ASICS Novablast 5
Pros
- Improved energy return with FF Blast MAX foam
- Plushiest foam in a Novablast yet
- Keeps the same price as v4
- Higher stack height for extra cushioning
- Enhanced flexibility
- Lighter than its predecessor
- Best Novablast ever for wide feet
- Exceptional weight-to-cushion balance
- Works for short, medium and long runs
Cons
- Breathability could be improved
- Toebox durability
Key Features
- Maximal Midsole Cushioning: The ASICS Novablast 5 features a maximalist midsole design that enhances comfort and shock absorption, making it suitable for longer runs.
- Grippy Outsole: The outsole is engineered with high-traction rubber to provide reliable grip on various surfaces, enhancing stability during your runs.
- Engineered Fit: Designed with a focus on improving fit, these shoes ensure a secure lockdown, allowing you to focus on your performance without distractions.
- Synthetic Materials: Both the outer and inner materials are crafted from synthetic components, optimizing durability and breathability.
Specifications
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Shaft Height: Ankle Strap
- Outer Material: Synthetic
- Inner Material: Synthetic
The Novablast 5 is ideal for runners with a heel-strike pattern, providing substantial cushioning and comfort across various distances and paces.
This shoe features exceptional softness, particularly noticeable during heel landings, with a measured cushion height of 40.9 mm. Our durometer tests indicated that the midsole is 38.4% softer than average, which contributes to a pillowy yet responsive underfoot experience.
Unlike many maximalist shoes that may compromise stability, the Novablast 5 offers increased width in the midsole, with an added 8.3/6.9 mm in the forefoot and heel. This design helps secure footing while minimizing the risk of ankle rolls, even during sharp turns.
The lightweight build, at only 9.0 oz (254g), combined with its uncomplicated midsole, makes Novablast 5 an excellent choice for daily training. Our flexibility test confirmed this, showing it to be 32.2% more flexible than average, allowing for a natural stride.
A key drawback is that the outsole does not provide sufficient traction on wet surfaces, making it less suitable for those requiring maximum grip.
Nike Alphafly 3
Pros
- Remarkably lightweight despite its broad size
- Best-in-class breathability
- Excels in the marathon distance
- Repositioned Air Pods offer a better ride than the v2
- ZoomX foam delivers massive energy return
- Aids in forward momentum, especially when legs begin to fatigue
- Better than ever for 5K/10K racing
- Finally smooth transitions!
Cons
- Heel strikers might wear down the outsole quickly
- The arch could still be a challenge for some
- The sock-like tongue might not suit everyone
Key Features
- Air Zoom Units: Two Air Zoom units in the forefoot enhance energy return for increased power with each step.
- Carbon Fibre Plate: A full-length carbon fibre plate enables smooth transitions and stability during runs.
- ZoomX Foam Midsole: Offers exceptional cushioning from heel to toe, ensuring comfort throughout your marathon.
- Lightweight Design: At only 218 g (for men's size 43), it's the lightest Alphafly yet, promoting faster speeds.
- New Atomknit Upper: This innovative upper enhances breathability and multi-directional cushioning.
- Textured Laces: Designed for a reliable grip while being gentle on the foot.
- Padded Tab: Integrated knitted tab reduces pressure from the laces, improving overall comfort.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Nike Materials
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
- Weight: 218 g (men's shoe size 43)
- Drop: 8 mm
- Men to Women Sizing: Men Size 8 = Women Size 9.5
The Nike Alphafly 3 is designed for runners who supinate, providing a combination of speed, cushioning, and support that facilitates the pursuit of personal bests. This elite racing shoe features advanced technologies aimed at enhancing performance on race day.
From the initial strides, the Alphafly 3 demonstrates its capabilities. The energy rebound during toe-off is significant, driven by the dynamic FlyPlate and Air Pods within the midsole. Lab tests reveal its stiffness, withstanding a force of 28.4N to bend to 30º, exceeding the average by 89.3%.
Integral to its structure is the superior ZoomX midsole, which boasts a stack height of 38.1/29.6 mm for enhanced comfort. The dual-foam setup includes an impact-absorbing layer with a hardness of 18.1 HA and a firmer layer at 29.3 HA for additional support.
The sleek design of the Alphafly 3 contributes to its lightweight nature, weighing only 7.1 oz (201g), compared to the average racer's weight of 7.7 oz (217g). The unrestricted Atomknit upper enhances breathability, further supporting the overall performance.
However, the retail price of $285 may deter budget-conscious consumers, who might consider alternative options available in the market. Overall, the Nike Alphafly 3 presents a compelling choice for serious racers looking for stability and durability in their running shoes.
Nike Pegasus 41
Pros
- Enhanced for heel strikers
- New ReactX foam!
- Improved breathability
- Plush upper
- Good durability
- Several stability enhancements
- Newly designed rocker and bevel
- Solid performance
- Superior lockdown
- Sustainable features
Cons
- Price increased by $10
- Worse than the v40 in cold temperatures
- Poor grip
Key Features
- Excellent Cushioning: The ReactX foam midsole combined with Air Zoom elements provides a highly responsive ride, enhancing comfort with every stride.
- Superior Breathability: Constructed with improved technical mesh upper, these shoes ensure exceptional ventilation, keeping your feet cool and dry even during extended periods of running.
- Increased Comfort: Features like the soft tongue on the collar and insole deliver a stable feel, providing additional support during your runs.
- Lightweight Design: The use of innovative materials reduces shoe weight without sacrificing stability, which is crucial for longer runs.
- Enhanced Energy Return: The combination of ReactX foam and Air Zoom elements optimizes energy return, allowing for powerful and efficient strides.
Specifications
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Synthetic
- Inner Material: Manmade
- Closure Type: Clasp
- Weight: Approximately 10 oz (for men's size 10)
- Drop: 10 mm
- Model Fit: MR-10 last for the best and most consistent fit
The Nike Pegasus 41 is designed for runners who engage in heel-strike patterns, making it a dependable daily trainer. It offers a balanced ride with reliable cushioning and smooth transitions, suitable for various running styles including steady runs and speed bursts.
This model promotes foot strength through its straightforward midsole, which adapts well to natural strides and provides an effortless feel. The curved sole enhances the toe-off experience, and lab tests reveal it is **34.0%** more flexible than average.
Another notable feature is the new ReactX foam, measured at **33.6/22.2 mm**, which effectively balances impact protection at the heel with surface feedback at the forefoot. With a high **11.4 mm** drop, it caters specifically to heel strikers, and the foam's plushness is rated at **15.8 HA**, enhanced by two Air Zoom units for additional comfort.
The Pegasus 41 includes discreet support features, ideal for beginners or long-distance runners seeking extra guidance as fatigue sets in. The midsole sidewalls help prevent excessive movement, while the heel area, measuring **89.2 mm**, provides stability during landings.
Although the weight of **9.9 oz (281g)** is not considered heavy, runners accustomed to lighter footwear may find it less agile.
Mizuno Neo Vista 2
Pros
- Massive stack height
- Super-plush Enerzy NXT foam
- Perfect for long runs
- Lightweight for its huge size
- Good durability
- Breathable knit upper
- Roomy toebox height
- Insanely fun!
Cons
- Not enough energy return
- Price hike feels unjustified
- Not stable for heel strikers
Key Features
- MIZUNO ENERZY NXT: This next-generation midsole material maximizes energy return and cushioning, ensuring optimum performance and responsiveness.
- Knit Upper: The completely knit upper offers a sleek design while providing a natural fit suitable for all foot types.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Made from recycled materials, making it an environmentally conscious choice.
- MIZUNO WAVE: The innovative MIZUNO WAVE plate disperses impact energy across a broader area, resulting in superior cushioning and stability.
- Smooth Speed Assist: Features a significant heel bevel for efficient midfoot landing, supporting the calf, with an aggressive forefoot rocker for smooth transitions.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Nylon
- Closure type: Lace-Up
The Mizuno Neo Vista 2 is a unique running shoe designed for individuals who seek comfort and energy efficiency during their runs. It features a supersized stack that effectively absorbs impact, helping to keep legs feeling fresh over extended distances. Our lab tests confirm this model provides the best shock absorption among supination running shoes.
This shoe incorporates foam that scored **170 SA** in shock absorption—**32.8%** above average—which contributes significantly to reduced strain on the legs. With a **46.0/37.5 mm** stack height, the cushioning is generous regardless of landing position, with the forefoot being taller than most competitors’ heels.
Despite its thick platform, the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 offers a lively ride, characterized by a springy return confirmed by energy tests showing rebound scores of **60.3%** in the heel and **59.8%** in the forefoot. The flexible midsole further enhances the ride quality, demonstrating **10.0%** more pliability than average in our bend test, which promotes both comfort and adaptability.
However, these premium features come at a price point of **$200**, which may not suit all budgets. For runners seeking more affordable training options, alternatives are available.
ASICS Superblast 2
Pros
- Fantastic new upper
- Improved overall comfort
- Grippier outsole without cutouts
- Durability enhancements
- Excellent weight/cushioning ratio
- Supreme stability
- Works at every pace and distance
Cons
- Slight weight gain
- Fit remains tight
- Minimal tongue padding
- Energy return is not on par with the price
Key Features
- Engineered mesh upper material: Improves airflow to help your feet keep cool.
- Gusseted tongue wing fit system: Enhances midfoot fit while minimizing tongue sliding.
- FF TURBO PLUS technology: This cushioning improves compression for a responsive underfoot feel.
- FF BLAST PLUS ECO technology: Provides lightweight impact absorption and a responsive rebound.
- Trampoline-inspired outsole design: Offers a more responsive bounce back for an improved running experience.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Synthetic Rubber
- Outer material: Mesh
- Inner material: Polyester
The ASICS Superblast 2 is a noteworthy option for runners with supination, as it excels in both performance and lab assessments. Its superior cushioning effectively combines impact protection and responsiveness, while the ASICSGRIP rubber offers an impressive balance of durability and grip. This shoe excelled in our traction test, demonstrating significant effectiveness on various surfaces.
During testing, we felt confident in our stride control, even on wet terrain. The shoe achieved a friction score of 0.83, making it 80.4% grippier than average. Contrary to expectations, the Superblast 2 exhibited 50.0% less damage than average in our Dremel test, reinforcing its durability.
The cushioning platform provided substantial comfort, confirmed by measurements of 42.8/34.6 mm, which surpasses average values. This enhanced cushioning is also reflected in its shock absorption scores—130 SA in the heel and an even higher 138 SA in the forefoot, demonstrating 31.4% greater protection than average.
Despite its considerable cushioning, the shoe maintains a lightweight feel due to its responsive foam. Testing for energy return yielded scores of 65.4% in the heel and 65.5% in the forefoot, contributing to an enjoyable running experience.
However, one drawback is that the fit tends to run tighter, making it less suitable for individuals with wider feet.
Adidas Questar 3
Pros
- Amazing value for money
- Excellent durability from heel to toe
- Breathable upper
- Stable ride
- Comfortable fit
- Great for casual wear too
- Ideal for heel strikers
Cons
- Rigid build
- Needs to lose some weight
- Subpar grip
Key Features
- Breathable Mesh Upper: The mesh upper allows for excellent airflow, keeping your feet cool during your runs.
- Lightweight Bounce Cushioning: Full-length Bounce cushioning enhances comfort and adds spring to your stride, making every step feel lighter.
- High Traction Outsole: The rubber outsole provides great grip, ensuring stability on various surfaces.
- Eco-Friendly Design: Made in part with at least 20% recycled materials, helping reduce waste and reliance on finite resources.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Synthetic Rubber
- Outer Material: Rubber
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
The Adidas Questar 3 is an ideal choice for budget-conscious runners seeking a reliable daily trainer. Priced at $75, it excels in flexibility, ventilation, and durability, outperforming many supination shoes that average around $146.
This shoe feels lightweight and provides comfort for all-day wear, walks, and occasional gym workouts. Its fluid midsole offers significant cushioning, and our bend test shows it is 5.3% more malleable than the average shoe.
The upper design ensures strong airflow during summer while providing adequate protection against harsh winter winds, making it suitable for year-round use. In our smoke test, it received a 4/5 breathability score.
The outsole demonstrates impressive durability, showing no signs of wear after extensive testing. This longevity is attributed to the rubber used, which is 20.0% more wear-resistant than average, as confirmed by our Dremel test.
However, the Questar 3 may not perform well in rainy conditions, as we observed that its grip was lacking on wet surfaces.