The 7 Best Daily Running Shoes I’ve Tested in 2025 (So Far)

Since early 2025, I’ve run hundreds of miles in dozens of shoes. These are the pairs I didn’t want to take off.

top down photo of different running shoes from brooks, asics, nike, adidas and on

By Jack Seemer

Published May 21, 2025

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Updated May 21, 2025

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When you write about running shoes for a living, you have no choice but to run. A lot …

Since early January, I’ve logged hundreds of miles when not in front of a computer, averaging between 30 and 50 miles a week at various paces.

That’s chump change compared to the elites, of course — and even many of my amateur peers who fly by me on weekend long runs.

However, it does present ample opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t when it comes to shoe design.

One of my big takeaways this year has been the evolution of the “daily trainer” category. Gone are the days when brands could just slap some rubber on a piece of fabric and call it a day.

In 2025, daily trainers are fast, cushioned, sophisticated (technically speaking) and, most of all, varied. Some look, and feel, like aerodynamic racers. Others, meanwhile, take a more maximalist approach to the craft.

If the recommendations collected below share one common attribute, it’s that they aim to get you from point A to B using novel materials or methods of construction. And they’re all pretty darn fun to run in.

At the end of the day, I don’t believe in perfect shoes. What works for my feet could cause you discomfort — or worse, injury. And I’ve yet to find a pair that couldn’t improve in some way.

However, having run in countless designs over the last few years, and dozens of pairs since the beginning of 2025, these are the recent releases that impressed me the most.

Jack of All Trades

Asics Novablast 5

$140 at Asics

The Novablast 5, released toward the end of 2024, isn’t Asics’s best training shoe — a superlative I wouldn’t hesitate giving to the Superblast 2. So what it’s doing on this list?

For starters, it’s cheap.

At $140, the Novablast 5 might be the single best value on the shelf, and it’s my go-to recommendation for anyone in need of a one-shoe rotation or simply a workhorse for racking up the mileage.

It shares many attributes with the Superblast 2, including an 8mm drop and same general weight (around nine ounces).

asics running shoes — Compared to the Superblast 2 (top), the Novablast 5 (bottom) has a slightly softer midsole.

However, the FF Blast Max foam is softer than what’s inside the Superblast 2, giving it an edge for both beginner runners and seasoned vets seeking a more cushioned landing for recovery runs in-between harder sessions.

Learn more about the Asics Novablast 5.

Pick Up the Pace

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

$150 at Adidas

Launched in late 2024, the Adizero Evo SL didn’t come out in earnest until a few months into 2025, when Adidas finally caught up with the demand. It was worth the wait.

The shoe features the brand’s topline foam, Lightstrike Pro, as found in its impossibly rare $500 super shoe, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo.

Thing is, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL costs just $150, pitting it against daily trainers, not super shoes.

Truth be told, the Adizero Evo SL, which withholds a plate, has a few flaws: it lacks some stability at slower paces and the minimalist race-inspired tongue can slide around mid-stride.

That said, it comfortably overdelivers on its price, with a lightweight profile and joyful ride that simply makes you want to run fast. Also, thanks to its minimalist appearance, it also looks pretty good in the process.

Tried and True

Hoka Clifton 10

$150 at Hoka

The Clifton is one of the most popular shoes in the world and Hoka knew better than to mess it up for the 10th anniversary model that came out in the spring.

Hoka Clifton 10 shoe — The Hoka Clifton is among the most popular running shoes on the planet.

The foam underfoot is compression-molded EVA, similar to previous Clifton models. There’s just more of it now.

Hoka increased the stack height to 42mm, as well as the stack height to 8mm (up from 5mm).

The result is simultaneously the most cushioned and smoothest Clifton ever, with all the same attributes its legion of fans love: breathable upper, approachable price tag and durable materials made to go the distance.

Learn more about the Hoka Clifton 10.

Smooth Operator

On Cloudsurfer 2

$160 at On

On launched the Cloudsurfer 2 with the tagline “Soft Wins.” While I don’t disagree with the message, I don’t think it applies to the Cloudsurfer 2.

On running shoe — On bucks the trend of making shoes taller and softer. The Cloudsurfer 2 is firmer underfoot than most new releases.

So what?

The shoe bucks the trend among brands to Hoka-fy every new release with a chunky, oversized midsole of soft foam. In other words, the Cloudsurfer 2 is a sleek workhorse that zigs where other zag.

Its combination of Helion foam and a 37mm stack height translate into a firm ride that’s both smooth and responsive underfoot.

The Cloudsurfer 2 won’t be for everyone, but traditionalists who miss the stable shoes of yore should check this one out.

The Surprise Hit

Salomon Aero Glide 3

$160 at Salomon

Salomon built its reputation on the trails but shoes like the Aero Glide 3 prove the brand’s might on the roads, as well.

It’s calling card is a midsole material named Energy Foam Evo, which is comprised of supercritical eTPU that resemble pellets similar to Adidas’s Boost technology.

In practical terms, the high-stack shoe is exceptionally bouncy but lightweight for its size — clocking in several ounces lighter than several other shoes on this list.

What’s more, the seamless upper takes inspiration from the gloves worn by Formula 1 drivers; with no internal stitches, points of potential friction are kept to a bare minimum.

Learn more about the Aero Glide 3.

Going Long

Brooks Glycerin Max

$200 at Brooks

Glycerin Max is a deceptive shoe, stretching the limits of “daily trainer” in both looks and price.

And yet, its versatility for different types of runs — from slow recovery miles to uptempo efforts — easily earns it a spot on this list.

brooks running shoe — The Glycerin Max may look chunky — and that it is. However, it feel nimble underfoot with exceptional takeoff for its size.

Brooks calls the midsole technology DNA Tuned. In a nutshell, the gas-infused foam features larger holes in heel than the forefoot, which gives the shoe ample shock-absorption that feels surprisingly snappy thanks to its rocker profile.

I’ve logged over 200 miles in this shoe and not only is my favorite Brooks release ever, it’s my go-to option for long runs where I want a lot of cushion but the ability to pick up the pace for segments.

In short, it’s a winner.

Easy Does It

Nike Vomero 18

$150 at Nike

In some ways, Nike was way ahead of the curve with the early Vomero. The max-cushioned cushion to the Pegasus came out in 2006, when minimalist trainers were all the rage.

white nike shoes — The Vomero 18 features a midsole made from both ZoomX and ReactX foams.

Almost 20 iterations later, the Vomero finally feels like it’s come into its own — a shoe in the right place at the right time.

In some ways, Vomero 18 is Nike’s answer to Hoka hype. It features a stack height of 46mm, with a midsole comprised of ZoomX and ReactX. That means it’s highly responsive and highly cushioned, but its aggressive rocker prevents it from feeling like quicksand underfoot.

That theme continues on the upper, which features a killer combination of breathable mesh and extra cushion on the tongue and collar.

white nike shoe — Foams may get the lion’s share of attention but the upper on the Vomero 18 is excellent, featuring a breathable mesh material with extra padding on the tongue and collar.

In short, the Vomero 18 is one of my favorite easy-day options right now, and I find myself reaching for it when I don’t know what else to run in. All rotations could use a shoe like that.

Learn more about the Nike Vomero 18.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.