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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
Everything from road to trail, from race day to recovery
Here’s the thing– 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 pick a whole bunch, based on their individual talents.
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. 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.
Rockin’ on race day
8.3 oz. (236 g) for a US M10,
6.7 oz. (190 g) for a US W8
36 mm in heel, 31 in forefoot (5 mm drop)
The Rocket X 2 takes everything that fell flat on the first Rocket X and throws it out the window. There’s more stack (36 mm in the heel, 31 mm in the forefoot), a brand-new Peba midsole, and an aggressive meta-rocker that rolls straight through your stride. We all had great runs in the shoe, with Robbe and Thomas rocking it through some 800m repeats and smiling all the way to the bank. Even Meg had some smiles for the Rocket X 2, though some of that might have been from testing out the shoe in sunny San Luis Obispo while it was still rainy and cold here in Baltimore.
No matter the scenery you’re working with, Robbe probably had the highest praise of all. He’s been a Metaspeed Edge+ believer for over a year, and he proudly proclaimed that the Rocket X 2 takes everything good about that shoe and turns it up a notch. Not half bad, if you ask us. Honestly, our only nit to pick with the shoe is that we could use a little more heel structure. Yes, it’s a race day pick, so weight is of prime importance, but we like a bit of support in the back.
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$250
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)
The third version of the shoe that changed everything is as good as ever, meaning it’s 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.
It’s the race day dart it’s meant to be, and you can feel confident taking it to your limits at any distance. Check out our full review on the Vaporfly 3.
Dual layer FuelCell midsole, EnergyArc carbon fiber plate, lightweight mesh upper
9.7 oz (275 g) for a US M9,
7.8 oz (221 g) for a US W8
40 mm in heel, 34 mm in forefoot (6 mm drop)
One of our favorite overall shoes of last year, we were a bit scared when we saw the SC Trainer v2 at The Running Event last December. The shoe lost an ounce (normally great), but also lost a total of 7 mm from the stack height. While the first version was a tad heavy, we absolutely loved the underfoot cushion. So yes, we were nervous.
Our fears were allayed when we actually ran in the shoe. No, it’s not the same big ol’ bed of foam underneath, but the SC Trainer v2 is more versatile and still provides plenty of comfort on the run. Some of us loved the stretch knit upper last year, but there are plenty of people who hated it. Good news– the new version eliminates any heel abrasion and still provides a secure (and more breathable) fit.
So while it may no longer be what it once was, it’s still a great shoe and you can even pick up the pace this go-around. This would be a perfect pick for those first-time marathoners or someone who’s just looking for a shoe that can do it all.
$160
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. 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.
Shop Adidas RunningBouncy Lightstrike Pro midsole, fiberglass EnergyRods, Continental rubber outsole
6.8 oz (193 g) for a US M9
33 mm in the heel, 27 mm in the forefoot (6 mm drop)
Hands down, this is the best tempo shoe money can buy and easily stands up against the big boys in any distance under a half marathon.
It’s such a perfect combination of everything– the Lightstrike Pro midsole, fiberglass EnergyRods, and Celermesh upper all combine to give you a dagger of a shoe. It’s so fast, it’s so light, it feels so good. Like pure running.
I don’t have anything else to say, except the shoe runs long, so go down a half-size if you’re on the lower end of the size range. I sent back my standard size and went a half-size down and it fit perfectly. In fact, you should do that for any Adidas race shoe.
Shop Adidas Takumi Sen 9 - Unisex
$160
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.
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.
$150
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.
Lighter, thicker bed of plush EVA foam, breathable mesh upper, meta-rocker design
9.1 oz. (258 g) for a US M9,
7.3 oz. (205 g) for a US W8
32 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop), midsole only
The flagship shoe of the Hoka running lineup, the Clifton keeps getting better while still remaining true to its original mission. Light, comfortable, and reliable, it’s a shoe that hits all the marks and does it well. A plush upper provides comfort around the foot, while the updated EVA midsole provides a good amount of energy return while remaining firm enough to hold the rocker shape that aids in a smooth transition. We’ve run in every version of this shoe and we feel like the Clifton 9 is the best one yet.
No more Speedboard, new Cloudtec Phase design in bouncy Helion midsole, plush upper
9.1 oz. (258 g) for a USM9,
6.9 oz. (194 g) for a US W7.5
32 mm in heel, 25 mm in forefoot (7 mm drop)
Mark this as the moment that On became a real running brand. The Cloudmonster was solid, as was the Cloudgo, but the Cloudsurfer is a legitimately great running shoe. By removing the god-forsaken Speedboard that they clung to for years, On has made a comfortable and reliable trainer that will work for pretty much anyone. Also, it looks good– but it’s on an On shoe, you already knew that.
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.
Soft knit upper with knit tongue, full Flytefoam Blast+ Eco midsole (20% recycled) provides a ton of comfort
9.8 oz. (279 g) for a US M9,
8.8 oz. (250 g) for a US W7.5
37 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (10 mm drop)
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.
Trail-ready racin’ thanks to a supercritical midsole, light weight, and carbon fiber plate
8.8 oz. (252 g.) for a US M9,
7.4 oz. (211 g.) for a US W8
Men: 32 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
Women: 30 mm in heel, 25 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
First and foremost, the Tecton X 2 isn’t a full-blown reboot of what made the original Tecton X so great. Instead, it’s all about maximizing weight savings, swapping the previous upper for a new Matryx material, which is super breathable and inherently hydrophobic. After all, water is for drinking, not for carrying in your shoes.
Hoka’s Tecton X 2 also comes with a revamped lacing structure, which doesn’t start quite as close to your toes. So far, we’ve found that the change makes the shoe much more comfortable through the toe while holding onto excellent lockdown in the midfoot.
All together, shoe that will likely go down as the best trail shoe of 2023 in a rare unanimous decision amongst all our trail reviewers.
Technical racing or just anything thanks to PWRRUN PB midsole and 4.5 mm PWRTRAC lugs
8.8 oz. (252 g.) for a US M9,
7.4 oz. (211 g.) for a US W8
Men: 32 mm in heel, 27 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
Women: 30 mm in heel, 25 mm in forefoot (5 mm drop)
After a huge miss on the original Endorphin Trail and a semi-whiff on the Endorphin Edge, we didn’t exactly have high hopes for the Endorphin Rift. Maybe Saucony just couldn’t figure out Endorphin for the trails. We stand corrected.
Saucony lands on both feet with this all-new trail shoe. The midsole has the perfect amount of PWRRUN PB foam, just enough that it’s not unstable. Also, turns out you don’t need a carbon plate in a trail shoe, a good ol’ normal rock plate will just do fine. Long lugs make it an aggressive shoe for almost any condition, and it’s shockingly light for a trail shoe. Use this for anything under 50K and you won’t be disappointed.
Full Pebax midsole, breathable mesh upper, good lockdown, featherlight shoe
10.7 oz. (302 g) for a US M9
28 mm in heel, 23 in forefoot (5 mm drop)
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.
Supercritical EVA midsole, breathable mesh upper, full-length rubber outsole, simple mesh upper
9.3 oz. (263 g) for a US M9
30 mm in heel, 24 in forefoot (6 mm drop)
Atreyu has mastered the art of simplicity over the past three years since their inception. The Daily Trainer takes that ethos and executes it in the best way possible. With a ride that’s comfortable and bouncy without losing ground feel, the shoe is a solid companion for your everyday runs. It doesn’t overthink things and keeps you in the moment. It also makes for a great lifestyle or travel shoe– who doesn’t love a shoe that does everything?
Shop The Shoe - UnisexAll of our recommendations come directly from our feet to your screen. We test countless running shoes here at Believe in the Run, and we let our reviews guide our decisions. However, we also consider other reviews and our BITR community, as not every runner has the same experiences. We also aim to stick with shoes that are currently available so you can give our recommendations a try.
Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.
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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.
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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.
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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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The topo cyclone section has the same text as the Skechers, might wanna edit!
Similar issue with the Saucony Endorphin Rift – the text is from the Hoka Tecton X 2.
Thank you, fixed!
Several descriptions of shoes are missing – with the previous description repeated!
Saucony Endorphin Rift for example.
Thank you, fixed!
Do you think the regular or wide width for bunions but otherwise normal width foot for the supercomp trainer v2? If wide do you go down 1/2 size?
Probably 2E, don’t go down. Can always order both and send one back.
Am I going nuts or did you guys never actually review the Endorphin Rift? This is legitimately the first mention of it I can recall on your site and somehow it never got a full review but ended up on the Best Shoes of the Year list. Seems like a miss!
Full review coming tomorrow my man! Not a miss!
When you say super trainer – is it like the 1 ring, one shoe to rule them all where you can use this shoe for all types of running workouts even in a race?
Generally speaking, yes, that’s a good way to describe it.
propel v4 vs gorun ride 11 !
Waiting for the blue colorway of the Adidas Boston 12 – that looks like fire compared to the currently yellow and white ones!!!!
Am I crazy or is the SC Trainer v2 not listed/available on New Balance’s own website?
You’re not crazy, there’s a big disconnect and somehow it came out way later. It’s available now.