As someone who reviews all kinds of running and fitness products, durability is both the easiest and hardest thing to test. All I have to do is keep using something to see if it’s long-lasting, but the rapid turnover of running products means there’s always something new to test.

That’s especially true with the best running shoes, watches and headphones, which are updated yearly, but I do get more of a chance to test running apparel over the long-term, and there are some items that have really stood out for their durability in my time as a runner.

I’ve used all of the products below regularly for several years, which means they’ve withstood hundreds of miles of running and frequent washing. Thousands of miles, in some cases. So while they're expensive up front, there's no doubt I've gotten great value from them in the long run. No pun intended.

You can extend the life of your products with good care — I always wash my running gear on a cold, fairly short cycle — but largely, durability depends on the quality of the goods, and I happily guarantee these five products stand up to the long-term run test.

Saysky Pace 2 in 1 Shorts 5”

I have a few pairs of these shorts that I’ve used weekly for several years and they’re just as comfortable as ever and show almost no signs of wear and tear.

They’re my go-to shorts for easy and long runs thanks to the supportive inner layer, which has a couple of handy drop-in pockets that can take a phone, keys and a couple of gels.

The upfront cost is pretty high, but as one of Saysky’s most popular products the 2 in 1 shorts are often featured in the brand’s sales, and they’re certainly built to last.

Soar All Weather Jacket

A healthy percentage of my longest-lasting running apparel is made by British brand Soar, and durability is certainly demanded given the high prices you do pay for Soar’s stuff.

The All Weather Jacket I have is the original version, and it has been updated since, but I have little doubt it remains just as durable as the one I’ve used myself for several winters' worth of running. My jacket still feels soft and comfortable, and aside from some fraying around the cuffs, it’s held up perfectly to regular use in inclement weather.

It’s windproof, water-resistant enough to fend off rain without being as hot and sweaty as a full waterproof, and has a close fit that allows for freedom of movement. The last point is important, because it means I can wear the jacket for fast runs in the winter, whereas many jackets feel too bulky.

There are certainly great running jackets available for less, but the All Weather Jacket lives up to its name in being warm enough for snow but breathable enough for mild, wet days, and it’s still my go-to after years of use.

Stance Run Crew Socks

I’ve been a big fan of Stance’s running socks since I first slipped a pair on many years ago, and I’ve amassed a sizable collection of the Run Crew socks in particular, with some that have lasted me more than five years.

While they’re not quite as soft and flexible as they were when new, these long-lasting socks are still comfortable after years of regular runs and washes, and none have developed holes or frayed at all.

Darn Tough is another running sock brand that has impressed me with their durability, and this is an apparel area where I’ve definitely found it’s worth paying a little more upfront to get a longer lasting product.

Tracksmith Van Cortland Tee

Tracksmith is another premium running brand that I found does offset the high initial price of its products with better-than-average durability, and the Van Cortland Tee has been a staple of my training wardrobe for several years.

It’s a loose-fitting tee that’s breathability in hot conditions, even if it’s not the thinnest and lightest option, and comes in a variety of designs that all feature Tracksmith’s trademark sash.

I use it mainly for easy and long runs as I personally prefer something tighter and lighter for sessions, though in winter the relaxed fit of the Van Cortland is handy as I can fit it over a base layer easily.

Under Armour Performance Tech Boxerjock

I prefer to wear underwear under my running shorts as I find this more supportive than relying on the liners in shorts alone, and these Under Armour Boxerjocks are both highly comfortable — I never get chafing with them — and unbelievably durable.

Frankly, I wasn’t sure whether to put them in this article, because it’s a little embarrassing to say you’ve been using the same underwear for almost 10 years, but they’ve stood up so well to regular use and washes I had to highlight them.

They’re good value too, and often appear in Amazon sales. Make sure you get the Tech version though, as the cotton ones won’t be as suitable for running.

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Nike is one of the best footwear brands on the market — and while its running sneakers can come with a hefty price tag, there are still plenty of deals worth checking out. Right now, the retailer is slashing prices on top-rated sneakers, walking shoes and recovery sandals by up to 40%.

If you’re looking to refresh your footwear lineup for fall, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve rounded up the best Nike deals I could find, and every pair is under $50. Keep scrolling to score a new pair of stylish, affordable kicks before they’re gone.

Note: prices vary depending on the size and color you choose. To find the best deals, check out any different color options available in your size. For more, see our Nike promo codes.

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• shop all Nike deals under $50
• Nike Victori One Slides (Men's): was $37 now $29
• Nike Calm Slides 2.0 (Women's): was $55 now $33
• Nike Run Defy (Women's): was $65 now $42
• Nike Flex Experience Run 12 (Women's): was $75 now $47
• Nike Promina Walking Shoes (Women's): was $70 now $48
• Nike Downshifter 14 (Men's): was $80 now from $49
• Nike Flex Train Workout Shoes (Men's): was 80 now from $49
• Nike Waffle Nav (Men's): was $80 now $49
• Nike Precision 7 Basketball Shoes (Men's): was $80 now $49

Nike Footwear Deals

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I'm a huge fan of Adidas. Out of the major sneaker brands, my favorite deals usually come from Adidas because of their affordability, reliability and performance. There's a huge range to choose from, including budget-friendly picks as well as some of the fastest racing shoes we've ever tested. Right now Amazon is offering tons of discounts on Adidas running shoes, and you'll also find up to 40% off in Adidas' fall sale.

One of my favorite discounts is the Adidas Adizero Evo SL running shoes on sale for $75 — we rank them as one of the best women's running shoes because our testers loved their super lightweight design and bouncy-feeling foam.

Note: Prices can vary based on the size and color you choose. To find the best deal for you, check out any different color options available in your size. For more deals, check out our Amazon promo codes coverage.

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• shop all Adidas deals at Amazon
• Adidas Adilette Shower Slides: was $30 now from $21
• Adidas Galaxy 7 Running Shoes (Women's): was $60 now from $36
• Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 7.0 (Men's): was $70 now from $41
• Adidas Zenboost Running Shoes (Women's): was $100 now from $60
• Adidas Duramo Speed 2 Running Shoe (Men's): was $90 now from $67
• Adidas Terrex Anylander Rain.Rdy Hiking Shoes (Men’s): was $85 now from $63
• Adidas Adizero Evo SL ATR (Men's): was $160 now from $136

Adidas running shoe deals

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Walking, running or ‘Jeffing’ on a treadmill can be a great way to stay healthy in later life, because it allows you to exercise in a controlled environment to improve your cardiovascular fitness, strength and balance.

The best treadmills can be a little daunting to use at first, because they all come with a wide array of controls and settings, and sometimes even apps you have to navigate.

Once you get your head around what you can do with treadmills, however, they become the ideal training partner.

I enlisted James Stirling, personal trainer and Technogym Ambassador, for his advice on how seniors can make the most of treadmill workouts, and which settings they should be using in particular.

What are the benefits of using a treadmill versus outdoor running for older adults?

Running outside comes with the extra benefits of fresh air and the mental health boost of getting into nature (if your local area allows), but there are specific benefits to indoor running as well.

“Most treadmill belts have some give, which reduces impact loading compared to sidewalks,” says Stirling. “For anyone managing joint sensitivity this can be particularly beneficial.

“As we head into a colder season, treadmill running means no ice, no uneven kerbs in the dark and naturally, no dodging traffic. For older adults, a treadmill eliminates a lot of fall risk from an unpredictable surface.”

You also get more control over your speed and incline when running on a treadmill, and you can follow structured workouts that are created for you on the machine.

“For beginner runners, this makes it really easy to follow a run/walk programme where you run a little, walk little,” says Stirling.

Finally, most treadmills have handrails, which can be especially valuable if you’re concerned about balance.

“Handrails on treadmills also provide a reassuring safety net,” says Stirling. “That reassurance often means older adults push a little harder than they would outdoors, simply because they trust the environment.”

What are the key settings and features on treadmills that seniors can use?

The first thing Stirling recommends doing is training on a mild incline, which is a lot easier to do on a treadmill than outdoors.

“Using a modest incline of 1–3% at an easy pace builds strength and cardiovascular capacity without the added impact of speed,” says Stirling. “This is probably the most underused tool for this age group."

“The ability to adjust speed in small increments also lets you progress gradually rather than in bigger jumps than what the body's ready for.”

It’s also worth always using the emergency clip on treadmills, which will pull out and stop the belt if you fall or move too far from the console.

What treadmill workout for seniors would you recommend?

“The run/walk protocol is always the best starting point,” says Stirling. “It breaks the run down into manageable intervals and it’s really easy to make progressions. Aim to gradually build the run intervals, and reduce the walk intervals, until you can run for around 20 minutes.”

Stirling also notes that speed isn’t the only way to progress your treadmill running and make it harder — adjusting the incline means you can push yourself without raising the speed, which might feel more manageable.

• Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Labor Day is over, but there are some great deals still available. One of my favorite sales so far is on running sneakers. From marathon season to back to school, there are plenty of reasons to lace up a new pair — especially since Hoka, Asics, Brooks and more top brands are slashing the prices on best-selling running shoe styles by up to 50%.

Whether you're hitting the trails, the pavement or the treadmill this season, I've rounded up the best running shoe styles to shop this weekend. So don’t wait! These top styles won’t be around forever.

Note: prices vary depending on the size and color you choose; search the different color options available in your size to find the best deals.

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• New Balance: up to 50% off
• Adidas: deals from $39
• Asics: deals from $54
• Brooks: up to 40% off
• Hoka: up to 30% off
• Nike: up to 30% off
• Saucony Tide 2 Trainer (Men's): was $100 now $72
• Asics Glideride Max (Men's): was $170 now $99
• New Balance FuelCell Trainer V3 (Women's): was $189 now $113
• Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (Men's): was $199 now $119

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Best Asics Deals

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Once the best carbon plate running shoes were established as the fastest option for race day, it was only natural for plates to start appearing in training shoes as well, and for a few years, these plated super-trainers were all the rage.

That era seemed to be ending, however, with a wave of plate-free super-trainers taking their place, led by shoes like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and Asics Megablast, as runners opted for a more natural, plate-free experience outside of race day.

The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 might be the shoe to bring plated trainers back to the fore. It’s one of the best running shoes for fast training I’ve ever tested, with a lightweight, springy and fun design, and the plate helps you to keep pushing during workouts.

While it’s not cheap and some runners might well still prefer a lightweight, plate-free shoe like the Evo SL or Dynafish Xiaonian for workouts instead, the SuperComp Rebel v1 is an outstanding fast trainer and a shoe I’ll continue to use in my own rotation.

I've been putting the shoe through its paces, along with Fitness Editor Jane McGuire. Read our New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 review below.

New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 review: Price and availability

The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 launched in August 2026 and costs $200 in the U.S. and £180 in the U.K., making it considerably more expensive than the New Balance Rebel v5, which is $145/£140 and doesn’t have a plate.

It’s priced in line with most super-trainers, but there are some notable fast training alternatives that come in cheaper, like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and Dynafish Xiaonian.

New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 review: Design and fit

NHF: The SuperComp Rebel v1 is currently available in four colors, including the angora with slate grey model I tested.

It’s quite a tight-fitting shoe, but I was just about OK in my normal running shoe size. If you tend to be big for your size, however, I’d consider going half a size up.

The shoe has a 4mm drop and a stack height of 40mm at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot, so it’s a well-cushioned shoe if not as maxed out as some.

At 7.9oz in a US men’s size 9.5, the SuperComp Rebel v1 is lightweight given the high stack, if not as light as true racing shoes like the New Balance SC Elite v6, which are closer to or under 7oz.

JM: I tested the SuperComp Rebel v1 in a pistachio colorway, which is beautiful. Like Nick, I found this to be a tight-fitting shoe. I normally go up half a size in New Balance, but I went up a full size in the SuperComp Rebel v1.

Upper

The SuperComp Rebel v1 has a lightweight, breathable mesh upper with a little padding around the collar.

It’s not as plushly padded as the uppers on cushioned shoes built for easy runs, but I found it perfectly comfortable on all my runs and had no issues with rubbing or hot spots.

Midsole

The midsole in the SuperComp Rebel v1 is made from the same supercritical aliphatic TPU as the SC Elite v6 and delivers a very energetic, bouncy ride.

It’s the biggest upgrade on the shoe compared with past plated trainers from New Balance I’ve tested, like the SuperComp Trainer v3, making the SC Rebel v1 lighter and more responsive.

Running through the foam is a carbon-infused Pebax plate, which is a little more flexible than the plate on the SuperComp Elite v6, to make the SuperComp Rebel v1 more comfortable for regular use in training.

Outsole

The SuperComp Rebel v1 uses PU rubber to cover the forefoot and heel of the shoe and I’ve found that it grips well in wet and dry conditions.

A large cutout runs down the center of the shoe, which reduces weight and shows off the plate in the midsole. I found that if you run on gravel trails, you can be sure this cutout will pick up the odd stone that needs to be removed ASAP to avoid damaging the plate.

For a lightweight, speed-focused shoe, the Rebel v1 has quite a wide base, which improves its stability, even though it’s still a pretty wobbly, soft shoe.

New Balance SC Rebel v1 review: Running performance

NHF: I used the SuperComp Rebel v1 for a variety of training runs during my testing, including workouts with short one- and two-minute reps, a steady 10-miler and a threshold session running six-minute reps at around half marathon pace.

While I mostly did faster runs in the shoe, I also tested it with some easy running to see how it fared as an all-rounder that can handle all your training.

It impressed me most at speed. The springy midsole and plastic plate produce a ride that’s almost as fast as a full carbon racing shoe, and I loved doing both short and long interval workouts in the SuperComp Rebel.

The bounce from the midsole also holds up throughout long runs, like the steady 10-miler I ran in the shoe, and the SuperComp Rebel v1 could be a good racing option for longer events if you don’t enjoy the feel (or high price) of pinnacle racers.

I also enjoyed using the SuperComp Rebel v1 for my easy runs, even if it’s not the most stable or supportive shoe. It works best in a running shoe rotation alongside a more cushioned and stable daily trainer for easy runs, but if you want one shoe for everything and like speedy sneakers, it would be a great pick.

JM: Like Nick, I mainly wore this shoe for tempo sessions and easy runs. I immediately loved how bouncy and exciting this shoe feels underfoot. If you're looking to travel with one pair of running shoes and get all your sessions done, this is the shoe you'll probably reach for. It's an exciting shoe to run in.

Should you buy the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1?

The SuperComp Rebel v1 is the best New Balance running shoe I’ve tested in years, maybe even ever. It’s fast, bouncy and fun to run in, especially when doing workouts.

Thanks to the excellent midsole foam, it’s a clear step up from New Balance’s other speed-focused trainers, like the Rebel v5 and SC Trainer v3, though the Rebel v5 is a bit more comfortable and stable for easy efforts.

There are cheaper alternatives that are also brilliant for faster training, though, especially the Adidas Evo SL and Dynafish Xiaonian, and those who want a more supportive and stable super-trainer could look at the Asics Megablast instead.

It’s the best plated trainer on the market right now, though, in my opinion, outperforming previous favorites like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and Hoka Mach X3.

Unless you use a true carbon racer for your workouts, the SuperComp Rebel v1 is as good as it gets for fast training, and it’ll stay within easy reach for my own marathon

As a running shoe reviewer, there are two questions I get asked all the time. One is "What are the best running shoes?" And the other is "How long do running shoes last?"

Both are tricky to answer, but picking the best shoes is one of my favorite parts of my job, and I certainly have a lot of opinions to share on the topic. How long running shoes last is, however, almost impossible to answer definitively.

That’s because different runners go through shoes at different rates, depending on things like foot shape, running style, weight and the terrain they run on.

Running shoes also vary in how long they last — racing shoes are built for speed, not longevity, whereas cushioned daily trainers are designed to be more durable.

To get more insight into how long shoes last, I asked Damion Perry, Senior Product Line Manager, Puma Running, who gave me the best advice I’ve ever had on how to spot when a shoe might be past its best.

How long do running shoes last?

“It’s very tough to tell, because the lifespan is so extended on all of them,” says Perry. “But to paint in broad strokes, most shoes are probably set to last you between 300 to 500 miles comfortably.”

That’s your starting figure, but durability will depend on the type of shoe you’re using, and in my own experience, shoes tend to last me longer than that.

Even with racing shoes like the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, which is built for speed, not durability, Perry says the lifespan can vary between runners.

“We all want to sell shoes that people can use for long periods of time,” says Perry. “I've had people come back and say that they've got like over 1000km (600 miles) in a Fast-R.”

How can you tell when you need to replace a running shoe?

For me, this is the more important question, because shoes do vary greatly in lifespan. There are some easy ways to spot when a shoe needs replacing, like the outsole being completely worn away or tears in the upper.

However, the main determinant of whether a shoe is still good is the midsole, because when that firms up and loses its spring, it becomes less fun and can even be risky to keep using the shoe.

This is harder to spot, especially if you use a running shoe rotation and swap between sneakers each day, but Perry gave some great advice for recognizing when a shoe is past its best.

“Speaking from my personal running experiences,” says Perry. “When running starts feeling harder and you’re doing the same paces, performing the same routes.

"As runners, we are such creatures of habit that when some weird discomfort starts popping up on the same route that you run like every Monday, and you're like, ‘what is this, this feels terrible.’ This natural sense of ‘I feel like something's wrong.’ That's probably the biggest indicator.”

This advice really spoke to me as a runner because I run the same routes all the time, and I do feel when something is a little out of whack, which for me can also be down to things like being unusually tired or illness setting in.

If you’ve run a similar route for months in a shoe and it starts to feel somehow wrong, it could well be that the midsole has lost its spring. You might even notice an odd niggle starts to arise after using a shoe, which can be another sign your shoe needs swapping out.

“There's user preference, within what that lifespan is, so you as a runner are your own best judge,” says Perry, “Check in with yourself as you start to get around that 3-, 4-, 500-mile mark in a shoe. It's a gut feel on how that Monday morning route feels.”

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If you've been avoiding the great outdoors due to soaring summer temperatures, that's not going to be an issue for much longer. That means now's a great time to score some deals in Amazon's Asics running shoe sale.

I'm seeing running shoes for as low as $49, and I'm pretty sure these deals are going to sell out fast. Scroll down to check out the best deals from Amazon's sale section.

Note: Prices can vary depending on the size and color you choose — check out any different color options in your size to find the best deals.

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• Asics Versablast 4 Running Shoes (Women's): was $80 now from $69
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Asics Shoes

New Balance is well-known as one of the comfiest sneaker brands out there, with a wide range of shoes that combine style and durability. Expect stylish designs with a retro flourish that feel great right out of the box.

For this article I've pulled together 12 of my favorite New Balance designs, all of which are available to buy now on Amazon. There's sneakers and running shoes for men, women, and kids here and in a range of sizes. If you see something you like, but are worried that it won't fit, make sure to check the drop down menu on each item to find out which alternative sizes and colors are available. Some of them even have money off right now.

The On Cloudboom Volt first caught my eye at The Running Event in Texas 2025, where brands preview their launches for the following year.

Mostly, that was because it looks fantastic — the light blue color I tested might be the best-looking shoe I’ve tried this year, which is always a plus. However, it was also more affordable than On’s other racing shoes, and looked an intriguing option thanks to the combo of a plate and On’s bouncy Helion HF midsole foam.

By the time I tested the shoe, however, the On Cloudboom Strike 2 had somewhat stolen the Volt’s thunder as one of the best carbon plate running shoes, and the Volt simply isn’t as good a racer as the Strike 2 in my opinion.

However, the Volt is cheaper, and in my testing it emerged as a strong plated option for fast training in particular. I wouldn’t mark it as a must-buy, but I did enjoy all my runs in the On Cloudboom Volt and if you spy it in a sale it might be a worthy addition to your running shoe rotation.

On Cloudboom Volt review: Price and availability

The On Cloudboom Volt launched in February 2026 and costs $200 in the U.S. and £190 in the U.K., making it more affordable than On’s top racing shoe, the On Cloudboom Strike 2 ($250/£230).

It’s cheap compared to most carbon racers, but the price is more in line with other fast training shoes with plates, which is where I’d position the Volt myself.

On Cloudboom Volt review: Design and fit

The On Cloudboom Volt is currently available in four colors, including the light blue Celeste shoe I tested, which is just gorgeous.

I found that it fit well in my normal running shoe size. It’s a bit tighter around the toes than On’s cushioned sneakers in the same size, but that’s normal for a speed-focused shoe, and I didn’t have any trouble with the upper rubbing during my runs.

The Volt has a 5mm drop and weighs 7.8oz in my US men’s size 9.5. It’s light, but not as light as most top racing shoes, which are usually under 7oz in my size.

Upper

The Cloudboom Volt has a lightweight mesh upper with just enough padding around the collar to be comfortable without adding too much bulk to the shoe.

I had no complaints with the upper during my testing. It was breathable enough and held my foot securely during fast runs.

Midsole

The Cloudboom Volt uses two layers of On’s PEBA-based Helion HF foam, which is also used in the brand’s top racers and the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS.

However, the version of Helion HF used here is significantly firmer than on other shoes, including the Cloudboom Strike 2. It’s not as squishy and bouncy as a result, but it still delivers a good level of energy return in my runs.

A carbon-infused plate runs through the midsole between these two layers of foam, and the Volt has a mild rocker shape to aid in pushing you onto your forefoot.

Outsole

Fast training and racing shoes generally have minimal outsoles to reduce weight, so the extensive rubber coverage on the Cloudboom Volt is a pleasant surprise.

It will boost the shoe’s durability if used for a lot of training, and it grips well on wet roads. I also felt comfortable taking it onto light trails at times, knowing the rubber would protect the softer midsole foam.

On Cloudboom Volt review: Running performance

I did a variety of runs in the Cloudboom Volt, from easy daily training to fast workouts doing short and long reps. I also used it for both runs on a double-workout day, racing up to about 20 miles in the shoe that day.

I’ve tested several On shoes that use the Helion HF midsole, and it was a surprise to feel how firm the Cloudboom Volt was in comparison. However, I still found it comfortable enough for longer workouts, and the firmer feel helped to produce a fast transition from heel to toe.

It’s not the most rockered, bouncy or propulsive shoe, but the Cloudboom Volt is nimble and pushes you onto your toes during fast runs. It could be a good option for those who don’t like the exaggerated rides of highly rockered or squishy shoes, as a result, because the Volt has quite a traditional, natural ride for a modern speed shoe.

I also found it fairly stable and was happy running at easy paces in the shoe, which is not always the case with high-stack plated shoes.

There are certainly significant caveats to the Volt’s performance, though. It’s not as light as you’d expect for a plated shoe aimed at shorter events, and when it comes to my fastest training runs and races, I prefer a more efficient, aggressive ride.

Should you buy the On Cloudboom Volt?

The On Cloudboom Volt might not top any "best of" lists this year, but it’s a shoe that impressed me and one I enjoyed running in, and that’s not just because I’m obsessed with its looks.

It’s an accomplished fast training shoe, and I think it will drop in price during On’s sales. It’s available for around $150, rather than its $200 MSRP; it’s an option worth considering if you like a firmer ride in your speed shoe.

There are excellent fast training shoes available for less, though, notably the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, which is one of the best value sneakers on the market, or the Dynafish Xiaonian.

I’d also consider the New Balance SC Rebel v1 as a springier option with a plate, though it’s as expensive as the Volt.

For race day, I prefer the more aggressive, lightweight design of shoes like the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 or Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, and the On Cloudboom Strike 2 would be worth upgrading to as well if you’re in pursuit of PRs.

I’ve been running for just over 10 years and consider myself very fortunate to have taken up the sport when I did, because running shoes have never been better.

The most high-profile area of this is carbon plate running shoes, which have proved controversial in aiding rapid improvements in world records for elites and personal records for amateurs.

However, there’s no controversy over the advances in shoe design that have led to brilliant training shoes that everyone can enjoy.

Right now, the best running shoes are lighter, bouncier and just flat-out more fun than shoes were when I started the sport, and that’s mostly down to what’s going on in their midsoles — the part of the shoe between the sockliner and the outsole on a sneaker.

To find out more about advancements in midsole tech and performance, I spoke to Damion Perry, Senior Product Line Manager at Puma Running.

Why is the midsole so important on a running shoe?

Uppers and outsoles are important, but the key to running shoe performance is the foam in the midsole, which serves two purposes, according to Perry.

“One is to absorb the impact of you landing on the ground,” says Perry, “and the second is to return energy for you to feel that sense of lift and bounce.”

Finding a material that does both those jobs effectively is the tricky part.

“You have something soft like sand which absorbs a lot of impact very well,” says Perry. “Then you have something like a trampoline, which provides an extraordinary amount of energy return.

“In a running shoe, you're trying to use a material that effectively absorbs those forces and then gives them back to you as much as it can. That’s the midsole, and we use foam to do that.”

Why have midsoles improved so much in recent years?

When I started, running shoes were a lot better at absorbing energy than they were at giving it back, but foams have improved dramatically in recent years, and a lot of that comes down to using supercritical foams.

“Previously, foams were injection-moulded or compression-moulded,” says Perry. “Plastic-based materials that are poured into the shape of a sole.

“Inherently, with that, they’re quite dense materials. They provide some level of cushioning, but not at the level of what we're seeing today from using the supercritical foaming process.”

Supercritical foams are created by infusing foams with a gas (usually nitrogen) using a high-pressure, heated chamber called an autoclave. This creates air within the cell structure of the foams, making them lighter and less dense than older foams.

“You can use a lot of different raw materials for it,” says Perry, “but the process of supercritical foaming is what's created this drastically new underfoot feel. Materials that compress feel really airy and bouncy and absorb those forces. It allows for a better cushioning experience.”

What are the differences between the foams you get in midsoles?

This supercritical process is used with all kinds of foam used in running shoes. EVA was the main material used for a long time, before springier modern materials like PEBA and now aliphatic TPU became more popular.

Brands still use a variety of foams in their line-ups, though, because each has properties that make it attractive to certain consumers, including EVA.

“Everyone's running experience or use of running shoes is quite different, right?” says Perry. “There's a difference between clicking off three- or four-minute Ks [five- or six-minute miles] and walking.

“If you need something that feels supportive and secure and familiar underfoot, something like EVA is a great solution for that. But if you want a PR in the 5K, you get this foam [aliphatic TPU] that has an extremely high amount of energy return, and mix that with the modern geometries and plates that allow it to be harnessed in its maximized way, there's a clear preference and purpose for that.”

Right now, the market is certainly skewing toward foams like PEBA and aliphatic TPU that deliver high levels of energy return, but when picking your running shoe, it’s not just about the foam used; it’s also about how the brand uses it.

What is shoe ‘geometry’ and why does it matter?

If you look at a shelf of running shoes, you’ll quickly notice that they don’t all have the same shape. Some are much more rockered than others, with a curved sole that rolls you forward, and they also differ in width, stack height and drop — how much higher the heel stack height is compared with the forefoot stack height.

This is the geometry of the shoe, and it has a huge effect on the ride feel of a shoe, regardless of the foam used. Speaking of foams, those can also differ hugely in feel even if they’re made from the same material.

“There are so many things that can be tweaked to create a particular experience that we on the brand side are trying to curate,” says Perry. “This is a daily trainer, this is a racer, this is a super trainer, this is a recovery shoe. We might be able to use the same ingredients, but there are things that we can toy with.

“At the foam level, density is one — just because something is made of aliphatic TPU does not mean it's going to feel exactly the same in every single shoe, because we can change the density.

“We make decisions on geometry, and we make decisions on density to curate an experience that we want you to have.”

The differences in foam can be drastic even if brands use the same name across different shoes, like Puma’s Nitro Elite material or Nike’s ZoomX. You can’t just go by the label — it’s important to look at what the shoe is designed to do.

Cushioned shoes for daily training will generally have more stable, less springy foams in the midsole to protect your body when racking up a lot of mileage, while racing shoes use the most energetic materials possible to try and help you get faster and more efficient, and those foams are often used in tandem with a carbon plate to boost those benefits.

One of the things I love most about testing running shoes is that there is no one best foam or shoe geometry — we all like different things, and experimenting with a mix of shoes is always a good idea where possible.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

More from Tom's Guide

• Rheon running shorts are being used by top road, track and trail runners — I spoke to an expert to find out more about the tech
• I tested shoes from 5 up-and-coming running brands — here are the ones worth your money
• No squats! I just tried this 8-minute chair workout, and it’s perfect for seniors, beginners, and anyone looking to build strength without impact

Gravel running is nothing new — runners have been seeking out gravel tracks for as long as the sport has existed, because they offer a quieter, calmer experience than busy roads without the perils of truly technical trail running.

Gravel running shoes, however, are a relatively new phenomenon. Their rise is no doubt partly inspired by the huge success of gravel bikes, and the principles underpinning the rise of gravel shoes are similar to those behind the bikes, which are built to handle a little bit of everything.

That’s why I value gravel shoes myself as a runner. They might seem like a niche product, but they’re actually among the most versatile running shoes on the market, capable of handling a wide variety of terrain and different types of training runs.

They’re perfect for trips when you’re not sure what terrain you’re going to run on, and even if you mostly run on the road and only occasionally hit the trails, they’re worth considering because they work so well on pure road runs too, in my experience.

I’ve picked out the best gravel running shoes I’ve tested below, and I also spoke to Erin Cooper, director and marketing for Performance & SportStyle at Salomon, about what to look for if you’re buying some.

What are the key features of a gravel running shoe?

I’ve been testing the best trail-running shoes for a decade and there have always been good options for light trails, which have been known as road-to-trail or all-terrain shoes in the past.

Gravel shoes are an extension of this area of the market, aiming to combine key features from road and trail shoes to work well on both.

“For Salomon, our gravel shoes are rooted in our road platforms and leverage key technologies from our leading products in both road and trail footwear to find an ideal balance,” says Cooper.

The midsoles of gravel running shoes are often the same soft, energetic foams found on a brand’s road running shoes, whereas traditional trail shoes might use a firmer material for more stability.

This creates the same kind of comfortable, bouncy ride people expect from a modern road running shoe, but with the added benefit of a more substantial outsole.

“Our Gravel contaGRIP outsole provides reliable grip and durability matched with 2.5 mm lugs — vs. 4+ mm in our trail shoes,” says Cooper.

Lug length and shape are certainly key aspects of gravel shoes. The outsole has to grip on light trails with loose surfaces, but still feel comfortable on flat, paved roads. In most gravel shoes I’ve tested, this means 2.5mm lugs with broad, flat shapes, often chevrons.

“Runners should look for shallow lugs,” says Cooper. “These provide enough grip and traction to be confident on light trails, rolling hills, gravel paths, or any other non-technical mountain terrain and a smooth ride on the roads.”

This outsole also boosts durability when on gravel tracks — road shoes often have large areas of exposed foam that can get chewed up on light trails like this.

The upper is also an important feature of a gravel shoe. Road shoe uppers prioritize comfort and breathability, while full trail shoe uppers focus just as much on durability and protection through features like toe bumpers. Gravel shoes, once again, find a balance.

“The upper should be lightweight like on a road shoe, but with added protection for improved foothold and durability on gravel and trail surfaces,” says Cooper.

The best gravel running shoes

Some of my favorite shoes of 2026 so far have been gravel shoes, and I’ve taken several trips where they’ve been my only option for travelling, walking and all my runs.

Unless you spend your time exclusively on the roads or on mountain tracks that require a full trail-running shoe, it’s worth considering adding a gravel sneaker to your rotation.

Here are the three best gravel running shoes I’ve tested.

Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL

Salomon has spearheaded the gravel shoe moment, and I think the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL showcases the versatility of this type of sneaker brilliantly well.

It has an energetic midsole made from a supercritical TPU foam called OptiFoam Squared that delivers a good balance of comfort and bounce for easy, steady-paced runs, and the outsole grips well on light trails and roads in both dry and wet conditions.

The quick-lace system brought over from Salomon’s trail shoes will divide opinion as it’s not as comfortable as standard laces, but this allows you to quickly tighten the laces with the toggle.

The North Face Altamesa 500 v2

The Altamesa 500 v2 is pitched more as an all-terrain trail-running shoe than a gravel shoe, but it fits into this category well, in my opinion, thanks to its bouncy ride and impressive performance on the road and light trails.

It has 4mm lugs, which are deeper than on most gravel shoes, but still feel smooth and comfortable on the road, and the Dream midsole foam is enjoyably springy and comfortable on long runs.

I used The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 for all my runs on a holiday this year, covering a mix of road, gravel and trails, and it’s a great all-rounder option for those who vary the terrain they run on.

Asics Blazeblast

The Asics Novablast is one of the most popular road running shoes available, and rightly so in my view — it’s comfortable, fun, and suits a wide variety of runners well for daily training.

It doesn’t have the most extensive or durable outsole, though, and that’s where the Asics Blazeblast comes in. It shares a lot of DNA with the Novablast, including a high stack of comfortable foam in the midsole, but with a full outsole with 2.5mm lugs that excels on gravel tracks.

The Blazeblast is another shoe I took on holiday this year as my main walking and running shoe, and its versatility shone through. I did a 15-mile run on mixed terrain and clambered all over some rocks with my kids, another activity where the more substantial outsole was welcomed.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

More from Tom's Guide

• Rheon running shorts are being used by top road, track and trail runners — I spoke to an expert to find out more about the tech
• I tested shoes from 5 up-and-coming running brands — here are the ones worth your money
• No squats! I just tried this 8-minute chair workout, and it’s perfect for seniors, beginners, and anyone looking to build strength without impact

Good news: Amazon is slashing prices on Asics sneakers ahead of fall. Whether you're looking for a new pair of running shoes for marathon season or the perfect everyday pair for back to school, right now you can save up to 50% on best-selling styles.

I'm already seeing low stock warnings on some of these deals, so make sure to act fast if you want them! If you're ready to boost your sneaker game for fall, take a look at all my favorite deals from Amazon's Asics sale.

Note: Prices can vary depending on the size and color you choose. Check out any different color options in your size to find the best deals.

Quick Links

• shop all Asics deals on Amazon
• Asics GT-1000 13 Running Shoes (Women's): was $109 now from $49
• Asics Versablast 4 Running Shoes (Women's): was $80 now from $69
• Asics Dynablast 5 (Men's): was $99 now from $84
• Asics Sonicblast (Men's): was $180 now from $94
• Asics Glideride Max (Men's): was $170 now from $99
• Asics Noosa TRI 16 Running Shoes (Women's): was $135 now from $99
• Asics Novablast 5 (Men's): was $160 now from $129

Asics Shoes

In a world of AI training plans, Runna stands out from the crowd. Its plans are developed by real-life coaches, who create algorithms that help runners of all abilities achieve their goals. I’ve used Runna for my past three marathons, and it is, without a doubt, one of the best running apps on the market.

The app has grown exponentially, and since it was bought by Strava in May 2025, it has continued to roll out new features. Today, Runna announces a partnership with Loughborough University — this collaboration will embed the very latest sports science within Runna’s coach-designed training plans. To find out more, I sat down with Runna’s Head Coach and former Olympian, Steph Kessell.

What does this new partnership mean for runners?

At the moment, Runna uses algorithms created by experienced, qualified coaches to work out which plan is best for a user. To do so, when you sign up for the app, you’ll be asked a series of questions based on your running experience and goal. The Loughborough University partnership takes this a step further, explains Kessell, “Research evolves over time, and we want to make sure that we’re keeping up to date with that. It feels like a really good time to set ourselves apart from AI-generated training plans.”

The focus of the partnership seems to be on ensuring that the training plans on the app can achieve their goals, while minimizing their risk of injury. Is injury the biggest risk with AI training plans? I ask Kessell. “Yes,” she says, “Running is so individual and two runners who have the same experience might need to train in different ways. I can use myself as an example. I’m a marathon runner and compared to other Olympic athletes I was running against in Tokyo, my mileage was a lot less.

"They’d all be doing 100+ mile weeks, but my body is not able to do that based on my biomechanics and how I run. As a beginner runner, you don’t know that, but if beginners come to us [rather than use AI plans] we can build them up based on what they have been doing and start them off at a level that is right for them.”

How does Runna know its users are at risk of injury?

Runna estimates a 43% lower self-reported rate of injury per 1000 hours of training when compared to a 2015 Sports Medicine benchmark. This is an impressive stat, so I asked Kessell how the app currently predicts if a user is overtraining. “We can see from a runner’s data if a plan is still suitable for them. If we see that they’re missing their pace targets, we’ll advise them to slow down. The same applies to people who are running more than they’ve committed to — we might advise that they could go up. It’s about finding your baseline, then Runna is here to either get you back on track, or nudge you along a bit.”

I ask Kessell, as a coach, what she thinks the biggest injury risk is for runners. “I think often you see a lot of coaches getting really carried away by progression and building up volume and intensity at the same time,” she tells me.

“By doing both at the same time, you’re only increasing your injury risk. Sure, you’re increasing the chances of getting fitter and faster, but with running there’s always a risk — it’s a high-impact sport. For me, it’s about deciding: are you going to build up your mileage or do you want to build speed? Something we plan carefully at Runna is to get this balance of volume and intensity right, depending on what a runner’s goal is.”

What does Runna’s Head Coach hope to see next?

In an app that’s constantly evolving, what do the coaches want next? I ask Kessell as our chat comes to an end, “We have so many features in our pipeline I won’t give away, but I think there’s so many important things within running that can make our programs even more personalized. Bringing in the importance of female health into our plans, for example. But also if we can educate more runners on different aspects of running, whether that’s building mileage or intensity, fuelling, warming up properly, strength training — the more education we can provide to our users, the more consistency they’ll have in their training.”

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It's officially running season in Australia, with the Sydney Marathon kicking off this Sunday, August 30. Running any marathon length — even 5km — is a great accomplishment, as sustaining the same pace and energy throughout a miles-long race is no easy feat, even for those who actually enjoy running.

Some adrenaline-fuelled Aussie runners are already in the thick of planning the next few months, with events scheduled every weekend across the country. From park runs to full-on marathons coming up, there's no better time to invest in the best running essentials to get you through your big race.

Whether it's your first marathon or hundredth, IMO, you always need items on hand to give you the motivation to push through. I'm talking comfortable, yet vibrant running shoes, an insulated water bottle, and fun new training gear that'll inspire you to reach your PB. You could even chuck in a new handheld fan or appliance to help fuel you before and after the race.

I've listed 18 of the best running essentials below that are worth considering ahead of your big race, including some top-rated running shoes as chosen by Tom's Guide's fitness team.

Better yet, most of these items have fast shipping, so you can order them now and have them in time for any marathon events you might be attending this weekend. That said, most running experts don't suggest opting for a new pair before a big race weekend (especially if you are competing this weekend). FWIW, you could view this purchase as a consolation prize for, well, running a marathon.

So scroll on to find the best running essentials worth adding to your cart right now.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: fall is one of the best seasons to go running in. The temperature is more comfortable than the blistering heat of summer and if you're lucky enough to live by some woodland, the scenery won't be half bad either.

But if you've got your sights set on improvement this autumn then you'll want the right footwear to go after it, and Nike and Adidas are the two titans of sneaker brands. Whether you're on Team Adidas or Team Nike, I've found some brilliant savings that you can pick up right now.

I tend to wear through sneakers at a fair pace and have tested some of the best running shoes out there. I ran my first marathon in a pair of Nike Invincible 3 so right now I'm interested in crossing over to the other side of the tracks and picking up a pair of the Adidas Supernova Ease Running Sneakers on sale for $56 at Amazon.

If you're on Team Nike, check out the Pegasus 41 running shoe, which gets a nice discount down to $93 now that the newer Pegasus 42 is out in the wild.

Note: Prices vary based on the size and color you choose. To find the best deal for you, check out any different color options available in your size. For more deals, check out our Amazon promo codes coverage.

Quick Links

• Adidas Supernova Ease Running Sneaker (Men's): was $100 now $56 @ Amazon
• Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 7.0 (Men's): was $70 now from $49 @ Amazon
• Adidas X_PLR Path Sneakers (Women's): was $65 now $48 @ Amazon
• Adidas Swift Run 1.0 Sneakers (Women's): was $80 now $44 @ Amazon
• Nike Revolution 8 Road Running Shoes (Women's): was $75 now from $56 @ Amazon
• Nike Court Shot Herrenschuh Sneakers (Men's): was $80 now $63 @ Amazon
• Nike Air Monarch IV Training/Workout Shoes (Men's): was $85 now $68 @ Amazon
• Nike Winflo 11 Road Running Shoes (Women's): was $110 now from $93 @ Amazon
• Nike Pegasus 41 Running Shoes (Women's): was $140 now from $93 @ Amazon

Adidas running shoe deals

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As someone who lives in the UK, I’ve only really had cause to use the term ‘heat training’ ironically for most of my life. The very idea seems absurd when heading out for a run under cloudy skies in sub-70℉ (21.1℃) conditions, which is what we often call summer.

However, this year the UK is experiencing the longest and hottest heatwave of my life, and as someone who runs every day, adapting to and dealing with the heat has become a real part of my marathon training.

The temperature has been over 80℉ (26.6℃) on many of my runs for weeks, and it’s peaked at around 95℉ (35℃). As a result, I finally had the chance to test the CORE 2, a thermal sensor you can attach to a heart rate chest strap that monitors skin and body temperature and beams the info live to an app and wearables.

This sensor is often used by athletes trying to adapt to the heat, often before having to compete in scorching conditions. That’s not my main aim — hopefully it will have cooled off before the Frankfurt Marathon, which I'm running in late October — but I still found the data useful, and I picked up a lot of new knowledge about how heat affects the body, and there are benefits to heat training even if you plan to race in cold conditions.

Here are five things I learned running with the CORE 2 thermal sensor every day for a month.

Core temperature doesn’t always track with skin temperature

The CORE 2 sensor shows your core and skin temperature live — I added the Connect IQ data field for it so I could see these stats on my Garmin Forerunner 970.

Of these stats, core temperature is a stronger indicator of the state of your body during exercise and rises more consistently in line with effort and heat.

I was surprised to see how much skin temperature could fluctuate and even drop during activities, owing to factors like sweat and wind cooling the skin.

For example, on this 15-mile Sunday long run, my core temperature rose consistently throughout the workout, while my skin temperature dropped, and even during very hard workouts, my skin temperature might not be that high owing to profuse sweating.

I found this all fascinating, and it shows that you need to get in deep and get those core temperature readings to get useful insights into the body during workouts.

That’s not to say skin temperature sensors on wearables are useless — they are important for measuring skin temperature overnight, which can help predict illness and help track the menstrual cycle.

It takes time for the core to cool down after hard runs

On my hardest hot run with the sensor — an afternoon track workout in blazing sunshine — I hit a core body temperature of 101.8℉ (38.7℃). I also hit over 100℉ (37.7℃) on an easy run when the outside temperature was around 95℉ (35℃).

On both these occasions, I wore the sensor for a while after I hit this peak to see how long it takes to come down, and I noticed it took a while, even when I was jogging at an easy pace after the workout for my cool down.

After the workout, it took 50 minutes for my body to drop back down to its normal core temperature, even though I couldn’t feel that heat anymore.

The takeaway for me was to bear that in mind with my recovery and what I have planned straight after workouts. I used a cooling towel after another workout to help me drop my temperature, and it’s hard to beat a shower where you gradually lower the water temperature.

Get under tree cover when you can

I’m lucky enough to live by a big forest and for most of my runs during the heatwave I’ve been heading under tree cover, which I find makes a huge difference.

It was good to see that, backed up by the sensor data, most notably on the 95℉ (35℃) day, when I spent the first half hour on the road with no cover before heading into the forest. My core temperature rose sharply on the road but plateaued once I was in the forest, even though I felt like I was working harder on undulating trails.

The advice for running in the heat is always to do your runs early in the day and ideally in the shade, and using this sensor has driven that point home to me over the past month.

I can do a full hour in 85℉ (29.4℃) heat in the forest and stay in the lowest heat strain zone on the CORE 2 sensor, whereas if I’m exposed on the road, the same pace and heart rate quickly moves me into higher zones.

Easy efforts need to be scaled back

Captain Obvious will be the first to tell you that running is harder in the heat, so you need to adjust your pace, but once again, even as an experienced runner, I found it useful to have that data laid out before me during runs.

I’ve been running for over a decade, and I do know my body so I can run to feel pretty accurately, but I’m not accustomed to heat, and I did find the sensor useful in showing that easy runs needed to be scaled back to actually be easy, especially when the temperature was over 90℉ (32.2℃).

Having the data on my wrist meant that I could see if I strayed out of the lowest heat zone on an easy run and reduce my pace. I saved my heat adaptations for harder run days.

Heat acclimation takes dedication

The best use for the CORE 2 sensor is to monitor your response to heat training and help yourself acclimatize to it, especially ahead of tackling events in hot conditions.

That’s not really what I was using it for — I was just learning about how heat affects the body, and if anything, trying to avoid getting too hot — but I did think that running every day through a heatwave would boost my heat acclimation.

It turns out you have to really focus and work hard to do this, because I’m still ranked a ‘Thermal Rookie’ in the CORE app and only 4% acclimatized, because I have aimed to run under tree cover and early in the day when possible.

Only workouts directly in the sun really moved the needle for me on acclimatization, and if you're aiming to do this, you’ll have to work hard through dedicated sessions in hot conditions to push your body to adapt.

There are reasons to do this kind of heat training even if you plan to race in cool conditions, because it can also help improve things like your VO2max and lactate threshold, so I might start enjoying lie-ins and getting out for my runs in the sun.

More from Tom's Guide

• Rheon running shorts are being used by top road, track and trail runners — I spoke to an expert to find out more about the tech
• I tested shoes from 5 up-and-coming running brands — here are the ones worth your money
• No squats! I just tried this 8-minute chair workout, and it’s perfect for seniors, beginners, and anyone looking to build strength without impact

I search for Asics deals all the time, so I've seen a lot of them — good and bad. But right now the deals are especially great, since you can get Asics running shoes on sale from just $49.

I'm already seeing low stock warnings on some of these deals, so make sure to act fast if you want them! Note: Prices can vary depending on the size and color you choose. Check out any different color options in your size to find the best deals.

Quick Links

• shop all Asics deals on Amazon
• Asics Contend 9 Pre-School Running Shoes (Kids): was $55 now from $24
• Asics GT-1000 13 Running Shoes (Women's): was $109 now from $49
• Asics Versablast 4 Running Shoes (Women's): was $80 now from $69
• Asics Dynablast 5 (Men's): was $99 now from $74
• Asics Glideride Max (Men's): was $170 now from $79
• Asics Sonicblast (Men's): was $180 now from $94
• Asics Noosa TRI 16 Running Shoes (Women's): was $135 now from $99
• Asics Novablast 5 (Men's): was $160 now from $129

Asics Shoes

Whether you're training for a marathon, getting your daily steps in or heading back to school, having a pair of shoes that can keep up with your busy lifestyle is a must. Fortunately, Hoka is hosting an end of summer sale with up to 30% of the brand's best-selling sneakers like the Clifton 10, Challenger 8 and Speedgoat 6.

These performance-ready kicks are built for everything from casual walks to marathon miles — which means there's a style suitable for everyone. Even better? The brand has tons of great fitness apparel and athleisure wear on sale, too.

As one of our favorite fitness brands here at Tom's Guide, you'd be remiss not to check out these Hoka deals. Keep scrolling to see my favorites sneaker and apparel deals for the new season ahead.

Quick Links

• shop all Hoka deals
• Hoka Invisible Sock 3 Pk: was $32 now $22
• Hoka Elaro Crop Bra (Women's): was $56 now $39
• Hoka Skyflow Jacket (Men's): was $118 now $82
• Hoka Skyflow (Men's): was $160 now $112
• Hoka Clifton 9 GTX (Women's): was $165 now $132
• Hoka Transport GTX (Women's): was $175 now $140

Hoka Sneaker Deals

Hoka Apparel Deals

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Summer may be winding down, but the need for a fresh pair of sneakers is just getting started. From marathon season to back to school, there are plenty of reasons to lace up a new pair — especially with all the end of summer sales happening right now.

Whether you're hitting the trails, the pavement or the treadmill, top running brands like Hoka, Asics, Brooks and more are slashing the prices on best-selling running shoe styles by 50%. I've rounded up the best running shoe styles to shop this week, and they start at just $44.

So don’t wait! These top styles won’t be around forever. Keep scrolling to shop the best deals and find the perfect pair of sneakers to finish out summer and step into fall in style.

Note: prices vary depending on the size and color you choose; search the different color options available in your size to find the best deals.

Quick Links

• New Balance: up to 50% off
• Adidas: deals from $39
• Asics: deals from $54
• Brooks: up to 40% off
• Hoka: up to 30% off
• Nike: up to 30% off
• Saucony Tide 2 Trainer (Men's): was $100 now $66
• Asics Glideride Max (Men's): was $170 now $100
• New Balance FuelCell Trainer V3 (Women's): was $189 now $116
• Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (Men's): was $199 now $119

Best Skechers Deals

Best New Balance Deals

Best Asics Deals

Best Brooks Deals

Best Hoka Deals

Best Nike Deals

Best Saucony Deals

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Every runner is an individual with their own preferences in shoes. Some love super-squishy and soft cushioned shoes, while others prefer ultra-light and aggressively rockered trainers.

It can sometimes be difficult as a reviewer to pick out the best running shoes for everyone as a result, but I try to highlight sneakers that offer a bit more than their rivals in the same category, whether that’s better value, more fun, or a higher level of performance.

The poll feature at Tom’s Guide gives me a chance to get feedback on running shoes in general, and recently, I asked readers to vote on the brand they wear. After counting 380 votes, I was pleased to see a clear winner that aligned with what I’d voted for myself.

Which running shoe brand do you wear?

Asics actually got more votes than the next four brands combined, and for me that isn’t a surprise, because right now the Japanese brand has some of the best options in a wide variety of running shoe categories.

I’ve picked out my favorite Asics shoes below and also gone into why I think Puma is a brand people are sleeping on.

The poll is still open if you want to add your own vote to see if it shifts the results.

My top Asics running shoes

Whether you’re looking for one of the fastest carbon plate racers on the market or a cushioned shoe for easy runs, the Asics line-up has you well covered, and it also boasts the best all-rounder available in my view, which is the Asics Megablast.

The Megablast is very expensive, though, so the alternative most people might prefer is the Asics Novablast 6, one of my favorite shoes of 2026 so far. It’s a great cushioned daily trainer with a bit more punch for faster efforts than other Asics max-cushioned shoes, like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28, which I found relatively dull on the run.

For race day, Asics has three of the best super-shoes going. I’ve set PRs in the Asics Metaspeed Ray and Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, while some might prefer the Asics Metaspeed Edge Tokyo to the Sky — they’re similarly great shoes, with different ride feels.

Overall, the Sky would be my top pick in this category from Asics, even over the ultra-light Ray, which is pricier and very soft and unstable, so it might not suit everyone.

If you’re heading onto light trails and gravel paths, then the Asics Blazeblast is a shoe I thoroughly enjoyed testing this summer. It’s as comfortable as a cushioned road shoe with an outsole that offers better grip and durability when off-road.

Puma should be more popular

Looking at the rest of the results, the one that really stands out to me is how low Puma ranked. It’s understandable because for a long time Puma was not a force to be reckoned with for road running shoes, but that has all changed in recent years.

They have a smaller line-up than Asics but challenge for the top spot in a couple of key categories of running shoes.

The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 just edges out the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo as my top racer right now, while the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a great lightweight daily trainer to rival the Novablast 6 as perhaps the best new shoe of 2026.

Puma shoes tend to offer good value in general as well, and they crop up in sales regularly, so they deserve to be higher in the rankings in my view.

It was interesting to see "Other" do well — I’ve been testing shoes from a few up-and-coming brands this year, and some have been exceptional, most notably the Dynafish Xiaonian.

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I was sold on armless sunglasses from my first run using them, simply because the secure fit provided by the cord immediately rules out the biggest problem I have with running sunnies, which is that they bounce or slip down your nose when you get sweaty.

The only reason I haven’t been using the Ombraz Refugio more often since I first tested them is that I prefer to use prescription running sunglasses over contacts, so when the chance arose to try the Ombraz Teton with prescription lenses, I jumped at it.

I’ve run 200 miles in three weeks using the glasses, as well as using them for bike rides, strength workouts and general use. They don’t come cheap, but I’ve been highly impressed with the sunglasses — here are my likes and dislikes.

Like #1: The fit is rock solid and quick to adjust

The best running sunglasses have to provide a reliable fit to be of any use, and it’s not easy to find a design that fits every face using nosepads and sticky or adjustable arms.

Ombraz’s glasses sidestep these issues thanks to the cord that attaches directly to the frame, which you can tighten quickly and easily using the two toggles.

I found that I didn’t need to have the cord that tight for a bounce-free fit, even during my hardest runs. This means there was no pressure on the back or sides of my head, and I never had to push the Teton glasses back up during runs.

If you’re constantly frustrated by sunglasses slipping or bouncing during runs, especially on trails where I find downhills can make otherwise secure sunnies slip, then this armless design could be the answer.

A bonus of not having to constantly adjust the glasses during runs is that you don’t get sweaty fingerprints on the lenses.

Like #2: I haven’t had any fogging during runs

The Teton glasses have large flat lenses that don’t wrap close to the face. This is a downside in some respects, as I’ll come onto later, but it does mean there’s space for air to flow around them.

This means I’ve not noticed any fogging during hot, sweaty runs, even indoors on the treadmill, which can be another common problem with sports sunglasses.

Like #3: Photochromic prescription lenses are ideal for year-round use

I opted for photochromic lenses with the Teton glasses, which isn’t an option with every prescription Ombraz style but is well worth it for me as a runner in the UK who is regularly under tree and cloud cover.

The lenses darken quickly in the sun but are completely clear when running indoors on the treadmill and react rapidly when I train in my local forest, moving from sun to shadow and dappled light.

I’ve been testing the sunglasses during a heatwave and can also vouch for the fact that they are dark enough for me in bright sunlight, but if you are more focused on reducing glare and just blocking out the sun, other lens options might suit you better.

Like #4: They’re easy to pack

The corded style of the glasses means that they pack pretty much completely flat, and they come with a padded pouch to store them in.

I’ve been on a couple of trips while testing the glasses, and they slip easily into the side pocket of my rucksack and can be thrown into a suitcase without fear of damaging the arms, because there aren’t any.

Like #5: The style isn’t too sporty

While I like the look of very sporty wraparound sunglasses when I’m running, they’re not the best to use outside my training, whereas the Ombraz Teton are good-looking sunnies for general use that happen to be great for runs.

They are quite large, which is the case for most of the Ombraz line-up, but I like a larger style with my sunglasses.

Dislike #1: The price for prescription is much higher

Ombraz sunglasses don’t come cheap in general, but the $160 you pay for a standard set of the Teton isn’t really out of line with many top sunglasses brands.

However, if you do want to get prescription lenses, the price rises very sharply. You shop via Lens & Frame Co and the quality of the lenses is great, but the cost of the Teton rises to $420 for standard glasses, $520 for sunglasses, or $570 for photochromic lenses.

This kind of price rise for prescription sports sunglasses isn’t that uncommon, but there are great options I’ve tested that cost a lot less if you don’t need the cordless design, like Zenni Optical’s Zunnies line-up.

Dislike #2: They’re not full wraparound lenses

As I mentioned above, the flat lenses on the Teton mean they are easy to pack safely, but at times on the run, I noticed I had to turn to get a full view of things in my peripheral vision.

I often run on a bike path, for example, and have to turn my head right around to check that no one is coming up behind me, whereas wraparound styles give you a wider field of vision.

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If I had $1 for every time someone asked me for a running shoe recommendation, I’d still be here, but I’d be a lot richer. I test running shoes for a living and have done so for the past decade, so I know what I’m looking for from a race day shoe.

Last April I ran a PR at the London Marathon, crossing the finish line in 3:30:02 (let’s not talk about those three seconds). The shoes on my feet? The New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite V5 which are $161 at Amazon. That's $103 off their regular $264 price.

This shoe is likely on sale as New Balance just released the V6 version of it’s staple racing shoe, but don’t let this put you off. It’s still an excellent shoe to wear on race day, with a scooped carbon fibre plate to propel you forwards.

The shoe has New Balance’s 100% PEBA foam, which is the lightest and bounciest in the brand’s range, but compared to the ZoomX foam used in Nike’s Vaporfly, it still feels balanced and stable underfoot.

While I found the New Balance SC Elite V4 a lot more stable, I’ve never felt unstable in the V5. In fact, I find it a lot more stable than some of its competitors. While $163 still isn’t the cheapest of shoes, it’s a great price for a technical racing shoe, that’s bound to propel you to your next PR.