Choosing the right running shoe is crucial for comfort, performance, and injury prevention. As the seasons change, it’s an excellent time to evaluate your current footwear and consider an upgrade. Our team of experienced runners has put the latest models to the test to help you find the perfect pair for your autumn miles.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the top running shoes available this fall. We cover the rigorous testing process our team undertook and explain why investing in quality footwear is one of the best decisions you can make for your running journey. You will find clear, structured information to help you select a shoe that aligns with your specific needs.
Why Invest in a Quality Running Shoe This Fall?
A good pair of running shoes is more than just a piece of gear; it's a vital tool that directly impacts your experience on the road or trail. As temperatures cool and conditions change, having the right shoe becomes even more important. Quality footwear provides essential support, cushioning, and stability, which helps reduce the risk of common running-related injuries.
Furthermore, a well-designed shoe enhances your performance. Modern shoe technology is engineered to improve energy return, promote a natural stride, and provide a comfortable ride, allowing you to run longer and more efficiently. Investing in yourself and your running means equipping your feet with the support they need to carry you through every mile. Your feet will thank you for it.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts, including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure that the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature highly rated products.
Asics | Astral | Brooks | CEP | Craft | Diadora | Hoka | Kane | KURU | La Sportiva | Merrell | New Balance | Nike | Reebok | Roll Recovery | Salomon | Saucony | Scarpa | Skechers | Speedland | The North Face | Under Armour | Velous
Under Armour Halo Racer
The Under Armour Halo Racer is a sleek and lightweight running shoe designed for speed and agility. Featuring a responsive midsole for energy return and a breathable upper for ventilation, this shoe is perfect for short-distance runs and high-intensity workouts. The durable outsole provides excellent grip, while the streamlined design ensures a comfortable and secure fit. Whether you're hitting the track or the treadmill, the Halo Racer helps you perform at your best.
These shoes cradle the whole foot in all directions, making for a stable run on the roughest of paved roads.
First Impressions:
Supportive and stable with plenty of cushion across the foot. The Halo energy return system is helpful but not as springy as described. The upper is fairly light and breathable. The shoe had plenty of room in the toe area to allow the foot to spread out.
Things We Liked:
The thick cushion cradles the foot, which makes it feel very stable on uneven ground even with the considerable lift of the material.
Areas for Improvement:
The heal cup is deep and that causes the back of the shoe to put a lot of pressure on the achilleas tendon causing blistering after just a few miles.
Final Thoughts
The Under Armor Halo Racer shoes thick cushion absorbs impact while cradling the entire foot making for a stable run on the roughest of paved roads. The Halo Racer energy return is effective without feeling unnatural and distracting, UA describes this system as “springy” but it performed much more quietly and discreetly. Shaving a few seconds off the mile time can be achieved with this shoe while maintaining comfort and support. However, running extended races with these shoes such as half-marathons or longer may not be enough cushion for runners with sensitive knees or ankles.
The heel has a deep cradle but the downside was the back of the shoe did rub the achilles tendon causing some blistering in the first few miles of testing. Plan to wear longer socks if these shoes will be used for long distances.
The upper is a traditional lightweight material with shoe laces. These don’t have a built in sock, so the pressure to hold the foot to the sole depends on the laces. The bottom tread was great on the road surfaces the X logo has a great design but also has very little “grab” if the foot lifts short on a stride - this effect seemed to happen less in these shoes.
Specs:
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: 12.1 oz
- Price: $170
- Category: Cushion
- Type: Road Running
- Fit: True to Size
- Ideal for: Recovery, Race, Cross Training
Buy:
Women's | Men's
Under Armour Halo Trainer
The Under Armour Halo Trainer is built for athletes who need a versatile shoe for gym workouts and cross-training. Featuring a stable base for weightlifting, a flexible forefoot for dynamic movements, and a grippy outsole for traction, this shoe is designed to handle a variety of activities. The breathable upper keeps your feet cool, while the cushioned midsole provides comfort during high-impact exercises. Whether you're lifting, jumping, or sprinting, the Halo Trainer is ready to support your every move.
Explosive energy meets rock-solid stability.
First Impressions:
The Halo Trainer fits snug with a secure heel lock thanks to the external heel counter and stabilizing film, while the midfoot feels comfortably locked in without being overly tight. The foam underfoot (UA HOVR) gives a responsive bounce to movements—enough “give” to feel cushioned, yet firm enough to stay solid for multi-directional work. The upper is lightweight and perforated in areas for ventilation, which helps with breathability during sweatier sessions. Even on cardio-heavy or HIIT days, the shoe feels lively and supportive rather than flat.
Things We Liked:
The standout feature is the combination of responsive HOVR cushioning with a stable base—this gives the shoe that hybrid “bounce + control” feel, making it ideal for mixed workouts without feeling disjointed between movement types. It's a noticeable benefit of this shoe that you feel while training.
Areas for Improvement:
The lateral lockdown in aggressive sideways movements could feel a bit softer. Adding a bit more structure or reinforcement on the upper sides might help the shoe feel more secure during dynamic lateral work.
Final Thoughts
The Under Armour Halo Trainer bridges the gap between comfort and performance in a training shoe built for hybrid workouts. With UA’s HOVR cushioning, it not only absorbs impact but returns energy, making transitions from lifting to cardio feel smooth and connected. The external heel counter and stabilizer help anchor the foot, giving that firm, grounded feel during heavy or explosive movements. Above all, the lightweight, ventilated upper allows the foot to breathe without sacrificing structure.
Versatility is where the Halo Trainer shines: its multidirectional traction and responsive midsole make it equally at home in a HIIT class, circuit session, or mixed gym day. The tune between structure and flexibility gives confidence through dynamic moves, while the stability foundation ensures the foot stays supported. In short, it’s a smart “one-shoe-for-many-training-types” pick that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Specs:
- Drop: 2mm
- Weight: 12 oz
- Price: $150
- Category: Stability
- Type: Cross-Trainers
- Fit: True to Size
- Ideal for: Crossfit, HIIT, etc.
Buy:
Unisex
Our Comprehensive Testing Process
To bring you this guide, our expert team, comprised of seasoned runners and footwear specialists, conducted extensive testing on a wide array of shoes. We are committed to providing reliable and unbiased recommendations based on real-world performance.
Each pair of shoes was subjected to a minimum of 20 miles of running across varied terrains, from city pavements to park trails. Our testers meticulously evaluated each shoe based on a set of key criteria to ensure a thorough and balanced assessment.
Key Evaluation Criteria:
- Comfort: We assessed the initial feel and long-run comfort, noting any pressure points or areas of discomfort.
- Fit: Testers evaluated how the shoe conformed to the foot, including the security of the heel, the width of the toebox, and the overall lockdown.
- Weight: We considered the physical weight of the shoe and how it felt during a run—whether it felt light and nimble or heavy and cumbersome.
- Breathability: The upper materials were tested for airflow to determine how well they managed heat and moisture during a run.
- Flexibility: We analyzed the shoe's flexibility in the forefoot and its overall ability to move naturally with the runner's stride.
- Overall Ride: This is a comprehensive assessment of the shoe's performance. It includes the quality of the cushioning, the smoothness of the heel-to-toe transition, and the general feeling of the shoe in motion.