Worst Running Shoes 2023: Three Disappointing Releases to Think Twice About

Introduction

We buy every shoe we test with our own money, so the verdicts here are as impartial as they get. Most releases this year earned a fair amount of praise, but a handful of big-name shoes simply did not live up to expectations. This listicle covers three of the most disappointing: a do-it-all daily trainer that lost its magic, a race day shoe that was punishing to run in, and a once-beloved recovery shoe that took a big step backwards.

Worst Do-It-All Daily Trainer

The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13 was one of the most frustrating releases of the year. The midsole is extremely soft, and while it starts soft, it only seems to get softer as the run goes on. We put around 70 to 80 km into the shoe and never really got it going. It has no life in it, and because the ride is so squishy, there is very little stability. On sharp corners, it feels like a shoe you could genuinely turn an ankle in.

The bigger issue is what the 1080 line used to be. Earlier versions did nearly everything well at about an 85 percent level: easy runs, tempo work, marathon pace, even 5K pace. It was the shoe recommended most often for anyone getting into the sport. Version 13 turns a genuinely versatile everyday trainer into an easy and recovery run shoe only, which pushes people toward a larger multi-shoe rotation. For runners who like one shoe in their lineup, it was a big letdown, and at £160 there are better places to spend the money.

Worst Race Day Shoe

The Saucony Endorphin Elite is the striking green race shoe that promises a lot and delivers a very narrow slice of it. The combination of its aggressive rocker and stiff setup placed real strain on the body over a half marathon race and training sessions alike. It was not overly comfortable, and the unusual padded area at the back of the shoe caused rubbing, a design detail we have not seen on many other shoes. Lockdown was also an issue, with some heel slip at the rear.

The shoe only comes alive at all-out race pace. At easy or steady paces it is genuinely uncomfortable, and it only really got going at marathon pace or faster. So despite a £280 price tag, it still forces you to buy other shoes to complete a rotation.

Worst Easy and Recovery Run Shoe

The Nike Invincible 3 is the biggest letdown of the three, mostly because of how good the previous versions were. Versions 1 and 2 were loved for roughly 6,000 km of running between them, and the Invincible 2 earned around 1,750 km in the first half of the year before this update arrived. Version 3 suffers from unbearable heel slip at the back of the shoe. Lacing it in different ways reduced the slip but never fully eliminated it.

It is also fairly heavy and on the chunky side. Some runners who never experienced the heel slip got on well with it as an all-around shoe, but for the many people affected, it is hard to recommend until the issue is fixed in a future version.

Better Alternatives Worth Considering

Rather than the 1080 v13, look at the Asics Novablast 4 at around £135, or hunt down the Novablast 3 for roughly £100 if you can still find it, which is an absolute steal. If you love the 1080 line, previous versions are all fantastic daily shoes and remain a safer bet.

Saucony fans will be much better served by the Endorphin Pro, which is a lot cheaper, noticeably more comfortable, and still has a good rocker, just not quite as stiff. If you want something lighter and faster for 5Ks, 10Ks, or a half marathon without the big max-stack build, the Saucony Speed is the more versatile and fun option in the same family.

Conclusion

None of these shoes is a scam, but all three miss the mark in ways that matter: a daily trainer that lost its versatility, a race shoe that is harsh everywhere except top speed, and a beloved recovery shoe undone by heel slip. Spend carefully, consider the alternatives above, and if you can, test the fit yourself before committing to any of them.