The Best Running Shoes: The Ultimate 2020 Ranking

The Salomon Sonic 3 Balance was only recently launched in spring, 2020, but has consistently received high praise from runners since that time. Designed with an extra "bounce" from the Optivibe midsole — which equates to high energy return — as well as a JPAD component, it aims to reduce vibrations and, thus, muscle fatigue for quicker recovery time. This makes it an ideal all-round shoe especially suitable for long runs. The upper mesh design provides optimal breathability and lends itself to a sleek, attractive appearance that simultaneously molds to the foot. The Balance is also designed with the runner's comfort in mind, with a lightly-padded heel and Ortholite insole that keeps the foot secure while running longer distances. As a bonus, it is also designed for a wider variety of foot shapes and sizes than other Salomon shoes, which tend to run narrow in the toe box. Speaking of long-distance training, runners who have tried the Balance rave about its restorative comfort and padding. After intense training sessions, many users of the shoe remarked that that didn't suffer from muscle aches, thanks to the protection and cushioned offered by the shoe. Such reviews can sometimes seem a bit anecdotal but in the case of the Balance, we do see a clear pattern that suggests that the shoe does provide great comfort. There were only a few downsides noted by runners, among them being a bit of rigidness in the design of the shoe (runners stated that they would prefer more flexibility) and heel heaviness. Also, some noted a lack of tongue padding, which causes tightly-laced shoes to dig into the ankle as opposed to cradling it comfortably. According to some runners, the weight of the shoe, although reasonable for a cruiser of this kind, contributed to less-smooth transitions, which weren't ideal for sprinting or faster paces. Overall, the Sonic 3 Balance makes a very good selection for runners seeking durability, foot security, a sleek design, and ample padding to absorb shock and vibration.

The Japanese brand continues to re-imagine its great classics to make them more sleek and modern. Thus, after the Nimbus Lite, here's the Asics Gel Kayano Lite, a new version of the famous stability shoe worn by generations of overpronators.

What strikes immediately, besides the flashy colors, is the more streamlined design of the shoe. It weighs 1 oz/28 g less than the Kayano 27, and this is felt, according to the testers. This model is still intended for overpronation, but it offers a more discreet correction: stability is ensured by the wide platform rather than by a hard piece that locks-in the foot in the shoe to prevent it from rolling. According to the testers, this makes the Kayano Lite suitable for more people, including runners without pronation problems.

The sole has a stack height of 31 mm under the heel (33 mm for women), and 21 mm under the forefoot (10 mm heel to toe drop for men and 12 mm for women) but uses a single density foam supplemented by a GEL unit in the front. Cushioning is comfortable overall, but testers noted that the shoe requires a break-in period to really reveal its full potential. Indeed, the platform is firm and rigid at first, but it gets better after a few runs. However, even after that, the cushioning is far from snappy, making the Kayano Lite a shoe primarily designed for daily workouts at slow to moderate speed.

As for the rest, the upper is simple and offers a great snug, plush, and effective foot lockdown. Some runners found the laces and tongue a bit inconvenient, but overall the fit is near perfect. The same goes for the outsole: covered with large rubber pieces, it provides good traction and makes the platform durable. Let's also praise Asics' efforts in sustainability: the upper and midsole mainly use ecological materials.

To summarize, the Asics Gel Kayano Lite is a very good running shoe that offers a stable, modern, lighter, and environmentally friendly configuration. Only its initial stiffness and somewhat dull cushioning disappoint a little.

The Nike Air Zoom Winflo 6 is a stability road shoe. This 2019 version embraces the bold new tapered design of the Nike running shoe range. The shoe looks just like the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 except for its much heavier weight: 312 grams for men and 255 grams for women. Indeed, the Winflo 6 has stability features that make it somewhat heavier. It should be noted that the effectiveness of this type of correction in reducing the risk of injury is not proven by science (read our article for more information). These stability technologies can nevertheless be comfortable in some cases, which is the most important criterion when choosing running shoes. Overall, the Nike Air Zoom Winflo 6 offers great comfort which can make it a shoe of choice if you find the support of the Pegasus insufficient. It's a versatile shoe that will suit all types of workouts. In short, a very good road shoe for runners who are looking to stabilise their overpronation.

We have just unpacked the first model, and Brooks is already back with a second version! The Hyperion Elite had received mixed reviews, with many criticizing its firm and dull cushioning. Also, durability wasn't there—the brand itself admitted that the shoe had a lifespan of 150 km (!). Brooks seems to have corrected this by reinforcing the sole with more rubber. Without being sturdy, the testers note that this new model should withstand more kilometers than the first one.

The Cushioning has softened and offers greater bounce. The sole is 37 mm thick under the heel with an offset of 8 mm. Brooks has replaced the short-lived DNA Zero foam with DNA Flash, which translates into an even more densely compressed texture to promote a more explosive energy return while running. And, of course, there's the carbon plate to guide runners to a smoother, faster run that requires less effort. Reviewers found the result convincing. They especially appreciated the stable and wide configuration of the platform. Without providing the same level of bounce as some of its competitors like the Nike Alphafly or the Saucony Endorphin Pro, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 puts on a good show. The ride is something very personal, so it's a shoe that could appeal to athletes who didn't like these other models.

Moving on to the upper, the stretch woven mesh is comfortable and well ventilated while providing precise foot lockdown. Moreover, it is remarkably roomy to please runners with wider feet. However, despite these pros, some testers did not like certain details. For example, the heel now features a moderately thick layer that some runners found irritating to the tendon. Similarly, the thin tongue tends to move while running, which is not convenient.

Overall, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 is a clear step up over the first model. Its comfort and springy cushioning make it a great running shoe for competition despite some flaws.

The Mizuno Wave Ultima 11 is a road shoe that offers more cushioning than the brand's other flagship model, the Wave Rider 23. The Ultima 11 features a 32 mm thick outsole with a 12 mm heel to toe drop. Cushioning is comfortable and offers an excellent running feel. The shoe is versatile and, therefore, suitable for all types of workouts. It was the official shoe of the Amsterdam Marathon in 2019 and is therefore designed especially for long road distances. However, despite good general comfort, it's a rather heavy shoe with 320 grams for men and 265 grams for women. Also, the toe area is a bit tight and might not be suitable for runners with wide feet. All in all, the Mizuno Wave Ultima 11 is a good, comfortable, reliable, and versatile road shoe despite its stocky build.

The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 3 is comfortable stability shoe with moderate cushioning and roomy upper. Overall, runners have been quite pleased with this new model of the Ultrafly collection. While the stack height of the Ultrafly 3 has been increased by 2 mm, the shoe is actually even more lightweight than previously with 269 g/9.49 oz for men and 238 g/8.40 oz for women. The additional cushioning throughout really molds to the foot for added stability and comfort. Let's note here that the Ultrafly 3 is a stability shoe with a moderate level of correction for overpronation, which makes it suitable for all runners. Testers also greatly appreciated the fabulous upper-shoe padding and mesh design, which has been described as "transcendent". The shoe's toe box is also pleasantly roomy and pliable to accommodate a variety of foot types, setting it apart from running shoes with a narrow design that may be uncomfortable for those with wider feet. This is one of the signature characteristics of Topo Athletic who aims to craft simple, no-nonsense, and sturdy running shoes. Lastly, the tongue of the Ultrafly 3 is another superb aspect of the shoe's design, providing just enough cushioning to tighten laces for support without any discomfort or bulkiness. Also, this is one shoe you can trust to fit true to size. The only true complaint that users of the Ultrafly 3 voiced pertains to the overly-soft Zipfoam used in the design, which impedes the springiness of the ride. Otherwise, the Ultrafly 3 gets consistently good marks for its unparalleled upper shoe construction, well-cushioned midsole, and padded tongue that provides just enough comfort and security when lacing.

The Altra Escalante 2 is a zero drop road shoe with a limited cushioning. Indeed, it has a relatively thin sole (19 mm) and no drop between the heel and the toes. Altra's goal is to create shoes that respect the anatomy of the foot and the human body in general as much as possible. The Escalante 2 fulfils this role well by offering an excellent feeling under the foot for running sensations close to minimalism. The previous model had received some criticism for its flexibility, which kept the foot a bit loosely. It seems that Altra has addressed this point as the support is now stricter, which may or may not be to the liking of every runner. According to athletes who have tested the Escalante 2, it is a fairly firm road shoe overall. On the other hand, it is worth noting that the shoe has gained weight (40 grams more) while reducing the cushioning (4 mm less sole thickness) which is a bit surprising and disappointing. To summarize, the Altra Escalante 2 is a good road shoe but this new version reveals some important changes that might not please fans of the previous model.

The Nike Revolution 5 is an entry-level road shoe with a stylish design. It offers a simple and functional configuration with a basic sole using rubber on the outside and EVA foam on the inside. The result is comfortable cushioning with all the responsive cushioning you need to have fun. The upper is also stripped down with a simple layer of knit. The ventilation is thus optimal but several runners have noted that the upper is unfortunately a little fragile. As you can see, the Nike Revolution 5 is a basic model that represents good value for money at around 50 pounds (60 dollars). Moreover, with 255 grams (men's version), it's a relatively lightweight model. It can be interesting to alternate with your main shoes during easy recovery workouts or to run at the gym on a treadmill. If you're looking for an inexpensive but slightly more advanced model, the Nike Legend React may also be a good choice.

Luxury by Asics: comfortable but expensive shoes! The Asics Gel Kinsei 6 is a road running shoe that is known for its high cushioning with its Gel midsole units. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the sole is relatively thin with 21 mm under the heel. On the whole, they are very comfortable and are well suited for all types of training. The Kinsei is particularly adapted to long distances thanks to its durability and the effective foot support it provides. Asics' reputation for quality is well established and the Kinsei 6 Gel is, unsurprisingly, very durable. One may only regret the rather high price and the extraordinary weight in comparison to the thinness of the sole (almost 350 grams for the men's version). In short, the main advantage of Kinsei 6 Gel is its comfort, which has seduced many runners over the years. It's up to you to see whether this justifies the somewhat exorbitant price of this luxury model from Asics.