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Our favorite running shoes of 2023 (there’s some good ones)
By running in the damn shoes for lots of miles, and weighting our individual choices into an overall decision
Everything from daily trainers to race day to recovery day, and all the shoes in between
We’ve made it through another year of running without wanting to quit, which means it’s time for our annual Best in Gear Awards. Here at Believe in the Run, we accumulate thousands of miles across many models, trying almost every running shoe out there. Most of the time, it’s a great experience, but every once in awhile we get a stinker.
Here’s the thing though– running shoes have gotten so good over the last few years, it’s hard to find a really bad one anymore. The foam evolution gets better with every flip of the calendar; performance that could only be found in the best race day shoes a short time ago is now trickling down to everything else. Which means you can get some comfort and utility in lower-level trainers that would’ve been unheard of just a few years ago.
However, there are still trainers that stand out above the rest. We’ve tried every shoe on this list and a ton that aren’t on here, and there were some tough decisions we had to make. Like a parent with kids, it’s hard to pick a favorite when they’re all pretty amazing. The good news is that we can still give trophies based on their individual talents and participation ribbons for the runner-ups.
So that’s what we did here, breaking them up into their own individual categories. Keep in mind, these are shoes that came out this year, which means our favorite all-around shoe (Asics Superblast) isn’t on this list (it came out in late 2022). Nor is the Adidas Adios Pro 3 which we kind of keep coming back to after training and racing in it for the Boston Marathon.
No sweat, there are plenty of others that will do the job and put a smile on your face when you cinch the lace. Here they are.
(This is the first list in our Best in Gear awards, stay tuned for the Best Trail Running Shoes of 2023 and the Best Apparel and Gear of 2023.)
Incredibly breathable Atomknit upper, carbon fiber Flyplate, ZoomX midsole
7.2 oz. (204 g) for a US M10.5,
5.3 oz (150 g) for a US W7.5
40 mm in heel, 32 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
Okay, so truth be told, the Adidas Evo 1 would’ve taken this slot, but because it was such a limited release, we’re moving on the readily accessible shoes that aren’t reserved for monarchs and majesties.
The third version of the shoe that changed everything is as good as ever, meaning the Vaporfly 3 is better than ever. The reductive midsole design reduces weight with a convex shape on the inside of the foot for a more stable ride. But that doesn’t mean the magic is gone. Quite the opposite– the thinner outsole on the forefoot means more ZoomX foam means bouncier ride means this shoe feels freakin’ great.
The Atomknit upper is about as close to fishnet as you can get for an upper, meaning this shoe is perfect for summer days or rainy days or really any day. Additionally, the ankle gaping issues we had with the last version are good, though some people may experience some heel lift in the shoe. We all used this for races throughout the year and loved it the whole way.
It’s the race day dart it was always meant to be, and you can feel confident taking it to your limits at any distance.
HONORABLE MENTION
$250
After years of lagging/totally sucking in the race day category, Hoka finally set the record straight with an absolute beauty of a race day shoe in the Rocket X 2. With a full Peba midsole, carbon fiber plate, and rocker geometry, this shoe feels buttery smooth underfoot and simply sails through the stride at faster paces. If you’ve been holding out on Hoka, now’s the time to go all-in.
Pebax-based Helion SF midsole, full-length carbon fiber plate, lightweight upper
7.5 oz (212 g) for a US M8.5, 6.6 oz (187 g) W7.5,
37 mm in heel, 27.5 in forefoot (9.5 mm drop)
The first two versions of the On Cloudboom Echo weren’t just bad, they were straight-up crimes against humanity. Sometimes we still see them on sale at Nordstrom Rack for $75 ($200 less than the original price) and feel sorry for the sucker who wastes that money. Needless to say, we had little hope for the Cloudboom Echo 3.
Turns out, two wrongs can make a right, because this version is an absolute gem. Sleek, snappy, and with a Pebax midsole that offers a true racer feel, this shoe sings and zings when you pick up the pace. It helps that it’s one of the more beautiful designs out there, even if we did wreck that all-white upper on a muddy long run right out of the box. While we still think it lacks a bit of cushion for the marathon (despite its 39 mm stack height), this has been our go-to pick for anything less than a half (Meg even won $20o in the shoe at a firecracker 5K on July 4). This year was the year that On decided to take running seriously, and the Cloudboom Echo 3 is a prime example of that.
HONORABLE MENTION
$180
A shoe that could easily be a Best Tempo shoe or 5K/10K shoe, the Adizero Takumi Sen 9 takes the already-stellar Takumi Sen 8 to the next level with a few minor tweaks. A more breathable upper locks the foot into full-on race mode while the Lightstrike Pro midsole and EnergyRods give you the necessary pop for faster paces. This thing is an absolute dart and it hits the target every time.
Fresh Foam X midsole, comfortable and lightweight engineered upper, enhanced rocker
9.2 oz. (260 g) for a US M9,
7.3 oz. (207 g) for a US W8
38 mm in the heel, 32 mm in the forefoot (6 mm drop)
The last few versions of the 1080 were mid, to say the least. Everything that was lacking in those versions has been corrected in the 1080v13. With a high stack of Fresh Foam X and a luxurious upper, this shoe feels bouncy and soft at the same time, providing some truly effortless miles day in and day out. It’s the best version of the 1080 we’ve ever worn, and quite possibly the best New Balance shoe right now.
HONORABLE MENTION
$140
Last year’s version of this shoe topped our list of best daily trainers, so it’s no surprise to see the Novablast 4 on here again. Not much has changed with the shoe aside from a better upper that is more comparable to the Gel-Nimbus 25 and a slightly dialed back midsole. It’s a solid trainer with a responsive ride and can do most things you need it to.
More Lightstrike Pro in forefoot, softer Lightstrike Pro 2.0 in heel, one piece mesh upper
9.2 oz. (260 g) for a US M9
37 mm in heel, 30.5 mm in forefoot (6.5 mm drop)
The Boston was always our favorite running shoes until it wasn’t. The last two versions of the shoe were blocky, firm, and just not a great experience. Especially when you could make an adjacent move to any other running brand and find a better shoe.
Good news: the Boston has returned to glory with the Boston 12. A softer Lightstrike 2.0 midsole actually provides nice cushion without a sinking sensation. It’s almost an ounce lighter than the last version. A new EnergyRod structure mimics the same one found in the Adios Pro 3.
On the run, it feels fun and fast and is the perfect complement to the Adios Pro 3. Which is exactly what we wanted and hoped for from the Boston 12.
HONORABLE MENTION
$180
This is a fairly big departure from v1, but hear us out– that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While the first one was more of a comfort cruiser, the v2 is much more versatile. Translation: you still get a ton of comfort and smooth roll out of the shoe, but can also pick up the pace a little bit when necessary.
Full-length carbon plate, Flytefoam Blast+ on both top and bottom layers, Motion Wrap upper
7.7 oz. (218 g) for a US M9,
6.5oz. (184 g) for a US W8
36 mm in heel, 29 in forefoot (7 mm drop), 35/28 for women
So much can change in a year’s time. The Asics Magic Speed 2 was one of our least favorite shoes of 2022, so we had low expectations for the Magic Speed 3. But things change, shoes change, and change can be good.
In this newest version of the shoe, we get a full-length carbon fiber plate, full Flytefoam Blast+ midsole, and a Motion Wrap upper similar to the higher-tier race day shoes. It all combines to create a bouncy and snappy lightweight trainer than can be used for anything from shorter-distance races to tempo work to daily trainer. Now let’s hope it remains the solid shoe that it is on the next go-around.
Honorable Mention
$160
It’s hard to find a super simple shoe that delivers in the best way possible, something that provides that natural feel of running. The Cielo Road may be the best version of that, a featherweight shoe with an ultra breathable upper and a full Peba midsole. It excels as a 5K/10K race shoe but is a superstar at tempo paces and can even work as a lightweight daily trainer.
Huge slab of DNA Loft v2 foam, GlideRoll geometry
10 oz. (283 g) for a US M9,
9 oz. (255 g) for a US W7.5
39 mm in heel, 33 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
Max cushion is the name of the game right now, and with Hoka dominating this list for nearly a decade, we didn’t think we’d see a Brooks shoe in this category. However, they surprised us with the all-new Ghost Max, making an already cush model even cushier. With a high stack of foam in the heel and a GlideRoll geometry to keep things moving along, this shoe is ultra comfortable and plenty durable, meaning you can use this for the bulk of your training over hundreds of miles. Plus, it looks really nice, which is just a great bonus.
Honorable Mention
$180
Meg put 100 miles on this shoe out the box, and as she’s the resident max cush stan here at Believe in the Run, you can’t get a better stamp of approval than that. On basically took the Cloudsurfer and Cloudmonster and combined the two for a truly max cushion shoe in the Cloudeclipse. The Helion superfoam midsole is bouncy and fun while the upper provides plenty of comfort (though it is fairly roomy, just FYI).
Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco midsole, softer medial support, PureGel layer inside the heel
10.7 oz. (303 g) for a US M9,
9.3 oz. (263 g) for a US W7.5
40 mm in heel, 30 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
Once you get to the 30-year mark in the shoe world, you’re a certified legend. And while that may sometimes mean a shoe can get stale, it’s quite the opposite for the Gel-Kayano 30. It finally lost the visible gel, but still retains some PureGel in the heel for tradition’s sake. The stability elements are a bit dialed back, so instead of the built-up behemoth of yesteryear, you get some mild support in the form of a softer medial support and wider outsole base. Throw in a responsive Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco midsole and the result is smooth stability with a comfortable ride for plenty of miles.
Honorable Mention
$165
With a pillowy soft Fresh Foam X midsole, you’d think the Vongo v6 would fall out of the stability category. However, some medial support and a wide base give this shoe the necessary structure without sacrificing comfort. On the run, the shoe rolls along smoothly, making it the stability version of the 1080v13 (our daily trainer of the year). This is the new standard of comfort and performance for max cushion stability shoes.
Hyper Burst Ice midsole, carbon-infused forefoot plate, really comfortable mesh upper
9.8 oz. (281 g) for a US M9,
7.6 oz (215 g) for a US W7
38 mm in heel, 32 in forefoot (6 mm drop)
Skechers Performance has been criminally underrated for nearly a decade at this point, so we’re not sure why we keep having to put them in this category, but here we are.
This GoRun Ride 11 could very well go down as one of the best daily trainers of the year (maybe the best for Robbe, our senior editor). The supercritical Hyper Burst Ice midsole is probably the best supercritical midsole in all of running, with just the right amount of cushion and energy return to make the shoe an absolute joy to run in. Skechers also finally figured out how to make a decent upper, which means you’ll get a good fit and lockdown (even if it is a bit warm). The Goodyear outsole will last for hundreds of miles as well.
And for $120? Take our money now.
Honorable Mention
$160
This may be the heaviest shoe we reviewed in 2023. Usually that’s a dealbreaker, but hear us out: the InfinityRN 4 feels lighter underfoot and the ride is pretty great. The new ReactX midsole formulation is soft-yet-bouncy and the knit upper is everything you want in terms of fit and comfort. If you don’t love it on the run, it works equally well as a casual shoe.
Full Pebax midsole, breathable mesh upper, good lockdown, featherlight shoe
6.9 oz. (196 g) for a US M9
28 mm in heel, 23 in forefoot (5 mm drop)
Much like Skechers, if this shoe were anything other than a Topo you’d hear about it far and wide. Fair enough, Topo road shoes haven’t been exactly hype-worthy in the past (though their trail shoes kind of are). Either way, we’re trying to spread the news of the Cyclone 2.
With a lower midsole stack of full Pebax and one of the lightest weights you’ll find in any shoe that isn’t a racing flat, the Cyclone 2 feels like running without all the bullsh*t. Altra fans need to jump ship (a 5 mm drop won’t kill ya), everyone else can join in the party as well. You won’t want to miss it.
Honorable Mention
$160
This isn’t the best On shoe of 2023, but this is the shoe that made us believe in On and their dedication to running. With the all-new Cloudtec Phase midsole and the removal of the god-awful Speedboard, the Cloudsurfer provides a soft ride with a bit of forward propulsion, making it a solid daily trainer that should go a long way in changing skeptics’ minds.
Jacquard mesh upper, Durabrasion rubber outsole, dual-layer PEBA midsole, Pebax plate
9.4 oz. (266 g) for a US M10,
8.0 oz. (226 g) for a US W8
39 mm in heel, 34 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
We’ve been pretty huge fans of the past two versions of the Mach, so we were definitely looking forward to this one. It didn’t disappoint. While the Mach X lacks the pure speed of the Mach, it makes up for in bounce and roll with a top layer of Peba foam and a propulsive Pebax plate. Consider it a more reasonable and useful version of the Bondi X.
Soft knit upper with knit tongue, full Flytefoam Blast+ Eco midsole (20% recycled) provides a ton of comfort
10.2 oz. (289 g) for a US M9,
8 oz. (227 g) for a US W7.5
41.5 mm in heel, 33.5 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
To say the Gel-Nimbus 25 reinvented the Gel-Nimbus line would be an understatement. Long known as “the boring shoe” of the Asics family (our words, not theirs), the Gel-Nimbus 25 is now one of the most exciting (hey nothing can top the Superblast). What used to be a traditional daily trainer is now essentially a max cushion do-it-all shoe– great for daily training, long runs, and even 4+ hour marathons. Also– and we can’t believe we’re saying this– it’s a beautiful shoe for everyday wear.
Honorable Mention
$160
Not much has changed since the last version, and yet, this seems like a totally different shoe. Maybe it’s perception, maybe it’s our training, maybe it’s the weather, who knows. But the Triumph 21 is a max cushion shoe that feels great underfoot, mile after mile. Combine that with a comfy upper and you have a surefire winner in the max cushion category.
TPEE reflective weave upper, TPE supercritical midsole, full-length carbon fiber plate
8.2 oz. (232 g) for a US M9 (Unisex sizing)
35 mm in heel, 29 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
The Austin-based shoe company known for its simplicity in design and execution, Atreyu has had a race shoe before. But not like this. What The Artist was lacking, the Race Model makes up for, with a TPE supercritical midsole, full-length carbon fiber plate and a TPEE reflective weave upper. It may not be on the same tier as the top-level race shoes, but it punches way above its weight in the $120 category. A great, lightweight shoe that can do pretty much anything you need it to.
Honorable Mention
$110
The Propel v4 is a perfect example of the good technology in higher tier shoes trickling down to the lower ones. The Propel has always been a solid budget shoe, but this newest version takes it up a notch. With a FuelCell midsole, TPU plate, and revamped outsole rubber, the shoe provides a solid ride at a more-than-fair price point.
Vibram SLE midsole and Vibram Megagrip outsole, full Dyneema upper and Dyneema-infused laces (basically indestructible)
9.5 oz. (268 g) for a US M8.5,
8.2 oz. (232 g) for a US W8
34 mm in heel, 29 in forefoot (5 mm drop)
Technically, the Norda 001 did not come out this year. However, Norda does so many color updates and collabs with this flagship shoe that we feel like it’s always a new shoe. Personally, I have worn this shoe more than any other in the past year. While it’s a trail shoe, it still works as a road shoe, and while it’s a running shoe, it still works as a lifestyle shoe.
It’s virtually indestructible– the upper will never wear out, the Vibram outsole is the industry standard for grip and durability, and the midsole just never loses life. The upper fits like an actual glove and almost seems to break in over time. It’s not just my favorite shoe of the last couple years, it legitimately may be my favorite shoe… ever (it’s a dead heat between the 001 and the És Eric Koston 1 with gum sole).
Honorable Mention
$200
While it’s not the best running shoe for your money in terms of straight performance (it’s pretty comparable to the Nike Pegasus), what the Eliot Runner lacks in that department, it more than makes up for in the everyday casual comfort category. If I’m being completely honest, this was my go-to shoe for everyday wear this past summer, and made for a perfect travel running shoe, working perfectly fine for that 3-5 mile range. Plus, people will ask you about it, which is all anyone wants from a shoe.
Three layers of bouncy Lightstrike Pro, two carbon-infused plates, Strung upper, Continental rubber outsole
10.4 oz. (295 g) for a US M8.5,
9.4 oz. (266 g) for a US W7
50 mm in heel, 43.5 mm in forefoot (6.5 mm drop)
Look, we wanted more than anything in our lives to love this shoe ever since we saw an earlier version of it at The Running Event 2022. We were so stoked for this shoe, we teased it and talked it up way too much. By the time the final version got here, it was clear some things has changed (as you can see from the review).
When we took it on the run, it felt more like a boat and less like a trampoline. It was disappointing, to say the least. However, our heavy reviewers absolutely loved this shoe, thanks to its generous stack of Lightstrike Pro and their ability to compress those dual carbon-infused plates together, likely providing a more pronounced bounce. So while it wasn’t for us, it could be for you.
Honorable Mention
$180
It’s not that the Kinvara Pro is a bad shoe (like the Altra FWD Experience, a shoe that was truly disappointing), it was more just… confusing. It’s definitely not lightweight and snappy like the Kinvara. And it’s also not a max cushion shoe. And it also doesn’t feel very fast. We’re just not sure what this shoe is supposed to be, despite having a top layer of Saucony’s premium PWRRUN PB foam and a bottom layer of PWRRUN. With so many other excellent shoes in its lineup (i.e. Endorphin Speed 3, Tempus, Ride 17, Triumph 21), we’re not sure this shoe is necessary.
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As the founder of Believe in the Run, Thomas’s goal is to help runners pick the shoes and gear that will make their running experience the best that it can be.
More from Thomas
Robbe is the senior editor of Believe in the Run. He loves going on weird routes through Baltimore, finding trash on the ground, and running with the Faster Bastards. At home in the city, but country at heart. Loves his two boys more than anything. Has the weakest ankles in the game.
More from Robbe
Meaghan signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. She learned everything in running the hard way. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
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Thanks for the great list. Agreed on many of the shoes, especially the Takumi Sen 9. Surprised to see the Superblast not included at all though!
Technically Superblast came out in November 2023… so doesn’t count.
what about trail shoes
Coming soon!
Yooooo. The K1 with Gum sole, yes! These reviews just went up in stock for me.
Mannn there was nothing like it back in the day, next closest was maybe the Sal Barbier 23.
Spot on list! Just like the shoe companies, I love how BITR created enough categories to fit in all the great shoes from 2023! 🤣✔️
I had both the Koston 1, and the Sal Barbier’s OG, with the 23 (before switching to és
Would love to hear if there’s any recommendations for rain, ice and slush cons for road running.