Independent · Never sponsored

Shoes for Running

The running shoes we have assessed, from max-cushion neutral trainers to genuine motion control. Every page states its evidence tier at the top: none of these has been on our bench yet, so the figures are the brand's own unless the review names another source. Where a published drop and an independent lab measurement disagree, we show both.

Wear Tested Bench Tested Spec Analysis

32 shoes published · Updated 11 Oct 2026

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All reviews: Running

Altra

Altra Paradigm 8

Spec Analysis

Zero-drop, wide toe box with a medial GuideRail — not yet tested.

$170Not scoredM/W: Regular, Wide (2E)
Altra

Altra Torin 9

Spec Analysis

Zero-drop daily trainer with the widest toe box in the category — not yet tested.

$160Not scoredM/W: Regular, Wide (2E)
ASICS

ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28

Spec Analysis

Light neutral gel trainer, 8 mm drop, 4E available at $145 — not yet tested.

$145Not scoredM/W: Standard, 2E, 4E
ASICS

ASICS Gel-Kayano 32

Spec Analysis

Untested. Published figures that hold up in the lab - drop and retailer stack heights within 1.4 mm of it.

$165Not scoredMedium, Wide, X-Wide (men)
ASICS

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28

Spec Analysis

Max-cushion neutral, 8 mm drop, lighter than the 27 — not yet tested.

$170Not scoredM: D/2E/4E · W: 2A/B/D
ASICS

ASICS GT-2000 15

Spec Analysis

Light, soft, geometry-guided stability at 8 mm drop — not yet tested.

$150Not scoredM: D/2E/4E · W: 2A/B/D
ASICS

ASICS Novablast 5

Spec Analysis

Bouncy high-stack neutral. ASICS publishes an 8 mm drop and neither stack height — not yet tested.

Not scoredStandard / Wide / Extra Wide
Brooks

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Spec Analysis

Untested. A 13.5 mm measured drop makes this one of the highest-drop mainstream trainers on sale - which is the point, not a flaw.

$140Not scoredNarrow, Medium, Wide, X-Wide
Brooks

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

Spec Analysis

On an independent lab’s calipers the drop fell 3.3 mm from the GTS 24 and the midsole went from firm to soft — a different prescription, not a refresh. Not tested by…

$155Not scoredNarrow, Normal, Wide, X-Wide
Brooks

Brooks Ghost 17

Spec Analysis

Untested. Unusually accurate published figures - drop and retailer stack heights within 0.7 mm of the lab, weight within 3 g.

$150Not scoredNarrow, Medium, Wide, X-Wide
Brooks

Brooks Ghost 18

Spec Analysis

Brooks publishes a 10 mm drop; a lab measured 12.2 mm. Four widths. Not tested by us.

$150Not scoredNarrow, Normal, Wide, X-Wide
Brooks

Brooks Ghost Max 4

Spec Analysis

Rockered max-cushion neutral, 6 mm drop, orthotic-friendly fit — not yet tested.

$165Not scoredM: D/2E/4E · W: B/D/2E
Brooks

Brooks Glycerin 23

Spec Analysis

Brooks cut the drop from 10 mm to 8 mm and raised the price to $175; an independent lab’s stack figures land within about 1 mm of Brooks’. Not tested by us.

$175Not scoredM: D/2E
HOKA

HOKA Arahi 8

Spec Analysis

Light H-Frame stability at 8 mm drop, three widths — not yet tested.

$150Not scoredM/W: Regular, Wide, X-Wide
HOKA

HOKA Bondi 9

Spec Analysis

Untested. HOKA states a 5 mm drop; an independent lab measured 9.1 mm, and the forefoot stack is nearly 6 mm off the published figure.

$175Not scoredM/W: Regular, Wide, X-Wide
HOKA

HOKA Clifton 10

Spec Analysis

Untested. HOKA states an 8 mm drop; an independent lab measured 12.4 mm - one of the largest published-to-measured gaps we have logged.

$150Not scoredRegular, Wide, X-Wide (men)
HOKA

HOKA Clifton 11

Spec Analysis

HOKA’s product page carries a podiatric seal claim the APMA database does not support for this version, and a women’s stack height that contradicts HOKA’s own drop. Not tested by us.

$155Not scoredRegular, Wide, X-Wide
HOKA

HOKA Gaviota 6

Spec Analysis

HOKA's most supportive road shoe, 6 mm drop, $180 — not yet tested.

$180Not scoredM/W: Regular, Wide, X-Wide
HOKA

HOKA Mach 6

Spec Analysis

Lower, firmer neutral HOKA. HOKA publishes a 5 mm drop and neither stack height — not yet tested.

Not scored
HOKA

HOKA Mach 7

Spec Analysis

HOKA’s firmer, low-profile model: a published 5 mm drop, 8.37 oz and $145, with everything else still unmeasured. Not tested by us.

$145Not scoredRegular and Wide
New Balance

New Balance 1080v15

Spec Analysis

New Balance publishes a 6 mm drop, 261 g and a new Infinion midsole, with men’s 4E and women’s 2E widths; nothing measured yet. Not tested by us.

$169.99Not scoredM: D/2E/4E · W: B/D/2E
New Balance

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1540v4

Spec Analysis

Made-in-USA motion control, ROLLBAR post, 4 mm drop, widths to 6E — not yet tested.

$199.99Not scoredM: D/EE/4E/6E
New Balance

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15

Spec Analysis

Heavy, plated stability in four widths — not yet tested.

$149.99Not scoredM: B/D/2E/4E · W: 2A/B/D/2E
New Balance

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15

Spec Analysis

Neutral, tall, four widths, 6 mm drop — not yet tested.

$149.99Not scoredM: B/D/2E/4E · W: 2A/B/D/2E
New Balance

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6

Spec Analysis

New Balance's tallest shoe, 38 mm forefoot, 4 mm drop, APMA seal — not yet tested.

$159.99Not scoredM: D/2E/4E · W: B/D/2E
On

On Cloudmonster 3

Spec Analysis

Max-cushion rocker with a plate and hollow Clouds, 6 mm drop, $190 — not yet tested.

$190Not scoredM: D/2E · W: D
Saucony

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Spec Analysis

Light plated neutral trainer. Saucony publishes both stack heights and they match its 8 mm drop — not yet tested.

$175Not scoredRegular / Wide
Saucony

Saucony Guide 19

Spec Analysis

Sidewall stability at 6 mm drop, three widths — not yet tested.

$150Not scoredM/W: Regular, Wide, Extra Wide
Saucony

Saucony Ride 19

Spec Analysis

Light neutral daily trainer, 8 mm drop, wider base than the 18 — not yet tested.

$144.95Not scoredM: D/2E · W: B/D
Saucony

Saucony Triumph 24

Spec Analysis

Saucony publishes the full stack — 43 mm heel, 33 mm forefoot, 10 mm offset, 8.8 oz — on its new incrediLUX foam. Not tested by us.

$170Not scoredRegular and Wide
Skechers

Skechers Aero Burst

Spec Analysis

Skechers publishes a 6 mm drop; an independent lab measured 8.8 mm. Not tested by us.

$155Not scoredMedium only in the lace-up (style…
Read this first

What each tier is allowed to claim

The tier on a page governs what we are willing to say about the shoe. We would rather publish a smaller number than imply we measured something we did not.

Wear Tested

Measured, then worn

Weighed and measured on the bench, then worn for recorded miles on recorded surfaces. Scored on all nine criteria. The only tier eligible for the seal.

Bench Tested

Measured, not yet worn

Physically weighed, measured and stress-tested for stability, but not worn far enough to judge comfort over distance or durability. Carries measurements and an Orthotic Volume Rating — no overall score.

Spec Analysis

Not in our hands

A podiatrist's reading of the manufacturer's published specification, plus what the clinical literature says about that construction. No score and no seal, on purpose.

Read the full method

No brand has ever paid for a score

No sponsorship, no gifted-shoe quid pro quo, no paid placement. Where we earn a commission, the link says so and the score does not change.