7 Best Speed Training Running Shoes in 2022

Speed is a huge part of running. Whether you’re running easy or fast, your running shoes should match your pace.
For runners who want to set PBs, there’s no better option than dedicated speed trainers.
There are more than 200 speed running shoes to choose from. But no worries, this list has trimmed it down to the ten best models.
Because we believe that there’s no one shoe for all runners, we have selected top picks from five different categories.
How we test running shoes
Before they make it to the list, each tempo trainer goes through a myriad of tests in our own RunRepeat shoe testing facility. And to stay objective, we buy them with our own money.
To step it up, we also:
- Run in them for at least 30 to 50 miles
- Cut them open
- Examine and measure their parts via different parameters
- Calculate their Corescore based on thousands of expert and user reviews
Best speed training running shoes overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 2% in road running shoes
- Top 4% in Saucony running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fun, peppy ride
- Runs like a race shoe
- Lightweight
- Plenty breathable
- Smooth rockered transitions
- Great lockdown
- 2 pairs of laces
- One shoe Race, Tempo, Trainer
- More flexible than other carbon-plated shoes
- Reflective detail for night runs
- Easy to put on (pull tab on the tongue and heel)
Cons
- Learning curve needed for heel strikers or slower paces
- Slipper on wet surfaces
Verdict
A speed trainer and a race day shoe? Take both in the Endorphin Speed 2. After pacing it through, this shoe proved itself a star in speed, responsiveness, and durability. It literally sent us flying through the blocks! Even better, it's unlike any speed-oriented shoes we've tested - it doesn't forgo comfort in favor of lightness and agility!
Speed training shoes with best cushioning
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 4% in road running shoes
- Top 5% in New Balance running shoes
- Top 7% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Fits wide feet well
- Lightweight
- Responsive and bouncy ride
- Breathable upper
- Great lockdown
- Ultra-comfortable
- Bargain at $130 (should be $160)
Cons
- Slightly unstable when walking
- No heel-loop
- Stiffens in cold temperatures
Verdict
Even as a nitpicking expert, it was so hard for us to find a flaw from the Rebel v2 from New Balance! The usual case is that all-rounders are good at everything and great at nothing. But this shoe literally REBELS against that! It excelled at everything we paced it through - it's plush for easy recovery days and long runs, but exceptionally bouncy and peppy to pick up the pace in tempo sessions!
Best low/zero-drop speed training shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 15% in road running shoes
- Top 24% in Saucony running shoes
- Top 6% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Perfect fit
- Wide feet friendly
- Balanced and reliable ride
- Fantastic foot lockdown
- Tongue stays put
- Great laces
- Insanely flexible
- Removable insole
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not for cold days
- Non-durable outsole
Verdict
Having tested Kinvaras of the past, we are happy to report that the Kinvara 12 continues to delight our feet as a lightweight daily trainer. So much so we even forgot we had shoes on! Like all other do-it-all shoes, it's good at everything and great at nothing (not a bad thing). For $110, it's a solid choice for a shoe that performs on slow runs, long-distance efforts, tempo sessions, and everything in between!
Best road speed training running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 6% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 10% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Glove-like fit
- Perfect lockdown
- Has an elf tab
- Lightweight
- Balanced
- Superb comfort
- Extremely stable
- Large reflective elements
Cons
- Stiff for an everyday trainer
- Not a tempo shoe either
- Break-in period needed
Verdict
Best carbon-plated speed training shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 15% in road running shoes
- Top 19% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 19% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Excellent ride
- Comfortable footbed
- Well-fitting
- Great heel hold
- Stable
- Ventilated
- Handy slip-on design
Cons
- Weighty
- Insufficient wet pavement grip
- Not for wide-footed
- Lacks ground feel
Verdict
If you want a carbon-plated shoe that's built to go long and fast, the Hoka Carbon X 2 is an excellent pick. With its speed-enhancing features, the shoe shines at moderate to uptempo paces. Ensuring efficient strides, conserving the runner's energy is what the Carbon X 2 does best.
Best value speed training shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 9% in road running shoes
- Top 26% in Brooks running shoes
- Top 3% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Hugs your feet
- No heel slipping
- Breathable
- Surprisingly flexible
- Easy to slide into
- Elf tab
- Feels light and fast
- Affordable speed trainer
Cons
- Not for slick surfaces
Verdict
A shoe that literally launched us forward - the Brooks Launch 8! Easily, it's one of our best picks for speed training shoes that doesn't break the bank. For a budget shoe, it goes above and beyond in areas of lightness, speed, and durability - something most speedsters don't possess! If you already have an easy-day and race-day shoe, this will complete your rotation. And if you want a light daily running shoe, it can fit the bill too!
Most popular speed training running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Wider than Pegasus 37
- Very stable ride
- Peppy toe-off
- Hugs your feet
- Padded upper
- Very durable (400-500miles)
- Grippy even on dirt roads
- Legit workhorse
- Doubles as a gym shoe
- A joy to run in
Cons
- Runs warm
- Above-average weight
Verdict
What are the most popular speed training running shoes in 2022?
- Brooks Revel 5
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
- Asics Novablast 2
- Nike Zoom Fly 4
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
- Brooks Launch 9
- Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next%
- On Cloudflow 3.0
- Altra Escalante 3
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2
- Puma Velocity Nitro 2
- Saucony Kinvara 13
- Asics Magic Speed
- Nike Air Zoom Vomero 16
- Hoka One One Mach Supersonic
What are the cheapest speed training running shoes in 2022?
- Adidas SL20.3 - from $39
- Adidas SL20.2 - from $43
- Salomon Sonic 4 Balance - from $51
- New Balance FuelCell Propel v2 - from $54
- Skechers GOrun Razor Excess - from $55
- New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3 - from $61
- New Balance FuelCell Prism v2 - from $61
- Adidas Adizero Adios 6 - from $64
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2 - from $65
- Skechers GOrun Razor+ - from $65
- Salomon Predict 2 - from $67
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 FlyEase - from $67
- Asics Hyper Speed - from $72
- Brooks Revel 5 - from $80
- Under Armour HOVR Machina 2 - from $80