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Road Running Shoes • September 6, 2019

Best Running Shoes of 2019 (So Far)

best running shoes of 2019

Sure you can rely on aggregator sites with hundreds of “reviews” from people who have run in the same three shoes for the last 10 years. Or you can actually get it from people who run. A lot. Here are our picks (in no particular order) for the best road running shoes of 2019 (so far).

 

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6

hoka one one clifton 6

After a parade of letdowns that seemed to get progressively worse (ahem, Clifton 4 and 5), the Clifton we love is back and better than ever. The toe box finally has enough room, the midsole is soft but not squishy, and the mesh upper is breathable and secure. You want to know how much we love this shoe? Meaghan bought a second pair, a rarity for us shoe reviewers.

  • Weight: 9.1 oz./258g for a US M9
  • Drop: 5 mm (33 mm in heel/28 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Daily trainer/short tempo
  • Similar shoes: HOKA ONE ONE Rincon, ASICS Glideride, New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon 2
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

adidas Boston 8

adidas boston 8

A shoe that has now moved into classic territory, the Boston 8 holds true to its self with its sleek design and lightweight structure. This version features updates to the Continental rubber outsole (grippy and durable as hell) and a slightly wider platform, which puts this at the top of the list for “best rainy day race shoe.” Oh, also it’s just real, real pretty.

  • Weight: 8.2 oz./232g for a US M9
  • Drop: 10 mm (26 mm in heel/16 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Tempo/Race Day
  • Similar shoes: Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper, Altra Escalante Racer
READ THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Nike Epic React 2

Nike Epic React 2

Not much has changed since the first version—and that is a good thing. One of our top shoes of 2018 got an update to the heel counter, but it retains the sock-like Flyknit upper and ultra-responsive React foam midsole. We’ve put in hundreds of miles in these and still love them to death.

  • Weight: 7.9 oz./223g for a US M9
  • Drop: 10 mm (28 mm in heel/18 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Daily trainer/tempo/half marathon and up
  • Similar shoes: Nike Epic React 2, HOKA ONE ONE Rincon
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Reebok FloatRide Energy

reebok floatride energy

Please trust us on this. You will not find a better value in a running shoe than the FloatRide Energy for $100 (and often less). The midsole ride is near perfect, and it can do everything from daily training to marathon distances. A simple mesh upper envelops the foot, and it actually looks pretty good. Size down, it runs a little large.

  • Weight: 9 oz./255g for a US M9
  • Drop: 10 mm (29 mm in heel/19 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Daily trainer/tempo/half marathon and up
  • Similar shoes: Nike Epic React 2, HOKA ONE ONE Rincon
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%

nike zoomx vaporfly next%

Not exactly a shocker that this shoe landed on here. We loved the Vaporfly 4%, and the NEXT% really is that next percent. It features a re-designed Vaporweave upper that wicks off moisture, as well as offset lacing and 15% more Zoom X foam. Aim for your PR during training season, then make sure you hit the target on race day by strapping on the NEXT%.

  • Weight: 6.6 oz./187g for a US M9
  • Drop: 8 mm (40 mm in heel/32 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Race day
  • Similar shoes: Nike Vaporfly 4%
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

HOKA ONE ONE Rincon

hoka one one rincon

A new face in the HOKA family, the Rincon is poised to become a classic, right up there with the Clifton. It’s a shockingly light shoe in a max cushion body, lending it a versatility that’s hard to find anywhere else. The early stage meta rocker will propel you through your stride, while the cushion will keep your legs fresh, mile after mile. And it comes in at a reasonable $114.95.

  • Weight: 7.4 oz./209g for a US M9
  • Drop: 5 mm (32 mm in heel/27 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Everything
  • Similar shoes: Nike Epic React 2, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6 (but lighter)
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Skechers GOrun Ride 8 Hyper

  • Weight: 8.7 oz./246g for a US M9
  • Drop: 4 mm (26 mm in heel/22 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Daily trainer
  • Similar shoes: Nike Epic React 2, Brooks Launch 6, HOKA ONE ONE Rincon

The Skechers GOrun Ride 7 was a sleeper hit last year, so we were anxiously awaiting the release of this shoe. It did not disappoint. Featuring Skechers’ Hyper Burst midsole (maybe the best midsole out there), this thing has energy return for days. Throw in a a comfortable upper, and a grippy Goodyear outsole, and there are few daily trainers that can compete.

READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

New Balance FuelCell Rebel

new balance fuelcell rebel side-1

New Balance is bringing the heat with the FuelCell line. While the FuelCell 5280 is meant for the mile distance and the FuelCell Propel is the still-immature sibling, the FuelCell Rebel hits the sweet spot. A thin engineered mesh upper with Trace Fiber Stitching is complemented by a durable rubber outsole, and it all comes in a super lightweight package. And damn does it look good too.

  • Weight: 7.2 oz./204g for a US M9
  • Drop: 6 mm (24 mm in heel/18 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Tempo/Race Day
  • Similar shoes: New Balance FuelCell Propel, HOKA ONE ONE Rincon, Nike Epic React 2
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

ASICS GlideRide

asics glideride

Look, ASICS hasn’t been exactly inspiring over the last decade, but they’re starting to make some moves. While we didn’t love the sky-high MetaRide, the GlideRide is a step in the right direction. The design is pretty on point, the layers of Flytefoam around a TPU/gel section keeps you feeling fresh, and the rocker midsole propels you through your stride for a springy toe-off. It feels lighter than its weight, and it’s a comfortable daily trainer that will get you through some long training miles.

  • Weight: 11.2 oz./322g for a US M10.5
  • Drop: 5 mm (30 mm in heel/25 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Daily Trainer/Long Runs
  • Similar shoes: Nike Zoomfly 3, HOKA Bondi, HOKA Carbon X, Nike Vomero 14
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper

skechers razor 3

Okay so technically this is a 2018 shoe, but our review came out on January 1. Anyway, if you still think you’re too cool for School with a capital Skechers “S,” we can’t help you. This isn’t your Uncle Randy’s shoe. The Razor 3 is a rocket, straight up. Its crazy-responsive Hyper Burst midsole is one of the best in the industry, and the ripstop mesh upper combined with a durable outsole makes this a race day weapon. Did we mention it’s $115 cheaper than the Nike Vaporfly NEXT%?

  • Weight: 6.4 oz./181g for a US M9
  • Drop: 4 mm (24 mm in heel/20 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Tempo/Race Day
  • Similar shoes: Reebok Floatride Energy RunFast, adidas Boston 8, Saucony Kinvara 10
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

adidas Ultraboost 19

adidas ultraboost 19

A damn glorious looking shoe on the feet, it is also a beauty of a running shoe, despite being a tad heavier than what we like. Featuring a sweet knit upper and Boost midsole, this shoe can do almost anything, including being paired with jeans.

  • Weight: 10.4 oz./337g for a US M9
  • Drop: 10 mm (29 mm in heel/ 19 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Daily trainer/looking good
  • Similar shoes: HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6, Nike Vomero 14, ASICS Glideride
READ THE REVIEW WATCH THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Brooks Revel 3

brooks revel 3

We know for a fact that people are sleeping on this shoe (or have no idea it exists), but wake up— it’s basically a better-looking Launch. And we love the Launch. Brooks BioMoGo DNA midsole isn’t anything new, but it’s still quality. The overall fit is great, and while the knit upper is a little warm, this can be a perfect shoe for those fall and winter runs. Afterward, wear them to your favorite Bloody Mary brunch bar.

  • Weight: 8.8 oz./249g for a US M9
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Best use: Daily trainer
  • Similar shoes: Brooks Launch 6, HOKA ONE ONE Hupana Flow
READ THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Mizuno Sky Waveknit 3

mizuno sky waveknit 23

Look, it’s not changing the world. But if you’re looking for a solid and reliable everyday trainer, you can’t go wrong with the Sky Waveknit 3. It also shows that Mizuno is moving away from the Pebax wave plate; instead, this shoe features two layers of foam that sandwich Mizuno’s new XPOP midsole foam. The knit upper is supremely comfortable, which helps balance out the weight (which is a bit heavier than we’d like).

  • Weight: 11 oz./311g for a US M9
  • Drop: 10 mm (33 mm in heel/23 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Tempo/Race Day
  • Similar shoes: Brooks Ghost 12
READ THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE

Altra Paradigm 4.5

altra paradigm 3.5

Altra has had some misses in this year’s versions of road shoes (e.g. Duo, Escalante), but the Paradigm 4.5 is not one of them. While the shoe is certainly max cushion, it’s not marshmallow soft. It retains enough firmness that it’s responsive, while still keeping your legs fresh. Of course, it also features Altra’s zero-drop platform. If you’re not used to zero drop, ease into these.

  • Weight: 10.5 oz./298g for a US M9
  • Drop: 0 mm (31 mm in heel/31 mm in forefoot)
  • Best use: Recovery day shoe
  • Similar shoes: New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo
READ THE REVIEW BUY THE SHOE
3
Comments

Have something to say? Leave a Comment

  1. Will says:

    Ultra Boost 19 or Solar Glide?

    1. Robbe Reddinger says:

      Definitely UB19

  2. JP says:

    I’m happy you mention the UB19, they seem to be “ignored” by running shoe reviewers, either because they are a bit heavy or maybe too “mainstream”. While the Adios and Boston, which uses the same foam, get good scores. While I don’t like the UB19 look that much, the bouncy feeling is quite unique.

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