Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run has reviewed 122 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 39
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"a little more stable, less mushy" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A tuned-up second version that fixes the first Neo Zen's stability issues while keeping its bouncy, spongy fun — essentially a plateless Neo Vista at $160 instead of $200.
Best for: Everyday and easy runs for runners who want the Neo Vista's bounce without a plate, at $40 less
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"it's a workhorse" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The standard-bearer daily trainer at $145 — a no-brainer workhorse with added forefoot cushion and improved, sticky outsole rubber, though it lacks the excitement of some others in the category.
Best for: Anyone who wants a no-frills, standard daily trainer workhorse
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"close to race day weight" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A lightweight plateless take on the Deviate with great PEBA-based Nitro foam, tacky Puma grip and one of the best uppers they've tested this year, though it lacks the toe-off snap for true tempo work.
Best for: Up-tempo daily miles per Puma's intent, though one tester preferred it for easy days
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"the most fun to run in" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: The most fun and bounciest shoe of the roundup — it feels like the Endorphin Speed with the plate removed and doesn't miss it, with the only knock being the steel-gray styling of the tested colorway.
Best for: Runners who love the Endorphin Speed feel but want it without a plate
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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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"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 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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"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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"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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"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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"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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"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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"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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"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 33
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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'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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"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: 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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"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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"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 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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"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.
Easy / recovery 20
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"a good casual shoe" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A comfortable, light $145 daily trainer that handles easy and even longer runs fine and doubles as a great all-day casual shoe, though the ride itself isn't spectacular.
Best for: Easy runs and run-club miles followed by all-day casual wear
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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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"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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"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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"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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"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 9
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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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"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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"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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"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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"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 light 9
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"running on tank tracks" — Believe in the Run
Believe in the Run notes: A genuinely versatile road-to-trail hybrid they really enjoy — it handled technical trails well, feels like a road shoe on pavement, and seven of the top ten at Cocodona were wearing it.
Best for: Runners who want one $160 shoe that genuinely works on both road and trail
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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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"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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"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.
Long run 8
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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
trail ultra 4
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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