The holiday season is upon us! Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned marathoner, a weekend jogger, or someone just starting their fitness journey, the right pair of running shoes can make all the difference. With so many options on the market, choosing the perfect pair can be a daunting task.
That’s why we’ve curated our Top 10 running shoes for Christmas 2024 guide, each one designed to elevate comfort, support, and performance. From all-out speedsters to fun, everyday trainers, these shoes are guaranteed to put a smile on any runner’s face and to help them achieve a personal best in the new year. The guide consists of 3 categories: racers, speed trainers and daily trainers.
The Alphafly 3 is the current holder of both the men’s and women’s world records in the marathon. The Alphafly 3 is the best Alphafly version to date,, with a much better midfoot design that doesn’t dig into your arch like previous versions. What makes the Alphafly 3 so special are the Zoom Air pods in its forefoot that provide explosive forward propulsion during toe-offs. The Alphafly 3 provides a high level of speed assistance through its stiff carbon FlyPlate, bouncy ZoomX midsole and its unique air pods. It also has an extremely breathable upper which is comfortable and light. It’s best suited to fast runners with a medium or high arch who want a punchy, top-tier racing shoe.
The Edge and the Sky are ASICS’ flagship, long-distance super shoes. Both of them utilise the same midsole foam and have a stiff, full-length carbon plate, so they have similar rides with very small differences. The Edge is more suited to heel strikers with a fast turnover, while the Sky is more suited to forefoot strikers who have long, powerful strides. Both the Edge and Sky are super lightweight and are lighter than most of the high-end super shoes. The Paris versions are softer and lighter than their predecessors. They have been upgraded to the new FF Turbo+ midsole foam, which is also more energetic. They are best suited to runners who prefer a firm but cushioned, stable ride.
Edge Paris:
Sky Paris
The Endorphin Elite is the pinnacle of Saucony’s racing lineup and is used by the majority of Saucony’s elite athletes. It has a PWRRUN HG midsole, which is firmer but has more rebound than Saucony’s other racing foam, PWRRUN PB. It weighs only 7.2 oz (204 g) for a men’s US 9, making it an excellent marathon racer. What makes the Endorphin Elite so special is its aggressive forefoot rocker, which throws you forward when you engage it. The Endorphin Elite 2 was launched in a limited release earlier this year, but it’s not nearly as fast or as propulsive as the original version. The Endorphin Elite is best suited to neutral runners who love a forward-tipping sensation during toe-offs.
The Deviate Nitro 3 is PUMA’s excellent training version of the Deviate Nitro Elite 3. It shares a lot of the same technology as the flagship PUMA racer, and it represents great bang for your buck. It has a full-length carbon plate and two nitrogen-infused foams in its midsole, which results in a really versatile, fun speed trainer. It shines at a variety of paces, from easy all the way to threshold. The Deviate Nitro 3’s best feature is its PUMAGRIP outsole, which has outstanding durability and traction on all surfaces. The Deviate Nitro 3 is designed for runners who are looking for a fast trainer with a snappy forefoot for intervals, tempo, fartlek or threshold runs.
The SuperComp Trainer v3 from New Balance is a more affordable, more durable version of New Balance’s fastest long-distance racer, the SuperComp Elite v4. It has a carbon plate which is more flexible than the one found in the Elite v4, resulting in a less jarring ride that can handle slower paces better. This latest version of the SuperComp Trainer has been upgraded with a PEBA/EVA blend midsole that delivers more energy return than any of the previous versions. It has super smooth ride transitions and great energy return from its carbon plate. What makes the SuperComp Trainer such a good speed trainer is that it delivers a very similar ride to its racing counterpart at a fraction of the price.
The 5th version of this immensely popular daily trainer just launched this month, and it’s a vast improvement over version 4. It features a brand new POE (polyolefin elastomer) midsole, which is not only softer but also more energetic than the EVA midsole of previous versions. The Novablast 5’s strength is its versatility and its weight, coming in lighter than most daily trainers in its price category. It is also widely available and is very affordable, considering how durable it is. It’s suitable for a wide range of runners, from beginners all the way to elites, as it can handle a plethora of paces and has the capability of performing all types of runs well. It’s a true jack-of-all-trades running shoe.
This brand-new daily trainer is perhaps the most fun trainer of 2024. It comes from Brooks’ BlueLine Lab which develops innovative prototypes with futuristic technology. The is the tallest running shoe that Brooks has ever created, coming in at a gargantuan 45 mm in the heel. It also features a brand new midsole foam in DNA Tuned, which is nitrogen-infused. The Glycerin Max has a surprisingly versatile and balanced ride character with the ability to pick up the pace. The highlight of this maximalist trainer is its giant forefoot rocker, which speeds up transitions and improves efficiency. The Glycerin Max is best suited to runners who don’t want any ground feel and who want next-level, deep cushioning.
The 1080v14 is New Balance’s signature running shoe and their most popular model. It’s also one of the softest trainers on the market and features a thick, low-density, Fresh Foam X midsole. The 1080v14 has a premium feel and excellent build quality. If you want a plush, luxurious daily trainer with superb shock absorption, the 1080 is the shoe for you. Version 14 is more stable and more versatile than version 13. It’s also been updated with a stiffer forefoot, resulting in a more prominent rocker. It’s best suited to runners who crave a plush, smooth ride for mainly easy and recovery runs.
Every now and again, a game-changing running shoe is created. The Superblast is a shoe like no other. It feels like a super shoe, but it has the durability and price of a trainer. What makes this shoe so special is that it has a midsole made of FF Turbo+, ASICS’ premier racing foam. Its lightweight build and its energetic midsole make it one of the most versatile trainers on the market, capable of recovery runs all the way to fast intervals. Version 2 has been updated with a new midsole foam, which is slightly softer, and an upper, which is a lot more comfortable. The Superblast 2 is suitable for any runner seeking a do-it-all, highly cushioned, balanced shoe.
One of the sleeper hits of 2024, the Prima, is Adidas’ brand new, excellent maximalist trainer from the Supernova family of training shoes. What makes the Supernova Prima so special is that it has Support Rods on its outsole that provide structure and stability. The Rods also increase the stiffness of the forefoot, resulting in a forefoot rocker that improves efficiency. The Prima has a Dreamstrike+, PEBA-based midsole, which returns a good amount of energy during every toe-off. The Prima is best suited to runners who want a deeply cushioned long run or easy day trainer with a stable ride.
No matter who you’re shopping for this holiday season, the right pair of running shoes can be the perfect gift to inspire and support their fitness goals. With the help of this curated guide, you’ll find options for every type of runner – from racers to daily trainers – ensuring comfort, performance, and joy with every step. Give the gift of running this Christmas and help your loved ones stride into 2024 with confidence!
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