Sagasu Running Top 10 Running Shoes of 2024

[@marga_asana2run]

Thank you! Super line up! My favs 2024 are SL2, Mach 6 and Invincible 3 :)

[@NOKIA6031]

no brooks, no hoka, no new balance etc.? What about picking a model from each brand and presenting a top list? Indeed, Adidas made a huge come back this year with some solid daily trainers. Nike seems to follow the trend with the peg41 and zoomfly, but still! For me Adidas, Asics, Saucony, Puma and Hoka are the brands with options for every taste of running.

[@Scott25368]

Adidas is selling the Prima for about $60 on ebay which is a great deal. I think the prima is better than the rise because its more comfortable

[@rumblerumble2276]

Your Shoe of the Year is my favorite. I love running in it and really looking forward to the future of this shoe.

[@SagasuRunning]

Same same, very deserving, right?… I have more to say on it in 2025. Stay tuned. 🤙🏻

[@bitsandbobs564]

Great list! Thanks for the video ! Have you tried the Altra vanish Carbon 2 ?

[@thewalls7770]

I really wanted to like the Peg Plus but the toe box was so narrow for me. It has such an extreme taper. The Rise fits me much better. If I could improve one thing on the Rise it would be the heel. The posterior flair feels clunky to me but it’s still runnable. Maybe they’ll reduce it with version 3.

[@OdanUrr87]

And the winner is...🏅 Wow, what a list!👏👏 And what does it say of 2024 that so many shoes on this list are daily trainers? I knew your top 3 shoes would be on the list, but I was pleasantly surprised about #1 being, well, #1! With over 450k on them, I can only agree, and they're bringing a lighter upper next year. I've run far less on #7, but they haven't let me down yet! Wish I could get my hands on #2 to try it out, but the Evo SL or Adios 9 are more likely to show up, what's tragicomic considering Adidas has been having raffles for the SL from what I've heard. I am rather curious whether Adidas will release a SL3 or replace it with the Evo SL going forward, and what changes Nike will bring to the VF4. I anticipate the NB5 will be quite high up on your list next year, and possibly dethrone #1, but we'll see.

[@CorGP]

Adidas is killing it right now! As for the Evo SL, we have to keep in mind that Adidas is marketing that shoe as a hybrid run/lifestyle shoe, that explains why the raffles are happening. That is also the reason why I don’t think it will interfere with the standard SL line. Having ran in the Evo SL and SL/SL2, I think the SL2 is a more streamlined trainer for runners. It has a better upper and doesn’t push you to run fast. The Evo SL is a tempo runner, I would not go out and do daily miles in it unless it was my only option.

[@stephenwouw8624]

@@CorGP Adidas is doing it all for the hype! To then throw in their own windows by flushing the market with EVO SL in every single colour you can think of. They go on sale worldwide in February, and there is already a yellow on the way and red. They did exactly the same with soccer/football cleats. Their revamp of the predator shoes was a big success! But there was a problem, they have a new young star player and they gave him predators in his signature colour way, and what happens, nobody wants them! Because the buyers wild on dozens of colour ways. No Adidas is making a comeback indeed, they’ve closed the gap to Nike and Asics. Now adidas is having the same issues like Nike, their low to mid tier shoes are all over the place. They have models overlapping each other too much. The have the EVO 1, Adios pro 4 and right now EVO SL and then everything else around it is covering each other too much. takumi sen, SL2, and a bunch more hovering around it. You can slash at least 3 off their offerings. Asics is much more clear. Metaspeed sky and edge - race Superblast 2 - long run tempo trainer Magicspeed 4 - speed workouts Novablast 5 - Daily trainer, easy/recovery runs Nimbus 27 - comfort, easy runs, recovery Then there is another branch with the glide ride, cumulus, etc. It’s clear, and what happens is, their lineup works so when a runner buys 1 pair and likes it, the second pair is inevitable. With Adidas it’s kinda clear if you look top down, but Nike it’s a bloody mess. You like the alpha fly, top down there is too much.

[@TroySpringer11]

Got Supernova Rise for my mom for Christmas found it for $60 on Amazon. She runs a slow mile a day so I think it’s perfect. Glad to see it still ended up topping your list.

[@Sabundy]

I think it would be interesting to hear your analysis of what Mizuno is doing these days in terms of their rebuilding and reinvention of their brand and running shoe line up.

[@AmanSJ15]

Ultimately this is your list and there are no right or wrong answers. However, I do find your criteria quite subjective, essentially the brand importance having such a large weighting. Wouldn’t the best approach for this type of Video to objectively assess each shoe on A defined set of characteristics that define them ; Such as performance, durability, Cost, etc. Brand importance and Industry impact are more considerations to me than anything. Great year for the work on the channel, You have brought a refined approach to this space and your production level is very high

[@SagasuRunning]

Yes… ultimately it is. This may be the most subjective video I do on the channel all year. I’m cherry picking my favorite shoes from the pool I reviewed in 2024, which I’m already very selective on to begin with. I cover the brands and products I find “the best” and most interesting to me. Arbitrary scales and points systems don’t matter. I’m neither trying to be inclusive nor something like consumer reports. I’m giving my POV on what product I find exciting and why…. Plus trying it back to some of the larger stories I’ve covered in 2024. Unabashedly subjective. I do appreciate the kind words on channel growth in 2024. It was quite a year. Plenty more planned for 2025…. Onward. 🤙🏻

[@gw4550]

A comprehensive line up. Solid work horses.

[@SagasuRunning]

The bottom 5 especially… a ton of value there.

[@TomCantu-q2x]

I’m looking forward to this one. I have my coffee. Here we go!

[@SagasuRunning]

🎢

[@TomCantu-q2x]

@@SagasuRunningSupernova Rise? That was a surprise. I’ll have to do myself a favor and take a hard look at it. Thanks for your review. I enjoyed it.

[@SagasuRunning]

@@TomCantu-q2x Definitely take a look at them. A very underrated show. Thank you for watching. 🤙🏻

[@theghostofpcs2391]

Looking forward to the Prime X 3! I'm very firm in the 'max stack performance trainer' camp, so I was very surprised that I like the TS10 so much.

[@prowrench7989]

Still marvel how the Saucony Endorphin Speed4, in the specific colorway you show passed muster (and was approved)... from any distance, in action on course, it reads to the eye as Nike. Being in design, the amount of vetting for things like that can be frustrating... funny how that colorway slipped through.

[@glennsantiago4003]

Your thoughts on the supernova prima? Is the rise really better? Thank you !!

[@SagasuRunning]

We never got that model here in Taiwan… only the other three. So I’ve never seen it. That being said I’d like to test it but a big part of what makes the SNR so good is the lower stack and ground feel. So I doubt I’d prefer it…. But if I ever see a pair I’ll grab them.

[@glennsantiago4003]

@ got it thank you! Nice list of top 10 shoes 🫡

[@SagasuRunning]

🙏🏻

[@brianreiter5572]

In the trail shoe segment I think the terrex agravic speed ultra set a new mark as the first real super shoe that is a successful design for a fairly wide range of applicable terrain.

[@claytonhall2777]

The Peg Plus is a great shoe and I’m surprised that it’s not getting more attention from the industry.

[@kevinclark5086]

Interesting choices. Novablast 4 or any nike pegasus not even in my top 10 grass cutting shoes never mind anything to do with running. 1.Saucony pro 4 2. Superblast 2 3. Prime x v2. Zoomfly 6 gets a worthy mention as its brought nike back from the dead. My 2024 standout performers.

[@tombola4046]

Have you tested anything Puma this year?! DNE3 & DN3 hands down better than 90% of your top 10

[@CorGP]

Adidas really had a year! I have the peg plus as my top shoe of the year, but the only 2024 shoes I bought were the NB4, peg plus and the SB2. I was able to secure a few pairs of the Evo SL but I’m not counting that as a 2024 shoe.

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

A shoe(t)out between the Sky Paris and the Adios Pro 4 would be fun to watch. They seem somewhat similar, weight wise anyway. Three Nike shoes in your top 10? Shocker lol. It will be interesting to see if the Rise 2 will dethrone the Rise 1.

[@SagasuRunning]

I plan on doing a “vs” video on the Metaspeed Sky 4 (or whatever the name is) in 2025 again the AP4 and AF3. Looking forward to that. I more curious if the SNR2 can maintain its position…. 2025 has some great releases, looks like a stronger year than 2024. To be fair… I’m rather proud there are ONLY three Nikes in the list. If I would have included spikes in this list it would have been more….

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@SagasuRunning The 2024 shoe releases were epic. Based on what I observed from the TRE livestream, 2025 promises to be an even more epic shoe release year.

[@rumblerumble2276]

I have to ask, from a marketing and product standpoint, what do you think of the name “incrediRUN” for Saucony’s new foam?

[@joelngchuyao2286]

The supernova rise just isnt mentioned enough by youtubers, do you feel that it resembles the invincible 2s?

[@SagasuRunning]

I agree. The SNR is like an Invincible and a Pegasus hybrid… not either exactly but also notes of both.

[@WanderinHawk]

Not sure about supernova rise. i got one pair but its terrible for running, it bottoms out extremely fast and im not even heavy lol. i prefer even the ultraboost 5 over them which is crazy given the UB's backgroud

[@SagasuRunning]

I’ve never had a bottoming out feeling in them… even after 200mi on them. Always smooth and cushioned. To be fair I have a strong preference for lower stack shoes.

[@richardnemes2055]

Heyy hello! Did I saw that correctly that you avoid NewBalance shoes? If so, why is that?

[@klipk7296]

7:56 LMAOO the shoe that shall not be named

[@SagasuRunning]

Banned from the channel… ❌

[@meny952ify]

I love your videos because they are very technical, as if an engineer made them

[@SagasuRunning]

I’m a designer… so close. But I have always been on the technical side of things, at least interested in it all. 🤙🏻

[@pugmaster9681]

I really don’t like my Pegasus plus. 150 miles and it keeps bottoming out on me.

[@SagasuRunning]

I’ve not had that at all and I’m nearly 200mi on 2 pairs… I’ve done everything in them but the majority has been speed work around 5k to half marathon pace.

[@alb.1911]

I am 84Kg and it’s perfectly fine. The high stack mania is definitely brainwashing people about how the shoes should be and what’s good for your body. I can 100% ensure you that “not feeling the ground” is bad for your body because it can’t find a solid floor and all the secondary muscles that stabilize your body work way more.

[@shutterbyifan7958]

pegasus plus felt really heavy and stiff for me

[@therapygrind]

So you "love low stack", that 6mm drop Roadfly, yet also the Endorphin Pro4 & it's 8mm drop, however have no love for anything NB including their 4mm low stack FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, perfect for forefoot racing. SMH. Different strokes. It's now 20% off and imo the best $200 or less shoe in the market.

[@rumblerumble2276]

I tried NB and couldn’t get past the foam. Best upper for my foot, but the NB foam is sloppy.

[@dynamike9248]

Thought you were saying low drop? Which is not the same thing as low stack?

[@drwilycoyote3804]

I was literally about to say the same thing… it seems there’s confusion between low stack and low drop. That said… I do believe the author believes in low stack running shoes as I believe he’s stated there’s an adaptive benefit to using them I.e. not doing a max cushion high stack trainer all the time

[@brianreiter5572]

I think I can guess your top 1 worst shoe of 2024. 🤔

[@SagasuRunning]

There are two candidates… for sake of sanity they both get the award and I’ll never mention either on this channel again.

[@steven7169]

My best road/daily is tracksmith eliot, for trail merrell longsky 2 was amazing on the supper tech trails of malaysia. For road to trail, the nnormal kjerag.

[@SagasuRunning]

The Kjerag was in my 2023 list and the Tomir 2.0 didn’t make the cut this year for me. I think the Inov8 Trailfly might be my trail shoe of the year… but I don’t think there was a 2024 model. I al looking forward to the Kjerag 2…. Hopefully I’ll have an early release pair to cover as well.

[@steven7169]

@SagasuRunning yeah I think the kjerag 2 has a new foam, a tpeu base I think. They've also got a 5mm lug version of 1 with a single ply matrix upper that I'm super excited about as jungle mountain shoe, the merrell is my favourite for when I really need a trail shoe to be a trail shoe. Be nice to hear your thoughts if you get your hands on yhe nnormals next year.

[@brianreiter5572]

The Kjerag 2 and Norda 005 were both reported out of TRE as being supercritical TPEE - like Lightstrike pro.