Making running fun…by making fun of it
When you look up the word “smooth” in your online dictionary of choice, there’s a picture of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel. Just kidding. There are no pictures in online dictionaries, only printed versions as ancient as the fever-brained fogeys who still use them. But if there were pictures in online dictionaries, there would definitely be a photo of the Rebel; it just feels so…well…smooth to run in.
Perhaps the most prescribed shoe by lazy running store employees for beginner runners, the Brooks Ghost is omnipresent. If you didn’t think apparitions existed before, you sure as hell became a believer when you started seeing the Ghost on the feet of everyone and their mother…and their mother’s mother. Because, apparently, the only prerequisite for donning a pair of the Ghost is having feet
Mizuno features what it calls “Foam Wave,” two layers of foam in the midsole. On the top layer is U4icX foam—which, contrary to how it sounds, is not the name of one of Elon Musk’s 14 children. This is a firmer foam offering stability without feeling too stiff. Underneath, the midsole is greatly enhanced with nitrogen-infused ENERZY NXT foam for increased energy return.
Don’t be misled by the headline — while the third version is undoubtedly the best yet, the first two editions of the Hyperion Max were not dogshit. They weren’t even dogpiss. Far from it. I raved about both the first and second models to anyone that would listen — or, rather, read my poor excuse for writing. But after just one run, it became clear this shoe is on another level than its two predecessors…
One of Nike’s tried and true pairs, the chunky Vomero returns with a new dual density midsole and a significant increase in stack height. Do these big updates elevate this beast of a shoe to new heights? Or is the Vomero just another max cushion shoe indistinguishable from the countless others?
Forget everything you thought you knew about the Clifton. Ok, now, forget everything you knew you knew about the Clifton. Because the Clifton 10 is a Clifton in name only. After not releasing an updated Clifton in 2024, HOKA came out of the gates strong in 2025 with a completely redesigned model that bears no resemblance to the Clifton 9. Or the 8. Or the 7…