The 26 That Rose To The Top

Whether you want to run further and faster, or just want to cover your kays with fewer aches and pains, this season’s shoes boast the latest innovations in cushioning and comfort to help you keep running strong. We tested 78 pairs of shoes in our lab and on the feet of more than 300 wear-testers, who each logged more than 80km in their test pairs. To identify our top 26, we looked at how the shoes performed regarding key metrics such as comfort, stability, and overall ride. We grouped them into four categories –road shoes that are fast, soft, or stable, and trail shoes –to help you find the pair that best meets your needs. It’s time to make room in your cupboard.

- Ryan Scott

ADIDAS ULTRABOOST 19

PRICE: R2 999 | WEIGHT: 320g

THE SHOE’S DNA remains unchanged: the UltraBoost 19 is still positioned as the softest expression of the brand’s Boost line-up and is a performance shoe that’s built to handle your longest runs. The underfoot feeling remains plush but less bouncy and mushy than the earlier versions. Not everyone was a fan of the plastic lockdown cage in the original; the new model still has a saddle over the midfoot, but this time it’s made from a flexible, lightweight mono mesh that better moves with your foot when you’re running. It’s soft and comfortable as it bends up and around your foot, and won’t rub when you flex your toes for push-off. There are small lugs underfoot – diamond-shaped, with hard edges – that give you a little extra hold on slick surfaces and dirt roads, almost putting the shoe in the all-terrain category, but not quite.

SKECHERS FORZA3

PRICE: R1 850 | WEIGHT: 209g

THIS IS THE SHOE for long-haul durability. The Skechers Forza 3 features a full-length rubber outsole and an updated post, giving runners plenty of stability for a lightweight shoe. Our wear-testers specifically pointed out how well this shoe held up over longer distances, up to half marathon (which is not the case for all lightweight shoes), and on a variety of terrains. The latest Forza is about 30 grams lighter thanks to a new midsole foam, which our wear-testers felt provided better cushioning overall. Key update: a dense foam support post now runs into the forefoot (instead of ending midfoot) to offer a smoother ride.

BROOKS REVEL3

PRICE: R1 999 | WEIGHT: 252g