Top 10 shoes our testers are loving in October
We tested tons of great shoes this year, but only the very best make the list
Our expert testers go through a lot of shoes, but we’ve narrowed it down to the 10 best. Each month we’ll update this list with our absolute favourites in four categories, including race day or speedwork shoes, daily trainers, stability shoes and trail shoes. This way, you can build your perfect shoe rotation.
Every runner is different, but we loved these shoes and hope that you will too.
Race Day or Speedwork Shoes
Brooks Hyperion 2
A fast, lightweight, neutral shoe
The updated Hyperion 2 now features a nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 foam midsole that’s lighter and delivers a more responsive ride. Brooks has also increased the amount of midsole foam (the stack height is now 4 mm greater – 26 mm at the heel and 18 mm at the forefoot), resulting in improved cushioning. Up top, the Hyperions 2 uses a lightweight and highly breathable mesh upper that provides excellent ventilation and a comfortable foot-conforming fit. For the outsole, Brooks specs its RoadTack Rubber compound that’s light, durable, and offers solid grip. If you are looking for a light and responsive shoe for speedwork or racing, check out the Hyperion 2.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2
A carbon-plated race day supershoe
With its highly-bevelled heel, aggressive rocker shape and propulsive carbon plate, the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 is a great choice for competitive mid- to forefoot strikers. The eye-catching midsole consists of Mizuno Enerzy Lite+ foam on top, a carbon-infused nylon plate in the middle and a final layer of Enerzy Lite foam on the bottom. The combination results in exceptional cushioning without sacrificing the snappy ride runners demand when racing. The midsole works with the shoes’ aggressive Smooth Speed Assist geometry, encouraging a quicker turnover. For the upper, Mizuno specs a lightweight and highly breathable engineered mesh that is bolstered with an internal midfoot reinforcement, which helps maintain the foot over the midsole. Unlike other supershoes that avoid extensive outsole rubber, the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 features a full, thin outsole that ensures excellent long-term durability without excessive weight. From a numbers perspective, the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 has a 36 mm forefoot stack with a 38 mm heel, resulting in a 2 mm drop. While these shoes may not be a top choice for more casual training runs, if you are a midfoot striker looking to set a PB at your next race, you need to check out the Wave Rebellion Pro 2.
Salomon Spectur 2
Propulsive and bouncy race shoe with stability features
SPECTUR 2 is an exclusive race-day attitude in an inclusive, superfast training shoe. It’s all about the explosive energy of a full-length glass fiber plate combined with a game-changing stability for confidence and PB-breaking staying power. A unique sole geometry and bouncy foam midsole ensure optimized transitions and fluid ground time.
Daily Trainers
Hoka Skyward X
Supremely cushioned carbon trainer
This shoe will practically do your runs for you. The Skyward X is a luxurious max-cushion trainer that will make your runs feel effortless. Don’t look here if you want something minimalist, because it has all the bells and whistles. That includes 48 mm of foam in the heel for men and 46 mm for women, comprised of three different materials working together to provide a comfortable and efficient ride. That’s way more cushy foam than the 40 mm limit set by World Athletics, but unless you plan on competing as an elite, this won’t be an issue. The midsole features a convex carbon-fibre plate that compresses and springs back with every stride. A highly resilient PEBA foam sits closest to your foot for lively, cloud-like cushioning, while a supercritical EVA provides a stable base below. Above that, the knit upper and tapered heel collar in the upper come together to give this shoe a premium feel.
Saucony Triumph 22
Smooth and protective daily trainer
The Saucony Triumph 22 is a classic trainer with some noticeable upgrades for a premium fit and feel. It has 37 mm of Saucony’s lightweight PWRRUN PB midsole beneath a padded upper that’s comfortable enough to wear all day. The midsole is the same as what Saucony uses in their up-tempo trainers (like the Endorphin Speed and Pro to give this shoe a smooth ride, and the engineered mesh upper wraps nicely around your foot). This is the shoe you’ll want to use to eat up all your easy and recovery miles and you might even leave it on afterward, it feels so good.
On Cloudmonster 2
A maximal cushioning daily trainer
The dramatic-looking Cloudmonster 2 delivers exceptional cushioning for daily training and longer runs. Built on a substantial dual-density Helion foam midsole with huge CloudTec pods and a nylon Speedboard propulsion insert, the Cloudmonster 2 delivers a plush, protective ride without feeling sluggish. The shoe features a 6 mm drop, making it a viable option for a wide range of runners. ON has updated the upper with a new premium-looking engineered mesh that does a good job of providing ventilating while also ensuring a secure locked-in fit. It’s worth noting that the toe box is exceptionally roomy–a major win for runners with wide feet. Finally, the outsole is significantly more durable than what was used in the original Cloudmonster.
Stability Shoes
Salomon DRX Bliss
A stability shoe with plenty of cushioning
Unlike traditional stability shoes that employ ridgid posts and plastic inserts to control excessive pronation, the Drx Bliss achieves the same goal with its innovative, vibrant orange Active Chassis panels. These firmer panels are sandwiched in the centre of the Energy Foam midsole and provide exceptional linear stability and control without compromising the shoe’s cushioning or responsiveness. The midsole clocks in at 34 mm in the heel and 26 mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 9 mm drop–a sweet spot for many heel-striking runners. For the upper, Salomon has used an engineered mesh with overlays and mated it to a midfoot lacing system that provides an exceptional locked-in fit. Larger runners seeking a nimble stability shoe will appreciate the Drx Bliss.
Asics Gel Cumulus 26
A competitively priced, highly cushioned daily training shoe
With its PureGEL cushioning in the heel and new FluidRide outsole (more on this later), the Gel Cumulus 26 delivers the plush ride that many runners have come to expect from this classic neutral cushioning shoe. In this iteration, Asics has employed a new FluidRide outsole that consists of an EVA and rubber blend. This outsole provides greater cushioning than traditional rubber outsoles while retaining better durability than conventional exposed foam soles. Cushioning is further enhanced thanks to the shoe’s generous stack height: 37.5 mm in the heel and 29.5 mm in the forefoot for the women’s model, while the men’s features 38.5 mm in the heel and 30.5 mm in the forefoot. For the upper, Asics has updated the Gel Cumulus with an engineered mesh that offers better abrasion resistance and improved fit. If you are looking for a versatile well-cushioned shoe for daily training that won’t break the bank, consider the Gel Cumulus 26.
Trail Shoes
Salomon Sense Ride 5
A versatile, all-around trail running shoe
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.
Altra Olympus 6
A versatile trail running shoe with a unique fit
Altra has built a reputation for producing zero-drop shoes with a particularly wide forefoot shape, and the Olympus 6 continues with this tradition. Built with a compression-moulded EVA foam midsole that has a 33 mm stack at the heel and forefoot, the Olympus 6 provides the plush ride and cushioning that many trail runners seek. The shoe also showcases Altra’s original FootShape Fit, which consists of a roomy forefoot shape that allows your foot to splay out naturally as you run. Altra specs a Vibram Megagrip outsole that delivers exceptional traction in dry and wet conditions as well as loose terrain. If you like zero-drop shoes, prefer a roomy forefoot fit, and want a versatile trail running shoe, check out the Olympus 6.
Products reviewed in this article:
Brooks Hyperion 2
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2
Salomon Spectur 2
Hoka Skyward X
Saucony Triumph 22
On Cloudmonster 2
Salomon DRX Bliss
Asics Gel Cumulus 26
Salomon Sense Ride 5
Altra Olympus 6