adidas deerupt womens sneaker bootsRunner’s World Shoe Awards 2024 - Racing Shoes

No matter your pace, you want a shoe that feels fast and fun on race day. We’ve got you covered. The shoes on this list are some of the all-time speediest pairs we’ve tested, featuring the newest technology that running brands have to offer. Whether you’re looking for a souped-up carbon-fiber racer, your new favorite super shoe, or a propulsive lightweight flat, there’s an option for you in this list. Lace up one of these winners and hold on tight—they’ll all get you across your next finish line fast.

Our staff and team of 300 local wear-testers ran in and evaluated more than 100 new models to determine the best running shoes so far this year. After logging at least 100 miles in each pair, analyzing the data collected in our shoe lab, and reviewing hundreds of feedback surveys from our test team, we made our final selections.

We divided 2024’s winning pairs into three main categories: Trail, Race, and Train. Below are our picks for the year’s Best Racing Shoes, links to longer shoe reviews, and more info on our 2024 Award Winners.

While high-tech foams have revolutionized running shoes, they’ve also created a glaring hole in the lineup for most shoe manufacturers: Gone are the traditional racing-flat-type shoes that excelled at 5K and 10K distances and were employed for track intervals and tempo runs on the road. Many of us have replaced those with über-cushy marathon racing shoes, but not everybody loves the tall stacks at such speeds.

The Takumi Sen 10, however, is a delight for runners who still want a snappy flat. It leverages more modern construction—it’s fitted with Adidas’s energetic Lightstrike Pro foam, which encapsulates fiberglass rods in lieu of a carbon-fiber plate—though isn’t overly cushioned. Even so, the 33mm heel delivers just enough protection from the asphalt when you’re putting in a final kick to close a 5K race.

There’s nothing really stopping you from lacing them up for longer races and workouts. The winner of the Osaka Marathon in February, Kiyoto Hirabayashi, wore the Takumi Sen 10 and ran a 2:06 to set a Japanese debut and collegiate record. Then again, much talk after the race was about his small stature and young age, just 21 years old. Bigger—and older—bodies tend to gravitate toward shoes with more cushioning and bounce underfoot. Even our speediest wear-testers found they wanted just a bit more foam as workouts grew longer.

Men's

Adidas Takumi Sen 10

$180 at ADIDAS

Key Specs

Weight	6.9 oz
Drop	6 mm

Women's

Adidas Takumi Sen 10

$180 at ADIDAS

adidas deerupt womens sneaker boots | Key Specs

Weight	5.8 oz
Drop	6 mm

“I was hoping for a little more cushion for longer distances, but it is clear this shoe is designed for shorter events,” said one 30-year-old tester who has run a 67-minute half marathon. “During a tune-up workout that was 5 x 1000 meters at goal-5K pace, I was able to average about 4:40 pace for the 1000s comfortably,” he continued. “And for another workout of continuous ons and offs, I averaged 4:45 per mile for the ons and around 5:30 for the offs. I did about 5.5 miles total. By the end of that workout, my legs were starting to feel pretty heavy, and the shoes weren’t feeling as poppy. Even though they are so light, the work caught up to me.”—J.D.

Under Armour knew its athletes weren’t as well equipped as their competitors on race day—and that needed to change quickly. So UA fast-tracked the Flow Velociti Elite, developed its first super shoe within a year, and started work on an improved second version. Before the first Velociti Elite was even available for purchase, Sharon Lokedi laced up a v2 prototype at the 2022 New York City Marathon. She won her marathon debut with an impressive time of 2:23:23 and proved her sponsor makes a worthy racing shoe. Still, when I tell runners that one of my favorite super shoes comes from UA, I’m usually met with skepticism.

“I haven’t worn an Under Armour shoe in years because I was never impressed,” said tester Heather Mayer Irvine, who likes racing in the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 and Nike Vaporfly 3. “But I was impressed when I slipped this shoe on. It was firm and light; had a bit of a rocker profile, but not too much; and had a nice, spacious toebox.”

The original Velociti Elite had the nostalgia of racing shoes that weren’t yet skyscrapers. In the second iteration, UA bumped up the heel stack from 36mm to 39.5mm, and shrunk the offset from 8mm to 2mm. More height in the heel and forefoot means a more cushioned ride, but the resulting 2mm drop drifts near zero-drop territory. That’s lower than many runners are used to racing in, but we found that it still feels propulsive.

Unisex

Under Armour Velociti Elite 2

$250 at Under Armour

Key Specs

Weight	7.1 oz (W), 8.3 oz (M)
Drop	2 mm

The secret is inside the midsole. The full-length carbon-fiber plate is updated with a scooped shape to encourage faster turnover.

“The soft, comfortable feel of this shoe was apparent from the moment I put it on,” said tester Ken Burkholder, who trains at 7:15 pace. “But it was the snappy feel which helped propel me at a fast clip that I really loved.”

Last November, I experienced the explosive power of the Velociti Elite 2 firsthand at the Indie 5K in Austin, Texas. I crossed the starting line last due to a very long porta-potty queue. The jog to the start felt like a mile, but it was like the shoes knew I had to catch up. Despite my lack of sleep and the tedium of the race’s looped course, I finished seventh woman, running 6:19 pace.—A.F.

Through Data Culled at its Institute of Sports Science in Kobe, Japan, Asics identified two metrics a runner can boost to increase speed: stride length and cadence. The stride runner takes longer steps as they run faster. In contrast, the cadence runner’s stride rate increases as they speed up. The Asics development team found that stride runners tend to land on their mid- to forefoot, while cadence runners usually have smoother turnover and strike on their heel. Asics built the Metaspeed series on this premise, creating the Sky for stride runners and the Edge for cadence runners. (“Paris” is a nod to the 2024 Olympic host city, just as “Tokyo” was for 2020’s Metaspeed release. Between Olympic years, Asics released the Sky+ and Edge+ in 2022.) Forefoot geometries and the outsoles are ways you can tell the two shoes apart.

The Metaspeed Sky Paris has a flatter carbon-fiber plate positioned closer to the foot, which helps stride runners leverage the midsole’s bounce over their longer steps. The plate is angled lower in the Edge’s forefoot, since cadence runners tend to turn their legs faster and need to roll off the toe of the shoe more quickly.

“[I most liked] the shoe’s overall ride. It had enough cushioning that I would feel comfortable racing a half in it, but it was light enough that I could jump in a 5K and still feel smooth,” said wear-tester Eileen Cody, who averages 7:00 pace during training. “It had a little bit wider base of support than my current super shoe of choice, the Saucony Endorphin Pro+. I liked the Metaspeed’s stability when I was rounding turns and going up and down hills.”

Unisex

Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

$250 at Asics

Key Specs

Weight	6.6 oz (M), 5.2 oz (W)
Drop	5 mm

Unisex

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

$250 at Asics

Key Specs

Weight	6.6 oz (M), 5.2 oz (W)
Drop	5 mm

Cody tested the shoe at a local Turkey Trot 5K and Super Bowl Tailgate 10K. She came in first woman at both races. Compared to Cody’s cadence, which averaged 188 steps per minute (spm) throughout the race, mine averaged 210 spm. This would make me a prime candidate for the Metaspeed Edge Paris. Because of my mid- to forefoot strike, however, I needed more stability and cushioning under the toe.

For me, the Sky provided the cushioning and protection that I required under both my forefoot and heel. During my workouts, my toes had room to splay when I landed, and I could apply more power in my turnover.

As our testing suggests, the Metaspeeds are gait-specific, but that doesn’t mean each is restrictive to one type of user. Like any shoe in your quiver, the model you choose can depend on your race distance, other running-form mechanics, or simply which underfoot experience you prefer.—A.F.

The lead pack at major marathons has, in recent history, been dominated by Nike’s Vaporfly, not the Alphafly, which is technically designed to be a better marathon-distance racer. With this overhaul of the AF3, Nike hoped more runners—including its own sponsored athletes—would adopt the shoe. To do so, it targeted four key improvements: create a smoother transition, redesign the arch to eliminate irritation and improve stability, reduce weight, and maintain energy return.

The most obvious change addresses that first point. The shoe visually looks like an all-new model with the sole fully connected by foam. Previous versions of the shoe had an awkward break right behind the Zoom Air units, highlighting the carbon-fiber plate under the midfoot. Now, ZoomX foam runs the length of the shoe, including the few millimeters between the rubber outsole and Air units, an update we saw in v2 to increase energy return and make the shoe run quieter.

“It felt faster than the Alphafly 2,” one tester said. “And it was easier to get on and off.” That is important because it addresses the second issue Nike looked to solve. The shoe still has a knit, bootie-like construction that is snug and really hugs the foot, but it’s more forgiving. You can get your foot into the opening more easily and, once it’s inside, truly appreciate the slightly wider platform, especially through the midfoot. The extra width not only applies to the footbed, where you feel it most under your arch, but all the way down to the ground to help boost overall stability.

Nike broadened the midfoot of the shoe when it filled in the gap with foam. Even better, Nike widened the carbon-fiber plate on the medial side of the midfoot. That makes sense on paper: A wider platform underfoot, pushing down on foam that makes more contact with the road, will result in a more stable foundation.

Women's

adidas schoenen heren 2018 release form 2017 free

$285 at Nike

Key Specs

Weight	5.7 oz
Drop	8 mm

“It feels much more confident on unstable ground and when turning,” said one tester. “That was one of the reasons why I stayed away from Alphafly previously.”

Even with the extra foam and carbon fiber, the shoe checks in at a lighter weight than AF2. Nike wouldn’t go into detail, but some of that is due to new technologies it’s using to process the outsole and ZoomX foam.

After our own testing, we do have two quibbles with the new version. One: You really can’t kick off the shoes while they’re still tied. I ripped the ZoomX foam where it protrudes out the back. It’s an easy fix with Barge Cement that doesn’t really affect performance. But it’s super annoying when you so easily tear up a $285 pair of shoes after just one or two runs.

Two is that the shoes squeak with every single step. Maybe the issue arises in colder temperatures—it was winter in eastern Pennsylvania when we received our test pairs. I even applied a thin layer of bike wax to the cavity by the Air units to somewhat silence the noise—but it eventually returned.—J.D.

Hoka Faced a crossroads in 2022: make a third Rocket X or create a completely different kind of racing shoe. The first Rocket X came out in 2020, and Hoka spent three full years working on the Rocket X 2. Rather than hasten the third version, Hoka chose the new model route with the Cielo X1.

Still, we couldn’t resist making comparisons to other existing super shoes. The Cielo’s decoupled heel, for instance, faintly resembles the first two versions of the Nike Alphafly. And like Hoka’s Rocket X and X 2, it has an accommodating fit and that distinct generous Hoka cushioning. But their rides tell a different story.

“These shoes want to move. I mean that literally, as the shape of the sole forces you to rock back and forth a bit, even when you’re standing still,” said tester Kit Fox, who ran in the original Carbon X and tested these while training for a half Ironman. “On every stride, regardless of where I land, my foot strike rolls off the ground. The feeling really intensifies at speed—around 7:00 mile pace and faster—but it can feel a bit awkward at slower paces. It’s different from any Hoka I’ve ever worn.”

Unisex

Hoka Cielo X1

$275 at hoka.com

Key Specs

Weight	7.4 oz (W8), 9.3 oz (M10)
Drop	7 mm

I agree with Fox: the Cielo X1 wants you moving at race pace. It reminds me of the first time I put on Saucony’s Endorphin Pro. I had the same “rocking horse” sensation just trying to stand still in the Cielo X1. Even though I was stuck on a rickety gym treadmill, I hiked up my speed from 7.5 to 9.2 mph and felt like I was soaring.

In addition to the propulsive forefoot and rearfoot rockers, the Cielo X1 has a PEBA foam midsole. Sandwiched inside is what Colin Ingram, Hoka’s vice president of global product, calls the company’s most advanced carbon-fiber plate yet. It’s partially revealed by cutouts in the midsole and uses a new winged design—which indirectly connects to Hoka’s slogan, “Fly human fly.”

The Cielo X1 has already taken race podiums on the feet of Hoka athletes. Incognito in a blacked-out colorway, the shoe was worn by Kellyn Taylor at the Rock ’n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon. She won the race and qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials, crossing the finish line in 1:11:40.—A.F.

We first got a look at the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials in Orlando, Florida, in February. There, Fiona O’Keeffe roared to the win in her first-ever marathon, and Dakotah Lindwurm also made the podium to claim a spot on the team headed to Paris for the summer Olympics. Both were wearing this new marathon racing super shoe.

And “super” it is, finally. The midsole is 4mm thicker than the previous version, bumping up to the legally allowed 40mm stack height set by World Athletics. It’s a noticeable change, both visually and physically underfoot. The previous versions looked more like a “normal” trainer and felt just a little less lively than the top-tier marathon racing shoes. The change makes v3 the softest Deviate Elite so far, with the highest energy return. Puma claims the shoe tested at 93 percent energy efficiency, which is tops among any of the competitive products they’ve compared it against. It’s also lighter than v2—now just a tenth of an ounce lighter than the adidas schoenen heren 2018 release form 2017 free and a few tenths heavier than the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris.

Some of that weight savings comes by construction. Puma is using a “cut and buff” process. Rather than compressing the foam in more traditional ways, it’s blowing a sheet of foam, then shaping it through various methods—some cutting by hand, some machine-shaping—and just slightly recompressing the material. It’s somewhat similar to Adidas’s $500 Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. The result is a lower durometer (the density of the foam), which maintains cushioning but reduces weight. The trade-off is that it just can’t last as many miles as heavier compounds.

The carbon-fiber plate is thinner and has been reinforced with ribs that run lengthwise. That keeps it rigid but sheds a few grams. The overall result is a shoe that’s a joy when running fast. The 8mm drop feels tall and gives me the sensation of being pushed forward. On one particular hilly 20-mile training run, I appreciated the extra cush when rushing down steep descents, but the shoe let me bound uphill nearly without any change to my cadence or pace.—J.D.

Back in 2021, Brooks-sponsored athlete Des Linden broke the American women’s 50K world record in the Hyperion Elite 3. We knew from our own testing that the shoe had the durability for racing longer than 26.2 miles, and previous Hyperion Elite iterations already proved that Brooks could build a capable super shoe. Still, we had some minor hangups about the Hyperion Elite 3.

A popular complaint was that the shoe was heavier than its competitors’ models. A men’s size 9 in Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 3 was 7.3 ounces—svelte compared to the 8.2-ounce Hyperion Elite 3. An RW tester also shared this nugget about the Hyperion’s ride: “The Hyperion Elite 3 just wasn’t as bouncy and responsive as I wished it was.”

Unisex

are adidas shoes made in sweatshops new york

$308 at Amazon$250 at Dick's Sporting Goods

Key Specs

Weight	7.6 oz (M), 6.3 oz (W)
Drop	8 mm

We knew the shoe could be even better. Fast forward to this year’s Hyperion Elite 4 release, and it’s evident Brooks did too. Set to improve its premium racing shoe, Brooks constructed the Hyperion Elite 4 with a new midsole. Nitrogen-infused DNA Flash v2 delivers nearly 10 percent more rebound than DNA Flash v1, the midsole foam used in the Hyperion Elite 2 and 3.

The Hyperion Elite 4’s total stack height now reaches 40mm, but this fourth version is still considerably lighter than the Hyperion Elite 3. While some weight was removed with the new midsole formula, Brooks also omitted extra ounces with a web-like SpeedVault Race+ plate. Manufactured by Arris, it’s longer and wider than what was used in the Hyperion Elite 3. (You can see a portion of the carbon-fiber plate exposed underneath the shoe). This different geometry helps result in less fatigue when you toe off.

Exhibit A: The Gara Carbon is proof that we’re living in the golden age of footwear. Diadora has built a legit, knockout super shoe that we found excels at nearly any speed you ask of it. When’s the last time you considered Diadora? Well, the Gara Carbon may change that. It’s also evidence that you don’t have to buy a shoe from one of the big dogs to go fast. Now you can find a pair that fits best yet not feel like you’re at a disadvantage when lining up at the start of a race.

When this model arrived at RW HQ, I immediately snagged a pair and laced them up for that day’s workout—50 minutes at marathon pace. It was a bold move, because I had never worn Diadoras for any kind of fast running. Their Atomo V7000 was the most recent model we’d seen, and it’s akin to a Hoka Clifton, a daily trainer that’s suitable for easy efforts. But I found the Gara Carbon completely up to the task. It rolled effortlessly under me as I pushed the pace around 6:40 per mile. The forefoot, in particular, felt thick and soft, but didn’t feel mushy on toe-off. The shoe just wanted to get up and go.

“When I needed to get down to 26 seconds for 200-meter reps, it was light and snappy enough to let me do that,” said one member of the track team at Lafayette College. “Not all carbon fiber–plated super shoes can. For example, the Saucony Endorphin Elite is better geared for a smooth, consistent ride than getting down to 800-meter pace quickly.”

Unisex

Diadora Gara Carbon

$300 at diadora.com

Key Specs

Weight	7.5 oz (M), 6.5 oz (W)
Drop	5mm

The toebox is roomier than what you’ll find on most road racing shoes, which we appreciated, but combined with the fussy lacing, it can feel like the shoe isn’t snug. If you have an exceptionally narrow foot, you’ll likely find that there’s just not enough adjustability from the throat to get a secure lock. The laces themselves are far too long, though they’re the serrated-edge type that really hold tight when you yank on them.

To boost midfoot security, Diadora is using Matryx mesh, which incorporates lightweight carbon strands into the fabric for an extremely strong and durable construction. Durability doesn’t extend to the outsole, however. Lightweight racing shoes have to shed weight somewhere, and that usually comes from rubber. Even so, one of our testers completely shredded the thin patches of outsole on the heel after just 73 miles on roads. It’s the kind of wear you’re not really thrilled to see on a $300 shoe, but she noted, “It’s still one of the most amazing shoes I’ve ever run in.”—J.D.

More of the Best Shoes of the Year

Trail | Train

Amanda Furrer

Test Editor

Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles. 

Jeff Dengate

Runner-in-Chief

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.