Our Favorite Running Shoes of 2024: The Picks That Stood Out

Introduction

Every year produces a handful of shoes that simply refuse to leave the rotation, and 2024 was a genuinely strong one for running footwear. Brands delivered big updates to proven favorites, a few surprises came out of nowhere, and the “fun underfoot” factor was higher than it has been in years.

This list is our favorite picks of the year, in no particular order. Some are daily trainers, some are race day rockets, and a few blur the line entirely. If a shoe made this list, it earned it by feeling great, holding up over real miles, or doing something we did not expect.

Hoka Mach X2

The Hoka Mach X2 might be the team favorite of the year, and it comes down to the underfoot feel. A PEBA foam layer sits right beneath the foot, a PEBAX plate adds structure, and super critical EVA below that ties it all together. The result is a shoe that feels supported and structured but still bouncy and genuinely fun to run in.

It is the kind of shoe people keep reaching for long after the testing is done. If there is one wish for a future version, it would be an updated upper with a bit better heel lock. The bottom, though, is close to perfect.

Hoka Skyward X and Hoka Cielo X1

Two more Hoka entries made the cut. The Skyward X won people over so completely that it prompted extended testing past 200 miles. It pairs a carbon fiber plate with a PEBA-blended midsole, carries a generous stack height, and delivers the kind of cushioned feel that makes you excited to lace up in the morning. It runs a little heavy, so it is best saved for easy days and long runs rather than speed work.

The Cielo X1 is technically Hoka’s race day shoe, but it became an everything shoe. With PEBA foam and a carbon plate, it feels like a racer, yet it swallowed daily miles, easy runs, and pickup sessions alike. It is bouncy enough that each stride feels almost launched into the next, and it felt good at every pace. If you want one shoe that can do a bit of everything at a high level, this is it.

Asics SuperBlast 2

The Asics SuperBlast 2 was one of the most popular shoes of the year, and it is easy to see why. It is not a huge update, but the midsole now uses FF Turbo Plus, the same foam found in Asics’ race day shoes. It is firmer but light, and among max-stack shoes this is probably the lightest of them all. It just rolls, and it arguably gets better the more miles you put on it.

The updated upper adds a slight bit of weight but noticeably improves comfort, making this a daily trainer you can reach for day after day. It can even handle a marathon. While a newer runner might be better served elsewhere at first, once you have some miles under your feet, this is the shoe to recommend to just about everyone. It launched above the $200 mark and still sold out, which tells you everything.

Nike Alphafly 3

The Alphafly 3 needs little introduction. It arrived with high stakes, since the previous version did not win everyone over, and it came through. It keeps the characteristics that made the original great but feels more streamlined and connected, with a smoother transition that is less mechanical and more natural.

Nike also dropped the weight significantly. Even with the air units under the forefoot, it is nearly as light as premium racers running plain PEBA foam. The upper is the other big win: breathable, hydrophobic, and far better fitted around the collar than earlier versions. For many, this is now the favorite racer available.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2

The original Pacer fell flat, but version 2 is one of the best updates of the year and a favorite racer for shorter distances. Built with input from Emily Sisson, who set an American record in it, it is fast in a way you feel the moment you lace up.

It uses a full PEBA midsole with a carbon fiber plate and a very minimal, super light upper. The stack is lower than most super shoes, and while New Balance positions it for the half marathon and below, lighter and more efficient runners could stretch it to the full marathon. It simply has that race day feel.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Endorphin Speed has been a mainstay on year-end lists since the first version, and the Speed 4 keeps the streak alive. It uses the same PWRRUN PB midsole and nylon plate formula, feels a bit better than version 3, and leans back toward what made the Speed 2 so loved.

It is light, fun, and fast, yet comfortable enough to double as a daily trainer. Because it shares foam with Saucony’s race day shoe, you can pick up the pace whenever you want without changing shoes. It just works, at nearly any pace you ask of it.

Adidas Adizero SL2

The Adizero SL2 came out of nowhere and landed right in the sweet spot. At $130, it tucks Lightstrike Pro foam into the midsole almost like a plate, layered over softened regular Lightstrike, and the ride feels fast, light, and fun with a quick turnover. At around 8.4 oz, it has a racing-shoe feel despite sitting in the trainer price range.

It is not flawless. The toe box runs a touch narrow, and some testers noticed rubbing along the outer edge. There is also no Continental rubber outsole, though the grip still felt solid. Even so, this is one of the pleasant surprises of the year and a strong pick over pricier alternatives in the same category.

Puma Deviate Nitro 3 and Deviate Nitro Elite 3

Puma had a serious year, and the Deviate Nitro 3 is arguably the best daily trainer in that $160 to $170 range. The Nitro foam feels great, the carbon-infused PWRPLATE adds snap, and PumaGrip outsole traction is hard to beat. The upper fits well, the knit can run slightly warm, and the colorways are instantly recognizable. It works at every speed and could even stand in as a race day shoe if you would rather not spend super-shoe money.

The Deviate Nitro Elite 3 deserves a mention in the same breath. It hit the right notes on every workout and belongs in the conversation for race day shoe of the year.

On Cloudboom Strike

The Cloudboom Strike is On’s most convincing road racer yet. The sizing is the one real catch: testers found it runs dramatically large, with some going down a full size or more, so trying before buying matters. Once the fit is sorted, the shoe delivers.

The foam feels like an even more energetic take on Adidas’ Lightstrike Pro, with a lively bounce and a light, speed-focused build. The most interesting detail is the unusually thick insole, which quietly adds real stack height under the forefoot where you can actually see the plate working. If you like On’s aesthetic or have not found the perfect fit from other race day brands, this is worth a serious look.

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge

Asics delivered two strong race day options in the Metaspeed line, and both dropped serious weight. The Sky Paris sits closer to the foot with its plate placement, feeling more aggressive and mechanical, and it became the preferred pick of the two. The Edge puts more foam under the forefoot, trading a little energy return for extra comfort.

Both perform well, so the choice comes down to preference. If comfort is the priority, choose the Edge. If you want maximum propulsion from a plate activated close to the foot, the Sky is the one. Either way, the balance of light weight, snappiness, and just-right marathon cushioning is excellent.

More Shoes That Earned a Spot

Several other shoes narrowly missed dedicated write-ups but still deserve attention. The Topo Athletic Specter 2 is a smooth, bouncy, incredibly light daily option with a full PEBA midsole and rocker design, ideal if you love a roomy toe box. The Mizuno Neo Vista marks a welcome return to innovation for Mizuno, pairing a comfortable knit upper with super soft foam and a plate that helps the shoe roll forward rather than sink. The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 has perhaps the best upper of the year and delivers a firmer, punchier ride for tempo days, though despite the name it is not a max-cushion shoe. The Salomon S/Lab Spectur targets longer-course marathoners with comfort plus carbon plate propulsion, and it succeeds. The Adidas Ultraboost 5X is the most surprising runnable UltraBOOST yet, lighter and genuinely capable as a max-cushion daily trainer. The Puma MagMax Nitro rounds things out with a huge slab of responsive nitrogen-infused foam that somehow feels balanced rather than bulky, complete with a premium gusseted knit tongue.

Buying Advice

With this many strong options, the right choice depends on what you need. If you want one shoe for almost everything, the SuperBlast 2, Mach X2, or Cielo X1 style all-rounder is hard to beat. For pure race day performance, the Alphafly 3 and Metaspeed Sky Paris lead the pack, while the Cloudboom Strike suits runners who need a roomier or different fit. Value hunters should look hard at the Adizero SL2 and Deviate Nitro 3, both of which punch well above their price. And if your training leans toward easy miles and long Sundays, the Skyward X and Neo Vista will take care of you.

Conclusion

2024 gave runners an unusually deep bench: daily trainers that feel like racers, racers you can wear every day, and long-overdue comebacks from brands that had coasted for too long. Pick based on the miles you actually run, and any shoe on this list will serve you well.