Maximalist running shoe reviews

226 shoes reviewed

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Maximalist

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Merrell Nova 2

85

Good

$125

See on Amazon
Nike Renew Ride 3

75

Bad

Any color

$80 $75

Save 6%

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Hoka Gaviota 3

87

Great

Out of stock in all 46 shops
Salomon Supercross 4

85

Good

Out of stock in all 46 shops
ASICS Gel Excite 8

83

Good

$153

See on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v14 GTX
New

73

Bad

$157

See on Amazon
Kailas Fuga DU

85

Good

Out of stock in all 46 shops
Nike Renew Ride 2

75

Bad

$88

See on Amazon
Kailas Fuga EX BOA

90

Great

$214

See on eBay
Kailas Fuga YAO

90

Great

$197

See on eBay
Kailas Fuga EX 2

85

Good

Out of stock in all 46 shops
Kailas Fuga Elite 2

83

Good

Out of stock in all 46 shops
HOKA Cielo X1 2.0
New

89

Great

$275

See on Hoka
PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 2

82

Good

$260 $140

Save 46%

See on Shoebacca
Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0

84

Good

$100 $85

Save 15%

See on Shoe Mall
Kailas Phantom 3.0

90

Great

Out of stock in all 46 shops

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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
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Pace
- Daily running / easy (140)
- Tempo / speed (48)
- Competition / race (34)
Brand
Heel to toe drop
- 0mm (2)
- 1mm - 4mm (10)
- 5mm - 8mm (44)
- 9mm - 12mm (134)
- 13mm and above (36)
Use
- Long distance (197)
- Jogging (140)
- All-day wear (125)
- Walking (128)
- For beginners (47)
- Treadmill (101)
- Hiking (23)
- Off-trail (17)
- Triathlon (14)
- Mud (17)
Pronation
- Overpronation (29)
- Neutral pronation (196)
- Supination (197)
- Underpronation (197)
Audience score
- 90 and above (47)
- 80-89 (132)
- 70-79 (11)
- 60-69 (1)
Width / Fit
- Narrow (78)
- Medium (137)
- Wide (11)
Release date
- 2025 (39)
- 2024 (85)
- 2023 (54)
- 2022 (20)
- 2021 or older (28)
- New (16)
- Hide low stock (187)
- Hide previous models (143)
Features
- Cushioned (226)
- Carbon plate (53)
- Rocker (117)
- Orthotic friendly (209)
- Removable insole (209)
- Sockless wear (32)
- Rock plate (6)
- Sustainable (37)
- Slip-On (1)
Race distance
- Half marathon (42)
- Marathon (42)
- 5K and 10K (25)
- Ultra (19)
Strike Pattern
- Forefoot/Midfoot strike (130)
- Heel strike (174)
Toebox width
- Narrow (37)
- Medium (121)
- Wide (17)
Heel stack
- 30 mm - 35 mm (1)
- 35 mm - 40 mm (189)
- 40 mm or more (36)
Type
Arch support
- Stability (29)
- Neutral (196)
Width
- Wide (226)
- X-Wide (226)
- Normal
- Narrow (226)
Breathability
- Breathable (50)
- Moderate (117)
- Warm (29)
Price
- Below $90 (52)
- $90 - $120 (111)
- $120 - $140 (121)
- $140 - $170 (162)
- Above $170 (150)
- Cheap (16)
- Expensive (48)
Condition
- Flat Feet (30)
- Plantar fasciitis (21)
- Knee pain (12)
- Shin splints (97)
- Achilles tendonitis (9)
- Bunions (6)
Midsole softness
- Soft (113)
- Balanced (75)
- Firm (7)
Outsole durability
- Good (118)
- Decent (31)
- Bad (14)
Toebox durability
- Good (55)
- Decent (74)
- Bad (42)
Season
- Winter (13)
- Summer (50)
- All seasons (183)
Forefoot stack
- 15 mm - 20 mm (1)
- 20 mm - 25 mm (30)
- 25 mm - 30 mm (115)
- 30 mm or more (80)
Stiffness
- Flexible (117)
- Moderate (63)
- Stiff (40)
Arch Type
- High arch (196)
- Low arch (29)
Heel padding durability
- Good (96)
- Decent (45)
- Bad (28)
Weight
- 5.3oz and below (4)
- 7.1oz - 8.8oz (46)
- 8.8oz - 10.6oz (126)
- 10.6oz - 12.3oz (45)
- 12.3oz and above (5)
Waterproofing
- Waterproof (8)
- Water repellent (2)
Color
Trail terrain
- Light (19)
- Moderate (24)
- Technical (15)
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (55)
- Moderate (77)
- Stiff (80)
Collection
Deals
- On sale (154)
- Deals (110)
- Outlet (67)
- Under $100 (90)
- Under $50 (5)
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (11)
- Moderate (42)
- Stiff (165)
Discount
- 70% and above (2)
- 50% - 69% (25)
- 30% - 49% (107)
- 30% and below (214)
Technology
- Gore-Tex (9)
- Vibram (12)
- Ortholite (17)
- BOA (1)
Lug depth
- Below 3 mm (5)
- 3 mm - 4 mm (16)
- 4 mm and above (17)
Material
- Mesh (198)
- Knit (30)
- Vegan (26)
- Reflective (88)
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (112)
- Normal (58)
- Big (24)
Difference in stiffness in cold
- Small (114)
- Normal (58)
- Big (35)

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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!