Runner’s World 2016 Summer Shoe Guide

The 21 shoes in this slideshow will propel you through fast summer miles. They have all been through RW’s extensive shoe testing process.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

$105. While Skechers considered the updates too minor to merit a new model number, this is a significantly better-fitting, better-riding shoe than last year’s GOrun 4. The new upper, made from a circular knit, is supportive where necessary and new foam in the sole delivers a springier ride.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

BEST BUY

$100. The update of the Hitogami 3 returns with a flexible, slipper-like fit. Labeled a racer, the Hitogami has enough stability from the rearfoot Wave plate to serve as a training shoe for light and efficient runners.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

BEST DEBUT

$130. The Vongo is one of a new generation of shoes designed to reduce excess inward rolling in a less-complex, smoother-running shoe. The base is wide, straight, and flared in the forefoot for support. Added Fresh Foam under the arch makes the midsole firmer and comfortable.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

BEST UPDATE

$140. For the Adios 3, Adidas tweaked the outsole, wrapping the forefoot in a thin, waffle-cut layer of stretchy Continental rubber, improving flexibility, traction, and durability. The mesh and suede-like upper feels softer and fits larger feet than previous versions.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$100. The 1400v4 simply refines the upper using softer fabrics for a supple, closer-to-the-foot feel. The shoe maintains its smooth ride but has an improved fit and toebox shape.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$100. The ultralight N0 v2 has the thinnest midsole of all shoes in this review. It’s not quite a barefoot shoe, as it does provide a layer of smooth cushioning and a small heel lift, but you’ll want this shoe only if like the feel of the road beneath you.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$110. The FuzeX delivers a responsive, propulsive feel during toe-off. For comfort, the new Gel-based midsole works in concert with traditional foam for better shock-absorption in the heel.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$120. The women’s-only PureBoost X is narrower in the heel and wider in the toebox for a better fit. But what you notice first is how the upper is disconnected from the sole under the arch, wrapping the midfoot snugly and providing a sleek profile.

Women’s Review · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$120. The Infinite has a forefoot rocker that’s been shifted forward so you have more sole contact during the stance phase of your stride. Sculpted foam wraps up around the sides of the foot to help counter foot roll while the wide base provides a roomier fit.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$120. The Pegasus 33 has the fast, responsive ride of the original Pegasus, before it got thick and squishy in the mid 2000s. The upper has been refined with more precise placement and integration of the Flywire cables wrapping the midfoot for a secure hold. Zoom air in the forefoot adds better cushioning without losing its lively toe-off.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$120. The N2 serves up midlevel cushioning, and has a soft feel from the moment you put it on, thanks to a seamless upper that wraps smoothly. Testers called them “incredibly comfortable”.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$120. The Ride 9 has improved flexibility and a less-structured upper. An infusion of Saucony’s new energy-returning foam directly below the sockliner gives a pleasant bounce-back sensation while the thick foam helps the shoe earn high forefoot cushioning scores.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$125. Combining the company’s bouncy, polyurethane foam in the heel with a patch of rubber in the outsole that snaps back when stretched, the Speed 600 delivers an uptempo ride.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$125. The Mega Wave has a contoured footbed conforming to your arch and the base of your toes. The shape of the shoe is unique, with room for the big toe in its natural, straight-ahead position. The ride is smoothed by two layers of foam, with a softer slab closer to your foot and a stable base layer nearer the road.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$130. The Brooks Neuro has a flexible, cushioned ride thanks to rubber pods on the sole. While the pods are mostly connected to each other, there’s a clean break at the midfoot that creates a track-spike feel beneath a thick midsole.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$140. The Vomero 11 gets a thick padding on the tongue and around the heel, wider arch-wrapping Flywires, and softer layers of foam in the midsole. The result is a soft shoe while remaining responsive and pleasantly snappy.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$150. The Strata has a sockliner and top layer of foam made from the company’s bouncy, rubber-infused blend. This shoe offers a high level of support while still maintaining a soft underfoot feel.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version

$160. The Miles, a moderately cushioned trainer, has a more mainstream ride than the company’s minimalist models. It has a wide toebox and fairly low heel-to-toe drop, but it has a comfortable, well-padded upper and a thicker sole that offers protection from the road.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Women’s version

$175. The five lugs under the Gravity V are tuned to deliver a fast sensation, but the shoe has plenty of cushioning in both heel and forefoot. The panels on each side at the ball of the foot have been refined producing the feeling of a wide toebox within a nicely snug overall fit.

Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s

Shown: Men’s version