Expensive running shoe reviews

108 shoes reviewed

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Expensive

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Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB

90

Superb

Any color

$250 $168

Save 33%

See on eBay
Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

78

Decent

Any color

$250 $175

Save 30%

See on Backcountry
KURU Triple Max Ion

87

Great

Any color

$189

See on KURU Footwear
Salomon S/Lab Spectur

81

Good

$220

See on Fleet Feet
ASICS S4+ Yogiri

86

Good

$200

See on Running Warehouse
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4

77

Decent

$220

See on REI
HOKA Cielo X1 2.0

89

Great

$275 $160

Save 42%

See on Amazon
Salomon S/Lab Ultra

82

Good

$240

See on eBay
PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 2

81

Good

$260 $140

Save 46%

See on Amazon
Saucony Endorphin Pro+

91

Superb

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Saucony Endorphin Elite

90

Superb

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Brooks Aurora-BL

90

Superb

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Hoka Tecton X

90

Superb

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Diadora Gara Carbon
New

87

Great

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Kailas Fuga Pro 4

86

Good

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Kailas Fuga EX Pro

80

Good

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Kailas Fuga Elite 2

83

Good

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Kailas Fuga DU

81

Good

Out of stock in all 43 shops

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Size
- 5.5 (1)
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- 7 (1)
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- 8.5 (1)
- 9 (1)
- 9.5 (1)
- 10 (1)
Terrain
- Road (82)
- Trail (26)
Pace
- Daily running / easy (25)
- Tempo / speed (27)
- Competition / race (56)
Brand
Use
- Long distance (28)
- Jogging (25)
- All-day wear (11)
- Walking (12)
- Treadmill (56)
- Off-trail (6)
- Hiking (11)
- Triathlon (45)
- Mud (6)
- Spartan race (OCR) (2)
Pronation
- Neutral pronation (108)
- Supination (108)
- Underpronation (108)
Audience score
- > 90 (26)
- 80-90 (74)
- 70-80 (8)
73 - 95

73 95
Width / Fit
- Narrow (56)
- Medium (47)
- Wide (3)
86 mm - 101 mm

86 mm 101 mm
Toebox width
- Narrow (28)
- Medium (50)
- Wide (10)
56 mm - 81 mm

56 mm 81 mm
Heel to toe drop
- < 1 mm (3)
- 1 mm - 5 mm (10)
- 5 mm - 8 mm (29)
- 8 mm - 12 mm (59)
- > 12 mm (7)
0 mm - 16 mm

0 mm 16 mm
Release date
- 2025 (46)
- 2024 (22)
- 2023 (15)
- 2022 (9)
- 2021 or older (11)
- New (8)
- Hide low stock (87)
- Hide previous models (80)
Race distance
- Marathon (37)
- Half marathon (40)
- 5K and 10K (34)
- Ultra (14)
Strike Pattern
- Forefoot/Midfoot strike (81)
- Heel strike (60)
Energy return
- High (47)
- Moderate (22)
- Low (8)
44% - 81%

44% 81%
Type
- For heavy runners (10)
- Comfortable (12)
- Lightweight (62)
- Maximalist (81)
- For big guys (8)
- Low drop (10)
- Zero drop (3)
- Cushioned (77)
- Super shoe (27)
- Super trainer (17)
Heel stack
- 25 mm - 30 mm (3)
- 30 mm - 35 mm (24)
- 35 mm - 40 mm (57)
- > 40 mm (24)
25 mm - 51 mm

25 mm 51 mm
Shock absorption
- High (61)
- Moderate (16)
114 SA - 185 SA

114 SA 185 SA
Width
- Wide (108)
- X-Wide (108)
- Normal
- Narrow (108)
Price
Features
- Carbon plate (67)
- Rocker (84)
- Orthotic friendly (92)
- Removable insole (92)
- Rock plate (2)
- Sockless wear (9)
- Sustainable (8)
- Slip-On (1)
- Expensive (49)
Arch support
- Neutral (108)
Midsole softness
- Soft (18)
- Balanced (29)
- Firm (1)
21 AC - 43 AC

21 AC 43 AC
Breathability
- Breathable (36)
- Moderate (51)
- Warm (11)
Condition
- Plantar fasciitis (3)
- Knee pain (6)
- Achilles tendonitis (2)
- Shin splints (3)
- Bunions (1)
- Hallux rigidus (6)
- Haglund's deformity (69)
Outsole durability
- Good (55)
- Decent (20)
- Bad (10)
0 mm - 17 mm

0 mm 17 mm
Toebox durability
- Good (27)
- Decent (29)
- Bad (32)
Forefoot stack
- 15 mm - 20 mm (2)
- 20 mm - 25 mm (10)
- 25 mm - 30 mm (43)
- > 30 mm (53)
16 mm - 42 mm

16 mm 42 mm
Stiffness
- Flexible (3)
- Moderate (20)
- Stiff (53)
6N - 39N

6N 39N
Waterproofing
- Water repellent (1)
Weight
- < 5.3 oz (15)
- 7.1 oz - 8.8 oz (47)
- 8.8 oz - 10.6 oz (26)
- 10.6 oz - 12.3 oz (18)
- > 12.3 oz (2)
4.6 oz - 15 oz

4.6 oz 15 oz
Arch Type
- High arch (108)
Season
- Summer (36)
- All seasons (98)
Heel padding durability
- Good (59)
- Decent (21)
- Bad (9)
Trail terrain
- Light (17)
- Moderate (18)
- Technical (2)
Color
Collection
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (69)
- Moderate (23)
- Stiff (14)
Traction
- High (59)
- Moderate (9)
0.33 - 0.96

0.33 0.96
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (5)
- Moderate (6)
- Stiff (96)
Deals
- On sale (62)
- Deals (51)
- Outlet (35)
- Under $100 (16)
Discount
- > 70% (1)
- 50% - 70% (19)
- 30% - 50% (50)
- < 30% (95)
Technology
- Vibram (14)
- Ortholite (1)
Lug depth
- < 3 mm (4)
- 3 mm - 4 mm (16)
- > 4 mm (6)
2.5 mm - 5.5 mm

2.5 mm 5.5 mm
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (76)
- Normal (18)
- Big (2)
0% - 46%

0% 46%
Material
- Mesh (89)
- Knit (23)
- Vegan (8)
- Reflective (34)
Toebox height
- Low (16)
- Medium (43)
- High (15)
21 mm - 34 mm

21 mm 34 mm

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We bought all of these shoes with our own money and treated them as any other shoe: by doing the proper test runs and lab tests. These reviews of expensive running shoes stand proudly against the saying that the more expensive shoes are always better. They definitely come with a set of pros and cons, and we transparently showcase them all.