Best Running Shoes Tested in 2024: Daily Trainers, Speed Shoes, and Race Day Picks

Introduction

Testing a big rotation of running shoes in a single year gives you an unusual perspective: you stop comparing each shoe to its own predecessor and start comparing it to everything else on the market right now. This roundup covers the standouts from a year of testing that included daily trainers, plated training shoes, speed work shoes, and full marathon racers. Some shoes earned a permanent spot in the rotation. Some were disappointing. A couple were genuine surprises from brands nobody expected much from.

How These Picks Were Tested

The shoes here were tested across real training: recovery runs, long runs of 20-plus miles, treadmill sessions, track workouts, and weekly mileage that regularly pushed past 100 miles. That kind of volume is brutal on shoes and reveals durability quickly. It also means comfort and protection matter a lot, so the picks below lean toward shoes that hold up over big miles rather than one-weekend wonders.

Daily Trainers

Asics Novablast 4

At around 107 miles of testing, the Novablast 4 has proven itself as a super comfortable, firm-but-protective daily trainer. It has a wider heel, a big stable stack above 40mm, and it slots in naturally as the successor to the Saucony Endorphin Shift 3, which had that same wide, stable heel profile. It is one of the best non-plated shoes available for long runs, and it lets you settle into a relaxed pace without feeling sluggish. Of the non-plated long run options tested this year, it is the one that keeps earning its place.

Brooks Ghost Max

The Ghost Max is an interesting split decision: as a running shoe it never quite found its role, lacking the pop and speed assistance that shoes like the Novablast 4 deliver. As a walking and casual shoe, though, it is excellent. Around 50 miles of running plus constant everyday wear showed it is probably the best shoe tested for standing on your feet for hours, whether you work in healthcare, a restaurant, or travel constantly for work. The EVA cushioning is forgiving all day long, and the design looks clean too.

Saucony Boston 12

The Boston 12 sits on the throne as a favorite plated training shoe, and it is hard to argue with the versatility. It handles long runs just as happily as fast top-end speed work. It is not the lightest plated trainer out there, but the dual-foam construction delivers stability in the back and pop up front, with nice cushion and protection throughout. If you want one plated shoe that can do nearly everything in training, this is still the benchmark.

Puma Velocity Nitro 3

The Velocity Nitro 3 earned a full 100-mile week exclusively on its own: recovery runs, a 22-mile treadmill long run, and hard workouts all in one shoe. It rides almost like a plated shoe thanks to bouncy supercritical foam, though it is not the most forgiving ride for genuinely easy days. For runners who like firmer shoes, pairing it with something plusher for recovery days makes a really solid rotation.

Hoka Mach 6

The Mach 6 is a bouncy, exciting ride built on supercritical EVA, which is not usually a recipe for excitement but works beautifully here. The big update is added rubber on the outsole, and it no longer carries the firm EVA layer of the Mach 5. It feels like a more built-up version of the Rebel V3: peppy, fun, and comfortable. Hoka clearly did not mess with a good thing, and a 20-plus mile long run test is still pending.

New Balance SC Trainer V2

Around 100 miles in just the first few weeks of testing, the SC Trainer V2 established itself as a great long run shoe. The full-length carbon fiber plate is not harsh, the foam just pops you right along, and it is protective and comfortable on days when the legs feel beat up. The main open question is foam durability, which did not show any performance loss at 100 miles but needs verification at higher mileage.

Quick Hits From the Rest of the Rotation

Not every shoe in the rotation earned a deep dive. The Adidas Supernova Rise was a pleasant surprise at its price point: comfortable, stable, and with enough pep for faster work, though it still needs more miles. The New Balance 880 was a disappointment, feeling firm at every pace and flat overall. The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 turned out to be a really fun plated trainer for 90-minute to 2-hour runs, versatile enough for light trails and the treadmill, though most runners will want more cushion beyond two hours. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 delivered good workout results but a slappy, disconnected feel, which lighter runners may not experience. The Salomon Super Blast underwhelmed so far and needs more break-in time. The Hoka Cielo X1 is a bouncy, heavily cushioned race shoe with unusual heel geometry that can feel like a braking force for heel strikers, and the Nike Alphafly 3 was efficient in a 5K workout but less confident-inspiring than expected. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 and the Tier Valkyrie Elite were among the most pleasant surprises of the year.

Speed Trainers and Light Racers

The lighter end of the rotation got less mileage during a high-volume training block but is queued up for summer speed work. The Topo Cyclone 2 is likely the lowest-stack, lightest training shoe in the group with really fun, bouncy foam but limited protection, ideal for building fast turnover. The Adidas Takumi Sen 10 is a 5K racer and high-end speed work shoe; the updated Light Strike Pro foam feels different from the excellent Sen 8 version and needs more break-in. The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2 is heavier than those two but its aggressive rocker geometry encourages midfoot landing and made for an awesome track workout. The Nike Zoom Fly Speed 2, though a few years old now, still delivers plenty of pop and bounce compared to older performance shoes. Each of these suits runners focused on shorter, faster sessions rather than all-day miles.

Race Day Picks

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

After a 26.2-mile marathon time trial plus regular training, the Endorphin Pro 4 stands out as the most comfortable racing shoe in the group. The PowerRun PB foam is noticeably softer than the previous generation, and it genuinely works at everyday training paces before coming alive when you push the tempo. That makes it a rare racer that blends training and racing well. The integrated sock-style upper with the tucked-in tongue is excellent too. It is not the fastest-feeling shoe here, but for two-plus hour efforts where comfort matters, it is the pick.

The Diadora Gara was the biggest surprise of the year: an expensive shoe from a new-to-the-game brand that nobody expected much from, and it delivered. Its marathon racing foam is among the softest tested and still pops at faster paces, feeling quicker than the Endorphin Pro 4 when pushed. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4, priced in line with established racers, feels firmer and super light with a fun DNA Flash V2 foam. The Nike Vaporfly 3 remains a good choice for light, easy turnover but feels minimal and less protective next to the new generation of racers. The Adidas Adios Pro 3 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 are both still excellent shoes that reward break-in, and the SC Elite V4 offers a wide, forgiving fit that heavier runners appreciate, though the tall forefoot stack is not for everyone.

High Mileage Champions

New Balance 1080 v13

At 300 miles, the 1080 v13 currently holds the crown as a favorite soft max-cushion shoe of all time. It is the shoe to reach for when cruising through easy miles, with plush padding around the upper, a super soft midsole, and a rocking-chair ride that wants nothing more than to keep you protected. There is no magic speed hidden in here; it is simply the most comfortable option for big weekly mileage, which is exactly what a max-cushion daily trainer should be.

View more details for New Balance 1080 v13

Saucony Triumph 20

Between 350 and 400 miles in, the Triumph 20 RunShield edition is the highest-mileage shoe of the past few years and still looks nearly mint apart from worn heel rubber. The beaded PowerRun Plus TPU foam is bouncy with a slightly denser feel, and the outsole rubber coverage is generous. It lands comfortably in a top-five most versatile list, handling everything from easy days to long runs, and it now represents one of the best values in running since it has been discounted heavily.

The Nike Vomero 17 deserves a mention here too: 200 miles in with no real wear on the foam or rubber, combining a ZoomX-derived top layer for bounce with a big durable outsole. At its list price it sits awkwardly against the $140 competition, but frequent sales make it a much easier recommendation.

Buying Advice

Build your rotation around two or three roles rather than chasing a single perfect shoe. A protective, comfortable daily trainer such as the Novablast 4 or 1080 v13 covers the majority of your miles. A versatile plated option like the Boston 12 or SC Trainer V2 handles long runs and moderate workouts. For race day, the Endorphin Pro 4 offers the best comfort-to-speed balance if you want a forgiving ride, while firmer options reward lighter runners and faster turnover. And if durability and value top your list, the Triumph 20 at a discount is hard to beat.

Conclusion

This year’s testing showed a running shoe market where even the established names are being pushed hard by newcomers, and where the “best” shoe depends entirely on the role you need it to fill. The Novablast 4, Boston 12, and 1080 v13 anchor a rock-solid training rotation, the Endorphin Pro 4 bridges training and racing, and the Triumph 20 proves that durability and value still exist. Pick based on how you actually run, and any of these will serve you well.