Nike Vaporfly 4
Pros
- 13% lighter than the Vaporfly 3
- Awesome for 5K, 10K and 21K races
- Full ZoomX midsole
- Spring-loaded carbon-fiber Flyplate
- Fantastic lockdown with premium laces
- Moderate rocker for a more natural ride
- Improved perforated, removable insole
- Better rubber coverage in the forefoot
- Gets improvements from the Alphafly 3
- Great upper featuring breathability and durability
Cons
- Less ideal for marathon racing
- Still lacks the snappy feel of the Vaporfly 1&2
- Narrow midfoot and heel limit stability
Key Features
- Full-length carbon fiber Flyplate: Offers a higher angle compared to its predecessor, providing a propulsive feel.
- Nike ZoomX foam: Known for its responsiveness, this latest iteration is lighter and provides exceptional energy return.
- Reduced weight: A slight midsole reduction enhances the bouncy, feathery feeling during your runs.
- Engineered mesh construction: Contributes to a lighter shoe while ensuring a more consistent fit throughout your run.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Carbon fiber Flyplate and mesh
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is an excellent choice for competitive female runners seeking a combination of speed, lightness, and comfort. After extensive lab tests and runs, it emerged as a leading contender in racing performance.
This shoe features a stiff and uniquely spoon-shaped carbon FlyPlate, enhancing turnover efficiency for impressive speed. The soft yet responsive ZoomX foam cushioning minimizes muscle strain, providing a comfortable ride with each landing supported by a plush 19.9 HA midsole.
With a weight of only 5.9 oz (166g), the Vaporfly 4 is among the lightest options available, allowing for effortless movement during races. Its breathable upper, which achieved a score of 4/5 in our smoke test, further enhances comfort, reducing the risk of blisters during prolonged runs.
However, rear foot strikers may experience instability due to the narrow heel design of the Vaporfly 4. For those whose biomechanics align with this style, it can be a powerful addition to their racing gear.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
Pros
- Softer, bouncier Lightstrike Pro foam
- Maintains the same price
- No more heel slippage
- Versatile from 5K to marathon distances
- Durable outsole with outstanding grip
- Fantastic for midfoot and forefoot strikers
- Improved for faster runners
- Comfortable, gusseted tongue
- Lighter than Adios Pro 3
Cons
- Unstable for every heel striker
- Narrow, tapered toebox
- Upper lacks breathability
- Midsole loses bounce quicker than AP3
Key Features
- Breathable Outer Material: Made from high-quality polyester that enhances ventilation, keeping your feet cool during intense runs.
- Responsive Cushioning: The shoe features state-of-the-art cushioning technology that provides excellent energy return, making each stride feel effortless.
- Lace-Up Closure: A traditional lace-up system offers a secure fit, allowing you to customize the tightness for optimal support.
- Durable Rubber Sole: The rubber sole is designed for superior traction and durability, ensuring longevity even under heavy use.
- Made in the USA or Imported: This product reflects Adidas' commitment to quality craftsmanship and performance.
Specifications
- Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Polyester
- Closure type: Lace-Up
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is a running shoe designed for individuals focused on achieving optimal performance in 5K and 10K races. Its notable energy return and lightweight construction make it particularly suitable for runners looking to enhance their speed and efficiency.
Our tests highlight that the Adizero Adios Pro 4 delivers significant energy return, with recorded scores of 80.4% in the heel and 80.3% in the forefoot, far exceeding the average scores of 58.3% and 60.5%. This impressive performance translates into a powerful sensation with every stride, supported by the shoe’s dynamic midsole.
Examining the shoe's construction reveals Energy Rods 2.0, which simulate the natural structure of foot bones. With only 51.3% increased stiffness compared to an average running shoe, the Adizero Adios Pro 4 stands out for its comfort and flexibility, contrasting with the rigidity commonly found in carbon-plated models.
Weighing just 7.1 oz (200g), this shoe offers a lightweight design that facilitates an effortless running experience, allowing users to easily accelerate. In comparison, the average running shoe weighs 9.3 oz (265g), emphasizing the Adios Pro 4's focus on weight savings.
However, it is important to note that the heel of the Adizero Adios Pro 4 has a narrow fit, which may lead to discomfort or instability for rear strikers. This model is best suited for those who strike with their forefoot or midfoot.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
Pros
- Durable upper and outsole
- Spacious upper fit
- Enhanced midsole comfort
- Great value at $225 for a supershoe
- Versatile across all paces
- Ideal for heel strikers
- More stable than ever
Cons
- Slightly heavier than v3
- Less suited for forefoot strikers
- Competitors may feel quicker
Key Features
- Maximum Race-Day Speed: The integration of SPEEDROLL technology and a full-length carbon fiber plate provides powerful propulsion and a smoother forward motion during runs.
- Super Responsive Dual-Foam Cushioning: The sneaker features the advanced PWRRUN HG + PWRRUN PB midsole, ensuring exceptional energy return and ultra-light cushioning for long-distance comfort.
- Lightweight & Breathable Design: An engineered mesh upper offers a secure, breathable fit that keeps your feet cool and supported even during intense workouts.
- Enhanced Stability: Optimized geometry improves balance, stride efficiency, and overall running economy, helping to reduce fatigue over extended distances.
- Durable Outsole: The high-grip rubber outsole ensures reliable traction and durability on both roads and tracks, making it ideal for competitive runners.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Mesh
- Inner Material: Nylon
The Endorphin Pro 4 is best suited for runners with a heel strike pattern who prioritize comfort and speed in their footwear.
In our test runs, the shoe features a plush midsole complemented by the carbon plate’s Speedroll technology, which delivers a smooth and energetic ride. With a weight of only 7.8 oz (220g), this light supershoe provides significant energy return thanks to its S-shaped carbon plate that creates an ultra-stiff core.
The lively midsole promotes effortless transitions while maintaining comfort. Its 38.1 mm heel is designed to absorb impact with a 9.5 mm drop that supports heel-striker strides, and it retains stability through a firmer 22.0 HA foam layer beneath the softer 18.5 HA top layer.
The durable outsole contributes to the shoe's longevity, able to withstand repetitive impacts in the rear area. Our durometer testing shows that the 2.1 mm thick XT-900 rubber has a hardness rating of 85.3 HC, indicating notable durability, and it surpasses average performance in our rigorous Dremel test.
However, it is worth noting that some elite racers may find other options more suited to achieving peak performance, as the EP4 emphasizes comfort over sheer speed.
HOKA Cielo X1 2.0
Pros
- Much lighter than v1
- Plush and responsive PEBA foam
- Top-tier breathability
- Forked plate adds heel flex
- Comfort-focused heel padding
- Outsole durability is not a concern
- Improved upper and laces
- Works well from 5K to the marathon
- Premium TPEE insole
Cons
- Pricier than most rivals
- Rocker can feel too aggressive
- Narrow-fitting upper
Key Features
- Synthetic upper: Provides a lightweight and breathable fit.
- Advanced Cushioning: Delivers superior comfort during long-distance runs.
- Running shoe: Designed specifically for performance and stability.
Specifications
- Sole material: Rubber, ensuring good traction and durability.
- Shaft height: Ankle Strap, providing added support.
- Outer material: Synthetic, which aids in flexibility and weight reduction.
- Inner material: Nylon, enhancing comfort against the skin.
The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is designed for runners who strike with their heels, emphasizing notable comfort and agility during runs. This shoe offers an impressive ride characterized by exceptional shock absorption and energy return.
In our measurements, the heel height is recorded at 38.8 mm, which effectively protects the feet from impact forces. The shoe demonstrated significant shock absorption capabilities with a 160 SA reading, indicating it can reduce stress on the legs by 26.0% more than average.
The energy return score of 75.9% reflects its capacity to enhance propulsion, compared to the average score of 58.3%. This high performance is further supported by the integration of a carbon plate in the midsole and a pronounced heel curvature that promotes forward motion.
Additionally, its lightweight design, weighing just 7.3 oz (208g), facilitates easier foot lift, aiding in maintaining speed and efficiency. However, this shoe has limitations in stability, as evidenced by its narrow 80.6 mm heel width, making it less suitable for runners who require additional support.
ASICS Noosa Tri 16
Pros
- Lightweight
- Exceptional grip
- Attention-grabbing aesthetic
- Gusseted tongue
- Comfortable upper
- Great for triathlon
- Really versatile
- Fantastic price point
- Breathability
Cons
- Upper longevity
- Minimal tongue padding
- Still not enough energy return
Key Features
- FF BLAST PLUS cushioning: This is ASICS' softest and lightweight cushioning material that provides exceptional impact absorption, helping to reduce fatigue during your runs.
- GUIDESOLE technology: Designed to create smooth toe-offs, this technology aids in conserving energy, allowing you to run longer distances with less effort.
- Mesh upper: Enhances breathability, ensuring that your feet stay cool even during intense workouts.
- ASICSGRIP outsole rubber: This unique outsole provides excellent grip and traction across various terrains, giving you the confidence to tackle different running environments.
- Environmentally-friendly sockliner: Produced using a solution dyeing process, it reduces water usage by approximately 33% and carbon emissions by about 45% compared to conventional methods.
Specifications
- Fabric type: 100% Synthetic
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Polyester
The ASICS Noosa Tri 16 is ideal for runners seeking a tempo shoe that offers exceptional traction and performance. Its versatile outsole, responsive kick, and shock-absorbing cushioning make it suitable for speed training in various weather conditions.
A key feature of the ASICS Noosa Tri 16 is the ASICSGRIP rubber, which demonstrated reliability in wet conditions with a friction score of 0.79. This level of traction is significantly higher, at 68.1% grippier than average, ensuring confidence through sharp turns and slippery streets.
We measured the stack height at 32.8/26.9 mm, contributing to a lightweight design weighing just 7.7 oz (217g). Despite its low weight, the shoe remains comfortable for multi-hour runs, achieving solid shock absorption scores of 129/108 SA in the heel and forefoot, respectively.
Acceleration feels more efficient in this shoe, thanks to effective energy return. The forefoot recorded an energy return score of 60.5%, while heel strikers experienced a lower score of 53.9%. If energy return is critical for your running style, this may be a drawback when considering the ASICS Noosa Tri 16.
PUMA Deviate Nitro 3
Pros
- Exceptional grip on all surfaces
- Competitively priced
- Responsive carbon plate
- Adapts well to all paces
- Enhanced knit upper
- Ideal for tempo workouts
- Great at navigating tight turns
Cons
- Needs better energy return
- Minor increase in weight
- Ventilation could be better
- Narrow toebox
Key Features
- Regular fit ensuring comfortable wear throughout your training.
- Engineered mesh upper for breathability and support.
- Stack height of 39mm/29mm, providing a balanced cushioning experience.
- Weight of 265g (size UK8), making it lightweight for enhanced performance.
- Heel-to-toe drop of 10mm, promoting a natural running gait.
Specifications
- Origin: Made in USA and Imported.
- Sole material: Rubber ensuring durability and traction.
- Outer material: Mesh for lightweight support.
- Closure type: Lace-Up for a secure fit.
The PUMA Deviate Nitro 3 is best suited for runners seeking a reliable option for 5K and 10K races. Its traction provides exceptional grip on various surfaces, making it ideal for tackling turns at high speeds. The combination of the stiff PWRPLATE and responsive cushioning further enhances its performance as a versatile running shoe.
A notable feature of the Deviate Nitro 3 is its PUMAGRIP ATR outsole, which has a low 72.0 HC durometer measurement, indicating significant softness—10.0% softer than average. This characteristic translates to dependable traction and stability, particularly in challenging conditions, as experienced during wet road runs and light trail segments.
The shoe's design incorporates the PWRPLATE, which contributes to a propulsion mechanism that satisfies the need for speed. In our bend test, it showed a stiffness of 24.0% above average, resulting in a highly responsive and energetic ride. Additionally, the midsole features a dual-foam setup, consisting of a bouncy 19.0 HA top layer and a softer 18.0 HA base layer, effectively reducing ground impact without sacrificing comfort.
However, the weight of 9.5 oz (268g) may be perceived as bulky for those prioritizing racing performance. As such, the Deviate Nitro 3 may be more suitable as a supertrainer rather than a shoe specifically designed for breaking records. Overall, it strikes a balance between comfort and speed, making it a noteworthy option for everyday training sessions.