![]() ![]() The foam compresses and rebounds with each stride to actually push you forward. A midsole is important for any type of shoe, but it’s especially so for a running sneaker. Over the past several years, many running shoe companies have narrowed in on the midsole-that cushiony foam layer that’s squeezed in between a shoes’ insole (which your foot rests on) and the traction-y bottom. And unlike midsoles of the past these newly engineered foam layers supposedly don’t lose their bounce as the miles add up. The fresh kicks, which hit stores on February 22nd, embody a sock-like fit with a novel midsole meant to return energy on each stride. Nike’s new Epic React running shoes fit like a slipper, but a sandwich of carefully crafted materials in the sole protect your feet and the tiny bones within from punishing pavement. On the other hand, sneakers are structured and stabilizing to support your foot as you pound the pavement. Both go on your feet, but slippers are flexible, sock-like shoes for luxuriating in your living room. Slippers and running sneakers are two very different things. This would be a perfect pick for those first-time marathoners or someone who’s just looking for a shoe that can do it all.We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. So while it may no longer be what it once was, it’s still a great shoe and you can even pick up the pace this go-around. Good news– the new version eliminates any heel abrasion and still provides a secure (and more breathable) fit. ![]() Some of us loved the stretch knit upper last year, but there are plenty of people who hated it. No, it’s not the same big ol’ bed of foam underneath, but the SC Trainer v2 is more versatile and still provides plenty of comfort on the run. Our fears were allayed when we actually ran in the shoe. While the first version was a tad heavy, we absolutely loved the underfoot cushion. The shoe lost an ounce (normally great), but also lost a total of 7 mm from the stack height. One of our favorite overall shoes of last year, we were a bit scared when we saw the SC Trainer v2 at The Running Event last December. Yes, it’s a race day pick, so weight is of prime importance, but we like a bit of support in the back. Honestly, our only nit to pick with the shoe is that we could use a little more heel structure. He’s been a Metaspeed Edge+ believer for over a year, and he proudly proclaimed that the Rocket X 2 takes everything good about that shoe and turns it up a notch. No matter the scenery you’re working with, Robbe probably had the highest praise of all. Even Meg had some smiles for the Rocket X 2, though some of that might have been from testing out the shoe in sunny San Luis Obispo while it was still rainy and cold here in Baltimore. We all had great runs in the shoe, with Robbe and Thomas rocking it through some 800m repeats and smiling all the way to the bank. There’s more stack (36 mm in the heel, 31 mm in the forefoot), a brand-new Peba midsole, and an aggressive meta-rocker that rolls straight through your stride. The Rocket X 2 takes everything that fell flat on the first Rocket X and throws it out the window. No sweat, there are plenty of others that will do the job and put a smile on your face when you cinch the lace. Nor is the Adidas Adios Pro 3 which we kind of keep coming back to after training and racing in it for the Boston Marathon. Keep in mind, these are shoes that came out this year, which means our favorite all-around shoe ( Asics Superblast) isn’t on this list. So that’s what we did here, breaking them up into their own individual categories. The good news is that we can still pick a whole bunch, based on their individual talents. Like a parent with kids, it’s hard to pick a favorite when they’re all pretty amazing. We’ve tried every shoe on this list and a ton that aren’t on here, and there were some tough decisions we had to make. ![]() However, there are still trainers that stand out above the rest. Which means you can get some comfort and utility in lower-level trainers that would’ve been unheard of just a few years ago. The foam evolution gets better with every flip of the calendar performance that could only be found in the best race day shoes a short time ago is now trickling down to everything else. Here’s the thing– running shoes have gotten so good over the last few years, it’s hard to find a really bad one anymore. ![]()
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