The Best Road Running Shoes of 2020

Most famous for its trail collection, Salomon seems determined to bring its road range to the same level with this new model: the S/Lab Phantasm. And what better way to reach this goal than by relying on its incredible champion, Kilian Jornet. The legendary trailer wore this shoe while running its 24-hour running challenge in 2020. He had to give up, but the shoes don't seem to be in question. Phew!

So here's an ultralight running shoe (less than 7 oz/200g) with a cutting edge foam—Energy Surge— and a rocker. However, although the Phantasm goes head-to-head with carbon-fiber plate shoes, it doesn't have one. It uses its racing design and responsive foam to deliver a smooth and versatile run that makes it easy to pick up the pace. The testers were very impressed by the shoe's springy bounce and flexible platform. The result may not be as impressive as a carbon plate, but it's not far off. This makes the Phantasm an interesting option for athletes looking for a lightweight running shoe without a plate. Be careful though: the stack height is low, with only 20 mm under the heel and 14 mm under the forefoot. It's not a minimalist shoe, but it's no Hoka either!

If the shoe is so lightweight, it's also thanks to its very thin mesh (so think that you can see through it), pliable and mainly made of TPU. It has little structure despite a few overlays. The lockdown is good but runners note that it can depend on your foot (shape and size). So it's best to try the Phantasm to make sure its free design suits you. Also, note that the shoe fits a bit long. Finally, with its good old Contagrip rubber, the outsole is durable with a good grip on the road.

In short, the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm is not a half-hearted attempt to compete with the finest racing models out there. It means business with a shoe built to go fast, but that's still versatile for everyday training. Fans of the brand will be delighted to finally have a practical and durable elite model in their rotation.

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.

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.

A continuation of the beloved Boston series, the Adidas Adizero Boston 9 is a versatile daily trainer that can handle a fast pace. Based on feedback from testers, the 9 is one of those "all-around" running shoes that will come in suitable for nearly any type of training. The Boston 9 midsole uniquely combines Lightstrike and BOOST foams. However, quite a few runners voiced their dissatisfaction with this addition of Lightstrike, preferring the Boston line's previous midsoles designed with only BOOST padding. Nonetheless, even with the addition of Lightstrike, runners appreciated overall the responsiveness of the cushioning. They felt it was well suited for speed training. Then, runners unanimously described the upper as an improvement from former models, with enhanced breathability from its lightweight mesh material. The traction of the outsole was also described as a plus of the Boston 9. It features Continental rubber for a better grip on wet or slippery roads. Runners listed a few downsides of the Boston 9. First, the medium-high arch doesn't accommodate every foot shape. Second, the unusually-large design forces users to size down. The shoe's true white also reflects dirt and scuffs very quickly. Overall, the Boston 9 received high marks across the board as a great option for running 10k races and half-marathons, as the lightweight design of the shoe encourages quick turnover and fast paces. It's also praised for its durability, versatility, and even its affordable price. Given the fact that one of the only major downsides of the Boston 9 is its Lightstrike addition, we rank this shoe as a 9.3, making it a very very good option for hardcore athletes and casual runners alike!

The On Cloudflow 2.0 is the 2020 version of the original Cloudflow. Engineered with an innovative design and updated features, the Cloudflow 2.0 is made for 5k, 10k, and even half-marathon races. A few noteworthy qualities of the Cloudflow 2.0 include its Helion super foam midsole, which promotes a snappy ride and a consistently smooth ride with its well-cushioned padding—perfect for ensuring optimal comfort on shorter runs. Additionally, the toe box is an ideal width for accommodating a range of foot sizes, from narrow to wide, and is purportedly quite airy due to its breathable upper mesh material. Runners remarked it was a clear step up from the original Cloudflow design. The outsole of the 2.0 has been updated, as well, offering improved traction for a better grip on wet roads. Runners who tried the Cloudflow 2.0 did report a few of the shoe's disadvantages, including a lack of support, faulty outsole design (rocks and debris lodge easily in the grooves), and even stated that the shoe's design caused some abrasions after running longer distances. However, for short-term use, training sessions, and short to moderate races, the 2.0 did not disappoint, offering runners a speed advantage, breathable fabric, and enhanced comfort with its Helion midsole padding. However, the On Cloudflow 2.0 may be a bit pricier than its performance warrants. The promise of superior quality due to the Swiss design of the shoe just doesn't seem to materialize in the Cloudflow 2.0. On a scale of 1-10, we rank this running shoe an 8.7 for its overall positive feedback and enhanced technology from the original Cloudflow design. Runners looking for long-wear shoes that will persevere on trails and longer distances, however, should consider other options.