Top 10 shoes our testers are loving in May

With its sophisticated midsole and minimalist upper, the S/Lab Phantasm 2 is clearly optimized for competitive racing and fast workouts. Salomon has spec’d a bouncy peba foam midsole and a full-length carbon-fibre plate, resulting in the responsive and highly propulsive ride that competitive runners demand. The addition of an aggressive rocker only further encourages a faster roll-through. The minimalist upper is similarly focused on speed and provides a snug, foot-hugging fit while avoiding superfluous padding and overlays; it’s an excellent example of “less is more.” From a numbers angle, the S/LAB Phantasm 2 comes in at a feathery 219 g, has a 35-mm heel stack, a 26-mm forefoot stack, and a 9-mm drop. This last dimension may be worth noting if you are a runner who prefers less drop. Otherwise, if you are looking to add a super shoe to your footwear quiver, make sure you check out the S/LAB Phantasm 2.

Runners who are looking to improve their PB or just want a fast training shoe should seriously consider the Rebellion Flash 2. The shoe features a glass fibre-reinforced wave plate that’s sandwiched between an upper layer of soft PEBA-based foam and a bottom layer of firmer Mizuno Enerzy foam. This construction delivers incredible energy return and responsiveness while retaining the durability required for fast daily training. Up top, Mizuno has updated the upper for an improved fit and less weight. From a numbers perspective, the Rebellion Flash 2 has a 0.5 mm drop with a 35 mm heel height and a 34.5 mm forefoot stack. Clearly, these numbers are not ideal for heel-strikers, but if you are a midfoot/forefoot runner wanting super shoe performance at a reasonable price, check out the Rebellion Flash 2.

Daily Trainers

The Fuelcell Rebel v4 delivers the fun ride from previous versions with 34mm of New Balance’s FuelCell technology. This creates a responsive underfoot experience with a good balance between cushioning and a lightweight feel coming in at 7.5 oz in a men’s size 9.

This is a versatile trainer with a combined EVA and PEBA base midsole that can easily be used for easy runs, long runs, or faster workouts and races. New balance added a wider base to give it more stability and a slightly higher stack keeps it feeling good on longer runs. Additional features like a streamlined mesh upper and no-sew synthetic are race-inspired to give you a fast feel. This is a fun shoe that feels fast the moment you put it on.

The New Balance 1080 V14 is the shoe you’ll want to put on to cruise through daily miles or as a do-it-all covering different paces. The Fresh Foam X midsole cushioning is built for smooth transitions from landing to push-off, while a soft premium upper provides support and breathability.  

There’s 38 mm of soft Fresh Foam X to cushion your stride, and, combined with the rocker design, the shoe still feels as lively as ever. Updates to v14 compared to its predecessor include a more breathable triple jacquard mesh upper and an updated outsole with additional rubber to provide traction and durability through winter training. 

Everyday running meets supreme comfort with this workhorse shoe that you’ll want to put tons of miles on.

With its dual-cell, nitrogen-infused foam midsole, the Glycerin Max delivers exceptional cushioning without compromising the responsiveness you need when you pick up the pace. The shoe achieves these seemingly contradictory qualities with its unique dual-sized cell construction in the midsole. Larger cells are used in the heel for better cushioning, while smaller cells in the forefoot provide surprisingly responsive toe-offs. The addition of a Brooks GlideRoll Rocker geometry adds to the overall responsive feel by encouraging smooth and fast transitions. For the upper, Brooks has employed a tried-and-true engineered triple jacquard textile that securely hugs your foot while allowing for excellent breathability. As you would expect with a maximal shoe, the Glycerin Max has a very generous 45.25-mm heel stack and a 39.25-mm forefoot stack, resulting in 6 mm of drop. If you are in the market for a maximalist training shoe that does not sacrifice responsiveness, check out the Glycerin Max.

The Ride 18 by Saucony is a reliable daily trainer that will suit most types of runners. It comes with 35 mm of Saucony’s durable PWRRUN+ foam and lots of padding on the heel collar to keep your feet feeling good from the time you lace up until you finish your run. 

Runners of all sizes will love the pliable engineered mesh upper that fits like a glove and provides a secure lockdown. Increased XT-900 coverage in the outsole gives this version more protection and durability than its predecessors. This is the ideal shoe to cruise through daily miles while training for any distance on the roads. 

Stability Shoes

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 could easily be used for trail races or light hiking and perform well at both. It’s super grippy and responsive, even on technical terrain, thanks to 5mm lugs in a package weighs less than 10 oz (9.8 oz in a men’s size 9).

The shoe combines the cushioning of prior models with revised lug orientation for better grip and a totally revamped upper. The more breathable woven upper material and internal support chassis will keep you locked in on uneven terrains. Hoka says on their website the lug configuration is inspired by the hoof of a goat, because why not. This is a true workhorse of a shoe that will work for a lot of runners.

The Adrenaline GTS 24 by Brooks manages to provide the structure you expect in a stability without sacrificing on comfort and soft cushioning. It uses the brand’s GuideRails to reduce excess motion and comes with a mesh upper for breathability. This workhorse will cover any type of run with enough stability to keep your stride smooth along the way. 

True to previous versions of Brooks models, it has a 12 mm heel-to-toe drop and a blend of soft and dynamic cushioning that offers a smooth feeling with each step. It’s also good for eco-conscious runners, coming in at 62.7 per cent recycled materials in the upper.  

Trail Shoes

With the current iteration of the Sense Ride, Salomon has upped the cushioning with an Energy Foam midsole while still retaining the responsive ride that runners appreciated in the fourth edition of this shoe. Underfoot Salomon has spec’d its All Terrain Contagrip outsole with 3.5 mm lugs for solid and consistent traction in a variety of wet and rocky trail conditions. Salomon also includes a Profeel Film in the forefoot for additional foot protection against rocks and roots. Up top, the Sense Ride 5 has a breathable 3D mesh upper, as well as Salomon’s Quicklace closure. This time-tested combination provides a secure, foot-hugging fit that inspires confidence when running on challenging trails. Finally, the Sense 5, with its 21.3 mm forefoot stack height and 29.6 mm heel stack, offers an 8 mm drop, which many consider to be the sweet spot for most runners.

The Trabuco Max 4 from Asics is stated by the brand to help navigate trails with less effort. We can see why, given it reaches the World Athletics limit on stack height, coming in at 40 mm and only a 5 mm toe drop. The shoe’s FF Blast™ Plus Eco foam ensures ultra-comfortable landings, and the Asicsgrip outsole provides incredible grip during varying weather conditions or terrain. 

The Trabuco Max 4 also has a comfortable EVA sockliner and breathable jacquard mesh upper. All of these elements contribute to the premium feel. It’s also to reduce shock absorption on landings and take the pressure off smaller toes on the outside of the foot. The upper is entirely made of recycled materials, making it possibly the most sustainable shoe on this list.  

Products reviewed in this article: