Best Running Super Trainers Right Now

Thomas and Meaghan review the best super trainers right now. What is a super trainer? It usually includes a plate of some sort, high stack of bouncy and/or responsive foam, multi-use performance, and a price tag to match its name. This list isn't conclusive, and we would also include the Hoka Mach X on here if we had gotten the shoe before we recorded. Enjoy!
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INDEX
INTRO (00:00)
SAUCONY (4:50)
ADIDAS (6:51)
NEW BALANCE (8:12)
ASICS (10:26)
ADIDAS (13:43)
PUMA (14:55)
HOKA (16:35)
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[@gabrielguevara2823]

I love the new balance fuel cell SC v2! They’re amazing!

[@markuscg1]

Just got the Hoka Mach X's in the mail today. They feel so nice on foot. I can't wait to get some miles in them.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Loving the Mach X right now. I’ll hit 50 miles on them after tomorrow’s run. Summer GRIT helps to put miles on shoes! Definitely a versatile trainer and dynamic. I just saw your first thoughts video on them. Exciting shoe!

[@MrN0115]

Owned both Asic Superblast and Hoka Mach X. Like them so much!

[@WilliamBlair-rw7jt]

Skechers Razor 4 and Salomon Phantasm fall in this category IMHO. Great vlog and thoughts on super trainers. Love your channel, thanx.

[@demzre]

I’m currently using the Endorphin Speed 3 as my everyday trainer. Didn’t like it at first, but it’s now my go-to.

[@jamieoliverjones3775]

I had two pairs of the Endorphin speed 2 - love them. Thought the endorphin speed 3 was awful compared to the previous iteration. Just found them to be duller with less bounce. I would rather wear my older speed 2s with 300 miles on them than run with the 3's. The Endorphin pro 3 though incredible shoe!

[@robinc.9845]

I love the Speed 3‘s, best Shoe i ever had! Tried the Pro 3‘s but Toebox was to narrow

[@HMuny55]

@@jamieoliverjones3775 same.

[@andresmorote8142]

In Spain we call this type of shoes “mixed”, because many people use them on race day, specially for short and medium distances. I would throw the NB Rebel and the Noosa family to the list. Amazing video!

[@bretstevens262]

Great stuff BITR!

[@stratohamster3]

Would love to give the Boston 12s a go. Hoping the wide version comes to the Adidas Canada site soon!

[@WilltoImprove]

Great video

[@jazzyjay4595]

36 mm in the magic speed heel is plenty for anyone to run in. Are we forgetting that it’s higher than the original Vaporfly and significantly higher than the majority of the hoka line up over the years?

[@manuel_877]

Excellent review. Like to Meaghan and Thomas. My vote goes to Saucony Endorphin speed 3. A nice day for everyone. 🌞🏃🌞

[@michaeldominic2070]

Great options. I'm liking the Boston 12's so far but I may need to pick up the Mach X soon. I'm excited to try them. Are the Endo Speed 4 and Pro 4 releasing this year?

[@IlikeOakleystoo]

I loved the original Zoom Fly, it was my first plated shoe and the Tempo I've liked also.

[@RIED-2023]

excited for the Mach X

[@mikemahar5353]

New balance owns the long distance category imo. New Balance SC Trainer v2 and 1080v13 are incredible shoes.

[@dubp6623]

The New Balance SuperComp Trainer 2 is amazing! 🎉🎉

[@daviddeb]

The Puma Deviate 2 is now my favourite shoe I have ever run in. Love it!!

[@irritablearchitect]

I have yet to try the DN2, but I'm working on my second pair of the V1 model and just love them. I can't say enough good things about that shoe.

[@_DD2024]

I’m gonna rock with the Asics Lightstrung as an everyday super trainer. Big T and Lil Meg over and out 👍🏼👍🏼

[@AR9ify]

The Adidas lineup is fantastic Adios Pro 3, Sen 9, Boston 12 and Adios 8. Pro 3 is just unbelievable and feels way better than Vaporfly 3.

[@chicagobrother1970]

I agree. I have a Vaporfly 2, and I prefer my Adios Pro 2 & 3 over the VP2. Vaporfly is an aggressive shoe in which you have to run fast in it. You can't go slow in it; it'll hurt your feet. But the Adios 2 and 3: you can run slow or fast in these shoes, and the energy return is fantastic! The Adios Pro 2 and 3 are comfortable shoes as well.

[@azreeazmdn]

​@@chicagobrother1970what would u recommend if i were to pick between adios pro 3 and pro 2?

[@JeremyGiese]

Nike tempo for me was/is awesome. I feel it helps me more than my AF v1. Maybe being a forefoot runner and being more flexible vs AF, it fully utilizes the pods with the ZoomX 🤷🏻‍♂️ Fav current “super trainer” is the NB SC Trainer. Want v2

[@sioboy]

I'm rocking the Nike Tempo Next% for a year now but will be looking forward to that Boston 12.😎

[@itskennnnnn96]

Have both Nike Tempo and the Zoom Fly 4. It took me a switch to Adidas to realise what I was missing in terms of feel. Tempo feels unbalanced and for some reason my knees hurt sometimes as well. Zoom Fly 4 is much kinda, tho it feels heavy sometimes on longer runs.

[@BestDJService]

Digging the Birds Aren't Real shirt. Thanks for the backstory/breakdown from the brands before the shoes. I thought it built up to the shoes that followed.

[@BillyBobJoeSnr]

As a runner you know the earth is 100% not flat, but birds that's questionable....!!

[@craigpilcher]

Im normally a new balance guy but ive been massively impressed with mizuno wave rebellion flash. Awesome shoe, bit firmer but i prefer firmer shoes.

[@io-rj6sk]

does it count as a supertrainer?

[@craigpilcher]

@@io-rj6sk i use them a triathlon race shoes so id they qualify. Same foam as the pro version and fiberglass plate thats more rigid than my old new balance rc elite 2

[@levandmarthapolyakin-aaron2183]

Wearing a last pair of Endo Speed2's on a TM tempo session while watching this!

[@davebelcher8374]

Your super trainer history lesson should have paid homage to the FuelCell TC. While NB missed the mark significantly with the RC Elite 1, the TC became a serious player back when we all were in lockdown

[@chrisvarelabenitez4690]

The Prime X strung is unbelievable! Makes threshold training so by fast & awesome for uptempo LRs. Legs felt fresh the day after! I’m leaning towards the Superblast (retiring the Novablast 3 soon) or New Balance FC SC 2😭

[@enkidu2562]

I love it as well and do most of my speed work in them. Rumour is a new prime X is coming out in Oct!

[@ScuffleYT]

How many km/m did you get out of the Novablast before retiring them (assuming mileage is the reason you're retiring them)? Thanks!

[@chrisvarelabenitez4690]

@@ScuffleYT they started to feel flat at 300 miles. Retired then at 317.

[@gabrielguevara2823]

New balance sc 2 are amazing. I love them

[@io-rj6sk]

@@chrisvarelabenitez4690 wats ur fav out of the prime x/superblast/sc trainer v2?

[@DaviCupra]

Out of all of these shoes spoken in this video i have the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 and Asics Superblast, although i like my Speed 2 the Superblast are so much better, i just want to run in the Superblast all the time! But my next shoe might be the NB SC Trainer v2, curious to try them out ;)

[@magnusliang4183]

Yeah I just keep reaching for my superblast

[@_DD2024]

Yes!! Y’all came up with the term Super 👟 Trainers!! Don’t let anyone say y’all didn’t

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

Have you heard any murmurs of a Superblast TR ? Or would that be redundant considering their overall lineup? I'd love a trail shoe with FFBT.

[@AK34VA]

How does the Novablast 3 compares to the superblast in the super trainer shoe category ?

[@edwinduisburg8138]

AKA phantom catagory. What I see is bunch of different shoes with totally different use cases. Having the both Primex and magic speed in the same category tells you everything. Putting plates, rods or shanks doesn't make any shoe 'super' but it can make it pricy though.

[@seanvonlost]

So I've run 4 times ( 25ish miles) in the New Balance SC Trainer and I'm not digging it. to me it feels like it suits someone who heel strikes and it's definitely on the heavier side. I had to size up a half size, which I generally dislike, especially when weight is a concern, and overall it feels sort of sloppy. I tried on the Hoke X in store and liked the feel but chose the NB SC Trainer due to Hoka's "meh" color ways.

[@Trailrunner1978]

Speed 1 is the GOAT. Most important running shoe since Vaporfly 1.

[@michaelcaricoo]

Ah young Thomas. So young. So full of life

[@alanpelosi2955]

Hi eddbud 👋 , the light weight speed catalogue interesting group now ed

[@kuriosites]

I have the Deviate Nitro 2 and it's a great shoe. It feels light and bouncy and doesn't feel like a high stack shoe. However, I don't know that I get much extra out of the plate when I'm doing easy runs but it does really well when I pick up the pace. I'm thinking about going with the Magnify 2 for a little more foam and a wider base next time. My point is, then, that I don't know if there is much added value to these supertrainers for those casual runners who mostly plod along.

[@Skatemar]

This is so true! Go to any Parkrun, and you'll see most people are 35-25 mins for a 5km.

[@jalex9104]

Watching this, I’ve just realized that the painting on the midsole of the NB SCT2 is exactly the same as the Strung on the shelf, orange fading to purple….

[@VinodJacob181]

Between two shoes - new balance sc trainer, hoka mach x

[@MidLifeRunner]

I would put invincible, prime x strung, sc trainer into a Super Max cushion . I’ve been calling it Mad Max category but super max category makes more sense

[@lehitimo]

Now you made me more confused on what to buy😅 about to retire my New Balance SC Trainer v. 1 with hundreds of kilometers in it... a little bit envy since we don't have the v. 2 here in the Philippines yet😢 hopefully soon so i can decide which super trainer fits me well... great job on this vid👍

[@a750]

I just tried the v2 and it's very nice but I really missed the fun of the V1 so I ended buying 2 pairs of v1s for the price of the new v2...

[@SofaKingA]

​@@a750Wow, great move v1 the best shoe ever? It might be in my book!

[@carloortega6010]

Just visited NB in Shangrila, they have the SC Trainer v2! 😊

[@lehitimo]

@@carloortega6010 that’s good👍 but upon seeing the price on New Balance Viber group, i’m having second thoughts at 12,295 Pesos or roughly 225 USD😅 waiting for it to go on sale this holiday season hopefully🙏

[@im_bryan]

i super recommend sc ver2

[@TheHutchRuns]

I bought a pair of New Balance RC Elite V.2 for £125 ($160) and use them as my 'Super' trainers plus they work for race day too!

[@the1curveball]

Hey how it is holding up for daily trainer im thinking of getting it too

[@TheHutchRuns]

@@the1curveball really good indeed

[@Bestdayever22]

Question… Is it me or does the new balance SC Trainer V2 have a high ankle collar? When I put them on, the ankle collar sits at the middle of my ankle bone. Is this normal for a lot of these newer shoes?

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

Every one is taking your lead on the 'super trainers' naming convention ..I guess it sounds better then 'expensive trainers ' , or 'Hobby jogger racing shoes' .. (being an unashamed perfectly happy hobby jogger myself ..I like the latter) .

[@GavBowers]

Surely Nike did it before Saucony with the Pegasus (Easy/Every Day), Pegasus Turbo (Tempo/Threshold) & the Vapourfly 4% or Next% (Race Day)?

[@vishalkolapkar8325]

Why are you guys not get Puma FastRoid Nitro yet?

[@LarsIvarHenriksen]

I understand some of the reasoning. But just taking tempo shoes and heavy max cushioned shoes with plates, and saying it's a new category, does not make it a new category. I mean, how could you compare the endorphin speed 3 with the boston 12 or the super comp trainer? They are wildly different shoes IMO. Next up. To me this feels like taking a Endorphin Elite and a New Balance More and saying it's the same category of shoe, max stack.

[@movdqa]

A bit shocked at the price of the Prime X Strung: $300. Good thing it's not available in extra wide.

[@zontemonte]

What’s your take on combining brands between super trainer and race shoe? Ex: Adidas Boston 12 & New Balance SC Elite

[@Believeintherun]

All good

[@saldinife]

I've tried both the Speed 3 and the Deviate Nitro 2 and both gave me pain on the inside of my right foot. Not sure if it's a stability issue...which other option would be better for that?

[@st4331]

Try the Saucony Tempus. Great daily light weight stability shoe.

[@Strizzle81]

What's Megan's favorite shoe out of the bunch?

[@lhprx4]

Im between saucony, puma and asics

[@stenna9274]

A bit disappointed that Sir Thomas didn’t throw in «Baby got stack» when talking about the PrimeX or Superblast.

[@karls8989]

i wanna challenge your guys and gals on this. shouldn't a super shoe be able to do everything put also feel propulsive? from what i have seen and read the sc trainer and kinvara pro can't match the propulsion of any of these other shoes. maybe categorize them as super max cushioned shoes?

[@Believeintherun]

You’re reading the wrong stuff. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@karls8989]

@@Believeintherun can it go as fast as the boston 12 say vs the sc trainer v2?

[@johndoe3485]

Random: I notice the trend to be more bouncy and cushy but at the expense of durability. Specifically im talking about the rubber, now the rubber now days on these cushy bouncy models is less then like a strand of hair. So if you guys can, please include durability or life of a shoe. Like each shoe try to give a best estimate mileage. Like "This shoe is a 500 mile shoe" or "This shoe is a 300 mile shoe" based on the rubber amount. But im sorry, im different, i would rather have durability then the ultimate cushion. Thats why just give me the Asics GT-1000 and im good. I mean, i would buy the higher price shoes if they just added more rubber. One of these shoe companies are going to see that theres going to be consumers who want a super cushion shoe with the durability and thicker rubber of less expensive shoes. Imagine a Asics Gel Nimbus 25 with the rubber thickness of the GT-1000, that would be my dream shoe and i would be willing to spend the coin for it. But for now, i have to pass on the new cushy bouncy shoes and now purposely having to go back to the less expensive shoe for the durability factor. This is the new meta you could say that the shoe market has now put out there. Cause and effect so to speak. ✌️

[@runnin3216]

The Adidas models are going to be the most durable. I have 471 miles on my Prime X and there is virtually no wear on the outsole. The foam doesn't seem to go flat either. Not sure when I'll pull the Strung version out of the box because the originals just won't die.

[@pbnotj1]

Yeah agree; I think having a race day shoe (for me adios pro 3 I have found on sale twice at great prices ) and a daily trainer can work. The race day shoe is durable enough for speed tempo and the daily training gets the durable less expensive mileage. But I had the saucony endorphin speed 1 and it was fantastic for me a race day speed and tempo and even fast long run shoe . Just versatile as heck so these shoes for us regular folks can sometimes be a race day and training shoe .

[@geert574]

Just buy ultraboosts bro, I run with the cold ready models and that sole isn't deteriorating at all, they're tanks though not for speedy gazelles

[@mikemahar5353]

The gel nimbus 25 is the worst shoe I’ve ever wore. I did a 12km run in them and it nearly broke my back. Outer heal on my left foot felt like it shattered.

[@AR9ify]

Super trainers with fun foam

[@danielborton8907]

What about the Brooks Hyperion Max?

[@Believeintherun]

What about it?

[@marrlo121]

I own the SC Trainer v2. I use them on long slow runs 9min per mile type pace. I dont feel the carbon plate at all. Just because a shoe has a carbon plate doesnt mean its good or going to work for everyone.

[@Fozzee.1970]

Sometimes it's only there for stability and doesn't add performance as such.

[@MikeSearsThermalEcology]

Why not add the Skechers GoRun Ride 11? A budget super-trainer!

[@d4ve3]

Have you tested the Hoka Mach X? Nevermind just got to the end.

[@t1g3r8]

Does Nike have a super trainer?

[@cameronwilliams7372]

Genuine question, if these shoes are seemingly good for everything is there a reason it wouldn’t replace your daily trainer and tempo shoes besides $30/40 extra? Rather than buying a tempo and a daily for example why not just get 2 “super trainers”?

[@Believeintherun]

No reason

[@craigpostreplyutube]

Wait!! What's Meaghan's pick??? Is this the "THOMAS" show? or Thomas and MEGHAN show?

[@mazanek198585]

New Balance SC V2 or Asics meta speed Sky+ ? Thanks!

[@Believeintherun]

One is a light racer, the other is a daily trainer that can pick up the pace. It just depends on what you are trying to do.

[@mazanek198585]

@@Believeintherun Ok, perfect. I love my Asics Superblast and just watched the comparison between NB SC V2 and Superblast. I think I’m going to get the NB SC V2

[@the1curveball]

@@mazanek198585how did it go? With the sc v2 ?

[@itsahardmuttlife9263]

All of the KZbin influencers not on the NB NY marathon team prefer the v1 of the NB SC trainer. 😂

[@johndoe3485]

i just want one shoe. Make video on "The One shoe" category. ✌️

[@SpinFireOne]

Where is it Hoka?!

[@acpmedicine]

Wish the Superblast had a Carbon or nylon plate like the prime x strung

[@jkhoudini]

Nah then it’d probably be too stiff. If anything, a mid foot shank at most is all it needs to control and quicken the mid foot transition slightly.

[@michaeltran2743]

@@jkhoudiniI agree. A full length carbon fiber plate would be too much.

[@levandmarthapolyakin-aaron2183]

Another agreement comment. A carbon plate doesn’t automatically make every shoe better. The SuperBlast is designed to be exactly what it is.

[@acpmedicine]

@@levandmarthapolyakin-aaron2183 fair points. But, at the price point that it is and the shoes at that range, some width plates, it presents an interesting comparison between other shoes in that category

[@midorisperandeo2897]

I have a pair… they have a super foam Cush while not being sloppy or too squishy like a HOKA. What sets them apart is the lightness - with all that foam mine are only low 7 oz range. No other shoe has this combo. It’s a great long run shoe that you can cruise in or pick it up to some degree (though I wouldn’t want to do a super hard effort in them ).

[@ThatRunnerAaron]

The birds aren’t real T 😂😂😂

[@twinturbo1995]

Surprised the Brooks Hyperion MAX didnt make the List..

[@itsaclark]

Look who is sponsoring a lot of BITR's events. Asics paid for Tokyo Marathon and Grit. Adidas paid for the Boston Marathon. NB is paying for a lot of races leading up to NY.

[@jicalzad]

Why wouldn’t this category shoe be good for race day?

[@swedishbasteve]

No Zoomfly 5? Seems odd.

[@Sabundy]

Why? They clearly feel the other shoes are superior

[@swedishbasteve]

@@Sabundy It's odd to me because they were reviewing super trainers and they mentioned the original, but not the latest. If this video was only about shoes they liked, why include the Kinvara Pro? They very much didn't like that shoe in the latest review.

[@ptlewis2000]

@@swedishbasteve My take is Zoom Fly 5 is no longer marketed or built to be a fast super trainer. Zoom Fly 4 was the last and they flipped the shoe purpose. That being said, the Kinvara Pro sounds like what the Zoom Fly 5 WOULD be if continued. IMHO.

[@SimonHarrisAdDope]

New Balance doing UK customers dirty with a ~$90 mark up on RRP over US customers. Not cool.

[@RunTommy123]

What a terrible take on the Zoom Fly. The Fly 2 Flynit was a great shoe! 👟 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

[@moreybrown870]

Birds Aren't Real!

[@rizqhp]

Solid feature but colorway is mid...

[@ptlewis2000]

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE TRASHING MY ZOOM FLY!!!! just kidding. Also, maybe the Kinvara Pro is Saucony trying to steal us Zoom Fly 4 or Boston 11 lovers who can't run in the speed.

[@SonyDjuana]

No Nike? Strange 🤭

[@jkhoudini]

This video is all about the fat pad

[@SanketKambli]

kinvara pro = boston 10 ? weird shoe!!

[@Onlyifyshoes_23]

I bought nice shoes #Onlyify

[@robinc.9845]

No one with brain wants a carbon fiber plate for daily trainng... i don`t get it dear shoe brands...thats why all love the Speed 3`S and the Superblasts (incluzding me). Super Light, responsive but no carbon fiber plate, wich makes it daily trainer material... i don`t wnat to fuck up my feet my using carbon plates every day...

[@kjam87gxp]

I didn’t like the tempo

[@omarcortez9394]

It’s finally happened: First

[@dbo4506]

How sad

[@timtamothy51]

That was a waste of time, they just listed shoes

[@omarcortez9394]

@@dbo4506 sad because you were not first.

[@MrMate8869]

Kinda sad but if it made you happy I guess I approve.

[@basically_chris]

Hey, I skate and I broke my heel 6 years ago... I'm not running, just want something comfortable because at work/an event, I might be standing/walking for 14 hours in a single day. I have no idea if I should spend $50 or $250. I just look for something *comfortable.* any suggestions ? 🥹

[@user-gi2ho4ku6z]

No mention of the Saucony triumph 20? Fantastic daily trainer. Incredibly durable. Im currently approaching 300 miles . Still feel brand new. Definitely getting another pair.

[@matthiaszucchet]

Thomas mentioned he ran a 12 mile race in the Prime x strung. Aren’t shoes >40mm stack banned from road races? 🫠😵‍💫

[@Believeintherun]

For pro runners. The rest of us can run in 40+