Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running has reviewed 22 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 8
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"between a pillow and a brick" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: His third pick: an incredible, super-light high-stack package, but the softer v3 is less versatile for faster running than prior versions, making it a soft long-run and easy-day shoe.
Best for: Long runs that can pick up the pace and high daily mileage; not for intervals
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"it still looks pretty new" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: His fifth pick: a big upgrade over the previous Cloudmonster Hyper that handles long runs and intervals well and is durable, held back only by being the most expensive shoe in the lineup.
Best for: Runners wanting a versatile super trainer for long runs and intervals who don't mind the high price
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"it feels super fast" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: His fourth pick: a pleasant surprise with a bouncy plateless midsole that excels as an easy-run shoe yet responds fast for intervals, with mild instability the only real downside.
Best for: Runners wanting a bouncy, plateless shoe that doubles as an easy-day and marathon-pace interval option on a budget
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"a real stable workhorse of a shoe" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: Returns to what made the original Cloudmonster great: a stable, comfortable, poppy daily trainer — the reviewer's pick of the two over the Hyper 3.
Best for: Stable daily-training miles, easy runs, and long runs — especially useful when coming back from a niggle.
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"a little bit more responsive" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: A much-improved super trainer over the original Cloudmonster Hyper, with full-length PEBA transforming the ride into a genuinely fast, versatile option.
Best for: Steady runs, tempo work, and long runs with pickups — a true super trainer.
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Ben Is Running notes: A very soft, plush, lightweight daily trainer best for easy and recovery runs, held back by durability concerns and a midsole that compresses on longer efforts.
Best for: Soft, easy-paced daily miles and recovery runs for neutral runners — especially the day after a hard session
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Ben Is Running notes: Ben's pick between the two: a firmer, bouncier, more structured daily trainer with class-leading grip and durability at a cheaper price, a major step up from v3's firmer EVA-heavy ride.
Best for: Budget-friendly daily miles and easy runs where the runner wants a firmer, bouncier feel, excellent grip, and strong durability
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Ben Is Running notes: Ben's favorite running shoe of all time - a hugely versatile daily trainer that spans recovery to marathon pace, with outstanding durability and stability, only held back by the £200 price.
Best for: A single do-everything daily trainer for recovery, long runs, progression runs, and even up to marathon pace
Easy / recovery 7
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"it's like wearing a high heel" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: His favorite super trainer in the lineup and the shoe he runs the most in: a ZoomX-loaded high-stack trainer with a smooth, stable, bouncy ride that's versatile from easy to marathon pace.
Best for: Everything from easy to marathon pace, especially long runs; less suited to fast track intervals
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"less soft than the previous version" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: A solid upgrade over v1 that trades some softness for more responsive, slightly faster-leaning feel while keeping the generous cushion.
Best for: Daily training and long runs with room to move into steadier paces
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Ben Is Running notes: One of the best On shoes in years and a strong rotation pick for daily workhorse miles, despite a price tag the reviewer thinks is about £20 too high.
Best for: Versatile daily workhorse — long runs, daily miles, even tested in 5K progressions and intervals.
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Ben Is Running notes: A meaningful upgrade over the Invincible 2: more stable, more durable, and versatile enough to span recovery through tempo paces while keeping the soft ZoomX cushioning.
Best for: Easy and recovery runs, with newfound versatility into steady and tempo work
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Ben Is Running notes: An exceptionally comfortable, stylish, and affordable daily trainer that excels at easy everyday miles but isn't built for speed.
Best for: Beginner-friendly affordable daily trainer for comfortable easy miles, with strong lifestyle appeal
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"premium daily trainer" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: Ben Parkes calls the Vomero Plus the most enjoyable Nike daily trainer since the Invincible — a protective, bouncy ZoomX max-cushion shoe that eats up easy miles and still lets you pick up the pace on long runs.
Best for: Runners wanting a max-cushioned daily trainer that can also handle long runs with an uptempo finish, and Invincible fans looking for a replacement.
Road racing 4
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Ben Is Running notes: Not a flop — still a top-tier super shoe, but Nike has narrowed its purpose to 5K and 10K racing, making it less versatile than prior Vaporflies and a poor pick for half marathon or marathon distances.
Best for: 5K and 10K racing for runners wanting a light, direct, snappy carbon racer
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Ben Is Running notes: Ben's marathon pick. Prioritizes cushioning over snappiness.
Best for: Marathon racing
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Ben Is Running notes: Ben's 10K/half pick. Used extensively for London Marathon training; sold out and more blue colorway coming.
Best for: 10K to half marathon racing
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Ben Is Running notes: After two sessions Ben's early impression is that the Alphafly 3 could be Nike's best carbon racer yet, especially at half marathon and marathon distances; he still prefers the Vaporfly for 5K and 10K where a more direct feel helps.
Best for: Half marathon and marathon racing and marathon-pace workouts.
Speed work 2
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"the fastest shoe in the lineup" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: His second pick and nearly number one: the fastest, most affordable shoe in the lineup thanks to a plateless Lightstrike Pro midsole, with durability the only real weakness.
Best for: Interval and track sessions and budget race-day efforts without a carbon plate
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"great option for those intervals and Tempo days" — Ben Is Running
Ben Is Running notes: A massive improvement over the Zoom Fly 5 that finally puts Nike's tempo-day shoe on par with the Saucony Endorphin Speed and Puma Deviate, though it arrived a bit late to the party.
Best for: Tempo days, intervals, and marathon-pace work — and as a training companion to the Alphafly or Vaporfly
trail light 1
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"suited much more towards the longer Trail Races" — Ben Is Running
Best for: Longer trail races (half marathon to ultra distances) on non-technical terrain with road approaches