7 Best Tempo Shoes in 2024

With energy in its DNA, Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 takes the trophy as the best speed trainer. Feeling extremely light in our runs, its nylon plate took us fast while its supportive cushion took us far. As our lab reveals, its versatile nature makes it suitable across various run trainings.

ES4 is the perfect high-performance trainer, sustaining our speed without the ultra-rigid feel of carbon plates. Instead, it integrates a gentler winged nylon plate in its midsole for that pleasant responsiveness that doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Our bend test confirms its flexibility is around the average road running shoe (29.4N) but with an extra energy boost.

The midsole offers comfort through its above-average 36.2/27.5 mm stack. Balancing this out is a firm cushion that enhances stability regardless of pace. Our durometer confirms an average result of 22.3 HA, making it suitable for whatever run training we have for the day.

Running in the ES4 feels like we’re floating. Our lab reveals it’s a mere 8.4 oz (237g), 10.9% below average. Its mesh upper has large ventilation holes for unrestricted airflow, earning a well-deserved 5/5 rating in our breathability tests.

However, we warn caution about tying the laces too tightly as the tongue is only 2.0 mm to keep ES4’s weight to a minimum.

A true master of its craft, Mach 6 astonishes us with its unwavering momentum and effortless feel. As confirmed by our lab tests and runs, it offers a fluid ride exuding boundless energy and support, propelling this Hoka as our best lightweight speed trainer.

The Mach 6 feels refreshing as it promotes smooth and natural strides, seamlessly blending with our feet. It has a delicate foam that feels bouncy yet balanced. Our durometer reveals it’s a soft 20.4 HA vs. the 21.3 HA average, but we like how it’s not overly plush. Being less dense than usual leads to a lighter weight of 8.2 oz (232g) despite its above-average stack.

The shoe seemingly disappears as it moves as one with our feet, boosting comfort and versatility for various activities. Our bend test reveals Mach 6 is 36.4% more flexible than average. 

Despite its soft platform and free-spirited midsole, the shoe surprisingly remains stable at high speeds. Hoka ensures surefooted strides by making its Durabrasion Rubber a soft 75.1 HC vs. the 80.2 HC average, leading to stronger traction on any surface.

Another main source of Mach 6’s weight reduction is its slightly narrow build. We think this pair wouldn’t be a good fit for those with wide feet.

The fifth Novablast is living proof that speed and comfort can seamlessly blend. A remarkable foam delivers energy beneath our feet while providing much relief and stability to ease out the most brutal speed sessions. Our lab results back up Novablast 5 as our top speedster with the best cushioning.

Our durometer reveals the midsole is only 13.0 HA, 38.4% softer than average. This indicates a decadent foam and our feet wholeheartedly agree. Despite the lighter foam, our runs feel energetic. What’s amazing is how the comfort and pop don’t fade away as we run longer miles, making the ride all the more enjoyable. Novablast 5 firmly established its leg-saving feature when our caliper measured a towering 40.9/33.5 mm stack vs. the 33.9/25.3 mm average.

We’re caught off-guard by this giant's stable ride. It offers generous width to the midsole to firmly plant our feet to the ground. Our caliper measures a vast 122.3/97.6 mm landing platform that naturally stabilizes the ride.

Despite its maximalist nature, it’s pleasantly weightless on foot and our scales confirm a below-average 9.0 oz (254g) figure.

While we find Novablast 5 grippy enough on most pavements, it lacks that extra bite on wet surfaces. We recommend checking other options if reliable traction is a must.

We learned through our runs and lab tests that the Saucony Kinvara 15 achieves speed through its light and minimalist aura. It makes each stride feel effortless through its natural and steady ride, made possible by its flexible midsole and heightened ground feel. Among speed trainers, it’s our ultimate low-drop shoe.

We measured a subtle 4.4 mm heel drop in the sliced midsole, 48.8% lower than the average. This enhances a barefoot experience, allowing us to strengthen our legs without diving into harsh zero-drop shoes. The stack stays below average and is made of a balanced 23.8 HA cushion which naturally improves our stability.

Kinvara 15 maintains a malleable profile which makes it more comfortable for prolonged wear. The midsole barely resists our movements, confirmed by our bend test when it emerged 53.3% more flexible than average.

What cements Kinvara 15’s status as a speedster is its featherlight weight of 6.8 oz (194g), making it even lighter than other supershoes! Compared to our lab average, it’s a whopping 26.8% lighter!

However, it achieved its weightlessness by making its outsole softer and thinner than average, raising concerns regarding its durability. Those who prefer a long-lasting shoe should check alternatives.

When it comes to speed training in the track, the Nike ZoomX Streakfly is the ultimate beast. Staying true to its name, we flew through fast and sharp turns gracefully, with its exceptionally light and agile build. Proven by our lab, this speedster is ready to support us through heated sessions with its comfortable ride and breezy upper.

The shoe disappears on foot as soon as we start running. Our scales confirm a feathery 6.0 oz (171g) build, the lightest we’ve ever encountered in the lab. This airy build plus the absence of a carbon plate make it highly agile, witnessed by the track as we sprinted through turns effortlessly. Our lab confirms it’s 55.6% more flexible than average, making it comfortable even for relaxed runs.

What propels us aggressively is the ZoomX midsole, made of a plush 12.1 HA foam, 43.2% below average. Sustaining heart-pumping paces feels more effortless with the dynamic ride the Streakfly brings.

Further enhancing comfort is the ultra-breathable upper, as confirmed by our lab tests with a perfect score. We never felt our body heat trapped in, effectively preventing unwanted blisters and hotspots.

Due to its lack of structure, going beyond 10K distances feels uncomfortable because we’re working hard to stay stable.

Those in need of a stability running kick for speed workouts, look no further. The Saucony Tempus manages overpronation with class while rocking high-speed runs with an energetic rebound and an impenetrable outsole.

Saucony didn’t overcomplicate the stabilizing system, putting all chips on the star player - the midsole. Crafted from a composed foam, it widens towards the outsole’s edges in the name of a steady ride that flooded our runs. Checking its footprint with our caliper revealed a midsole width of 117.4 mm at the forefoot and 94.5 mm at the heel, effortlessly surpassing the average by 4.6 mm in both measurements.

A rockered geometry delighted our testing sessions, smoothing out our infinitesimal heel-to-toe transitions. The fun and lively midsole puts the Tempus on the speedy side, bouncing back joyful bursts of energy with each step. And beneath it all, lies a titanic outsole. With a score of 89.5 HC in our durometer, the underfoot rubber emerges as incredibly tough and dense, promising an endless lifespan. For comparison, the average outsole sits at a way softer 80.0 HC.

At $160 though, this is a pricey speedster. Stability shoes average $135, so budget-conscious speed lovers might need to think twice before diving into the Tempus experience.

At $100, Saucony Axon 3 offers unimaginable speed in our runs with a durable outsole and a protective cushion, all in a lightweight package. For the price, it’s way below the average speed trainer ($147) and has the qualities of more premium shoes. Our lab results cement its status as the best budget speed-training shoe.

Light in the pocket and on the feet, Axon 3 feels delightfully airy on foot. Our scales show it’s only 8.6 oz (244g) 8.3% below the average running shoe. This boosts our speed and agility, as our streets come to witness. 

Adding value to the shoe is a plush PWRRUN foam underfoot that gives a luxurious feel, adding comfort and impact protection to our runs. Given its light build, we surprisingly discovered a generous 33.6/27.9 mm stack. Yet our durometer confirmed its airiness as the foam measures 21.8% less dense than average.

The Carbon Rubber outsole emerges as a standout feature, surprising us with its dependable grip and impressive longevity. Despite extensive outdoor testing, we noticed minimal wear, backed up by lab data showing a tough 82.8 HC and thick 3.9 mm rubber. No doubt, this budget shoe can last many training blocks.

However, we discovered Axon 3 isn't a good fit for extreme heel strikers or runners with lower-leg issues because of its low-drop configuration.