Home/Reviews
Fresh experiences from real runners, collected from Reddit, YouTube and blogs and linked to their sources.
Blog · FueledByLOLZ – Hollie · 2 days ago
A long-time fan of the line: Salomon kept the ride that worked and improved the fit, so it feels more secure and easier to trust on long days. Protective without feeling heavy, with good Contagrip traction even on wet light trails; still fine after ~100 miles. An easy-day and long-run workhorse.
Blog · Doctors of Running – David Salas · 2 days ago
Lightweight for its max cushioning, with good foam, decent transitions and good versatility. But the midfoot feels undercut with a lateral squeeze, and lateral sole flaring pushes him medially, which limits long-run use and makes it less fun for him. Good value if the geometry and fit work for you.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Kristin Lassen · 2 days ago
Comfortable and buoyant: a cushioned, responsive midsole that feels soft at first but firmer when running, a secure midfoot, a protective gusseted tongue and a grippy, durable outsole. A great all-rounder for neutral runners, though something firmer suits fast intervals. Heel support isn't great.
Blog · Doctors of Running · 2 days ago
A light, plush, high-drop max-cushion trainer with surprising responsiveness and little rocker, versatile from easy and long miles to uptempo. It does its job very well. But it's as neutral as it gets, too unstable for another tester beyond shorter runs, and the exposed outsole was wearing and tearing by 30 miles.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
A solid max-cushion trainer with no real weaknesses: a really durable outsole, good stability, deep cushioning, a comfortable locked-down upper and outstanding reflectivity, premium and well built. But it lacks excitement and energy return, and it's pricier than rivals. Less fun than the Neo Vista 2.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Bach Pham · 2 days ago
A tank-like build with a comfortable fit and huge expected durability, but very stiff and firm. The two foams didn't mesh at first; after 20 miles it runs middle of the road, moderately cushioned and leaning firm. The heel doesn't clear cleanly, the fit is slightly loose, and in a crowded category he can't rank it high.
Blog · Believe in the Run · 2 days ago
The softest, bounciest Mizuno midsole she's tried and her current favourite, able to pick up the pace. Another tester finds the underfoot feel amazing but the upper so narrow and low-volume that at $180 he'd look elsewhere unless you have a narrow foot. A third tester sees lots of potential in the foams.
Blog · Negibozu's Running Diary – Negibozu · 2 days ago
A sub-3 ultra runner and fan of the line: a ~21 km half marathon confirmed it as a highly polished jog shoe, comfortable on recovery jogs and long runs with high cushioning and a rocker, with little change from the excellent v10. Concerns: outsole durability, slippery wet grip, and a rocker not for everyone.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Matt Klein · 2 days ago
A really comfortable flagship daily trainer: a softer, lighter upper, a smooth, easy-rolling transition and plenty of cushioning, stable for a neutral shoe, best for easy and long runs or walks. But by 80 miles he'd chewed through the exposed outsole, and the midsole flattens early for heavy runners.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Chad Zimmermann · 2 days ago
Judged in a vacuum it would get pretty decent grades for value and performance (not looks). But with so many solid $140–170 shoes, including HOKA's own Clifton Pro, it's hard to give it the respect its consistent quality deserves. His verdict: just a good shoe, not bad but not great.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Matt Klein · 2 days ago
One of his favourite daily trainers to start the year: a highly cushioned, firm but protective rocker with a snappy forefoot, a comfortable, secure upper and very stable geometry. No outsole wear at 50 miles, so durability justifies the price. Some will find it too firm, and the upper may run warm.
Blog · Believe in the Run · 2 days ago
One tester loved the original, but Brooks stripped away the magic and fun: still a solid max-cushion option for fans of a firmer ride and aggressive rocker, yet a step in the wrong direction. Another tester agrees it's a sophomore slump, heavier and firmer than expected. A perfectly fine shoe, but well short of v1.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
Made for loyal buyers of the line and anyone wanting an uncomplicated, comfortable daily driver: soft premium upper, durable outsole and a very stable ride. He enjoys it, but next to modern trainers the DNA Tuned ride is plain vanilla and not springy.
Blog · Doctors of Running – David Salas · 2 days ago
One of his favourite daily trainers so far this year: a smooth, consistent, rhythmic ride at easy paces without a big rocker, balanced cushioning, and a much more accommodating upper that's plush but breathable. It's not the most versatile, and at $175 he'd like more range, but it could be worth it for easy days only.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Robbe Reddinger, Karl Fernandez & Caryn Just · 2 days ago
A reliable daily trainer in a sea of reliable daily trainers: not versatile, and undercut by the lighter, cheaper Glycerin Flex. The midsole mostly absolves a hot upper, but $175 is a lot for a one-trick workhorse; one tester suggests last year's on sale. Another tester: a heavy shoe with a rather standard ride.
Blog · Doctors of Running – Matt Klein · 2 days ago
A stable neutral run/walk shoe with a smooth rocker that takes orthotics, is highly durable and is far more runnable than before. The tapered toe box makes it run half a size short. The midsole is firmer and less responsive than he'd like, and the lateral heel wall took 15–20 miles to break in.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Chad Zimmermann & Karl Fernandez · 2 days ago
Not the most exciting shoe to review, but one tester has never had a bad run in any of the four versions: a great easy-mile cruiser with a firmer feel, a great rocker and noticeable improvements, graded A. Another tester finds it the best Ghost and more fun than v18, but since nothing revolutionary changed, he'd hunt for a discounted v3.
Blog · Doctors of Running – David Salas & Andrea Myers · 2 days ago
A springy super trainer, very stable for its 46 mm stack, with a momentous ride when you engage the rocker. One tester loves it for uptempo long runs but finds the stiff midfoot bumpy at easy paces. Another tester: a protective, responsive tempo or long-run shoe, even a marathon racer if super shoes feel unstable.
Blog · Believe in the Run – Chad Zimmermann, Meaghan Murray & Ryan Haines · 2 days ago
ASICS defied the odds by improving both fit/comfort and the ride, and it was a blast to run in, though $190 makes value questionable. Still a great shoe and a clean, confident upgrade, but super trainer of the year is a tougher case in a stacked market with strong cheaper rivals. A third tester agrees.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
One of the most comfortable shoes he's tested this year, with a super smooth ride, padded landings, a luxurious upper and good stability. But it's heavy by today's standards and feels cumbersome, the outsole wears down fast, and at $180 it's way overpriced. He'd rather wear it to the gym or casually than run in it.
Blog · The Running Club – Paolo Corsini · 2 days ago
A daily trainer that positively surprised him after 150 km: comfortable on easy, recovery and longer runs, and a reliable, affordable option at €140 for many runners. The foam's responsiveness is moderate, and picking up the pace is limited more by weight and bulk than by the midsole. Final score 7.1.
Blog · Running Shoes Guru – Brandon Law · 2 days ago
The best mid-range daily trainer he's tested all year and a treat to run in, a big surprise after the bland first version. It has a balanced, energetic ride for a wide range of paces, deep cushioning and a forefoot rocker for long runs, plus a durable outsole. The upper is a bit too built up, and heavy overpronators may find it unstable.
Blog · Alastair Running – Alastair Dixon · 2 days ago
On's best shoe yet for everyday runners doing real marathon training, a plated super trainer 4:00–5:00 marathoners can race in. It's durable, stable and protective over big mileage, with energy that doesn't just absorb impact. The heel bevel and forefoot rocker roll tired legs along, which felt noticeably less beaten up after long runs.
Blog · Road Trail Run – Sam Winebaum · 2 days ago
A max-but-not-over-max trainer done right: deep, reactive, friendly cushioning, a flexible propulsive plate, impeccable straight-tracking stability, and friendly at any pace with a smooth rocker off a broad, stable heel. Traction and expected durability are strong. It's heavy, by deliberate choice, and the upper could shed weight.
