By Amanda Furrer, Jeff Dengate and Pat Heine
We’ve finally reached the point where nearly every brand is making outstanding race day and everyday shoes. So, if there’s a brand or fit you love, you’re sure to have a great option that will get you a PR, or keep you running longer. But, after testing dozens of the newest, high-tech carbon-plated shoes, and supportive training shoes, we found a few stood out. Lace up one of these winners and they’ll help you smash your next running goals.
Our staff and team of 300 local wear-testers ran in and evaluated more than 100 new models to determine the best running shoes so far this year. After each tester logged at least 160 kilometres in their pair, we analysed the data collected in our shoe lab, and reviewed hundreds of feedback surveys from our test team to make our final selections.
Brooks Glycerin Max
Sit at my desk at RW HQ and maybe you’ll be visited by our director of content hype, Aly Ellis. Don’t be surprised if she’s once again raving about Brooks’s Glycerin Max. Ellis is not alone; our testers loved the shoe. “[The] Brooks Glycerin Max is one of the best pairs I have tested,” said Kylie Rodriguez. “I have truly enjoyed every run in them. It allowed me to focus on other aspects of my run, like the mental game. From heel to forefoot, they felt like clouds with a firm push-off at the end of each step.”
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 303 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 249 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
Rodriguez is referring to Brooks’s GlideRoll geometry tech, which evenly distributes energy return during turnover. The shoe is pumped up with DNA Tuned. The nitrogen-infused foam is composed of larger cells in the heel and smaller cells in the forefoot. This cell distribution promotes airy landings and acts as a springboard for electric toe-offs. We can’t wait to see how this tech translates to the brand’s faster shoe line.—A.F
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
When it seems that just about every shoe is getting a plate thrown into it, La Sportiva swings for the fences with this plateless racer. This shoe is every bit a “super shoe” as PEBA-based, carbon-plated competitors, but with the flexibility, durability, and traction to hold up on more technical terrain. The supercritical midsole features a blend of TPU and EVA, making it feel springy like a modern race shoe should, but it remains comfortable and durable for long, hard trail kilometres. And it excels on technical trails, where plated shoes often get tippy because the rigid plates snap in the direction of a rock or root when you step on them, rather than molding around those trail features.
The outsole grips to just about every surface, even on ice with a slight dusting of snow. And, like the Prodigio trainer that was released earlier, the Pro has a more accommodating fit than previous models from La Sportiva, especially in the forefoot. The sock-like liner and ankle collar still provide a secure lockdown, while your toes are able to spread out.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 272 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Bouncy |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 223 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Bouncy |
While everyone says not to try new things on race day, I can’t help but make my first run in a trail shoe a long one. I finished off 2024 by debuting the Prodigio Pro in a local 50K race, with a mix of pavement, double-track gravel, and rooty singletrack trails. The cushioning was welcome on frozen pavement and dirt paths, while the 4mm lugs provided enough grip on singletrack climbs to keep me bounding up the rolling hills to a sixth-place finish. But you might want to go up a half size due to the rigid toe cap, which is thin but surprisingly protective. I ended up with blisters on the front of the longest toe on each foot. I’ve since run multiple marathon-plus distance runs in a half size larger with no issue.
—Pat Heine-Holmberg
Asics Novablast 5
The first Novablast was one of the bounciest shoes we’ve ever run in. It was insanely fun, if chaotic. But, that doesn’t work well for the masses, so Asics tightened things up to the point that the fourth iteration was almost too hard and lifeless. The 5 has gotten softer, however, thanks to the new FF Blast Max cushioning, which is lighter, softer, and more comfortable. Thankfully, it’s also remarkably stable.
It’s a great option as a versatile daily trainer that can be used for easy jogs and longer training runs, but it doesn’t feel like it holds you back if you decide to push the pace. It’s about the same weight as the Cumulus 27, but the difference is in the ride—that shoe is all about laid-back comfort, whereas this one encourages a little pep. There’s a lot of foam—41.5mm stack under the heel puts it into super trainer territory (40.5mm, women’s)—but it doesn’t feel nearly as soft and squishy as similarly thick trainers.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 246 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Features | Soft |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 204 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Features | Soft |
The only real gripe from our testers was about the shoe’s outsole. “It does not have the best traction over different surfaces and rounding some turns,” said Greg Jaindl, a speedy wear-tester who ran a 66-minute half in March. “[I found] it does not do well in the ice, snow, and wet conditions. Although you can manage, you are bound to have a few steps where you slide a bit.”—J.D.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
Workhorse. That’s the best way to describe the 880. It’s long been one of the shoes I recommend to new runners as a starting point because it works for most people and is on the lower end of the price spectrum. It may not be exciting, but it gets the job done.
The 880 has evolved quite a bit from earlier versions. As the offset has gone down, the sole thickness has gone up. This shoe now tops out at just over 40mm thick, putting it in max-cush territory. So, you may not notice that 6mm drop if you have sensitive Achilles tendons, like me. By reducing that drop, New Balance could pack even more foam under the forefoot, making the shoe feel even softer throughout your entire stride.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 283 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Wide |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 223 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Wide |
But don’t make the mistake of thinking this shoe is pillowy soft. In fact, our testers used all sorts of other words to describe it: enough, adequate, noticeable. There’s a lot of foam there, but it’s relatively firm and stiff, which, combined with the broad footprint, makes the shoe incredibly stable.—J.D.
The North Face VECTIV Enduris 4
| Weight | 287g (M), 254g (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
| Stack height | 32mm (heel), 26mm (forefoot) |
| Lug depth | 4mm |
The latest Enduris takes inspiration from some of the Vectiv Pro 3.0’s elite trail tech but drops it into a more accessible, everyday runner’s shoe. There’s now a 2mm bigger midsole stack that also swaps EVA for more energetic nitrogen TPU Dream foam. The livelier foam and pronounced rocker deliver plenty of cushion and energy for a smooth clip-along ride that’s capable of bigger mileage and well suited to runnable terrain – even a bit of road. It’s not the most agile or minimal shoe and some might crave more precision on really technical terrain but when things get lumpier underfoot, the nylon stability plate and a wide forefoot offer reliable landings.
Up top, structured, seamless uppers wrap around the foot for good security, an internal booty keeps out debris and a reinforced TPU toe cap provides some defence against rock-on-toe aggression. The 4mm lugs – chunkier than the v3 – grip well, too. All in all, a versatile shoe that’ll tame a wide range of trails with a forgiving dose of comfort for the long days.
On Cloudboom Strike LS
You’ve probably seen On’s new shoe on social media. The company set the running world abuzz when it displayed a robot that spun and twirled a shoe around while it sprayed a plastic material that would become the laceless upper. (Think of it as a highly precise hot-glue gun.) The process takes just three minutes, and when it’s over, you’re handed a shoe that’s still warm.
It’s a neat concept that makes for an exceptionally lightweight shoe. There’s a bit of a learning curve to getting your foot inside—you have to use your fingers to work the sides up around your foot, much differently than a normal shoe you slide into. Once on, we found the fit was secure, though you can’t adjust it if it doesn’t fit quite right.
Key Specs
| Weight | 175 g (M), 147 g (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4 mm |
| Features | Bouncy; Plated |
Underfoot, the Helion HF Hyper midsole, a Pebax-based foam, is relatively firm compared to the range of marathon racing shoes. There’s enough cushioning that I’d be confident taking it out for a half marathon, but I want something just a little softer for marathon-distance efforts. The foam and plate make the shoe super snappy and fast, which I appreciated during a session of 200-metre sprints.
If the laceless construction or the $430 price deters you, On makes a Cloudboom Strike that has a more traditional upper and laces. We’ve found that shoe provides a little more comfort for longer runs.
—Jeff Dengate
Brooks Glycerin GTS 22
The Glycerin 22 and the Glycerin GTS 22 have that step-in feel we expect from Brooks: a slipper-like fit with a soft midsole that buffers kilometres of pounding. The shoe is updated with the brand’s new DNA Tuned foam, which first rolled out in the Glycerin Max. The dual-cell, nitrogen-infused foam provides a softer landing on your run but feels lighter than other max-cushioned shoes.
If the Glycerin Max is a mammoth, the Glycerin 22 is a mastodon. The midsole is not as thick as its cushier counterpart, hitting 38mm in the heel (the Glycerin Max stack height is 42.25mm). But that lower height—and less squish—makes the Glycerin 22 more versatile, positioning it as both recovery shoe and daily trainer.
Men’s
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 300 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Stable; Wide |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 255 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Stable; Wide |
Of the two Glycerins, we put the spotlight on the stability version because it blends everything you need when running short or long: lightweight cushioning with stability tech for late-onset pronation. The shoe absorbs shock while ensuring you’ll be taken care of when your form becomes sloppy, all thanks to Brooks’s bumper-like guide rails system.—A.F.
Nike Vomero 18
“Hands down, these are the best shoes I’ve tested!” gushed shoe tester Casey Green, associate running coach at Ursinus College. It was praise echoed by nearly everybody who laced up Nike’s premium cushioned trainer. Why the love? Because it turns out we all crave a super cushy shoe that runs really effortlessly. And that’s exactly what the Vomero does.
Nike recently reorganized its shoe lineup, dubbing the max-cushioned offerings as Vomero—daily trainers fall under the Pegasus badge, and stability is the domain of the Structure. Within those, we can expect variations on the base model—Peg Plus, for example, is an up-tempo shoe, while the Pegasus Premium is a more laid-back, cushioned trainer that still has some speed. The Vomero, though, is all about comfort. (We don’t yet know what the Plus and Premium models will be.) And it delivers that through the addition of ZoomX foam, the same light and soft material Nike uses in its marathon racing shoes. Here, combined with a bottom layer of ReactX, the shoe offers a highly cushioned landing but still has responsiveness for long runs.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 297 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 240 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
All that comes with some added weight. But our testers were okay with the trade-off, knowing that they were going to save these shoes for easy runs and long, relaxed outings when they weren’t likely to pick up the pace.—J.D.
Brooks Ghost 17
Including the Ghost in Shoe Awards is usually a given because it always hits the right marks for every kind of runner at every level: soft, supportive feel; all-encompassing comfort; not too light, not too heavy. There’s always room for improvement, however. When our testers ran in previous models, their main request was more cushioning in the forefoot. Brooks listened and added 3mm of foam, as well as 1mm to the heel. “Like walking on clouds,” said Leslie Billowitch, who runs with a forefoot strike.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 292 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Wide |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 240 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Wide |
The Ghost 17 has the same foam as its predecessor, DNA Loft v3 foam. It’s the same foam used in the plusher Glycerin 21 and Glycerin GTS 21. Adding more DNA Loft v3 creates a softer, gentler ride. “There was a nice, smooth transition from the landing phase to push-off,” said another tester. “This shoe had the utmost comfort.”—A.F.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
Tired of your old go-to trails and wanting a shoe you can seize new terrain in? Look no further. Whether you’re wanting to push your limits or just explore the outdoors, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is built to handle whatever the trail throws your way – offering the stability, grip, and cushioning you need to run with confidence. The revamped Vibram Megagrip outsole with Traction Lugs, ensures exceptional grip, even on shifting or uneven surfaces so you can have confidence with every stride. The dual-layer Fresh Foam X Midsole provides soft, all-day comfort on top and firm, protective stability underneath, helping you take on unpredictable trail types with ease.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 293 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4 mm |
| Features | Bouncy; Plated |
Designed for durability and protection, the breathable mesh upper features a gusseted tongue to keep debris out, while Toe Protect and printed overlays shield your feet from impact. New Balance’s extended Fresh Foam range provides a variety of options for all types of trails, catering to every type of runner’s unique needs and goals. So, whether you’re tackling well-worn tracks or venturing into rugged landscapes, the Hierro v9 is ready to go wherever you do.
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 234 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4 mm |
| Features | Bouncy; Plated |
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
The Pro 4 has the original Elite’s cushioning, Pwrrun HG, which is fused with Pwrrun PB. This makes for a more stable ride compared to racing in the Elite 2—with plenty of snap. Consistent with all iterations before it, the Pro 4 has a rocker geometry that helped me better the previous year’s 13.1 time despite not being at the height of racing fitness.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 212 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Features | Bouncy; Plated |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 184.2 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Features | Bouncy; Plated |
“The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a great upgrade in the Endorphin Pro lineup,” said tester Greg Jaindl, who’s run in all previous Endorphin Pros. “Saucony has nailed the smooth transition with their Speedroll technology. The Pro 4 also has enough cushioning for protection over longer distances, but it’s not so squishy that you lose out on the energy return.”—A.F.
Altra Lone Peak 9+
“I’m really impressed with the performance of the Lone Peak 9+. The toebox is just as roomy and comfortable as my other Altra shoes, giving my feet plenty of space to spread out. The forefoot cushioning is ample, offering a smooth ride with every step. What stood out most to me was the more aggressive tread (the Lone Peak 9+ is updated with a Vibram Megagrip outsole), which gave me fantastic traction. I felt confident cornering, which is a big win for trail running. The build quality is top-notch, with high-quality materials that feel durable and long-lasting, and the design is sleek and stylish. While I typically prefer a cushioned heel for hard surfaces, the Lone Peak 9+ performed perfectly on grass and snow. Overall, it’s a fantastic trail shoe that blends comfort, performance, and style.”—John Parks, RW tester
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 300 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0 mm |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 252 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0 mm |
Mizuno Neo Zen
The Neo Zen is not only a shoe that handles your daily training, but one you’ll want to reach for on speed days, too. You might look at it and think it’s the Neo Vista, a super-thick super trainer that came out a year ago. But that shoe is plated and really shines when you just want to cruise effortlessly. The Zen, however, puts your feet a few millimetres closer to the asphalt and has a bit more snap with every stride.
Testers loved the responsive ride, and that’s largely due to the TPU-based midsole foam. It remains resilient and cushioned, even when it’s exposed to extreme temperatures. And we had plenty of freezing days when we were testing these in late winter. Those days proved problematic, however, as the upper was too ventilated to keep testers’ feet warm.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 232 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 192 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
The knit upper was polarising among our testers. Some of us loved how it was flexible and comfortable, with just enough hold to keep the midsole planted firmly under our feet. Others, especially those with narrower feet, had trouble with the volume. When you pull the laces tight, the knit folds over on the tongue and creates an annoying ridge along the top of your foot. —Jeff Dengate
Adidas Adizero Evo SL
How good is this shoe? I think it’s so good that I actually purchased two more pairs for myself after first testing it, even though I have 170 pairs marked “active” in my training log. And, the day the Evo SL went on sale, I posted on Instagram calling it the shoe of the year. Folks at other brands texted to ask how I could make that declaration on February 1. My response: If there’s a better shoe for $240 or less that comes along this year, I’ll eat this shoe. (That evening, my wife showed me a documentary of filmmaker Werner Herzog eating a shoe after losing a bet with Errol Morris. So, stay tuned.)
What makes the Evo SL so great? Well, it mostly lies in the shoe’s simplicity and versatility. There’s just a single layer of outstanding foam, a stripped-down upper, and really not much else going on. It allows the shoe to shine—and it does so whether you’re jogging on a recovery day or turning your feet over quickly during an interval session. It truly is a do-it-all shoe, all at an affordable price.
The foam is the same Lightstrike Pro that Adidas uses in the Adios Pro 4 marathon racing shoe, which we also review in this guide. It’s a lightweight, less-dense foam that has strong cushioning properties and responsiveness. Unlike that super shoe, this one has no carbon-fibre rods (which Adidas used instead of a plate), but it does have a nylon shank in the midfoot for stability when you’re transitioning from heel to toe. That’s needed because the foam is quite soft and thick and would otherwise prove unstable. The heel stack height is 39mm, with most of that being foam.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 229 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 7 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 187 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Features | Soft; Bouncy |
In testing, I put more than 563 kilometres on my first pair of the Evo SL, using it for everything from an unintentionally fast 5K on a day when I was pressed for time, up to a 37 kilometre long run at 4:58 pace while training for the Boston Marathon. Every time I laced up the shoe, I appreciated the initial comfort as my foot hit the pavement. The heel, especially, makes for a soft landing. But, remarkably, the shoe firms up enough so you can power back off the ground without feeling like you’re sinking into too much foam.
I found the fit to be true to size and comfortable, though the upper could use a little refinement. The engineered mesh is lightweight and breathable, and the back is lightly padded to deliver just enough comfort. But the tongue slides to the side. It’s more of an annoyance than a problem, but it’s worth noting. Also, the midfoot is a bit “baggy,” especially through the arch. If you’re looking for a tailored, racing shoe–like fit, this isn’t the model for that.—J.D.
Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2
The ForeverRun Nitro 2 preserves what we liked about the first: Its cushioned, responsive ride made us forget we were running in a stability shoe. Puma’s approach to developing the trainer was not to inherently stop pronation. Instead, TPU wrapped along the outsole of the heel is intended to merely slow it down. “This is a solid stability shoe, and it provides adequate support and cushioning for longer runs,” said a tester. The shoe is updated with a wider midsole, which provides support on the medial side as well.
Men’s
Key Specs- Men’s
| Weight | 292 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Stable |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 240 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Features | Soft; Stable |
But the real star is the midsole foam. Testers appreciated the shoe’s soft but springy ride and how its cushioning absorbed impact. “The cushioning helped me push through higher mileage without experiencing pounding on my knees,” said a tester. “It aided in my recovery, allowing me to feel fresher for upcoming workouts.”—A.F.
Under Armour Sonic 7
A $160 running shoe is a rarity. The Under Armour Sonic 7 is a unicorn. The shoe is for new runners looking for an entry-level performance trainer and runners on a budget searching for a premium lightweight model. Compared to the previous iteration, this one has a cleaner, more modern look with fewer cutouts. Other big updates include a softer and lighter Hovr midsole, and a lower stack height at 26mm (unheard of in 2025). Despite its low height, our testers were satisfied with the Sonic 7’s support. “This shoe is a budget shoe, but doesn’t feel like a low-end shoe,” said tester Shayne Murray, who previously tested the Brooks Revel 7. “It hugs the foot in the right places, is comfortable, and feels a little plush. Running in them you even get a little bounce.”
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 257 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 212 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
Because the shoe is lightweight and springy, testers gravitated toward it for speedwork and even race days. The only critique was its slightly narrow fit, which may feel a smidge tight on wide-footed runners. “I think the shoe runs a little small,” said Murray. “This was not a problem for me, but I do feel there are some wearers who will have to go up a half size.”—A.F.
Asics Gel-Cumulus 27
“The latest version is emblazoned with trade-named technologies—FF Blast Plus cushioning, rearfoot PureGel, a FluidRide outsole—but none of that matters once you’re running and the shoe kind of disappears. There are no little issues, pressure points, imbalances, or slight irritations with this shoe, so you forget you’re wearing it. You just want to run in the Cumulus and worry about something else for 563 or 724 kilometres. And while the Cumulus 27 is a lot more cushioned than early iterations, it maintains the all-around performance and solidity the Cumulus has always had.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 257 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Features | Soft |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 215 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Features | Soft |
“Asics shoes have always fit my feet perfectly—which hasn’t been the case with, say, Nike, which are always a bit too narrow. The new mesh upper of the 27 actually improves the snugness, without any pinching, and the overall feel is solid. Compared to earlier iterations, the new tongue is thinner and stretchier, and now it has a nice lacing strip. Another new feature I like is a heel pull tab that makes it easy to put the shoes on.”—Vernon Loeb, RW tester
Topo Athletic Aura
Testers were delightfully baffled when they ran in the Aura. “I was expecting a zero-drop shoe with little arch support,” said one. “I was 100 percent wrong. This is the most un-Topo-like Topo I’ve ever tested. This shoe is great for road runners looking for good shoe stability, super cushion, and max support.” With 38mm of cushioning, the Aura is the softest shoe the brand has to offer, with other testers saying its feel is similar to the Brooks Glycerin and Hoka Clifton, i.e., max-cushioned daily trainers known for their plush fit. Wide-footed runners especially liked the Aura’s toebox room, which prevented their swelling feet from feeling crammed during long runs.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 297 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Features | Soft; Stable |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 243 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Features | Soft; Stable |
The Aura has Topo’s new Y-Frame support system, which cradles your foot. “While it is super cushy, it doesn’t feel like you could roll an ankle on the corners,” said tester Scott Benner. “Kilometre after kilometre, you can feel the cushion. On the downhills, it eats up the jarring steps and leaves me feeling fresh and ready for more kilometres.”—A.F.
Hoka Bondi 9
If there’s one shoe that screams Hoka, it’s the Bondi. The trainer is quintessentially Hoka for its max-cushioning and soft interior. The Bondi 8 came out three years ago, so we expected a major makeover with the Bondi 9. The latest version is 10mm thicker than its predecessor (the men’s Bondi 8 had a 33mm stack height). Though the Bondi 9 towers over previous iterations, one thing the Hoka team wanted to change was its “billowiness.” This shoe has a sleeker, more refined look compared to past Bondis.
Key Specs – Men’s
| Weight | 303 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Features | Soft; Wide |
Key Specs – Women’s
| Weight | 249 grams |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Features | Soft; Wide |
While the Bondi 9 wouldn’t be my first pick for speedwork, I tested the shoe running 100-metre and 200-metre intervals on the treadmill at 4:09 pace and was surprised how smooth they glided on the belt. Other testers ran long in the shoe at a more modest pace. They described the feel as noticeably lighter than previous models and incredibly comfortable. But Hoka could go even further with the Bondi 10: Testers wanted a thinner tongue and wider midfoot. Minor grousing amidst a lot of praise. Props go to tester John Mikovits for this honest take: “Hoka has been hit-or-miss for me but the Bondi, in general, has been a chunky miss. This Bondi 9 has broken the streak of disdain.”—A.F.
