The Best Two-Shoe Rotations for Beginner Runners - Part 1
Here, we’ll explore two different two-shoe rotations for beginner runners that will cover all your needs—from daily training to speed work and racing. Each rotation includes either the On Cloudmonster Hyper or the Salomon Aero Glide 3 for your daily miles, paired with the Nike Alphafly 3 or the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 for up-tempo workouts and race day.
Welcome to our newest series: Supwell Starter Kits—where we spotlight some of the best 2-shoe rotations for runners who want to cover all their bases without diving headfirst into full-blown shoe madness like the rest of us. Starter Kit #1 pairs two of the most distinct forefoot experiences out there: the Alphafly 3 and the Cloudmonster Hyper—a high-tech duo built for pop, propulsion, and pushing the pace. Starter Kit #2 brings together two goldilocks greats for a certified banger of a rotation: the Aero-GOAT 3 and the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3—balanced, versatile, and ready for anything your training throws at them.
Rotation #1: Distinct Forefoot Geometry
With their distinct aggressive forefoot setups, the On Cloudmonster Hyper and Nike Alphafly 3 pack a powerful one-two punch. The unique combination of suspended bouncy PEBA in an EVA carrier makes the Cloudmonster Hyper an excellent daily trainer counterpart to the Alphafly 3, which is famous for its Zoom Air pods. Both shoes produce a feeling of forefoot compression and decompression that’s unlike anything else on the market. To offset the fact that the Alphafly 3 is an expensive and specialized shoe that many will want to reserve for race day and important sessions, we’ve chosen the Cloudmonster Hyper as a versatile, durable daily companion for easy days, long runs, and progression runs.
Rotation #2: Bouncy Goldilocks Foam
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 and the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 are a match made in heaven. Both feature bouncy, durable foams that sit in the Goldilocks zone of midsole compounds—not too soft, not too firm. The versatile, tried and true beaded TPU of the Aero Glide 3 offers the best of both worlds: it’s max cushioned and protective, but also lightweight and bouncy, allowing it to respond well to anything it’s tasked with from recovery runs to uptempo miles. The Nitro Elite 3 is a perfect pairing, offering the penultimate in reliable comfort and bounce for your fastest PR attempts. The DNE3’s excellent durability also makes it a great choice for those looking to log significant miles in Carbon County before race day.
Salomon Aero Glide 3
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Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
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