Top Running Shoes of the Year: Saucony Kinvara 13, Puma Velocity Nitro 2, and Hoka Speedgoat 5

Introduction

Scoring every pair in a running shoe database makes picking favorites refreshingly simple: no vibes, no hunches, just the highest full-review scores of the year so far. The top three shoes from the first stretch of the season break down into one road shoe that cracked the coveted 8-point barrier, a durable daily trainer from a brand clearly on an upward run, and a trail shoe that is remarkably close behind.

How These Picks Were Chosen

Every shoe here earned its place through the full-review scoring system rather than a gut feeling. The three picks sit at the top of the database with scores of 8.15, 7.95, and roughly 7.85, and each one has already covered serious mileage in dedicated full reviews.

A quick note on testing methodology: durometer readings help dial in cushioning feel, with a range of roughly 38 to 42 reading as ideal, 45 as fine, 48 to 52 leaning too firm, and anything above 55 definitively too firm for a pleasurable ride. Weight also matters, measured in the reviewer’s own size, and heel counters, lockdown, and upper comfort all factor into the final score.

Saucony Kinvara 13

The Saucony Kinvara 13 is the only shoe so far this year to break into the 8-point range, landing a final score of 8.15. That alone secures its spot at the top of the shelf.

The headline attribute is weight: 6.5 to 6.6 ounces in the reviewer’s size, which makes it the lightest of the three and a genuine joy for faster days. Breathability through the toe box is described as epic, making it an excellent candidate for warm summer months. It is a shoe that demands a bit from you, rewarding strong ankles and solid foot-strike control, which is part of its charm.

The durometer reading of 42 sits squarely in the sweet spot, and at $119 it is competitively priced for a lightweight performance trainer. The only sadness here is that the test pair has been retired after more than 50 miles of honest work.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2

The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 comes in at number two with a final score of 7.95. At 8.4 ounces in the reviewer’s size, it is noticeably heavier than the Kinvara, but that weight is earned rather than wasted.

The reason it scores so highly is the outsole: Puma Grip delivers great durability and great traction without pushing the shoe’s weight through the roof, which is a rare combination in a daily trainer. It is a neutral shoe with great lockdown, and it fits the same profile as the Kinvara in that it rewards runners who stay in control of their biomechanics through the foot strike.

Puma’s lineup has been impressively strong heading into the year, with the brand’s carbon fiber plate racer also recently tested. The Velocity Nitro 2 was listed on the brand’s website as becoming available on April 1, so it was just knocking on the door of wider availability at the time of testing. Durometer reading: a comfortable 44, right in the preferred wheelhouse.

Hoka Speedgoat 5

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is the trail representative, scoring roughly 7.85, and it was hard to leave it out of the top spot. At the time of testing it was not yet easy to find in stores, though a pair had reportedly surfaced in Germany, so availability in Europe was an open question worth checking locally.

What stood out most in full testing was the heel counter and heel tab: so soft and gentle that it feels like a hug, which should keep the Achilles tendon very happy on long trail races or big training days. For a trail shoe, the cushioning feel is remarkable, with a durometer reading between 41 and 42, which is impressively soft for the category.

Buying Advice

If you want one shoe that does a bit of everything, the Kinvara 13 is the safest pick: light, breathable, and the highest scorer of the bunch. The Velocity Nitro 2 makes more sense if durability and grip matter more than shaving grams, since the outsole is built to go the distance. Trail runners should watch for the Speedgoat 5’s availability in their region, because its soft cushioning and gentle heel construction make it a standout for long miles off-road.

It is also worth remembering that last year’s top performers are often still excellent shoes, and a year-old model frequently scores even better on value once prices drop.

Conclusion

Three shoes, three clear personalities: a featherweight speed trainer, a grippy durable daily, and a plush trail companion. All three earned their rankings through consistent, mileage-backed testing, and any of them is a confident pick for the running season ahead.