Best Racing Shoes
The shoes for sale rated highest by real, experienced, and knowledgeable reviewers.
All racing shoes
17 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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#1 Nike
Alphafly 399 Exceptional · 19 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.9 oz · 8mm drop
Reviewers like the snug heel hold and roomy forefoot fit.
Comfort 95 Cushioning 97Overall99Cushioning97Appearance96Comfort95Value84Durability65Confidence96Buy it now
Other retailers
Nike $222 25% offDick's $259 12% offMSRP $295
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Pros
Reviewers like the snug heel hold and roomy forefoot fit.
Runners report fast efforts with feet less beat up afterwards.
Cons
Several reviewers rate durability weakly; one reported roughly 240 miles.
Several reviewers flag the price, even those who call it worth it.
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#2 Saucony
Endorphin Pro 498 Exceptional · 14 reviews · Confidence 91/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.5 oz · 7mm drop · 40mm stack
At 6.5 oz, reviewers find it fast and responsive at speed.
Comfort 88 Cushioning 86$126 $240 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall98Appearance97Value96Comfort88Cushioning86Durability78Confidence91Pros
At 6.5 oz, reviewers find it fast and responsive at speed.
Reviewers consider it good value next to other carbon-plated racers.
Cons
One reviewer's heel layer peeled before 100 miles, and durability is the lowest-rated dimension.
Some reviewers find the fit runs small.
Three of fourteen reviewers reported an injury while running in it.
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#3 Nike
Vaporfly 498 Exceptional · 3 reviews · Confidence 91/100
Racing · Neutral · 4.9 oz (men's) · 6mm drop
At 4.9 oz with 36mm heel stack, light and highly cushioned.
Comfort 89 Cushioning 98$110 $260 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall98Appearance98Cushioning98Comfort89Value67Durability51Confidence91Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $146 44% offRunning Warehouse $165 37% offNike $166 36% offMSRP $260
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Pros
At 4.9 oz with 36mm heel stack, light and highly cushioned.
Reviewers describe a springy, propulsive ride best at fast paces.
Cons
Durability is the lowest-rated dimension in the few reviews so far.
One reviewer says it offers little support.
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#4 HOKA
Rocket X 297 Exceptional · 18 reviews · Confidence 89/100
Racing · Neutral · 7.5 oz · 5mm drop · 37mm stack
Reviewers report durability holding up well past 100 miles.
Comfort 96 Cushioning 95Overall97Durability97Comfort96Cushioning95Value93Appearance80Confidence89Pros
Reviewers report durability holding up well past 100 miles.
Runners use it from 5k races to marathons and tempo workouts.
At 7.5 oz on a 37mm heel stack.
Cons
At 7.5 oz it is heavier than most carbon-plated racers.
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#5 HOKA
Rocket X 389 Good · 2 reviews · Confidence 44/100
Racing · Neutral · 7mm drop
Both reviewers so far rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
Comfort 88 Cushioning 91Overall89Cushioning91Comfort88Durability77Value70Appearance69Confidence44Pros
Both reviewers so far rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
The Rocket X 2 before it scores 97 on eighteen reviews.
Cons
Durability and appearance draw 3 out of 5 from the two reviews so far.
Value draws 2 out of 5 from the two reviews so far, against a $250 list price.
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#6 ASICS
METASPEED Sky+88 Good · 13 reviews · Confidence 87/100
Racing · Neutral · 7.2 oz · 5mm drop · 37mm stack
Reviewers describe a bouncy, propulsive ride from the carbon plate.
Comfort 67 Cushioning 80Overall88Appearance82Cushioning80Value71Comfort67Durability61Confidence87Pros
Reviewers describe a bouncy, propulsive ride from the carbon plate.
At 7.2 oz with a 37mm heel and a 5mm drop.
Runners race well in it from 5k up to marathon.
Cons
One reviewer found it unresponsive after two marathons.
Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.9 out of 5.
Two reviewers call it expensive, at $250 list.
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#7 On
Cloudboom Strike88 Good · 1 review · Confidence 65/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.1 oz (men's) · 4mm drop
Light at 6.1 oz on a 43mm heel stack.
Comfort 81 Cushioning 87$160 $280 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall88Appearance90Cushioning87Durability83Comfort81Value68Confidence65Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $220 21% offDick's $280MSRP $280
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Pros
Light at 6.1 oz on a 43mm heel stack.
The one reviewer so far ran long runs in it and calls the cushioning great.
Cons
It lists at $280, above the $250 median for racing shoes, and the one reviewer so far rates appearance 3 out of 5.
At 43mm the stack sits above the 40mm World Athletics limit, so it is not eligible for records in official road races.
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#8 Mount to Coast
R185 Good · 2 reviews · Confidence 26/100
Racing · Neutral · 7.5 oz (men's) · 8mm drop
A 36mm heel stack at 7.5 oz, light for the cushioning.
Comfort 93 Cushioning 76Overall85Comfort93Durability83Appearance77Cushioning76Value71Confidence26Pros
A 36mm heel stack at 7.5 oz, light for the cushioning.
Both reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Cons
Cushioning and value draw the lowest ratings of the two reviews so far, both at 4.0 out of 5.
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#9 adidas
adizero Adios Pro 482 Good · 5 reviews · Confidence 54/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.4 oz (men's) · 6mm drop
A 39mm heel stack at 6.4 oz.
Comfort 72 Cushioning 81Overall82Appearance92Durability86Value85Cushioning81Comfort72Confidence54Pros
A 39mm heel stack at 6.4 oz.
Cons
The Adios Pro 3 before it scores 99 on thirty reviews against its 82.
It lists at $255, above the $250 median for racing shoes on sale.
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#10 PUMA
Fast-R Nitro Elite 382 Good · 4 reviews · Confidence 23/100
Racing · Neutral
One reviewer describes a poppy, aggressive ride built for fast running.
Comfort 66 Cushioning 77Overall82Cushioning77Appearance77Value73Comfort66Durability56Confidence23Buy it now
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Pros
One reviewer describes a poppy, aggressive ride built for fast running.
One of four reviewers calls it the best racing shoe since the Vaporfly.
Cons
Durability draws 2.3 out of 5 in the four reviews so far, the lowest mark of any dimension.
Comfort rates 3.3 out of 5 across the same four reviewers.
One reviewer says it does not suit slow runners or heel strikers.
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#11 New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Pacer81 Good · 4 reviews · Confidence 39/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.3 oz · 8mm drop · 25mm stack
Reviewers call it light and nimble at 6.7 oz.
Comfort 75 Cushioning 71$129 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall81Appearance90Value89Durability77Comfort75Cushioning71Confidence39Pros
Reviewers call it light and nimble at 6.7 oz.
One reviewer calls it incredibly durable and good for ground feel.
Cons
Reviewers describe firm cushioning suited to road racing and fast intervals rather than easy or long runs.
Cushioning draws the lowest ratings of the four reviews so far at 4.0 out of 5, and one reviewer notices less energy return from the plate than expected.
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#12 adidas
adizero Adios 974 Decent · 3 reviews · Confidence 40/100
Racing · Neutral
It lists at $140, well below the $250 median for racing shoes on sale.
Comfort 66 Cushioning 56Overall74Appearance81Value77Durability77Comfort66Cushioning56Confidence40Pros
It lists at $140, well below the $250 median for racing shoes on sale.
Comfort and value both average 4.7 out of 5 across the three reviewers so far.
Cons
The Adios 8 before it scores 87 on sixteen reviews, against 67 for this version.
One of three reviewers rates its looks 1 out of 5.
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#13 New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v374 Decent · 3 reviews · Confidence 39/100
Racing · Neutral · 7.5 oz · 4mm drop · 40mm stack
One reviewer calls it the best shoe for intervals and affordable next to other race shoes.
Comfort 85 Cushioning 86$153 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall74Cushioning86Comfort85Durability77Value76Appearance75Confidence39Buy it now
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Pros
One reviewer calls it the best shoe for intervals and affordable next to other race shoes.
All three reviewers so far rate value 4 or 5 out of 5.
All three reviewers so far rate durability 4 or 5 out of 5.
Cons
Averaging 7.5 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is heavier than the 6.6 oz median for racing shoes on sale.
Two newer versions have followed it, and the SuperComp Elite v5 is on sale now.
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#14 Nike
Zoom Rival Fly69 Below average · 1 review · Confidence 38/100
Racing · Neutral · 8mm drop
The one reviewer so far calls it durable, eye-catching and comfortable, and rates it better than the Air Max they came from.
Comfort 68 Cushioning 69$75 $105 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall69Appearance87Cushioning69Value69Comfort68Durability64Confidence38Pros
The one reviewer so far calls it durable, eye-catching and comfortable, and rates it better than the Air Max they came from.
It lists at $105, well below the $250 median for racing shoes on sale.
Cons
The design dates to 2019.
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#15 New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v569 Below average · 4 reviews · Confidence 30/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.2 oz (men's) · 8mm drop
Light at 6.2 oz with a 40mm heel stack.
Comfort 80 Cushioning 76$140 $265 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall69Comfort80Cushioning76Appearance76Durability73Value64Confidence30Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $160 40% offDick's $265MSRP $265
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Light at 6.2 oz with a 40mm heel stack.
One of four reviewers uses it as an uptempo long run shoe, saying it locks into a pace and settles there.
Comfort and appearance both average 4.5 out of 5 across the four reviewers so far.
Cons
Two of four reviewers put it a touch below the top tier of racing shoes.
The v3 and v4 before it score 75 and 82 here, against 69 for this version.
One reviewer rates durability 2 out of 5, against 5s from the two others who rate it.
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#16 Nike
Alphafly Next% 358 Bottom-tier · 3 reviews · Confidence 58/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.6 oz · 7mm drop
Light at 7.0 oz in the men's and 6.2 oz in the women's for a 40mm heel stack.
Comfort 64 Cushioning 65Overall58Appearance79Cushioning65Comfort64Value54Durability54Confidence58Pros
Light at 7.0 oz in the men's and 6.2 oz in the women's for a 40mm heel stack.
One of three reviewers finds it snug at the heel and wide enough at the forefoot, a combination they could not get from the Ghost or the Vaporfly.
Cons
That reviewer has the heels wearing down too fast, though they rate the comfort worth it.
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#17 ASICS
METASPEED Sky Tokyo56 Bottom-tier · 1 review · Confidence 72/100
Racing · Neutral · 5mm drop
A carbon plate under a maximal stack.
Comfort 52 Cushioning 70Overall56Cushioning70Value56Durability56Appearance55Comfort52Confidence72Pros
A carbon plate under a maximal stack.
The one reviewer so far rates it 5 out of 5 overall and 5 for cushioning.
Cons
It lists at $270, above the $250 median for racing shoes on sale.
How this ranking works
Ratings come from our statistical models of runner reviews: the score is our best estimate of how a shoe is rated, and the bar behind it in an expanded row is the range we consider plausible given how many reviews it has. Shoes with few reviews rank more cautiously rather than shooting to the top on a handful of glowing write-ups. Prices are the live prices at the retailers we track, and everything ranked here is a shoe you can buy today.