The Best Road Running Shoes of 2020

There's no shame in overpronating. Many runners do. And while science has never been able to prove that support shoes can reduce the risk of injury, there are still around, and many like them. Unfortunately, most of them are overbuilt and bulky and a little difficult to ignore on the feet due to their heavyweight. Luckily, technological progress has been able to reduce the weight of support features tremendously. With its 281 g/9.9 oz, the Asics GT 2000 9 is a great example of this evolution.

Little sister of the Asics Gel Kayano 27, the GT 2000 9 offers a lighter configuration to avoid overpronation. The sole is 29 mm thick under the heel with an offset of 10 mm. The cushioning comfortably absorbs shocks, especially with the combination of foam (FlyteFoam) and GEL pads. The technical nature of Asics running shoes is not to everyone's liking with their convoluted configuration. Still, the result is there: testers praise the cushioning for daily training with stability support that does the job, but without being too intrusive. This makes the shoe suitable for (moderate) overpronators and neutral runners alike. Of course, the rebound is mild, to say the least, but this is not the purpose of this shoe, which offers good flexibility otherwise.

The lockdown is also very effective thanks to a well-fitting upper, especially in the midfoot section. The jacquard mesh is dense and thick but offers good ventilation of the foot overall. The only real critique of this shoe, pointed out by several runners, is the thick tongue, which is definitely too long and bulky to be pleasant or practical.

Finally, the carbon rubber (AHAR) that generously covers the outsole is very sturdy and shows no signs of wear and tear even after many runs, according to testers. It's a quality to be appreciated in the age of "rubberized foams," which are softer but much less durable.

All in all, the Asics GT 2000 9 continues to impress as a very good and reliable lightweight support shoe for overpronation. An interesting alternative for those who find the Kayano too restrictive and overbuilt.

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.

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 Asics Gel Kayano 27 is the model with the longest longevity in the Asics range with now 27 iterations to date. This classic was created by the product designer Toshikazu Kayano, who gave it his name. He is now retired, which says something about the age of this collection! So is the Kayano still worth the detour in 2020 or is it just a relic from another era? First of all, it should be noted that, though it hasn't lost weight (unfortunately), the shoe now has a more streamlined design to the point of resembling the Gel Cumulus 22. Thus, while still featuring as many technologies as before, it has a clean and compact design overall. The sole is relatively thin with 22 mm under the heel (24 mm for women) and 12 mm under the forefoot (11 mm for women). It features FlyteFoam and FlyteFoam Propel foams and GEL units for comfortable cushioning. According to the testers, the result is convincing without being really springy. Indeed, the Kayano is a stability shoe and, therefore, offers a traditional configuration that works to stabilize the foot while running to avoid overpronation. On this regard, the Dynamic DuoMax and the Space Trusttic technologies guide the foot softly. This will appeal to runners who are looking for a stability shoe that is not too strict. Therefore, the Kayano 27 is comfortable and stable with a secure foot lockdown. This configuration doesn't really shine during tempo sessions but is a solid choice for recovery training and long runs. Finally, the Kayano 27 is a sturdy shoe designed to last, which compensates a little for its high price tag. In summary, the Asics Gel Kayano 27 is a good stability shoe that offers a comfortable, robust and relatively flexible configuration.

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 fourth in the famous Skechers line of stability shoes, the GOrun Forza 4 is surprisingly lightweight given its chunky yet vibrant style. It's considered one of the "workhorse trainers" of Skechers. While its design makes it more likely to be used as a road shoe, some runners also used it on easy trails. The Forza 4 features two types of midsole material: UltraFlight and Hyperburst, which work in conjunction to ensure runners "bounce" through every stride, while their feet are well-supported by the denser, firmer fabric that UltraFlight provides. The entire midsole section is thick, cushioned, and exceedingly stable, making it fantastic for moderate to longer runs. Meanwhile, the upper part of the Forza 4 is a mix of mono mesh and polyester, which adds to a soft, comfortable ride from heel to toe. The outsole features Goodyear rubber, which — although it appears excessive and thick — runners appreciate for its durability and traction. With the many elements of comfort, support, stability, and style that runners have noted, the Forza 4 wasn't notable for many downsides. However, some users stated that the tongue sits relatively lower on the foot, making tight lacing a bit uncomfortable (and challenging to get snug). Additionally, while the sturdiness of the shoe is a plus, the Forza 4 seems to retain its rigidity over time, even after the break-in process. Unfortunately, this minimizes the ability of the foot to "roll" through each step, according to the testers. Coupled with this response is also the remark that the shoe is "too firm," despite its cushioned midsole and flexible upper. Primarily intended for overpronators, the Forza 4 is suitable for runners of all profiles, including neutral runners. Overall, the Skechers GOrun Forza 4 is a good stability road shoe: lightweight and comfortable despite a relatively firm and somewhat rigid platform.

After years of waiting, the Nike Air Zoom Structure 23 is finally here! It reignites the flame of a collection that seemed to have been put aside by Nike. However, it comes with significant changes that set it apart from previous models.

Nike doesn't present the Structure 23 as a stability shoe for overpronation. Instead, like the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit, it prefers to introduce it as a stable model for everyone. As a result, there's no longer a support system to aggressively reduce pronation. Instead, the walls on each side of the foot rise to guide the foot and make the wide platform even more stable. The stack height remains similar: 21 mm under the heel and 13 mm under the forefoot. However, the foam is much softer than before, which gives a lovely plush underfoot feel but limits the platform's bounce, according to the testers. Therefore, while the S22 was snappy and suitable for speedwork, the S23 seems a bit duller. This new configuration surprised the fans of earlier versions who criticize the lack of versatility of this new model.

As for the upper, the classic mesh is well ventilated though a bit thick. The fit is comfortable, and the lockdown effective. The heel counter is rigid, which can be a little uncomfortable if you have Achilles tendon problems. Also, runners with wide feet will be delighted: the Structure 23 is roomy, especially around the toes.

Finally, the outsole features a lot of rubber to enhance durability and increase traction. Nike did a good job there as, even with all this thick and sturdy configuration, the weight is reasonable. The shoe weighs 289 grams (10.2 oz)—40 g (1.4 oz) less than the previous model.

In short, the S23 represents a new beginning for Nike's Structure collection. As we often repeat, there's no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of stability shoes, and it seems logical that in 2020 brands are exploring new concepts. Overall, this model gains in comfort but loses some pop, making mostly suitable for quiet daily training.

The Paradigm 5 is Altra's plush zero-drop stability running shoe. True to the line's reputation, some things never change: the 5 lends itself to a supremely padded ride. Its thick foam and oversized design are a nod to previous models, with one important modification: a reinvention of the upper. Engineered to go the distance, Paradigm 5 makes for a quality and stable ride.

At 12.2 oz/346 grams, the Paradigm 5 has gained nearly half an ounce from last year's model. Runners remarked that they could feel the added weight, referring to the 5 as a "beefy" road shoe. Indeed, with sizing that runs very large (by half-size to a full size), the 5 is definitely not for faster runs. This added weight is owed partially to the EGO foam midsole, which some runners believe is enough to sell the shoe. It's responsive without losing stability, thanks to the addition of Guide Rail and StabiliPods to keep the padding in check. Perhaps the most notable improvement, though, is the 5's new-and-improved upper, designed with more breathable mesh compared with previous models. Still, some runners say the toe bumper is a bit much for a road shoe, adding to the clunky design. Finally, the outsole is similar to preceding Paradigm shoes, with five rubber pods that are good for traction and durability.

It seems that runners have a lot to say about the Paradigm 5, and many of those comments are critiques. The biggest complaint seems to be the shoe's overall size, which simply feels too unwieldy for practical runs. There were also comments about the toe bumper, which is overly reinforced for a standard road shoe and adds unnecessary weight.

Overall, the Paradigm 5 continues to appeal to its fans. Still, many runners don't understand the appeal of this shoe, which is decidedly too heavy to go beyond easy daily workouts and recovery sessions. A good shoe, therefore, but reserved for runners who want to combine XL cushioning, zero drop, and stability.