If we could only save one shoe from each brand…this is our lineup. Narrowing every brand down to just one pick meant finding the balance between what defines the brand and what delivers the best mix of performance and versatility. Some choices came easy, others sparked debate, but at the end of the day this is the 12-shoe roster we’d lock in the vault if we could only save 1 shoe.

ASICS Megablast

With unmatched bounce and speed versatility, the Megablast is our top pick from ASICS’ lineup. Training shoes designed for both comfort and pace like the Zoomfly 6 have historically missed the mark for us, but the Megablast has flipped the script.

Weight: 8.1oz/230g

Stack: 45mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: FF Turbo²

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Soft, Bouncy, Cushioned

Daily Trainer

ASICS Megablast

Daily trainer designed for speed and versatility

Price

$225

Plated?

No

Foam

ATPU

Weight (oz)

8.1

Drop (mm)

8

Support

Neutral

see details

Adidas Adizero EVO SL

The EVO SL isn’t the most comfortable shoe in the world, nor is it the fastest, but it most perfectly captures the spirit of Adidas’ lineup: with a full stack of bouncy, durable Lighstrike Pro foam, a race-day inspired rocker and a Continental outsole, the EVO SL can handle just about anything.

Weight: 8.1oz/230g

Stack: 37mm heel, 7mm drop

Foam: Lightstrike Pro

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Responsive, Bouncy, Cushioned

Speed Training

Adidas Evo SL

Speed training shoe with race foam and aggressive geometry

Price

$150

Plated?

No

Foam

Supercritical TPEE

Weight (oz)

8.1

Drop (mm)

7

Support

Neutral

see details

Puma MagMax Nitro

A perfect high mileage training companion, the MagMax has a bouncy and protective ride that works for a wide variety of paces. When you’re at mile 9 of a mid-week 12 miler, the best shoes give you something extra to finish the run strong. That’s exactly what the MagMax delivers.

Weight: 10.3oz/292g

Stack: 47mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: Nitrofoam

Fit: Snug

Characteristics: Smooth, Bouncy, Cushioned

New Balance SC Elite v5

The Rebel v5, SC Trainer v3 and 1080v14 are all lagging  behind the competition, so the SC Elite v5 is our New Balance shoe of choice. With a ride that’s bouncy, fast and energetic yet “normal-feeling” enough for daily training, we’d take the SC Elite v5 for any run on our calendar.

Weight: 7.3oz/207g

Stack: 40mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: PEBA

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Comfortable, Bouncy, Soft

Race Day

New Balance SC Elite v5

Marathon race shoe designed for speed and comfort

Price

$250

Plated?

Yes

Foam

PEBA

Weight (oz)

7.3

Drop (mm)

8

Support

Neutral

see details

Nike Alphafly 3

The Alphafly 3 is the LeBron of the race shoe market: it might be the longest-tenured player in the game, but it’s still one of the greatest. Nike’s pinnacle racing shoe is mechanical and lightning-fast out of the box, but has surprising comfort and high-mileage capability once broken-in.

Weight: 7.0oz/204g

Stack: 40mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: ZoomX

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Mechanical, Bouncy, Responsive

Brooks Glycerin Max

With a max stack of perfectly tuned foam, a plush, forgiving upper, and a moderate heel-toe drop, the Glycerin Max stands alone as the most comfortable max cushion shoe on the market.

Weight: 10.9oz/309g

Stack: 47mm heel, 6mm drop

Foam: DNA Tuned

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Cushioned, Bouncy, Protective

Max Cushion

Brooks Glycerin Max

Super max stack shoe with a soft, bouncy ride. Most comfortable shoe of 2024

Price

$200

Plated?

No

Foam

Not disclosed

Weight (oz)

10.9

Drop (mm)

6

Support

Neutral

see details

Hoka Skyward X

The Skyward X reminds us that Hoka knows a thing or two about max cushion—they helped pioneer the category, after all. Whether you’re going for a relaxed cruise or picking up the pace, the Skyward X makes high mileage training feel nearly effortless.

Weight: 10.8oz/306g

Stack: 49mm heel, 5mm drop

Foam: PEBA, EVA

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Cushioned, Bouncy, Soft

On Cloudboom Strike

The Cloudboom Strike is by far the best shoe in On’s lineup. In stark contrast to the firm, gimmicky shoes On is infamous for, the Cloudboom Strike is soft, bouncy, and propulsive. While technically a marathon racer, we wouldn’t mind doing any style of run in this shoe.

Weight: 7.5oz/213g

Stack: 43mm heel, 4mm drop

Foam: PEBA

Fit: Roomy

Characteristics: Soft, Bouncy, Cushioned

Race Day

On Cloudboom Strike

Soft and bouncy racing shoe. Top pick for marathons

Price

$280

Plated?

Yes

Foam

PEBA

Weight (oz)

7.5

Drop (mm)

4

Support

Neutral

see details

Saucony Endorphin Trainer

We wish Saucony wasn’t cancelling the Endorphin Trainer. With a top-notch dual foam midsole comprised of bouncy Incredirun and standard EVA, the Endorphin Trainer is a  perfect synthesis of modern and legacy running technologies. It delivers a ride that’s both fun and stable—a rare combination.

Weight: 9.9oz/281g

Stack: 42mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: Incredirun, EVA

Fit: True to Size

Characteristics: Cushioned, Smooth, Stable

Max Cushion

Saucony Endorphin Trainer

Cushioned and stable marathon training shoe great for long runs

Price

$200

Plated?

Yes

Foam

Supercritical TPEE, EVA

Weight (oz)

9.9

Drop (mm)

8

Support

Neutral

see details

Mizuno Neo Vista 2

After holding the top spot of our max cushion power rankings for the last few months, it will come as no surprise that the Neo Vista 2 is our Mizuno shoe of choice. This shoe delivers unparalleled protection and comfort for high mileage training.

Weight: 8.0oz/227g

Stack: 51mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: ENERZY NXT

Fit: Roomy

Characteristics: Cushioned, Smooth, Soft

Max Cushion

Mizuno Neo Vista 2

Max cushioned training shoe designed for comfort, a smooth ride, and protection on long runs

Price

$200

Plated?

Yes

Foam

Supercritical TPU, Supercritical EVA

Weight (oz)

8.0

Drop (mm)

8

Support

Neutral

see details

Salomon Aero Glide 3

No one will be shocked to see this shoe here. With a bouncy, durable and versatile beaded TPU midsole that harkens back to the Saucony Triumph 20, the  Aero Glide 3 is still our top daily trainer pick of 2025.

Weight: 8.7oz/248g

Stack: 40mm heel, 8mm drop

Foam: Beaded TPU

Fit: Roomy

Characteristics: Cushioned, Bouncy, Stable

Daily Trainer

Salomon Aero Glide 3

Bouncy and comfortable daily trainer with good protection and durability

Price

$160

Plated?

No

Foam

Beaded TPU

Weight (oz)

8.8

Drop (mm)

8

Support

Neutral

see details

Diadora Gara Carbon 2

Diadora’s performance running lineup isn’t as stacked as other brands, so their top-tier marathon racing shoe is the clear choice. The Gara Carbon 2 offers a bouncy, energetic supercritical PEBA midsole that is much softer and more comfortable than other shoes in its category.

Weight: 8.1oz/230g

Stack: 40mm heel, 5mm drop

Foam: PEBA

Fit: Snug

Characteristics: Cushioned, Bouncy, Stable

Race Day

Diadora Gara Carbon 2

Racing shoe with a comfortable, soft, and cushioned ride

Price

$300

Plated?

Yes

Foam

Supercritical PEBA

Weight (oz)

8.1

Drop (mm)

5

Support

Neutral

see details

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