The Brooks Caldera 5 is a trail cruiser built for comfy long-distance running. A near-identical shoe to its predecessor, this trainer provides a smooth ride and easy turnover for uphill runs. Secure, grippy, and surprisingly versatile, the Caldera 5 is one model that should be on any trail runner's radar.

First things first: runners had quite a few thoughts about the C5's midsole. As with other Brooks models, this latest is engineered with BioMoGo technology, prioritizing shock absorption over pop. However, users noted that this particular midsole wasn't as harsh as previous models. The mono-loop engineered upper has significantly improved from previous Caldera models, with a more dialed and precise toe box fit. Its laces enable above-average foot security, and the toe box remains wide enough to accommodate most types of feet. However, some runners noted that the forefoot fit was a bit more tricky than in the past. Lastly, the TrailTack outsole tackles a range of surfaces, despite its lugs' low and narrow profile. It's thriving on flat and technical terrain alike. However, a few trail runners note that the Caldera 5 may not be the best option for highly technical landscapes, especially soft ground like mud.

As with most shoes, the Caldera 5 isn't perfect. One area it falls short is stability: the high stack height combined with a somewhat narrow profile makes the heel feel a bit unstable at times, according to some runners. The Brooks Caldera 5 also loses points on its BioMoGo midsole, which doesn't contribute to a fast or responsive ride. The weight doesn't help either: with a weight of 10.6 oz (301 g), it's undoubtedly no feather. Also, the shoe as a whole seems to require a more extended break-in period than previous models.

Ultimately, the Caldera 5 is a reliable Brooks trail option for runners interested in comfortably tackling long distances on moderately technical terrains. Available for a standard price point for a shoe of this caliber, the C5 is good value for money!

Available primarily in Europe thus far, the Mizuno Wave Sky Neo is creating a buzz from overseas. Promoted as a highly-cushioned daily trainer with a miraculous midsole, expectations run high for the Neo, no pun intended. However, runners who tried the shoe had drastically different things to say about their experience—and not all were satisfied.

The midsole of the Neo, crafted with bouncy Enerzy foam, is immediately comfortable upon step-in. Soft and responsive without being mushy, this shoe offers a unique experience from comparable alternatives. Alternative models, like the Wave Rider 24, also use Enerzy material for the midsole; however, the Neo combines Enerzy Core with Enerzy foam and Mizuno Foam Wave technology. The result is triple the cushioning in one supremely comfortable midsole. Runners were overall impressed by the combination of plush feel and bounce that's often hard to nail down with a trainer. Also noteworthy is the shoe's knit upper, which is made with extra eyelets to prevent heel slipping and secures feet effectively. The Neo's outsole is durable while still allowing flexibility and features a small section of the exposed midsole (visible through a recessed hole in the heel). This is, presumably, purely for aesthetics rather than for any purpose or functionality.

The Wave Sky Neo performs but misses the mark for runners keen on a more lightweight experience. The shoe's stack height doesn't help with its clunky feel—approximately 40 mm under the heel, weighing 337 g/11.9 oz for the men's version. This extra weight made it difficult for some users to get the most out of the Neo as a daily long-distance trainer. Its heaviness, coupled with the sky-high price tag, should make runners stop and consider other options before splurging on the Neo.

In summation, the Neo may be the right choice for runners who prioritize midsole comfort. Some users who tried the shoe swear by it. However, keep in mind that the shoe's limited availability might mean it will be weeks before you receive your purchase. Additionally, if you're looking for an affordable trainer that won't slow you down, it's worth your while to explore alternatives.

While 2020 has witnessed the launch of many high-caliber carbon plate shoes, the Asics Dynablast makes a more discreet entrance with a configuration that is both modern and traditional.

Modern because it boasts the sleek and stylish design of the latest Asics models and the new FlyteFoam Blast foam that equips the Novablast. And traditional because at the core, it's a classic trainer shoe. The stack height is average with 28 mm under the heel and a drop of 12 mm. As we will see, the ride is also "standard."

Indeed, according to the testers, the cushioning offers just the right amount of softness for easy daily runs. However, they were not too impressed with the ability of the shoe to handle quick paces because of its lack of responsiveness. Therefore, while the ride does provide a slight bounce, it's not impressive by any stretch. It's reasonable to assume that this is deliberate of Asics: the sole has a traditional design without rocking. In other words, there's nothing to help smoothen the ride; you have to do all the work, which is not bad for runners who like no-frills shoes with a simple ride. What's more, the shoe has the advantage of being lightweight despite its broad and chunky platform that offers good stability. It's unique enough to be noted!

Then, the dense and thick mesh ensures an effective lockdown. The upper is roomy but not very stretchy. Beware, though: some runners have found the shoe to be a bit large, especially in the toe box area. Some go as far as recommending to size down, which is a bit confusing. Also, the thickness of the mesh can be a problem in summer when it's hot.

In summary, the Asics Dynablast is a good lightweight trainer with comfortable cushioning that gives a classic ride. However, its durability makes it a great pick for daily runs despite some fit issues and an average bounce.

The successor of the Reebok Nano 9, the newest Nano model — the Nano X — is already described as an improvement from previous models. It notably features advanced lace-up technology and several redesigned components for enhanced performance. A potentially strong training shoe option, the Reebok Nano X will especially be one to consider for hitting the gym, lifting some weights, and a variety of other fitness activities! The midsole of the Nano X has been designed with high-density foam for absorbing shock, yet is reactive to each jump or bounding movement, moving with the trajectory of the foot. This makes it an ideal shoe for fitness classes, CrossFit workouts, and more! Also, the shoe's re-engineered upper is highly breathable and features a wide toe box to accommodate a variety of foot sizes comfortably. Its lacing system is also notably improved, with an internal lace-up method that limits overlap but still provides foot security. Lastly, the rubber outsole of the Nano X is particularly stable, providing a solid base for heavy lifting and a range of other training sessions. Some notable downsides of the Nano X include its particularly "clunky" design (it is the heaviest iteration of the Nano line to date, with its increased lip on the heel), as well as its lack of tread/grip when running. Of course, while the Nano X can be used as an occasional running shoe, it's primarily designed with gym workouts in mind. Also, let's note that some athletes found the platform a bit rigid, especially in the area around the toes (and despite the spacious shape of the toe box). Overall, we give this shoe a good rating of 9 for its comfort and stability during training sessions.

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 Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit caused a stir in 2020 with a major Nike marketing campaign promoting the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit as a next-generation supportive shoe that reduces injury risk. A year later, this second version resembles the first one, for the most part, except for the new improved upper.

What strikes at first glance is the shoe's more functional design. If the v1 moonlighted as a sneaker, this new one embraces its support shoe DNA fully with a broad and stable platform. The weight remains similar at 9.9 oz/281 g compared to 9.7 oz/275 g previously (men's model). The sole offers high-stack cushioning with 33 mm under the heel and 24 mm under the forefoot. According to the testers, the React foam is still as soft as ever while providing a slight bounce-nothing that will knock your sock off, but it's still appreciable for this type of shoe. For overpronators, the Infinity Run continues to use a TPU clip under the arch to locks-in the foot in terms of support. Without being uncomfortable, the testers noted that it was noticeable. Let's note that this is a model for all runners, not just overpronators. However, if you have a neutral stride, this small plastic piece seems useless and may irritate you more than anything else.

The Flyknit upper is now denser for a better lockdown and more durability. Nike has more than one trick up its sleeve and decided to bring out its good old (but effective) Flywire technology. Overall, testers found the result convincing, even though some found the upper a bit too loose in some places.

Finally, the outsole comes with a generous amount of rubber with a unique design to improve flexibility. It's a token of durability to keep the shoe longer—the testers found no signs of wear after several long runs.

In summary, the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 2 is a stable running shoe with a new, more efficient upper and comfortable cushioning that's ideal for long-distance, daily training, and recovery.

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.

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.