Ranking the Speed Trainers from Each Running Shoe Brand
Below we are ranking the speed trainers or workout shoes from each running shoe brand based on their speed capability and the quality of the options. We will take a look at ASICS’ new Megablast and Sonicblast, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, the Adidas EVO SL and Boston 13, the Hoka Mach X3 and Mach 6 and more from On, Brooks, Nike, Puma, Salomon and New Balance.
We graded every running shoe brand's speed training lineup. Some came out swinging—ASICS and Adidas built rosters that can handle anything from tempo miles to track repeats without flinching. Others like New Balance and Puma showed flashes but lacked depth to hang with the front of the pack. Then you’ve got brands like Saucony and Brooks hanging out in that middle lane—not bad, not elite, just solid enough to show up on workout day.
ASICS: A
ASICS has the market's most race day-capable speed trainer in the Megablast, a versatile tempo shoe that is great for long time on feet in the Sonicblast, and a solid (but aging) pick in the Magic Speed 4. Our one knock is that their lineup isn't as diversified as it could be—each ASICS speed trainer has 40+ mm of foam in the heel, an issue they plan to address by lowering the stack height of the upcoming Magic Speed 5.
ASICS Megablast
ASICS Sonicblast
On: B
On has a quietly decent speed training line. The Cloudmonster Hyper is surprisingly capable of speed if you can activate the PEBA in the forefoot, the Cloudflow 5 is a good supportive option for uptempo training, and the Cloudboom Zone is one of the fastest speed shoes on the market (it's just really difficult to find).
On Cloudflow 5
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New Balance: C
New Balance doesn't have a competitive speed trainer right now. Both the SC Trainer v3, which is designed to be a well-cushioned, plated speed training and long run shoe, and the lightweight, uptempo Rebel v5 rely on a tired EVA/PEBA blend that lacks the pop and responsiveness of more modern midsole compounds. The SC Pacer v2 is good, but it's technically a race shoe.
New Balance Rebel v5
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Hoka: B+
Hoka has two solid speed training options right now. The Mach 6 is a non-plated, lower stack uptempo daily trainer with an energetic, slightly unstable ride, and the Mach X 3 packs more horsepower under the hood with a plastic plate and a top layer of bouncy race foam.
Hoka Mach X 3
Adidas: A+
Adidas currently has the most well diversified speed training lineup of any brand. They've got a popular uptempo, daily trainer in the EVO SL, a traditional dual foam speed trainer with glass fiber rods in the Boston 13, a max stack speed training and long run behemoth in the Prime X3 Strung, and a direct, low stack interval shoe in the Adios 9.
Adidas Evo SL
Adidas Boston 13
Adidas Prime X 3 Strung
Adidas Adios 9
Saucony: B
Saucony has only one dedicated speed training shoe, but its' arguably the most iconic one on the market. Featuring a full PEBA race foam midsole and a plastic plate, the Endorphin Speed 5 is an excellent speed trainer with a fun, bouncy ride.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
Nike: B-
Nike's ZoomX race foam is legendary, but they refuse to put the real thing in their speed training shoes. The ZoomX in the Pegasus Plus is firm and peppy, making it a good traditional, low to the ground speed shoe if you can find a deal, but the Zoom Fly 6 midsole feels more like a stress ball than something built for speed.
Nike Pegasus Plus
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Brooks: A
Brooks has stepped up their speed training game in 2025. They have the best plastic plated trainer of the year in the Hyperion Max 3. We have been calling it the Mileage Cheat Code because of its uncanny ability to help you rack up the miles with some speed assistance and protection. The Hyperion 3 is another great option as a lively, lightweight uptempo daily trainer.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3
Brooks Hyperion 3
Salomon: B-
Salomon is still establishing themselves as a player in the road running market, but the Aero Blaze 3 is another step in the right direction. It delivers a lightweight, peppy ride in a traditional speed training package.
Salomon Aero Blaze 3
Puma: B-
Puma has some of the best racers and daily trainers out there. Their speed lineup, on the other hand, is slightly lacking. If you want top-tier speed assistance and don't mind training in carbon, we recommend picking up Puma's approachable, durable race shoe, the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 instead.
Puma Deviate Nitro 3
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