Whether your weather is finally in a place where you don't have to put on 15 layers just to venture outside, or you're coming out of your post-quarantine hibernation and ready to get back into running, it's the perfect time to invest in a new pair of shoes.
That's where this guide comes in handy.
We gathered testers from all over the country, including veteran runners at ACTIVE, to extensively test the shoes in this guide. All of our testers put their shoes through a minimum of 20 running miles while paying attention to comfort, fit, weight, breathability, flexibility and ride.
From updates of old favorites that had our feet singing to new releases that will ensure you'll find something to motivate your miles well into summer, you're guaranteed to find a shoe you'll love. We know money might be tight, but if you can, treat yourself! You deserve it.
Page One: Adidas | Altra | Brooks | HOKA
Page Two: La Sportiva | Merrell | Mizuno | New Balance
Page Three: Nike | On | Salomon | Skechers | Under Armour
Adidas Ultraboost 21
Just when you thought Adidas' Ultraboost couldn't get any better, the 21 comes along and adds even more boost thanks to PrimeBlue, a recycled performance material that makes it feel like you're literally running on thin air. The heel has a snug fit, ensuring the shoe stays in place no matter what speed you're going, and helps provides stability to your run as well. Add in how lightweight it is, and our tester swears it's the most comfortable shoe on the market today.
Compared to past iterations, the Ultraboost 21 is slightly narrower and shorter thanks to the sock-like design, so if you like to have a little more room for your foot to spread out, we suggest sizing up or heading to a store to try it on before buying.
One Favorite Thing: "The sole makes you feel like you're walking on air. Add in how lightweight they are, and it's a winner!"
One Area for Improvement: "Add a heel loop for easy on and off. The tab on the heel works fine, but a loop would be a little easier to use."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: $180
Weight: 11.9 oz
Drop: 10 mm
Altra Provision 5
It's been interesting watching brands release stability shoes that aren't super stiff and over-engineered, and Altra's new Provision 5 does a nice job blending underfoot protection and a gentle amount of support with the cushion high-mileage trainers require. The foam midsole absorbs impacts nicely, and the full coverage rubber outsole is super durable and grippy on a wide range of surfaces. Running in a zero-drop shoe can take some getting used to, but runners will appreciate how the rocker helps facilitate a smooth stride, how the guide rails add a bit of support for pronators and how the toe box is plenty wide enough for the toes to splay without feeling too boxy.
It's not the snappiest nor the most responsive shoe, but with the moderate amount of cushioning and a highly customized fit thanks to the mesh upper and unique lacing system, it'll likely be a go-to for runners who are willing to compromise performance for niche high-mileage reliability and comfort.
One Favorite Thing: "I love the how the laces lock the foot down in place. There are two tabs on the inside of the shoe that extend higher than the others, and that adds to the 'wrap-around' feel."
One Area for Improvement: "I'd like to see a bit more structure in the heel. It's super soft and flexible, but I found I was looking for more support as I picked up the pace."
Type: Stability Road
Price: $130
Weight: 8.3 oz (women); 10.9 oz (men)
Drop: 0 mm
Buy Now: Coming soon!
Altra Timp 3
The Timp 3 is the maximum-cushion option from the Altra trail shoe family. The Quantic midsole adds good responsiveness that allows this shoe to perform in all trail situations while still being comfortable enough to take on the road. The shoe fits true to size, and the extra wide toe box provides comfort even for runners who typically opt for a wide fit shoe.
There are a few unique additions that help the Timp 3 stand out. First: The elastic band across the middle of the shoe allow you to tuck in the laces and not worry about them getting tangled or snagged on rough trail terrain. Plus, the Velcro strap on the back and clip in the front allows for the addition of gaiters for those looking to tackle even then messiest conditions. Overall, this shoe will surprise you with its comfort and is versatile enough to handle anything from bad trail conditions to typical training days.
One Favorite Thing: "The extra cushion in the midsole was a positive surprise. This shoe will work for long road runs and any type of trail condition."
One Area for Improvement: "The high stack takes a little time to get used to. For a true trail shoe, I would sacrifice a little midsole cushion to keep the shoe closer to the ground."
Type: Neutral Trail
Price: $140
Weight: 8.7 oz (women); 10.7 oz (men)
Drop: 0 mm
Altra Lone Peak 5
In the Altra lineup, there can only be one best seller, and you're looking at it! Back to celebrate its 10 year anniversary, the Lone Peak 5 proves that with age comes wisdom and a scroll of innovations that will keep its lineage reigning. Known for being snappy yet soft and cushioned, the Lone Peak 5 has adopted the same AltraEGO midsole found in the brand’s popular road models and paired it with the latest MAXTRAC rugged outsole. A proven combination like this assures its wearer can take on miles of any terrain swiftly and even more comfortably.
Also new to the Lone Peak is a feather-light stone guard that has been integrated into the shoe's insole and mapped to offer thicker protection for areas that make the most contact and thinner in areas that don't need the extra bulk. Its upper has turned the corner into a new decade as well, and flaunts a modern design with upgraded engineering that replaced the former mesh with laser cutouts throughout to offer the best drainage and breathability for even the wettest of conditions. Last but certainly not least, for the first time the Lone Peak is available in wide sizes, truly making it a shoe for all foot shapes while setting a higher standard for the next era.
One Favorite Thing: “I'm super impressed with the outsole and the upper! After running through ample mud, I was surprised at how little of it stuck to the bottom of my shoe compared to my friends'.”
One Area for Improvement: “This is very minor, but even though the pull tab was enhanced this time around, it would be nice to have a slightly bigger one or stiffer heel cup so I can get it on easier without it collapsing.”
Type: Neutral Trail
Price: $130
Weight: 9.2 oz (women); 11.1 oz (men)
Drop: 0 mm
Brooks Launch 8
The Brooks Launch 8 is a quick, lightly cushioned shoe and a great update on the extremely stiff 7s. Increased breathability in the new air mesh upper is more flexible and makes for a shoe great for all kinds of weather. It doesn't get waterlogged, even in shin-deep puddles, and performed well in snow, too.
Runners with injury concerns may want to stick to shorter, speedier work, but those who don't need extensive cushioning should be happy with this pair at longer distances. The Launch 8 shed a few tenths of an ounce off the 7s, and the difference is noticeable. The shoe would make a good race shoe for beginning and intermediate runners looking for a little extra spring in their step on race day.
For runners that prefer a little extra support on their runs, Brooks' Launch 8 comes in a stability version as well—the Launch 8 GTS.
One Favorite Thing: "They're so light. I noticed it the moment I picked up the shoe box."
One Area for Improvement: "I know the cushion of the early Launch iterations was sacrificed for lightness, but I could still do with a touch more so I could wear this pair for longer runs."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: $100
Weight: 7.9 oz (women); 8.6 oz (men)
Drop: 10 mm
Brooks Glycerin 19
One of the most popular trainers on the market, the Glycerin line of shoes from Brooks is one all runners should try at some point. This year is a great place to jump in, since for 2021, Brooks ever-so-slightly updated the DNA Loft midsole to be even smoother and springier than previous iterations. It runs the entire length of the sole, meaning the beloved heel-toe transition is about as smooth as it gets, and it offers an impressive level of protection from the abuse of running on pavement for longer distances without feeling sloppy or too deadening.
The beloved seamless upper returns for the 19s as well, and the fit is both supportive and highly customizable without being too restrictive. These shoes feel like a reliable broken-in training shoe straight out of the box—and that's a really, really good thing that's rare in the running industry.
For runners that prefer a little extra support on their runs, Brooks' Glycerin 19 comes in a stability version as well—the Glycerin 19 GTS.
One Favorite Thing: "It was my favorite part last year and it's my favorite part again this year: the DNA Loft midsole. I'm not sure how they did it, but it's smoother than ever before, and still has that springy feeling I love."
One Area for Improvement: "It's on the cusp of being too flexible. This didn't deter me from falling in love with it, but if you need a bit more support, go with the GTS."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: $150
Weight: 9 oz (women); 10.2 oz (men)
Drop: 10 mm
HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X 2
The anticipated return of HOKA's record-breaking Carbon X is here and dares to challenge the status quo of racing shoes. In a world where price tags predict PRs, the Carbon X 2 proves you can "go the distance, go there fast" and still keep your money in the bank!
With a propulsive combination of an early stage meta rocker and curved carbon fiber plate, this shoe was geared for smooth speed and aids the wearer in turning up the cadence with less effort. Remixing the first iteration, HOKA harmoniously balanced performance with comfort this time around. Buffering the wearer from the stiffness of the now lower-placed carbon plate, the Carbon X 2 comes fully loaded with an amplified amount of softer cushioning in the midsole, and the entire collar of the shoe has been infused with fan favorites: a stiff heel cup, new "elf ear" pull tab to alleviate pressure on the Achilles tendon and perfectly positioned padding around the edge to prevent rubbing and blisters. Even the shoe's upper has been reimagined with an airy mesh, gusseted thin tongue (which is now reflective for those that train and race in the dark!) and a lacing structure that straps-in the wearer for the accelerated miles ahead.
Best of all, this shoe's best-kept secret lies in its versatility. Whether you're a midfoot striker or land on your heels, a shoe hoarder or a runner with a tight budget, want to get to the finish line as fast as possible or take your time on the course, this shoe is built with a variety in runners in mind and is set on eliminating the competition as your new go-to trainer and racer.
One Favorite Thing: "The ease of turning over and keeping a quick cadence is why I will continue to lace these shoes up for long runs."
One Area for Improvement: "I have come to really love the style of the notched and gusseted tongue in many of HOKA's other models, but I feel like this one could have just a tiny bit more padding underneath to keep it from shifting."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: $180
Weight: 7.0 oz (women); 8.4 oz (men)
Drop: 5 mm
HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5
If you liked the Arahi 4 and have been a fan of this series, you'll love the updates HOKA rolled out on the Arahi 5. It still has a similar look and feel, but it's more refined in the best ways possible. The upper has been redesigned and has a more customizable fit that toes the line nicely between comfort and support. Plus, it has a cool new Achilles heel collar that helps get the shoe on easier and relieves some of the rubbing/pressure some runners might have felt in previous models.
The updated midfoot cushioning is some of the best we've tried in a stability trainer, and combined with the J-Frame technology, it's "just stiff enough" to provide the support over-pronators require while still promoting a heathy rocker and toe-off through the stride. The Arahi 5 continues to be suited for longer distance efforts, and with its lightweight build, ample cushioning and relatively affordable price tag, it's a worthy contender.
One Favorite Thing: "This redesigned upper stands out as it feels more supportive and snugger around the midfoot without being confining."
One Area for Improvement: "This shoe is so good that I'm getting really nit-picky here—the laces are way too long. This can easily be remedied by replacing them with a shorter set, though."
Type: Stability Road
Price: $130
Weight: 7.8 oz (women); 9.7 oz (men)
Drop: 5 mm
HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 3
The HOKA Gaviota 3 delivers on comfort, stability and surprisingly, style. With tons of protection, it's made for overpronators who enjoy longer-distance runs. The "J-Frame" adds this stability, but since it's made with softer rubber, it's not as stiff as other stability shoes on the market. It is, after all, a maximal running shoe, so there's lots of material between your foot and the pavement. In fact, the Gaviota 3 boosts an additional two millimeters of foam compared to previous models. This can sometimes feel bulky, but HOKA does a great job pairing the wider base (particularly in the heel) with a fluid rocker that helps promote a smooth heel-toe transition.
It isn't the quickest shoe out there, but it's not designed to be—what you're getting is a reliable, long-distance running shoe that takes a beating so that your arches, ankles and knees don't have to. Even through it's not exceptionally sleek looking, HOKA has thoughtfully made it as stylish as possible, including color palates and accents on the uppers that you'll feel confident showing up wearing on your next group run.
One Favorite Thing: "The extra cushion. It's really nice to have a plush pair of shoes for long runs and recovery runs on the road. After suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, the plushness makes my feet happy."
One Area for Improvement: "It'd be nice to see these same features applied to a shoe with a thinner sole. The wide base kept me from feeling like I was going to topple over, but I don't love feeling like I am running so high off the ground."
Type: Stability Road
Price: $160
Weight: 9.30 oz (women); 11.30 oz (men)
Drop: 5 mm
Check out more shoes on page two!
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