Our Favorite Running Shoe From Each Brand Right Now - April 2026
Below we are naming our favorite performance running shoe from each of the major brands, as of April 2026. See which shoe we picked from ASICS, Adidas, Brooks, Hoka, Li-Ning, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, On, Puma, Salomon, and Saucony.
From max cushion tanks to elite race day weapons, these are the pairs we’re protecting at all costs. Every pick here brings something unique to the table whether it’s pure speed, next-level foam, or just that undeniable ride feel we keep coming back to. Some were easy choices, others may spark serious debate, but this is where we landed for now.
ASICS: Megablast
It would be difficult to pick just one shoe from a lineup of bangers, especially with the recent release of the Superblast 3, but this year’s March Stackness solidified the fact that the Megablast is still ASICS’ top dog.
ASICS Megablast
Adidas: Hyperboost Edge
Aesthetics aside, the Hyperboost Edge might be Adidas’ best training shoe: its soft, bouncy, and protective expanded PEBA midsole feels tailor-made for high mileage training.
Adidas Hyperboost Edge
Puma: Fast-R 3
Did you expect to see anything else here? The Fast-R 3 is arguably the greatest racer ever made, and our unanimous demon time shoe of choice.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
Nike: Vomero Plus
The Alphafly 4 is on the horizon, but for the time being, the Vomero Plus is our top shoe in Nike’s lineup. Its versatile training foam and geometry that’s designed to get you on your toes is next level for stacking mileage.
Nike Vomero Plus
New Balance: SC Elite v5
New Balance’s training shoes have been lagging behind the competition in recent years, but their flagship racer is truly excellent, delivering a snappy, versatile ride.
New Balance SC Elite v5
Hoka: Cielo X1 3.0
Hoka is another brand that some feel has fallen off with regards to innovation, but the new Cielo X1 3.0 dispels that narrative. This is a potential race shoe of the year candidate.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Brooks: Hyperion Max 3
There’s been a lull in Brooks releases recently, so we’re still rocking with the Hyperion Max 3. With insane durability, reliable bounce and a dual-foam protective midsole, this feels like a mileage cheat code.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3
On: Lightspray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
This is the ultimate elevated daily trainer, combining a lightweight, innovative upper with one of the most pleasant midsoles we’ve ever tested. The 50g reduction in weight from the standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper makes all the difference.
On Lightspray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
Saucony: Endorphin Elite 2
While not our first choice for race day, the Endorphin Elite 2 delivers perhaps the wildest, most fun midsole on the market. That alone is enough to make this list.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
Mizuno: Hyperwarp Pure
The Hyperwarp Pure is the fastest, lightest, and most aggressive of the trio of recently-released Mizuno race shoes, and is an excellent pick for runners seeking a modernized take on the classic race flat formula.
Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure
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Salomon: Aero Glide 4
Salomon has a relatively-small road lineup compared to other brands, so our choice is clear. The Aero Glide 4 is still one of the best workhorse daily trainers out there.
Salomon Aero Glide 4
Li-Ning: Feidian 6 Elite
Priced at just $200 and featuring the same explosive Super Boom capsule tech found in the Red Hare 9 Ultra, the Feidian 6 Elite is one of the most fun and marathon-ready shoes on the market right now.
Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite
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