Competition running shoe reviews

Guide Best competition running shoes

72 shoes reviewed

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Pace: Competition / race

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Salomon S/Lab Spectur

82

Good

Any color

$220

See on Fleet Feet
Hoka Carbon X 3

81

Good

$355

See on Amazon
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2

83

Good

Any color

$275 $250

Save 9%

See on Fleet Feet
ASICS S4+ Yogiri

89

Great

$200

See on Running Warehouse
HOKA Cielo X1 2.0

88

Great

$275 $189

Save 31%

See on Amazon
PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 2

81

Good

$260 $180

Save 31%

See on Amazon
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
New

86

Great

Out of stock in all 36 shops
Saucony Endorphin Elite

90

Superb

Out of stock in all 36 shops
Hoka Mach X

88

Great

Out of stock in all 36 shops
Altra Escalante Racer

90

Superb

Out of stock in all 36 shops
Diadora Gara Carbon

89

Great

Out of stock in all 36 shops
Ortuseight Solar 2.0
New

90

Superb

Out of stock in all 36 shops

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Terrain
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Pace
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- Tempo / speed (+137)
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Brand
Use
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Pronation
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Heel to toe drop
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0 mm - 15 mm

0 mm 15 mm
Width / Fit
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86 mm - 103 mm

86 mm 103 mm
Toebox width
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56 mm - 89 mm

56 mm 89 mm
Release date
- 2026 (7)
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Audience score
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79 - 94

79 94
Race distance
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- 5K and 10K (45)
Energy return
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- Moderate (13)
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50% - 81%

50% 81%
Shock absorption
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- Moderate (6)
- Low (1)
106 SA - 185 SA

106 SA 185 SA
Strike Pattern
- Forefoot/Midfoot strike (58)
- Heel strike (37)
Type
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Heel stack
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- 25 mm - 30 mm (2)
- 30 mm - 35 mm (17)
- 35 mm - 40 mm (45)
- > 40 mm (6)
19 mm - 49 mm

19 mm 49 mm
Width
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- Normal
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Price
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Breathability
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Features
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- Rocker (59)
- Orthotic friendly (58)
- Removable insole (58)
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Arch support
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Midsole softness
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21 AC - 42 AC

21 AC 42 AC
Condition
- Knee pain (18)
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- Hallux rigidus (4)
- Haglund's deformity (63)
Outsole durability
- Good (28)
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0 mm - 17 mm

0 mm 17 mm
Toebox durability
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- Bad (33)
Stiffness
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- Stiff (39)
5N - 39N

5N 39N
Arch Type
- High arch (72)
Season
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- All seasons (69)
Heel padding durability
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- Bad (5)
Weight
- < 5.3 oz (21)
- 7.1 oz - 8.8 oz (44)
- 8.8 oz - 10.6 oz (6)
- 10.6 oz - 12.3 oz (1)
3.5 oz - 10.8 oz

3.5 oz 10.8 oz
Forefoot stack
- 15 mm - 20 mm (2)
- 20 mm - 25 mm (9)
- 25 mm - 30 mm (35)
- > 30 mm (26)
18 mm - 37 mm

18 mm 37 mm
Color
Collection
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- Adidas Adizero (11)
- Saucony Endorphin (6)
- New Balance FuelCell (5)
- Nike ZoomX (6)
- Brooks Hyperion (5)
- ASICS Metaspeed (8)
- Hoka Mach (1)
- Adidas Lightstrike (4)
- PUMA Nitro (5)
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (63)
- Moderate (7)
- Stiff (1)
Toebox height
- Low (5)
- Medium (35)
- High (10)
23 mm - 35 mm

23 mm 35 mm
Deals
- On sale (40)
- Deals (33)
- Outlet (16)
- Under $100 (3)
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (5)
- Moderate (2)
- Stiff (62)
Traction
- High (46)
- Moderate (8)
0.35 - 0.93

0.35 0.93
Discount
- 50% - 70% (7)
- 30% - 50% (31)
- < 30% (62)
Technology
- Ortholite (1)
Material
- Mesh (61)
- Knit (13)
- Vegan (5)
- Reflective (11)
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (54)
- Normal (9)
- Big (2)
0% - 46%

0% 46%

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