Running Shoe Yay or Nay: Four Models Weighing In on Our Test List

Introduction

Every so often it makes sense to sort the wishlist before committing to full reviews. Four shoes are in the running-shoe queue right now, and each one gets a simple verdict: yay or nay. The list spans a cushioned daily trainer, a lifestyle runner being pushed into performance territory, a heavily redesigned trail shoe, and a sustainability-focused release with a demanding price tag.

Asics Gel Cumulus 24: Yay

After spending time in the Asics Gel Nimbus 24, a cushioned and very stable ride that felt built for longevity, the Cumulus 24 slots in as a potentially more affordable daily option. It uses more FlyteFoam Blast, the foam seen in the popular Novablast series, promising welcome cushioning for daily miles. There are visible nods to the Nimbus in the upper design and profile, along with a new outsole rubber compound called Asics Light, which appears aimed at trimming rubber weight without giving up the brand’s famously durable high-abrasion grip.

The specs land at an 8mm drop and 286 grams (10.1 oz) in the typical sample size, with gel in both the heel and forefoot. It sits a shade lighter than the Nimbus, though not by a dramatic margin. With plenty of interest from runners wanting a direct comparison to the Nimbus 24, this one earns a clear yay.

Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2: Tentative Yay

The idea of running in the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 started as a joke, but the more the shoe is examined from a technical angle, the less ridiculous it becomes. The Boost material is encapsulated within the midsole, a construction not unlike what appeared in the 2020 Boston 9 and Adizero Pro. The Primeknit upper is not all that different from the Ultra Boost models readily available from Adidas.

The catch is weight and price. The V2 could be up to 385 grams in sample sizes, not far off an Ultra Boost, and pairs tend to sell for around 250 in typical currency, a lot to gamble on a shoe that cannot realistically be resold after 5 to 10k of running. The verdict is a tentative yay, conditional on finding one at a more reasonable price. If it doesn’t work out as a run shoe, it can still live a second life as casual wear.

Nike Pegasus Trail 4: Not Yet

The Pegasus Trail series has been popular since launch, and the third version earned a reputation as something of a swiss army shoe: superbly cushioned, comfortable on top of the foot, and used for everything from walking to hiking. Its weakness was the outsole, which was slippery in wet conditions, exactly what runners wanted changed.

The fourth version answers with a serious redesign. There is a new, more contoured midsole unit, less toe-protecting rubber in the forefoot, and a completely different lug pattern. A lateral crash pad similar to the Pegasus 35 and 36 appears here too, and the shoe looks closer to the Pegasus 36 Trail that started the series. A Gore-Tex version is also on the cards, which feels like an odd timing choice for warmer summer weather.

The sticking point is weight. The Peg Trail 3 was already a heavy shoe, and without confirmation that this version is lighter, the verdict for now is a nay, revisited once more information lands.

Allbirds Tree Flyer: Nay

Allbirds has built its reputation on producing some of the most sustainable running shoes in terms of carbon footprint and production. The Tree Flyer pushes further with a lighter weight construction and a new midsole material that is said to be more responsive than previous versions, with a design that resembles the recent Allbirds collaboration with Adidas. The intent is clear: bring the shoe in line with genuine performance running shoes.

The problem is cost. At 150 in the UK, it is considerably more expensive than earlier Allbirds releases, enough to buy nearly three pairs of a budget trainer like the Reebok Floatride Energy 4. For an easy-day shoe in that category, it struggles to stand up to regular testers such as the Pegasus 39 or the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. The sustainability ambition is genuinely appealing, but the market is not quite there yet at a price most runners can commit to. That makes it a nay for now.

Buying Advice

The Cumulus 24 is the safest bet of the four, combining proven Asics durability and cushioning at an expected price below the Nimbus 24. The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 only makes sense as a fun experiment if the price drops well below its typical 250 asking level. Trail runners should wait for confirmed weight figures on the Pegasus Trail 4 before committing, and anyone drawn to the Allbirds Tree Flyer should weigh whether the sustainability story justifies the premium over more capable conventional trainers.

Conclusion

Two yays, one not yet, and one firm nay. The Asics Gel Cumulus 24 is the strongest pick for daily miles, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 remains a curiosity worth chasing only at the right price, the Pegasus Trail 4 is a promising redesign still waiting on weight confirmation, and the Allbirds Tree Flyer is an admirable sustainability effort undercut by its price.