'As a group of experienced fitness editors, these are our favourite running shoes from 2023'
There's no doubt that we've entered the golden age of running shoes. Footwear is lighter, more comfortable and faster than ever before, leading to quicker recovery from hard workouts, more joy on easy runs and PBs on race days.
As a gear editor – who quite literally tests running kit for a living – one of the questions I always get asked is, 'What running shoes would you recommend?'
For starters, I'd check out our comprehensive guide to the best running shoes on the market right now, which answers all your FAQs about how to choose the right pair for your feet, along with all of the top picks from our latest round of wear-testing for autumn/winter 2023. That includes shoes for beginners, overpronators and race day.
But, since it's Christmas – and Christmas is a time for giving – I've also asked the RW editors to pick their top three favourite pairs from the past year, out of more than 100 pairs we've tested. Think of it like our desert island picks from 2023. Merry Christmas!
Andy Dixon, Editor-in-Chief
On Cloudsurfer
Putting on the Cloudsurfer for the first time was a bit of a revelation – the other models in the Swiss brand’s line-up I’d run in previously tended to feel a bit firmer, but straight away I could feel this shoe, with its plush and pillowy feel from the get-go, was different. The hollow pods are positioned inside a good wedge of midsole, which translates to a wonderfully comfortable, cushioned ride. But On has pulled off that difficult balancing act of offering cushioning and lightness without sacrificing a ‘poppy’ ride – it doesn’t feel overly mushy, and it’s a shoe that responds when you want to push the pace a bit, with the rocker midsole profile gently encouraging you to run from your mid and forefoot.
Saucony Triumph 21
Saucony’s top-of-the-range neutral cushioned shoe has been my go-to choice for long runs and easy miles this year. It’s not classed as a maximal shoe, but with 37mm of Pwrrun+ midsole foam underneath your heel, it feels like one on the move. As you'd expect, the cushioning is great, but what I also liked was how smoothly the shoe rolls through during footstrike. It feels like it offer a good amount of bounce for a plateless shoe, and for something with a high heel height it feels stable when cornering or on uneven ground, thanks to the wider midsole shape in the forefoot. Helps me tick off my long miles with ease.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11
Not counting local parks, where I live it’s about four miles to the nearest proper trail routes, which means I prefer trail shoes that can handle the rougher stuff when required but also not feel too clumpy on the pavement on the way there. For me, this shoe hits that sweet spot. It weighs a shade over 300g, which, while not super light for a road shoe, is fine for a trail model with good underfoot cushioning and a rock plate. They feel well cushioned on the pavement, but when you take them off-road they come into their own – the grip is great and they’re comfortable, with the foot securely encased inside the padded tongue and ankle collar.
Ali Ball, ecommerce editor
On Cloudstratus 3
I like my daily trainers to come with a lively ‘pop’ and, for me, the Cloudstratus 3 is one of the best pairs I’ve ran in this year. Soft underfoot with an explosive take-off, it manages to strike the ideal balance between being comfortable yet energetic. These are great on tired legs for recovery miles, but respond equally well to an increase in pace, making them fun for longer runs with some marathon pace or tempo thrown in the mix.
Asics Superblast
Faced with a mountain of running shoes (seriously, I’m going to need to move house at this rate) I’ve found myself reaching for the Superblast again and again this year. And for a very similar reason to the Cloudstratus 3. The do-it-all lovechild of the Novablast and Metaspeed Sky/Edge racing models, the Superblast provides the perfect balance of comfort, softness, responsiveness and efficiency – all without a carbon plate. It’s forgiving on weary, tired legs, but it’s also capable of pushing you along on harder efforts. My absolute go-to for the Sunday long run.
Nike Alphafly 3
Okay, so this shoe technically doesn’t hit the physical or online shelves until 4 January 2024, but I’ve been lucky enough to test it ahead of release and I’m a huge fan already. Everything I loved about the Alphafly 2 – namely the lightness and propulsion – is still here in the latest iteration, but it feels a lot more stable underfoot and that midfoot irritation I'd get over longer races seems to have been eradicated with some additional padding. Don't worry about added weight, though – the Alphafly 3 is lighter than ever. My winner for interval training over the past few weeks.
Rick Pearson, Senior Editor
Nike Dragonfly ZoomX
The bright pink shoe that lit up this year’s World Champs has been given a more pedestrian outing on the feet of yours truly. With its Pebax plate and ZoomX foam, it’s essentially the track equivalent of the Nike Vaporfly. I loved wear the Dragonfly at my local track and could feel a definite sense of propulsion, particularly when I pushed the pace. Surprisingly, given their weight (125g), there’s a decent amount of cushioning too, making them a spike you can wear for longer reps and track races. Its price point is likely to deter all but the most dedicated PB hunters, but if you are in the market for marginal gains, then look no further.
Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 V2
I’ve long been a fan of Inov-8 trail shoes, particularly the Mudclaw, so was keen to try the Trailfly 270 GV2. It didn’t disappoint. In essence, it’s an impressively versatile shoe with enough cushioning for long runs but with a zero-drop, fast-feeling appeal. I’ve used them for speed sessions and long runs alike, across a variety of distances. As you’d expect from Inov-8, the grip is excellent, too. If you’re unfamiliar or adverse to zero-drop shoes, you may want to look elsewhere. For the rest of us, the Trailfly should be hovering high up the wish-list.
Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra 270
This shoe has been out for a couple of years but it's still available (at a very affordable price), so it makes the list. If you only have the budget, or inclination, to own one pair of running shoes, this should be it. Relatively lightweight, but still cushioned enough for longer miles; comfortable without being too pillowy; and sleek and stylish (particularly by trail shoe standards). The Speed Ultra has become my go-to trail shoe for almost any off-road task – from casual outings to race day.
Rachel Boswell, senior content writer
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13
A fail-safe, foot-comforting, ‘can’t go wrong’ companion for my regular runs, including the longest runs in my most recent marathon training block. Secure and dependable, these road shoes also serve me surprisingly well when I slip (often unintentionally) off the beaten track onto more trail-like surfaces. In short, would wear again – many, many times.
Puma Deviate Nitro 2
Having never worn Puma shoes before this year, I’m skyrocketing the Deviate Nitro 2 to a podium position. Perhaps assisted by my initial naivety and lower expectations, I’ve been really impressed by the lightness, comfort and propulsive power of these shoes. I love them for my slightly faster everyday runs, with the subtle carbon composite plate adding a bit of zest.
Nike Vaporfly 3
Further along the carbon plate spectrum is my next choice: the Nike Vaporfly 3. Yes, we’ve all heard of this one – the third iteration of the OG super shoe. But without meaning to sound like a sheep, I genuinely rate this shoe, which has carried me through two marathons this year – including a PB performance – with zero pain. (This was a much-needed remedy after my feet woefully fell foul of the Alphafly 2, despite my firm affection for the first Alphafly in the series.)
Kate Carter, commissioning editor
Hoka Rocket X2
I'll be honest: I didn't expect much from these shoes. I was not a fan of the first Rocket X, and expected more of the underwhelming same. Boy was I wrong. The Rocket X2 is not an update of the first; it's a complete reinvention and a brilliant one at that. The energy return from the dual density PEBA-foam is an absolute joy, right up there with some of the more famous supershoe names. When you get up to race pace, the bounce and explosive energy is absolutely brilliant. And what's more, while the carbon plate gives most propulsion when you get up on your forefoot, they are stable enough to feel a joy at any pace.
Adidas Adios Pro 3
Recently I had to finally admit it was time to throw away – well, responsibly recycle – my old Adios Pro 1s, which have done so many miles they were in danger of becoming the world's lowest stack supershoe. The third iteration of the Pros have moved a fair way from the originals but I still absolutely love them and they are my race day shoe of choice. The propulsion you get from the energy rods and foam combo is just a dream. I think roads work better for me than the plates – they just feel more agile and less slappy. Unlike the Hoka Rocket X2, these are definitely shoes to save for smooth road races – they aren't the most stable of shoes but they are, for me, the fastest. Though when I win the lottery, I expect I'll be upgrading to the £400 Adios Pro Evo 1...
Asics Novablast 4
I've had these shoes for a whole four days so you could reasonably say this is a bit of a hot take. However, I have loved every iteration of the Novablast and 20 miles in, these certainly don't seem to be an exception. The Novablasts have always been a dream of a shoe for long runs and easy runs – and the fourth version have a bit more pep, so you can even throw in some pacier stuff. They last forever too. The v4 feel a bit firmer than the previous Novablasts, which may divide opinion but personally I think it means they work really well if you do pick up speed. This is essentially a bouncy, maximal cushioned, daily running shoe that can cope with pretty much anything – and is super comfortable from the get-go.
Ben Hobson, multiplatform editor
Saucony Endorphin Elite
I did a video about this shoe and why I really rate it, which you can watch here, but this shoe ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to race day performance. They offer a great fit, they’re super comfy, lightweight, have heaps of propulsion and feel fast. On the sliding scale of midsole squidge with large stack shoes, they’re towards the firmer end and I like that. Really soft foam leaves my legs feeling somewhat jaded after a while, whereas when I’m racing in these shoes, all negative sensations at the end came from my own weakness and not that of the shoe.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3
Far from what I would normally choose for trail runs, these maximal trail shoes from New Balance have been a bit of a revelation this year. A big stack height on technical trails sometimes isn’t the greatest combo, but these shoes have been providing me with comfort and grip on longer trail runs and I’ve been impressed. The outsole is Vibram rubber, a reliable pair of hands when it comes to grip, and the upper features elements like a really robust heel counter that help the shoe feel less big than they are. I like them so much they’ve made it on to my would-wear-to-race-in list, hallowed ground for any shoe.
Adidas Takumi Sen 10
Technically a shoe for next year, I got my hands on a pair recently and was immediately excited and nervous. When brands meddle with shoes that you really like, it’s always a worry that what they’re changing will ruin that fondness. The changes to the Adidas Takumi Sen were significant enough on paper that they had me worried, but I shouldn’t have been. Version nine was my go-to shoe for shorter races and faster training and the 10th version will be the same. The updated energy rods combined with that familiar smaller slice of Lightstrike Pro foam provides a snappy and responsive ride that makes me feel like I’m charging along, running with power and grace, even when the splits suggest otherwise.
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