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.
Saucony Endorphine Elite 2
Saucony Ride 18
Saucony Guide 18
Saucony Endorphine Elite 2
About: Push your performance to new heights with the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2. This running shoe is built for serious racers who want to shave seconds off their time, whether it’s a 5K or a marathon. Equipped with Saucony’s signature PWRRUN HG foam midsole, the Endorphin Elite 2 is designed to give you maximum energy return with every step. Its carbon-fiber plate enhances propulsion, allowing you to hit peak speeds effortlessly. More than just fast, the upper offers a snug, race-ready fit that's lightweight yet supportive. If you're aiming to cross the finish line faster than ever, the Endorphin Elite 2 is the shoe to get you there.
The response, combined with the feature weight of these shoes, makes these a contender in the super shoe race!
Things We Liked:
"The response, from the carbon plate, to these shoes is amazing! I felt like I was flying down the street!"
"The upper is snug enough but has crazy amounts of breathability. Your feet shouldn't get hot in these."
Areas for Improvement:
"Walking in these can feel a bit unstable, but that goes away once you start to run."
"I am already starting to see a bit more wear on the soles than I would expect. Time will tell if this is a true issue or not."
Final Thoughts
The Endorphine Elites should be a major contender in the super shoe category. These shoes will encourage a quick turnover and almost make you feel like you have springs on your feet. These are super quick shoes that are perfect for race day. PR's will be broken when lacing up these shoes. One of the best shoes we've tested.
Specs:
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 7.0 oz
- Price: $275
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Speed, Race
Buy:
Unisex
Saucony Ride 18
About: When comfort and versatility are the priority, the Saucony Ride 18 is your go-to option. Perfect for daily training, this neutral running shoe is ideal for runners who need a reliable workhorse that performs on any run. The PWRRUN midsole strikes a just-right balance of cushioning and responsiveness, allowing you to feel supported without sacrificing energy transfer. With its breathable mesh upper and adaptive fit, the Ride 18 provides comfort even during your longest miles. Whether you're jogging through the park or clocking double digits on weekend long runs, the Saucony Ride 18 is a dependable partner.
The ideal do-everything shoe for a weekend getaway.
Things We Liked:
"Shoe is very comfortable and has great style "
"Having a single shoe that you can pack for a trip that is stylish enough to pair with your everyday outfit, but that also can function well for a long run or a treadmill trot, is a game changer. "
Areas for Improvement:
"The length of the laces is a bit short if you are a person who enjoys double tying your shoes. Adding a bit of length to the laces would be beneficial. "
"Maybe make the tongue a little longer."
Final Thoughts
When you thought Saucony couldn’t make the Ride any better, they introduced version 18. The reformulated PWRRUN+ foam has taken version 18 to the next level on its own. Comfortable straight out of the box, the Ride18 is ideal for a run on the road or the treadmill, or for a long walk around the park.
,br/> Traveling light? These are the perfect shoes for you. With a neutral color palette, this shoe can be styled to complement any daytime travel outfit, keep you comfortable on your morning run, and allow you to walk comfortably around a city for thousands of steps. The breathable mesh upper allows your foot to breathe adequately, while the durable bottom keeps you securely moving over any terrain. Hands down one of the best bang for your buck all around shoes..
Specs:
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 9.1 oz
- Price: $140
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Recovery, Long Distance, Cross Training
Buy:
Women's | Men's
Saucony Guide 18
About:For runners who need additional stability on their runs, look no further than the Saucony Guide 18. Designed for overpronators, this shoe features a subtle medial post to promote proper alignment and reduce joint strain. Saucony’s PWRRUN foam offers lightweight cushioning, resulting in a smooth ride without unnecessary bulk. Its FORMFIT upper adapts to every curve of your foot, delivering a secure yet flexible fit. Perfect for everything from quick 5 Ks to extended training sessions, the Guide 18 delivers support and comfort in equal measure, ensuring you stay on track with your running goals.
The Saucony Guide 18 wraps your feet in plush, breathable comfort with just enough stability—perfect for easy miles.
Things We Liked:
"Comfort. This shoe is smooth!"
"The shoe is very comfortable and responsive."
Areas for Improvement:
"I would probably make the tongue a bit longer. If you don't hold the loop, the tongue scrunches up."
"Takes a bit of work to pick up the pace. Not as responsive as I would want, but I feel Saucony was going for a smooth, comfortable shoe."
Final Thoughts
The Saucony Guide 18 stands out as a reliable daily trainer, offering a comfortable fit, excellent breathability, and balanced cushioning. Its subtle stability features support a natural gait without being overbearing, making it suitable for runners who prefer a bit of guidance. While it may not be the most responsive shoe on the market, its consistent performance and comfort make it a solid choice for everyday runs.
Specs:
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 9.6 oz
- Price: $140
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Long Distance
Buy:
Women's | Men's