Best Road-Running Shoes 2023: Tested

Saucony managed to make a great shoe even better. The Endorphin Speed 3 fit our mojo whether we were racing on Saturday, enduring tempo runs on Tuesday, or going long on Friday. And so much, that we crowned it an Editors' Choice Award Winner in 2023. The brand widened the base in both the heel and the forefoot, increasing stability for daily runs but leaving the weight the same as the previous iteration, keeping the featherweight svelte enough for speed days. The Endorphin Speed 3 still has a flexible nylon plate, but Saucony also added lateral wings to uptick the stability to work alongside the soft foam midsole. 

Speaking of which: Our testers loved the forgiving PWRRUN PB, Saucony’s foam midsole that’s mixed with a rubbery elastomer for added pep and durability. One self-described “plodder” proclaimed his kicks “bouncy” after a track workout in Arkansas. Another Colorado-based, 8-minute miler agreed: “They’ve got some propulsion.” 

The breathable mesh upper performs exactly as hoped, and our wide-footed brethren reported “total comfort” with the slightly expanded forefoot width. These don’t have Altra-style spacious toe boxes, but they’ll make most feet happy. Turns out, we don’t need to always fear change!

Watch: REI senior store manager Alan Ortega reviews the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 on the Run with REI Co-op YouTube Channel. 

Everybody loves a good underdog story, and the Mach 5 has one of the best. Prior to last year, practically no one knew about this shoe and now it’s one of our favorite picks as a daily trainer thanks to this trifecta of perfection: it’s comfortable, it’s lightweight, and it’s cushioned. HOKA managed to slash weight by forgoing a standard rubber outsole in favor of a layer of rubberized EVA foam. This sits beneath a stacked layer of Profly+ foam that one of our Colorado testers called “quite lively” after her first 20 miles in the shoes. These aren’t as soft as other HOKA shoes (like the Cliftons below) so they’re snappy enough for daily jaunts and speedy tempo upticks.

The Mach 5 also fits like a dream. The new mesh upper is lighter and more breathable than before, and the gusseted tongue is thinner so it doesn’t feel bulky against your ankle. One of our bunion-laden testers is convinced the toe box is a bit roomier too: “Just enough room to spread my toes but still a secure fit through the midfoot,” she reports.

Unlike the Endorphin Speed 3 shoes (above), there isn’t any plate so we noticed that the pickup is a bit sluggish (but they also feel a touch softer). We also have durability concerns thanks to the lack of rubber outsole, especially for those who occasionally venture onto gritty terrain.

Read more: Still mulling over the HOKA Mach 5? For more perspective, check out runner Kamilah Journét's in-depth review here.

If you’re ready to cruise with the elements on your side, reach for the Hyperion Tempos and their nitrogen-infused midsole. Like every other shoe brand out there, Brooks took the basic EVA-foam midsole and added their own twist: small injected nitrogen cells to slash weight and increase energy return, especially during speed workouts like tempo runs. But, don’t expect plushness. Our Montana tester loved the firm toe-off: “They feel a bit stiff but I snagged a 7-second PR at my local 5K!”

Brooks keeps the weight low by ditching added support and overlays on the upper, creating a streamlined and breathable mesh that hugs your foot. The secure lockdown helps with propulsion—“I couldn’t run away from these shoes if I tried!”—but also creates a snugger toe box than some testers preferred. “Once I hit double digit mileage, I worried my pinky toe would pop through the side,” explains our Washington runner who averages 50-mile weeks. Bummer: The thin, stretchy laces slide around more than we’d prefer.

Although highly competitive runners may still wish for a carbon-plated shoe to reach that upper echelon of ultralight speediness on race day, we’ll still put our money on the Hyperion Tempo as a fast workhorse. Bonus: It’ll save a few pennies in your wallet, too.

For the heroes among us whose recovery days include a couple miles at an easy pace, the Ultraboost 22 is for you. Foam upon foam creates a thick midsole built with adidas’s special Boost technology: thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) particles formed into cells around tiny air pockets. These pellets work with the plastic midsole shank to create noticeable rebound with every step rather than marshmallowy-soft cushioning. The slight rocker gently guides even the worst of heel strikers toward the forefoot, creating a perfect blend of easy, forward motion that feels great on tired legs. 

Thanks to the brand’s Parley Ocean Plastic program, the seamless knit upper is made from recycled plastic and polyester. While many shoes proclaim a “sock-like fit,” we’re here to say that the Ultraboost does hug your feet like a favorite pair of cozy stockings. Of course, that comes with a tradeoff: “They are almost too much like a sock,” reports our Maryland tester who is training for the Honolulu Marathon. “I could barely wiggle my toes with such a low-volume toe box.”

The dense midsole and luxe upper materials add to the weight of the Ultraboost; these kicks aren’t meant for speed work. But, if you’re out to physically (and mentally) recover from yesterday’s long run, we think the easy gait more than makes up for a few extra ounces.

Read more: Want to learn more about the Ultraboost 22? I dig more into my own experience with the shoe in this review.

Color us surprised. Though its funky tubular sole and the word “cloud” in its name scream “plush and lush,” we discovered a firm-yet-snappy ride with just a hint of cushioning that proved to be perfection for testers running over 10 miles. Unlike all the other shoes in this guide, the On Cloudflyer uses 12 total rubber pods underneath the foam midsole on each shoe, with two especially large pods beneath the heel. These compress upon impact to absorb external force before locking into place and creating a firm-yet-smooth surface from which to rebound. End result: energy efficiency. “I alternated between my natural heel strike and midfoot strike, and the difference is noticeable,” reports one Colorado tester training for a half marathon. “It’s tough to get up on your toes.” Speed won’t be your friend, but staying back and easy will be.

Like a sandwich, there are layers to the Cloudflyer. Just above the EVA foam midsole sits the brand’s trademark polypropylene board that adds stiffness and springiness. This makes the heel transition a bit rough during faster runs, but if you’re settling into a longer ride, you’ll barely notice.  

On keeps the Cloudflyers at a manageable weight with strategically placed rubber, but the exposed hollow channels gobble up more rocks than we could count. Fit note: On shoes run tight in the toe so consider sizing up a half size.

When a shoe is on its twenty-second version, you know it's a fan-favorite. “I was running in these shoes in college!” raves one tester. The Adrenaline GTS 22 (GTS stands for go-to support) is still a crowd favorite among runners seeking stability and a workhorse of a shoe for long and easy runs. With the 22, Brooks swapped in a 100% DNA Loft midsole, a plush mixture of EVA foam, rubber and air. The shoe still has guide rails on either side to prevent overpronating or supinating, but the lack of a real medial post keeps them soft underfoot. The engineered mesh upper is also breathable and adds additional structure to the forefoot than previous iterations.