Five Favorite Running Shoes of 2023: From Daily Cruisers to Race Day Rockets

Introduction

Picking five favorites from a year of running shoes is no easy task, especially when the temptation is to overload on carbon plate shoes because they are simply the most fun and exciting to test. That is exactly what happened here. The list below is not a coherent rotation, it is simply the five shoes that stood out the most over the year: two racers, a super trainer, a daily cushioning workhorse, and one of the most unconventional carbon shoes released in a long time.

Some highly anticipated shoes were ruled out simply because they launch next year, but what remains is a genuinely strong group. Here is how they stack up, from fifth to first.

5. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: The Most Exciting Ride of the Year

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro is one of the most interesting and exciting carbon shoes released this year. It is really bouncy, with a feel that brings to mind how ludicrously bouncy the original Alphafly was on the foot. It is very fun and very fast, and it was used to set a fastest sub-16 5K of the year early on, plus a couple of hard sessions. It is geared more towards longer events, but it works well for short, fast efforts too.

The big cutout heel is the defining design choice. For a heel striker it makes the shoe something of an acquired taste, and it will not suit every runner, but when running fast it feels amazingly bouncy. The black and white colorway is a great design touch too. Expect to see this cutout heel idea appear on more shoes going forward, because Mizuno has clearly set a tone here.

4. Puma Magnify Nitro 2: The Quiet Grower

The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is not a wow shoe, and that is precisely why it earns its place. It is the kind of shoe that always comes to mind when there is nothing to test and you just want to head out for a nice, relaxed run. Over time that habit embeds itself, and by the end of the year you realize how often you have reached for it.

It offers a really balanced ride: soft, comfortable, stable, reasonably smooth despite a fairly high drop, and with just enough bounce to be versatile. In a year crowded with max cushion shoes, it stood out as having the most enjoyable ride of the bunch, largely thanks to the pleasant feel of the Nitro foam underfoot. The Puma grip outsole is excellent in wet winter conditions and over leaf-covered autumn pavements, and it is pretty good value compared to many rivals, especially when found on sale. It is a great cushioned daily trainer for cruising through everyday training.

3. Hoka Rocket X 2: The Wet Weather Carbon Racer

The Hoka Rocket X 2 was exciting from the start and a real grower over time. The new foam is really bouncy and elevates it into the top tier of carbon racing shoes, delivering the performance expected at this level. It has been pulled out consistently all year and held up well over well over 100k of running while still feeling fresh underfoot.

Its standout quality is grip. It is a favorite wet weather carbon plate shoe, especially on greasy tracks and rain-soaked pavements where other carbon racers get sketchy. The stack is not completely maxed out and the drop is lower, which makes it a bit more stable and grounded than some rivals and gives a better feel for the road when turning tight corners. It is a good racer, though arguably better suited to shorter distances up to the half marathon, since the foam does not give quite as much back at the end of long runs. It is also a genuinely good-looking shoe and a strong all-round effort.

2. Adidas Adizero Boston 12: The Best All-Rounder

The Adizero Boston 12 is a huge return to form for the Boston line. The Boston 10 and 11 were big, clunky shoes that were great for long runs and durability but lost the classic Boston feel. This one is a modern Boston: lightweight, capable of running fast, going long, and even racing if you want to use it instead of a carbon shoe.

The dual density midsole combines loads of bouncy Lightstrike Pro with the improved Lightstrike 2.0 underneath, an EVA foam that is pretty soft and lightweight, plus midsole rods and a solid rubber outsole with outstanding grip. Despite being built with speed in mind, it works brilliantly as a daily trainer through the winter for both fast sessions and easy pavement runs. It also proved good value, dropping to really low prices around the Black Friday period.

The main criticism is the upper. It is a racy, very lightweight upper that is a bit too thin if you view this as a daily trainer, and it can be tricky to dial in without pressure points, though once set it is fine. It may not be as durable as shoes with more padding or thicker outsoles, but in terms of ride feel it handles relaxed long runs, fast short sessions, and everything in between. This is the best super trainer released this year.

1. Nike Vaporfly 3: The Easy Number One

The Nike Vaporfly 3 was the easiest pick of the lot. Not everyone loves this version, and some prefer the feel of the previous one, but for many it is close to the perfect carbon plate shoe. Nike reduced the weight and increased the cushioning slightly, giving a softer feeling while keeping the aggressive, tip-forward ride you want and expect from the Vaporfly.

It has raced well this year, including a fast relay leg run at 5K PB pace and a London Marathon with a big negative split for a 2:33, where it felt excellent right to the end. At just over 200g with a big stack of comfortable cushioning, it stays bouncy, aggressive, and everything you want from a Vaporfly. The outsole is not as good as before and is not the most durable in the world, but as a racing shoe used on good surfaces that is a reasonable trade-off. After about 100 miles the shoes still look and feel springy and lively, and they are in pole position to be the race day choice for the next marathon.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want one shoe to do almost everything, the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is the strongest all-rounder here. For relaxed daily cruising at a friendlier price, the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is hard to beat. Wet weather racers should look closely at the Hoka Rocket X 2, while the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro rewards runners who want maximum bounce and do not mind an unconventional heel. And if race day is the priority, the Nike Vaporfly 3 remains the benchmark.

Conclusion

It was a strong year for running shoes, but these five earned their spots for clear reasons: the Wave Rebellion Pro for sheer excitement, the Magnify Nitro 2 for dependable comfort, the Rocket X 2 for grip and racing feel, the Boston 12 for versatility, and the Vaporfly 3 for race day performance. Whichever direction your running leans, there is a shoe on this list that fits it.