The Foam Index
Every shoe here is plotted from lab measurements and reviewer consensus: how firm it rides, how much it gives back, what it weighs, and how long the foam actually lasts. Tune the match score to your own running, pin shoes to compare, and check your size before you buy.
99
shoes
15
brands
$130–500
MSRP range
139–326 g
weights
Tell it how you run.
The score re-ranks all 99 shoes against what you actually want underfoot: ride feel, surface, long-run distance, and budget. Foam chemistry counts too, because supercritical foams keep their bounce while EVA slowly dies.
Pick your axes, find your corner.
Dot color is what the shoe is built for; the numbered dots are your top three matches. Click any dot to pin it for comparison.
Every spec, sortable.
Click a column to sort. Everything the map shows on hover lives here too, so nothing is hover-only.
| 84 | ASICS · 2024 Superblast 2 | Tempo | $200 | 252 g | 42.8 / 34.6 | 8.2 | PEBA | — | 800 km | generous | True to size, performance fit; snug for wide feet, slightly tapered toebox | ||||
| 83 | Adidas · 2026 Terrex Agravic SL | Trail | $160 | 281 g | 31.8 / 28.4 | 3.4 | Other supercritical | — | 900 km | full · 3 mm | True to size; pointy toebox; aggressive lugs feel awkward on asphalt | ||||
| 82 | Adidas · 2026 Adizero Evo SL ATR | Road-to-trail | $160 | 287 g | 39.2 / 31.1 | 8.1 | Other supercritical | — | 700 km | full · 1.5 mm | True to size, wider than average fit; water-repellent ripstop upper runs warm | ||||
| 82 | ASICS · 2026 Magic Speed 5 | Tempo | $180 | 201 g | 35.3 / 26.6 | 8.7 | Supercritical TPU | carbon | 600 km | generous | True to size; average-width toebox, wide version available | ||||
| 81 | Craft · 2025 Nordlite Ultra 2 | Trail | $180 | 308 g | 40.5 / 34.5 | 6 | Other supercritical | — | 800 km | generous · 3 mm | Runs narrow, consider half size up | ||||
| 80 | On · 2025 Cloudultra 3 | Trail | $190 | 295 g | 32 / 26.5 | 5.5 | PEBA | — | 900 km | full · 4 mm | True to size; decent toe room though slightly narrow overall; quick-drying weave upper | ||||
| 79 | Puma · 2025 Velocity Nitro 4 | Daily | $140 | 245 g | 33.7 / 24 | 9.7 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | generous | True to size but narrow platform and snug forefoot; wide option available | ||||
| 78 | ASICS · 2025 Gel-Kayano 32 | Stability | $165 | 304 g | 39.9 / 30.6 | 9.3 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | full | True to size, slightly snug knit upper; wide feet should take the 2E/4E | ||||
| 78 | Saucony · 2026 Ride 19 | Daily | $145 | 278 g | 38.7 / 30.2 | 8.5 | Supercritical TPU | — | 600 km | generous | True to size; medium-width toebox with generous height; plush upper | ||||
| 77 | Adidas · 2025 Adizero Boston 13 | Tempo | $160 | 254 g | 34.3 / 28.3 | 6 | EVA blend | rods | 800 km | generous | True to size; toebox narrower than Boston 12, snug for wide feet | ||||
| 77 | Adidas · 2025 Adizero Evo SL | Tempo | $150 | 223 g | 36.1 / 28.1 | 8 | Other supercritical | — | 600 km | generous | True to size; wide midfoot but sharply tapered racer-style toebox; thin upper wears fast | ||||
| 77 | Saucony · 2022 Triumph 20 | Max cushion | $160 | 283 g | 37 / 27 | 10 | Supercritical TPU | — | 700 km | full | True to size; plush padded upper, moderate volume; runs warm | ||||
| 76 | Adidas · 2024 Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra | Trail | $220 | 259 g | 30.6 / 30.3 | 0.3 | Other supercritical | rods | 600 km | generous · 2.5 mm | Runs slightly large; very narrow toebox; rocker makes near-zero drop feel like 6-8mm | ||||
| 76 | Craft · 2025 Pacer 2 | Daily | $140 | 252 g | 37 / 31 | 6 | Nitrogen TPE | — | 550 km | patchy | True to size, roomy toebox, no wide option; exposed foam warrants wear monitoring | ||||
| 75 | ASICS · 2025 Megablast | Max cushion | $225 | 218 g | 45.1 / 35.2 | 9.9 | Supercritical TPU | — | 550 km | patchy | True to size but snug; tapered toebox, runs slightly short, standard width only | ||||
| 75 | ASICS · 2026 Superblast 3 | Max cushion | $210 | 249 g | 45.8 / 37.7 | 8.1 | Supercritical TPU | — | 750 km | generous | True to size; toebox slightly narrow, standard width only | ||||
| 75 | Craft · 2025 Xplor 2 | Road-to-trail | $150 | 316 g | 38.5 / 32.5 | 6 | Nitrogen TPE | — | 700 km | generous · 3 mm | True to size, secure lockdown; very wide platform feels planted; slightly snug for wide feet | ||||
| 75 | Hoka · 2026 Torrent 5 | Trail | $130 | 264 g | 38 / 33 | 5 | EVA blend | — | 600 km | full · 5 mm | True to size but quite narrow and form-fitting; no wide option | ||||
| 75 | Nike · 2026 Pegasus 42 | Daily | $145 | 286 g | 36 / 22 | 14 | EVA blend | — | 900 km | full | True to size, roomier than Peg 41; lab stack differs from brand claim | ||||
| 75 | Puma · 2025 MagMax Nitro 2 | Max cushion | $180 | 269 g | 45.5 / 35 | 10.5 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | generous | True to size; narrow toebox limits toe splay, standard width only | ||||
| 74 | ASICS · 2025 Gel-Trabuco 13 | Trail | $140 | 288 g | 33.8 / 26.8 | 7 | EVA blend | rock plate | 800 km | generous · 3.3 mm | True to size but narrow-to-average toebox; rigid heel counter, best for narrow/medium feet | ||||
| 74 | ASICS · 2025 GT-2000 14 | Stability | $140 | 269 g | 36.9 / 28.2 | 8.7 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | full | True to size but toebox runs narrow and tapered; dense, warm upper | ||||
| 74 | Norda · 2025 005 | Trail | $325 | 222 g | 28.5 / 21.5 | 7 | Other supercritical | — | 1200 km | generous · 4 mm | Runs a half size short, size up; roomy forefoot with low toebox ceiling; Dyneema upper | ||||
| 74 | On · 2026 Cloudboom Strike 2 | Racer | $250 | 200 g | 40 / 35 | 5 | PEBA | carbon | 500 km | full | True to size; unusually wide anatomic toebox for a racer; stiff heel counter can irritate Achilles | ||||
| 74 | Puma · 2026 Deviate Nitro 4 | Tempo | $170 | 247 g | 33.6 / 26.6 | 7 | PEBA blend | carbon | 550 km | generous | True to size, narrow toebox; fragile upper mesh and heel lining | ||||
| 73 | Brooks · 2025 Cascadia 19 | Trail | $150 | 306 g | 34.8 / 27 | 7.8 | EVA blend | rock plate | 900 km | full · 3.8 mm | True to size; slightly narrow toebox; wide stable platform underfoot | ||||
| 73 | Brooks · 2025 Catamount 4 | Trail | $170 | 270 g | 31.5 / 23.1 | 8.4 | EVA blend | nylon | 700 km | generous · 3.1 mm | True to size; medium, slightly narrow fit; secure upper; SkyVault propulsion plate | ||||
| 73 | Mizuno · 2026 Wave Rider 30 | Daily | $150 | 266 g | 42.5 / 34.5 | 8 | EVA blend | wave plate | 800 km | generous | True to size, spacious through heel, midfoot and toebox without losing lockdown | ||||
| 73 | Nike · 2024 Zoom Fly 6 | Tempo | $170 | 248 g | 39.7 / 30.1 | 9.6 | PEBA blend | carbon | 800 km | full | True to size; very narrow, restrictive toebox; unsuitable for wide feet | ||||
| 72 | Altra · 2026 Escalante 5 | Daily | $140 | 260 g | 24 / 24 | 0 | EVA | — | 650 km | full | True to size; knit upper, wide squared toebox; low-stack zero drop demands gradual adaptation | ||||
| 72 | ASICS · 2025 Gel-Nimbus 28 | Max cushion | $170 | 278 g | 39.5 / 34.3 | 5.2 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | generous | True to size; medium toebox with lower volume; thin tongue can cause lace bite | ||||
| 72 | Brooks · 2026 Ghost 18 | Daily | $150 | 289 g | 37.3 / 25.1 | 12.2 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | full | True to size; slightly tapered toebox may bother wide forefeet | ||||
| 72 | Hoka · 2026 Mach 7 | Tempo | $145 | 224 g | 35.6 / 26.2 | 9.4 | EVA | — | 550 km | generous | Runs slightly small; narrow midfoot, decent toebox height | ||||
| 72 | Saucony · 2025 Xodus Ultra 4 | Trail | $170 | 312 g | 37.6 / 31.1 | 6.5 | PEBA blend | — | 700 km | full · 3.5 mm | Runs slightly small; secure tapered toebox, heavier than prior versions | ||||
| 72 | Topo Athletic · 2025 Atmos 2 | Max cushion | $170 | 280 g | 40 / 35 | 5 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | generous | True to size; snugger midfoot than Atmos 1, still roomy anatomical toebox; needs break-in | ||||
| 72 | Topo Athletic · 2025 Cyclone 3 | Tempo | $155 | 196 g | 28 / 23 | 5 | PEBA | — | 450 km | minimal | True to size; slightly narrower than Cyclone 2 but toebox still wide and anatomical | ||||
| 71 | Hoka · 2025 Bondi 9 | Max cushion | $170 | 303 g | 41.3 / 32.2 | 9.1 | EVA | — | 700 km | generous | True to size; snug toebox but tall; four widths cover most feet | ||||
| 71 | Hoka · 2026 Speedgoat 7 | Trail | $165 | 281 g | 37.7 / 30.3 | 7.4 | EVA | — | 750 km | full · 4.5 mm | Runs a half size small; tapered toebox favors narrower feet | ||||
| 71 | New Balance · 2025 Fresh Foam X 880 v15 | Daily | $140 | 286 g | 39.7 / 35.4 | 4.3 | EVA | — | 700 km | generous | Fits slightly small; otherwise roomy workhorse fit, four widths available | ||||
| 70 | Adidas · 2026 Supernova Rise 3 | Daily | $140 | 264 g | 35 / 27.2 | 7.8 | PEBA blend | — | 900 km | full | Runs slightly small; generous high-volume toebox; softer but less lively than v2 | ||||
| 70 | Brooks · 2025 Adrenaline GTS 25 | Stability | $145 | 295 g | 36.1 / 25.9 | 10.2 | EVA blend | — | 850 km | full | True to size; slightly narrow toebox; GuideRails support without harshness | ||||
| 70 | New Balance · 2024 FuelCell SC Trainer v3 | Tempo | $180 | 271 g | 36.8 / 29.5 | 7.3 | PEBA blend | carbon | 650 km | generous | Runs slightly small; secure midfoot, weak toebox durability | ||||
| 70 | Salomon · 2024 Genesis | Trail | $150 | 282 g | 33.5 / 24.5 | 9 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | full · 4 mm | True to size, medium width; Matryx upper gives secure lockdown, less narrow than typical Salomon | ||||
| 70 | Salomon · 2022 Speedcross 6 | Trail | $145 | 298 g | 36.5 / 22.4 | 14.1 | EVA | — | 800 km | full · 5.8 mm | True to size; snug Sensifit wrap with low-volume toebox | ||||
| 70 | Saucony · 2026 Peregrine 16 | Trail | $145 | 271 g | 31.7 / 26.9 | 4.8 | EVA blend | rock plate | 550 km | full · 3.5 mm | Runs slightly small; roomier than v15 but toebox still tapered | ||||
| 70 | Saucony · 2026 Triumph 24 | Max cushion | $170 | 250 g | 43 / 33 | 10 | Supercritical TPU | — | 600 km | generous | True to size; plush upper, normal volume, slightly wide forefoot | ||||
| 69 | Altra · 2025 Lone Peak 9 | Trail | $140 | 309 g | 23.3 / 23.3 | 0 | EVA | — | 700 km | full · 3.5 mm | True to size; famously wide toebox, slightly snug vertically; poor breathability | ||||
| 69 | ASICS · 2026 Novablast 6 | Daily | $155 | 249 g | 39.2 / 32.1 | 7.1 | EVA blend | — | 700 km | generous | Runs slightly short; tapered, lower-volume toebox; wide available | ||||
| 69 | Hoka · 2025 Rocket X 3 | Racer | $250 | 220 g | 39.6 / 29.6 | 10 | PEBA | carbon | 400 km | generous | Runs slightly small; narrow, tapered race-fit toebox, neutral runners only | ||||
| 69 | Salomon · 2025 Aero Glide 3 | Max cushion | $160 | 246 g | 42.2 / 31.9 | 10.3 | Supercritical TPU | — | 500 km | patchy | Runs slightly long and roomy through midfoot; tapered toebox; some size down half | ||||
| 69 | Saucony · 2026 Endorphin Pro 5 | Racer | $225 | 215 g | 36.5 / 27.8 | 8.7 | PEBA | carbon | 400 km | generous | True to size; tight toebox, standard-width only | ||||
| 68 | Altra · 2025 Torin 8 | Daily | $150 | 288 g | 27.6 / 27.7 | 0 | EVA blend | — | 750 km | generous | True to size; roomy foot-shaped toebox; zero drop needs calf adaptation | ||||
| 68 | New Balance · 2026 Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 | Max cushion | $170 | 255 g | 37 / 30.6 | 6.4 | Other supercritical | — | 650 km | generous | True to size; high-volume roomy upper, average toebox width | ||||
| 68 | Nike · 2026 ACG Zegama | Trail | $180 | 312 g | 38 / 34 | 4 | PEBA blend | rock plate | 800 km | full · 4 mm | New wider trail last with roomier forefoot; stack figures are brand specs | ||||
| 68 | On · 2026 Cloudmonster 3 Hyper | Max cushion | $220 | 264 g | 43.4 / 34.2 | 9.2 | PEBA blend | — | 800 km | generous | True to size; average toebox; warm upper | ||||
| 68 | Salomon · 2023 Sense Ride 5 | Road-to-trail | $140 | 291 g | 27.2 / 18.5 | 8.7 | EVA blend | — | 600 km | full · 3.5 mm | Runs a bit narrow and slightly short; consider a half size up | ||||
| 67 | Hoka · 2026 Clifton 11 | Daily | $155 | 261 g | 42 / 34 | 8 | EVA | — | 650 km | generous | True to size, roomier than older Hokas; new double-lace lock fixes tongue slide | ||||
| 66 | Brooks · 2026 Glycerin 23 | Daily | $175 | 303 g | 37.2 / 29 | 8.2 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | full | Runs slightly small; medium toebox; plush knit upper | ||||
| 66 | Nike · 2026 ACG Pegasus Trail | Road-to-trail | $155 | 289 g | 34.1 / 25.6 | 8.5 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | full · 3.1 mm | True to size; meaningfully wider toebox than Peg Trail 5; not for technical terrain | ||||
| 65 | Brooks · 2025 Ghost Max 3 | Max cushion | $160 | 303 g | 38.5 / 31.2 | 7.3 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | full | True to size; roomier toebox than regular Ghost; orthotic-friendly | ||||
| 65 | Mizuno · 2026 Neo Vista 3 | Max cushion | $200 | 266 g | 43.5 / 35 | 8.5 | Supercritical TPU | wave plate | 650 km | generous | Runs slightly large; stretchy sock-like knit, roomy toebox, mediocre heel lockdown for narrow heels | ||||
| 65 | New Balance · 2025 Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 | Trail | $155 | 309 g | 37.3 / 33.1 | 4.2 | EVA | — | 700 km | full · 3.3 mm | Runs about half size small; slightly snug toebox | ||||
| 65 | New Balance · 2025 FuelCell SC Elite v5 | Racer | $250 | 198 g | 39.3 / 28.6 | 10.7 | PEBA | carbon | 400 km | generous | True to size; narrow heel, padded collar, race-slim fit | ||||
| 65 | Nike · 2024 Alphafly 3 | Racer | $285 | 201 g | 38.1 / 29.6 | 8.5 | PEBA | carbon | 300 km | generous | Runs slightly small; roomier than Alphafly 2 | ||||
| 65 | Saucony · 2024 Endorphin Speed 4 | Tempo | $170 | 235 g | 38 / 30 | 8 | PEBA | nylon | 500 km | patchy | True to size; wider toebox than v3, lower drop, softer heel | ||||
| 65 | Saucony · 2025 Endorphin Speed 5 | Tempo | $175 | 241 g | 37.4 / 26.8 | 10.6 | PEBA | nylon | 500 km | patchy | Runs slightly short for some; roomy tall toebox, narrower midfoot than v4 | ||||
| 64 | Brooks · 2024 Glycerin Max | Max cushion | $200 | 303 g | 45 / 39 | 6 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | generous | True to size; roomy toebox, high volume; aggressive forefoot rocker | ||||
| 64 | Nike · 2025 Structure 26 | Stability | $145 | 296 g | 36.1 / 26 | 10.1 | EVA blend | — | 1000 km | full | Runs slightly small; narrow toebox, tight fit; best for heel strikers | ||||
| 64 | Topo Athletic · 2025 Phantom 4 | Daily | $150 | 260 g | 35 / 30 | 5 | EVA blend | — | 600 km | generous | Runs slightly short; secure midfoot, roomy anatomical toebox with high volume | ||||
| 63 | Altra · 2025 Experience Flow 2 | Daily | $140 | 235 g | 30.3 / 25.9 | 4.4 | EVA blend | — | 450 km | patchy | Runs slightly small; foot-shaped toebox with 4mm drop, easiest Altra transition | ||||
| 63 | Altra · 2024 Mont Blanc Carbon | Trail | $260 | 251 g | 27.2 / 26.9 | 0.3 | EVA blend | carbon | 550 km | full · 3.5 mm | True to size, slightly long; Slim FootShape yet roomy toebox; flexible Carbitex plate | ||||
| 63 | Mizuno · 2025 Wave Sky 9 | Max cushion | $180 | 295 g | 44.3 / 38.1 | 6.2 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | generous | Runs slightly small with a snugger toebox than Wave Sky 8; plush woven upper | ||||
| 63 | Nike · 2024 Pegasus Plus | Tempo | $180 | 244 g | 33 / 23.6 | 9.4 | PEBA | — | 600 km | generous | True to size but notably snug, tapered toebox; purely neutral | ||||
| 63 | On · 2025 Cloudsurfer 2 | Daily | $160 | 254 g | 37.5 / 27.1 | 10.4 | EVA blend | — | 800 km | generous | Runs slightly small; average toebox; pod collapse feels softer than durometer suggests | ||||
| 63 | Topo Athletic · 2025 Ultraventure 4 | Trail | $155 | 286 g | 35 / 30 | 5 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | generous · 3.2 mm | True to size; high-volume roomy toebox; shallow lugs suit non-technical terrain | ||||
| 62 | Hoka · 2026 Skyward X 2 | Max cushion | $225 | 286 g | 45.8 / 38.2 | 7.6 | PEBA blend | carbon | 500 km | generous | Runs about a half size small in length and volume; consider sizing up | ||||
| 61 | Hoka · 2025 Challenger 8 | Road-to-trail | $150 | 269 g | 40.2 / 30.1 | 10.1 | EVA | — | 750 km | patchy · 3.7 mm | True to size; noticeably roomier than Challenger 7 | ||||
| 60 | Nike · 2025 Vomero Premium | Max cushion | $230 | 326 g | 50.1 / 41.3 | 8.8 | PEBA blend | — | 700 km | generous | True to size; tapered narrow toebox but tall toe room; bulky on foot | ||||
| 60 | On · 2026 Cloudmonster 3 | Max cushion | $190 | 301 g | 38.6 / 32.2 | 6.4 | EVA blend | speedboard | 800 km | generous | True to size; narrower platform than v2; firmest shoe in its class | ||||
| 59 | ASICS · 2026 Gel-Cumulus 28 | Daily | $145 | 252 g | 42.8 / 29.5 | 13.3 | EVA blend | — | 450 km | generous | True to size; roomier toebox than prior version, accommodating fit | ||||
| 59 | Brooks · 2025 Glycerin Max 2 | Max cushion | $200 | 318 g | 45.4 / 37.3 | 8.1 | EVA blend | — | 650 km | patchy | True to size; somewhat low toebox height; snugger than Glycerin Max 1 | ||||
| 59 | Nike · 2025 Vomero Plus | Max cushion | $180 | 289 g | 42.3 / 32.7 | 9.6 | PEBA blend | — | 700 km | generous | True to size, snug; toebox narrower than average; warm upper | ||||
| 58 | Mizuno · 2025 Wave Rebellion Pro 3 | Racer | $250 | 227 g | 39.9 / 34.5 | 5.4 | Other supercritical | wave plate | 400 km | full | Runs slightly small; narrow heel, decent toebox room; built for midfoot strikers only | ||||
| 58 | Nike · 2025 Vaporfly 4 | Racer | $260 | 166 g | 34.1 / 25.5 | 8.6 | PEBA | carbon | 250 km | patchy | True to size, slightly snugger than v3; generous toebox width | ||||
| 57 | ASICS · 2024 Gel-Nimbus 26 | Max cushion | $160 | 305 g | 41.5 / 33.5 | 8 | EVA blend | — | 600 km | generous | True to size; roomy knit upper, plush collar; heavy and warm | ||||
| 57 | Brooks · 2025 Hyperion Max 3 | Tempo | $200 | 283 g | 45.6 / 35 | 10.6 | PEBA blend | nylon | 500 km | patchy | True to size; snug sock-like knit, runs warm; standard width only | ||||
| 57 | Puma · 2025 Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 | Racer | $300 | 173 g | 38.5 / 30.2 | 8.3 | Supercritical TPU | carbon | 300 km | patchy | Snug race fit, slightly narrow; thin upper, some sizers go half up | ||||
| 56 | Nike · 2025 Vomero 18 | Max cushion | $150 | 325 g | 42.5 / 28.6 | 13.9 | PEBA blend | — | 800 km | full | True to size; narrow toebox restricts toe splay; rides higher-drop than claimed | ||||
| 56 | Salomon · 2026 S/Lab Phantasm 3 | Racer | $280 | 184 g | 42 / 36 | 6 | PEBA | carbon | 300 km | minimal | Runs slightly long, higher-volume upper; snug race construction tricky to put on | ||||
| 55 | ASICS · 2025 Metaspeed Edge Tokyo | Racer | $270 | 159 g | 38.9 / 32 | 6.9 | Supercritical TPU | carbon | 300 km | minimal | True to size, narrow fit; flared heel friendlier to heel strikers than Sky | ||||
| 55 | ASICS · 2025 Metaspeed Sky Tokyo | Racer | $270 | 163 g | 38.7 / 32.7 | 6 | Supercritical TPU | carbon | 300 km | minimal | True to size, narrow overall fit and toebox; best for mid/forefoot strikers | ||||
| 54 | Adidas · 2025 Adizero Adios Pro 4 | Racer | $250 | 200 g | 36.6 / 28.5 | 8.1 | Other supercritical | rods | 400 km | patchy | Runs slightly small; toebox much narrower than Pro 3; unstable for heel strikers | ||||
| 54 | Hoka · 2025 Mach X 3 | Tempo | $190 | 264 g | 42.9 / 33.4 | 9.5 | PEBA blend | pebax | 500 km | patchy | Runs slightly small; narrow with a snug tapered toebox | ||||
| 53 | Adidas · 2025 Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 | Racer | $500 | 139 g | 38.4 / 30.6 | 7.8 | Other supercritical | rods | 150 km | minimal | True to size but ultra-snug F1 fit, very narrow; extremely fragile | ||||
| 51 | New Balance · 2025 FuelCell Rebel v5 | Tempo | $140 | 220 g | 33 / 26.7 | 6.3 | PEBA blend | — | 500 km | patchy | True to size; generous wide toebox, thin mesh upper wears fast | ||||
| 51 | Saucony · 2025 Kinvara 16 | Tempo | $130 | 207 g | 28 / 23.5 | 4.5 | EVA blend | — | 400 km | minimal | True to size; narrow toebox, not for wide feet | ||||
| 47 | Brooks · 2025 Hyperion Elite 5 | Racer | $275 | 204 g | 37.6 / 26.4 | 11.2 | PEBA | carbon | 250 km | minimal | True to size; narrow snug racing fit; minimal heel counter | ||||
| 43 | New Balance · 2025 Fresh Foam X Balos | Max cushion | $200 | 247 g | 37.8 / 31.9 | 5.9 | PEBA blend | — | 450 km | minimal | True to size; low-volume toebox, slightly restrictive big-toe area | ||||
| 42 | Saucony · 2026 Endorphin Elite 3 | Racer | $290 | 204 g | 39.8 / 34.1 | 5.7 | Other supercritical | carbon | 300 km | minimal | Runs slightly small; narrow toebox, snug midfoot |
Pin up to four, compare everything.
The best number in each row is highlighted. Pin shoes from the map or the sheet above.
One foot, fifteen labels.
Enter your foot length (heel to longest toe, standing) and get the size to order, with a thumb's width of toe room already built in. The fit column is derived from per-model reviewer notes, which is where brands actually differ.
Base size
US 9 · EU 42.5
Conversions use the standard men's chart; lasts vary by model, so always confirm on the brand's own chart before ordering.
| Brand | US | UK | EU | Fit across listed models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASICS | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Megablast, Novablast 6 (go +½) |
| Adidas | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Adizero Adios Pro 4, Supernova Rise 3 (go +½) · Runs long: Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra |
| Altra | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Experience Flow 2 (go +½) |
| Brooks | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Glycerin 23 (go +½) |
| Craft | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Nordlite Ultra 2 (go +½) |
| Hoka | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Mach 7, Mach X 3, Rocket X 3, Skyward X 2, Speedgoat 7 (go +½) |
| Mizuno | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Wave Rebellion Pro 3, Wave Sky 9 (go +½) · Runs long: Neo Vista 3 |
| New Balance | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Fresh Foam X Hierro v9, FuelCell SC Trainer v3 (go +½) |
| Nike | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Alphafly 3, Structure 26 (go +½) |
| Norda | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: 005 (go +½) |
| On | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Cloudsurfer 2 (go +½) |
| Puma | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Listed models fit true to length |
| Salomon | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Sense Ride 5 (go +½) · Runs long: Aero Glide 3, S/Lab Phantasm 3 |
| Saucony | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Endorphin Elite 3, Endorphin Speed 5, Peregrine 16, Xodus Ultra 4 (go +½) |
| Topo Athletic | 9 | 8 | 42.5 | Runs short: Phantom 4 (go +½) |
Why spec sheets lie to you.
The same shoe can feel great at 100 km and terrible at 800. These are the mechanics behind the match score.
Chemistry, not marketing
The foam families
EVA is cheap, stable, and dies young: it compresses permanently. Supercritical TPU (FF Turbo², A-TPU) is denser, springier, and keeps its bounce far longer. PEBA (ZoomX, FF Leap) is the lightest and bounciest, but fragile in its purest racing form. Blends trade between the three.
Why an 800 km shoe hurts
Foam death
A shoe does not fail on its birthday. EVA loses resilience gradually, so it feels squishier before it feels dead. By 700-800 km the forefoot has bottomed out and your metatarsals land on a thin, packed-out pad. If ball-of-foot pain shows up late in a shoe’s life, suspect the foam before your anatomy.
45 mm is not one number
Reading stack heights
Heel stack gets the headlines, but forefoot stack is what protects you late in a long run, and drop (the difference) shapes which muscles do the work. High stack plus soft foam is unstable at slow paces; high stack plus firm supercritical foam can still be planted.
Sand eats foam
Outsole is armour
On abrasive surfaces like compacted sand, grip is rarely the problem: exposed midsole foam is. Full rubber coverage decides whether a shoe survives; lugs only matter once the surface gets loose. A road shoe with full rubber beats a trail shoe with the wrong ride.
Foam recovers between runs
Rotate two shoes
Foam needs about 24 hours to decompress fully. A two-shoe rotation runs each pair on rested foam, extends both lifespans, and lets you match the shoe to the day: one firm and armoured for long stuff, one light and fun for speed.
Stiffness is a feature and a tax
Plates change the maths
Carbon plates stabilise high stacks and sharpen toe-off, but they push work into the calves and reward faster paces. For easy miles a plateless super-trainer usually feels better; save plated shoes for the days you go fast on purpose.
Specs are men's US 9, compiled August 2026 from lab measurements (RunRepeat) and reviewer consensus (RoadTrailRun, Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running) plus brand spec sheets. Firmness, bounce, and stability are 1–10 consensus ratings, not lab numbers; durability is an estimate of useful foam life. Prices are US MSRP; most dailies discount within a season.