The Monday Shakeout: Andrea's Top Shoes of 2024
By Andrea Myers
We continue our midyear favorites list with Andrea Myers top three shoes of 2024 so far. What shoes can compare to her beloved Beacons and Hyperion Max? Find out below.
Favorite Daily Training Shoe: ASICS Novablast 4 | Review
Weight: 9.1 oz, 258 g (men's size 9), 7.9 oz, 224 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 41.5 / 33.5 (M); 40.5 / 32.5 (W)
Drop: 8mm
I received special dispensation from Bach, our Content Manager, to include this in my 2024 favorites, despite the shoe being released in December 2023. I have run in ASICS shoes since I started running as a child, and the Novablast 4 is by far the best fitting ASICS I have tried. The mesh upper and "tongue wing fit system," which functions as a midfoot wrap, provide excellent lockdown, comfort, and breathability. The high stack of Flytefoam Blast+ Eco foam provides exceptional underfoot protection while still having a nice bounce, even at easier paces. I like it best for easy runs and have taken it up to 10 miles comfortably. I only notice the large posterior sole flare when running at recovery paces. I have also found the forefoot sole flare to line up nicely with my lateral midfoot landing pattern. At 7.9oz for a women's size 8, this is a relatively light weight shoe for such a high stack height.
Pros: Breathable and secure mesh upper, nice balance of cushion and responsiveness, light weight for a higher stack shoe
Cons: Large posterior sole flare makes heel feel like it gets in the way at slower paces
Favorite Lightweight Trainer: Mizuno Rebellion Flash 2 | Review
Weight: 8.5 oz, 243 g (men's size 9), 6.9oz, 196g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 35 mm / 34.5 mm (2.5mm insole)
Drop: 1.5mm
The Mizuno Rebellion Flash 2 is easily my favorite training shoe of 2024. I use it as a daily trainer and a performance trainer, and have over 150 miles on it. It feels just as good now as it did out of the box. I think I will easily get 300+ miles on the shoe based on the longevity of the cushioning and because the outsole shows only mild wear at my landing point. The large heel bevel makes the shoe feel perfectly natural for midfoot landings and the high stack height in the midfoot provides a cushioned and responsive ride at a variety of paces. The full coverage rubber outsole provides some of the best traction I have experienced in wet weather (rivaled only by Wave Rebellion Pro 2). I do go up 1/2 size for sufficient length, but the shoe has sufficient toe box width and volume for my forefoot. I am extremely impressed by the design of this shoe and expect to put many more miles on it this year.
Pros: One of the best shoes for midfoot strikers on the market due to foot angle and large heel bevel, light weight for such high stack, excellent traction
Cons: Runs short, recommend going up 1/2 size
Favorite Racing Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 | Review
Weight: 7.7 oz, 218 g (men's size 9), 6.5 oz, 184 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 40 mm / 32 mm
Drop: 8mm
I have raced in every version of the Endorphin Pro, with version 1 being the first super shoe I ever owned. I did several 5k-15k races in v1 and v2, and a marathon and a 10 miler in v3. Version 4 completed surprised me because of how different the midsole feels compared to the softer v3. I find v4 to be the firmest and most responsive Endorphin Pro yet, which makes it much better suited to faster paces and short races than the prior versions. I have used the shoe for several workouts with intervals at mile-5k pace and found the shoe to respond better the faster I ran in it. I decided to race an April 5k in it, after 2 months of training after some time off due to illness. I was only 10 seconds off my 5k PR despite not being anywhere near fully trained. I loved the shoe for the distance because it felt like I got so much energy return from the shoe and because the forefoot rocker seems to line up well with my 1st MTP joint. Saucony also greatly improved the outsole of the Endorphin Pro 4, resulting in much better traction on wet roads. I will definitely be doing additional racing in Endorphin Pro 4, likely 15k and shorter.
Pros: Most responsive Endorphin Pro yet, improved traction, improved performance at faster paces
Cons: Higher volume upper results in tongue creasing
Honorable Mention
2024 has been an exciting year of new shoes, and we are only halfway through. I have received several new shoes in the past 2 weeks for testing that show a lot of promise and may compete for some of my top picks by the end of the year. I want to include one honorable mention for racing shoes, and that is the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2, which would have been my Osaka Marathon shoe in February if I hadn't gotten Covid two weeks before the race. Like the Wave Rebellion Flash 2, the Pro 2 feels like it was designed for my midfoot landing pattern and results in less muscle fatigue and soreness after long workouts. I was really disappointed to not get to race in them, and they will definitely be my top pick for my next marathon.
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What is Drop and Why It Doesn't Always Matter
The Science of Sole Width
Challenges with Large Toe Spring
Phases of the Swing Gait
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The Best Shoes of 2023 for Highly Specific Reasons
Andrea's Favorite Shoes of 2023
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Matt's Favorite Shoes of 2023
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How Forefoot Rockers Help Toe Mobility
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Changes We're Excited to See
Why Heel Bevels are Natural
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Shoe Rotations for Different Runners
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On the Impacts of Different Stacked Shoes
The Importance of Heel Bevels in Shoe Design
Low vs. High Drop Shoes
Why is Proprioception Important to Runners?
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 2
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 1
What a Week at DOR is Like
Reflections on Saucony's Running Economy Study
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How Long Do Shoes Last?
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
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Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt: The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt)
Saysky Running Gear: We were really taken aback by this Scandinavian company's ultra-thin, durable performance clothing
Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
Ciele Hat: Our team's favorite running hat of choice!
Fractel Hats: Our team's wider fitting running hat of choice!
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NEXT: Matt's Top Shoes of 2024 So Far