In this article we have assembled our tips for the best running shoe in the following categories: Best volume shoe of the Year, Best racer of the Year, Best max. cushioned shoe of the Year, and Best stability shoe of the Year. In each category we select # 1, 2 and 3.
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The best volume shoe of the Year
# 1
Drum roll …
Asics Novablast 3!
The volume shoe of the year is in our opinion Asics Novablast 3. Volume shoes have undergone a substantial development in 2022 and Asics Novablast 3 is also not what you would call a typical volume training shoe.
The shoe is light, agile and fast, but still has "volume trainer" in its DNA. Its designed with FF Blast+ in the midsole which makes if soft and bouncy but also provides a certain responsiveness when you up the pace. Its a shoe suited for volume training even if it can also easily be used for your pacy runs. The shoe works well regardless if you are going for short or long runs, fast or slow. This is a very complete shoe from Asics which really deserves a #1 spot in the category "Best volume shoe of the year"
# 2
New Balance 1080 v12
With an updated upper and slightly more Fresh Foam X in the midsole the New Balance 1080 v12 hits the target in respect to what a volume shoe shuld be capable of. If you want a cushioning shoe, the New Balance 1080 v12 is a great option. The weight is so minimal that you can still get a great sensation of pace, if you want a shoe where you will really be able to speed up. If New Balance were only able to make one shoe, it would have to be the New Balance 1080, and we understand why.
# 3
Saucony Triumph 20
Saucony Triumph 20 has had a rather large update but still sticks to its origins; really a great volume shoe. The shoe has been designed with PWRRUN+ and Speedroll-technology in the midsole which provides a sensation of running in a very modern volume shoe. The shoe is comfortable but thanks to the speedroll-technology you can easily use it to speed up your runs. In total a really good volume shoe.
Best racer of the year
# 1
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 has really put the smile on our pacy runs in 2022. This shoe hits the bullseye in relation to what a racer should be able to to do. The shoe comes with a nylonplate in the midsole which helps to add extra bounce along with Sauconys superfoam PWRRUN PB. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a shoe which automatically ups you speed. Its certainly hard not to. The shoe was almost an obvious choice for #1 spot in this category.
# 2
Li-ning Challenger
Li Ning Challenger is a super versatile shoe for fast workouts on the road. It provides a soft landing but at the same time its very bouncy and fast. With great pleasure I have used the shoe for everything from hill sprints to 1000m-intervals and even long runs with integrated pacy intervals.
It does everything very well and at the same time it seems to have a very good durability which makes it an obvious choice for all fast training sessions.
# 3
New Balance Fresh Foam Elite V3
Prepare to get blown away with bounce, comfort and speed from New Balanace FuelCell SuperComp Elite V3. The shoe is packed with technologies like energy arc, a carbon plate and FuelCell foam which ensures that you get the fastest and most comfortable running experience. In addition the shoe has an amazing sock-like upper which helps to turn this shoe into a small masterpiece.
Best shoe of the Year with max. cushioning
# 1
Hoka Bondi 8
Hoka Bondi 8 is the king of cushioning. Hoka Bondi 8 is a running shoe which provides a soft and comfortable run. In the new version the midsole has been updated with softer and lighter foam and a geometry inspired by the Hoka Bondi X, which results in a more stable running experience. The Hoka Bondi 8 is a must-have for runners who wants comfort on all runs.
# 2
New Balance Fresh Foam More V4
New Balance Fresh Foam More V4 is just a super comfortable and cushioned running shoe. The shoe is crammed with Fresh FoamX in the midsole which after 5-6 runs has been worked in so much that that you get a max. cushioning shoe. Its a shoe which just handles everything it sets out to; provides lots of cushioning and comfort.
# 3
Asics Nimbus 24
The Asics Nimbus 24 has had a great new update that makes it just as soft and comfortable as earlier, but also a lot more versatile as an allround running shoe. This is because it has become a lot lighter, and the midsole has gotten a bit more responsive. This results in a shoe that you can trust, but also has a wild side if you turn up the pace. In my opinion, maybe one of the best updates in 2022.
The best stability shoe of the Year
# 1
Saucony Tempus
Saucony Tempus is one of the really big positive surprises of the year. The shoes from Saucony has revolutionized the way you think about stability shoes and is clearly the winner of this category. Running shoes with stability isn´t typically equal to speed and fun but Saucony Tempus has changed that. Saucony have done an amazing thing to combine a stability shoe with their top foam PWRRUN PB, as well as a midsole greatly inspired by their SPEEDROLL-technology. In addition Saucony has succeeded in doing what they do best, to make light running shoes. The stability in the shoe derives from a middle piece in the midsole made in the more solid PWRRUN material.
# 2
Altra Paradigm 6
Altra Paradigm 6 is a footshaped longdistance shoe. Compared to the stability shoes on the list, this shoe has a zero drop midsole, which means the amount of foam is the same under the toes as under the heel. This moves your landing a bit away from the heel and further up your foot which would make your running style more natural. The guide rails (the foam on each side of the foot which forms a bowl) provides optimal support. Contrary to a wedge, Guide rails only provide support when you go too far in your gait, and this takes part in making the Altra Pardigm 6 a winner for runners who need extra stability and neutral runners.
# 3
Asics Gel Kayano 29
Asics have realized that it should actually be fun to run in a stability shoe. Therefore Asics Gel-Kayano 29 is also lighter than ever. In addition the shoe has become more bouncy and thanks to the FF Blast+ midsole you get a really soft and responsive running experience. Asics Gel-Kayano has been in the market for about 30 years and there is a reason that the shoe has been around so long. Asics knows their stuff and with the Gel-Kayano 29 Asics offers a really good shoe for stability runners.
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