Maximalist running shoe reviews

333 shoes reviewed

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Maximalist

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Altra FWD VIA 2
New

83

Good

Any colour

$165

See on Altra Running
HOKA Arahi 8

85

Good

Any colour

$150

See on Hoka
ASICS Gel Nimbus 28

88

Great

Any colour

$170

See on Zappos
ASICS Glideride Max

91

Superb

$170 $121

Save 29%

See on REI
Brooks Ghost 16

82

Good

$140 $100

Save 29%

See on Rack Room Shoes
ASICS GT 2000 13

90

Superb

$140 $110

Save 21%

See on Fleet Feet
ASICS Novablast 4

92

Superb

$140 $105

Save 25%

See on Fleet Feet
Hoka Rincon 4

80

Good

$125 $100

Save 20%

See on Hoka
Brooks Glycerin 21

86

Great

$160 $100

Save 38%

See on Rack Room Shoes
Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX

88

Great

$165 $149

Save 10%

See on Zappos
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15

84

Good

$140

See on Zappos
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
New

87

Great

$150

See on Dick's Sporting Goods
Nike Pegasus 41 GTX

86

Great

$160 $120

Save 25%

See on Zappos
Reebok FloatZig 1

89

Great

$130 $79

Save 39%

See on Zappos
New Balance 1080 v15

84

Good

$170

See on Zappos
Hoka Transport X

82

Good

$200 $105

Save 48%

See on Hoka
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

85

Good

$290 $200

Save 31%

See on Saucony
ASICS Gel Excite 11

79

Good

$90 $75

Save 17%

See on Zappos
HOKA Gaviota 6
New

84

Good

$180

See on Hoka
Hoka Skyward X

88

Great

$225

See on Hoka
Merrell Agility Peak 5

88

Great

$140 $100

Save 29%

See on Shoebacca
Brooks Caldera 8

88

Great

$150 $105

Save 30%

See on REI
PUMA Deviate Nitro

91

Superb

$160 $60

Save 63%

See on Shoebacca
Saucony Ride 19

81

Good

$145 $131

Save 10%

See on Zappos
Brooks Hyperion Max 3

85

Good

$200

See on Zappos
Hoka Stinson 7

85

Good

$170 $140

Save 18%

See on Fleet Feet
PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

94

Superb

$150 $85

Save 43%

See on Shoebacca
Merrell Nova 4

87

Great

$130 $105

Save 19%

See on REI
PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 3

91

Superb

$230 $190

Save 17%

See on Shoebacca
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5

91

Superb

$275

See on Zappos

Filters

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Men Women
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 (276)
- Trail (57)
Pace
- Daily running / easy (208)
- Tempo / speed (69)
- Competition / race (49)
Brand
- ASICS (53)
- Adidas (21)
- Nike (31)
- New Balance (22)
- HOKA (32)
- Saucony (29)
- Brooks (35)
- PUMA (14)
- On (17)
- Mizuno (23)
Use
- Long distance (183)
- Jogging (208)
- All-day wear (105)
- Walking (168)
- For beginners (47)
- Treadmill (142)
- Off-trail (21)
- Hiking (37)
- Triathlon (39)
- Spartan race (OCR) (8)
Pronation
- Overpronation (42)
- Neutral pronation (291)
- Supination (292)
- Underpronation (292)
Heel to toe drop
- 1 mm - 5 mm (12)
- 5 mm - 8 mm (79)
- 8 mm - 12 mm (198)
- > 12 mm (44)
2 mm - 17 mm

2 mm 17 mm
Width / Fit
- Narrow (94)
- Medium (217)
- Wide (20)
87 mm - 104 mm

87 mm 104 mm
Toebox width
- Narrow (69)
- Medium (197)
- Wide (27)
56 mm - 85 mm

56 mm 85 mm
Release date
- 2026 (43)
- 2025 (116)
- 2024 (84)
- 2023 (52)
- 2022 or older (38)
- New (37)
- Hide low stock (249)
- Hide previous models (204)
Audience score
- > 90 (50)
- 80-90 (257)
- 70-80 (30)
- < 70 (2)
69 - 94

69 94
Race distance
- Marathon (46)
- Half marathon (48)
- 5K and 10K (31)
- Ultra (26)
Energy return
- High (71)
- Moderate (90)
- Low (95)
40% - 81%

40% 81%
Shock absorption
- High (179)
- Moderate (75)
- Low (5)
95 SA - 185 SA

95 SA 185 SA
Strike Pattern
- Forefoot/Midfoot strike (199)
- Heel strike (240)
Type
Heel stack
- 35 mm - 40 mm (261)
- > 40 mm (72)
35 mm - 51 mm

35 mm 51 mm
Width
- Wide (333)
- X-Wide (333)
- Normal
- Narrow (333)
Price
- < $100 (71)
- $100 - $140 (149)
- $140 - $160 (116)
- $160 - $180 (105)
- > $180 (137)
- Cheap (19)
- Expensive (84)
Breathability
- Breathable (65)
- Moderate (193)
- Warm (55)
Features
- Carbon plate (72)
- Rocker (181)
- Orthotic friendly (314)
- Removable insole (314)
- Rock plate (7)
- Sockless wear (35)
- Sustainable (46)
- Slip-On (1)
Arch support
- Stability (42)
- Neutral (291)
Midsole softness
- Soft (52)
- Balanced (96)
- Firm (22)
19 AC - 53 AC

19 AC 53 AC
Condition
- Flat feet (42)
- Plantar fasciitis (51)
- Knee pain (76)
- Achilles tendonitis (34)
- Shin splints (48)
- Bunions (10)
- Hallux rigidus (20)
- Haglund's deformity (84)
Outsole durability
- Good (201)
- Decent (60)
- Bad (21)
0 mm - 17 mm

0 mm 17 mm
Toebox durability
- Good (79)
- Decent (144)
- Bad (67)
Stiffness
- Flexible (22)
- Moderate (123)
- Stiff (115)
6N - 39N

6N 39N
Arch Type
- High arch (291)
- Low arch (42)
Season
- Winter (16)
- Summer (65)
- All seasons (298)
Heel padding durability
- Good (170)
- Decent (80)
- Bad (38)
Waterproofing
- Waterproof (10)
- Water repellent (3)
Weight
- < 5.3 oz (13)
- 7.1 oz - 8.8 oz (65)
- 8.8 oz - 10.6 oz (184)
- 10.6 oz - 12.3 oz (65)
- > 12.3 oz (6)
3.5 oz - 15 oz

3.5 oz 15 oz
Forefoot stack
- 15 mm - 20 mm (1)
- 20 mm - 25 mm (36)
- 25 mm - 30 mm (158)
- > 30 mm (138)
19 mm - 42 mm

19 mm 42 mm
Colour
Collection
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (84)
- Moderate (113)
- Stiff (126)
Toebox height
- Low (51)
- Medium (155)
- High (36)
21 mm - 35 mm

21 mm 35 mm
Deals
- On sale (177)
- Deals (110)
- Outlet (59)
- Under $100 (83)
- Under $50 (6)
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (13)
- Moderate (55)
- Stiff (252)
Traction
- High (183)
- Moderate (53)
0.28 - 0.96

0.28 0.96
Trail terrain
- Gravel / Road-to-trail (42)
- Versatile / Moderate terrain (35)
- Rocky / Technical terrain (16)
- Mud (8)
- Snow / Icy terrain (3)
Discount
- > 70% (1)
- 50% - 70% (31)
- 30% - 50% (102)
- < 30% (277)
Technology
- Gore-Tex (11)
- Vibram (16)
- Ortholite (26)
- BOA (1)
Material
- Mesh (288)
- Knit (46)
- Vegan (29)
- Reflective (152)
Lug depth
- < 3 mm (4)
- 3 mm - 4 mm (32)
- > 4 mm (21)
2 mm - 5.8 mm

2 mm 5.8 mm
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (200)
- Normal (84)
- Big (27)
0% - 69%

0% 69%

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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!