Best Super Trainers Explained: Who Actually Needs One and Which Ones Are Worth the Price

Think of super trainers like your favorite recipe: you make it often because it just hits the spot. The best super trainers blend different materials to give you that race-day pop, but in a way that’s durable and comfortable enough to use well beyond race day.

It feels like the term super trainer is everywhere right now, and honestly, it kind of is.

Every brand is designing its version of the best super trainer, built to help you run faster, but not your absolute fastest, while keeping things lightweight and packed with the latest tech.

If your head’s spinning a bit, you’re not alone; it’s an area of confusion in the market because everyone has their own spin on it.

Let’s break down what actually makes a super trainer, and then dive into some of the best super trainers currently on the market.

What is a Super Trainer for Runners?

Super trainers are a step down from the highest level of tech running shoe brands have in their carbon plated race day shoes. They want to provide you with top notch foam to help the legs recover faster from workouts, make you feel a little fast and give you that great lightweight shoe.

It’s a versatile shoe that can go fast or handle long recovery days. But beyond that how it feels and who it’s for changes wildly by the shoe. Some still pick up the pace in a massive way making them great race day shoes and others feel more like a recovery shoe that happens to be really light weight.

Unlike those high end shoes, super trainers are much more durable. It’s built to handle regular training, so you can get that faster feel without burning through the shoe’s magic too quickly.

So what makes the shoes below fall under the category of super trainers?

• High stack: Most are going to be around that 40mm stack because foam is the key to speed
• Layered foams: Instead of one super soft foam, you’ll often see a mix. Softer on top for comfort, with a slightly firmer layer underneath for stability.
• Plates: Yes, they help with speed, but they also add structure so the shoe doesn’t feel overly soft or unstable. Plates may be carbon, nylon or some other material.
• Heel design: Features like the heel bevel help smooth out landings and keep your stride moving forward.
• Rocker Geometry: That curved shape helps guide you from heel to toe, making transitions feel smoother and more natural.

The easiest way to think about it: Super trainers are built for speed and durability, meaning you can use them regularly in training (and race day as well for middle and back of the pack!).

Super shoes, on the other hand, are more about max performance on race day, with less focus on long-term durability. That’s why they’re best saved for race day, not every single run.

7 Best Super Trainers Right Now

Super trainers are a weirdly defined category. As you’ll see in the list below, some shoes will have a plate, some don’t.

For many runners, these can double as marathon shoes, especially for those in the middle to back of the pack, while faster runners might use them more as daily trainers.

They’re a versatile option you can grab for long runs, speed workouts, and even race efforts.

As always, we’ll keep this list updated as new models and shoes are released.

Everyday Runner Race Shoe – On Cloudboom Max

On has said they re-engineered their fastest shoe for the everyday runner and after our testing, totally agree.

You’ll be able to keep your easy pace and pick it up if you want to throw in some marathon pace miles into your run.

The glassfiber-infused nylon speedboard is going to be more flexible than a carbon plate and waaaaay better for the landing of the average runner.

It has a slightly wider base than most super shoes, making it far more stable. This is also going to have a bit firmer feel, it’s not a super bouncy option on the list, which is one reason we see it work well for a lot of runners.

It still has a great breathable upper, but is more accommodating than narrow racing shoes. It has more rubber on the outsole to provide more longevity to the shoe.

On set the goal to create a shoe that was meant for middle and back of the pack runners.

Super Light, Non-Plated Option – Asics Megablast

I am thrilled to see a brand spend some time thinking about the gait and the needs of those not just running a 3 hour race, but those who are ready to have a really strong race day at 5 hours! Lighter weight can add up over the miles and the rocker, geometry and bounce will definitely help with the stride continuing to feel good.

Not a shoe for walking around, but the shoe you want when you’re putting in some longer miles or those days where you’re playing with speed. This shoe has a similar feel to the Cloudboom max, it’s good cushion, but not bouncy. It will feel really stable over long miles.

No, we don’t all need or want a plate, as a reminder the foam is where most speed really comes from and this one is so stable and not squishy, so a plate isn’t necessary.

This one has an upper similar to Asics super shoes the metapseed, which is very thin and thus great for hot days.

Unlike a standard max cushion running shoe, say the super comfy Asics Gel-Nimbus, you won’t be sinking in to the cushion or losing energy to it’s softness.

Some folks may not love that feeling and would prefer the softer shoe overall, so it’s going to come down to a bit of personal preference underfoot.

Big Cushion, Controlled Speed – Puma Deviate Nitro 4

Not only is the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 well cushioned, but it is 15g lighter than previous models.

The NITROFOAM™ (nitrogen-infused foam technology) is lightweight and responsive. It felt cushioned, but without lacking the ability to pick up speed! A nice combo for a shoe that can serve a lot of purposes.

These shoes are considered max-cushioned, yet they did not feel bulky or heavy underfoot. 

The cushion felt great over the hard surfaces, but also allowed just enough ground feel that you’ll feel secure with every step. The forefoot is less cushioned than the heel, and I think this helped prevent catching on uneven edges on the sidewalk or bricks.

The wider platform of the shoe also keeps it feeling really stable, which is a common feature you’ll see in most max cushioned shoes now.

This shoe is lightweight and feels great for daily training runs and tempo runs, at a price point that’s pretty fantastic for a plated trainer.

If You Love the Endorphin Line Up – Saucony Endorphin Azura

When you first wear the Saucony Endorphin Azura, they might feel a bit firm and not super snappy. Stick with them for a few runs, once you break them in a little, that’s when the magic starts to happen.

Like all Endorphin shoes, the Azura features SPEEDROLL technology, designed to help your foot move through each stride smoothly and more efficiently.

The Azura is also the only Endorphin shoe to use PWRRUN PB foam without a plate, which means you’ll get a slightly softer, more cushioned feel underfoot compared to the others.

This PEBA foam is lighter and offers great energy return, but without a plate, it’s not going to feel as fast as the Endorphin Speed. It may also lessen the durability compared to the EVA, which is where the outsole comes in.

It’s a shoe that meets the needs of many runners, especially in terms of cushion and durability. It just goes to show you that you need to sometimes give a shoe a chance and not just after a run or two.

Ready to Pick Up the Pace – New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Trainer v3

The SuperComp v3 is trending closer to a super trainer, with a more race-day feel. The midsole foam is designed to feel more responsive.

Built for long effort runs, this shoe stacks up well for a variety of pace-specific workouts.

FuelCell refers to New Balance’s midsole foam, “fueling” the energy return for your goal pace workouts. The super composition of this shoe pairs the responsive foam with a carbon plate.

The trainers felt heavier at an easy pace, and performed best on my pace pick ups. Despite the heavier feeling on easy paces, this shoe transitions well between a variety of paces, making it a great option for those tempo runs, progression runs, or speed workouts.

This shoe is great for runners training for their next PB and planning to race in carbon-plated shoes. This trainer simulates the feel of a carbon-plated race-day shoe while supporting you during your peak training weeks.

This would also be a great option for those middle to back-of-the-pack racers looking for additional stability throughout their race, along with the efficiency of a carbon-plated shoe.

Versatile Speed – Mizuno Neo Vista 2

This is a super trainer that really handles the long easy runs, right alongside the speed work for the middle and back of the pack.

The Neo Vista 2’s foam when combined with Mizuno’s Smooth Speed Assist rocker delivered a mostly smooth and effortless ride. I definitely felt like the Neo Vista 2 allowed me to run a bit faster without any additional effort.

It manages to feel soft and bouncy without feeling mushy.

In a speedy shoe, we need the foam to bounce back or return to its original shape quickly, but something too soft becomes more of a recovery shoe feel.

The Neo Vista 2 kept its EVA Next Enerxy foam and glass infused nylon Wave plate, but added a new nitrogen infused layer of TPU Next Enerxy foam over top. The combo is meant to add versatility, making the Neo Vista 2 a do-it-all supertrainer.

Race Day Option for Back of the Pack – Hoka Skyward x2

Is it a fast shoe? It’s faster than the original!

They kept the same foam with a PEBA and supercritical EVA midsole, just took a little bit of it away to allow for a shift in the plate and to slim down the width of the foam.

The carbon plate sandwiched between that super-fast foam and durable foam has been updated to be a bit more aggressive. However, the plate isn’t really what we noticed it was more about the shoe feeling a bit softer and a bit bouncier. Again, bouncy is relative!

The additional foam in the Skyward might feel even better for heavier runners or those on their feet 6+ hoursAt 46mm which is 6mm above the World Athletics limit it should be unstable, but it’s not. Not in the slightest. Cornering, uphill, downhill, variety of paces and it’s very comfortable and solid.

Add to that the rubber coverage on the outsole and you’ll feel confident wearing these even in wet conditions.

This super trainer is an ideal mid to back of pack running shoe for long training days or marathon race day. It’s got a little bouncy, a little roll and great stability to keep the legs feeling fresh.

Fresh Legs for Speed Workouts – Hoka Mach X 3

This is a middle to back of the pack race day or speed workout shoe that can also feel good on easier miles.

At first, the foam feels pretty firm, almost to the point where you wonder how they’re supposed to double as a speed shoe. But once they loosen up, that stiffness gives way to a smoother, more responsive ride.

The Mach X3 still uses the winged Pebax plates sandwiched between layers of PEBA and EVA foam. That combo is what creates such a smooth transition when shifting gears from easy paces miles to picking things up for some speed work.The Hoka Mach X3 as a great option for mid to back-of-the-pack runners tackling anything from a 5k to the marathon. There’s enough pep to keep things fun, with just the right amount of cushion to keep your legs feeling good mile after mile.

We hope this list helped to get a better idea of what a super trainer is.

Looking for what to read next?

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