The end of the year always sneaks up fast, and suddenly the holidays are here with their familiar mix of celebration, chaos and a slightly desperate urge to start fresh. For runners, that usually means one thing: eyeing new shoes. There’s something ceremonial about unboxing a fresh pair during the festive season.
The holidays are the perfect time to refresh your running gear, and few gifts feel as exciting as a brand-new pair of shoes. This guide brings together the standout options of the year: the fast ones, the steady workhorses, and the shoes that just make running feel good again. Add a few to your wish list and let Santa handle the rest.
A brand new, high-end super trainer from Nike, the Vomero Premium is the plushest and most cushioned trainer ever created. It was designed for runners who want to eliminate all ground feel. It features a whopping 55 millimetres of stack height in the heel, making it the tallest daily trainer on the market. With a midsole made entirely of ZoomX foam and two thick, Zoom Air pods in its centre, the Vomero Premium delivers a unique ride unlike any other. It has an extremely plush yet bouncy ride that’s a treat for any runner with sore or tired legs.
Years ago, the Hurricane used to be a staunch stability trainer, but version 25 is now a supportive daily trainer that’s suitable for both neutral and overpronators. It has a dual-density midsole with bouncy PWRRUN PB on the top and firm PWRRUN on the bottom for support. The Hurricane 25 delivers a stable, planted ride without the typical, restrictive, firm feel of a traditional stability trainer. The Hurricane 25 is a comfortable and durable workhorse for all types of runners, from beginners to marathon monks. It has a narrow-fitting upper, so wide-footed runners will need to invest in the wide version.
If you’ve run in previous versions of the Hyperion Max and you weren’t impressed, version 3 is a complete overhaul and a must-try. Version 3 has a much taller, stiffer midsole and a more prominent forefoot rocker. The biggest difference is that it now has a top layer of lively DNA Gold, a PEBA foam in its midsole. It also has a bottom layer of DNA Flash v2 for excellent durability. The Hyperion Max 3 is versatile, and it can be used for both long run training as well as speed workouts. It has a really soft, comfortable, semi-bootie construction upper that provides secure foot lockdown.
Sometimes less is more, and this is especially true when it comes to the Mach X 3. Version 3 has the same midsole as the Mach X 2, but it has a new and improved upper that makes it much more comfortable. It has the same soft and propulsive ride as its predecessor, but the Mach X 3 feels a lot more premium and polished thanks to its new Warp Knit mesh upper. It’s the training companion of the HOKA Rocket X 3 racer, so it delivers a similar ride but with more durability and at a fraction of the cost.
A layer of bouncy PEBA on the top provides a high level of energy return, while a bottom layer of EVA provides good durability and structure. The Mach X 3 still has a narrow fit. Wide-footed runners will need the wide version.
The latest version of the Fast-R is a big upgrade on the previous version, and retailers can’t manage to keep it in stock because of its high demand. The biggest difference this year is that it has lost a significant 95 grams of weight, making it incredibly nimble and agile.
The Fast-R 3’s midsole is made of a new generation aliphatic TPU foam that’s much lighter and much softer than other midsole foams. It still has a full-length carbon plate for extra propulsion. It’s best suited to runners who are midfoot or forefoot strikers because it has a small heel landing area. It’s complemented by a breathable, stripped-down upper and a grippy outsole.
Version 3 of HOKA’s popular Rocket X series received a complete redesign from the ground up. It has a softer, more flexible midsole than its predecessor and an improved upper that’s more padded and more comfortable. It’s also 8 grams lighter than the previous version. The Rocket X3 is softer and more stable than most of the 2025 carbon racers. This is a great option for beginners looking to get their first carbon racer. It’s a lot more stable than HOKA’s other carbon racer, the Cielo X1 2.0, and it’s also better suited to heel strikers than the Cielo.
https://www.hoka.com/en/gb/race/rocket-x-3/1168724.html
As you head into the holidays, perhaps with a new running goal on the horizon, remember that the right pair of shoes can be a powerful motivator.
Whether you’re after the stability of the Hoka Rocket X 3 for your first carbon-plated race or the nimble feel of the Puma Fast-R 3 for a new PB, I hope these recommendations help you find the right fit for your running needs.
Wishing you happy miles and a great holiday season.
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