Top 5 Running Shoes of 2024: Kieran Picks His Best Running Shoes of 2024

[@ChairmanAntelope]

Was half expecting you to be knocking out a marathon while talking through the list!

[@TheRunTesters]

Ha ha, next time!

[@i.p2088]

😂😂😂

[@WarneysWorld]

Mach 6 is clear shoe of the year for me. I keep reaching for it and it can handle anything. I also love the Hyperion max 2 - very underrated. I set a 10mile pb in it. I went along to a race feeling a bit ill so left my race shoe at home. It’s a faster shoe than people think

[@TheRunTesters]

I agree on both of these. Max 2 is a little unsung hero

[@PhilipWatts-q5r]

As a heavier runner, I love the Brooks Hyperion Max 2. I feel it gives me enough cushion with energy return thanks to the plate without feeling mushy. It helps propel me at my faster paces. The Saucony Endorphin Speed just felt flat for me without any energy return.

[@TheRunTesters]

I think the Hyperion Max 2 is a bit of an unsung hero.

[@pbnotj1]

I’m also bigger at 200 lbs and 6’1” have loved Boston 12 for similar reasons . Thanks for the suggestion!

[@fishbone2402002]

Couldnt have said it any better. Never thought a firm shoe would be this good.

[@shild6626]

Love the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4!! Thanks for this review!! Great shoe!

[@TheRunTesters]

It's a cracking shoe.

[@brianflath9037]

I’ve had all 4 Speed models, with over 400 miles on v.3 With 35 miles on v.4, I can tell it’s just as excellent 🎉

[@TheRunTesters]

Totally agree!

[@MillennialMedicine]

I just sent in my Mach X2. I couldn't stand the heel blisters. Looking forward to the update on the X3! I loved the foam!

[@TheRunTesters]

Ah, shame. I got some slipping but wasn't that extreme for me.

[@peterledrew2556]

Yes amazing shoe. No issues for me but love the look of the new version.

[@edwardcreighton2638]

Love the Speed 4, all is well with the world with Kieran choosing it! 5 looks perfect. Keep up the great work.

[@TheRunTesters]

It's a cracking shoe.

[@mmh129]

Nice video. I like that you guys state your preferences and uses when reviewing stuff. It's impossible to do a review that works for everyone, so it's good to know what's your benchmark. For example, like Kieran, I prefer firmer shoes, so he's reviews are a good reference for me.

[@TheRunTesters]

Glad you find that useful. That's something we definitely try to include in all of our reviews.

[@mmh129]

Great review, as always. Could you guys review entry level shoes? At least some of the most popular, like the Saucony Cohesion, Adidas Duramo, etc. I know you recommend looking for previous models of top shoes on sale, since this is the best value. However, that's not always possible or it's not available everywhere. And cheaper shoes often go on sale too. It could be very helpful for beginners and youth programs. It's not easy to suggest to them (or their parents) to go hunting for deals or to justify spending a few bucks more on a mid or top range shoe. It could also be helpful to know what you're missing by trying the cheaper shoes. Cheers!

[@Potomekopice]

As a heavier runner, i regret buying Endorphin Speed 4. I mean, it is quite ok for 6km runs, but for anything longer, it is suffering. Superblast 2 or Magmax Nitro wins for me always.

[@TheRunTesters]

I can see that 👍

[@doncarlospipely8852]

None of the shoes I’ve worn this year were released in 2024, I’ll generally only get clearance models. For you bargain hunters though: I ran 50km and 70km trail ultras in my Speedgoat 5’s, loved them. Just did 100km in a backyard ultra in Puma Magnify Nitro 2’s. Good stack of foam which has a bit of firmness to it and the Pumagrip is great. Feet and legs felt good afterwards. Everyday runs in Deviate Nitro 2’s and Nimbus 25’s and short recovery runs in More v4’s. They should all be available on a deal and they all did their jobs really well.

[@TheRunTesters]

Good selection there. And older gen is always a good place to hunt bargains.

[@mikekakonikolas7407]

You should definitely try some Puma shoes, their price to performance ratio is great, I think you will like them!

[@RohanHammett]

Suspect Kieran may have trouble getting his high volume foot into the narrowness of the Puma shoes with any comfort….

[@mikekakonikolas7407]

@RohanHammett puma shoes aren't more narrow than asics shoes.

[@TheRunTesters]

I'm not on Puma's radar at the mo. On my list to fix for 2025.

[@liamhockey9189]

Mach X2 shoe of year for me, im one of the lucky ones with no heel slip.

[@TheRunTesters]

Yeah, I got some slipping but nothing too crazy.

[@simonwatson8391]

My favourite as well no heel issues

[@Curt-o8h]

Me too. In case if helps anyone, I found that sizing 1/2 size down with thinner socks made the heel just right. Since there is less heel padding, and the shoe is plenty long, it kept my heel against the back. Love this shoe

[@elnumerounobohsman]

Have these, got got ankle rub after a week or two, but by then wearing an ankle sleeve for 1 to 2 weeks and gradually getting used to them, I could then run in them no problem

[@elliegrimes7712]

Just brought the sc trainer on a deal, and your review of it was spot on. I also have the speeds and the super lasts and love both of those too. Keep up the marathon testing, even if I do think you’ve lost the plot doing it!

[@MiracleWarriors]

I got quite a few shoes and all are awesome for me. Like the NB4, SuperBlast 2, Monster Hyper and Magmax. But my best shoes of 2024 are none of the above ! Best cushioning shoes is a draw between the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 and Gel-Kayano 31; Best daily trainer and for speed and races is my beloved Puma Velocity Nitro 3 and a do-all shoes of the year is the Gel-Cumulus 26 . And Asics is my favorite brand in 2024.

[@TheRunTesters]

Thanks for sharing.

[@WilltoImprove]

I ran my first half marathon in the endorphin speed four which is the New York City half marathon. I ran 1:44 mins and probably put on another 400 miles after that I’m about 30 miles into the super blast. It’s really starting to show why it’s so great the first 15 miles it’s still really need to break in with cushion.

[@TheRunTesters]

Which one you liking best ?

[@cfx7448]

The man, the myth, the marathon for every shoe Monster! It's a Kieran

[@pedalandypedal]

Is there a time window for the marathon you’re saying is the cut off to benefit from the characteristics of the Metaspeed sky paris? Is a 3:45-4hr marathoner better off with something else?

[@TheRunTesters]

I don’t think I’d be that prescriptive. I do think it’s about how well you can sustain good form though.

[@shild6626]

I look forward to your trail shoes review.

[@TheRunTesters]

Coming soon!

[@adamfeerst2575]

Remember trail ≠ ultra. There’s something like the AGIL for short, fast, hard efforts, vs the Terrex Ultra for …

[@faviogonzalez3133]

Any chance you guys can review the 361 Miro Nude? Lightest marathon racer right now, lighter than Evo Pro, and got a good review from DoR

[@TheRunTesters]

Will see what we can do.

[@mrswabelang]

What is the best shoe to add to my rotation, I got superblast 2 already, what shoe is a good addition, looking to expand my rotation

[@TheRunTesters]

Depends a lot on what capability you want to add?

[@christianhaugaard5853]

Where´s the Boston 12? I have one of these and must say they are fantastic if you like me prefer a firm ride

[@TheRunTesters]

I’ve not run in them so couldn’t comment

[@idawson998]

Kieran you need to get some Neo Vistas on your feet

[@TheRunTesters]

I do. 👍👍

[@inabag2024]

Hi Kieran, I have just registered for the Comrades next year. Looking to finish around 8hours. How do you see the ASICS Superblast2 for it?

[@TheRunTesters]

Hi, fantastic that you're off to the Comrades. I'm still debating it. I think the Superblast 2 could be a great shoe for it. Some runners around the 8 hour mark do go for more aggressive carbon shoes but I think this would offer a good balance. If I run it again, it'll certainly be on my list.

[@inabag2024]

@@TheRunTesters thanks! I have just ran the Cape Town marathon and I have registered also to the two Ocean, I will experience fully the South African running vibes

[@dimitrissak3710]

How about the new ZoomFly 6 are they worth to he in faste sessions? Or in the all-rounders?

[@TheRunTesters]

Not run in them myself yet. But Nick's done a vid on them on the channel.

[@shild6626]

It is a super fun shoe!

[@mtomas91]

i run my first 15k on superblast 2, very comfortable shoes tho i found them to be somehow unresponsive.. its like a middle ground between a nimbus a metaspeed.. and kinda i feels it falls in the middle of not doing either of those other shoes purpose great.. also id use them just on flat clean surfaces i live in Patagonia and i run through streets and paved roads with no perfect shape and small pebbles which can stuck in the sole and would feel it pinching your feet.. im 95kg.. cushion is all right but somehow not the stability i was looking for... problem is i like responsive shoes but at my weight with good stability not sure in what shoes i can get that.. anyone can help?

[@davidwalsvig2959]

X2 felt really nice underfoot, but I knew the heel wasn't gonna work for me when I tried it on. I just got the Hyperion Max 2 recently, and I love it! Beware that the 3rd one which debuted at TRE is going up by like 8mm in stack height with a dual layer design. Up in weight as well by about an ounce (25-30 grams). Not liking that direction.

[@TheRunTesters]

Lots of people seem to have a problem with the X2 heel.

[@vicentebono8781]

What do you think about ASICS gel-kayano 31?

[@TheRunTesters]

It's a good stability shoe. Wouldn't choose it as one of my rotation shoes but it's a very cabable shoe at what it does.

[@315MASHUDU]

Hi Kieran. Do you think the Strung X2 could be great for Comrades marathon downrun?

[@TheRunTesters]

I personally think they're a bit wild for that. But it might depend a lot on how you plan to race it.

[@315MASHUDU]

@TheRunTesters I am targeting Bill Rowan with mostly 5:30/km pace

[@TheRunTesters]

I ran for Bill Rowan on my down and up. I'd likely be doing the same and I definitely think they Superblast 2 can do the job.

[@315MASHUDU]

@@TheRunTesters Well done.

[@tombola4046]

Puma have made some absolute bangers this year and I’m surprised you didn’t even mention them! I mean come on the SC Trainer!! It’s an overpriced Barge of a shoe

[@TheRunTesters]

As I mentioned, I’ve not run in most of the Puma shoes so can’t include those. And I don’t agree at all on the SC Trainer. Apart from the expensive bit. Which I also mention. Very differ if you’re in the US. Which lots of viewers are. Much more comparable on price there.

[@dnice362]

Is asics number 1 right now in terms of bottom line to top tier shoe?

[@TheRunTesters]

For the whole line-up?

[@dnice362]

@ yeah

[@moondog7654]

@@dnice362 adidas

[@dnice362]

@ yeah

[@TheRunTesters]

We had a crack at answering that in our video on rotations from each of the brands. Think if I could only choose one brand right now it'd probably be ASICS. Superblast and Metaspeed Sky+ could cover 90% of my runs.

[@wheeljim627]

Crocs are the best !👍

[@TheRunTesters]

Bloke ran a sub-3 in crocs at the Manchester marathon ahead of me!

[@ndenh]

No trail shoe picks?

[@TheRunTesters]

We've gone for road shoes in this video. But can possibly do a trail shoes follow up.

[@ndenh]

That would be very interesting!

[@joelngchuyao2286]

From this video, one can tell that all the better shoes are on the expensive side, every single one above 160 bucks

[@TheRunTesters]

The price is creeping up. There are good shoes at the cheaper end though.

[@adamfeerst2575]

I loved the ES2 and like the ES3, however, they moved to a big rocker on the ES4. It feels unnatural for me, a fore/midfoot striker. The bulge makes it feel almost like a negative drop.

[@TheRunTesters]

That’s interesting to hear. I don’t feel that at all.

[@adamfeerst2575]

@@TheRunTestersI like Jimmy Page, but I don’t like rockers in shoes. Like you, I want my feet to do the work. Among RTs, I tend to align most with you in shoes, although I like to think I run like Nick.😂 The Elites feel the same. I’ll try them again.

[@jimoconnor8597]

Wish the Paris was a little bit wider in the forefoot. It just is too slim for me and as much as I like it, I can't stand them for anything past 15-16 miles. Pinches my toes together..

[@TheRunTesters]

That's a shame. I was fine up to 3 hours.

[@adamfeerst2575]

I found it narrow midfoot; it pinched/hurt my arches. I couldn’t go > 5k.

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@adamfeerst2575 Yeah midfoot was too narrow too. Sucks cause it is a great shoe.

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@TheRunTesters I have several friends with same fit issues from the tight midfoot/forefoot... Stinks.

[@rueldeguzman293]

How about the Nike RN Goretex

[@TheRunTesters]

Not tried that one.