1 Brooks Glycerin 16
Neutral | Price: $150 | Weight: 11.0 oz (M), 8.8 oz (W)
Full Review
“This is a high-end neutral, everyday trainer,” says Hamilton. The Glycerin, in its sixteenth iteration, is Brooks’ top-of-the-line cushioned shoe. A new midsole compound (Brooks’ DNA LOFT) combines with a 3D Mesh Print upper for overall plushness.
2 Brooks Ghost 11
Neutral | Price: $120 | Weight: 10.2 oz (M), 8.4 oz (W)
Full Review
“For someone who trains in the Glycerin, maybe they want to race in the Ghost,” says Hamilton. “It’s considered a traditional trainer, but is a bit lighter than the Glycerin. This is a tried and true shoe, one of our best sellers.” Brooks’ BioMoGo combines with DNA Loft in the midsole, and engineered mesh upper envelopes feet.
3 On Running Cloud
Neutral | Price: $130 | Weight: 8.1 oz (M), 6.4 oz (W)
“This shoe tends to have a narrower fit, and works for people looking for more of a traditional racing shoe fit with a little more under the foot,” says Mick Gieskes of San Diego’s Milestone Running. On’s unique midsole (called CloudTec) features individual pods.
4 Hoka One One Clifton 5
Neutral | Price: $130 | Weight: 10.1 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
Full Review
“The best from the Hoka lineup,” says Gieskes. “A really solid bet.”
Adds Hamilton, “Comfortable and cushy, but super fast, with an engineered mesh upper. Hoka uses a different midsole and overall geometry that the traditional shoes, and different drop.” He adds that he’d be hesitant to switch someone who’s been running in a 12- or 10mm-drop shoe to a lower drop shoe too close to race day.
5 Nike Pegasus Turbo
Neutral | Price: $180 | Weight: 8.1 oz (M), 6.4 oz (W)
Full Review
“This shoe is absolutely amazing,” says Hamilton. Nike’s ZoomX midsole cushioning is seriously light with massive energy return, and the aerodynamic design inspires fast training.
6 Brooks Ravenna 9
Stability | Price: $110 | Weight: 9.8 oz (M), 7.8 oz (W)
“This is my number one pick for [the stability] category,” says Gieskes. “It has enough firmness to be really responsive, and it has the heel cushion and a tiny bit of support that’s gonna really be there for people who need it when they break down late in the race.”
7 Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18
Stability | Price: $120 | Weight: 9.7 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Full Review
“For a runner who needs a more traditional posting,” says Hamilton. “This shoe has a traditional drop, and a diagonal roll bar for more support.” This is Brooks’ long-standing, classic stability shoe.
8 New Balance 860v9
Stability | Price: $125 | Weight: TK oz (M), TK oz (W)
“Whenever your foot or arch needs that extra support, this shoe’s dual density post is there for it,” says Hamilton. New Balance’s TruFuse midsole withstands miles on end, and a dual-density post offers stability.
9 New Balance FuelCell Impulse
Speed | Price: $120 | Weight: 8.0 oz (M), 6.4 oz (W)
Full Review
“This shoe has a responsive feel and a safer stack height for most people,” says Gieskes. “It has a comfortable fit—an open toe box, snug heel, and has that performance feel without sacrificing too much cushion.” A bootie construction adds to the fast feel.
10 Nike Zoom VaporFly 4%
Speed | Price: $250
Full Review
“This shoe’s carbon fiber plate wrapped with React foam really propels you forward,” says Hamilton. “It’ll push you forward in the first mile, and still have that feel in the 26th mile.” This shoe is hard to get for a reason.
11 New Balance 1500v4
Speed | Price: $110 | Weight: 8.6 oz (M), 7.1 oz (W)
“The 1500 is a little more shoe than the 1400, with a little bit of posting for people moving away from traditional stability shoes to find something lighter,” says Gieskes. “It keeps them in a safety range as far as medial posting, and moves them into a shoe that is a little racier.”
12 Adidas Adizero Boston 7 Boost
Full Review
“The Adidas Boost compound is really unique in that it gives the foot cushion/protection, without flattening out over the course of the race, so the foot is not getting beat up,” says Hamilton. This shoe is built to go fast without packing out.
13 Adidas Adizero Adios 3
Speed | Price: $140 | Weight: 8.2 oz (M), 6.8 oz (W)
Full Review
“I personally like this shoe for going faster, being as light as possible, while still protecting my foot,” says Hamilton. “It’s my favorite lighter weight race day shoe for the marathon.”
