We’ve been testing the best running shoes on the market for over a decade, but we still get excited when we discover a new shoe that really grabs our attention. 2025 was a fantastic year for running shoes, with excellent new models in every category that remain the top choice as we eagerly await the new releases of 2026.
But with so many running shoes to choose from, how do you find the models that are right for you?
This article is a great place to start. From the hundreds of pairs The Run Testers have tested, we’ve selected the shoes that stood out the most. If a shoe has made this list, it’s fantastic and definitely worth considering.
Who are The Run Testers?
The Run Testers are a group of journalists based in the UK who have been testing and reviewing the best running shoes, watches, and all kinds of other gear for decades. We’ve written for a variety of websites and magazines, and if you’ve ever looked for a review or buying guide for running gear, you’ve probably come across our work.
As experienced journalists, all our reviews are completely independent and unbiased, and having tested such a wide range of shoes, we’re confident that our selection truly stands out from the crowd and is among the best on the market. You can find more information about the core Run Testers team here, and learn more about our shoe preferences in our video where each of us shares our ideal running shoe picks.
Best Daily Trainers
Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Price: £130/$150 | Weight: 224g/7.9oz (UK 9) | Drop: 6mm
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is one of the best shoes we’ve tested in recent years, offering excellent value and high-level performance, earning it the top spot in our list of the best all-around shoes.
It’s a relatively simple shoe with a springy Lightstrike Pro midsole, a lightweight upper, and a minimal outsole that provides good traction without adding too much weight. The result is a fantastic shoe for faster workouts, yet still comfortable enough for easy runs thanks to the soft foam midsole.
One drawback of the Adidas Evo SL is that it’s not the most stable shoe, and other lightweight options that offer a little more support for everyday training include the Hoka Mach 6 and the New Balance Rebel v5, both of which we highly recommend.
Perhaps the best alternative to the Evo SL is the Asics Megablast, which offers a fantastic, springy ride for all types of running, but it’s difficult to recommend as our top overall pick due to its very high price.
Because it’s a plateless shoe, it lacks some of the power you get from plate-based sneakers like the Hoka Mach X3 or Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, but the Evo SL is a bit more comfortable and flexible thanks to the lack of a plate.
Some might prefer a more cushioned everyday sneaker, like the Asics Novablast 5, and you’ll find some great options in our cushioned shoe section below.
Best Racing Shoes
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
Price: £260/$300 | Weight: 187g/6.6oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm
It took something truly special to knock the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris off the top spot in our ranking of carbon plate running shoes, and the Puma Fast-R 3 is truly something special.
Puma claims the Fast-R 3 is more efficient than other high-end racing shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3, and we’ve really liked them in our testing: Kieran and Nick used them at the 2025 London Marathon and other shorter races.
The Nitro Elite foam midsole provides an incredibly responsive ride, and the extended carbon plate, which extends from the front of the shoe, helps your foot roll efficiently through every stride, even when you’re tired.
The shoe is also incredibly lightweight, and while it may not be the most durable option available, we consider it the fastest overall.
Below, you’ll find our full review of the best carbon plate running shoes of 2025, providing more details on the best racing shoes available. In addition to the Puma Fast-R 3, several other excellent new releases were released in 2025, including the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and Asics Metaspeed Ray, the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.
Best Cushioned Shoes
Nike Vomero Plus
Price: £155/$180 | Weight: 300g/10.6oz (UK 9) | Drop: 10mm
In 2025, Nike revamped its running shoe range and incorporated all its most cushioned models into the Vomero line. The Vomero Plus is the mid-range model in this line, featuring a lighter design and more springy feel than the Vomero 18, but more affordable than the quirky (but excellent) Nike Vomero Premium.
For such a highly cushioned shoe, the Vomero Plus is quite versatile thanks to the springy ZoomX foam in the midsole, and it’s certainly extremely comfortable. It’s a great option for new runners to tackle any run, and a perfect cushioned shoe to alternate with faster models.
There are many other excellent cushioned shoes worth considering, including other recent standouts from our testing, such as the Asics Novablast 5 and Nike Vomero Premium, and the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 for those who prefer a cushioned shoe with a lower sole.
For more information on our top cushioned shoes in a variety of categories, including stability options, check out our roundup of the best cushioned shoes below.
Best All-Rounders
New Balance Rebel v5
Price: £140/$140 | Weight: 225g/7.9oz | Drop: 6mm
Our top pick in the versatile shoe category is actually the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, but since it also won the everyday training shoe category, we’re highlighting our runner-up, the New Balance Rebel v5.
Like the Adidas Evo SL, the Rebel v5 is a simple, lightweight shoe that can be used for a wide range of runs thanks to its comfort and speed. It’s a remarkably wide and stable shoe given its lightness, and it’s cushioned enough for long, easy efforts, something Kieran put to the test when he wore it for the Comrades 56-mile ultra marathon.
Overall, we didn’t find the Rebel v5 as fast and impressive as the Adidas Evo SL, but it’s another great shoe worth checking out if you want a more stable and versatile model than the Adidas.
Another strong contender for the all-around shoe title is the Asics Megablast, which combines the stability of the Rebel with the lightness and speed of the Evo SL. It’s a fantastic shoe, but also incredibly expensive and not as affordable as the shoes we’ve selected above.
The Hoka Mach X3 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 are both excellent all-around plate shoes if you prefer or don’t mind using a plate shoe for every run, though they are a bit more expensive.
Best Value Running Shoes
Puma Velocity Nitro 4
Price: £110/$140 | Weight: 247g/8.7oz | Drop: 10mm
The Puma Velocity Nitro has been our best value in this category since the original model launched in 2020, and the Velocity Nitro 4 is the best version of the shoe yet, even though the price has increased slightly in the US.
It now features a full Nitrofoam midsole, a springy and responsive material that makes the Velocity Nitro 4 a faster and lighter option than previous versions while remaining just as comfortable.
The Pumagrip outsole, which offers great traction and durability, is another standout feature of the shoe, which could have been in several other categories on this list, in addition to offering excellent value for money.
Other great value options we’ve tested include the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, the New Balance Rebel v5, and the Adidas Adizero SL 2. You can also find good value in Decathlon’s Kiprun shoe range, with the KD900X.2 being an impressive carbon plate running shoe that’s much more affordable than most.
In general, however, we believe the best way to find affordable running shoes is to look for last year’s models on sale, many of which are very similar to the latest iteration of the shoe. Therefore, those looking for a bargain should check out our list of the best running shoes of 2024, as many of these shoes will now be on sale and are still excellent options.
Best For Beginners
Asics Novablast 5
Price: £135/$140 | Weight: 274g/9.7oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what a beginner runner needs—we’ve dedicated an entire podcast to the topic, which you can listen to below—but we recommend opting for a cushioned yet versatile shoe like the Asics Novablast 5. It’s a good value and offers enough cushioning to ensure a comfortable and protective ride for any runner on easy runs, but the foam is responsive enough to allow you to run faster.
Value for money is also an important consideration for beginner shoes, so we recommend looking for popular, long-lasting shoe lines that are often on sale and that suit most runners. Besides the Novablast, the Nike Pegasus, Hoka Clifton, Saucony Ride, and Brooks Ghost or Glycerin are also excellent options for beginners, as they are neutral and balanced shoes that are unlikely to disappoint.
Best Marathon Running Shoes
If you plan on running 26 miles (or more), then you’ll need a great pair of running shoes. The best shoes for you will depend on your goals for the race, along with other factors like your running experience, budget, and preferences.
In our review of the best marathon shoes, we’ve divided our picks into six categories: best racing shoes, best value, best for beginners, most comfortable options, and best all-round shoes for training and racing.
We hope one of these categories is right for you. In each category, we’ll offer a top-rated model and some alternative options.
Best For Stability
Hoka Arahi 8
Price: £140/$150 | Weight: 270g/9.5oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm
The Hoka Arahi 8 was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2025: all our testers appreciated its smooth ride and support. The foam midsole isn’t the most energetic or lively, but it’s comfortable over long distances, and the H-Frame construction provides stability on both sides of the foot.
It’s also quite light for a stability shoe, and we all agree it’s our favorite in this category for 2025 as a versatile everyday training shoe with added support. However, there are other, more cushioned options for those seeking stability that we highly rate, such as the Saucony Hurricane 25, the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2, and the Asics Gel-Kayano 32, but they don’t have the lightweight, easy feel of the Arahi 8.
Conclusion
Overall, 2025 has produced one of the strongest running shoe collections in years, with outstanding models in every category – from versatile everyday training shoes like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL to record-breakers like the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, and reliable all-rounders like the New Balance Rebel v5. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best, racking up miles for your first marathon, or simply looking for a comfortable and dependable everyday companion, there’s never been a wider selection of such high-quality shoes. The key is knowing your goals, preferences, and budget – once you do, finding the right shoe becomes much easier. Use this guide as a starting point, trust your instincts, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a pair that makes every run feel a little bit better.
