Our summer shoe guide includes 20 pairs of running shoes with photos, video reviews, and data from our Shoe Lab. Browse through to see all the new models, or try our Shoe Finder tool if you need a little help finding the right pair for you.
Altra Escalante
EDITOR’S CHOICE
$130. Many are stating that the Escalante is the best Altra built to date. Boasting the company’s first flat-knit upper and an all-new bouncy midsole compound, it offers a comfortable fit and a responsive, go-fast sensation in training.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Reebok FloatRide Run
BEST DEBUT
$150. The highlight here is an exceptionally bouncy and lightweight midsole, Reebok’s high-energy return material it’s calling “Float Foam.” A well-cushioned, responsive ride makes you want to run fast.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Saucony Ride 10
BEST UPDATE
$120. The Ride 10 offers plenty of cushioning without sacrificing responsiveness. Saucony focused on the underfoot experience and improving the upper fit of this model. Flexible, lightweight, and versatile, its upper features an engineered mesh in the forefoot that can expand a little to accommodate wider or swollen feet—both of which are common at the end of a long road run.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Asics GT-2000 5
BEST BUY
$120. The GT 2000 5 provides comfortable, all-around support during long runs. It features a seamless upper that offers good breathability and a smooth wrap of the foot.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Asics FuzeX Lyte 2
$85. The FuzeX Lyte 2 is a peppy shoe for up-tempo days. The mesh package of the upper is roomy enough to stay comfortable on long runs, but compliant enough to be pulled tight for narrow feet.
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Shown: Women’s version
Asics FuzeX Rush
$100. This new lightweight shoe has a gel-and-foam-blend midsole for a moderately soft, responsive ride. The outsole has sticky rubber in the forefoot and heel for grip and exposed foam at the midfoot to keep weight in check.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
New Balance RC 1400v5
$100. This longtime favorite racing flat features a single, full-length block of foam that delivers a responsive ride when you turn on the speed. The heel is soft for a lightweight shoe, and the outsole puts a lot of rubber in contact with the road for excellent grip.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Nike Free RN 2017
$100. With thin cushioning and a flexible sole, this shoe is better suited for short jogs than for long training runs. The new single-layer knit upper is thin and soft on the foot, yet offers enough support and breathability for all conditions.
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Shown: Men’s version
Skechers GOmeb Razor
$110. Meb Keflezighi’s training shoe delivers a little more protection underfoot than his race-day choice, the GOmeb Speed 4. But it’s still light and firm. The flat-knit upper is secure (it won’t stretch) and breathable, while the outsole is made up from a thin web of rubber for a mix of durability and flexibility.
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Shown: Men’s version
Hoka One One Hupana
$115. This sleek-looking model has the traditional Hoka cushioned feel in the heel, though has less padding in the forefoot, which delivers a great response and bounce off the pavement. The knit upper fits a little snug, and the material doesn’t stretch much, but it remains comfortable without any irritating hot spots.
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Shown: Women’s version
361 Degrees 361-Shield 2
$120. This high-mileage trainer delivers ample cushioning and a super-flexible forefoot for a smooth ride on long runs. Rubber-infused foam makes the midsole more bouncy, while the upper’s breathable air mesh keeps feet cool in all weather.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
New Balance 880v7
$125. This do-it-all daily trainer receives high marks for cushioning, comfort, fit, and ride. Much of that is attributable to the extremely soft heel and bendy forefoot. Better segmentation of the outsole rubber and deep flex grooves in the midsole account for improvement in flexibility.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Skechers GOmeb Speed 4
$130. The GOmeb Speed 4 is best suited for tempo runs and road races. For a snappy, go-fast feeling, Skechers used a thermoplastic plate embedded in the midsole foam. The upper offers a secure, comfortable fit, and the sole makes full ground contact with a durable web of rubber for traction in the heel and forefoot.
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Shown: Women’s version
361 Degrees 361-Spire 2
$140. The Spire 2’s ride is firm, especially in the heel. Even so, it’s still a soft, smooth shoe that will absorb many miles on unforgiving roads.The upper has a new, sleek-looking sandwich mesh that provides structure and breathability.
Shown: Women’s version
Adidas Supernova ST
$130. The Supernova ST has a boatload of Boost under the foot for a soft run. The firmness in both the heel and forefoot give you a secure, stable ride.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2
$140. The LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2 has a one-piece bootie construction with a thick upper that is snug through the midfoot and heel to lock the foot in place. Flywire cables create a saddle to further secure your midfoot.
Mizuno Wave Sky
$150. Both the heel and forefoot of the new Sky are heavily padded, thanks to two layers of foam that run the length of the shoe—the bottom layer is segmented, so each individual pod can crush independently upon landing for a smooth, soft stride.
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Shown: Women’s version
On Cloudflash
$180. This racing flat relies on rubber pods under the foot for cushioning. Those are attached to the upper via a snappy plastic plate. This combination yields a forefoot that is a bit thin and hard, but efficient runners will like the snug fit and barely-there upper.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Women’s version
Adidas UltraBoost X
$180. This women’s-only shoe has a detached upper that floats freely at the arch. The design of the stretchy knit lets the shoe hug your foot like a sock yet still delivers a stable ride. The extra-soft layer of Boost provides comfort for longer runs.
Mizuno Wave Prophecy 6
$220. Instead of traditional foam, the mechanical midsole of the Prophecy 6 features two plastic plates joined together along the length of the shoe to deliver cushioning. An upgraded layer of Mizuno’s premium foam, U4icX, has been added beneath the sockliner to provide long-run comfort.
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Shown: Men’s version
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
