The German brand's flagship carbon shoe returns with an ambitious second version featuring a new design. The sole is cut out on the medial side, which creates a segmentation between the forefoot and the heel. According to testers, it doesn't change much; at worst, it can impact stability and the smoothness of the transitions.

The Adios Pro 2 midsole combines Lightstrike Pro foam with a carbon plate at the rear and Energy Rods at the front. The result is impressive and provides a smooth and bouncy ride. Adidas distinguishes itself from the competition with more classic propulsion, without the thunderous trampoline effect of the Nike Vaporfly or the Asics MetaSpeed Sky. It's a matter of preference, but this configuration may be more accessible to novice runners looking to dabble with their first carbon-fiber plate shoe. Plus, it makes the Adios Pro 2 more versatile to be comfortable at any pace.

The new upper with its Celermesh 2.0 is snugger and less spacious than the first version. However, runners note that the Adizero Adios Pro 2 runs a bit long for some, and the laces are difficult to adjust. In some cases, combined with the new cut-out design of the sole, it can affect stability and comfort over long distances.

Overall, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 remains one of the best carbon 'super shoes' on the market with its accessible configuration combining comfort and performance. It will appeal to any Adidas fan looking for a cutting-edge race day shoe to set a new Personal Best.

The Zinal is the brand new trail running shoe from Hoka One One. It excels on short and medium distances and moderately technical terrains, such as the famous Sierre-Zinal race.

This lightweight shoe (less than 250 g) uses Vibram Megagrip Litebase rubber on the inside for grip and ProFly cushioning on the inside for cushioning. The 4-mm lugs of the Zinal provide good grip on most surfaces, except perhaps muddy and slippery ground. The mesh upper features recycled materials and a gusseted tongue. The heel-to-toe drop of the shoe is 4 mm. Testers note that the lockdown is effective while leaving enough room around the toes not to feel too tight.

The Hoka One One Zinal is a shoe that offers good stability. The low profile allows for a good ground feel and optimal energy return but is comfortable enough to protect the foot. As such, the Zinal is especially suitable for speed workouts on easy to medium difficulty trails. It's ideal for short to medium distances (30km to 50km), but experienced athletes can also leverage it occasionally for ultramarathon running.

The star of Nike's running collection is back! This update to the OG carbon-fiber plate shoe doesn't feature many changes, except for a new upper received mixed reviews.

The stack is still high with 40 mm under the heel and 32 mm under the metatarsals (8 mm drop). The carbon plate and ZoomX foam provide soft, bouncy cushioning with a snappy toe-off to improve your performance and shave a few precious minutes off your personal best, especially over long distances like the marathon.

The upper of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next 2 is about comfort with an even more breathable mesh and more padding for a softer lockdown. The toe box is also wider to fit more feet. However, some testers were disappointed with the foot lockdown, which they felt was too imprecise for a racing shoe of this caliber.

Finally, the outsole offers a good grip even if the durability is still a delicate point—unfortunately, it's often the case with this type of shoe.

Overall, the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT 2 maintains its elite status. However, if you can find the first model reasonably priced, we see little reason to opt for this 2021 version.

Don't have time to read the complete review analysis? Here's what you need to know.

The Pegasus Trail 3 is Nike's max cushioned trail running shoe with a 31 mm heel stack height featuring Nike React foam. The ride feels good at any pace with a slight bounce.

The main improvement on this new version is the new upper that offers a more precise foot lockdown for more stability. In addition, the design is top-notch, like the Terra Kiger or the Wildhorse.

The main downside of this trail running shoe, as with its predecessors, is its grip: traction is not optimal on tricky terrain like mud. However, it does allow you to venture out onto the asphalt, making it a good door-to-trail option if you want to run on both surfaces.

In summary, the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is a very good comfortable, and versatile trail running shoe that's fun for most terrains but can fall short on technical ones.

Read the complete Nike Pegasus Trail 3 review analysis below for more information.

Don't have time to read the full review? Here's what you need to know.

The Asics Novablast 2 is a very good daily trainer. It builds on the good base of the Asics Novablast 1 and fine-tuned it to improve its surprisingly fun, soft, and bouncy configuration (especially in comparison to other traditional Asics running shoes).

The Asics Novablast 2 is a little heavier than the previous model but also more stable. The FF Blast foam delivers a very good, lively ride with a lot of ease and fluidity while the AHARPLUS outsole makes the shoe durable.

It has a medium stack height (30 mm under the heel) and moderate heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm, which is more versatile than the 10 mm of the previous version. Heavier than the Novablast 1, the Asics Novablast 2 remains in the sub-9.9 oz/280 g category, which is reasonable for daily running.

Their grip is good on the road and easy dry dirt trails but proves more tricky on wet surfaces. The soft ride of the shoe feels great, especially at intermediate paces, where this model shows its full potential.

In the opinion of many runners, it's a comfortable and reliable trainer for everyday use as a beginner or experienced runner that also works well for recovery days. However, its narrow platform doesn't make it an ideal choice for runners with overpronation.

Please read our complete review analysis of the Asics Novablast 2 for more information.

Don't have time to read the full review? Here's what you need to know.

After a somewhat disappointing version 13, the Brooks Ghost 14 returns with a configuration that offers a more responsive ride.

The Ghost comes with high-stack cushioning (31 mm under the heel, 19 mm under the forefoot), focusing on comfortable daily runs. It now uses DNA Loft foam (no more BioMoGo DNA, then) on the entire length of the midsole. The underfoot feel remains soft but delivers a slight bounce for a more lively ride.

The upper is softer and thinner with a good amount of stretch. The foot lockdown is relatively ample and unstructured. It will delight runners with wide feet but may not suit those who prefer a snugger fit.

Finally, the outsole is as sturdy as ever, with a thick rubber layer to protect the platform from abrasion. Also, the flexibility remains top-notch thanks to the Omega Flex Grooves and the segmented crash pad. The grip is also flawless.

In summary, the Brooks Ghost 14 is a real improvement over the 13 with a more responsive design that remains versatile and accessible to all. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced runner, the Ghost 14 is a sure choice. Just be careful if you need good stability and a very snug lockdown.

Please read our full review analysis of the Brooks Ghost 14 for more information.