Best Running Shoes of 2022: Part 1 | Best In Gear Awards

This is it, our final list of the best running shoes of 2022. We've spend thousands of miles and hundreds of hours running in these, hoping to give you the best advice on the best shoes out there. Of course, it's still subjective, so while these may be our favorite picks, there's always some great ones that may have just missed out or didn't fit in. Don't crucify us for it. Part two coming soon!
This review is sponsored by Bombas, making high-performance running socks and giving back at the same time. Support them, help us, and help others by picking up a pair for yourself. Save 20% off your first order by using code BITR20 ➡ bit.ly/SHOP-BOMBAS
INDEX
Race Day (2:00)
Max Cushion (4:45)
Most Innovative (7:50)
Most Disappointing (9:55)
Budget (13:00)
SHOP THE SHOES
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 ➡ bit.ly/SHOP-SAUCONY-ENDORPHIN...
New Balance More v4 ➡ bit.ly/SHOP-NEWBALANCE-MORE-V4
New Balance SC Trainer ➡ bit.ly/SHOP-NEWBALANCE-SC-TRA...
Nike Alphafly Next% 2 ➡ bit.ly/SHOP-NIKE-ALPHAFLY-2
Saucony Axon ➡ bit.ly/SHOP-SAUCONY-AXON
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We run legit miles in our shoes and provide honest, no BS reviews of running shoes, running gear, and running races.

[@Believeintherun]

Thank you so much for following us this year! It's been quite a ride and we've seen and reviewed some awesome shoes along the way. Keep in mind these are our best shoes from a group consensus, some of us liked certain shoes more than others, and there's certainly some shoes that were great that just didn't fit in to the list (i.e. Hoka Mach 5 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 3). That said, we tried our best to give you the best recommendations to get the most out of your running. Stay tuned for part 2!

[@Barry-Sweaty]

You are very welcome! My only request is a small lock of Robbe’s mustache hair.

[@rajkumarraosinhji1397]

#BITR Fantastic, can’t wait for part 2. Idea for next year. How about shoes from previous year that still the best? Sometimes previous versions are still okay. Thanks!!!

[@johnjutras2097]

Best in trail coming soon?

[@benfanman]

Love how you misspelled disappointing to increase the disappointment 😂

[@raya472]

I really really love this channel, your pure mellow retro vibes with off beat humor is an amazing combo, so refreshing, so excellent.

[@jamesclintcatapusan8374]

More power to you guys! Keep safe and stay healthy. Nice content as always!

[@Ian-H76]

Been watching channel forever, always great content and I am so happy for Meg, she is soo much more confident on camera these days. Love it!

[@wilfredo-teyrosalesfotos]

The best yearly recap of all things running 🤜🏾🤛🏻!

[@michaelcaricoo]

Thanks for all you guys do, hope everyone has a good holiday season

[@jaibeingjai]

Great vid as always Meg and Thomas 👌🏽

[@hurley614]

Great video. Really hoping to see the Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 in Most Disappointing category. Looking forward to shoe of the year.

[@Johnnydodgin]

Great work guys! What a year for running shoe evolution 😍 THE most informative ShoeTube channel out there 🙌

[@justinwuwuwu]

MORE V4 FOR THE WIN!!! My favorite shoe this year.

[@jasegalaxy74]

BIR is the most entertaining running shoes review channel on KZbin! Hands down! ❤

[@cwalker1569]

Great show. I have a high volume foot and an Achilles area bone spur. So far in 2022 the Saucony Ride 15 and Hoka Bondi 8 have had the most comfortable heel counter for me.

[@jeanlee28]

I'm glad NB Fresh Foam More V4 has been picked as one of your best shoes in 2022. That is what I'm wearing for healing at the moment at home after my recent foot surgery (5th metatarsal fracture repair) 😭😭 I am on my 6th week since the surgery and just graduated from using crutches and knee scooter, so I still need a few more weeks before I hit the road again. Please, wish me good luck. 🙏🙏🙏 The NB SC trainer has been waiting for me on my shoe rack. Just can't wait to log miles in them. Thank you so much for your in-depth reviews, Thomas and Maeghan. 💙💙

[@user-hp5vt1gv3w]

I agree with Thomas on the more v4 sizing. I sized down a half and probably could have gotten away with a full size down. I absolutely love the shoe but if you have a lower volume foot you will kind of be swimming in it. That cush though!!! Love

[@jkhoudini]

The alphalfyv2 to me is the best training shoe now. It’s so much more stable than the v1 that I’m ok with the slightly less raw pop (for training).

[@gorohit]

Oh you got the Ferraris and Lamborghinis out of the way already. Now the Toyotas and Hondas remain. The useful stuff 😉 Eagerly waiting for part 2!

[@leonstuij9540]

You guys going to the running event? I loved those videos from last year.

[@Believeintherun]

Oh it’s gonna be wild. Get ready for Wednesday

[@KoIhara]

It seems to be the comeback year for stability. Companies trying to dial in stability in the carbon plated shoes for the masses - interesting how Adios Pro 3 got there but not Alpha 2 - Endo Speed getting the winglet, and Tempus getting the rave review.

[@dumbdumb123]

You guys do a great job. I will now switch from the Vaporfly Next 2 to the Saucony Pro 3 because I need more stability.

[@user-so8kx7uj2x]

I love cushioned shoes. I've never expected to be a NB my favorite shoe ever. And the FreshFoamX MoreV4 is my favorite of all time. Close to Nike React Miler. The React Miler is my second favorite

[@montebeerbower7796]

Thanks guys. I know nothing and ii just started running 3 yrs ago and I'm 60 in few days. Really hope to come meet you all

[@paulstarr6001]

Thank you guys. Along with Fordy runs the best channel on KZbin. Enjoy Christmas and a healthy 23. Regards Paul Starr 😊

[@tmcDesignHaus]

Love you guys, but I really like the Alphafly 2s. Found it better for me than the first. Ran a very rainy 15K in them and they held up so well and I never felt like I would slip and it handled all that water like a pro. Yes, I would love for them to lighten it back up or make a paired down elite version of it and keep this.

[@angeljohnson234]

I don't have any of those shoes but I was happy my favorite shoe wasn't the most disappointing one. 😂😂😂 I have a wide foot, so I'm looking forward to hearing from wide foot Jarret.

[@teratikkoanan7671]

Question to Megan, Could you recommend budget max cushion shoes for marathon range? I am 100 kgs. My goal is finishing my first marathon.

[@meangreenmememachine2890]

Bombas gives a pair of socks to a sheep in need ❤

[@TheJoelys86]

My New balance SC trainers are coming tomorrow and I'm so F****** pumped I can't even begin to describe it.

[@jr1364]

How are they?

[@Rcorp31]

Loving the love for the Endorphin Pro 3’s. Also can’t wait to get my Adidas runners. I had the New Balance SCs and just couldn’t run in them. The stack height, the stiffness, everything just felt terrible.

[@manuel_877]

Good morning for all the runners. Like for Meaghan and Thomas. Interesting review. ¡¡¡¡¡ SAUCONY ENDORPHIN FOR EVER!!!!!!A nice day for everyone.

[@josephgschwartz]

You need a big guy shoe reviewer too. I'm 6'3 200 lb (205... Thanksgiving). I'd love to hear from other runners my size. I'm no professional writer otherwise I'd love to volunteer a sample.

[@louklein7143]

Me too.. 6’4 .. 205 !

[@Believeintherun]

We have plans for it in 2023. Stay tuned!

[@addiegisser7540]

Me three… 6’0 235!! and 57. I need an old, slow, heavy guy/gal reviewer. I took out my More V3s for a 40 minute run today after I saw that the More V4 got best Max Cushioned. They had been forgotten among my flashier newer pairs (1080 V12, Speed 3, Mach 5). They were quite enjoyable! I think there should be a category for old, slow, heavy (OSH shoes) that includes the sturdy Max Cushioned and Daily Trainer shoes.

[@BFF_Runner]

I am 6ft tall and 250lbs. I put in almost 50 miles most weeks and would love reviews from someone who is crunching a shoe the way I do.

[@mrsatter5575]

I’m seeing more and more big guys like me running (5’10 , 210) Mostly just for health n to get outside. No interest in racing. We need a representative.

[@danieltay1052]

This channel maybe all about running, but unfortunately, not everyone can run due to injuries, etc. What we normally do is taking a long walk instead and I walk about 8km per day. It will be good if you can have a section for walking shoes, because walking 8km per day is starting to hurt my knee and footbed. Shoes for long hours walking, please, thanks a million!

[@edwinduisburg8138]

Just get a cushioned running shoe and start walking easy as that.

[@hufemeve]

Great review - as always- although I haven't tried any of the shoes featured on this review, but makes me aware of some that i'm interested in purchasing in a near future i.e. NB V4. BTW as far as disappointment, HOKA as a company let us down big time in 2022.

[@Believeintherun]

We cover the Hoka thing in Part 2!

[@jefreywith1f924]

Really! Another popular running youtube channel for 2022 has the Hoka Mach 5 as best daily trainer and the the Hoka Speedgoat 5 as favorite trail running shoe.

[@KoIhara]

I can sort of see that narrative coming also. Shoes like Mach 5 and Speedgoat 5 are evolution on the models that have already been successful, but the new models like the Kawana and Supersonic didn’t seem to hit the hyped up expectation in the eyes of the reviewers. Their carbon plated racing shoes seem all but forgotten. 2022 wasn’t they year that they caught up in the midsole foam technology.

[@richardyang94]

The New Balance SC Trainer is the most comfortable shoes I have every tried in my life!

[@michaelmcnally3813]

Thank you for mentioning the tongue of the V4 is trash , I couldn't agree more!

[@littlebigbrother7279]

I prefer the NB supercomp trainer Personally. I loved the NB more V3, the V4 is a step backwards in my opinion

[@SpaceMagicStorm]

Prime x strung is 300 shesh gonna have to wait for a deep sale on that thing

[@michaeltanel3815]

It was 70% off in the US for Black Friday already. If you're outside the US (like me) hopefully they decide to offer a discount soon.

[@rocytha2394]

I subscribed to know what shoes good for running thanks... I know what to buy in Ukay'Shop.. I can't afford to buy new one..

[@r9241]

Love my alpha 2, its like a combination of max cushion and race. Also have the endo pro 3, i theyre also good but alpha 2 feels better for me on race day, it feels special. Endo pro feels ordinary but good. At the end of the day its a personal choice.

[@littlebigbrother7279]

I agree with the Alphafly 2, the V1 way better.

[@davididing3678]

Good stuff here, thank you. Worst shoe of the year (by far) Hoka Bondi X, an expensive brick.

[@michaelpalm2210]

One and done.new Balance for the win! no need for any more videos😁

[@southernhypecollects3670]

New balance on top!

[@michaelpalm2210]

#1 company from a #1 city.........not Baltimore......BOSTON!😁

[@scottwiggans6292]

I bought super comp trainer did 21 miler in it out of box and it ruined my ankle bone I don’t know why maybe the stitches on the inside but I had send it back I didn’t want to because the ride was amazing but I could walk

[@iGo0gIe]

Alpha fly two is probably the best shoe of the year

[@rgweaver]

For everyone disappointed in the Alphafly 2, or for whom the v1 doesn’t work, don’t forget the Vaporfly Next% 2! I know it’s not a 2022 show but it remains such a killer race shoe and seems to work for nearly everyone. That’s right: recommending the Nike Vaporfly is my hot take ;-)

[@dumbdumb123]

I sure hope the next version is more stable.

[@Huxley555]

See I have the ffx more trail v2 and that feels hard to me, and my prime x strung so springy by comparison.

[@joebebendorf262]

Puma Fast R for most innovative?

[@runnin3216]

Wasn't that technically released at NYC last year?

[@joebebendorf262]

@@runnin3216 haha Puma will always be ineligible then cause their releases aren't shipped out on a large scale until the next year

[@masonedmund9086]

i thought u guys were obsessed w alphafly on raceday ... lol i was wrong?

[@ejonesmiata]

is the kawana the spiritual successor to the clifton edge

[@cameronthaijohnson]

Idk Alphafly 2 did lose a bit of softness and bounce but I find it weird that Meg likes the Metaspeed Sky+ so much still then. I find that to be one of the harshest super shoes. Feels like the foam is pretty firm and doesn't compress/return much and doesn't turn over that well for me. It feels like you have to be pounding the forefoot really hard but it just destroys my quads. Agreed that the Endorphin Pro 3 and Adios Pro 3 are great and probably my favorites with the Deviate Elite 2. I do still like the Alphafly 2 though.

[@johnkohoutek5028]

I just retired my Metaspeed Sky+ after 300 miles. I thought it was a great shoe. It just goes to show how runners can have different opinions on shoes.

[@cauljohns2903]

I think that the most innovative shoe was the mizuno shoe with the foam in the front of the shoe

[@Believeintherun]

2023 shoe!

[@KoIhara]

They have something other than Wave Duel Pro with the wild forefoot design?

[@anthony7828]

❤ 👏

[@zf5249]

the up and down border hurts me idk why

[@ryanmiskin8925]

Propel V3 should have been best budget shoe.

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

why pick november for favorites of the year? it's not like you don't make any video in 2nd half of december

[@leorunsoregon2082]

What did I just find

[@Kaisersozze]

It's great that you have a most disappointing category. Keeping it real, otherwise these are just advertisements and not worth watching.

[@chucky1golf]

Glad I stocked up on the AFv1 and didn't go v2. Nikefanboys will be unsubscribing in their droves 😆

[@cmyk94]

I miss Brandon in videos…

[@Dan_South]

Best tempo shoe?

[@Believeintherun]

Part 2!

[@Dan_South]

@@Believeintherun gahhh I just noticed it right before the reply. Lol. Couldn't help but think about last year and the takumi sen 8 just missing this video ;)

[@derekgreer2762]

First

[@paulcarlson4230]

Thank goodness no nike way way overrated

[@Wahey_RS]

This is the most biased review ever 😂