7 Best Competition Running Shoes, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

We almost never say this, but when we do, it's really something - the ASICS MetaSpeed Sky is the BEST racing flat we've ever tried! It's ultralight, responsive, and supportive in all the right places, zooming us forward to our next PB with fun and confidence! Even better, in comparison to all other carbon-plated race shoes we've tested, this is by far, the most stable - even at slower speeds! 

The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% is a race shoe that made us zoom through the streets! It's fast, bouncy, and light and - it's everything speed-ready. With its steep price, it's exclusively for runners who only care about beating PBs and nothing else. For a race shoe, it's surprisingly cushy. During landing, our feet felt like they were stepping on marshmallows! 

A luxurious spa-day treat for the feet? We'd take the New Balance FiuelCell RC Elite v2 any day! The midsole is very plush but it has a plate that balances it out, making the ride not only cushy but also very snappy and stable. If you're looking for a mid to long-distance racing shoe that will outthrow the Swoosh, this, along with the MetaSpeed Sky, can do it handsomely! 

The Adidas Adizero Pro is not something we'd consider a super shoe. It's still got a long way to go. But for a marathon racing flat, it does a great job! It gives a fast-feeling toe-off and its carbon plate just gives a very snappy ride. It's not the most cushioned but sure did keep our feet well-protected. 

I think Hoka has a winner here. I am really impressed with this shoe. For the price, I think they’ve done something amazing here.  It feels more like an everyday shoe but sure does perform like a race shoe. It doesn’t look crazy either, and it feels great. There are lots of cushioning and it has a super smooth transition. It’s fast as hell! Hoka, you sold me. It’s probably the best race shoe out there, all things considered. Well done!