Altra Rivera ($ 130)
Best lap without fall
La Rivera is a minimalist catwalk shoe. The forefoot is roomy (for natural toe spreading) without feeling sloppy, and the 26-millimeter thick heel-to-toe foam is both soft and responsive, for a particularly pleasant ride. It has “good rebound” and “inspired speed,” the testers reported. Bonus: The breathable, largely seamless upper is ultra-comfortable. 9.1 oz (men) / 6.9 oz (women); zero fall.
Brooks Glycerin 19 GTS ($ 150)
Best stabilizer
Take a soft, mellow, neutral Brooks Glycerin and add stability rails – dense foam bumpers at the heel and along the instep that keep your foot from pronouncing – and you’ve got the new Glycerin 19 GTS . Testers praised the sublime heel strike, saying their gait was “smooth, controlled and steady” in this workaholic. 10.7 oz (men) / 9.5 oz (women); 10 mm drop.
Hoka One One Rocket X ($ 180)
Best carbon crusher
“The best Hoka I have ever put on my feet,†said one of our testers. Built for the pros, the Rocket X features a full-length 1-millimeter carbon fiber plate tucked inside the EVA midsole. But it’s not just for the elites. Another tester called it a “home run on all surfaces and at any speed”, praising its “energetic and responsive” ride. 7.4 ounces; 5 mm drop.
Skechers GOrun Razor Excess ($ 140)
Best long-distance runner
Hidden in the shadows among the carbon fiber clad kicks is this practical shoe. A brother of the brand’s popular runner, the Excess contains an additional three millimeters of grippy midsole foam, which ensures a soft landing and crisp takeoff, without carbon fiber. “Effortless and fun,†said one tester. But beware: the cut is a bit narrow and shallow. 7.5 oz (men) / 5.9 oz (women); 4 mm drop.
Men’s Women
Under Armor Hovr Machina 2 ($ 150)
Best high-tech trainer
Packed with enough technology to make Elon Musk jealous, the Hovr Machina 2 has a built-in chip that connects to the MapMyRun app to collect pace, distance, and stride data. We loved the quality of the midsole structure, but still dynamic. Paired with a lighter, more ventilated upper, this makes for an incredibly comfortable trainer. 10 oz (men) / 8 oz (women); 8 mm drop.
ASICS Noosa Tri 13 ($ 130)
Best energy saver
A sustainable triathlon favorite gets a redesign with a new rocker outsole. It worked so well that our roadie testers are now part of the Noosa Tri cult. “It seemed to propel me forward,†one said, while another gushed: “If I only had one shoe, this would be this one.†We also love the highly breathable upper and the wild designs. 7.9 oz (men) / 6.5 oz (women); 5 mm drop.
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