Top 10 shoes our testers are loving in January

The Adidas Adizero EVO SL is a lightweight, high-performance running shoe that gives you Adidas’ premium Lightstrike Pro midsole foam.

Weighing just 224 g (7.9 oz.) , it’s designed for speed and versatility. The ride is ideal for tempo runs, long training sessions and even race day. A nylon midfoot shank adds stability without compromising flexibility, while the engineered mesh upper ensures breathability and a secure fit. 

The wide toe box promotes natural foot splay, and the foam is firm enough for a little added stability. This is intended as a road shoe, but the Continental rubber outsole gives it enough traction to handle slippery surfaces, or even some gravel or hard-packed trails.

For runners seeking a single shoe that can do it all, the EVO SL is a compelling choice.

 

The FuelCell Rebel V5 is that shoe you reach for when you want to run fast and feel good doing it. We loved the last version, but this might be the best Rebel yet.

True to its name, it comes with FuelCell midsole featuring a mix of peba and EVA foam to deliver a propulsive ride that’s made to last. This shoe is also remarkably light at only 227 g (8 oz.) in a men’s size 9, despite having more foam than the last version and adding rubber at the forefoot to improve grip.

Another selling point is that it’s a good-looking shoe. New Balance provides a ton of colourway options that complement the streamlined mesh upper design. The redesigned heel and tongue add comfort and a cool retro vibe to the aesthetic.

New Balance describes it as an upbeat trainer that can easily transition from long, steady runs to something swifter and more spontaneous. Basically, you’ll want to have this on your foot every time you leave the door.

Daily Trainers

The New Balance 1080 v15 takes a huge step forward in the midsole with brand‑new Infinion supercritical foam, replacing Fresh Foam X to deliver high-performance energy return at a reduced weight.

This version adds 2 mm of midsole foam to reach 40 mm in the heel, yet stands at a very reasonable 9.2 oz. (261 g) in men’s sizing and 7.3 oz. (208 g) in women’s. The v15 feels max-stack while maintaining the feel of a more traditional trainer. This shoe also manages to balance plush daily‑mileage comfort with durability and stability from a wider base.

Other updates to this version are rounded out with a more secure upper, with tons of padding in the tongue and heel collar. There’s even some reflective details to catch the light and add visibility. Overall, it should feel snug yet plush in the midfoot and toe box.

The 1080 v15 delivers an energetic daily trainer that’s light and bouncy, great for feeling good during daily miles or lighter pickups.

The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 keeps the same focus on plushness and max‑stack as the first version. There’s a towering 48 mm of Brooks’ nitrogen-infused DNA foam in the heel, with a 6-mm drop, built for runners who want maximum cushion and softness.

The trade-off for all that stack height is a little extra weight, but this fits the intended use for easy daily miles and long runs. The men’s version comes in at 11.3  oz. (320 g) and women’s at 10.2 oz. (289 g). The foam pairs with a sculpted bevel and toe spring geometries to provide smooth transitions and a stable ride.

This is a contender for one of the softest shoes on the market, and it’s perfect for absorbing the impact of your winter training.

 

 

Winter weather has arrived in Canada and the Saucony Triumph 23 GTX is the perfect trainer for this season.

The Triumph 23 GTX pairs a thick stack of responsive PWRRUN PB cushioning with Gore‑Tex Invisible Fit technology, keeping your feet warm, dry and comfortable. There’s extra protection in the outsole, as well, from redesigned XT-900 carbon rubber. The super-responsive sock liner (SRS) remains the same as the regular Triumph 23, for great comfort on step-in.

Weighing in at a very light 285 g (10.0 oz.) in a men’s 9, you’ll barely notice any extra weight from these enhancements. This is a great option to protect your feet from rain, slush and snow without sacrificing the premium cushioning you want in a daily trainer.

Stability Shoes

Brooks’s flagship stability trainer returns with a smoother ride and softer cushioning. The Adrenaline GTS 25 uses GuideRails support to keep excess motion in check without feeling restrictive, while nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam delivers plush comfort for long miles.

A beveled heel improves transitions, and the engineered mesh upper offers a secure, yet breathable, fit. Plus, at just over 301 g (10 oz.) for a men’s 9 , it’s not the lightest shoe, but its durability and dependable stability make it a go-to choice for runners logging steady mileage or building toward race day.

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 is a premium stability running shoe built for long-distance comfort and adaptive support.

It features FF Blast Plus foam in the midsole, offering cloud-like softness and responsiveness with a lighter weight and higher stack height. The 4D Guidance System provides dynamic stability by responding to excessive load, helping maintain a balanced stride throughout your run. A reinforced tongue wing adds arch support and comfort, while Rearfoot Pure Gel technology enhances shock absorption.

The engineered mesh upper improves breathability, and the knit heel pull tab makes the shoe easy to slip on and off. There’s lots of great features you might not notice right away too like reflective features around the upper to add visibility in low-light conditions and a durable rubber outsole with enough grip for any road surface.

This shoe is ideal for runners seeking reliable support with plush comfort.

The GT-2000 14 GTX is a stability shoe built for runners who won’t let cold, wet weather slow them down. Its Gore-Tex Invisible Fit upper offers seamless waterproof protection, keeping feet dry and comfortable through rain and snow. All of this comes in a package with over 50 per cent recycled content in the upper, making it a sustainable choice, too.

The FF Blast Max cushioning proves that you don’t need to wear neutral shoes to get responsive and bouncy foam. In combination with PureGel technology in the rearfoot, it makes for a soft, energized ride.

The stability comes from Asics’ 3D Guidance System, which keeps you locked in position through your stride. The outsole is very grippy, which adds stability when tackling different terrain or weather conditions.

Whether you’re logging winter miles or navigating icy sidewalks, the GT-2000 14 GTX offers warmth, traction and bounce in every step.

Trail Shoes

If you’re hunting for a trail running shoe that blends innovation with performance, the Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 is a standout. Engineered for runners who train across mixed terrain, this shoe delivers both precision and propulsion.

Its dual foam cushioning system provides a rocket-like boost to each stride, while the specially crafted outsole with 3.5 mm lugs grip confidently on unpredictable surfaces. Weighing in at just 250 g, it boasts a lightweight build with a snug, foot-hugging fit that enhances speed and control. With a moderate level of cushioning, standard width, and a 6 mm drop, it strikes a balance between comfort and responsiveness.

Though specific safety features aren’t listed, its design and materials suggest reliable support and durability on rugged trails. For runners chasing performance without sacrificing stability, the S/LAB Pulsar 4 is trail-ready and raring to go.

Brooks takes its fan‑favourite Ghost and adds in some extra padding and small lugs to create a hybrid shoe for roads and trails.

The Ghost Trail features the same nitrogen‑infused DNA Loft v3 cushioning as the original Ghost lineup, a TrailTack Green outsole with 3-mm lugs for confident grip, and a reinforced upper for durability. This might be a trail-focused model, but it keeps to the weight of a road shoe, weighing at 300 g (10.6 oz.) in a men’s size 9, an almost unnoticeable 3 per cent increase from the road-focused Ghost 17 model.

Turning to the upper, you still get the breathable air mesh of the Brooks Ghost, but with some modifications to withstand dirt and debris. This includes a toe cap and a mudguard–features that will not only keep you comfortable, but also supply the protection you need for a variety of terrain.

 

Products reviewed in this article: