Maximalist running shoe reviews

326 shoes reviewed

Sort by

Maximalist

We buy shoes ourselves. We earn commissions when you buy through us, at no extra cost. Why trust us

ASICS Gel Kayano 30

87

Great

$170

See on Amazon
Saucony Endorphin Azura
New

N/A

Not enough reviews yet

Any color

$150

See on Zappos
Adidas Switch FWD 2

85

Good

$140 $85

Save 39%

See on Amazon
Merrell Nova 2

85

Good

$110 $80

Save 27%

See on Amazon
Topo Ultraventure 4

86

Good

$150

See on Amazon
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo

88

Great

$270

See on Amazon
Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung

88

Great

$300

See on Fleet Feet
Saucony Ride 19
New

76

Bad

$145

See on Zappos
Nike Winflo 11 GTX

84

Good

$130 $109

Save 16%

See on Nike
Adidas Adizero EVO SL ATR
New

87

Great

$160

See on Adidas
Salomon Aero Glide

88

Great

$160

See on Zappos
Under Armour Infinite Elite

88

Great

$160 $91

Save 43%

See on Shoebacca
Adidas Supernova Rise 3
New

81

Good

$140

See on REI
Adidas Adizero Boston 11

83

Good

$160 $92

Save 43%

See on Amazon
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2

86

Good

$500

See on Fleet Feet
Mizuno Wave Rebellion

87

Great

$180 $135

Save 25%

See on Fleet Feet
ASICS Gel Pulse 15

83

Good

$100 $85

Save 15%

See on Amazon
Brooks Ghost 17 GTX
New

N/A

Not enough reviews yet

$170

See on Zappos
ASICS Gel Excite Trail 2

81

Good

$85 $70

Save 18%

See on Amazon
NOBULL Journey

88

Great

$179 $119

Save 34%

See on NOBULL
Brooks Ghost Max

91

Superb

$150 $131

Save 13%

See on eBay
Merrell Agility Peak 6
New

87

Great

$160

See on Zappos
Saucony Axon

87

Great

$100 $63

Save 37%

See on Amazon
Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 20

86

Good

$160 $90

Save 44%

See on Nordstrom Rack
PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 2

85

Good

$200 $190

Save 5%

See on Amazon
La Sportiva Prodigio Max
New

84

Good

$185

See on Zappos
Diadora Frequenza 2
New

87

Great

$180 $150

Save 17%

See on Amazon
ASICS Novablast 3

91

Superb

$150

See on Amazon
On Cloudboom Max
New

87

Great

$230

See on Fleet Feet
PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

84

Good

$295

See on Shoebacca

Filters

Select size for the best results

Men Women
Gender
Size
- 5.5 (1)
- 6 (1)
- 6.5 (1)
- 7 (1)
- 7.5 (1)
- 8 (1)
- 8.5 (1)
- 9 (1)
- 9.5 (1)
- 10 (1)
Terrain
- Road (266)
- Trail (60)
Pace
- Daily running / easy (199)
- Tempo / speed (68)
- Competition / race (48)
Brand
- ASICS (53)
- Adidas (17)
- Nike (29)
- New Balance (22)
- Saucony (30)
- HOKA (33)
- Brooks (33)
- PUMA (14)
- On (15)
- Mizuno (23)
Use
- Long distance (168)
- Jogging (199)
- All-day wear (92)
- Walking (161)
- For beginners (36)
- Treadmill (140)
- Off-trail (23)
- Hiking (35)
- Triathlon (39)
- Mud (23)
Pronation
- Overpronation (42)
- Neutral pronation (284)
- Supination (285)
- Underpronation (285)
Audience score
- > 90 (55)
- 80-90 (245)
- 70-80 (28)
- < 70 (1)
69 - 95

69 95
Width / Fit
- Narrow (102)
- Medium (209)
- Wide (15)
88 mm - 100 mm

88 mm 100 mm
Toebox width
- Narrow (66)
- Medium (184)
- Wide (25)
67 mm - 85 mm

67 mm 85 mm
Heel to toe drop
- 1 mm - 5 mm (12)
- 5 mm - 8 mm (74)
- 8 mm - 12 mm (195)
- > 12 mm (45)
2 mm - 17 mm

2 mm 17 mm
Release date
- 2025 (116)
- 2024 (84)
- 2023 (54)
- 2022 (20)
- 2021 or older (28)
- New (32)
- Hide low stock (246)
- Hide previous models (202)
Race distance
- Marathon (43)
- Half marathon (45)
- 5K and 10K (29)
- Ultra (25)
Strike Pattern
- Forefoot/Midfoot strike (190)
- Heel strike (238)
Energy return
- High (64)
- Moderate (84)
- Low (89)
40% - 81%

40% 81%
Type
Heel stack
- 35 mm - 40 mm (259)
- > 40 mm (67)
35 mm - 51 mm

35 mm 51 mm
Shock absorption
- High (163)
- Moderate (72)
- Low (5)
95 SA - 185 SA

95 SA 185 SA
Width
- Wide (326)
- X-Wide (326)
- Normal
- Narrow (326)
Price
- < $100 (103)
- $100 - $120 (134)
- $120 - $150 (196)
- $150 - $170 (168)
- > $170 (192)
- Cheap (20)
- Expensive (80)
Features
- Carbon plate (71)
- Rocker (180)
- Orthotic friendly (307)
- Removable insole (307)
- Rock plate (8)
- Sockless wear (35)
- Sustainable (47)
- Slip-On (1)
- Expensive (40)
Arch support
- Stability (42)
- Neutral (284)
Midsole softness
- Soft (186)
- Balanced (89)
- Firm (20)
19 AC - 53 AC

19 AC 53 AC
Breathability
- Breathable (65)
- Moderate (183)
- Warm (48)
Condition
- Flat Feet (42)
- Plantar fasciitis (46)
- Knee pain (9)
- Achilles tendonitis (32)
- Shin splints (44)
- Bunions (9)
- Hallux rigidus (19)
- Haglund's deformity (83)
Outsole durability
- Good (186)
- Decent (58)
- Bad (19)
0 mm - 17 mm

0 mm 17 mm
Toebox durability
- Good (77)
- Decent (134)
- Bad (60)
Forefoot stack
- 15 mm - 20 mm (1)
- 20 mm - 25 mm (36)
- 25 mm - 30 mm (160)
- > 30 mm (129)
19 mm - 42 mm

19 mm 42 mm
Stiffness
- Flexible (22)
- Moderate (113)
- Stiff (187)
6N - 39N

6N 39N
Waterproofing
- Waterproof (10)
- Water repellent (3)
Weight
- < 5.3 oz (12)
- 7.1 oz - 8.8 oz (64)
- 8.8 oz - 10.6 oz (180)
- 10.6 oz - 12.3 oz (64)
- > 12.3 oz (6)
4.6 oz - 15 oz

4.6 oz 15 oz
Arch Type
- High arch (284)
- Low arch (42)
Season
- Winter (16)
- Summer (65)
- All seasons (281)
Heel padding durability
- Good (158)
- Decent (75)
- Bad (36)
Trail terrain
- Light (38)
- Moderate (39)
- Technical (18)
Color
Collection
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (83)
- Moderate (109)
- Stiff (120)
Traction
- High (164)
- Moderate (53)
0.28 - 0.93

0.28 0.93
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (13)
- Moderate (56)
- Stiff (249)
Deals
- On sale (217)
- Deals (153)
- Outlet (84)
- Under $100 (116)
- Under $50 (7)
Discount
- > 70% (2)
- 50% - 70% (36)
- 30% - 50% (144)
- < 30% (292)
Technology
- Gore-Tex (11)
- Vibram (18)
- Ortholite (26)
- BOA (1)
Lug depth
- < 3 mm (7)
- 3 mm - 4 mm (30)
- > 4 mm (23)
1.7 mm - 5.8 mm

1.7 mm 5.8 mm
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (185)
- Normal (81)
- Big (28)
0% - 69%

0% 69%
Material
- Mesh (282)
- Knit (44)
- Vegan (30)
- Reflective (137)
Toebox height
- Low (49)
- Medium (139)
- High (35)
21 mm - 35 mm

21 mm 35 mm

Overall review lists

Running shoes

Best guides

Best running shoes

Running shoes are getting bigger and higher and this collection of maximalist running shoe reviews is here to prove it. In the lab, we have precisely measured the stack height of each shoe, along with its weight and midsole softness. Because of this, it is easy to look for the maximalist running shoes that are great for racing, for overpronators, or that are extremely breathable and trail-ready!