2016 Running Gear Guide: Road Shoes

$170, Hokaoneone.com

Impossibly light for a shoe with
as thick of a midsole as it has, the Vanquish 2 is remarkably flexible and offers a nice mix of soft landings and energetic toe-offs, especially at moderate to fast paces. Not only is it considerably lighter than the previous edition (almost 2 full ounces lighter per shoe), it also rides more smoothly and is more responsive than the original. It still features a cradle design in which the foot and interior structure of the shoe are encased on the sides and bottom by a durable two-layer foam shell. Given the thickly cushioned chassis, a sense of ground-contact propriocep- tion and agility are understandably less in this shoe, but that becomes irrelevant once you find your groove out on the run. our testers found it best for long runs, progression runs and tempo runs, although it is still more than adequate for slower recovery runs—even though it doesn’t feel quite as smooth or responsive. “This shoe was a blast,” said one wear-tester. “It is one of the most responsive shoes I’ve ever run in. It sets the standard for energy return in a running shoe.”
weights: 9.8 oz. (men’s), 8.3 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 5mm; 32mm (heel), 27mm (forefoot)

$180, Adidas.com

This shoe will certainly put a spring in your step. Adidas’ super-resilient Boost midsole foam continues to draw rave reviews, even in a maximally cushioned stability shoe. Although not a lightweight shoe, the Ultra Boost ST serves up an incredibly energetic ride—it’s very responsive, but not uncontrollably bouncy—and ideal for long training runs. The stability comes from a thermoplastic medial side support and an external heel counter that help secure the rear- foot upon impact. The multi-density knit upper is soft and flexible against the foot, offering a blend of dynamic support, comfort and breathability. “I felt like I was running in a cartoon in these shoes, and I’m talking about how efficient and effortless it felt,” said one wear-tester.
weights: 11.1 oz. (men’s), 9.8 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 28mm (heel), 20mm (forefoot)

$150, Newbalance.com

In a word, this shoe is plush! Our wear-testers loved the thick cushioning, comfortable interior and stable ride of this high-mileage workhorse, while also noting its slightly wider footprint and locked-down fit. This is the first edition of the neutral-oriented 1080 to have New Balance’s innovative Fresh Foam midsole material. The contour and shape of that midsole is derived from gait-pattern data from a wide range of runners. The data allows shoe designers to create a shoe with more flow, smoothing the foot’s transition between touchdown and takeoff. It’s real science at work, but you won’t need to worry about that while you’re running. All you’ll feel is the easy-riding comfort, luxuriously soft landings and reliable smoothness in every stride. One of the other biggest changes to this shoe is the addition of flex grooves in the midsole and outsole that help increase flexibility and adds to the smoother heel-toe transition. This edition of the 1080 also has a new engineered mesh upper that offers both greater flexibility, breathability and comfort, while an interior bootie fit system helps keep the foot in place.
weights: 10.3 oz. (men’s), 8.5 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 29mm (heel), 21mm (forefoot)

$100, Nike.com

Much like the first edition, this flyweight trainer offers an amazing mix of lightweight performance and resilient cushioning. The full-length Lunarlon foam midsole/outsole chassis offers enough softness and protection
for marathon-length runs in a svelte package that’s sufficiently agile and responsive for interval workouts and short races. The engineered
mesh upper has been tweaked slightly, offering more structure/support (in conjunction with the arch-wrapping internal bootie), while still offering optimal forefoot flex and comfort. It’s light, it’s 
fast and the dynamic cushioning makes it very versatile. The one knock against it is that lacks
any inherent stability, so it’s only for strong, neutral runners. Believe it or not, this shoe dropped $10 in price from the first version.
weights: 7.5 oz. (men’s), 6.0 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 22mm (heel), 14mm (forefoot)

$140, Underarmour.com

Lightweight and low to the ground, this shoe fits like a sock and serves up a “barefoot” type of feel and ride. The unique, integrated insole is both soft to the touch and provides
a modicum of a pillow-top quality, while the cutting-edge multi-zone compression engineered knit upper offers comfort and support where it’s needed. Inside the midsole, a Y-shaped plate between two different types of foam recoils as the shoe flexes, releasing a burst of responsive energy as the foot lunges forward at toe-off. The combination of lightweight design, flexibility and the perfect amount of cushioning for the road really energizes your stride. It provides enough cushioning to protect from the urban environment yet not so much that you’ll feel like you’re leeching energy into the cushioning.
weights: 7.5 oz. (men’s), 5.9 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 7mm; 21mm (heel), 14mm (forefoot)

$130, Brooksrunning.com

Cushioning, energy return and ground feel come together in the one crazy-flexible shoe. With a completely decoupled midsole/ outsole undercarriage, the Neuro can respond to both strike force and external forces—think uneven ground—for smooth running. Its unique undercarriage design features a perimeter of pods with soft centers and firmer, more supportive frames, allowing this neutral shoe to offer shock-absorbing comfort with a touch of stability. A unique interior “hammock” supports the foot from below while a pliable upper wraps the foot from above. It feels like a modern version of a “barely there” minimalist shoe that offers a touch more cushioned, supportive and energetic responsiveness. It’s hard to categorize this shoe, but it’s more flexible than any shoe we’ve tested.
weights: 9.6 oz. (men’s), 7.8 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 25mm (heel), 17mm (forefoot)

$100, Topoathletic.com

This small, upstart brand develops shoes based on three principles aimed at creating a more natural-feeling ride: a lightweight construction, a roomy toe box and a low heel-to-toe offset (or a flat profile). Specifically made for faster workouts and racing, the Tribute is one of its most minimally designed shoes yet; it feels super light, but it doesn’t feel like a fragile, “barely there” shoe. That is achieved through a sleek design that has just enough foam and rubber underfoot to offer protection from the ground without reducing the feel for it, plus an amazingly light and lithe upper. Needless to say, it’s amazingly flexible and quite energetic. The wide toebox is uncanny, but it definitely gives room for the toes to splay. “It’s not a shoe I’d run a lot of miles in, but I had fun doing a fartlek workout in it,” said one tester.
weights: 7.2 oz. (men’s), 6.1 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 0mm; 16mm (heel), 16mm (forefoot)

$175, Newtonrunning.com

Although there were some minor changes to this featherweight neutral trainer, the reliable Newtonian ride is similarly light, efficient and energetic as the previous version—only better. The fifth edition of the Gravity has a revamped upper made from an improved engineered mesh aimed at reducing friction and hot spots while still allowing for maximum breathability and durability. A new anatomically formed insole creates a more sculpted fit in the forefoot, enhancing the cushioning and ride as the foot travels through the gait cycle. A new, pre-molded heel counter, anatomically formed midsole and a stay-in-place tongue design are other key updates. If you like running in Newtons—or even if you never have—you’ll find this to be a smartly refined trainer.
weights: 8.1 oz. (men’s), 6.7 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 3mm; 28mm (heel), 25mm (forefoot)

$110, Saucony.com

Don’t worry, Kinvara lovers, Saucony has only subtly tweaked this lightweight neutral trainer, and the changes are all for the better. Most notably, the new Kinvara has an additional layer of next-generation Everrun 
foam in the heel that helps absorb impact and, our testers thought, adds a touch of rearfoot stability. There’s a new outsole pattern aimed at
a smoother, forward-focused flex and a few more patches of rubber for added durability. Despite the changes, this shoe retains the consistently soft, smooth and very flexible ride it’s always had. It’s still super light, plenty soft and extremely versatile for strong-legged, efficient runners. Use it for short, fast speed sessions or take it for the long run. Some wear-testers thought it was too soft, but those who liked it generally loved it.
weights: 7.7oz. (men’s), 6.6 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 4mm; 22mm (heel),18mm (forefoot)

$100, Zootsports.com

The brand known for triathlon gear and its surf-oriented Southern California style continues to make a shoe for the heartland. The second edition of this easy-riding neutral trainer is even better than the award-winning original. The biggest changes are its updated heel construction that secures the foot better and a new, more breathable and flexible upper that helps create a snazzier fit. It retains the luxurious blend of softness, snappy responsiveness and just enough inherent stability from the injection-molded midsole, making it a versatile, smooth-running everyday trainer with a little bit of kick to it. It has a plus, seamless interior that will tempt you to wear it barefoot—and then you might never wear socks again! This is a solid trainer at any price, but at $100 it’s an amazing bargain.
weights: 9.5 oz. (men’s), 8.5 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 28mm (heel), 20mm (forefoot)

$100, Newbalance.com

The original Zante turned heads (and won awards) last year for its connective feeling between foot and ground. This year’s version has been improved with a better fit around the arch. Although it remains a lightweight, nimble trainer, the second iteration of the Zante is slightly more cushioned with a slightly thicker outsole than the first. (The outsole also has more flex grooves to aid its flexibility.) The changes add to the shoe’s functional versatility and mileage range without losing any of its hi-rev performance attributes. our wear-testers reported that it had
a somewhat narrow and very athletic demeanor, but liked it because it wasn’t merely a speed shoe. “It’s not a shoe I’d take out on a 20-miler, but it certainly has the cushion and the energy for workouts and longer tempos,” one tester said.
weights: 8.6 oz. (men’s), 7.1 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 6mm; 23mm (heel), 17mm (forefoot)

$150, on-running.com

Upstart Swiss brand on Running has been evolving its innovative and meticulously designed “cloud” cushioning system for several years to great acclaim. The underfoot nodules of the Cloudsurfer are tuned for neutral performance and the semi-firm feeling gives it a penchant for quick-cadence running. The upper is made from an intricate combination of materials engineered to provide comfort, support and fluid flexibility from touchdown to toe-off. The shock absorption of the Cloudsurfer is outstanding so you won’t hesitate to use the shoe on long outings or on days when your legs feel trashed but you still want to eke out another training run. Our wear-testers loved the ride of this shoe, especially those who had never worn on Running shoes before.
weights: 10.1 oz. (men’s), 8.4 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 7mm; 27mm (heel), 20mm (forefoot)

$110, Brooksrunning.com

Brooks updated the midsole and upper of this lightweight neutral cruiser but it retained the uninhibited, natural ride of previous editions. The new midsole compound is lighter, very energetic and engineered to adapt to your specific gait pattern, while the new seamless 3D-printed upper and wrap-around collar envelopes the foot for a near-custom fit. (It has a narrow fit and that makes it feel even more snug, but it’s worth noting that some of our wear-testers preferred running in it sockless.) It’s more flexible than the previous version (a feature that only adds to the unencumbered sensation and proprioceptive “feel” for the ground), but it does have a more substantial feel in the forefoot too. It’s not the shoe for everybody—partially because it has a decidedly narrow fit and feel.
weights: 9.2 oz. (men’s), 7.8 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 4mm; 24mm (heel), 20mm (forefoot)

$110, Mizuno.com

Sometimes a shoe falls between two traditional categories, and this one is definitely an interesting ’tweener. Mizuno serves up a nice mix of stability and lightweight performance in this versatile, new everyday trainer. It’s lighter and faster than most high-mileage trainers, but it’s also more durable and stable than most performance trainers. (It’s somewhat of a blend of Mizuno’s Sayonara and Elixir shoes.) The key element of this shoe is the plastic Wave plate in the midsole that is tuned to offer a little bit of structure. It has a fairly low-to-the-ground design, but it’s still a well-balanced trainer with just enough cushioning and protection for long road runs. The bottom line is that it offers a touch of responsiveness with enough cushioning. “This is a great do-everything shoe,” said one wear-tester.
weights: 9.4 oz. (men’s), 8.0 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 10mm; 26mm (heel), 16mm (forefoot)

$160, Asics.com

As cliché as it sounds, like a good bottle of wine, this shoe keeps getting better with age. As with previous versions, the Kayano is a plushly appointed and robustly structured stability shoe. Known for its comfortable fit and amazing step-in feel, this version continues that trend—enhanced this year by a multi-layer engineered mesh upper and a cushier footbed— while also offering relentless medial-side support from an updated external heel counter and the three-layer foam and GEL midsole package. The Kayano isn’t going to be the lightest or fastest shoe in your quiver, but it does offer a bit of responsive bounce-back in every stride. The bottom line is that it’s a comfortable and reliably stable workhorse that can help you through the long miles of training with comfort and ease.
weights: 11.2 oz. (men’s), 9.7 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 10mm; 28mm (heel),18mm (forefoot)

$120, Brooksrunning.com

A workhorse of a training shoe for marathoners and half marathoners, the Ravenna offers a great blend of soft cushioning and subtle (but effective) stability—something most runners need during the second half of a long training run or race. The latest incarnation has been smartly upgraded with a better upper (thin TPU bands welded to the mesh have 
been adjusted slightly and the midfoot saddle strapping is more connected to the rear of the foot) and slight but significant changes to the chassis (a less rigid medial post and new outsole rubber configurations). Our wear-testers found that it runs smoother and more comfortably with an easier flex pattern and slightly more lively forefoot—both factors that make it a more well-rounded and versatile trainer.
weights: 10.9 oz. (men’s), 8.7 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 10mm; 26mm (heel), 16mm (forefoot)

$125, Altrarunning.com

Altra continues to make waves with its zero-drop (level platform) shoes that feature a more roomy toe box with the reasoning that they let the foot move and flex naturally and uninhibited inside the shoe. Other innovative features of this moderate stability shoe are the canted geometry of the midsole—a built-in wedge makes it slightly higher on the medial side of the foot—and three-pod balancing system aimed at offsetting overpronation and providing the most stable ride possible. Our testers appreciated that the latest version is a bit more supportive and has a tad more cushioning than the previous one. This shoe has a stiffer flex pattern and feels a bit firm in the heel, but it is luxuriously soft in the forefoot. “It’s a very stable shoe but doesn’t get in the way of my feet,” said one wear-tester.
weights: 9.8 oz. (men’s), 8.3 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 0mm; 25mm (heel), 25mm (forefoot)

$120, Goskechers.com

Although Skechers entered the performance running category with lightweight, low-to-the-ground models, it’s now venturing into shoes with more structure. The Forza is a well-balanced, high-mileage stability trainer 
with a modern rendition of a medial post that’s integrated into the softer layer of foam from the heel to the forefoot, a sleek, seamless upper and a slightly wider footprint. It’s a super-sturdy shoe, but all of that stability and support is hidden in a comfortable, smooth-riding cruiser that even has a touch of responsiveness. It’s the shoe Kara Goucher has been training in, which makes sense since she played a role in developing it. Regardless of the weight, it’s a shoe that runs a lot lighter than it feels out of the box. “The best Skechers has ever made,” one wear-tester gushed.
weights: 10.8 oz. (men’s), 8.2 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 30mm (heel), 22mm (forefoot)

$160, Saucony.com

A year after unveiling a dynamic new upper and fit system, Saucony has revolutionized the Hurricane stability shoe again with an innovative new foam called Everun—a patent-pending material that distributes impact energy over a larger area than EVA-based foams and, as a result, offers both reliable cushioning and amazing resiliency. The foam has been inserted into the lateral part of the heel and the topsole (essentially the top of the strobel board under the sockliner), and the combination makes for an opulent step-in feel and crazy good ride that’s part impact-dampening smoothness and part energetic awesome sauce. It’s a reliable stability shoe, but it feels like 
a foot massage when you lace it up. “I did a long run in these and I didn’t want to take them off when I was done,” said one wear-tester.
weights: 10.7 oz. (men’s), 9.2 oz. (women’s)
heel-toe offset: 8mm; 30mm (heel), 22mm (forefoot)