Home/Reviews
Fresh experiences from real runners, collected from Reddit, YouTube and blogs and linked to their sources.
Blog · WeeViews – Hollie S · 2 days ago
Proof Salomon can make a legit road racer: responsive, bouncy foam, an efficient plate, a smooth ride, a light, breathable upper, and traction she'd trust in the wet. Minimal wear at 50 miles, and she expects ~200. One of her favourite carbon shoes this year. Not for short intervals.
Blog · Runpanel – Or Dalah · 2 days ago
A rare combination of softness, bounce and stability: soft landings, very high responsiveness, and heel and upper stabilisers that, unlike other soft shoes, didn't irritate his ankle tendons. No visible outsole wear after ~200 km, and Contagrip improves grip on asphalt. The extra ankle support takes getting used to.
Blog · RunMag – David · 2 days ago
9/10. A very pleasant fit that adapts even to wide feet, with slipper-like comfort and lightness. Soft Energy Foam+ and a carbon plate combine for dynamic, efficient fast running, and the grip bites on the forefoot. He wouldn't use it for easy endurance runs. Ideal for prepared racers, 5K to marathon.
Blog · Believe in the Run · 2 days ago
A winner: a true race-day fit and a bouncy-yet-stable Pebax midsole, though a touch firmer than rivals. Salomon has arrived on the marathon scene, with forefoot stability that keeps runners comfortable late on, but he wouldn't spend Alphafly money on a first-generation racer.
Blog · Running Lab – Julien Guyod · 2 days ago
A 2:38 marathoner calls it a formidable weapon from 5K to the marathon: excellent shock absorption at any distance, best when you accelerate, and a tough Atomknit upper. Less explosive for sharp track work. The foam shows visible wear fast and an Air unit burst on his v3, so save it for race day.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Nathan Brown · 2 days ago
His current racing shoe of choice from 5 miles to the marathon: bouncy, fun and versatile, with a secure, roomy-for-a-racer fit, and comparatively stable, so it works at 5:30/mile or 9+ min/mile. It's comparatively heavy (still light) and squeaky; 5K specialists have lighter, more aggressive options.
Blog · Believe in the Run · 2 days ago
It remains one of the best race-day shoes, especially for the marathon: a comfortable, accommodating upper, light, bouncy foam and Air pods that carry tired legs late on, now cheaper. Lighter, faster options exist, and it squeaked for the first 5–6 miles. Another tester: 'you can buy confidence.'
Blog · Run & Smile – Roman Brcar · 2 days ago
Not a do-it-all shoe. Bought with his own money, reviewed in agreement with NB. Over 120 km it felt light, snappy and propulsive; it kept him in control through a half marathon and showed no outsole wear. Comfortable with no blisters, sticky on wet roads and stable in corners. Best for 5K to half and workouts, not easy runs. Size up half.
Blog · Road Trail Run · 2 days ago
One tester (8.9/10): delightfully fast turnover, a plate at a sweet spot of stiffness, and a fine choice from 5K to half, though the heel design is problematic. An ideal racer up to the half and an all-round trainer, smooth even at 10:30/mile thanks to a snappy flex, and the outsole looks great after 50 miles.
Blog · Doctors of Running · 2 days ago
A firmer, lower-stack super shoe true to its 5K–10K purpose (one tester says up to a half), and good value at $200. But one tester found it a bit soft for fast efforts, with a short fit, heel rubbing and early outsole tearing. Another tester gave the fit an F: heel blisters and bleeding kept it out of her 7-mile race.
Blog · Believe in the Run · 2 days ago
One of her favourite updates, a more traditional race-day feel for distance runners, kept in her rotation through summer speed work. Probably the most fun shoe he's run in: not the softest, bounciest or most propulsive, but it blends all three into a fantastic racer across paces from tempo to top speed.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
A decent racer, but he hoped to improve on the Elite 4 PB, which feels faster to him. It's too firm and lacks bounce, so he wouldn't race a marathon in it. Positives: a stiff, snappy plate, outstanding outsole durability, more stability than most racers. The heel counter is loose, and it's not worth $275.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Matt Klein · 2 days ago
Brooks finally has a legit super racer: bouncy foam, a responsive heel and good durability after 30 hard miles, best for longer efforts. But heel slippage, excessive toe spring and poor midfoot stability limit him to moderate distances. It lacks speed versatility, the upper needs work, and it's not a $275 shoe.
Blog · Believe in the Run · 2 days ago
Graded D for value at $275. One tester found it efficient (splits faster than it felt) but too squishy, with a loose heel on corners. It rides like an old racing flat without super-shoe spark. A third tester was surprised: light, fast and durable with excellent grip; he'd use it up to a half, not a marathon.
Blog · Tom's Guide – Nick Harris-Fry · 2 days ago
The fastest, lightest, most exciting racer on the market: his heart rate ran lower at speed and he recovered faster between reps. But it's wobbly and soft, may lack support late in a marathon, and might only be at its best for about 100 miles. At $500 he says most people who'd have to buy it probably shouldn't.
Blog · The Running Channel – Aubrey (via Mark Dredge) · 2 days ago
One tester, a sub-4 marathoner who bought his own pair, ran a two-minute half PB in it: serious pop, best-in-class foam and surprising comfort. Downsides: £450/$500, built for one marathon plus some training, a barely-there upper that needs careful lacing, short laces, and a squishy ride for strong runners only.
Blog · Tom's Guide – Nick Harris-Fry · 2 days ago
For some runners the super-soft, springy ride will be irresistible: very fun and undoubtedly quick, matched only by the even less stable Metaspeed Ray. For him it's a little too soft, and heavier than rivals: the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 are a couple of ounces lighter and remain his picks.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Andrea Myers & Matt Klein · 2 days ago
Incredibly soft and responsive, with a secure, comfortable upper, a great wide squared-off toe box, and more stability and speed versatility than v2. It's soft and unstable when slow, and one tester preferred it at 5K–10K pace. It's heavy for a modern super racer and unstable cornering at speed.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Meaghan Murray & Thomas Neuberger · 2 days ago
A solid update with extra foam adding welcome stability. It's light, comfortable and bouncy, and one tester will keep it for workouts and long runs, but it's a bit too squishy and lacks the aggressive snap she wants on the start line. One of the comfiest racers, not the lightest or fastest.
Blog · Road Trail Run · 2 days ago
One tester may have found her new race-day shoe: the incredibly bouncy, fun ride of the EE2 in a much better-fitting upper with a slotted carbon plate and tweaked geometry. Testers flag that it's heavy for a top super shoe and priced at the top end, and another tester feels the added drive costs some of the bouncy fun.
Blog · Jolie Foulée – Nicolas Brun · 2 days ago
'A hell of a shoe': more comfortable and less narrow than an Adios Pro 4, with immediate dynamism that lowered his heart rate at a given pace, and the LightSpray upper hadn't moved an inch after 100+ km. At 158 g it's built for marathons and long races on the road. Like most super shoes, it dislikes turns.
Blog · The Running Club – Andrea Soffientini & Roberto · 2 days ago
Very light (158–168 g) and comfortable once on, built for steady marathon pacing, not explosive pushes, with less reactivity than the first Strike or Echo 3. After testing, the right shoe showed partial sole separation and a midsole cut. At €310 it's hard to justify over the laced version.
Blog · Akirun – Akira · 2 days ago
Pace decides it: at 4:30/km it shone, stable and rolling over 35 km, ideal for sub-3.5 to sub-4. Jogging at 6:00/km it feels board-like and slaps, and at 4:00/km and interval pace it gives clearly less help than a Metaspeed, so it's not a sub-3 racer. The outsole tread is still good at 300 km.
Blog · Road Trail Run – Sam Winebaum · 2 days ago
Delivers exactly what S4 stands for: speed, stability, safety and sub-4. Stability is the highlight, almost to a fault: you won't wobble, sit back on your heels or struggle to transition whatever your race pace, at a reasonable 8.1 oz and $200. The dense lower Flytefoam gives a dull, firm heel with little bounce.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
If you've run in a Metaspeed or any super shoe, you won't be happy: it's firmer and less engaging. ASICS made it too firm for stability and kept old Flytefoam underneath. It's slightly lighter than the S4 with excellent traction, but it doesn't feel like a super shoe, and the US price is ~$50 above Japan's.
Blog · Coach – Nick Harris-Fry · 2 days ago
A great racing and fast-training option for Altra loyalists, light at 223 g and grippy even on wet roads. But the EVA foam showed considerable wear after just 55 km. Given the high price, durability concerns and a midsole that's less fast and propulsive than the best, non-devotees will find better carbon shoes.
Blog · Road Trail Run – Renee Krusemark, Jeff Beck & Cheng Chen · 2 days ago
A smooth, healthy ride that's stable across a very wide pace range, similar at 9:00 and 6:00 pace, unlike the Endorphin Pro or Vaporfly. It balances comfort and response.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Thomas Neuberger · 2 days ago
He likes it: a lively ride, cushioning that can chew up miles, and a plate noticeable enough to help click off miles. Once on, it's the best-fitting Altra he's tested, though classic fans may miss toe room. The thick, waxy laces are hard to adjust, an odd choice on a $240 shoe, and the tongue makes it fiddly to put on.
Blog · Pace Buddies – Joost Dekker · 2 days ago
His ideal bridge to minimalist running after injury: a very wide toe box, a light 224 g weight, a hugging heel and a responsive near-ground feel. After 600 km the heel is worn and it needs replacing, but the knit held up. It's brilliant in heat but cold below 5°C, and no shoe for heel strikers.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Andrea Myers · 2 days ago
Altra's lowest-stack shoe, best at moderate-to-uptempo paces and fartleks, and its stiff platform may help those with hallux limitus. For one tester the stiff platform felt like fighting the shoe at faster paces, and the big weight gain over v1 held it back. Durability is typical, and it isn't for technical terrain.
Blog · Runner's World – Amanda Furrer · 2 days ago
Light and speedy, with supportive firm-but-soft-feeling cushioning and a Speedroll rocker that encourages smooth turnover, she explains, rather than sponges or pillows. Her one con: rubbing irritation at the back of the heel.
Blog · RunToTheFinish – Stacey Gross · 2 days ago
Still the everyday runner's carbon-plated shoe: super durable on the road, the treadmill and even crushed gravel. It loses points for the new sock-like upper, which isn't very flexible. The heel collar can irritate with low socks, and it runs a little narrow with no wide option yet.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Matt Klein · 2 days ago
A completely different shoe: a faster distance super racer that's still durable enough for lots of workouts and races, with a stable rear/midfoot, a smooth rockered forefoot, a wider fit and great traction. The forefoot is less stable medially, and the harsh upper with a thin tongue caused lace bite early on.
Blog · Tom's Guide – Nick Harris-Fry · 2 days ago
A great racing shoe that stands up well against the best on the market and is Brooks' best racer yet. He wouldn't rush to buy it, though, given the quality of rivals and the imminent successor.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
Brooks finally joins the PEBA party with a competitive marathon racer: more energy return, responsiveness that made speeding up effortless, and an incredibly breathable knit upper. Its firm-ish ride resembles the Metaspeed Sky Paris. There's no aggressive forefoot rocker, and the design looks dated.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Thomas Neuberger & Meaghan Murray · 2 days ago
Not one tester's first pick. Brooks finally has a competitive marathon racer that stacks up against the Vaporfly, Metaspeed and Adios Pro 4. One tester, burned by v2 (22 miles to bloody heels), wouldn't make it her #1 start-line pick but thinks it will be for many. Another tester is wary of how Brooks has rolled out its racers.
Blog · Runhike – Tofu · 2 days ago
Specialised for lightness, middling in performance. With no plate to the toe the final push-off is weak, and stride extension takes effort. It lacks the rocker-roll of the Edge Tokyo too. Only an advantage in races where every gram matters, and he can't find a use for it next to the Sky and Edge.
Blog · Kyo mo Hashirimasuta+ · 2 days ago
A strong buy: marshmallow-soft and astonishingly light, and he ran his 3 km ekiden leg 47 s faster than the previous year, a PB at 53. The outsole wore as if he'd run a full marathon after only 3 km, and the instability gave him sore abs for three days. Keep it for very special races.
Blog · Kami no BU Nisshi – Kami · 2 days ago
Under 120 g and feels like nothing, with soft foam and surprisingly durable thin rubber after a full marathon. But it was wobbly even at 3:35/km, and he cramped after 20 km at Kobe. As he faded, the softness turned into bouncing up rather than forward, so for him it's a half-marathon-and-under shoe.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Meaghan Murray & Thomas Neuberger · 2 days ago
Ridiculously good at race pace, sinking into soft foam that gives the energy straight back. A weapon on the right feet, but not for most people: recovery jogs felt wobbly, one tester wouldn't recommend it to mid-pack marathoners, and another tester's pair looked heavily worn at 52 mi.
Blog · Doctors of Running – David Salas · 2 days ago
Incredibly light and bouncy, with plenty of cushioning for long-distance racing and an A- for performance. The FF Leap foam is inherently unstable and the narrow midfoot doesn't help, so it can wobble through the midfoot and on sharp turns.
Blog · FueledByLOLZ – Hollie Sick · 2 days ago
She likes the ride for shorter efforts. She likes it, but it's too firm for her beyond 15 miles. After 50 miles the outsole showed significant wear, so she doubts it will last 100. At $289 it's no better than other carbon racers: you pay for the name.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
Disappointing and not in his top two tiers of marathon racers. The ride is too firm, the propulsion modest and the rocker not prominent. Traction, the upper and lockdown are great, but durability is the biggest weakness, with heavy lateral wear, and at $290 it's not worth it.
Blog · Road Trail Run – Ryan, Derek, Joost & Sam · 2 days ago
Smooth and efficient at 10K-to-marathon race pace and nimble like a racing flat. It helps hold turnover and is a huge step up from Echo 1. It needs roughly 8:10/mile or faster, the plate feels rigid near the heel, the price is top level, and one tester saw significant outsole wear by 45 mi.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Meaghan Murray, Robbe Reddinger & Ryan Haines · 2 days ago
Light years ahead of the hard-plated Echo 1 and 2: in mile repeats the shoe seemed to disappear, and it runs faster than its fairly heavy weight. One tester wouldn't pick it for a marathon, since the firm HF foam would thrash his legs, but it's great for 10K and under, maybe a half.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Matt Klein & Andrea Myers · 2 days ago
A premium upper on a firmer super-shoe base that finally fixes the Echo's gaps. One of the best-fitting super shoes she has tested, highly responsive and most comfortable at 5K to threshold pace. Neither liked it as much at marathon pace, and the price stays high.
Blog · taka-run – taka · 2 days ago
A sharply focused shoe for intermediate and advanced forefoot runners: overwhelmingly light with spike-like ground feel and superb forefoot rebound. He planned to use it for regular speed work too, so he wished it were more durable. The thin upper looks fragile, and it's expensive and demanding of fitness.
Blog · Unattached Runner – Seiya Ishikawa · 2 days ago
Rated A: it feels more like a spike (a Dragonfly) than a shoe, and he could hold 1500 m race pace on the road, so he could replace spikes for some sessions. Very light, great on the track and for hard sessions. It runs slightly small and narrow, it's not for heel strikers, and the price rose about ¥6,000.
