Fast running shoes can be a bit of a jungle to navigate through. They all aim to get you running fast. But they do it in different ways. Different foam materials, some with carbon plates, some with nylon plates and some without any plates at all. And there is also a difference in how much comfort they provide and thereby how heavy or light the shoe is. In this article, we will highlight five of our favourite shoes for tempo training, so you can find your favourite for when you need to go fast!
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Puma Deviate Nitro 2
This is a power shoe! There is PWRTAPE in the upper to keep your foot in place and a PWRPlate (carbon plate) in the midsole to propel your forward and provide stability. In addition, Puma's most powerful foam is in the midsole, NitroElite. The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 gives you one of the nicest feelings under your foot when you run fast in it. The foam in the midsole and the carbon plate blend nicely together, and the padded and well-ventilated upper gives you the right amount of comfort for a fast run. A really successful fast training shoe made for the runner that wants comfort and cushioning in their shoe.
Topo Cyclone 2
This is actually really exciting. Topo is one of the very few shoe manufacturers who have sent a shoe with a full pebax midsole (pebax is the foam that most running shoes are made of) on the market without a carbon plate. It is insanely light (190 grams in 42½/ US9), lively, and energetic. Furthermore, it has all Topo's characteristics, like the foot-shaped and the low drop (5mm). If you want a fast shoe that is lightweight and without a carbon plate, then have a look at the Topo Cyclone 2.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
There is a high chance that you already know this one because it is a shoe we sell a lot of. And with very good reason. You get an incredible midsole that is both fast and comfortable. A nylon plate that propels you forward. Saucony's SpeedRoll technology helps in pushing you forward and lets you roll through the foot movement. And then you get a classic and comfortable upper. Neither Lars nor Emil has met anyone who tried Endorphin Speed 3 and didn't like it.
Asics Magic Speed 2
In a way, the Asics Magic Speed 2 is the most classic running shoe on the list. And then again. It is the shoe with the firmest midsole, and that gives you the classic feeling of speed. But Asics has included modern technologies that make it quite interesting. There is a full-length carbon plate and Asics GuideSole technology that propels you forward nicely. In addition, there is the bouncy FFBlast+ foam, which provides a high energy return.
Li-Ning Feidian Challenger
This is a speedy shoe. Here all the focus is put on the midsole, and it is noticeable. The foam consists purely of pebax, and there is a carbon plate underneath 2/3 of the shoe in the front. It's a shoe with an incredibly high energy return, making it perfect for trips where you want to run fast. It is soft and balanced. And then it makes you fast!
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