Picking the Best Running Shoes of 2024 So Far (podcast) | We discuss the shortlist

Every year we publish our best running shoes video covering our top picks across five categories of road shoe. This involves each of the team picking their favourites from the current shoes available and a complicated algorithm (Tom and a spreadsheet) works out the final top three.
In this podcast we chat through the categories and some of the main shoes on the list.
JUMP STRAIGHT IN
00:00 - Intro
03:00 - Best Race Shoes
10:30 - Best Daily Shoes
14:00 - Best All-rounders
17:30 - Best Cushioned Shoes
19:00 - Best Value Shoes
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[@OdanUrr87]

This vid in three acts: 12:34 Tom thinking he was making progress | 18:36 Tom realising he really wasn't | 21:04 Tom finally giving up😅 The only thing I learned is that Nick really wants to make a huge Venn diagram with drones.🤣

[@mr.h.9103]

Omg this had me rolling on my run yesterday listening to the podcast. Sat down after my run today and saw it on the KZbin and had to indulge. 😂

[@cityscapes4165]

This video needs to be re-named “Picking the Categories we put Running Shoes into.” This was a chaotic and fun video.

[@torontocitizen6802]

Best race show Best fast non-plated daily Best fast plated daily Best cushion Best versatile (one shoe to run them all, training to race day)

[@therunningtattooartist5172]

Whenever I watch you guys I always imagine you’re all in the same house.. recording from your rooms.. like you’re at uni 😂

[@jordanmiller5627]

Watched the whole video and loved it! Daily = shoe you put most of your miles in BUT is part of a shoe rotation. Some of these will be better for speed or slow runs, but that doesn’t matter because they are part of a rotation, so whatever they aren’t great at will be compensated for with a different pair of shoes. All-rounder = shoe that can be used for a variety of types of runs and is NOT part of a rotation. It’s for people that want one shoe to do it all in. Cushioned = shoes that were clearly designed with cushion being the primary selling point (e.g. Asics gel nimbus, NB more V4, etc.). If another shoe happens to be comfortable, but is also good at speed (e.g Saucony Speed 4), leave it off this list and put it in the all-rounder. Could consider adding a category of “Super-Trainer” so compare all the plated/super foam non-race shoes (e.g. Speed 4, Mach X, Magic Speed, Superblast, etc.)

[@MarceloRodrigues-cn1is]

I love to see that you guys are becoming more and more friends. It's a joy to watch your videos. Loving the Rebels V4 at the moment. 👍

[@andytownsend4117]

The daily trainer doesn’t work because depends too heavily on what your daily training consists of. Instead, suggest have 5 categories based on primary purpose: 1. Best training shoe for easy miles (recovery/long runs) 2. Best training shoe for faster miles (tempo/intervals) 3. Best racing shoe for short distance (5k/10k) 4. Best racing shoe for long distance (13.1M/26.2M) 5. Best all rounder (competes well at all the above)

[@EggsForDessert]

How about doing a pentagon shape like they did for stats of players on the fifa games with each shoe so you can credit a shoe for being both cushioned and versatile to some extent

[@dhiyaauliasuherman529]

This is what i've been waiting for!! Thank you so much guys for making this video so we don't have to wait too long until the end of year 🙌

[@Feanaro5503]

I already listened to the podcast but it was so funny I’m going to watch it, too. 😂

[@Ginguredrunner]

This is one of your best video's...lots of laughs and honesty

[@iliasefessios9927]

A wonderful way to spend twenty odd minutes, thank you so much!

[@williamdarsley1973]

Very much enjoyed the gradual descent into chaos. The following categories would be most useful to me: - Cushioned - just for easy runs - Combine daily and all rounder - can do easy runs but can also pick up the pace in tempo runs - Speed - for interval training and parkrun races - Long - for >10k runs and 1/2 and full marathon races

[@ianwarner1429]

1080v13 is my shoe for everything but fast workouts and marathon pace long runs. Soft yet springy.

[@Im_Procrastinating]

Brilliant video lads, more of this please! 😂😂

[@marcuswestgate3648]

I loved this video, loved it. Mike’s just laughing through it all, couldn’t help but join in. Brilliant. 😂

[@ninevrisesyrillas]

Funny video. My suggestion is first, separate categories by rotation/function: (1) daily/easy miles, (2) speed/workout shoe, (3) race shoe, (4) recovery/max cushion shoe. Then, you can have an all-rounder/versatile category with shoes that can cover each of those functions. The all-rounder shoes can also be the best in other categories or not depending on whether you are judging purely by quality or if you want to showcase more shoes (at different price ranges) etc. I love your channel, but I've often wondered why you don't have a speed/workout shoe category since some of you do have that kind of shoe in your rotation. So that's my thought =).

[@Okieuser]

Love this behind the scene 😅. Thank you guys

[@ChairmanAntelope]

This video was the best kind of chaos. Personally, the most useful categories would be daily, speed and race. That’s generally the “standard” 3 shoe rotation, so rather than daily vs all-rounder, I’d scrap all rounder and add a dedicated speed category. Then there’s still room to argue about which one the Speed 4 wins in.

[@summers7775]

although i agree with you, i think the all rounder category should be kept for runners who just want a shoe that can do everything. So essentially, we should have all 4 categories.

[@deltamoney2742]

Endorphin speed 3 for everything. I'm on my 3rd pair and they hold all my PBs

[@summers7775]

@@deltamoney2742 i agree! the best all rounder out there

[@reckeweg2459]

Agreed! Daily, speed, race/distance

[@philippernst4877]

OMG guys. Your on fire and best analysis ever just to learn that best allrounder is the puma velocity nitro as it has always been. love it 😅♥️

[@botrytis_cinerea]

Your best video ever. Keep them coming. We want more team meeting vids. Categories: daily, cushioned/easy mile, speed, long runs and race.

[@Kevin-fz7yt]

Loved it… probably wouldn’t work on a regular basis but a good once in a while video. Bravo! 👏🏻 Daily- Fits into a shoe rotation (needs pairing shoes). Built up upper, durable outsole. Ex. Triumph, SL, Pegasus ‘All Around er’/Speed. Lightweight, versatile, premium foam (usually platted). Ex. Speed, Boston/TS, Superblast Race Ex. Saucony Pro, Adidas Pro, Nike VF/AF, Nitro Elite 3

[@Echom4-kr5el]

Didn’t learn a thing except I need the speed 4 lol. Loved watching a podcast than listening. More please.

[@MrLewisWhale]

Great video, good reflection of the running shoe world, too many categories and it’s really just what shoe works for you for certain runs.

[@komsoh]

This full of chaos is exactly what I feel about the current running shoes market... IMHO, it might be better to categorize based on the purpose rather than the characteristics of shoes. My suggestion is Race (Marathon / Half / 10k) / Daily miles / Long miles / Speed session / Recovery runs / Stability / All-rounder (for the case one can only have one pair of shoes) and Good-value (for the case one cannot spend much money). The tricky thing is, max-cushion does not at all mean less-responsive these days, thanks to the latest PEBA-like materials. Materials are so different from each other that I cannot expect how it behaves from the spec sheet .. ends-up buying unnecessary shoes and regretting after running a couple of miles.

[@inndoors]

You could break it out by how many shoes someone wanted. 1 shoe -> all rounder 2 shoe -> daily/all rounder + race 3 shoe -> daily/all rounder + recovery/workout + race/workout - lots of options 4 shoe -> daily + recovery + workout + race All-Rounder = 1 shoe for recovery, easy days, and speed. Firmer, not too focused on weight, comfy matters a little bit. Think of a solid long run shoe that you could race in but would rather have a dedicated race shoe. Something like novablast, endorphin speed, new balance sc elite 3 Race shoe - should have a 5k/10k option then a half/full marathon option: edge Paris/sky, vf3, etc Daily - two categories: cushion vs firm for z2/recovery: cushion 1080, firm glycerin Bonus categories would be recovery and workout: something super cushion for recovery days (overlaps daily) and workout for repeats/tempo etc (overlaps race/all rounder) Venn diagram is unironically great idea to see how the shoes compare to eachother

[@SebastianMoody]

Loved this😊

[@JR-nc4nl]

So the moral of the story is that all-rounder and daily trainer is the same category for most runners. For me the VN line has been the best because it just fits so perfectly on my foot. Tight and snug without feeling intrusive

[@ahsansyed6545]

This was an amazing video 👌👏👏😆😆

[@travistanner6042]

cheeky chaos. loved it.

[@swmhill]

😂 I am looking forward to the drone video of the giant shoe categories Venn diagram!

[@LeeSmales]

One of the funniest clips the boys have done.... 😂

[@SwimBikeRun256]

Very entertaining! For what it’s worth I like your categories. Yes there is overlap but it doesn’t matter. People can pick shoes based on what they like. I have Saucony speed, Boston 12 and too many race shoes that are also used for long runs. Not a conventional rotation. But your videos are my go to before buying.

[@mattbarrett6186]

Daily trainer = all rounder, a daily is one shoe you can do everything but had compromises for me. Surely you have a race shoe, fast pace training shoe, cushioned easy shoe and the daily trainer

[@HopkinsRunning]

@20.56 think Tom had enough of Nick for one day and decided to flip the middle finger 🤣🤣🤣

[@hexfire]

I laughed af. This was brilliant. Nick is on fire.🔥

[@michaelhatch1994]

In one month my Puma DV8 Nitro Elite 2's will be a year old and have done well in excess of 1200km. They are my "everything" shoe. It's fast and I'm cheap. Version 3 tomorrow.

[@Leo-jc4uq]

Can't wait for the Venn diagram video! 😁

[@chasenicholson237]

I would do, Recovery Run, Daily Trainer, Speed, Race. Differentiating choices by plated and not plated wouldnt be terrible either. All rounders could be their own vid

[@LiamMendoza-vr1di]

Neo vista definitely all rounder hit a half M PR today in these the cushion is SICK

[@CSRunner7]

I’ve got a headache 🤕 now 🤯 😁! It really varies on the type of runner. Nick probably more at an extreme end being a very fast runner so categories can move depending on the person. I think Daily/all rounder just easier as one category to save on having to force a distinction and disputes!! Even cushion an issue as some cushioned shoes people would use as daily/all rounder!

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

I had listened to the podcast over the weekend , and I am re watching it here ; The reason not sure how to comment via apple podcast and just wanted to say you guys are improving as a Podcast team .. was a little dry in the beginning but you are bouncing more naturally off each other (likely what it is like more off camera .. queue a quick sarcastic comment from Nick ).

[@jorgemedina9526]

I would differentiate the more standard daily trainer vs the more performance oriented. Eg Supernova Rise Vs adizero SL2, 880 vs rebel, Clifton vs Mach, etc. then of course de high cushion, the race day, and the supertrainer. Maybe after all that you can give an all rounder

[@aleksandarivanov6540]

Combine the all rounder with daily and make tempo shoes a category, because thats more in the rotation( you are picking a tempo shoe like the mach x and speed 4)

[@AndrewBush_XK]

Categorise based on runners: Those who like rotations Those who like one shoe In the first have cushioned/daily/speed/race/trail/value In the second just have money no object and value. Simple And then do a venn diagram 😅

[@davidpearson6011]

Your thoughts on the Adidas adizero SL 2

[@bh4560]

The boston 12 is a stunning shoe guys! Get on it ASAP!! 😂

[@jps5871]

For me I rate shoes in where they set in my speed range. Recovery/easy 0 - 7 miles = ASICS Nova blast 3 ( need to replace) Then shoes that cover easy to tempo+ Hoka Mach X ( love these shoes they help me lock into a pace) Race day shoes, extended pace/threshold work and race day Hoka Rocket 2 For me A race day shoe is light and comfortable. At the end of the race, shoes should not feel like there slowed you down. They should be a non thought at the end of a race. Older runner, newer to running. It’s all about feel. How do they make my feet and legs feel both during and after the run.

[@rebelsage3158]

What about a best, all rounder race and easy day daily tempo shoe for workouts and recovery days?

[@glyndonwakeman7420]

Daily, Speed and Race- as per the comments below. Cushioned is a sub category of daily, as is the 'long run' shoe. See Nick's Venn diagram... One-shoe-to-rule-them-all is potentially another...if you could only have one shoe....a LOT of people still do. It is unlikely to win any category, but does pretty well at most. And lastly, value. Again, this is what most people who aren't immersed in the running bubble are looking at

[@craigatkinsonstudio]

in fact, do you ever do a viewers' choice? Google forms would compute it all for you. Might be interesting to see a wide reach of what people use.

[@tomrichardson5433]

To me, a daily trainer is a shoe I could use for all my running if I'm not training for a marathon. Before super foams, my feet would hurt too much on 16+ mile runs with daily trainers, so I would get a cushion shoe as well as a daily shoe. The lines are blurred a lot more. The term super-trainer (which has been around since the 70s) isn't really meaningful. What is meaningful is that modern shoes can do more kinds of runs. The foams don't just make the shoes more versatile by themselves (although they help a lot), shoe companies have started to design shoes differently with new foams, so some companies have a legacy daily trainer and a modern daily trainer that can do the same types of runs, but have a very different feel.

[@jamescosgrove6680]

Haha this was great

[@taahirahmad]

Need a best beginner shoe for heavy runners with over pronation

[@TheHutchRuns]

Has Tom got the Iffley Road cap in every colour? 🤣 Sky Paris or AF3 for best race shoe although Hoka Rocket X2 should get an honourable mention. To me, the best shoe for the widest section of runners (regardless of cost) is the Asics Superblast. Is this a running shoe podcast or a comedy? 🤣

[@SCHD-DGRO24]

The laces on the cielo x1 are horrible lol

[@iiagdtr]

More. Like. This. Also: After a few pints.

[@davidgunther1282]

Asics must know how many Metaspeed Sky vs Metaspeed Edges they sell. I’d like to see those numbers. It seems the Sky is and has always been more popular. Curious as to how long Asics will hold on to this 2-shoe Supershoe option before they abandon the idea and just go back to 1 option.

[@Fozzee.1970]

They are selling more Sky as they haven't produced as many Edge and it's not as available in stores.

[@ACs946]

If that's how a sausage is made, I'm calling the council.

[@grantmckay7014]

Durability + economical = daily trainer All rounder can do it all but can be expensive

[@emceenz]

The more running shoes I buy, the less I understand categories too. I have my race day shoes which are the most obvious - Endorphin Elite & Vaporfly 3. I have the Endorphin Speed 4, Rebel v4, Deviate Nitro 2 and Novablast 4, and I could throw each of those shoes in multiple categories, with some thrown in categories that make no sense.

[@craigatkinsonstudio]

best yet

[@brun4775]

Boston 12s are they best “do everything” allrounder shoes I’ve ever had.

[@vikramr8679]

'Men with Venn' 😂

[@jaibeingjai]

It might as well be the Nick show as he doesn't let anyone else speak. Dont blame Kieran for not saying much.

[@faridamin2410]

ASICS metaspeed Paris the best and way above the rest ❤

[@Mike-rh8we]

The most enjoyable chaos I have ever seen. Fantastic nuttiness!!!!

[@jake-b-x1v]

All-Rounder, Cushioned, and Daily overlap too much to be useful. I would like to see a more utility focused approach for the guide. Categories based on either where they fit in a standard rotation (Recovery, Daily Trainer, Performance/Workout Trainer, Race), an expanded rotation (Recovery, Cushioned Daily, Stability Daily, Balanced Daily, Performance Daily, Hard Day Trainer, Track Day Trainer, Short Race, Long Race, Ultra Race, etc) or based on specific types of runs/efforts (long, recovery, easy, moderate, hard, speed, 5k race, marathon, etc) and then special categories/mentions for things like most versatile, best outsole, best value, most fun, etc. No problem for me with shoes appearing in multiple categories. For something like this video I would have preferred just a Top 10 list without categories where everyone mentions what qualities they like about the shoe and how they see it being used.

[@EMcD-jl9si]

Nick is a lord

[@marcello3119]

Men with Venn it is

[@hazimmohamad6683]

imagine the same video but after a few pints lol.

[@MrAsthenia]

When are you going to bring back the proper piratical pronunciation of the Fast-R?

[@Wings_nut]

You had me until Venn Diagram.

[@snowwalker9999]

I think we need to eliminate the word: Max Cushion" What is not max Cushion these days. Or if you use it make sure you are talking about max cushion soft daily easy recovery shoes or the maximalist shoes like the Superblast Prime X Strung etc. It was a fun video to watch.

[@jasestu]

A multidimensional venn diagram...

[@adithyasabarish37]

As you rant and discuss about shoes, please first add the name of shoe models in video and description...

[@karlbratby4349]

how to over complicate shoes... wow sorry guys but this was just silly.

[@johnconnor3329]

Wow, that was bad…

[@pedrofilho6818]

Exhausting

[@user-et1vx7qv1b]

What a chaotic and filled with nonsense podcast...