2023 Running Shoe of the Year Contenders: Five Standouts Head to Head

Introduction

Every running shoe category had its winner in 2023, but only one shoe can take the overall crown. Here are five shoes that topped their class, what makes each one special, and which one earned the title of shoe of the year. Whether you want maximum comfort, a dependable daily trainer, or race-day speed, there is a strong case for each of these picks.

The Max Cushion Contender: Asics Gel-Nimbus 25

The Gel-Nimbus 25 is big, mushy, and unapologetically comfortable. It topped the max cushion class for 2023, and if your priority is protecting your legs over everything else, it delivers exactly what you want from the category.

The honest caveat: a max cushion shoe is rarely going to be an overall shoe of the year pick. It stays in the running as an honorable mention, ideal for easy miles and recovery days rather than a do-everything role.

The Quiet Improver: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13

The 1080 v13 moved from the max cushion category into the daily trainer ranks, and the change paid off. Outwardly the design is more understated than the traditionally bold 1080 look, but underfoot the new Fresh Foam X formulation is a delight to run on.

It works as a cushioned daily trainer, handles easy miles comfortably, and can even pick up the pace when needed. While it did not take the daily trainer win, it comfortably sits among the top five shoes of 2023 and is a safe bet for high weekly mileage.

The Daily Trainer Winner: Saucony Novablast 4

The Novablast 4 is a fun, exciting shoe that can do a little bit of everything and does it all well. It claimed the daily trainer category for 2023 on pure versatility.

The main hesitation: it is not clearly better than its predecessor, the Novablast 3, which was the previous year’s shoe of the year. For riders of preferences who liked the extra snappiness of the older version, the update is interesting rather than decisive. It remains one of the best releases of 2023, just not the overall winner.

The Super Shoe Runner-Up: Saucony Endorphin Elite

The Endorphin Elite took the crown as the top super shoe of 2023. Its new PWRRUN HG foam keeps it light and exciting to run in, while still delivering the steady power you need over long marathon miles.

Super shoes are becoming increasingly specific to different types of runners, which makes it harder for any one super shoe to be a universal pick. Still, the Endorphin Elite comes remarkably close to fitting almost everyone, and it earns its place as the runner-up for shoe of the year.

Shoe of the Year: Puma Deviate Nitro 2

The 2023 shoe of the year is the Puma Deviate Nitro 2, not the Nitro Elite 2. This shoe combines two kinds of foam, Nitro and Nitro Elite, with a carbon fiber plate, and that setup makes it fantastic across daily training miles, workout miles, and even marathon racing.

It was the top tempo shoe of the year, and the simple fact that it is genuinely fun no matter what it is being used for pushed it over the line. It is also a shoe that plenty of runners have been enjoying throughout the year, which makes the pick easy to agree with.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want the softest possible ride, the Gel-Nimbus 25 is the clear max cushion choice. If you want one cushioned shoe for nearly all of your weekly miles, the Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 is a dependable, versatile pick. If fun and versatility matter most in a daily trainer, the Novablast 4 is hard to beat.

For race day, super shoes now come down to matching the shoe to your mechanics, and the Endorphin Elite is about as close to universal as the category gets. But if you want one shoe that handles daily training, workouts, and even marathons, the Deviate Nitro 2 is the pick that earned the overall crown.

Conclusion

Five category winners, one clear overall pick. The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 takes the 2023 title for its rare ability to do everything well, while the Nimbus 25, 1080 v13, Novablast 4, and Endorphin Elite each remain excellent choices for the specific role they were built for.