Best Running Shoes for Weight (2024)

1

Nike Vaporfly 3

Score: 9/10

Nike Vaporfly 3

Extremely lightweight, enhancing the running experience.

Weight

9/10

B

Ben Parkes

It is lighter than previous models due to a weight-saving design.

B

Ben Parkes

It feels almost weightless on the foot.

Comfort

8/10

Comfortable with good lockdown and breathable upper, but some fit issues for narrow feet.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

These are very comfortable with good lockdown and no heel slip.

B

Ben Parkes

A breathable upper with a wider toe box provides more room.

B

Ben Parkes

Some users with narrow feet may experience bunching.

Durability

6/10

Durable for race day but shows early signs of wear, especially in the toebox and outsole.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

It is durable for race day and speed work.

B

Ben Parkes

There are concerns about durability due to early signs of wear.

Traction

7/10

Improved grip with new outsole design, but may wear quickly on abrasive surfaces.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

Experience improved grip and stability with the new outsole design.

B

Ben Parkes

The outsole may wear down quickly on abrasive surfaces.

Support

7/10

Offers enhanced stability but may lack lateral support for some runners.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

It is more stable with extra support on the inside.

B

Ben Parkes

It may not be stable enough for those with specific foot conditions.

2

Asics Superblast

Score: 9/10

Asics Superblast

Extremely lightweight, enhancing performance.

Weight

9/10

B

Ben Parkes

It's amazing how light this shoe is, given that 44-millimeter stack height.

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe weighs 288 grams, which is super lightweight.

B

Ben Parkes

It is 90 grams lighter, which is absolutely beautiful with the Superblast.

Comfort

8/10

Highly comfortable for most runs, though slightly firm for recovery runs.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

This is the shoe I've been reaching for about 90% of the time when I haven't been testing out other shoes.

B

Ben Parkes

The foam has felt really good from the start of the run, through the middle, and to the end.

B

Ben Parkes

It's not really great for that sort of recovery or the lower end of your easy paces.

Durability

7/10

Impressive durability, though not the longest-lasting shoe.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

It's probably about halfway through its really good life now.

B

Ben Parkes

The wear on the new outsole is truly impressive.

B

Ben Parkes

This phone has not degraded much at all.

Traction

6/10

Good traction with some room for improvement.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The grip on the Superblast is much better than that of the Nova Blast 3.

B

Ben Parkes

They have slightly redesigned the bottom, and it's somewhat diminished, though not completely. However, the grip on the Superblast is much better.

Support

8/10

Great stability with a snug fit, but sizing may vary.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

What I like most is the stability of this shoe, especially in the corners.

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe is on the wide side, making it fantastic for all the wider-footed runners out there.

B

Ben Parkes

Finally, this was not true to size for me; I had to go half a size down.

3

Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Score: 9/10

Brooks Hyperion Tempo

Exceptionally lightweight, enhancing the running experience, but lacks reflective elements.

Weight

9/10

T

TheGingerRunner

The shoe is actually pretty light at 8.2 ounces in my size, which is size 11.

Comfort

7/10

Lightweight and comfortable for faster runs, but narrow fit and problematic lacing system may affect comfort.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

The Brooks Hyperion Tempo is utilizing some of its new technologies.

T

TheGingerRunner

The DNA Flash midsole is highly temperature-sensitive.

T

TheGingerRunner

The overall comfort and fit of the shoe are very nice.

Durability

6/10

Good build quality but shows premature wear, especially in heel padding and reflectors.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

I don't anticipate it will last as long as other shoes.

T

TheGingerRunner

The insole, as well as the upper, is just showing signs of typical wear and tear.

Traction

8/10

Provides good traction on flat surfaces, but not ideal for long runs or uneven terrain.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

The outsole features a rubber layer across the forefoot and heel cup.

Support

6/10

Offers a molded heel cup for support but lacks cushioning for long runs.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

TheGingerRunner

The molded heel cup is reminiscent of many recent Nike generations.

T

TheGingerRunner

The lacing system is problematic, which leads to issues with fit.

r

Runrepeat.com

4

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Score: 9/10

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Lightweight design, slightly heavier than predecessor but still among the lightest.

Weight

9/10

K

Kofuzi

The shoe is lightweight, weighing 8.2 oz for men's size 9.

K

Kofuzi

It is slightly heavier than the Speed 3, but only by a few grams.

Comfort

8/10

Offers good impact absorption and a comfortable fit, though some may find it slightly firm.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The shoe provides a good amount of impact absorption and bounce at easy paces.

K

Kofuzi

The zonal mesh construction of the upper is stretchy and comfortable.

K

Kofuzi

The upper part feels a bit flimsy and unstructured.

Durability

7/10

Durable outsole with good coverage, but concerns about upper components.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The updated rubber outsole offers increased overall rubber coverage.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe can endure many miles without showing significant wear.

K

Kofuzi

There are concerns about the longevity of the knitted tongues.

Traction

8/10

Improved traction with new outsole design, but may struggle on certain surfaces.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The updated outsole design offers improved traction.

K

Kofuzi

The lattice design provides a better grip across the front of the foot.

K

Kofuzi

It struggles a bit with wet drain covers.

Support

7/10

Offers stability with a winged nylon plate, but may not suit all runners.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The winged nylon plate offers some stability.

K

Kofuzi

The gusseted tongue provides a secure fit.

K

Kofuzi

The shoe might feel a bit clunky at a relaxed pace.

5

Saucony Endorphin Elite

Score: 9/10

Saucony Endorphin Elite

Remarkably lightweight, offering generous foam cushioning.

Weight

9/10

B

Ben Parkes

There is a nice lightweight ratio here.

B

Ben Parkes

It's the lightest shoe I have worn among the Super Shoes.

Comfort

7/10

Lightweight and breathable with a stable ride, but heel slip and chafing issues may affect comfort.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe is very breathable, allowing for lots of airflow.

B

Ben Parkes

It is extremely responsive and surprisingly stable.

B

Ben Parkes

I was experiencing a lot of heel slip at the back.

Durability

6/10

Solid grip and robust heel padding, but toebox durability is a concern.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

Overall, the grip was solid, and I was running in some very interesting conditions.

B

Ben Parkes

A little bit of a breakdown is happening, but it's not too bad.

Traction

8/10

Excellent grip in various conditions, though minimal rubber may limit performance.

Support

7/10

Stable with aggressive rocker, but may cause issues for some users.

Quotes from Reviewers

6

Saucony Kinvara 14

Score: 9/10

Saucony Kinvara 14

Extremely lightweight, enhancing performance but may compromise durability.

Weight

9/10

R

Running Shoes Guru

It weighs 199 grams or 7 ounces, which is 0.2 ounces or 6 grams lighter than the Kinvara 13.

R

Running Shoes Guru

This shoe is incredibly lightweight, just like the original.

Comfort

6/10

Offers a smooth and natural ride with a breathable upper, but may feel narrow and firm for some users.

Quotes from Reviewers

R

Running Shoes Guru

The best words to describe the ride are smooth, lightweight, and natural.

R

Running Shoes Guru

The fit is true to size, but it has a narrow mid-foot, forefoot, and toe box.

Durability

7/10

Durable outsole with some concerns about upper structure and exposed foam.

Quotes from Reviewers

R

Running Shoes Guru

The outsole of the Kinvara 14 still isn't as durable as that of a daily trainer, which has much more rubber coverage.

R

Running Shoes Guru

This uncovered power on foam is highly resistant to abrasion and scuffing.

Traction

7/10

Good traction in dry conditions, but less reliable in wet environments.

Quotes from Reviewers

R

Running Shoes Guru

I found the traction to be really good in dry conditions and average in wet conditions.

R

Running Shoes Guru

It has a ribbed texture for better traction.

Support

6/10

Versatile with good lockdown, but may lack stability for some runners.

Quotes from Reviewers

R

Running Shoes Guru

Even though this shoe is marketed as a speed trainer, I find it really versatile.

R

Running Shoes Guru

I still noticed significant lateral tongue slide, and that's because there's no loop on the tongue for the laces to go through and hold it in place.

7

Hoka Clifton 9

Score: 8/10

Hoka Clifton 9

Lighter than previous versions, but still over 8 ounces.

Weight

8/10

S

Seth James DeMoor

It is slightly lighter, with just a little bit of a weight decrease from the outgoing model.

S

Seth James DeMoor

I don't love that it's measured in ounces for my size. I also don't love that, amusingly, it felt lighter.

Comfort

8/10

Comfortable with soft landing and breathable upper, but heel slipping and narrow toe box may cause issues.

Quotes from Reviewers

S

Seth James DeMoor

It is very comfortable and not a gusset.

S

Seth James DeMoor

The Clifton 9 is one of the softer daily trainers, so you can expect a squishier ride.

S

Seth James DeMoor

I enjoyed the run tonight at an easy pace, slower than 5 minutes and 32 seconds per kilometer, and I feel that this new version offers more long-distance comfort than the 5th and 8th versions.

Durability

7/10

Durable outsole but midsole creasing and early abrasion may affect longevity.

Quotes from Reviewers

S

Seth James DeMoor

In terms of durability, I'm going to go 300 miles.

S

Seth James DeMoor

I really haven't noticed much wear in this shoe so far, so it should be pretty good for many hundreds of miles.

Traction

6/10

Average traction with decent rubber coverage, suitable for roads and mild trails.

Quotes from Reviewers

S

Seth James DeMoor

The outsole traction is just average because the design is so flat.

S

Seth James DeMoor

There's a decent amount of rubber coverage, so you can expect durability levels similar to the Clifton 8.

Support

7/10

Good support with mild stability elements, but some fit issues reported.

Quotes from Reviewers

S

Seth James DeMoor

During the lockdown, nothing is moving around as I run—no bliss, no hot spots.

S

Seth James DeMoor

I was experiencing just a smidge of heel slipping in the heel pocket.

8

Asics Metaspeed Sky+

Score: 8/10

Asics Metaspeed Sky+

Lightweight design enhances performance, but heavier than its predecessor.

Comfort

7/10

Offers high bounce and a snug fit, but aggressive toe curl and stiffness may cause discomfort.

Quotes from Reviewers

K

Kofuzi

The foam in this shoe is a6ff Turbo, which is a nylon-based midsole and is Asics' premier racing foam.

K

Kofuzi

Overall, the upper has a racing fit that is snug but very comfortable.

K

Kofuzi

The Meta Speed Sky Series has always been somewhat aggressive in terms of the curl over from the toes.

Durability

6/10

Supreme durability with excellent grip, but thin rubber may wear quickly.

Traction

7/10

Provides impressive traction at speed, though thin outsole may affect longevity.

Support

6/10

Redesigned heel cap and wider base improve support, but low drop may cause discomfort.
9

Hoka Rocket X 2

Score: 8/10

Hoka Rocket X 2

Lightweight and comfortable, but slightly heavier than some competitors.

Weight

8/10

B

Believe in the Run

It's a nice, lightweight shoe weighing 225 g or 7.9 oz in my UK size 9.

B

Believe in the Run

It is perhaps slightly heavier than some of the shoes.

Comfort

7/10

Comfortable fit with a larger toe box and snug midfoot, but heel issues and breathability concerns.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

The fit was really nice, as this shoe has a larger forefoot toe box area.

B

Believe in the Run

The unstructured heel may cause issues for some people.

B

Believe in the Run

The ripstop material doesn't breathe well and retains moisture.

Durability

8/10

Durable outsole with strategic rubber placement, but low toebox durability and no reflective elements.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

The rubber felt like it was a harder compound, which I think will help with durability.

B

Believe in the Run

I found that in some of the wettest aid stations I ran through during the Miami half marathon, it was a little bit slippery.

Traction

7/10

Good traction with decent coverage, but can be slippery in wet conditions.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

The outsole works effectively and provides feedback throughout your stride.

B

Believe in the Run

I found that in some of the wettest aid stations I ran through during the Miami half marathon, it was a little bit slippery.

Support

7/10

Good support with a stable structure, but heel design may cause issues.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Believe in the Run

The internal midfoot cage effectively keeps you locked in.

B

Believe in the Run

The heel design is somewhat odd and may cause rubbing.

10

Nike Pegasus 41

Score: 7/10

Nike Pegasus 41

Lightweight feel despite cushioning, but slightly heavier than some competitors.

Weight

7/10

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe is lightweight, making it feel less clunky despite its cushioning.

B

Ben Parkes

The lack of excessive padding in the heel helps to keep the weight down.

Comfort

8/10

The Nike Pegasus 41 is highly comfortable with plush padding and a good lockdown fit, though it may cause overheating and heel slippage for some.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The Nike Pegasus 41 is one of the most comfortable running shoes I've worn in the Pegasus line.

B

Ben Parkes

The tongue on these items is nice and thick, especially where the laces cross.

B

Ben Parkes

Some users may experience overheating due to the thick padding, especially in hotter climates.

Durability

7/10

The shoe offers good durability with a solid outsole, though the upper may not withstand rough conditions.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe will last a long time. Pegasus is always due, and this hasn't changed.

B

Ben Parkes

The waffle outsole is also very durable.

B

Ben Parkes

The durability test shows that sandpaper can easily wear through this material.

Traction

8/10

Excellent grip in wet and dry conditions with a thick rubber outsole, though not ideal for very slick surfaces.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The traction in the shoe is excellent; I had no issues walking and running in wet conditions.

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe slips at 40 degrees on the grip test ramp.

Support

7/10

Solid fit with good arch support, though lacks a carbon plate and may not suit those used to lower heel-to-toe drops.

Quotes from Reviewers

B

Ben Parkes

The shoe offers a solid fit with good arch support, thanks to the dynamic midfoot system.

B

Ben Parkes

The wider toe box provides a stable platform for the foot.