With Spring upon us and summer right around the corner, it's time to refresh your footwear for the season ahead. Whether you're hitting the pavement, exploring trails, or upgrading from everyday style, the 2025 Spring Shoe Guide has you covered. This year brings a perfect blend of innovation, comfort, and style, with top brands rolling out shoes that cater to runners, casual walkers, and lifestyle enthusiasts alike. Expect cutting-edge materials, eco-conscious designs, and bold aesthetics that will keep you ahead of the game. Get ready to step confidently into the new season with shoes tailored to your needs and preferences.
We gathered testers from all over the country, including veteran runners at ACTIVE, to extensively test the shoes in this guide. Our testers put their shoes through at least 20 running miles (some way more than 20 miles) while paying attention to comfort, fit, weight, breathability, flexibility, and ride.
From updates of old favorites that had our feet singing to new releases that will ensure you'll find something to motivate your miles well into summer, you're guaranteed to find a shoe you'll love. We know money might be tight, but if you can, treat yourself! You deserve it.
Spring Shoe Guides
AHNU | Asics | Brooks | Craft | Diadora | HOKA | KURU | La Sportiva | Merrell | New Balance | Nike | The North Face | Reebok | Rossignol | Salomon | Saucony | Scarpa | Skechers | Speedland | 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 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 products that are highly rated.
New Balance 1080 v14
New Balance SuperComp Elite v4
New Balance Hierro v9
New Balance 1080 v14
About: The New Balance 1080 v14 is the ultimate running shoe for those who prioritize comfort without compromising on performance. Ideal for long training runs, this flagship model strikes a fine balance between responsive energy return and a cushioning system designed to cradle your foot. Its updated design features Fresh Foam X midsole technology, providing unparalleled softness with every step while maintaining durability for higher mileage. Whether jogging through city streets or clocking serious miles on the pavement, the 1080 v14 offers a luxurious feel and a secure fit that runners adore.
A plush ride with a personalized touch—comfort has never felt so dialed in
Things We Liked:
"What surprised me most was how quickly the shoe adapted to my foot.... when I first put it on, the arch felt a little stiff and not quite right—but within just a couple of hours, it felt like the midsole had molded to me. It was almost like the shoe customized itself to my feet."
"I liked the combination of lightweight and the cushion - it didn't feel like a bulky shoe while running"
Areas for Improvement:
"I tend to gravitate toward shoes that feel peppy and responsive, and with all that Fresh Foam underfoot, I had to work harder than usual just to hit my normal pace."
"The front part of the shoe was a bit constrictive, so runners with wider feet may have to size up. "
Final Thoughts
The 1080 Hits Its Stride — Again! If comfort had a signature shoe, the New Balance 1080 v14 would be it. This premium daily trainer delivers a smooth, pillowy ride that makes logging easy miles feel almost luxurious. What makes it stand out isn’t flashy speed or race-day pep, but its quiet dependability. From the first step to the final cooldown, the soft Fresh Foam X midsole—New Balance’s signature cushioning technology—absorbs impact like a pro. At the same time, a refined rocker geometry ensures smooth and natural transitions. It’s a shoe designed to go the distance without demanding much in return—ideal for recovery days, long walks, and anyone who values plush protection over pop.
The upper also deserves a nod for its snug yet gentle hold. A gusseted tongue and well-cushioned heel collar ensure a secure fit without pressure points, while the shoe's layout provides generous room in key areas without feeling sloppy. Heel strikers in particular will appreciate the slightly beveled rearfoot and wide base, which help soften landings and promote a more stable transition through the stride. Fit-wise, the 1080 v14 is true to size but offers just enough space through the forefoot and midfoot to accommodate slight swelling or wider feet. For runners who crave comfort, this is one of the softest, most stable versions yet.
Specs:
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 10.3 oz
- Price: $165
- Category: Cushion
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Recovery, Long Distance
Buy:
Women's | Men's
New Balance SuperComp Elite v4
About:For runners tackling long-distance racing, the New Balance SuperComp Elite v4 is built to dominate the competition. Engineered with the super-responsive FuelCell foam combined with Energy Arc technology, this shoe maximizes propulsion and efficiency across marathon distances. The carbon plate in the midsole works in conjunction with this cutting-edge foam to provide you with that extra kick when it matters most. With a sleek design focused on aerodynamics and comfort, the SuperComp Elite v4 is poised to take you to the finish line faster than ever.
What a powerhouse of a shoe! Marathon pace felt natural and effortless.
Things We Liked:
"What a glorious midsole! With a 40mm stack, it's impossible not to appreciate it."
"It's exciting to finally have a New Balance racing shoe that fits my foot like it was made for it."
Areas for Improvement:
"It's hard to say that any super shoe is heavy, but this is one of the few that weighs over 8oz."
"I'd like to see the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 with a redesigned and/or protected sole. The wide gap that exposes the Energy Arc picked up unseen large rocks and a PVC pipe fitting on a run."
Final Thoughts
At 8.8 ounces, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 is a lightweight, fast, and, most importantly, comfortable road supershoe. At a 4mm drop, it doesn't put you on your toes over the long haul at speed, but allows you to maintain control and comfort. The fully plated midsole and rocker design help urge you forward instead of forcing you forward.
This shoe has been well thought out, from the cushioned heel collar, which is lacking in its contemporaries, to the FuelCell midsole, made with PEBA, which provides optimal cushion and energy return for distances where a PR is the primary goal. The only downside is the spacing in the sole, which exposes the Energy Arc carbon plate pairs, which is just enough space to pick up rigid road debris if you're not watching every step. But the good far outweighs the bad, and runners who are gunning for big goals on race day won't be disappointed.
Specs:
- Drop: 4 mm
- Weight: 8.4 oz
- Price: $250
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Speed, Race
Buy:
Women's | Men's
New Balance Hierro v9
About:Trail runners, meet your new best friend. The New Balance Hierro v9 is designed to handle rugged paths and unpredictable terrain easily. Its Vibram MegaGrip outsole provides exceptional traction, ensuring stability on a range of surfaces, from loose gravel to muddy trails. Enhanced durability meets comfort with a Fresh Foam midsole cushioning that absorbs impact while maintaining a flexible feel. Whether you're navigating forest routes or steep inclines, the Hierro v9 is a reliable choice for explorers who crave adventure without sacrificing support or fit.
This is an incredibly comfortable shoe with great cushion; you won't even feel the rocks beneath these shoes!
Things We Liked:
"Like little foot pillows. "
"This great trainer has excellent comfort, fit, and cushion."
Areas for Improvement:
"Sizing is completely off."
"The extra cushion feels a bit clumsy."
Final Thoughts
First thoughts when putting on the shoes: “shoot it's way too small, but that’s comfortable”. The shoe itself is an extremely comfortable footbed and cushioning. The footbed is soft enough to hold the foot securely, yet still provides some give to allow your foot to sink in and feel the cushion.
The cushion underfoot would be ideal for mid- to long-distance efforts (10-26 miles). It would do a great job in terms of shock absorption over longer distances. However, the downside is that if you were doing a super technical trail or trying to hit a sprint downhill, it would likely result in an ankle roll. The tread itself is a solid tread pattern. The tread depth will provide you with excellent traction, and the multi-directional tread will aid you on those steady downhill efforts.
The sizing of this shoe is fairly off. It’s about a full size off where it feels the most comfortable. But the actual fit of the heel cushion and cup is great. The toe box is comfortable, and it remains so throughout the arch of the foot.
It’s a comfortable shoe to help you reach your mileage goals.
Specs:
- Drop: 4 mm
- Weight: 10.3 oz
- Price: $155
- Category: Cushion
- Type: Running - Trail
- Fit: Size Up 1/2 to Full
- Ideal for: Recovery, Long Distance, Trail
Buy:
Women's | Men's