Marlovits says this shoe, along with the New Balance 860, Asics GT-2000, and Hoka Clifton, tend to check off all the right needs for most runners, including being supportive, cushioned, flexible, lightweight, and durable.
Best everyday sneaker: On Cloudmonster
Look down at any race or airport, and you’re bound to see a pair of On running shoes on someone’s feet, as the Swiss brand has become one of the trendiest shoes on the market. On Athletic Club’s Oliver Hoare, who is also a track-and-field Olympian, wears On’s Cloudmonster shoe for general running. “This shoe has changed the game in cushion, support, and stability,” he says. “It is the Swiss army knife of training shoes for professional athletes and joggers.”
He’s taken the shoes from trails to city streets in every kind of weather, as well as various lengths, from 8- to 20-mile runs. “With the amount of mileage and strain I put on my body, I am able to get back a lot from each run by wearing the Cloudmonster,” he adds. One of his most memorable runs in them was a “killer” 19-mile run with American Olympian Joe Klecker and New Zealand world championship representative George Beamish on the “hilly dirt roads” of Tom Watson Park and Boulder Reservoir in Colorado, maintaining an under-six-minute-mile pace.
Most versatile running shoe: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14
New Balance athlete and Peloton instructor Selena Samuela can jump from running to strength-training in an instant in this New Balance classic. “If you’re going somewhere and only have space for one pair of shoes, it has to be the 1080,” she says, adding that she especially loves the superior underfoot cushioning and range of color options.
“The Fresh Foam sneaker allows me to solely focus on the meditative act of running as the shoe itself is so comfortable it doesn’t distract from the experience,” Samuela says. “Additionally, I’m always looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious, and the Fresh Foam meets New Balance’s green leaf standard.” The hypo-knit upper is made with 50 percent or more recycled content, and offers stretch and support in all the right areas.
Best lightweight running shoe: Asics Noosa Tri 15
At 6.5 ounces, the Asics Noosa Tri was originally designed for triathletes, so it’s no surprise that it is 2016 Olympic gold medalist Gwen Jorgensen’s top choice. “I have had Achilles issues and this shoe has a soft heel cup,” she says. “I also love that Asics is using a more sustainable design approach in creating this shoe.”
Along with its low weight (a win for those packing the shoe), the sneaker also uses the brand’s Guidesole technology with a curved sole and stiff forefoot combo that’s easier on the ankles and legs, helping runners of any kind stay nimble. Jorgensen says it’s great for uptempo or easy days, especially when she runs in one of her favorite spots, Harper Lake and Davidson Mesa in Louisville, Colorado.
Best for city runs: Adidas Adizero Boston 12
“As an NYC street runner, the pavement can wreak havoc on my body—tendon, shins, hips,” Bronx–based marathoner Louisa Tatum, who is part of the Mile Style running group, says. “But since discovering the Adidas Boston 10, via the Adidas Runners, all of my issues have been minimized because of the cushioning throughout the shoe and technology built in for mid-sole strikers.”
The pair, now in version 12, provided a smooth ride for her on runs from Harlem down to the southern tip of Manhattan as she trained for the Berlin Marathon. “The sneakers absorb the shock from the ground really well, carrying me through both long and short runs, and the best part is they are light and don’t make much noise,” she says. Bonus tip from Tatum: “If you have wide feet, opt for a men’s shoe because it will have a bigger toe box.”
