The Best Road Running Shoes of 2020

The Hoka Rincon 2 is back after a first unanimously acclaimed version that took the world of running by surprise with its ultra-light and comfortably cushioned profile. Without further ado, let's dive right in: the Rincon 2 is the same shoe with a few small changes. The weight remains about the same but the sole is a little thinner with 29 mm under the heel for men and 26 mm for women. The drop is still 5 mm. Cushioning is still very comfortable with a good balance of softness and firmness. Runners who have tested the shoe agree that it is not as responsive as some of its competitors, especially those with carbon plates. However, the lightweight profile compensates for its absence to some extent. In other words, the shoe is naturally springy overall. The upper is the part that has evolved the most, but without radical change. The mesh is thicker and slightly tighter than before, which gives a better upper fit. If you have wider feet, don't worry: the Rincon 2 remains accommodating, especially around the toes. The outsole is the only part that draws criticism from testers. Indeed, the Rincon 2 has little rubber to protect the sole, which is made of exposed EVA foam. This configuration is not ideal in terms of durability as it offers little protection against abrasion. This is a recurring criticism from testers who have all noticed that the sole wore out quickly after only a few runs. The Hoka Rincon 2 is affordable but we would still like it to be more robust to be able to last at least 500 km/300 mi. Overall, the Hoka Rincon 2 is a very good, light, and comfortable road running shoe with generous cushioning and a great upper. The only real drawback is the fragility of the sole but this remains acceptable considering the great qualities of the shoe.

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 Asics Gel Nimbus 23 represents the old guard of the Japanese brand. As such, it offers a classic but very reliable configuration. Does it make sense to go on with the Nimbus, or is it time to ditch it for sleeker models?

First of all, Asics has made few changes to its bestseller. The Nimbus 23 retains the very successful upper from the 22 version with a few improvements, such as a thicker, more comfortable tongue to lock-in the foot. The lockdown is comfortable and can be forgotten, which in the end is the most important thing. The toe box has a moderate size and should fit most runners.

Cushioning provides an unvarnished but very satisfying ride for daily training and long distances. The combination of foam and Gel pads gives good shock dispersion. The underfoot feel is relatively soft with a touch of firmness. An interesting point unanimously noted by the testers is the platform's flexibility, especially thanks to the deep flex grooves. The shoe offers a slight rebound but nothing spectacular. Finally, let's note that although the Nimbus is a neutral running shoe, it slightly stabilizes the foot's movement, which can reassure runners who like to have some structure in their shoes.

The outsole is based on previous models' winning formula (also present on many of the brand's models): AHAR+ under the heel and AHAR under the forefoot. This carbon rubber is undoubtedly one of the elements that contribute to the shoe's high weight (309 g/10.9 oz), but it has the advantage of making the shoe very durable for long workouts.

In summary, the Asics Gel Nimbus 23 remains true to itself with a traditional, tried-and-tested configuration. It's an interesting choice to have in rotation with other lighter and snappier models. However, all truth be told, if you've never worn a Nimbus in your life, there's little reason to start.

The New Balance FuelCell 890 v8 is a lightweight running shoe made for speed. This new version uses New Balance's latest cushioning technology: FuelCell. It replaces Revlite but testers are mixed on the result. Indeed, the cushioning is very firm. According to them, it's not stiff but lacks some spring to truly feel good. This impression fades during fast sessions such as tempo or Fartlek but, at slower speeds, the lack of responsiveness is much more obvious according to the runners who tested the shoe. For the rest, the 890 v8's platform is wide and stable, which proves comfortable. As for the upper, the testers appreciated the precise and comfortable (true to size) fit of the shoe. Also, the gusseted tongue is ingenious and the toe box is spacious without hindering the fit. However, it should be noted that several runners noticed signs of early wear in the rubber under the forefoot. Finally, the shoe has gained weight with nearly 30 grams since the last model. This is a pity even if it remains light compared to the competition with only 238 grams on the scale for men and 204 for women. In summary, the New Balance FuelCell 890 v8 is a good light running shoe but the lack of responsiveness of its cushioning and the fragility of its sole disappoint.