7 Best Tempo Shoes in 2025

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Tempo Shoes in 2025

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Speed is a huge part of running. Whether you’re running easy or fast, your running shoes should match your pace. Just because they are closer to race shoes than daily trainers does not mean they can't overlap with daily trainers as well.

There are many features to look for in tempo shoes, and we covered them all in this guide! We also wrote about what makes the shoes fast, types of foam, plates, how to find shoes for tempo work, what you can live without when prioritising speed, and so on. If you're feeling nerdy, read on. 

Thanks to all the wear tests and lab tests we did on tempo shoes, we chose top picks in different categories. Here, we highlight them and elaborate on why they deserve to be at the top! 

 

How we test tempo 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 in different conditions, both on the treadmill and outdoors. We do many pace variations to accurately sense when the shoes work well and what they're not able to do. 
  • Cut the tempo shoes open. We examine and measure their parts and features using different tools, including durometers, callipers, tyre tread gauges, smoke machines, and Dremel. We do this to back our assumptions and observations up with hard pieces of evidence. 
  • We publish all the data, along with our first-hand experience, in our in-depth reviews. We also make all the shoes comparable by 20+ metrics such as energy return, shock absorption, traction, breathability, and so on.

Best tempo running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

With energy in its DNA, the Adidas Adizero EVO SL takes the trophy as our top tempo trainer. Feeling extremely light in our runs, its Lightstrike Pro midsole took us fast while its shock-absorbing nature took us far. As our lab results reveal, its versatile nature makes it suitable across various run training.

EVO SL is the perfect high-performance trainer, sustaining our speed without the stiffness because it’s non-plated. Instead, it generates responsiveness through its midsole, which recorded high energy return scores of 74.3% in the heel and 70.3% in the forefoot.

With every powerful takeoff, a gentle cushion awaits. It took care of our feet no matter where we land, backed up by its high shock absorption scores of 147 SA in the heel and 126 SA in the forefoot.

Running in the EVO SL feels like we’re floating. Our scale reveals it’s a mere 7.9 oz (223g), 12.9% below average. Plus, it bends freely with our feet, confirmed by our 30-degree test with a 34.7% higher flexibility score than average.

However, we caution that the tongue isn’t gusseted. While it’s not a big issue, it may be an annoyance for some runners.

Pros

  • 100% Lightstrike Pro superfoam
  • Exceptional value-to-performance ratio
  • Low weight
  • Ultra-breathable upper
  • Unmatched versatility
  • Agile and fun ride
  • Handles short and long runs with ease
  • Striking Evo 1-inspired aesthetics
  • Striking Evo 1-inspired aesthetics

Cons

  • Poor-quality laces
  • Short, non-gusseted tongue
  • Toebox durability
Full review of Adidas Adizero EVO SL

Best lightweight tempo shoes

What makes it the best?

The Nike Streakfly 2 is a fully revamped shoe that, in our view, finally delivers what version 1 should have been: a supershoe for 5K/10K races. We loved its raw-and-fast feel, feather-light design, and super-reactive ride that brings a true track spike vibe to the roads. However, we believe its limited cushioning and narrow toebox limit its versatility, and its low-drop configuration excludes heel strikers too.

Pros

  • Feather-light build
  • Ideal for 5K/10K races
  • Wild, fun and fast
  • Now features a carbon-fibre plate
  • Much quicker than its predecessor
  • Top-tier ZoomX foam
  • Perfect for track workouts
  • Not pricey all things considered
  • Can stretch up to half marathon
  • Grips well on dry and wet roads

Cons

  • Not for heel strikers
  • Only for short distances
  • Narrow toebox
  • Lacks stability
Full review of Nike Streakfly 2

Tempo shoes with best energy return

What makes it the best?

We believe the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 is a major leap forward from its predecessor, solving its biggest flaws with a breathable upper and a much lighter build. In our lab tests, we found the dual-layer PEBA midsole delivers a soft-and-springy ride that feels powerfully energetic. The ultra-rockered shape gave us a forward-driving sensation during our runs, though it won’t suit everyone. While it’s far from the most stable, affordable or roomy supershoe out there, we’re convinced it now has the firepower to go head-to-head with the top performers in the game.

Pros

  • Much lighter than v1
  • Plush and responsive PEBA foam
  • Top-tier breathability
  • Forked plate adds heel flex
  • Comfort-focused heel padding
  • Outsole durability is not a concern
  • Improved upper and laces
  • Works well from 5K to the marathon
  • Premium TPEE insole

Cons

  • Pricier than most rivals
  • Rocker can feel too aggressive
  • Narrow-fitting upper
Full review of HOKA Cielo X1 2.0

Tempo shoes with best shock absorption

What makes it the best?

With its oversized cushioning and plush foam, the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 stays true to the fun-first DNA of its predecessor—now paired with an upgraded knit upper and a higher price. We found excellent comfort and standout durability, but the underwhelming energy return and lack of support may not suit runners seeking a more stable, performance-driven supertrainer.

Pros

  • Massive stack height
  • Super-plush Enerzy NXT foam
  • Perfect for long runs
  • Lightweight for its huge size
  • Good durability
  • Breathable knit upper
  • Roomy toebox height
  • Insanely fun!

Cons

  • Not enough energy return
  • Price hike feels unjustified
  • Not stable for heel strikers
Full review of Mizuno Neo Vista 2

Best low drop tempo running shoes

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Easy on the wallet
  • Feels great at faster paces
  • Really fun
  • Retains classic Kinvara vibes
  • Stable, low-to-the-ground ride
  • Suitable for daily wear
  • Exceptionally lightweight
  • Enhances foot strength
  • Top-notch breathability

Cons

  • Limited to short runs
  • Not ideal for heel strikers
  • Toebox durability
  • Minimal outsole rubber coverage
Full review of Saucony Kinvara 15

Best stability running shoes for tempo workouts

What makes it the best?

We think the Hyperion GTS 2 brings a fresh and focused take to stability shoes. We were impressed by how agile it felt on our runs, offering just the right touch of stability without slowing things down. The shoe performed well in the lab and even better out on the road, especially for runners who enjoy ground contact. However, we believe it’s not the best match for long runs or forefoot strikers, as the high drop and thin front cushioning made it feel a bit harsh up front.

Pros

  • Lightweight build
  • Upgraded DNA Flash v2 midsole
  • Versatile for everyday use
  • Agile and nimble ride
  • Promotes foot strength
  • Outsole built for serious mileage
  • Secure lockdown
  • Reasonably priced
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Not for long runs
  • Foam lacks excitement
  • Runs a bit warm in summer
  • Higher drop than expected
Full review of Brooks Hyperion GTS 2

Tempo shoes with the best traction

What makes it the best?

The ASICS Magic Speed 4 marks a significant overhaul, featuring enhanced cushioning and a carbon plate as its standout elements. We really liked the additional energy return from FF Turbo and the durable outsole that offer great value at a reasonable price. However, we've found in the lab that the increased weight and poor stability make it a selective choice—not suitable for every runner.

Pros

  • Enhanced midsole
  • Exceptional grip
  • Superior durability
  • Awesome traction
  • Excellent value for a supertrainer
  • Colossal cushioning
  • Carbon plate!
  • Ideal for marathon-paced workouts
  • Fantastic upper

Cons

  • Limited stability
  • Low bounce
  • Narrow fit
Full review of ASICS Magic Speed 4

6 features of running shoes for tempo training 

You can and should expect tempo running shoes to be:

  1. Responsive because anything else (boring and dull midsoles) would not propel you forward and help you reach higher paces 
  2. Lightweight. They are usually lighter than daily trainers and heavier than race-day shoes 
  3. OK for racing as well!
  4. More durable than race shoes because they endure all the tempo sessions that are a part of preparations for the big day
  5. Breathable because having sweaty feet while doing sprints or fartlek is on nobody’s wish list
  6. Stable, especially at fast paces and cornering. 

Energy return of tempo running shoes 

Responsiveness is all the craze, as it should be when it comes to the speed. We’re not (yet) able to measure it in our lab, but we do know how foams feel and perform. For that, see our tables at the end of this chapter! 

visually-premium-standard-foams-no-difference.jpg
Comparing standard foam to premium foam: no noticeable difference at a glance

If there’s one thing you should take from this guide regarding energy return, it is to choose tempo shoes with premium foams, if you can. Premium foams are way more responsive, they are super light, feel super fast, and are most often featured in premium race shoes. 

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However, standard foams are more durable, stable, and affordable, but they lack the leg-saving features that we all so welcome. If foams are now raising your eyebrows and you’re about to open a new tab to look for more details, worry not, we’ve covered it all here: The ultimate guide to running shoe foams. The overview that follows was taken from that guide!

Premium foams overview

Brand Foam Top feature Major drawback
Nike ZoomX (Pebax) Energy return Durability
ASICS FF Turbo (Nylon) Durability Weight
ASICS FF Turbo+ (PEBA) Performance Stability
Adidas Lightstrike Pro (TPEE) Super-durable all-rounder Break-in needed
Saucony PWRRUN PB (Pebax) Comfort Energy return
Saucony PWRRUN HG (Pebax) Performance Maybe too firm for some
Puma Nitro Elite (PEBA + EVA / A-TPU) Durability Energy return
Hoka Unnamed (PEBA) Responsive Impact protection
Decathlon VFOAM (Pebax) / VFOAM PLUS (Pebax + EVA) Affordable Performance
Mizuno Enerzy Lite+ (PEBA) Bounce Stability
Reebok Floatride (Pebax) Low price Energy return
Li-Ning BOOM (Pebax) Bounce Hard to find
On Helion HF (Pebax) Energy return Durability
New Balance FuelCell (Pebax) Softness Weight

Standard foams overview

Brand Foam Top Feature Major drawback
New Balance FuelCell (TPU / EVA)  Cloud-like feel Stability
Skechers HyperBurst (EVA) Lightweight Energy return
Skechers HyperBurst Pro (TPU) Responsive Heavy
Nike React / ReactX (TPE + EVA) Versatile Dull
Nike Phylon / Cushlon (EVA) All-rounder Energy Return
Adidas Boost (TPU) Comfortable Heavy
Adidas Light Boost (TPU) Weight Boring
Adidas Lightstrike (EVA / TPU) Stability Too firm
Adidas Dreamstrike+ (Bio-based PEBA) Versatile Weight
ASICS FF Blast / FF Blast+ (EVA + OBC) Bounce Durability
ASICS FlyteFoam (EVA) Lightweight Energy return
Brooks DNA Loft (EVA) / DNA Flash (EVA) Lightweight Dull
Brooks DNA Amp (TPU) Energy return Heavy
Brooks BioMoGo DNA (EVA) Comfort Energy return
New Balance Fresh Foam / Fresh Foam X (EVA / EVA + PEBA) Softness Mushy
Merrell Super Rebound Compound (EVA) Durable Energy return
Saucony PWRRUN (EVA + TPU) Versatile Boring
Saucony PWRRUN+ (TPU) Energy return Weight
Hoka ProFly (EVA) Comfortable Energy return
Hoka ProFly+ (EVA) Responsive Durability
On Helion (EVA + OBC) Unique Firm
Altra Ego (EVA) Fun Energy return
Altra Ego Pro (TPE) Bouncy Cushion
Puma Nitro (TPEE / PEBA) Responsive Durability
Puma Profoam / Profoam Lite (EVA) Durability Cushion
Under Armour HOVR (EVA + OBC) Stability Firm
Mizuno Enerzy (TPE) All-rounder Bounce
Mizuno Enerzy Core (TPE) Softness Durability
Mizuno Enerzy Lite (Nylon) Lightweight Cushion
Mizuno Enerzy NXT (EVA) Soft Stability
Salomon EnergyFoam (EVA + OBC) Stability Boring
Salomon EnergyCell / EnergyCell+ (EVA) Durability Firm
Reebok FloatRide Energy (TPU) Price Heavy
TOPO ZipFoam (EVA + TPU) Energy Return Heavy
Inov-8 Powerflow Pro (EVA) Comfort Bounce

Weight of running shoes for tempo workouts

Looking at our lab database, these are the averages across 3 different categories (at the moment of writing this guide): 

  • Daily trainers: average weight 9.9 oz or 280g
  • Tempo shoes: average weight 8.2 oz or 231g
  • Race shoes: average weight 7.3 oz or 208.4g
weight-of-a-tempo-running-shoe.jpg
Weighing a tempo shoe in RunRepeat lab (always men's US 9)

Of course, you should always look for a lighter tempo shoe, whenever possible, because heavy shoes weigh us down. It’s a matter of what you can live without because, to make shoes lighter, brands have to remove some things - chunks of the midsole, rubber parts on the outsole, heel tabs, padding in the tongue or around the heel collar, fancy insoles, and so on. 

midsole-chunks-cut-out-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
It's easy to notice the big midsole chunks that were cut out
heel-padding-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Heel padding difference: race shoe vs daily trainer 
tongue-thickness-padding-speed-training-shoes.jpg
Tongue padding difference: very thin and very thick 

How durable are tempo running shoes

When brands tend to cut the weight, they also tend to make the rubber on the outsole thinner or even smaller so it covers less of the surface. 

rubber-favoring-forefoot-strikers-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Partial rubber coverage (more focused on the forefoot)

So, the rubber that we have at our disposal better be durable! In the lab, we press a dremel against it, always at the same pressure, RPMs and duration, and then we look at the damage. 

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Outsole durability test performed in RunRepeat lab 

Then, we use a tyre tread gauge to measure the depth of the dent. The shallower the dent, the more durable the outsole and vice versa. 

outsole-dents-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
From durable to not-durable outsoles: dents as a result of our outsole durability test

We also test the durability of the toebox and heel padding using the dremel. But, in these 2 cases, we can’t precisely measure the depth because it’s fabric, loose threads and so on. So, we assess the damage on a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the least durable. 

non-durable-uppers-vs-durable-uppers-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Different levels of damage on the toebox of tempo running shoes: non-durable (up) vs durable (down)
heel-padding-damage-speed-training-shoes.jpg
Non-durable vs durable heel padding 

Can you race in tempo running shoes?

Of course! Many running shoes are made for speedwork AND competitions!

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Using tempo running shoes for racing

Pros

Cons

Saving money because you’re using 1 shoe for 2 purposes

Potentially getting a worse finish time because you’re not using a dedicated (maybe even premium) race shoe

You’re already very familiar with the shoe because you’re training in it, no adaptation period

Premium foams are more often found in race shoes than tempo shoes and, as such, race shoes more often have leg-saving features than tempo shoes

Some race shoes are so not durable they should be kept for races only, but no such worries with tempo running shoes

 

Breathability of tempo running shoes

Tempo running shoes are, when it comes to breathability, between the daily trainers and dedicated racers. Race-day shoes cut the weight in all the possible ways, including making the upper thin and airy. Daily running shoes often feature knit upper which are very soft, cosy, and not so breathable. And tempo shoes are somewhere in between. 

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Testing the breathability of tempo shoes in RunRepeat lab 

We test the breathability of all shoes in our shoe lab. We do it by pumping the smoke into the shoes and then observing: where the smoke comes out? How fast? How much of it is pumped through the upper? Based on this, we assign a 1-5 breathability rating to each shoe. 5 stands for the most breathable and 1 for the least breathable (or winter-friendly). 

Let’s look at the fresh lab data: 

  • Avg breathability of daily trainers: 3.6/5.0
  • Avg breathability of tempo running shoes: 4.3/5.0
  • Avg breathability of race running shoes: 4.7/5.0

We also examine the uppers under the microscope to discover if there are any ventilation holes, how big they are, if they are for show only or they actually work, are there patches of another fabric which means there are 2 layers on the upper, and so on. 

speed-running-shoes-microscope.jpg

uppers-under-the-microscope-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Here you can see how breathable uppers look like (above) vs. not breathable ones (below) 

Wobbling while cornering is a NO

Shoes are getting higher and runners still prefer softer midsoles. Combining height and softness can go bad if the platform is narrow. Then, it’s not stable, especially if the shoe does not feature a full-length rubber outsole (or at least a decent all-footstrikes surface coverage). 

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To find out how high off the ground tempo running shoes are, we cut them in half and measure their forefoot and heel stack heights. 

stack-heights-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Measuring the forefoot and heel stack height according to the WorldAthletic guidelines 

In the lab, we also measure the softness of each running shoe midsole. We do it by cutting the shoe in half and sticking a shore A durometer into the foam. 

midsole-softness-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Measuring the softness of the midsole: lower durometer readings indicate softer foams and higher numbers are for firmer foams 

With this test only, you can look for the softest or firmest running shoes for speedwork. 

But, to discuss the instability, we have to look at the width of the base. Wider bases mean more planted landings and toeoffs. 

narrow-vs-wide-base-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
The difference between narrow midsoles (up) and wide midsoles (down)

This especially applies to heel strikers because shoes can get very narrow at the heel. 

midsole-width-measurements-tempo-running-shoes.jpg
Measuring the width of the base at the forefoot and at the heel 

Here, we list tempo running shoes with the widest midsoles, prioritising the heel: 

How stiff are tempo running shoes?

When plated (nylon or carbon-fibre), very! However, not all tempo shoes are plated. The magic formula for insane energy return is to have a soft midsole made of a premium foam with a carbon-fibre plate. But, that is not everyone’s cup of tea. 

machine-testing stiffness of tempo shoes
Testing the stiffness of a tempo running shoe 

We test the stiffness of a running shoe by bending it to 30 degrees - the more force we need to do that, the stiffer the shoe. Less force and it’s a more flexible running shoe. 

To get some context, the average stiffness of a tempo running shoe is 14.7N, while daily trainers show 13.9N on our machine's display on average. Race shoes are the stiffest and, on average, the machine needs a force of 22.6N to bend them to 30 degrees.

In case you prefer a more flexible, natural ride, these shoes are worth checking out:

Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic
Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.