The Best Running Shoes, Watches and Headphones of 2024: The Run Testers Awards

[@Real_Matt]

The thing with the fenix 8 - it's nearly a grand and 90% of people will use 10% of the features. Much better paying a third of the price of a FR255 or 965.

[@SwolePapi15]

Fenix 7s also quite regularly can be found significantly discounted too

[@Tegulatus]

just ordered fr965 for black friday. hopefully I like it

[@Stuey001]

Got an epix 2 for £325, seems to do pretty much everything.

[@dnice362]

Ain’t that with all watches

[@dnice362]

Love my 8

[@Real_Matt]

Nick - Favourite training watch - Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Favourite headphones - Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Favourite training top - Puma Velocity Nitro 2

[@mustaqimbasaruddin4686]

Lol but because of nick, I got myself VN2 my daily trainer and it's the best buy I ever had..about to buy my 2nd pair

[@SergiuSalcau00]

Nick: it s gonna be a nightmare pickin a fav from the 2024 releases. Nick:…… SO THE PUMA VELOCITY NITRO 2…

[@palmyarmyswim]

The video we need to finish the chapter: Nick does a eulogy/ode/epilogue to the Puma velocity nitro 2 and maybe mounts it just above his medals rack as a tribute, so when ever he reviews another shoe he glances back as to say 'they don't make them like you anymore'.

[@seascape]

How about a year-end Best of The Run Testers Awards? Categories might include most popular video, video with the most comments, most liked comment, Run Tester who ran the most miles, Run Tester with the most pbs, Run Tester whose times improved the most, best marathon Run Testers ran in, etc. Would be a fun way to end the year. Each of you get my favorite Run Tester of the year award!

[@palmyarmyswim]

Sounds good- but maybe someone else can give them the awards/do the video. Run tester of the year

[@DaveyKnavey]

Look, and I’m aware this is fully a me thing, but the fact that the four windows don’t line up perfectly is driving me insane 😂

[@windywen2828]

brand of the year ASICS..they release alot monster shoes this year

[@alexgener4309]

Compared to the Endorphin Speed 2, I felt the 4th was a dull. Even the cheaper Noosa Tri is more lively in comparison. But, the Superblast 2 is the clear winner here for me. Also, didn't expect Hoka to be your brand of the year.

[@tombola4046]

ASICS and Puma have smashed it this year and you hand it to Hoka 😂

[@palmyarmyswim]

Yeah they seem more like- most improved.

[@SparkesIsRunning]

I was very surprised it was Hoka tbh

[@edwardcreighton2638]

Love my Saucony Speed 4, Speed 5 looks great. Mach 6 fantastic, worthy successor to Mach 5. Keep up the great work, look forward to your video's.

[@saldinife]

I'm using the Jabra Active 75t headphones, and I'm curious if upgrading to the Elite 85t Gen 2 is a good idea. Thank you so much for all the reviews :)

[@carsons5750]

Fenix 8 is the Epix Pro (Gen 2) with the addition of diving features; not sure how it wins best watch of the year, when last years' watches are feature equal for less money... Should've just made the Pace Pro the single winner of the year.

[@mmh129]

And in terms of running is identical to the previous models.

[@Acejustforalaugh]

My favorite shoe of 2024 is a trail shoe. The Brooks Catamount 3 😁

[@PoeyJerkins]

Best earbuds for me are the Bose Ultra Open Eaebuds. Still TBD on longevity (I have had to replace them once due to the charging pins getting messed up) but when theyre working theyre my favorite earbuds ive ever owned

[@mr.h.9103]

Love these vids!

[@jacobriis7859]

When running sound quality is not important. Comfort is. It's also nice that you don't lose them. And that you can hear other people, bikes and cars while you run. I would go for the Shokz OpenRun. Not the pro version.

[@Tegulatus]

I have the pro. why do you not prefer it?

[@viCoN24]

IP rating is better on non-pro version. I feel that I'd rather have a more weatherproof product than a marginally better sound. I struggle hard enough while running to still be able to focus on sound details. Sound is good enough on non-pro. If I want to focus on the music or have my ear closed shut, I wear in-ears. Different purpose but still good enough. In the end it's up to your own preference - you won't be disappointed either way.

[@Tegulatus]

@@viCoN24 that’s interesting. I’m a heavy sweater i’ve taken the pro through my hottest runs this summer and runs in downpour rainstorms getting them absolutely soaked. still work just as good as day one so i’m not sure the IP matters

[@joellen5984]

I prefer the OpenFit as the OpenRun are just too big for me (even in Mini they are big). I have a small head!

[@Tegulatus]

@ that makes sense!

[@alexcarey89]

Superblast 2 is the best shoe I’ve had. Only problem is that I find myself running in it sparingly as I’m worried about being able to get a replacement pair.

[@fgc194]

Saucony ES4 is anything but lively and nimble. I was really disappointed in mine after loving the ES1. I am a forefoot striker, which I assume Kieran is not. Goes to show how individual running shoes are!

[@kevwhitney3235]

Cheers guys!

[@hjemmeis]

Puma should have been brand of the year Nitro elite 3 such an improvement Nitro 3 - very good trainer MadMax perfect max cushion

[@movdqa]

I'm currently using the Beats Fit Pro as they have the wind in the back but I'd really like something with an earwing that wedges in the back of the ear and also hooks in the front of the ear like the Jaybirds x3 which fit me very well. A lot of other earbuds just fall out of my ears. I don't see how the Jabra Active 8 gets held in the ear from the pictures that I've seen of it.

[@jacob3771]

Superblast 2 and Metaspeed Sky Paris alone arguably warrant Asics brand of the year.

[@adamfeerst2575]

As a mid-forefoot striker, the rocker, bulge under the ball, in the ES4, is annoying. It makes it feel almost like a neg drop that I have to work to get over. That wasn’t the case with earlier endorphins.

[@mattkilloran]

The Fenix 8 looks hilariously big on his wrist 😂

[@mmh129]

The Fenix 8? I'm surprised that's your pick. In terms of running is identical to the Epix, Epix Pro, and FR 965. These can be found at half the price of the Fenix 8. The only difference is the microphone, and its functionality is very limited. There's no improvement in running performance between the Fenix 8 and previous generations, only a big price increase. Anyway, thanks for your reviews I always find them very useful, even if I don't agree with your takes.

[@mmh129]

Btw, I think the Coros Pace is a wonderful pick. I haven't tried it tho, but Garmin's pricing for the Fenix 8 and the sham that is the Fenix E, made me look elsewhere when is time to replace my Epix

[@nicklas6973]

Zoomfly 6? Cheaper than the endorphin speed 4 and superblast 2. Probably sits in between those performance wise.

[@JPRESA]

There’s ASICS and then there’s everything else! 💙💙💙

[@ATREU850]

Much prefer Nike

[@ramblingimbecile2295]

A lot of shoes out of stock at the moment, Superblast 2 and Deviate Nitro Elite 3 all unavailable in adult human sizes

[@SxiegeRX]

I'm just amazed at how Mike can string multiple I thinks, you knows and ultimately in a single sentence.

[@hazmataz69]

And 'kind of's as well 😂

[@ron9338]

Really annoying to listen to. In all his reviews you continously hear; "ultimately" this, "ultimately" that...

[@KP-ox5yo]

No Hoka shoe won any category, and yet shoe brand of the year?

[@aduccinose]

Speed goat

[@michaelsellors5227]

….cant agree with the Fenix 8. Overpriced and full of bugs when released and hardly any difference than the Epix Pro. T-Rex 3 does 95% of what the Fenix does for 1/4 of the price.

[@mmh129]

Agree. In terms of running features and performance is identical to the two previous Epix/Fenix models. Even the FR 955/965.

[@CC-hy1lx]

Best cushioned: ASICS Nimbus Best brand: ASICS Fixed if for ya

[@Chateauduwab]

PUMA MAGMAX NITRO BEST CUSHIONED SHOE

[@ssarty1]

I know that it’s contrary to popular opinion, but my cushioned shoe of choice is the Saucony Triumph 22.

[@ssarty1]

I dislike running with earbuds in my ears. I prefer earphones that have some kind of tether. I worry about losing an earbud.

[@muzzer8869]

Pusssssssseyyyyyyyyy

[@ssarty1]

@ grow up.

[@gogigp]

Damn, hoka instead of asics:) what Hoka did better?

[@M.K.40]

Sauony Hurricane 24 is a Maybach

[@dnice362]

That a good thing?

[@PietroSurjus]

The hoka pick was weird af 😅

[@Curt-o8h]

Makes perfect sense to me. My favorite all time are shoes in each category; Cielo x1, Mach X2, and Mach 6. Only the Metaspeed Sky Paris isn't Hoka.

[@samtownson3937]

Nick x Ben Felton Valencia 2:25 club?

[@gabrieldavis2795]

Y’all are mad if you recommend the speed goat 6. It’s a piece of plywood.

[@janedwards5022]

It’s my fav 🪵

[@kush1cohen]

I love you guys. But..... Hoka!!!! Come on. Where did that come from. It has to be Asics. Anyway you are still legends.

[@JR-nc4nl]

Ahh yes. It's the old "A square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square" theory applied to the run testers.

[@oscartjaa]

Surprised Adidas wasn’t mentioned with the evo SL and pro 4.

[@andys121.]

Balos over the Superblast for me

[@jacobriis7859]

Garmin Fenix is an all round watch. Good for long walks, skiiing, running and lots of other things. Also good when not doing sports! The Garmin Forerunner series is a dedicated running watch.

[@ron9338]

Letssss goo

[@Otaaaz]

Xiaomi smart band 9 is my favourite watch, 40 bucks and has all the futures you want and need!

[@ron9338]

And all your data to China

[@Otaaaz]

@ true, but my data doesn’t really matter anyway… im pretty sure with all the apps and electronics nowadays they already have all my data 😂

[@faridamin2410]

Once you trt Asics running shoes every other running shoes you have will be going to recycle bin or charity shops

[@Aron-t6m]

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 sucks

[@CC-hy1lx]

Agreed, unstable at the lateral side

[@Aron-t6m]

@CC-hy1lx And no pop, too much heel for neutral uptempo shoe

[@gooley147]

I think you’ll find the majority of runners rather like the ES4, including myself. But, everyone has different feet/stride and speeds etc. I wish you the best of luck in finding a shoe that works better for you!

[@ssarty1]

I love my Speed 4s. They just seem to really work for me.

[@SparkesIsRunning]

I enjoy it but the 3 is better for me

[@arvinthemindfreak]

Video is too long.......

[@palmyarmyswim]

Better than breaking it into 5 individual videos though surely

[@SparkesIsRunning]

surely not, can never get enough of these guys. Although I do miss the female touch!!

[@janedwards5022]

Poor attention span?

[@ChairmanAntelope]

There are chapters to skip to the bits you want. Sorry this isn’t Tiktok.