Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run has reviewed 198 shoes in the Next Pair catalog. Below: their verdict on each, with a source link to the full review on their own channel.
Daily training 62
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"a little more fun" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Believe in the Run rates the Pegasus Plus 2 highly on design and value, but slightly lower on performance since the Air Zoom unit didn't deliver as much energy return and excitement as hoped -- an overall 'A' and a Green Light recommendation at $165.
Best for: Daily training and easy-to-moderate runs for runners who want a slightly elevated, more fun version of the Pegasus.
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"standard running and walking shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Believe in the Run frame the Clifton 11 as the unchanged, familiar half of the lineup — a standard running-and-walking shoe for easy and recovery days rather than performance.
Best for: Runners who want a comfortable, familiar everyday running-and-walking shoe for easy and recovery days.
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"one of the more versatile options" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Believe in the Run see the Clifton Pro as the performance evolution of the Clifton line — more versatile and race-oriented, and the pick for runners training for races, at a $10 premium over the Clifton 11.
Best for: Runners training for races who want a versatile trainer for easy days, long runs, and some up-tempo work.
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"feels a little flat" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Both reviewers gave it consistent B grades, liking the new DNA Hype foam and upper but wishing for more forefoot cushioning and a rocker; still called one of their favorite shoes in the Ghost line and rated a green light.
Best for: Short-to-moderate daily runs for runners who like a traditional lower-stack feel without an aggressive rocker
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"it's still a very traditional Clifton ride" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Runners who want a comfortable, familiar daily shoe that also works for all-day casual wear.
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"a little bit more bounce" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A more performance-oriented take on the Clifton with a livelier midsole and better lockdown, worth the $10 upcharge for runners who want to actually run fast in it rather than just wear it casually.
Best for: Meg's pick for the bulk of her training — easy runs, in-between-workout days, and non-marathon-pace long runs.
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"it just kind of works" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A simple, versatile, entry-priced daily trainer the reviewers say they'd recommend to anybody at any level.
Best for: Daily training miles for runners at any level; Thomas picks it for his own daily-mileage rotation slot.
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"little more aggressive, little more bounce" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Marathon training and higher-mileage weeks where HOKA's product team designed the Clifton Pro to give extra longevity and get-up-and-go versus the standard Clifton.
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"I like that pop off the toe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas and Megan pick the Novablast 6 over the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro in a head-to-head, praising its lively dual-density midsole, improved forefoot outsole grip, and versatility for both easy and faster-paced training, despite it being heavier and less flashy-looking.
Best for: Daily training with the versatility to handle tempo efforts; suited to entry-level runners and as a rotation piece for more advanced runners.
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"it just kind of felt flat" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas and Megan like the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro's upper comfort, light weight, and outsole grip, but find its single-density Nitro foam slab lacks the pop, toe spring, and energy return expected of an up-tempo trainer, ultimately preferring the Novablast 6 in this head-to-head.
Best for: Runners who prioritize a light, comfortable, race-weight-adjacent daily trainer over a lively/bouncy ride.
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"bouncier version of the Clifton" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid, versatile daily trainer that delivers a bouncier ride than the standard Clifton through its super critical EVA midsole, though both reviewers were surprised by the absence of a plate and feel the 'Pro' name sets expectations the shoe doesn't fully meet — earning a B overall.
Best for: Daily training and long runs for runners who want a more performance-oriented version of the classic Clifton
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"a tamed down version of the Neo Vista" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Mizuno completely reimagined the Wave Rider for its 30th anniversary, delivering a plush, bouncy, and versatile daily trainer that punches well above its $150 price point. Both reviewers gave it an overall A, praising the meaningful midsole and upper updates and the surprisingly lively ride from an EVA-based construction.
Best for: Daily training and recovery runs for neutral to mild-stability runners seeking a premium everyday shoe
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"feels like this is a no-brainer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Reviewers describe it as a no-brainer at $150 given the Lightstrike Pro foam and Continental rubber, and prefer the woven upper over the original for better lockdown and comfort.
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"one of the more fun ones" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Reviewers rate it as one of their favorites in the group, highlighting its extra forefoot pop from the new bouncy foam insert and versatility from easy miles to uptempo runs.
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"all-day walking shoe" — Believe in the Run
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"fun bouncy ride" — Believe in the Run
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"soft nice feel" — Believe in the Run
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"no-frills, kind of like the standard daily trainer" — Believe in the Run
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"close to race day weight" — Believe in the Run
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"definitely the most fun to run in" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Reviewers consider it the most fun and bouncy shoe in the group, with a nice toe spring that delivers a plated-racer feeling without an actual plate; one reviewer liked it so much they lent it away after testing.
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"a pure slab of foam" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A really good-looking, lightweight, $150 daily trainer with a fantastic upper and great Puma Grip, but the plateless foam lays flat without the propulsive bounce the hype promised, so it falls short as an uptempo or Evo SL killer; overall a green light.
Best for: A lightweight, comfortable, good-value daily trainer rather than an uptempo or race-day shoe
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"fits almost more like a race day shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Carl and Megan both score it an overall A (green light) — a solid update that's tighter-fitting, slightly softer and bouncier than the v2, and one of their favorite Mizuno shoes despite running a bit warm.
Best for: A fun, bouncy, versatile max-cushion super trainer for easy and long runs
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"the budget blast" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A really solid update that brings the Novablast back to life with a bouncy, fun forefoot insert and much improved grip; still a simple but versatile daily trainer at strong value, earning an overall A and a green light.
Best for: Budget-minded runners wanting a fun, versatile, high-value daily trainer that can log lots of miles.
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"more of a slow burn" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A slow-burn favorite he now reaches for often; fun and bouncy with the ability to pick up the pace.
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"lacing up all the time" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A shoe he laces up all the time; great for long runs, easy runs and just fun to run in.
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"this one is kind of a shocker" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A surprise pick: a firmer ride than he usually likes but really nice to run in, with a plate giving a propulsive feel underfoot.
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"this upper hugs the foot" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A recent, fun update with a new plate that feels pretty bouncy and an upper that hugs the foot; still getting miles in but enjoying it.
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"more bounce" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A bouncy, versatile $200 max-cushion trainer with a standout midsole and great grip; the rigid, unusual upper is the main weakness and the reviewers' pick of the two.
Best for: Versatile long runs and daily training where you want bounce and to pick up the pace at a lower price point
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"more for recovery" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A favorite Cloudmonster model with a fantastic LightSpray upper and a cushioned, rocker-driven ride, though the $280 price and a sharp Achilles-area edge are real drawbacks.
Best for: Long runs and recovery days where cushion and a premium upper matter
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"premium daily trainer from New Balance" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A quality daily trainer with durable new foam and a comfortable upper, but the narrower fit, uninspiring aesthetics, and sideways-feeling update rather than a clear improvement temper enthusiasm for the redesign.
Best for: Runners seeking a premium daily trainer for high-mileage training, especially those with narrower feet
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"got that bounce, that squish" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid improvement over the original Neo Zen with a more refined ride and better stability, though the $10 price bump and waxy outsole rubber knock it down to a thumbs-up B overall.
Best for: Daily training and longer easy-to-uptempo runs for neutral runners who want a fun, bouncy ride.
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"a little too heavy, a little too blocky" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Structure Plus delivers solid comfort and stability with its ZoomX and ReactX midsole combo, but the blocky, heavy ride limits its appeal for actual running. Both reviewers gave it a C overall, noting that the standard Structure 26 at $25 less actually feels better for running, making the Plus hard to justify unless you prioritize max cushion and softness in a stability shoe.
Best for: Overpronators seeking a max-cushion stability shoe for easy runs, walking, or all-day casual wear.
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"fit true to size" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A versatile max cushion trainer that avoids feeling overly soft or heavy, offering responsive Nitro foam, a pronounced rocker, and excellent durability. Both reviewers gave it a green light, praising the comfortable knit upper, improved width, and ability to handle a range of paces.
Best for: Runners wanting a versatile max cushion trainer that can handle daily runs, long runs, and easy runs with the ability to pick up the pace when needed.
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"boost is back" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A versatile, fun-to-run high-stack daily trainer that brings Boost back in a lighter, more responsive form; the only real knock is a rigid collar that can irritate some ankles.
Best for: Daily training workhorse and long runs, with enough pop to pick up the pace for strides and moderate workouts.
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"They fixed this shoe without ruining it" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Front-runner do-it-all daily trainer for 2026 — Mizuno fixed v1's sloppiness without losing the fun bouncy character; lighter, better upper, and more controlled ride.
Best for: Versatile daily trainer that handles easy miles, long runs, and strides for most runners
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"we did get a great review this year" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A great reviewed shoe, though the reviewer personally can't get the fit dialed in for their foot, landing it at A-tier rather than S.
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"the most worst version of a shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The reviewer considered it one of the worst versions of a shoe possible — a failed attempt at reviving the Nike Pegasus Turbo concept.
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"one of my favorite daily trainers" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An S-tier daily trainer at $140 that the reviewer counts among their all-time favorites, though it runs narrow.
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"Skechers make great shoes for reasonable price" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A very solid Skechers at a reasonable price, with a slightly underwhelming upper but otherwise a great value option.
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"a hard shoe to update" — Believe in the Run
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"Feels light on the foot" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid, well-executed update that the reviewer considers one of the better-looking and more enjoyable Pegasus iterations in years, though its firmer, one-trick-pony ride keeps it from being truly exciting.
Best for: Daily training miles and a do-it-all workhorse for runners who want one shoe for running and gym use.
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"fits a narrow foot very well" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Robbie calls the Velocity Nitro 4 his favourite shoe of 2025 and the 'archetype' daily trainer; both reviewers scored it a 'green light' (13 and 11 out of 15), praising the Nitrofoam ride, Pumagrip outsole, and value.
Best for: Runners with narrow feet who want a versatile, lightweight daily trainer that can also handle tempo work and light trail/gravel at an excellent $140 price.
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"this thing is light" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas describes the Velocity Nitro 4 as the best version yet of a traditional daily trainer but 'lacking personality' compared to the Evo SL, Novablast 5, or Rebel V5; he'd reach for the plated DV8 Nitro 3 inside the Puma lineup instead.
Best for: Runners who want a simple, traditional-feeling workhorse daily trainer at $140 and don't need uptempo excitement.
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"softer than the Evo" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: BITR considers the Rebel v5 a special, lightweight pea-blend daily trainer that's a hair behind the Evo SL only because of midsole feel — upper, fit, weight, and price all favor the Rebel.
Best for: Runners who want a soft, bouncy lightweight daily trainer with versatility and a comfier upper, including wide-footed runners
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"neutral standard daily trainer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid, no-frills daily trainer that hits a good cushioning balance and offers great value at $140, though it's creeping closer to the Glycerin in stack and feel.
Best for: A versatile, reasonably priced daily trainer for runners wanting one pair to handle running, walking, and all-day wear.
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Believe in the Run notes: A nice comfortable shoe for daily training; standard daily trainer that benefits from added stack height and the DNA Loft v3 foam, but lacks the snappy toe-off of pricier options.
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"really nice cushiony feel" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: BITR calls the Rebel v5 a major step up over the v4 with a much better upper, more cushion, and improved outsole — a near-perfect lightweight daily trainer that will be one of the best shoes of 2025.
Best for: A lightweight do-everything daily trainer from easy to tempo pace, including lifestyle wear
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"it's soft, but it's not soft soft" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The 10th Clifton feels like the shoe is back on track after losing its way — comfortable, well-fitting, and clearly differentiated from the Bondi, though still a cruiser rather than a do-it-all trainer.
Best for: Cruising daily miles and walking for Clifton fans who want a cushioned, comfortable, mildly bouncy daily trainer.
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Believe in the Run notes: Believe in the Run rates it 12/15 (form 3, fit 4, function 5) — a stability daily trainer that's actually fun to run in, with the only real knocks being the too-short laces and a slightly thin-feeling forefoot.
Best for: Runners who need stability or guidance and want a fun, bouncy daily trainer; also doubles as an easy/recovery shoe for neutral runners after long runs.
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Believe in the Run notes: Believe in the Run's hosts call it 'the stability shoe for people who don't like stability shoes' — fantastic underfoot feel, propulsive ride, only real knocks are too-short laces and slight forefoot thinness.
Best for: Runners who don't normally like stability shoes — modern stability that feels like a regular bouncy daily trainer.
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Believe in the Run notes: On overcorrected the v1 softness complaints and produced a firm, flat, uninspiring premium daily trainer that contradicts their own 'soft wins' marketing — a step backward at $160.
Best for: Casual wearers and short easy runs; not for runners who want soft cushioning at this price point.
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Believe in the Run notes: An uninspiring, average shoe that wears thin past three miles and lacks the cushioning and excitement to justify its premium price in today's well-cushioned daily-trainer landscape.
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"fits much more snugly" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A premium upper update that makes the Evo SL feel more like a proper daily trainer; Thomas picks the Woven all day long.
Best for: Runners wanting a more traditional running-shoe upper on the Evo SL, or using it for tempo/race day.
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"fast and light and bouncy" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas and Robbie see the Megablast as a bouncier, lighter successor-in-feel to the Superblast, with great durability and versatility, though the $225 price and blocky platform are notable drawbacks.
Best for: Lightweight daily training, long runs, and unplated race-day use for runners wanting a Superblast-style super trainer with more pop.
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"less of a break-in period" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: S-tier do-it-all high-stack trainer; the new FF Leap foam makes it softer, more versatile, and more comfortable than the Superblast 2, justifying the $210 price.
Best for: Runners wanting one versatile high-stack shoe for everything from recovery to long runs to racing.
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"fits true to size" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An innovative max-cushion daily trainer that blends high stack with flexible ground feel, earning a green light from the reviewers.
Best for: Daily training, easy runs, and long runs for runners wanting max cushion with more ground feel.
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"feels light on the foot" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An accessible daily trainer-meets-lifestyle shoe that surprised the reviewers; solid performance, great value at $145, and a strong casual crossover, earning a green light overall.
Best for: Runner-lifestyle crossover — daily easy to moderate runs plus all-day casual wear at an accessible price.
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"long run cruiser" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid, stable, smooth-riding long-run cruiser that gets outclassed at its $220 price by the Superblast 3 and Hyperboost Edge — and by its own LightSpray sibling.
Best for: A long-run cruiser for easy-to-moderate paces, ideal for 10+ mile runs where you want to lock into a rhythm.
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"nice and resilient, nice and bouncy and it's stable" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Runners who liked the Cloudmonster Hyper 3 and want a lighter, more locked-down option
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"stunner of a shoe on foot" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Reviewers call the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper a stunner and a potential shoe-of-the-year contender — a fun, light, well-cushioned do-it-all trainer held back only by an unstructured Achilles collar and premium price.
Best for: A do-it-all super trainer for runners who want one shoe for easy miles, tempo, long runs, and even non-plated racing.
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"lightweight daily trainer without a plate" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A banger at $150 — a lightweight, plateless daily trainer that rivals the Endorphin Speed and outperforms Evo SL/Rebel on versatility.
Best for: Versatile lightweight daily trainer for easy runs, tempos, and workouts without a plate.
Road racing 49
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"worked out perfectly" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A well-fitting, durable race-day shoe with an updated ATPU midsole and carbon plate, holding up well past 50 miles of testing.
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"real innovation in their uppers" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas calls it New Balance's best race-day shoe yet, praising its light, connected, fast feel; Megan is more mixed, finding it excellent for shorter/faster efforts but underfilled for marathon-distance cushioning needs.
Best for: Shorter, faster racing (5K-10K) for runners who want a low, connected race-flat feel over plush marathon cushioning
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"Hoka's best race day shoe ever" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Called HOKA's best race day shoe ever — light, fun, with an aggressive rocker and full-PEBA stack that both reviewers say is their favorite on the table.
Best for: Fast workouts, marathon-pace long runs, and racing; both hosts pick it as their race/speed shoe.
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"kind of a no-frills" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A stable, no-frills marathon racer that works but that neither reviewer finds especially exciting, and neither would choose it over the Cielo X1 for race day.
Best for: Runners who want a stable, safe-bet carbon racer rather than a more aggressive rockered ride.
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"very squishy, very soft" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Softer, bouncier, and more aggressive than the Endorphin Elite 2 with a standout upper, but its reduced stability and squirrely ride at speed left both hosts preferring the Metaspeed Sky for competitive racing, recommending the Saucony mainly for slower or longer marathon efforts.
Best for: Marathoners running 3:30 or slower who want a cushioned, forgiving race-day ride that keeps the legs fresher over longer efforts.
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"finally feels like a solid contender" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Hyperion Elite 6 is finally a legitimate race day contender from Brooks, with improved PEBA foam and a redesigned rocker that deliver the bounce and roll-through the line has been missing; at $275 the value case is harder to make given Brooks' prior struggles in this category, but the shoe earns mixed-to-positive marks split between the two reviewers.
Best for: Marathon and long-distance racing for runners seeking a stable yet competitive race day shoe
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"softer and definitely bouncier than the previous versions" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Hyperion Elite 6 represents a major step forward for Brooks, with a new PEBA-based DNA Loft foam that is softer and bouncier than previous iterations and a toe spring that finally delivers real pop. Both reviewers feel this is the best Hyperion Elite yet.
Best for: Race day and speed workouts for runners looking for a responsive PEBA-based racer from Brooks
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"the squishiest, softest foam" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas rates it an A overall as a soft, bouncy race-day shoe he hit and exceeded workouts in, while Megan gives it a B, finding it fun but too soft and not secure enough for her right now; both call it a very solid race-day option (green light) for runners who prefer a very soft ride, noting it is slightly heavier than rivals at $290.
Best for: Runners who want a very soft, bouncy carbon-plated race-day shoe, especially for marathons where soft cushioning helps in the late miles; also versatile enough for uptempo training after racing.
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"puzzle to get your foot in this shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A meaningful step forward for Salomon on the racing side — the OptiVibe Plus midsole is great and the carbon plate is propulsive — but the aerodynamic upper is overcomplicated and the wide forefoot geometry favors heel/midfoot strikers, making it a tough sell at $280 against established super-shoes.
Best for: Heel to midfoot strikers who want a soft, bouncy PEBA racer and aren't put off by a fiddly aerodynamic upper.
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"the foam is a lot firmer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Both reviewers found the Endorphin Pro 5 disappointing, calling it an outdated race day shoe that feels like it is from two years ago. With minimal innovation over the Pro 4, heavier weight than competitors, and firm foam that causes late-run fatigue, they rated it a pass and gave it a red light recommendation.
Best for: Runners who prefer a firmer, more stable race day shoe and liked the Endorphin Pro 4
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"it's a straight racer now" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A pure race-day shoe now (v1 was a fun super-trainer), lighter at 7.5oz and bouncier than ever. Thomas A / Robbie B → green grade. Robbie misses the trainer-ish feel of the original.
Best for: Race day for midfoot/forefoot strikers wanting a light, bouncy, aggressive carbon racer. Sweet spot when you pick up the pace.
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"the best road speed shoe Hoka's ever made" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: BITR's hosts call it possibly the best road speed shoe HOKA has ever made — lighter, bouncier, with an even more exaggerated rocker than the v2.
Best for: Top-of-the-line race day shoe in HOKA's lineup. Best road speed shoe HOKA has ever made (per BITR podcast).
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"almost feels blocky under foot" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: BITR's preferred Adidas race shoe — beats the Pro Evo 2 at half the price.
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Believe in the Run notes: Megan and Thomas both pick the $250 Pro 4 over the $500 Pro Evo 2 — more propulsive feel, better traction, more pop off the toe. Pro Evo 2 is lighter but doesn't add enough to justify the upcharge.
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Believe in the Run notes: Megan's pick over the Sky/Edge Tokyo. Knocks out the Adidas Pro 4 in her bracket — soft landing + really propulsive forefoot once you adjust to the instability.
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Believe in the Run notes: Probably wouldn't pick either Hyperion Elite version, but the 4 PB was the better direction.
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Believe in the Run notes: BITR's pick over the Rocket X3 when they want to run fast with an aggressive rocker.
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"more of that safe shoe" — Believe in the Run
Best for: First-time carbon-plated shoe users
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Believe in the Run notes: Thomas picks Elite over Pure for the added stability while still being very light.
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Believe in the Run notes: Megan's pick over the Cielo X1 2.0 in bracket round 2 — performance is comparable.
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Believe in the Run notes: WINNER of Megan's knockout race-day bracket — her ultimate race-day shoe.
Best for: Any marathon distance — especially when you want to lock in and cruise
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"faster turnover" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Short-distance races and turn-heavy courses
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Believe in the Run notes: Thomas's pick over the Fast-R 3 — does everything he wants, more forgiving when form breaks. Megan: use-case based (half → Fast-R 3, marathon → DV8 Elite 4).
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"more efficient than other shoes" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Efficient and fast but Thomas feels it's a little less designed for form-breakdown than the DV8 Elite 4.
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"I love this shoe for long runs" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: No-brainer winner over the Endorphin Pro 5 — the Pro 5 foam isn't great, heavier, doesn't have race-day dynamic feel. Elite 2 foam is bouncy, spongy, fun — Thomas's favorite from last year. Can be squirly under foot but very fun.
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Believe in the Run notes: Lose to the Elite 2 by a wide margin. Not BITR's Saucony race pick.
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"20% more cushioning" — Believe in the Run
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"like a baby deer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: After 103 miles, the Metaspeed Ray's foam still delivers — bouncy and lively despite ugly cosmetic wear — making it Megan's top ASICS race-day pick over the Sky and Edge.
Best for: Marathon racing and marathon-pace workouts for runners who like a soft, forgiving underfoot feel and want a lighter alternative to the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.
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"lacks what I would call personality" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A yellow-light carbon racer: light and capable on paper, but Thomas and Meg both find it underwhelming for a modern super shoe due to firm ground feel and missing forefoot pop, though faster/heavier reviewers on their team like it.
Best for: Runners who prefer ground feel and a traditional racing-flat feel over a bouncy, rockered super shoe ride.
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"felt very effortless running faster paces" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A propulsive, race-ready Metaspeed update — softer FF Leap bottom layer adds late-marathon comfort to the carbon-plated ride while top-tier outsole grip excels in wet cornering. Less stable than the Edge but more comfortable over the full marathon distance.
Best for: Marathon racing where comfort across the full distance matters more than maximum stiffness — particularly for runners who want a propulsive carbon-plate feel without the firmness of the Endorphin Pro.
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"built almost more like a daily trainer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A more comfortable, heel-striker-friendly super shoe that's heavier than current racing benchmarks but versatile enough to handle training through race day, earning a 12/15 green light.
Best for: Marathon racers who want a more accommodating, stable, and comfortable super shoe that can also double for tempo workouts; especially good for heel to midfoot strikers and mid/back-of-the-pack runners.
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"more of a comfortable race shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A refined, very lightweight race-day shoe (~6 oz) with a comfortable softer-than-before ride that both reviewers would now choose for a marathon, though it lacks the aggressive propulsion of top competitors and looks too similar to prior Metaspeed versions.
Best for: Marathon racing, including non-PR efforts, for runners who want an extremely lightweight race shoe with balanced cushioning.
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"Just felt like a little blocky" — Believe in the Run
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"felt so light under foot" — Believe in the Run
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Believe in the Run notes: The best dedicated 5K/mile racing shoe Believe in the Run has reviewed in nearly a decade — exceptional pop and turnover for short-distance racing, but punishingly specific in fit and use case.
Best for: 5K and mile racers who land on their forefoot and want the lightest, fastest ride possible.
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Believe in the Run notes: The Cielo X1 2.0 is a significant upgrade over the original — now a true race shoe with a lighter build, an exaggerated rocker, and a more accommodating, bouncy ride that suits runners of all levels at any race distance.
Best for: Race day for a wide range of runners from half marathon to marathon; accessible to most ability levels
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"one of the lightest race shoes out there" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is one of the lightest and most aggressive race shoes available, proven at Boston and London marathons, but best suited for advanced runners who can exploit its speed characteristics — its unforgiving nature makes it less versatile than the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0.
Best for: Advanced racers targeting half marathon distance and shorter, running at sub-5-minute-mile pace
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"a legitimate race day contender" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is Puma's first legitimate race-day contender — dramatically lighter and bouncier than its predecessors, with lab data suggesting meaningful efficiency gains — though reviewers are most confident recommending it for half marathons rather than full marathon distances. Both reviewers scored it 4/5 across fit, form, and function for a total of 12/15.
Best for: Half marathon racing and speed workouts for neutral runners comfortable with a minimalist upper and aggressive race geometry
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"this is still the cut foam" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Elite racers and athletes for whom racing is their job; Adidas themselves say to choose the Pro 4 for everyday runners seeking a PR
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"this shoe cruised along really nicely" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A statement shoe that adds 3mm of forefoot foam and a more aggressive toe spring over v1, but keeps the same ultralight weight. Comfort underfoot and speed-pickup are there — dreadful wet-weather traction is the biggest functional flaw.
Best for: Elite athletes or runners who want to flex on the start line. Everyone else: two pairs of Adios Pro 4 (train + race) is a better use of $500.
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"feels more propulsive than the previous version" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A meaningful step forward — Nike trimmed weight and stack while making the ZoomX feel livelier and the plate more propulsive, scoring 12/15 with the only real knocks being heel lockdown, narrow platform stability and the open-question of long-term durability.
Best for: Half marathon racing for Megan, full marathon and shorter for Thomas; a super-light fast shoe for runners who want versatility across paces
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"very bouncy obviously super light" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 demonstrated measurably superior running economy in lab testing versus top-tier competitors, impressing both testers with its bounce and light feel; reviewers are eager to race in it once permitted.
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"traditional race day plated shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The most traditional race-day shoe of the three Hyperwarps and the reviewer's marathon pick, combining a carbon plate with a soft PEBA-over-TPE midsole in a light, well-balanced ride.
Best for: Marathon race day for runners who want a traditional plated feel with cushioning and stability in a lightweight package.
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"the most stable race day shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The most stable and versatile of the Hyperwarp trio, the Pro trades some race-day excitement for added durability and stability, making it the training/race crossover in the lineup.
Best for: Runners wanting a versatile, more durable race-day option that can double for tempo work and longer marathons at slower paces.
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"ultra lightweight race day shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An ultralight, fully PEBA plated racer that competes with the lightest super-shoes on weight; fun and fast but slightly flat, best for lighter runners or shorter-distance race efforts.
Best for: Lighter marathoners who don't need much underfoot, and shorter fast efforts where an ultralight plated shoe shines.
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"feels good in my warm-up miles" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas's top race-day pick of the year — light, fun, familiar-feeling, and the ATPU foam plus carbon plate hold up well over 100 miles.
Best for: Race day across a wide pace range, from warm-up to marathon pace
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"It fits my little narrow foot like perfect" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Believe in the Run calls this their favorite Puma race day shoe ever — a legitimate marathon contender with softer, bouncier Nitro Elite foam, a light and breathable upper, and a strong plate pop that finally puts Puma in the competitive tier of super shoes.
Best for: Marathon racing from sub-3 through 4-hour pace; a familiar, non-intimidating race day shoe for runners coming off the DV8 daily trainer.
trail light 26
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"a great performer in the general trail sense" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Marketed as road-to-trail but performs well beyond that, even approaching technical terrain capably.
- Norda 005 ▲▲
"breaks in and feels better over time" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The shoe that bridges this max-stack category into race-day performance without a plate — durable, aggressive, and rare among cushioned shoes in that it gets better with more miles.
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Believe in the Run notes: A roomier road-to-trail option than the Salomon Aero Glide GRVL, with a similarly subtle outsole for light-trail versatility.
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"one big solid mid-sole" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Agravic SL is a highly versatile everyday trail shoe that addresses fit issues present in other Agravic models while delivering a unique, controlled ride from a full Lightstrike Pro midsole — though its bottom-heavy feel from the aggressive Continental outsole keeps it from a top-tier score.
Best for: All-mountain everyday trail running and ultra-distance efforts for runners who want versatility across terrain and good fit
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"huge hunk of Lightstrike Pro" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The most versatile and pleasing Terrex shoe to date, taking the Evo SL road concept to trail with Lightstrike Pro foam, an accommodating fit, and a well-balanced rocker.
Best for: Versatile trail use including road crossover; runners who had fit issues with the Agravic Speed 2 or Agravic TT
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"broadly scoped trails" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Broadly scoped trails, less technical terrain
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"springiest foam I have ever encountered" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A fun, energetic gravel shoe that leans road-biased with springy Optivibe Plus foam and a rocker that makes it feel effortless on gravel and light trail.
Best for: Gravel, buffed-out trails, road crossover; short to long daily runs
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"squishiest and most energetic foam I've ever been in" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The squishiest and most energetic foam in a trail shoe the reviewer has experienced, with dual plates for stability and efficiency; a race-oriented version of the Aeroglide GRVL.
Best for: Short daily runs, long runs, mixed terrain including light gravel
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"door to trail" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A meaningfully upgraded version of the original Altamesa 500 that keeps the same approachable trail character while shedding weight via a lighter upper and improved foam.
Best for: Entry-level trail and door-to-trail running; longer efforts where comfort and roominess matter
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"you don't feel like you're running on tank tracks" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A versatile road-to-trail hybrid with 2-2.5mm lugs that handles technical trails well and still feels smooth on roads, capable enough for 250-mile races.
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"am I pleased? Yeah, I'm very pleased" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: First impressions are very positive: a softer, more cushioned, more structured everyday trail trainer that hits the same mark as the Evo SL did for the road, with excellent grip but a slightly overdone, bottom-heavy outsole and long sizing.
Best for: A long-distance everyday trail trainer for runners who want the ASU 2 vibe in a more comfortable, versatile package
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Believe in the Run notes: Despite strong marketing hype and high expectations, the reviewer was disappointed with the ACG Ultrafly and wishes they loved the shoe more than they do.
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Believe in the Run notes: A visually stunning trail racer that excels on smooth singletrack and gravel but falls short of its all-conditions marketing due to a rigid plate that causes midfoot pressure and limits versatility on technical terrain. Both reviewers wanted to love it but found it too specialized for anything beyond light trail.
Best for: Road runners transitioning to light trail running, smooth singletrack, gravel roads, and door-to-trail scenarios. Not suited for moderate to technical terrain.
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Believe in the Run notes: The ACG Ultrafly surprised the reviewer with its efficiency-oriented ride, delivering unexpectedly fast paces despite a firmer-than-expected ZoomX midsole. It trades the softer feel of its predecessor for a more structured, race-focused trail shoe, though the narrower toe box may not accommodate all foot shapes.
Best for: Ultra distance trail racing for runners who prioritize efficiency over soft cushioning
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"best trail shoe ever made" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A more relaxed, softer, and broader update to the Prodigio that trades nimbleness for comfort and versatility, earning a B overall from the reviewer.
Best for: Longer, slower distances on light to moderately technical trails; runners wanting a softer, more accommodating all-mountain shoe.
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"soft cushion, but it doesn't feel mushy" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas considers the H1 a breakthrough road-to-trail shoe that genuinely works on both surfaces without compromising either, calling it the shoe he had been waiting for. He was so impressed he agreed to a collaboration to refine it further.
Best for: Runners seeking a versatile road-to-trail shoe that performs well on both surfaces
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"your winter running shoe" — Believe in the Run
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"one shoe trail running quiver" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid, versatile trail runner that finally modernizes the Speedgoat midsole with supercritical EVA while keeping its stable, confident character, but it doesn't feel especially standout in today's crowded trail category and has some early delamination and fit concerns.
Best for: A versatile one-shoe trail quiver for runners who want a stable, confident, moderately cushioned shoe for technical singletrack and all-mountain terrain.
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"true race day option from the brand" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Taylor calls the Prodigio Pro his favorite shoe of all time — a race-day option that is versatile, grippy, bouncy, and confidence-inducing despite being plateless.
Best for: Going faster and farther on trail — race day or simply when you want confidence and performance in one package.
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"Coast is here" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A genuinely no-compromise hybrid road-to-trail shoe — light, bouncy, durable, with grippy enough outsole for non-technical terrain and a smooth rockered ride that feels like a quality road shoe on pavement.
Best for: One-shoe-quiver runner who mixes road, gravel, and non-technical trails; even works for ultra-distance racing.
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"I love the ride of it" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Robbie loves the ride and bouncy CircleCell midsole — first eco-foam he says he wouldn't even want to label as eco because it feels so good — but the upper is a touch too voluminous in the forefoot for his foot.
Best for: Road-to-trail running where you don't want to compromise on either surface; ultra-distance use validated by J Curry's 800-mile burrito challenge in this shoe.
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"considerably more stack than the 005" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Between two shoes, both reviewers picked the Prodigio Pro over the Norda 005 for versatility, fit, grip, and a more forgiving $225 price. Taylor is using it for Leadville 100.
Best for: A versatile trail race-day shoe for moderate-to-technical terrain, 50k–100-mile distances, or anyone who wants one-shoe-to-rule-them-all for trails.
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Believe in the Run notes: Thomas calls it the pound-for-pound best trail shoe he's run, but both reviewers felt it's less versatile than the Prodigio Pro and hard to justify at $325.
Best for: Light-to-moderate trails where a runner values speed and fun over maximum protection; optimally up to ~4 hours.
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"reminds me a lot of Nike Zoom X" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A standout trail race shoe: plateless, energetic, grippy, and technical-ready, priced well under peers at $195. Taylor scored it 14/15 and considers it a new chapter for La Sportiva.
Best for: A versatile trail race-day shoe that can also handle daily trail miles and ultra distances over technical-to-flowy terrain.
- Norda 005 ▲▲
Believe in the Run notes: An exceptionally light, grippy trail racer that Robbie thinks will become one of the top trail racing options; only real knock is some heel lockdown play and that rockier terrain is felt through the soft, plateless midsole.
Best for: Buff-to-moderate trail racing and long trail runs; strong road-to-trail option
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Believe in the Run notes: An excellent incremental update that fixes the upper security of the previous gravel version, keeps the bouncy high-stack TPU midsole, and confidently handles mixed road-to-light-trail use at a fair price. Graded A across design, performance, and value.
Best for: Door-to-trail runners wanting one shoe for mixed surfaces including light-to-moderate trail and long slow efforts.
Easy / recovery 22
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"just honestly more fun" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A premium, more performance-oriented version of the Bondi that both reviewers pick for recovery runs, versatile enough for long easy runs and the occasional faster effort.
Best for: Long runs and recovery runs, with enough versatility to pick up the pace occasionally; both hosts pick it as their recovery-day shoe.
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"more cushioning, more stack, just more" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A high-stack comfort cruiser the reviewer calls the go-to shoe for recovery runs when legs need an easy day.
Best for: Recovery days — tired legs after a speed workout or the day after a long run.
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"more of a comfort cruiser" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: More of a comfort cruiser, not for picking up the pace, but very comfortable and fun for recovery and easy days.
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"I call that a moped shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A meaningfully improved Skyward X — lighter, livelier midsole, and upgraded jacquard upper — that locks in as a workhorse easy-day and long-run cruiser, though the steep $225 price and crowded super-trainer field cost it the top grade.
Best for: Easy miles, recovery, and long cruiser runs for runners who want max cushion without the bulk of v1.
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"great for easy days, recovery days" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The Gel-Nimbus 28 is a reliable, comfortable max-cushion shoe that benefits from weight reduction over the previous version, but lacks the excitement or performance edge of competitors. Megan rated it a B overall while Thomas gave it a C, both agreeing it is solid but uninspiring.
Best for: Runners wanting a reliable max-cushion shoe for easy days, walking, and all-day comfort. Also suited for non-runners who need comfortable shoes for standing or walking all day.
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"you just feel luxury and just super super comfortable" — Believe in the Run
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"premium cushion daily trainer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An average premium daily trainer that suffers from excessive weight and a non-breathable upper. At $175, both reviewers gave it a C across design, value, performance, and overall, noting there are better options like the Glycerin Flex, Nike Vomero Plus, or Saucony Ride at similar or lower price points.
Best for: Walking, casual daily runs, and runners who prefer a premium comfort shoe over a performance-oriented trainer
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"my shoe of 2025" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The reviewer's shoe of 2025 and possibly of the last two to three years — an S-tier shoe he considers so good it deserves a hypothetical S+ rating.
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"this is my favorite more to date" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The best More to date — nails max-cushion comfort with a surprisingly responsive ride and comes in at a very competitive $155, making it one of the toughest shoes to beat in the category.
Best for: Max-cushion recovery and long runs at easy pace for runners who want plush, bouncy feel
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"true max recovery shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A standout max-cushion recovery trainer that the reviewer would lace up over the Vomero 18 — soft, bouncy, durable, and a contender for best max-cushion shoe of the year.
Best for: Easy days, recovery runs, and long runs at conversational pace.
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"ride of the Neo Vista 2 is exceptional" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Reviewers prefer Neo Vista 2 over the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 for pure fun/ride despite sizing issues; if the fit worked it would be a top shoe of the year.
Best for: Fun max-cushion daily and long-run duty for runners who want softer-than-average feel
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"really nice bounce energy return feel" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A fun, softly cushioned daily trainer and long-run shoe that bounces unexpectedly well — held back only by a loose-fitting upper; Megan rated 13/15, Thomas 10/15.
Best for: Daily trainer / long run / recovery use for runners who want max cushion with bounce
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"max cush super trainer" — Believe in the Run
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"your beginners max cushion shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid 'graduation level' / introductory max-cushion daily trainer at $150 — good value if you don't need the bounce of the Glycerin Max, but if you have the budget the Glycerin Max is the more fun and better shoe.
Best for: Beginners trying max cushion, runners doing ~25 mpw who want a comfortable rotation shoe at a $150 price point; comfortable for all-day wear.
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"feels pretty light" — Believe in the Run
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"this toe box feels much much roomier" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Subtle upper and outsole tweaks make v3 feel smoother and more comfortable than v2; remains a sturdy easy-day daily trainer that's a safe budget pick at $150 but knocked for weight and lack of versatility. Scored 10/15.
Best for: Beginner runners and easy/recovery daily mileage at $150 — good introductory max-cushion shoe; especially for wide feet.
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"the foam felt a little more responsive" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Improved over v2 — same stack height and DNA Loft v3 foam, but ride feels more responsive and less blocky.
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"your plush easy running day shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Bondi fans will love this update — lighter super critical EVA foam and added stack without losing Bondi DNA; appeals to both runners and non-runners.
Best for: Max stack easy-day running and lifestyle/walking wear for people who love the classic Bondi feel
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"softer than the previous version" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An impactful but minimal update to the Bondi — lighter with a livelier super critical EVA midsole. If you liked the Bondi 8, you'll like this; still a comfort-first Max cushion shoe, not a performance trainer.
Best for: Easy day and recovery runs, walking, and travel; a plush max cushion comfort shoe
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"rocker is the most pronounced characteristic" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A disappointing update that strips the original's dynamic bounce and personality, leaving a forgettable, heavy max-cushion shoe that's hard to justify at $200.
Best for: Max cushion easy miles for runners who prioritize rocker over bounce.
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"true max cushion upper" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A fun, bouncy, premium max-cushion shoe with dual Air Zoom units that delivers a uniquely propulsive recovery-day ride, though at 12.8 oz and $220 it is heavy and expensive with significant use-case overlap with the Vomero Plus.
Best for: Recovery days and long slow distance runs for runners who want a fun, bouncy max-cushion experience
Speed work 15
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"pop and zing to it" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A fun, plated tempo trainer with pop and zing, though the reviewer wishes it used more PEBA foam.
Best for: Runners wanting a plated step-up from the Mach for tempo-leaning training days.
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"turn that to the outside" — Believe in the Run
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"this is the shoe you get" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An extremely popular, do-everything trainer with racing-line Lightstrike Pro foam and Continental rubber at $150 that they consider a no-brainer buy, often findable on sale for less.
Best for: Versatile do-it-all miles — easy cruising, long runs, workouts and tempo
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"maybe an uptempo daily trainer feel" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid and durable uptempo daily trainer that improves the upper comfort over the Mach X 2 but loses some of the fun, bouncy ride that made the previous version special. Falls behind newer competitors in excitement and innovation despite being a competent shoe overall.
Best for: Uptempo daily training for runners who value durability and versatility, especially heavier runners who may compress the plate more for better responsiveness
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"S tier all day long" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An S-tier daily trainer that the reviewer considers an incredible shoe and part of the "triple crown" of top daily trainers alongside the Vomero Plus and Puma Velocity Nitro 4.
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"it's a good update" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A good update that fixes the problematic v2 upper, but the unchanged midsole no longer stands out in a super-trainer category that has moved on to livelier foams, making it hard to recommend over competitors.
Best for: Runners who want a stable super trainer from Hoka and missed v2 due to the upper issues
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"such a versatile shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Thomas and Megan call the Sonicblast a highly versatile do-it-all trainer that fills a gap in the ASICS lineup comparable to the Saucony Endorphin Speed, scoring 12-13/15.
Best for: One-shoe-rotation runner who wants a versatile daily trainer that can also do tempo, long runs, and marathon racing
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"ran it like a clog" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Misses the mark as a tempo trainer — too heavy at 9.5oz, dense blocky foam, and a shallow heel collar that produces severe heel lift even with full lacing; reviewer suggests the lighter Aero Spark should have carried the 'Tempo' name instead.
Best for: Hard to recommend at $170 given the heel lockdown problem and many cheaper alternatives at the same or lower price.
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"intended for those tempo days" — Believe in the Run
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"perfect amount of softness" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: BITR rates the Evo SL as one of the best shoes of the last several years and edges out the Rebel v5 by a hair on ride thanks to its more dynamic, sculpted Lightstrike Pro midsole.
Best for: A versatile, do-everything daily trainer with premium foam at a lower-mid price
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"a really stable shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A jack-of-all-trades super trainer that does everything well without excelling at any one thing; the perfect update for fans of the Boston 12, though the Adidas Evo SL makes it hard to get excited about.
Best for: Runners who want one shoe that can handle daily training, long runs, tempo, and even race day reasonably well — especially travel or one-shoe runners, and bigger/heavier runners who will load the rods more.
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"lifestyle shoe you can run in" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: One of the most popular shoes in recent memory; Megan still picks the original over the Woven for the wider forefoot.
Best for: Runners with wider feet who want roomier forefoot space and the race-day foam at a lower price.
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"this fit true to size" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A solid update that keeps the Deviate DNA while trimming weight, softening the foam and lowering the drop; a capable plated daily trainer, though the $180 price puts it in tough company.
Best for: Budget-conscious runners wanting one versatile plated daily trainer for easy miles, tempo and fartlek.
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"people recognize it as a Skechers shoe" — Believe in the Run
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"speed day tempo trainer" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Sam calls this the best Skechers shoe he has ever run in — a lightweight, snappy, firm tempo/workout trainer with excellent Goodyear lattice traction and subtle H-wing stability, priced well at $140; green-light recommendation, though the firmness means he would not use it for easy or recovery days.
Best for: Shorter-to-medium tempo and workout days (around 7-10 miles max) for efficient-strided neutral-to-mild-pronation runners who want a lightweight, firm, stable speed trainer.
trail ultra 11
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"I still stand by our review" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: After putting 100+ miles on the Tecton X 4, the reviewers stand by their original positive review — the shoe holds its character well through wear and remains a strong long-distance trail racer despite some expected upper stretch and midsole compression.
Best for: Long trail races and ultras across mixed terrain, including UTMB-style efforts
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"it climbs really well" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A big improvement over the Tecton X 3 thanks to a redesigned heel counter and lacing system that finally deliver secure lockdown on technical terrain, making it one of Hoka's best trail racers.
Best for: Technical, rocky ultra-distance trail racing
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Believe in the Run notes: A fun, energetic daily/all-trail shoe with a wider outsole for added stability.
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"feels more dialed up top" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Technical and ultra-distance trail racing
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"as close to my Hyperion Max but on trail" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Brooks' best trail shoe in years — a PEBA-midsole racer with a unique U-shaped plate, Michelin Megagrip Elite outsole, and a road-adjacent energy that works for both racing and everyday trail training.
Best for: Race day trail running and daily training crossover; runners who want a light, secure, energetic high-stack trail racer
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"sit down into the foam" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An impressive value at $150 with a max-stack AT PU foam, Vibram Megagrip, and dialed fit that earned praise from runners at Canyons 100.
Best for: High-stack trail running including more technical terrain thanks to dialed fit; ultrarunning value option
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"softer, more energetic Optivibe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A lighter, similarly capable alternative to the Nike ACG Zegama for high-stack technical trail running, with Optivibe foam and a stability-chassis midsole design.
Best for: Technical trail ultras where lighter weight and max cushion with stability are priorities
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"truly max cushion" — Believe in the Run
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"feels naturally stable" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An innovative long-distance trail racer that finally brings Brooks into the tip-of-the-spear ultra racing category; scored 14 out of 15 and is the shoe Taylor would reach for to finish a 50 to 100 mile race.
Best for: 50 to 100 mile ultra trail racing where comfort, efficiency, and stability matter more than extreme toe-off pop
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"really squishy, really soft, comfortable" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The reviewer's pick between the two — softer and more comfort-oriented for long distances with a much more functional fit on technical terrain.
Best for: Trail ultra racing across moderate and technical terrain where lockdown and long-haul comfort matter
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"really nice smooth energetic toe off" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Zippier and more energetic than the Cascadia Elite with great underfoot stability from the split plate, but the too-soft upper compromises lockdown on technical terrain.
Best for: Race day ultras on less technical terrain where zip matters more than lockdown
Long run 9
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"set it and forget it kind of shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A durable, well-priced max-cushion trainer that particularly suits heavier runners. The dual-density midsole may feel firmer than expected initially but breaks in over time, and the shoe earns a unanimous green light from both reviewers despite one preferring a softer ride.
Best for: Heavier runners seeking a durable max-cushion trainer for long runs and daily training. Also viable as a long-distance racing shoe for runners not seeking a traditional carbon racer.
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Believe in the Run notes: If it were World Athletics-legal for the marathon, Thomas would race in it. Megan would pick it over the Pro 4 if legal.
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"more stable than the previous version" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An improved but still in-between max-stack trainer: durable, reasonably fun, and more stable than v2, but not bouncy or fast enough to justify the $300 price tag when shoes like the Evo SL exist at half the cost.
Best for: Daily training and long miles, especially for heavier runners who want a durable max-stack trainer
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"great for your long slow distance" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: An improved, lighter Prime X 3 Strung that Robbie and Megan enjoyed running in for long and easy miles, but it's an extra rotation piece at $300 rather than a do-it-all shoe, and the Lightstrike Pro puck could be softer for more trampoline feel.
Best for: Long slow distance and daily miles for runners (especially heavier runners) who want a maximally cushioned, non-racing, super-stacked trainer.
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"fit like a glove" — Believe in the Run
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"a firmer underfoot feeling" — Believe in the Run
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"fit true to size" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: Brooks' first real super trainer — a solid long-run cruiser with upgraded bouncy DNA Gold midsole, but it's heavy, not very versatile, and a bit unstable from the medial cutout. Scored 11-12 out of 15 (green).
Best for: Long slow distance cruising from 6 to 20 miles
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"a shoe that can gobble the miles" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A significant step forward from the previous version, the Hyperion Max 3 is a versatile daily trainer with high stack and a PEBA/TPU-plate midsole that the reviewers found well-suited for long runs and capable of gobbling miles.
Best for: Long runs and daily training; a sporty high-stack trainer that is lighter than comparable options like the Hoka Skyward X
trail technical 4
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"loves this shoe just for its dependability" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A dense, protective, and stable long-runner in the lineup — dependable over a lot of different terrain according to team reviewer John, who has used it for long trail races.
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"super critical midsole" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A purpose-built alpine/scree-terrain technical trail shoe with a supercritical dual-density bathtub midsole and aggressive 5mm-lug Surface Control outsole that performs excellently once trusted, but a too-stretchy scree gaiter and roomy midfoot/heel hold back upper security — an overall B grade with A-level performance.
Best for: Technical, high-alpine, off-trail terrain (scree, scrambling) for runners who prioritize durability and midsole security over a locked-down upper fit
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"that dependable friend" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A dependable, well-cushioned max-stack trail shoe that performs across varied terrain and distances, though not the most exciting option in its category.
Best for: Dependable all-terrain trail use from daily outings to 100-milers, favoring stability and protection over excitement.
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"much wider than most" — Believe in the Run
Best for: Wide-footed runners tackling technical, off-road terrain; reviewer is still curious how it performs on technical uphill climbs.