Top 5 Most Improved Running Shoes of 2025
We are reflecting back on the 5 most improved running shoes from daily trainers to racers to speed day and workout shoes. Find out below why the Hoka Bondi 9, Puma Fast-R 3, New Balance SC Elite v5, Puma Nitro Velocity 4, and the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 made our list in 2025.
Supwell’s top 5 most improved running shoes of 2025 just dropped, and the upgrades this year were huge. From Hoka leveling up the Bondi 9 to Puma taking the Fast-R 3 to a whole new tier, brands showed out in 2025. New Balance made the SC Elite V5 a true competitor, Puma refined the Velocity Nitro 4 into a daily standout, and Brooks surprised everyone with a major jump on the Hyperion Max 3. This year was all about smarter foam, better geometry, and way more performance per mile.
1. Hoka Bondi 9: From Unrunnable to Comfy Cruiser
The Bondi 8 was a very popular legacy max cushion shoe, but runners accustomed to modern foams found it borderline unrunnable. Hoka delivered a perfect update in the Bondi 9, implementing a protective, comfy supercritical EVA that was leagues better than their previous generation brick-like compression-molded EVA.
Hoka Bondi 9
2. Puma Fast-R 3: From Niche to MVP
The Puma Fast-R had a serious glow-up in 2025. Last year’s Fast-R 2 was ridiculously firm and on the heavy side for a marathon shoe (it wasn’t exactly a looker either). With the Fast-R 3, Puma managed to shave over 85 grams of weight, tuned the midsole for extreme propulsion, and implemented a sleek updated design language.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
3. New Balance SC Elite v5: From Stable to Svelte Speedster
The SC Elite v4’s soft, stable midsole excelled at long, easy efforts, but it wasn’t something we’d want to race in. New Balance responded with a highly capable marathon racer in the SC Elite v5, shedding excess weight and tuning the geometry for better speed assistance.
New Balance SC Elite v5
4. Puma Velocity Nitro 4: From Workhorse to Banger
While the overall geometry and appearance of the Velocity Nitro 4 aren’t dramatically different from the Velocity Nitro 3, the switch to Puma’s modern, supercritical NITROFOAM—replacing the dual-foam construction in v3—elevates this shoe to the top of its category.
Puma Velocity Nitro 4
5. Brooks Hyperion Max 3: From Solid to Top Tier
Brooks finally brought the “Max” to the Hyperion Max line in 2025, adding a bouncy top layer of PEBA race foam and increasing the stack height by 10mm. The Hyperion Max 3’s rocker geometry, dual-foam setup and high stack height give it one of the best rides of 2025 and make it much more exciting than the Hyperion Max 2.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3
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