Tired of soggy socks and sweaty feet? Whether you're returning to the pavement after a long hiatus or simply seeking a fresh pair of kicks, now is the ideal time to invest in new running shoes.
Our expert team of runners, including seasoned veterans from ACTIVE, has meticulously tested a wide range of shoes to bring you this comprehensive guide. Each pair was subjected to at least 20 miles of rigorous testing, with our testers evaluating factors such as comfort, fit, weight, breathability, flexibility, and overall ride.
From beloved classics that have stood the test of time to innovative newcomers designed to inspire your miles well into summer, you're sure to discover the perfect shoe to match your unique needs and preferences. While we understand that budgets can be tight, we encourage you to consider investing in yourself. Your feet will thank you.
Spring Shoe Guides
Asics | Astral | Brooks | HOKA | Mammut | Merrell | New Balance | Nike | On | Pearl iZUMi | Reebok | Roll Recovery | Saucony | Skechers | Under Armour
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts, including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure that the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature highly rated products.
Asics Glideride Max
Asics GT-2000 13
Asics SuperBlast 2
Asics Glideride Max
About: The Asics Glideride Max is a unique running shoe designed to improve running economy and reduce fatigue. With its innovative rocker sole and GUIDESOLE technology, the Glideride Max encourages a more efficient running gait, promoting a smoother, less stressful stride. The shoe's lightweight and responsive midsole provides a comfortable and cushioned ride, making it a suitable choice for runners seeking to enhance their performance and reduce the risk of injury.
This is a "bulk of the training block" shoe that will get you through most of anything your training plan has to throw at you comfortably and with a bit of fun!
Things We Liked:
"It's a shoe with underpronation support that offers smooth transitions. Every stability shoe I've worn in the past feels like I'm hitting the brakes on every landing."
"This shoe makes runs feel fun and effortless while perfectly hugging the foot from the moment it slides into the moment it smoothly propels the foot forward into the next step."
Areas for Improvement:
"I'd understand if this were a race day shoe where every fraction of an ounce mattered, but in a daily trainer, give us some thicker hard rubber on the outsoles for durability. I burn right through these outsoles, and they're smooth within 2 months."
"I really can't think of anything I would like to change. The shoes get a bit warm in extreme temperatures, but I appreciate the extra cushion in mild temps, so I wouldn't necessarily change that."
Final Thoughts
The Glideride series makes its return to production this fall – this time in a max-cushioned, max-comfort daily trainer – with the Glideride Max. Originally thought to be discontinued in 2022, Asics reimagines the design with a massive stack that looks much different than the previous Glideride 3.
The Glideride Max's shining star rests at the shoe's bottom. It has a 44 mm stack in the heel and a 38 mm stack in the forefoot for a 6 mm overall drop. Asics uses a dual-layer midsole and debuts a new foam technology with this model, the FlyteFoam Blast Max, which offers squishy landings with high energy returns. The bulk of the midsole comprises their more traditional and lightweight FF Blast Plus Eco foam that can also be found in the Nimbus 26 and the Novablast 4. Complementing their foam, Asics uses their curved Guidesole rocker system designed to lessen fatigue in the lower legs while creating smooth transitions. In real-world miles, Asics has created a shoe that offers strong impact absorption without the feeling of sinking in mud.
Specs:
- Drop: 6mm
- Weight: 9.0 oz (women) 10.2 oz (men)
- Price: $170
- Category: Cushion
- Type: Road Running
- Fit: True to Size
- Ideal For: Speed, Recovery, Long Distance
Buy:
Women's | Men's
Asics GT 2000 13
About: The Asics GT-2000 13 is a stable running shoe designed to provide a comfortable and supportive ride for runners with mild to moderate overpronation. With its FlyteFoam Blast Turbo midsole, the GT-2000 13 offers a responsive and cushioned feel. The shoe's engineered mesh upper provides excellent breathability, while the Trusstic support system helps to reduce excessive pronation. Whether you're a daily runner or training for a marathon, the GT-2000 13 is a reliable choice for runners seeking stability and comfort.
This is one of the best running shoes I've worn and is very durable. It will take quite a bit of pavement pounding to wear out these bad boys.
Things We Liked:
"I love a shoe that snuggly fits my foot without me having to synch the strings as tight as they'll go- the GT-2000 13 is that shoe."
"Love a shoe designed for a heal striker that provides enough padding and support without sacrificing too much on weight."
Areas for Improvement:
"My ask is a superficial one: the function of the shoe is ideal- which is always my number one priority in a running shoe- but the shoe's look could be improved, in my opinion. This isn't necessarily a shoe I feel confident in wearing casually."
"That is exactly what I'd expect from Asics, and no material notes on improving it."
Final Thoughts
The ASICS GT-2000 13 is great for runners needing extra support, especially if their feet roll inward (overpronation) while running. This shoe version has softer cushioning, making each step feel smoother and more comfortable than previous models. It still offers the reliable stability that the GT-2000 series is known for, but the updated cushioning helps reduce the impact on your feet, making it ideal for both daily runs and longer distances.
The shoe's upper material is now a lightweight mesh, which helps your feet stay cool and adapts better to different foot shapes. The fit is slightly roomier in the front, offering more comfort without being too loose. The durable outsole provides good traction on both roads and light trails, so you can feel confident running on different surfaces. Overall, the GT-2000 13 strikes a nice balance between stability and comfort, making it a solid option for runners who need support without sacrificing cushioning.
Specs:
- Drop: 8mm
- Weight: 8.3 oz,(women), 9.5 oz (men)
- Price: $140
- Category: Stability
- Type: Road Running
- Fit: True to Size
- Ideal For: Recovery, Long Distances
Buy:
Women's | Men's
Asics SuperBlast 2
About: The Asics SuperBlast 2 is a high-performance running shoe designed for speed and responsiveness. With its lightweight and bouncy FF Blast Turbo 2 midsole, the SuperBlast 2 offers a propulsive and energetic ride. The shoe's engineered mesh upper provides excellent breathability, while the AHAR+ outsole ensures durability. Ideal for runners seeking a fast and efficient shoe for racing or tempo runs, the SuperBlast 2 delivers exceptional performance and a dynamic running experience.
These shoes are the perfect combination of bouncy and lightweight; it felt like I was running on mini trampolines.
Things We Liked:
"These shoes are extra-grippy thanks to the ASICSGRIP™ outsole. I felt like I had good contact with the road and stability even when it was raining."
"In a world where shoes are ditching rubber on the soles to save weight yet sacrifice longevity, I was thrilled to see that there is still rubber on the bottoms of these shoes!"
Areas for Improvement:
"I prefer a lower drop, so I'd love to an iteration of this shoe with a 6mm drop instead of 8mm."
"I seriously can't find one. This might be my new go-to shoe."
Final Thoughts
These neutral trainers combine lightweight cushioning and plenty of bounce for a comfy and responsive ride. The shoes have a traditional mesh upper in some snazzy colorways, and the sleek gusseted tongue lies flat and doesn't rub.
This shoe is pretty middle-of-the-road regarding weight and drop, so it'll work for many runners, especially if you gravitate toward a neutral shoe. Wear it for everything from easy recovery miles to fast-finish long runs. It feels really good right out of the box, so not much of a break-in period is needed.
Specs:
- Drop: 8mm
- Weight: 8.8 oz unisex size
- Price: $200
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Road Running
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal For: Speed, Recovery, Long Distance, Race
Buy:
Unisex
Check out the other shoes in the Fall Shoe Guide.