The daily trainer is arguably the most important type of running shoe in one’s rotation. Easy runs should equal around 80% of your weekly mileage. For easy miles, you need to use a daily trainer which is comfortable, efficient and durable. The daily trainer is a runner’s bread and butter tool when it comes to logging mileage.
Top pick
Adidas hit a home run with this brand new, excellent daily trainer. The Supernova Prima is the maximalist trainer in the Supernova family. Featuring a thick midsole (38 mm/30 mm) of PEBA-based Dreamstrike+ foam, the Prima delivers an energetic ride which is capable of a wide range of paces. Bottom-loaded Support Rods provide stability while also making the forefoot slightly stiffer to enhance the rocker. It’s finished off with a comfortable engineered mesh upper that features 3 large, reflective stripes on the medial and lateral sides for low-light visibility. The Adidas Supernova Prima is the sleeper hit of 2024.
Runner up
This year’s Ride gets some significant updates that make it great bang for your buck. Saucony finally gives the Ride 17 a full-length PWRRUN+ midsole, made of beaded TPU. This results in a much livelier, bouncier ride compared to previous versions of the Ride. The Ride 17 has a medium-soft, very balanced ride typical of a text-book daily trainer. It gets 2 mm more stack height, so it now comes in at 37 mm/ 29 mm and it is cushioned enough for distances up to a full marathon. A nice, wide base provides excellent stability while thick, durable XT-900 outsole rubber protects the midsole foam.
Honourable mentions
The Glycerin from Brooks is the softest, most cushioned trainer in the Brooks lineup. It isn’t the squishiest max-cushioned trainer on the market but it offers a high level of support so it’s perfect for heavier runners above 90 kilograms. The Glycerin 21 has a DNA Loft v3 midsole which is infused with nitrogen for springy toe-offs. The premium upper of the Glycerin 21 is one of the most comfortable uppers money can buy and it suits most foot shapes. It also comes in a GTS version with raised side rails for a higher level of stability.
The Balos is a new addition to the Fresh Foam line and you can think of the Balos as a faster, souped-up version of the New Balance 1080v13. This exciting trainer features a new blend of Fresh Foam X that has been infused with PEBA for extra energy return. It has a plush yet bouncy ride best suited to easy or steady runs. You can also expect soft, padded landings in the Balos thanks to its lightweight ground contact EVA outsole. There are large reflectors on the heel counter and toe-box for excellent night-time visibility.
As the big brother to the Saucony Ride, the Triumph has the softest ride of any Saucony shoe. It’s a workhorse that will offer plenty of plush protection. The Triumph isn’t as versatile as the Ride but it feels more comfortable and more luxurious. This year’s Triumph 22 gets upgraded to PWRRUN PB, a PEBA-based midsole foam and the same foam that’s featured in the Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro series. This results in an even softer, gentler ride than previous Triumph versions. The Triumph 22 has a very comfortable upper with plenty of plush padding that cocoons your feet, offering plenty of long-distance comfort.
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