Top 10 Running Shoes of 2022 (So Far): Ranked From Great to Essential

Introduction

Halfway through 2022, the running shoe market is unusually crowded: max-cushion cruisers, value daily trainers, and stacked super shoes all fighting for the same shelf space. This list ranks ten shoes that have earned enough miles to be judged fairly, ordered from solid but flawed at number ten up to the standout of the year so far.

Each entry reflects real running rather than first impressions, with scores given along the way. Here is the ranking, counting down from ten.

Why These Shoes Made the List

Only shoes with a reasonable mileage base were considered. Some well-reviewed models were left out because they had not yet crossed the mileage threshold, including the Metaspeed Sky and Takumi Sen 8, which are close to their 100-mile reviews but not quite there.

The bar is simple: enough miles to know whether the midsole holds up, whether the upper stays comfortable, and whether the price makes sense for what you get. That discipline keeps the list honest, even if it means some promising newcomers have to wait.

Number 10: On Cloudmonster

The first On running shoe to make it into testing, and it left a mixed impression. The stack height is there on paper, but the foam does not fully deliver on the max-cushion promise, and the asking price is steep for what you actually feel underfoot. A notably thin tongue also caused lace pressure across the top of the foot, and the overall ride leans firm rather than plush.

It still earns a respectable 83, and there are genuine good points here, but it is not an essential pickup. If you are drawn to the Cloudmonster, test it carefully and check the fit across the instep first.

Number 9: Nike ZoomX Streakfly

At about 100 miles, the Streakfly proved a disappointment, and the upper was the biggest let-down: voluminous and loose in a way that limited what the shoe could do. The concept is good, but the implementation does not quite land, and the out-the-box price feels high for what you get. Limited availability in the UK has also made it hard for many runners to even try.

It may be worth testing purely out of curiosity, but most runners can comfortably leave this one on the shelf.

Number 8: Adidas Adizero Adistar

A shoe of contradictions. The midsole mass is enormous and the upper is genuinely plush, making this an obvious candidate for longer sessions. But the ride character is odd: a very soft, repetitive foam sitting inside a very firm casing around the heel, a bit like a chocolate cream egg. It is also not a shoe that will ever win on value, with a fairly locked-in intended use case.

Testing was interrupted by race schedules, tapering and illness, so its long-run credentials are still unproven. There is a real chance it climbs this list once the full picture is in.

Number 7: Asics Gel Nimbus 24

Exceptionally good for easy cruising miles and even casual wear, the Nimbus 24 is comfort-focused running done properly. The FF Blast Plus foam is seriously squashy underfoot, and the upper is among the best tested in the past year. This is a top-of-the-range shoe in feel, and it should deliver a lot of miles without the foam bottoming out any time soon.

The catch is the top-of-the-range price too, which dents the value somewhat and makes some max-cushion rivals look overpriced by comparison. A solid 90, with a 100-mile update to follow.

View more details for ASICS Gel-Nimbus 24

The Best Daily Trainers: Nike Pegasus 39 and UA Flow Velociti Wind 2

Nike returned to form with the Pegasus 39, scoring 10.9 out of 12. Lowering the weight brings it back into true daily-shoe territory, and the React foam feels a touch softer than previous versions. For once, the shoe delivers on its stated ethos: a running shoe for all runners. Genuine versatility is its calling card.

The Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind 2 sits just outside the top four and is beloved for good reason. Its Flow midsole, a material Under Armour originally developed with basketball in mind, is more rebound-like and slightly firmer, closer in feel to firmer racing midsoles. It is a nimble tempo option with app connectivity built in, and it scored 11 out of 12. It may not be the outright best performer, but it is one of the best-looking shoes of 2022 so far.

Number 4: Nike Vaporfly Next% 2

Taken to 100 miles, the Vaporfly Next% 2 earned a 93, and the midsole remains arguably the best running shoe midsole money can buy. The upper is improved over the previous version, and this shoe has race results to back up the hype, including a half marathon personal best. It is a shoe best saved for race day and key sessions.

Two caveats keep it out of the top three: the outsole still lacks bite on wet, coarse surfaces, and the price is a value killer, though pairs can now be found for under 200, which softens the blow if a personal best is on the line.

The Value Champions: Reebok Floatride Energy 4 and Energy X

The Floatride Energy 4 is the opposite of the Vaporfly in value terms: a very low-cost daily trainer with a tremendous upper and cushioned comfort that defies its retail price. Discounts often bring it down to around the 50 mark, effectively the price of a video game. Do not expect it to out-race a plated super shoe, but as an everyday mileage machine at this price, it is superb and earns its number three spot.

Its big brother, the Floatride Energy X, takes number two with a 94 initial score that is not given lightly. The part-plated design and excellent upper deliver an on-point fit and one of the most forgiving plated rides tested recently. The Floatride foam with Floatride Plus under the forefoot makes it snappy for steady efforts and segmented speed work, all at a price that does not require hiding the receipt.

The Podium: Reebok Floatride Energy X and Adidas Adizero Prime X

The Energy X nearly takes the crown, but the number one shoe of 2022 so far goes to the Adidas Adizero Prime X, scoring 11.5 out of 12, or 95. Initial skepticism that this was an unnecessary offering from Adidas turned out to be completely wrong.

The upper design is brilliant, and it is the most cushioned and forgiving footwear tested to date. Durability impresses too: after 100 miles the outsole looks barely touched, with nothing hanging off anywhere. The massive Lightstrike Pro midsole genuinely boosts recovery, getting you back out running sooner.

The obvious downside is price: 220 is no joke. But judged purely on performance, it is worth every penny, and it will take something special in the rest of 2022 to dethrone it.

View more details for Adidas Adizero Prime X

Overall Buying Advice

If budget drives your decision, the Floatride Energy 4 offers the best performance-per-pound of the entire list and works as a dependable daily trainer. If you want one shoe that covers most running, the Pegasus 39 and Flow Velociti Wind 2 are the most versatile picks here.

For race day, the Vaporfly Next% 2 remains the benchmark midsole, while the Adizero Prime X is the pick if maximum cushioning and recovery matter more than price. Comfort-first runners should shortlist the Gel Nimbus 24, and approach the Cloudmonster, Streakfly and Adistar with more caution until further testing confirms their place.

Conclusion

The first half of 2022 rewards smart shopping: value picks like the Floatride Energy 4 punch far above their price, versatile daily trainers are in excellent health, and the Adizero Prime X sets the performance standard, provided the 220 price tag does not put you off. Match the shoe to the miles you actually run, and every tier of this list has something worth buying.