Maximalist running shoe reviews

288 shoes reviewed

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Maximalist

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Hoka Challenger 7 GTX

78

Decent

Any color
$Hoka Challenger 7 GTX - Black (BBLC)$

$158

See on Amazon
APL Streamline

90

Superb

$300 $160

Save 47%

See on Holabird Sports
Saucony Axon

87

Great

$100 $71

Save 29%

See on Amazon
ASICS Gel Kayano Lite 2

87

Great

$160 $120

Save 25%

See on Amazon
On Cloudboom Echo 3

90

Superb

$290 $260

Save 10%

See on Dick's Sporting Goods
Brooks Beast GTS 23

85

Good

$158

See on Amazon
HOKA Mach X 3
New

74

Bad

$190

See on Amazon
ASICS Metafuji Trail
New

90

Superb

$250

See on Amazon
HOKA Mafate 5
New

71

Bad

$185 $175

Save 5%

See on Amazon
Diadora Nucleo 2

84

Good

$165

See on Fleet Feet
ASICS Metaspeed Ray
New

84

Good

$300

See on Fleet Feet
Under Armour Velociti Elite 2

80

Good

$250 $188

Save 25%

See on Under Armour
Hoka Gaviota 4

86

Good

$200

See on Amazon
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4

87

Great

$250

See on Dick's Sporting Goods
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2

90

Superb

$250

See on Mizuno
Adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG

90

Superb

$300

See on Backcountry
Salomon Aero Glide

88

Great

$160

See on Amazon
Adidas Switch FWD

85

Good

$140 $128

Save 9%

See on Amazon
Hoka Carbon X 3

82

Good

$199

See on Amazon
Nike Zoom Fly 5

80

Good

$170

See on Fleet Feet
Salomon Aero Glide 2

93

Superb

$160

See on Fleet Feet
Skechers Max Cushioning Elite

82

Good

$103

See on Amazon
Nike Pegasus Trail 3

90

Superb

$130 $75

Save 42%

See on eBay
Hoka Mach X

89

Great

$315

See on Amazon
Nike Alphafly 2

84

Good

$275 $158

Save 43%

See on eBay
KURU Atom 2
New

86

Good

$169 $153

Save 10%

See on KURU Footwear
Diadora Atomo Star

88

Great

$250

See on Fleet Feet
Hoka Mafate Three2

77

Decent

$185

See on Hoka
Mizuno Wave Rider 25

90

Superb

$160

See on Amazon
On Cloudrunner 2 Waterproof

71

Bad

$170

See on Amazon

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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 (232)
- Trail (56)
Pace
- Daily running / easy (172)
- Tempo / speed (58)
- Competition / race (44)
Brand
- ASICS (47)
- Adidas (13)
- Nike (27)
- New Balance (21)
- HOKA (31)
- Saucony (27)
- Brooks (31)
- PUMA (12)
- On (12)
- Mizuno (19)
Heel to toe drop
- 0mm (1)
- 1mm - 4mm (12)
- 5mm - 8mm (61)
- 9mm - 12mm (172)
- 13mm and above (42)
Use
- Long distance (148)
- Jogging (172)
- All-day wear (72)
- Walking (140)
- For beginners (31)
- Treadmill (122)
- Off-trail (20)
- Hiking (31)
- Triathlon (35)
- Mud (20)
Pronation
- Overpronation (36)
- Neutral pronation (251)
- Supination (252)
- Underpronation (252)
Audience score
- 90 and above (56)
- 80-89 (172)
- 70-79 (19)
Width / Fit
- Narrow (95)
- Medium (178)
- Wide (15)
Release date
- 2025 (102)
- 2024 (84)
- 2023 (54)
- 2022 (20)
- 2021 or older (28)
- New (47)
- Hide low stock (228)
- Hide previous models (182)
Race distance
- Marathon (36)
- Half marathon (38)
- 5K and 10K (25)
- Ultra (23)
- Long distance (148)
Toebox width
- Narrow (52)
- Medium (163)
- Wide (22)
Features
- Carbon plate (66)
- Rocker (151)
- Orthotic friendly (270)
- Removable insole (270)
- Rock plate (7)
- Sockless wear (34)
- Sustainable (43)
- Slip-On (1)
- Cheap (38)
- Expensive (37)
Strike Pattern
- Forefoot/Midfoot strike (169)
- Heel strike (216)
Heel stack
- 35 mm - 40 mm (231)
- 40 mm or more (57)
Type
Price
- Below $100 (90)
- $100 - $130 (158)
- $130 - $150 (152)
- $150 - $170 (156)
- Above $170 (201)
- Cheap (17)
- Expensive (73)
Width
- Wide (288)
- X-Wide (288)
- Normal
- Narrow (288)
Arch support
- Stability (36)
- Neutral (251)
Condition
- Flat Feet (37)
- Plantar fasciitis (19)
- Knee pain (8)
- Shin splints (18)
- Achilles tendonitis (14)
- Hallux rigidus (12)
- Bunions (9)
Midsole softness
- Soft (159)
- Balanced (91)
- Firm (7)
Breathability
- Breathable (59)
- Moderate (160)
- Warm (39)
Outsole durability
- Good (160)
- Decent (48)
- Bad (17)
Toebox durability
- Good (68)
- Decent (112)
- Bad (53)
Waterproofing
- Waterproof (9)
- Water repellent (2)
Season
- Winter (13)
- Summer (59)
- All seasons (245)
Forefoot stack
- 15 mm - 20 mm (1)
- 20 mm - 25 mm (33)
- 25 mm - 30 mm (141)
- 30 mm or more (113)
Arch Type
- High arch (251)
- Low arch (36)
Stiffness
- Flexible (6)
- Moderate (112)
- Stiff (164)
Heel padding durability
- Good (138)
- Decent (63)
- Bad (30)
Energy return
- High (52)
- Medium (70)
- Low (77)
Trail terrain
- Light (37)
- Moderate (36)
- Technical (15)
Weight
- 5.3oz and below (10)
- 7.1oz - 8.8oz (52)
- 8.8oz - 10.6oz (161)
- 10.6oz - 12.3oz (59)
- 12.3oz and above (6)
Color
Shock absorption
- High (139)
- Medium (59)
- Low (4)
Collection
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (76)
- Moderate (95)
- Stiff (103)
Deals
- On sale (192)
- Deals (122)
- Outlet (71)
- Under $100 (107)
- Under $50 (4)
Discount
- 70% and above (2)
- 50% - 69% (23)
- 30% - 49% (118)
- 30% and below (268)
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (12)
- Moderate (52)
- Stiff (216)
Technology
- Gore-Tex (10)
- Vibram (17)
- Ortholite (22)
- BOA (1)
Lug depth
- Below 3 mm (6)
- 3 mm - 4 mm (30)
- 4 mm and above (20)
Traction
- High (127)
- Medium (52)
Material
- Mesh (250)
- Knit (41)
- Reflective (116)
- Vegan (28)
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (149)
- Normal (79)
- Big (28)

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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!