The Best Two-Shoe Rotations for Beginner Runners - Part 2
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 Mizuno Neo Zen or Nike Pegasus Plus for your daily miles, paired with the On Cloudboom Strike or the Nike Vaporfly 4 for up-tempo workouts and race day.
Welcome back to Supwell Starter Kits—where we spotlight top-tier 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 is all about comfort and versatility, featuring two of the most comfortable shoes out right now: the On Cloudboom Strike and the MizunoNeo Zen. With Mizuno’s new TPU-based foam and On’s drop-in midsole design, this duo delivers premium feel across a variety of runs.
Starter Kit #2 brings us back to a more traditional, no-frills ride — perfect for hobby joggers who prefer a firmer, more responsive underfoot feel. The Nike Pegasus Plus and Vaporfly 4 skip the soft, squishy trend and lean into that streamlined, direct sensation we know some of you are craving.
1. Rotation #1: Bouncy, Soft, Fun Midsoles
The Neo Zen and Cloudboom Strike are two hobby jogger favorites right now in the soft, bouncy category. What these shoes manage to do so well is provide a comfortable, pleasant ride without feeling too mushy and squishy. The Zen uses Mizuno’s newest TPU-based training foam that’s as comfortable as it is lightweight—an impressive combination in a 40+ mm max stack shoe. And the Cloudboom Strike has a unique drop-in insole that absorbs harsh impact and has a quick response when picking up the pace. We don’t always love soft, but these are two of the best to do it right now.
Mizuno Neo Zen
Mizuno Neo Zen
2. Rotation #2: No-Frills and Traditional
If you’re not a fan of max cushion and soft foams, these two are your ticket to a more traditional ride. The speed training–focused Pegasus Plus has a classic 10mm drop with a moderately cushioned heel and lower-to-the-ground forefoot. Compared to options like the Neo Zen and Novablast 5, the Peg Plus is firmer but also more controlled and direct. The Vaporfly 4 is similarly an antidote to the market trends of 2025—while race shoes are getting softer and puffier than ever, this has a streamlined ride that feels austere but refreshing when compared to peers like the Cloudboom Strike and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.
Nike Pegasus Plus
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Nike Vaporfly Next% 4
If you'd like to see more two-shoe rotations, check out our first edition of Supwell Start Kits here.
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