ASICS GEL-3020
Price: $120
Widths: Standard
Weight: 12.2 oz (M) 10.2 oz (W)
Contact: 800-678-9435
WE SAY: This shoe delivers a surprisingly fluid ride through well placed Gel and foam components. It may feel firm underfoot, due to a dense strip of midsole material running under the arch to set up an efficient toe-off. Inside the shoe, a cushy lining creates a snug, secure wrap around the ankle and instep. Asics remodeled this update's upper to add a bunion window and a more rounded toebox, and the changes paid off. Our testers raved about the shoe's new fit and feel. Recommended as a supportive highmileage shoe for injury-prone runners.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "It has a great balance of cushioning and stability."—Judy Munson, 55, East Lansing
"I loved how stable this shoe felt."—Cary Einberger, 38, East Lansing
K-SWISS KONEJO 2
Price: $100
Widths: Standard
Weight: 12.9 oz (M) 10.5 oz (W)
Contact: 888-579-7786
WE SAY: This middle-of-the-road stability shoe provides a smooth, supportive ride and decent cushioning. It has a high heel but doesn't transition as dramatically to the forefoot as similar built-up shoes. Testers liked the stay-tied laces but weren't all that fond of the firm cushioning, despite its excellent energy return, as measured by the RW Shoe Lab. Several testers complained that the tongue irritated the tops of their feet. Recommended for heavy and average-weight runners as a long, slow distance trainer.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "Great support, but it needed more cushioning."—Heidi Kester, 26, Allentown
"Even though the shoes were heavy, I liked how the laces stayed tied."—Ben Cox, 23, East Lansing
MERRELL CT STAMINA 2
Price: $105
Widths: Standard
Weight: 11.4 oz (M) 9.3 oz (W)
Contact: 800-789-8586
WE SAY: The Stamina offers up a smooth, plush ride for runners who are injury prone and need a lot of support. Lightweight runners might find it a bit uncomfortable for long training runs due to the firm platform underneath all the plush foam. Some of our testers liked the shoe's firm sole once they got used to it, but a number of them found it too unforgiving. A few testers also noted that they couldn't get the laces to stay tied. We recommend the Stamina as an everyday trainer for overpronators.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "The support was good, though it felt a bit heavy."—Chris Felty, 27, San Diego
"I liked the performance, but I had trouble keeping the laces tied."—Kevin Reindl, 42, San Diego
SAUCONY PROGRID HURRICANE 12
Price: $140
Widths: Stand.-2E (M) Stand.-D (W)
Weight: 13.3 oz (M) 11.1(W)
Contact: 800-365-4933
WE SAY: Boasting hefty support and a firm ride, the Hurricane still manages to feel cushy. This update has been assembled around a new last that gives it a more contoured fit over the toes. Saucony also expanded the medial post and the heel crash pad to make the shoe even better at slowing overpronation. Testers really liked how well the shoe's arch band secured the tops of their feet. Recommended for injury-prone and heavy or average-weight runners as a durable trainer.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "It made my foot feel comfortably snug."—Tom Swientek, 58, East Lansing
"The support, cushioning, and flexibility were all fantastic."—Helen Capparell, 42, Allentown
UNDER ARMOUR ILLUSION II
Price: $85
Widths: Standard
Weight: 11.9 oz (M) 9.9 oz (W)
Contact: 888-727-6687
WE SAY: The Illusion offers great flexibility on a firm, dense platform that isn't loaded down with a lot of bulky stability features. This update doesn't deviate too far from the previous version and still has the snug instep wrap that our testers loved. Heel-strike is notably firm and stable, thanks to the plastic heel cradle. The transition from the plastic-protected mid-stance to the flexible forefoot is a bit stilted. We recommend it for high-arched runners as an interval shoe or treadmill trainer.
WEAR-TESTERS SAY: "Good fit, but I really prefer more forefoot cushioning."—Stephanie Vasta, 27, Allentown
"Even though it had decent support, it also had too much wiggle room."—Daniel Steuer, 24, San Diego
Check out our trail running shoe guide.
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