEBA, Mizuno Enerzy family, On Helion compounds, Puma Nitro, Salomon energyFOAM, and Skechers Hyper Burst all serve different purposes—and not all of them stack up the same. Part 2 breaks down the bounce, softness, speed, and durability of each so you actually know what you’re stepping into. In Part 1 of the Running Shoe Foam Series we covered the popular foams found in Adidas, Nike, Saucony, ASICS, Brooks, and New Balance performance running shoes.
Hoka
Hoka's Unnamed PEBA (Supercritical PEBA)
Hoka's unnamed supercritical PEBA is a smooth, comfortable compound that’s slightly less bouncy than other PEBAX-based foams. It is featured in the Cielo X1 2.0. A firmer, more stable variant is found in the Rocket X 3.
Hoka Cielo X1 2.0
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Hoka Rocket X 3
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Hoka's Compression-Molded EVA
Hoka's compression-molded EVA is a reliable training foam known for classic comfort and impact absorption. It is found in the Clifton 10 and the Gaviota 5.
Hoka Clifton 10
HOKA Gaviota 5
Hoka's Supercritical EVA
Hoka's supercritical EVA is a fun, responsive and versatile training foam that delivers both comfort and speed. It is featured in the Mach 6, Bondi 9 and Skyflow.
Hoka Bondi 9
Mizuno
Enerzy XP (Supercritical PEBA)
Enerzy XP, Mizuno's supercritical PEBA, is a bouncy, responsive compound that delivers explosive energy return in the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 and Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Lo.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Lo
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Beta
Enerzy NXT (Supercritical TPU)
Enerzy NXT, Mizuno's supercritical TPU, is a cushioned, bouncy training foam with one of the softest rides on the market. It provides the incredibly soft and bouncy ride of the Neo Zen and the top layer of the Neo Vista 2.
Mizuno Neo Zen
Mizuno Neo Vista 2
Enerzy NXT (Supercritical EVA)
The version of Enerzy NXT that is found in the bottom layer of the Neo Vista 2 and is featured in the Wave Sky 9 is a cushioned, smooth supercritical EVA compound engineered for comfort and protection over long distances.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9
On
Helion HF (Supercritical PEBA)
On's Helion HF delivers exactly what’s expected of PEBA: a soft, yet fast and bouncy ride. It works really well in the Cloudboom Strike (in the lace and LS version) and in the forefoot of the Cloudmonster Hyper.
On Cloudboom Strike LS
Helion Cloud-Tec (EVA)
Helion Cloud-Tec is a traditional EVA midsole characterized by On’s signature hexagonal pods. It offers a firm, structured and stable ride. It is found in the Cloudmonster 2 and the Cloudstratus 2.
Helion Cloud-Tec Phase (EVA)
The Cloud-Tec Phase version of this EVA foam is designed to be a more comfort-oriented setup of Helion, but is somehow firmer and less responsive in this generation. This is demonstrated in the Cloudsurfer 2 and Cloudsurfer Max.
On Cloudsurfer 2
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Puma
NITROFOAM Elite (ATPU)
Puma's new ATPU foam, NITROFOAM Elite, is the fastest race foam on the market, as demonstrated in the Puma Fast-R 3. It offers a snappy, firm ride for all-out PR attempts.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
NITROFOAM (Undisclosed)
This version of NITROFOAM is a versatile, bouncy & durable family of foams used in Puma’s daily trainers, such as the Magnify Nitro 3, Velocity Nitro 4, and the Puma MagMax, all of which are some of our favorite shoes of the year.
Puma Magnify Nitro 3
Puma Velocity Nitro 4
Puma MagMax Nitro
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Salomon
energyFOAM+ (PEBA)
Salomon's energyFOAM+ is a standard PEBA race foam with a bouncy, responsive ride. It is less exciting than newer race midsoles and can be found in the S/Lab Spectur and the S/Lab Phantasm 2.
EnergyFoam Evo (Beaded TPU)
EnergyFoam Evo is one of the best daily training foams on the market. It offers a bouncy, cushioned ride that’s similar to the iconic Triumph 20 and we are loving it in the Aero Glide 3.
Salomon Aero Glide 3
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EnergyFoam Evo (PEBA/EVA Blend)
The PEBA/EVA blend version of EnergyFoam Evo is a peppy speed training foam with a traditional, firm ride and can be found in the Aero Blaze 3.
Salomon Aero Blaze 3
Skechers
HYPER BURST (Supercritical TPU)
Skecher's supercritical TPU foam, HYPER BURST, is a surprisingly fast training compound with a firm, smooth and aggressive underfoot feel. It is featured in their speed training shoe, the Aero Tempo.
Skechers Aero Tempo
HYPER BURST ICE (Supercritical TPU)
The HYPER BURST ICE is also a supercritical TPU, but it is a soft, cushioned foam tuned for stacking mileage in comfort. Has a surprising amount of pep when picking up the pace, as found in the Aero Burst.
Skechers Aero Burst
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