Runner’s World 2016 Spring Shoe Guide

Our spring shoe guide includes 27 pairs of running shoes with photos, video reviews, wear tester ratings, and data from our Shoe Lab. Browse through this slideshow to see all the new models, or try our Shoe Finder tool if you need a little help finding the right pair for you.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

$160. Testers praised the Hurricane ISO 2 for the fit of its well-padded, two-layer upper that hugs the heal and midfoot while providing plenty of toe room. A new energy-return foam layer combines with firmer foam in the midsole for a ride that is comfy, responsive, and stable.

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BEST BUY

$100. For the Zante v2, New Balance opened up the fit around the arch and extended the midfoot saddle farther forward. The forefoot is more cushioned, and the outsole has thicker rubber with tiny cuts to improve flexibility. The ride hits the sweet spot between cushioning and responsiveness.

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Shown: Men’s version

BEST UPDATE

$170. The Transcend 3 is lighter and less bulky than previous versions while still providing a protective ride. The guiderails along the side of the midsole that keep your foot from straying out of line are softer, and the toe is more turned up to allow a quicker roll.

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Shown: Women’s version

BEST DEBUT

$110. The Wave Catalyst delivers the ride of a classic Mizuno light-but-stable performance shoe. The sole is low, wide, and firmly responsive, providing just enough cushioning for protection without slowing your turnover.

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Shown: Men’s version

$95. The Speed 300 Ignite is a light, go-fast shoe with a wedge of Puma’s bouncy Ignite foam under the heel and a “propulsion zone” mechanism up front that stretches outsole rubber over flex grooves so that it will rebound with force as you toe-off. The appeal of this shoe is its simplicity…fast with decent cushion.

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Shown: Women’s version

$100. The Tribute has a wide toebox and a highly breathable mesh upper that is surprisingly rugged. The most flexible shoe in our guide, the Tribute lets you fly over the road carefree, with light protection that doesn’t get in the way of a natural stride.

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Shown: Men’s version

$100. The Apollo 2 retains the smooth, comfortable feel of the original but is updated for longer missions. Under Armour added a layer of its Charged foam to the top of the midsole, which gives it a bouncier, more responsive feel, and put additional rubber on the outsole for durability and support.

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Shown: Women’s version

$110. The ride of the Omni-Fit is smooth and flexible with a cushioned and responsive feel from the rubber-infused top layers of the midsole. The sturdy overlays fall at the right places to hold and support without binding.

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Shown: Men’s version

$110. A neutral, well-cushioned, flexible shoe with a simple upper that hugs the arch and leaves the rest of the shoe open and breathable, the Shield disappears on the run. 361°’s rubber-infused QU!KFOAM provides a soft bouncy feel to the sockliner and top layer of the midsole, while a firmer bottom layer gives a base of support.

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Shown: Women’s version

$110. The small update to the Altra Instinct/Intuition 3.5 improved the fit of the upper, giving it more toe height, a softer, foot-hugging heel, refined overlays, and an attractive toe swirl that gives the forefoot a more mainstream look. By tweaking the midsole density, Altra brought this shoe back to the feel of the popular first version.

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Shown: Men’s version

$110. Brooks redesigned the PureFlow replacing the “pods” of previous versions with deep flex grooves that run both horizontally and vertically. The new upper lost its restrictive midfoot band: now a simple mesh surrounds the foot over a well-padded tongue, with printed overlays making it thicker and more supportive around the heel.

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Shown: Women’s version

$110. The Kinvara 7 includes a pad of Saucony’s new Everun foam in the heel and a reconfigured outsole. The result is an unstructured, flexible shoe with strong cushioning and low heel-toe drop, as expected from the Kinvara line.

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Shown: Men’s version

$120. The Asics GT-2000 4 fits and feels like the popular GT-2100. The upper wraps the midfoot with flexible internal straps tying into the laces. A firm post under the arch and strong forefoot cushioning provide a familiar stable and protective ride.

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$120. With a fast-rolling toe curve and bouncy forefoot, the Ravenna 7 is well cushioned and lightly stable. It is fun to wear but also comfortable and supportive over the long haul.

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Shown: Men’s version

$120. The Wave Inspire 12 has a softer feel while keeping the snappy ride and solid control. Added foam under the wave plate provides a smoother landing while still remaining surprisingly light.

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$120. The Nike Free RN Distance is the first in the Free line intended to be a daily trainer suitable for longer runs. The flexible outsole hexagons are larger than on other Frees and arranged to provide more lateral stability. Inside is a core of bouncier Lunarlon foam for more cushioning and stability.

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Shown: Men’s version

$120. The Forza is Skecher’s first serious stability shoe with a layer of firm foam under the arch that extends from heel to ball and a supportive but still supple upper. The outer has a slight rocker shape to roll the stride forward.

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Shown: Women’s version

$125. The geometry of the sole—higher on the arch side, with wide support pods on balance points of the forefoot and the heel—helps runners whose feet roll too far inward, without interfering with your natural foot roll. The Provision 2.5 scores high marks in comfort and ride.

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Shown: Men’s version

$130. While the Tracer is the lightest shoe in our guide and is closer to the ground than many, it still has Hoka’s protective feel and distinctive roll off the forefoot rocker. The shoe weighs almost nothing but doesn’t feel flimsy when you’re running in it.

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Shown: Women’s version