RUNNER'S 2025 SHOE AWARDS

Our annual Shoe Awards looks a little different this year.

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On these pages, our test team still provides their expertise on the hottest trainers, but we also put a spotlight on testers who fell in love with their pairs. A new features key on the top of every page helps make your shopping experience even easier. We also included “more options” for some shoes just in case you're on the fence about trying that pair. After logging hundreds of miles in 100-plus models, we're confident we can help you on your quest to find your perfect match. Allow us to be your guide.

ON CLOUDBOOM STRIKE LS
$330 | 6.2 oz (M), 5.2 oz (W) | 4 mm

YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN On’s new shoe on social media. The company set the running world abuzz when it displayed a robot that spun and twirled a shoe around while it sprayed a plastic mate-rial that would become the laceless upper. (Think of it as a highly precise hot-glue gun.) The process takes just three minutes, and when it’s over, you’re handed a shoe that’s still warm.

It’s a neat concept that makes for an exceptionally lightweight shoe. There’s a bit of a learning curve to getting your foot inside—you have to use your fingers to work the sides up around your foot, much differently than a normal shoe you slide into. Once on, we found the fit was secure, though you can’t adjust it if it doesn’t fit quite right.

Underfoot, the Helion HF Hyper mid-sole, a Pebax-based foam, is relatively firm compared to the range of marathon racing shoes. There’s enough cushion-ing that I’d be confident taking it out for a half marathon, but I want some-thing just a little softer for marathon-distance efforts. The foam and plate make the shoe super snappy and fast, which I appreciated during a session of 200-meter sprints.

If the laceless construction or the $330 price deters you, On makes a Cloudboom Strike that has a more traditional upper and laces. We've found that shoe provides a little more comfort for longer runs.