Shoes of the Year 2025: Four Running Shoes That Stood Out

Introduction

Picking a “best” running shoe is rarely fair, because the right shoe depends entirely on how you run. This year’s selection leans on that idea: instead of chasing marginal race-day seconds, the focus here was on enjoying the miles across marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, parkruns and trail races. That year of relaxed, varied running shaped four picks across the core categories: daily trainer, cushioned shoe, race shoe and trail shoe. Each one earns its place for a clear reason, and each has trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.

Best Daily and All-Rounder Shoe: Adidas Adizero Evo SL

The Adizero Evo SL takes the daily and all-rounder category because it genuinely does everything. It is comfortable and bouncy on easy runs, feels light on the foot, and adds noticeable energy return without a plate, keeping the ride natural. It is easy to find yourself running slightly faster than planned without trying. It has also handled speed sessions well, and it is a strong candidate for shorter races such as a parkrun.

The value story is a big part of the appeal. It punches well above its price point, and it can now be found considerably cheaper, with deals around £80 available from a number of retailers. If you want one shoe to cover easy runs, faster sessions and the occasional race, this is a very compelling option.

The main caveat is uncertainty about what comes next. A new version with a trail outsole is already out, and it remains to be seen whether the standard version will change much or become more expensive. For now, though, it ticks every box a daily trainer should.

Best Cushioned Shoe: Saucony Hurricane 25

This was a tricky category, because few cushioned shoes this year truly stood out. The Hurricane 25 earns the pick as a consistently excellent, no-drama shoe. It is more of the same as the Hurricane 24, which is a compliment: the ride remains very cushioned, comfortable and balanced, with a soft, comfortable upper and minor tweaks that do not change the character of the shoe.

The standout quality is the transitions. The big, wide base rolls you smoothly into the next step and keeps the foot in a good position, which makes plowing through easy miles feel effortless. It also works as a semi-stability shoe: when you pronate, the midsole and sidewalls engage and provide real support, but on the foot it never feels like a traditional stability shoe.

Be clear about what it is not. The Hurricane 25 is not particularly versatile, not especially speedy, and does not offer huge energy return or deep softness. It is built for comfortable, stable easy running, and it does that very well.

Best Race Shoe: Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

The race shoe market has matured, with most modern super shoes delivering a bouncy, efficient ride that makes choosing hard. The Puma Fast-R3 was a serious contender and a very fast shoe, but the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo wins because its midsole offers a little more: more energy and a touch more softness. It feels just as aggressive as the Puma but more accessible and more enjoyable to run in.

That extra midsole quality is why it would be the choice for a marathon at a fast pace. Over longer sessions, it simply does more than the alternatives. If you like an especially soft and bouncy feel, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is a likeable, if niche, option, but it does not feel as propulsive or as aggressive as the Sky Tokyo.

Marathon racing in this shoe is still untested, but for anything from shorter races up to a full marathon at a target time, it is the current first choice.

View more details for ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

Favorite Trail Shoe: ASICS Fuji Lite 6

This category is framed as a favorite rather than a best, because trail shoes depend heavily on terrain and few get tested across every surface type. The Fuji Lite 6 earns the spot as a superbly balanced all-rounder. Its 4mm lugs are fairly standard and not built for boggy, muddy ground; instead it is designed for general trails, public footpaths and rocky mountain paths, where you want grip plus a nice, bouncy midsole and moderate cushioning without sacrificing speed.

It handles road-to-trail transitions well thanks to its midsole foam, and it is comfortable enough for long training sessions, with enough versatility to pick up the pace on descents or during trail races. It has been tested on mountain paths in Switzerland, road-to-trail routes, the downs and muddy forest sections, and it performed well across all of them.

For most runners who buy a single pair of trail shoes and want it to do many things, this is great value and an easy recommendation.

Overall Buying Advice

Match the shoe to how you actually run. If you want one shoe for everything, the Adizero Evo SL is the standout value pick. If your priority is comfortable, stable easy miles, the Hurricane 25 delivers with support that only kicks in when needed. If you have a goal race with a time in mind, the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo offers the most complete race-day package. And if you split your time between road and trail, the Fuji Lite 6 covers both without fuss. All four reward runners who prioritize enjoyment as much as performance.

Conclusion

A relaxed year of running produced a clear theme: the best shoe is the one that fits your running, not just the fastest on paper. From the do-it-all Evo SL to the trail-ready Fuji Lite 6, each of these picks earned its place through consistent, real-world use across a full calendar of races and training.