Best Shoes of 2025 - Our Picks
The 2025 running season has arrived, bringing with it a sophisticated shift in footwear engineering. This year’s lineup transcends simple iterative updates, offering a blend of disruptive new brands and refined classics that redefine the boundaries of energy return, stability, and versatility.
The following selections are the result of rigorous independent testing. In an industry often swayed by sponsorship, these insights remain entirely uninfluenced by brand incentives—providing a transparent look at the equipment truly worthy of a place in your rotation.
The 2025 Performance Standouts
Loudest Design/ Biggest Disruptors: Teva Avent Trail Running Sandal
Biggest Surprise (Boutique): Tracksmith Elliot Racer
Biggest Surprise (Emerging): High Racer High Wings
Best Daily Trainer: Hoka Mach X2
Best Recovery/Easy Day: Hoka Skyward X & Skechers Airburst
Best Tempo Shoe: Hoka Mach 6 & Mach X3
Best Marathon Racer: Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 & Nike Alphafly 3
Best Trail Shoe: Hoka Speedgoat 6
Best Run-Walk/Travel: Hoka Arahi 7
Most Durable: Hoka Skyward X
The Disruptors: Innovation Beyond the Status Quo
In a market often dominated by legacy players, 2025’s most compelling stories come from the outliers. The Teva Avent Trail Running Sandal has emerged as the year’s most provocative "loud" shoe. While its aesthetic is unapologetically unconventional, its performance is rooted in elite-level utility. Designed to meet the demands of high-speed trail athletes, it challenges the traditional silhouette of off-road footwear, proving that unconventional form can meet elite function.
Perhaps the most significant shift in the competitive landscape comes from the "Biggest Surprise" category. Tracksmith, long regarded as a lifestyle brand, has silenced critics with the Elliot Racer. It is a precision tool—remarkably lightweight and engineered with a propulsive geometry that rivals veteran racing houses. Equally impressive is the arrival of High Racer. Their flagship model, the High Wings, features an innovative golden Kevlar-plated carbon system. In head-to-head testing against industry benchmarks like the Nike Alphafly, the High Wings demonstrated a caliber of responsiveness and upper-tier craftsmanship that signals a new power player in the marathon space.
The Foundation: Daily Training and Active Recovery
A runner’s longevity is built on the quality of their daily mileage. For 2025, the Hoka Mach X2 stands as the definitive daily trainer. Its brilliance lies in its versatility, offering a cushioned platform for standard aerobic volume while retaining the snappiness required for post-run strides and moderate pickups.
For the critical recovery phase, the industry has leaned into maximalist protection. The Hoka Skyward X has become an essential asset for high-volume training blocks. It is a high-mileage workhorse that utilizes carbon-plating not just for speed, but for structural stability when the athlete is fatigued. Joining it at the top of the category is the Skechers Airburst, a shoe that prioritizes a plush, forgiving underfoot feel without sacrificing the stable base necessary for tired limbs.
The Pursuit of Speed: Tempo and Marathon Racing
When the objective shifts to performance at threshold, the Hoka Mach 6 and Mach X3 provide the necessary agility. These models are characterized by their "poppy" transitions and lightweight profiles, bridging the gap between a daily trainer and a full-scale carbon racer.
At the marathon distance, the hierarchy is being challenged. While the Nike Alphafly 3 remains a formidable standard-bearer due to its specialized air units, the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 has introduced a new level of aggression to the Hoka lineup. By implementing a more pronounced rocker, the 2.0 model optimizes toe-off mechanics, forcing the runner into an efficient, forward-leaning posture that is essential for maintaining pace in the closing miles of a race.
Specialized Utility: Trail, Travel, and Longevity
Technical terrain requires technical solutions. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 continues to lead the trail sector, offering a reliable grip and a refined fit that instills confidence on diverse topographies.
For the modern athlete who demands multi-functional gear, the Hoka Arahi series—specifically the Arahi 7—remains the gold standard for "Run-Walk" utility. It serves as an exceptional travel shoe, providing the stability required for all-day pedestrian travel while remaining responsive enough for a morning training session.
Finally, in an era of disposable tech, the Hoka Skyward X earns the distinction for most durable construction. Even after hundreds of miles of high-impact use and repeated cleaning, the midsole integrity remains consistent, making it one of the most cost-effective investments for the 2025 season.