Four Running Shoes Worth a Look: Adidas, On, Inov-8 and Atreyu

Introduction

Four shoes, four different jobs. This roundup covers a lightweight daily trainer from Adidas, a max-cushion road shoe from On, a multi-terrain option from Inov-8, and a budget-friendly trail offering from Atreyu. Each one earns its place for a different reason, so the right pick depends entirely on where and how you run.

Adidas Adizero SL

This appears to be a new version of the popular super light SL model. The Lightstrike midsole material has been swapped for Lightstrike Pro, a less dense compound than the typical Lightstrike, which is an exciting move from Adidas: top-line midsole material placed into one of its more budget-oriented shoes.

The upper is highly perforated through the toe box and vamp, which should make it an airy choice for warmer months. It borrows ideas from across the range, with lacing variations similar to the Prima X and an outsole closer to the Adios 6. There is a visible torsional element on the outsole, but no energy rods or plates, which should help keep the cost down a little.

Adidas prices it at £120, slightly higher than the Adios 6 and a little under the Adizero Primex. If you like your shoes airy and nimble, this one could be a nice daily option.

On Running Cloudmonster

The Cloudmonster pairs On’s Helion midsole material with its Cloudtec construction, and it is aimed at road running for medium to long distance sessions. It is a max-cushion shoe with a 6mm drop, priced at £150 in the UK.

The purple upper makes it one of the most striking On models around, and the combination of Helion foam and the Cloudtec layout raises the obvious question for anyone who has not tried the brand: is the ride really squashy, or a bit more firm? If max cushion is your thing, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.

Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280

For runners whose local races and park runs happen on multi-terrain courses with plenty of grass and some paths, a full-on trail shoe can be overkill. That is exactly the gap the Parkclaw G 280 is built to fill.

It has an 8mm heel drop, higher than some other Inov-8 models, and a slightly wider footbed through the midfoot. The stack is reasonable too, closer to a cushioned daily shoe than a bare-bones trail racer. Inov-8 has stuck with its Boomerang insoles here, made from TPU beads melted together, which proved a real triumph on earlier models and are worth seeking out.

Grip comes from 98 lugs underfoot, which should furnish plenty of traction on mixed surfaces. If you want to diversify into local multi-terrain events without carrying a dedicated trail shoe, this is a very sensible pick.

Atreyu Base Trail

Atreyu Running keeps growing its footwear lineup, and the Base Trail is a tasty addition. It uses the supercritical EVA foam from the brand’s Artist model in the midsole, which could make for a durable, solid and stable daily option.

Atreyu is keen to state this is not just a trail shoe: you could use it to commute from road to trail and back, and it could easily fit into a road rotation. That flexibility makes it a natural comparison point to the Parkclaw above.

The big takeaway is the very minimal upper. Many trail shoes feel overbuilt, wrapped in layers of fabric that are simply unnecessary on less technical routes. The Base Trail strips that away. It is expected to land around $115, roughly £90, and should offer solid rubber on the outsole for a cost-effective package. One caveat: the shoe was still early in design and production at the time of this assessment, so timing and final details may shift.

Overall Buying Advice

Match the shoe to the terrain. If your mileage is mostly road and you want a nimble, breathable daily trainer, the Adidas Adizero SL is the obvious candidate. If you prioritize plush cushioning for medium to long road sessions, the Cloudmonster brings a genuinely different midsole setup. On mixed grass-and-path courses, the Parkclaw G 280 avoids trail-shoe overkill while keeping serious grip. And if budget and versatility top your list, the Base Trail offers a minimal upper and supercritical foam at a friendly price.

Conclusion

Four shoes, four clear use cases, and no duds in the mix. Whether you are refreshing a road rotation, dipping a toe into trail running, or hunting for an affordable all-rounder, at least one of these should fit the bill.