The Monday Shakeout: My Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024
By Andrea Myers
2024 started with training for the Osaka Marathon through the cold New England winter, getting Covid 2 weeks before the race, and then cancelling my trip due to health concerns. After taking some down time to recover, I decided to focus on getting my speed back and do some shorter races. I raced many 5ks, a couple of road miles, and a couple of 7 mile races and was pleased with my progress over the course of the year. The highlight of 2024 for me was going home to the Quad Cities and running the Bix 7 for the first time, which my family does every year. I was thrilled to be 5th in the female masters category out of 2000 racers and 52nd female overall out of nearly 5000. Of course, 2024 also brought some exciting new shoes, including some surprise favorites.
My Favorite Neutral Trainer: Brooks Hyperion 2 | Full Review
Readers of this site know how much I loved Hyperion Max 1 for just about any type of run outside of racing (and if super shoes didn't exist, it would be my marathon racer as well). 2024 brought a major update to Hyperion Max 2, with Hyperion 2 being very similar to Hyperion Max 1, but with an improved upper and less aggressive forefoot rocker. I have found myself using Hyperion 2 like I used Hyperion Max 1 - for everything from short easy runs, to workouts from 800 pace to marathon pace, and uptempo long runs. In a year where we tested so many max stack shoes, running in the 34mm/26mm stack Hyperion 2 provided the ground feel and more natural ride that I had been missing. I have 115 miles on my pair and the outsole shows very little wear, and the midsole feels the same as my first miles in it. At $140, it is an incredible value for its versatility and durability.
My Favorite Stability Stable Neutral Trainer: Puma Magmax Nitro | Full Review
Puma MagMax Nitro is one of those shoes that I wasn't sure about when it arrived on my porch. A shoe with 47mm/39mm stack height of Puma's supercritical Nitro foam wasn't at the top of my wish list for 2024 shoes, but after my first test run, I was in love. Not only did it not feel like its stated stack height, the midsole struck a nice balance between cushioning and responsiveness and I found myself reaching for it for slow recovery runs and slightly faster and longer easy runs. The large amount of forefoot sole flaring makes this shoe surprisingly stable for midfoot striking and the later forefoot rocker provides a small amount of guidance without feeling aggressive at easy paces. The wide base and high amount of outsole rubber coverage further contribute to this shoe's stable neutral ride for me. The upper fit is exceptional and I appreciated that MagMax Nitro has a wider toe box than many Puma shoes, which work well for my feet. I continue to reach for this shoe whenever my feet and legs are tired from training and need a little more protection.
My Favorite Performance Trainer: Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2 | Full Review
With 300 miles on my pair before year end, my choice for best performance trainer is obvious. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2 is one of my favorite shoes ever (I will not compare it to the Beacon, but they are on the same level). As a midfoot striker, I often feel like shoes are not designed for my landing pattern. Wave Rebellion Flash 2 feels 100% designed for midfoot strikers thanks to its moderately aggressive heel bevel, firmer midsole, and later forefoot rocker. I have basically used this shoe on every long run I have done this year that was not in a different test shoe. Due to my mechanics and the rocker design, I actually find that the shoe reduces strain on my calves and ankles because the geometry caters to a midfoot landing. I also appreciate the pace versatility in the shoe, as I can use it for easy pace, uptempo long runs, and intervals down to 10k pace. It doesn't feel responsive enough for anything faster than that, but I have used it for a number of workouts at 10k-marathon pace and have always been pleased with its performance. My pair are still in great condition after 300 miles, with some visible wear at the lateral midfoot and central forefoot, but not to the point that it is affecting the shoe's performance. At $170, this shoe has also been an excellent value for its performance, durability, and versatility.
My Favorite Distance Racing Shoe: On Cloudboom Strike | Full Review
If you asked me what my favorite super shoe of all time is, I would say the Nike Alphafly v1. I feel like I get the most propulsive benefit from the Air Pods of the shoe and it improves my running economy better than any other shoe I've raced in. Unfortunately, this shoe is nearly impossible to find and versions 2 and 3 have been disappointing. On Cloudboom Strike is the shoe that has most closely replicated the propulsive feeling of Alphafly 1 for me thanks to the thick "bounce board" sock liner made of On's Helion HF supercritical foam. I have tested it at paces ranging from half marathon to mile pace, and I have been thrilled with the highly resilient ride and comfortable fit. I received it too late in the year to test it in any races, but I am so confident that I am going to love it in my next 5k in 2025 that I am naming it my favorite racing shoe of 2024.
Honorable Mentions
Hoka Cielo X 1 | Full Review
While I did the majority of my long runs in 2024 in the Wave Rebellion Flash 2, the Hoka Cielo X 1 deserves an honorable mention because it is my second favorite long run shoe and a highly dependable workout shoe when my legs needs a little extra bounce. While many Hoka shoes do not work for me due to forefoot irritation caused by sidewalls, the Cielo X 1 has a comfortable knit upper, wider toe box, and no irritating sidewalls. One of my test runs in the shoe was a 20 mile treadmill run on a cold, icy winter day and my feet were perfectly comfortable throughout. The shoe is also remarkably versatile pace-wise, performing equally well at marathon and mile pace for me. The shoe's weight, at 7.4oz for a women's size 8, keeps me from choosing it for races, but it has been a dependable workout shoe for me throughout the year. For those who are less concerned about an extra ounce in their racing shoe, this could be a top racing shoe for just about any distance.
Watch Andrea talk about her favorites in her recent video!
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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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Previous Shakeout: David's Favorite Shoes of 2024
