It’s been a stellar year for running shoes so far, and having tested most of the major new launches in 2025 I have several new favorites that have displaced shoes from last year in my affections.
Narrowing down my top three shoes from the 53 I’ve tested this year wasn’t easy, but there are some standouts that offer an unparalleled blend of value and performance that I’d certainly pick up myself.
I’ve gone for three shoes because while you can get by with just one running shoe to do everything, if you’re training most days and racing regularly, it’s worth having two or three shoes to call on.
For me, I’d pick up a cushioned daily trainer to cover my easy runs, a fast trainer to handle workouts, and then a specialist racer, which these days means buying one of the best carbon plate running shoes.
I’ve picked out the top shoes for those jobs below, but it’s worth bearing in mind that these are the shoes that suit my preferences best — I tend to prefer lighter, leaner shoes over max-cushioned cruisers — so if you want more a varied range of opinions, check out our collaborative guide to the best running shoes of the year.
Cushioned daily trainer — Puma Velocity Nitro 3
I’ve been a fan of the Velocity Nitro line from Puma since the original model, and the fourth version of the shoe is the best yet. It’s a comfortable cushioned shoe with a great outsole that makes racking up your easy miles more fun.
It’s not the most cushioned option available — lots of running shoes now have huge stacks of foam underfoot — but that’s one of the reasons I like it. The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is cushioned enough to be comfortable for me on runs of any length, but it’s a bit nimbler and lighter than max-stacked options, and the nitrogen-infused midsole foam delivers a lot of energy return at any pace.
The Velocity Nitro 4 is also great value, coming in cheaper than most rivals, and given how much I want to spend on my racing shoe, it’s definitely handy to save a bit of money on my cushioned daily trainer.
Fast trainer — Adidas Adizero Evo SL
I’ve waxed lyrical about the Adidas Adizero Evo SL many times this year, both in writing and in person — I’d say every runner I’ve met in 2025 knows how much I like this shoe. It’s my favorite shoe of 2025 so far and a lock for my rotation as a fast trainer that’s actually versatile enough to do easy runs and race in as well.
The Adidas Evo SL has a lightweight design with a midsole made from a springy foam called Lightstrike Pro, which is also used on Adidas' racing shoes. There’s no plate in the midsole, but the Evo SL does have a small plastic shank at the midfoot and quite a stiff ride and a sharp forefoot rocker, which help to move you along at speed during workouts.
You can ease off and run slowly in the shoe as well, though it’s not the most stable, and it has a comfortable upper and an outsole that’s been durable and gripped well for me.
Topping this all off is the fact the Adidas Evo SL is excellent value — the only shoes I’d consider rivals to it in terms of performance and versatility are the likes of the Asics Superblast 2 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, which cost far more.
Racing shoe — Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
Having picked two great value shoes for the rest of my rotation, I feel free to splurge on a racing shoe, which is good because carbon plate super-shoes do not come cheap.
This was the hardest call for me to make, because I rate the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo as highly as the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, but the Puma just edges it thanks to its incredibly efficient rockered design.
When running in the Fast-R 3 I’m always going faster than I think I am based on my effort level. That was true in the London Marathon, where it helped me hold on for a fast time as I struggled in the second half, and in a five-mile race where I set my personal record, as well as several training sessions.
It’s a great option for races of any distance, though some might find the ride a little too direct for the full marathon. The Puma Fast-R 3 has not been the easiest shoe to get hold of since launch, with the hype around it meaning it sells out quickly whenever stock does appear, but more drops are expected for the fall marathon season.
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