ACTIVE Best of 2015: Running Shoes

Written by
Erica Schuckies
We saw many running shoes come and go this year, but these seven consistently wowed ACTIVE.com editors on the pavement, trail and more.
Best Men's Shoe: HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 2
$130
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HOKA ONE ONE is a six-year-old company focused on maximalist running shoes. Their super popular Clifton shoes are like strapping pillows to the bottoms of your feet and hitting the road. We found that the "rocker" sole encouraged shorter strides—a practice that often goes overlooked but can greatly improve your running efficiency. We flew through a seven-mile run on these puppies and didn't feel the least bit of foot achiness that often accompanies longer runs. Once you get past the non-traditional look, these shoes are ACTIVE.com-approved for both training and racing.
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Best Women's Shoe: Mizuno Wave Rider 18
$150
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The latest edition of the Wave Rider is the best yet. These neutral shoes have been a personal favorite of ACTIVE's running editor and they continue to impress as a lightweight trainer. While the Wave Riders are built for a more narrow foot, the fit is incredibly comfortable and made us not want to take them off at the end of our runs. With improved features over the Rider 17—which the company calls both a hit and a miss—the 18 offers increased forefoot cushioning and a firmer midfoot to encourage an overall more efficient stride. We found the shoe to be all around supportive and easy, allowing us to focus on running, not the shoe.
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Best Trail: Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 3
$110
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For the third iteration in the Wildhorse line, Nike added additional cushioning to differentiate it from the brand's brethren, the racing-friendly Terra Kiger. The responsive cushioning added only an ounce to the shoe's weight, while retaining the feel of the trail underfoot. The sturdy but still flexible rock plate under the forefoot had our tester comfortably bounding across technical terrain in both dry and wet conditions. Flywire cables lend a snug, adaptive feel to the midfoot—no rubbing encountered whatsoever—and the shoe is just generally a super smooth, very versatile ride. The rubber-reinforced, wider toe box and the TPU overlays around the toe and heel bestow the wearer with a damn-near-invincible feel out on the trail.

Shoes in image are women's.
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Best Minimalist: Altra Impulse
$120
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The Impulse retains Altra's signature roomy toe box and zero-drop design, intended to encourage a more natural, low-impact footstrike, but the added stability should also appeal to runners who haven't fully bought into the natural running hype. We found the ample toe box to be an initial relief to feet used to being squeezed. Be forewarned, however: Your feet may not quite know what to do with all that extra room. The added toe splay made us feel like our feet were working extra hard to grab at the ground, and we came home with a few blisters. This should neutralize over time, though, as your feet adjust to the setup. Meanwhile, the StabiliPod technology performed well in lateral motion—a nice bonus if you intend your shoes to work as hard in the gym as they do on the pavement.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Best Triathlon Shoe: Pearl Izumi E:MOTION Tri N2 v2
$130
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Designed for the harsh conditions in Kona, the Tri N2 v2 is a neutral runner with one use in mind: triathlon. The quick-pull laces and large loop on the heel make it easy to slip these on, and the sock-like upper is breathable and barefoot friendly. The flexible midsole and the cushioned heel provide a smooth, fast running experience.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Best Update: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15
$120
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The 15th edition of the ultra-successful Adrenaline GTS follows suit with its predecessors—the shoe provides runners dependable support and ample cushioning. One of the most popular stability shoes on the market, the GTS 15 is a reliable go-to trainer for runners looking for adaptive cushioning and more control. The segmented crash pad makes heel-toe transitions smooth and efficient, and the shoe is supportive enough to be used as a daily trainer and quick enough to be used on race day. Order a half size up, though—this edition runs small.

Shoes in image are women's.
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Best Debut: Adidas Ultra Boost
$180
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When Adidas claimed to have made "The Greatest Running Shoe Ever," the ACTIVE.com team was skeptical. However, after a handful of runs in these shoes, we were sold on the fit, comfort and design of the Ultra Boost.

Unlike the usual 100 percent mesh of most running shoes, the upper of the Ultra Boost includes a top layer of a knit material (Adidas' PrimeKnit mesh), which explains the high comfort level and ability to fit to your foot size and shape. The cushioning is out-of-this-world soft, and each stride feels light without the deadening effect that overly cushioned shoes sometimes deliver. As the name suggests, each new step offers a springy action—dare we say a "boost"—to help you quickly off your toe.

The Ultra Boost feels light and quick, making them a great racing shoe for anything from a 5K to a half marathon, or for the run portion of a shorter-distance triathlon, especially if you plan to wear them without socks.

Shoes in image are men's.
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