Items10The creator’s order
  1. 1Brooks GhostBrooks GhostBrooks Ghost 18 The safest first pick for most new runners: cushioning that sits between soft and firm, so easy miles feel comfortable without the sinking sensation of a plush shoe, and it still lets you pick up the pace when you want to. This version brings a more breathable triple-jacquard mesh…0
  2. 2HOKA CliftonHOKA CliftonHOKA Clifton 11 A deep, protective layer of foam, 43 mm under the heel, in a shoe that still weighs about 9.2 oz in a men's size, which makes long, slow runs kind to tired legs. The fit is roomy with good volume in the toe box, and the cushioning feels medium-to-firm rather than marshmallow-soft.…0
  3. 3Nike PegasusNike PegasusNike Pegasus 42 The dependable all-rounder: durable ReactX foam paired with a full-length Air Zoom unit that adds a livelier, more responsive push off the toes. Its 10 mm drop and big, compressing heel cushioning favour runners who land on their heels; midfoot strikers may notice the steep angle…0
  4. 4Saucony RideSaucony RideSaucony Ride 19 The pick for a new runner who wants one shoe for everything on pavement. The ride is balanced rather than springy: cushioned, but without the sink of a recovery shoe, so it feels steady from the first jog to a first 10K. The PWRRUN+ foam is a touch softer than the previous…0
  5. 5ASICS Gel-CumulusASICS Gel-CumulusASICS Gel-Cumulus 28 Comfortable straight out of the box, and at its best on easy miles and long runs rather than anything fast. This version switches to FF Blast Max foam, lighter and bouncier than before, adds a heel gel unit that is much softer than earlier ones, and reworks the outsole after…0
  6. 6Mizuno Wave RiderMizuno Wave RiderMizuno Wave Rider 30 A bigger update than most: 6 mm more foam under the forefoot and 4 mm more at the heel, a drop lowered from 10 mm to 8 mm, and Mizuno's Wave plate now running the full length of the midsole, hidden inside it. The result feels plusher than earlier Wave Riders while a firmer…0
  7. 7New Balance Fresh Foam X 880New Balance Fresh Foam X 880New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 The one to try for a hard-to-fit foot: it comes in narrow, standard, wide and extra-wide fittings for both men and women. A thick stack of firmer Fresh Foam X, 40.5 mm at the heel, gives plenty of protection without a squishy feel, and the 6 mm drop is lower than…0
  8. 8ASICS NovablastASICS NovablastASICS Novablast 6 For anyone who wants running to feel lively, the Novablast is built around bounce, with a soft heel and a forefoot pod of FF Turbo2 foam. It is light for its cushioning at about 8.8 oz in a men's size, and new ASICSGRIP rubber makes the outsole stickier. The 8 mm drop tips you…0
  9. 9ASICS Gel-NimbusASICS Gel-NimbusASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 The plush option, for anyone who wants as much softness underfoot as possible and does not mind paying the highest list price here, $170. The FF Blast Plus foam stands 43.5 mm deep at the heel of the men's shoe with an 8 mm drop, yet this version is lighter than the last, at…0
  10. 10adidas Supernova Riseadidas Supernova Riseadidas Supernova Rise 3 A versatile all-rounder that handles slow long runs and the odd quicker session equally well. This version moves to a PEBA-based Dreamstrike+ foam that testers found softer than before, though the ride stays balanced and slightly firm rather than pillowy, with plenty of…0