Next Pair

Updated 2026-05-05

Picked for: Training for my first marathon. Need a cushioned daily trainer under $150. I'm 75kg, neutral, run 25 mi/wk.

Best overall

saucony-endorphin-azura-1

Premium PWRRUN PB foam with responsive rocker, versatile for easy to tempo paces, excellent value at $150.

Lightweight alternative

asics-gt-2000-13

Lighter at 230g with mild stability and 400–500 mi durability; good if you prefer a traditional daily trainer feel.

Structured pick

new-balance-880-15

Firmest of the group with pronounced rocker and excellent stability for a planted, controlled marathon-training platform.

See how this conversation went →
user: Training for my first marathon. Need a cushioned daily trainer under $150. I'm 75kg, neutral, run 25 mi/wk.
assistant: You've got solid mileage and a clear use case — here are three strong daily trainers that'll carry you through marathon training without breaking the bank. **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1** is my top pick. It's built on Saucony's premium PWRRUN PB foam (the same stuff in their racing shoes) but packaged for daily training at $150. The Run Testers call it "light, poppy, and propulsive" with a pronounced forefoot rocker that bounces when you load it — so you get responsiveness on easy days and enough pop for tempo work. At 244g it's on the heavier side of daily trainers, but the foam is firm and durable, and the snug fit means good lockdown on longer runs. Doctors of Running rates it as a versatile pick for neutral runners who prefer a firmer, responsive ride. **ASICS GT-2000 v13** is a leaner alternative at 230g — lighter than the Azura and built for durability (400–500 miles). It's a mild-stability shoe with FlyteFoam Blast Plus and a PureGEL heel insert, so you get cushioning with a touch of medial support. Doctors of Running prefers this over the v14 for runners wanting a lighter, more versatile guidance-style trainer. Fair warning: the forefoot is narrow, so if you have a wider foot, this might pinch. **New Balance 880 v15** rounds out the trio. Doctors of Running notes it's "the firmest and most structured" with excellent stability and a pronounced rocker geometry — good for runners who like a more planted, controlled feel. It's high-cushion and well-regarded, though I have less detailed reviewer data on it than the other two. All three sit at or under your $150 budget and are built for the marathon-training grind. The Azura edges ahead if you want versatility and a bouncier ride; the GT-2000 if you prefer a lighter, more traditional daily trainer; the 880 if you like a firmer, more structured platform. One quick question: do you have any history of calf tightness or Achilles sensitivity? That would nudge me toward the Azura's rocker geometry, which Saucony designed to reduce late-stance calf load.

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