In this product guide:
Unlike other plated super-shoes in this segment, the Nike Vaporfly 4 hasn’t received transformational updates. It combines the original form factor with incremental tweaks for improved upper fit and ride stability. The Vaporfly 4 addresses the shortcomings of the Vaporfly 3 to fine-tune the fit and ride character. The snug upper excels at securing the foot over the midsole while maintaining its breathability.
The midsole stability and transition quality benefit from the midsole sidewall ridges. The flared ridges on the side add rigidity for better support. The carbon Flyplate is now exposed through a window for both aesthetic and functional reasons. The void helps the loading process by centering the weight.
Barring these changes, runners will discover a familiar ride underneath. The ZoomX (PEBA) foam midsole cushions the foot during a half-marathon. Inside, the curved carbon plate creates a propulsive rocker effect with snappy feedback under the heel.
- Nike’s marketing pitch: A fine-tuned shoe that’s trusted from a mile to a marathon.
- Upper: Perforated mesh, no sleeve.
- Upper fit: Secure, true-to-size fit.
- Midsole: Full-length ZoomX foam with carbon plate. 6 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Carbon rubber in high-wear areas.
- Weight: 190 gms/6.7 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 10/UK 9/EUR 44/CM 27.1
- Stack heights: 35 mm (rear), 29 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed).
- Previous model: Nike Vaporfly 3.
- Country of origin: China.
- Recommended use: 10K races, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 300 miles.
- Recommended paces: 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) and quicker.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Lightweight and springy ride
- Seamless plate-foam integration
- Ventilation
- Secure upper
Cons
- No innovation except for minor updates
- No widths
- Not ideal for heavy runners and overpronators
Remember our review of the Adios Pro 3 from last year? We called it the most versatile super-shoe. What if adidas removed the stiff Energy Rods from the Adio’s midsole but kept everything else more or less the same? That’s the new adizero EVO SL for you.
This multi-role trainer can do many things. The soft and bouncy Lightstrike Pro foam adds comfort to daily runs, tempo training, and 10K races. The efficient forefoot rocker rolls the foot forward with enthusiasm. The forefoot Continental rubber outsole is similar to the Adios Pro 3, providing dependable grip during push-offs.
The EVO SL’s tall midsole has the comfort for even a half-marathon. The 39 mm heel and 32 mm forefoot create a cushioned stack of bouncy softness that encourages high-intensity runs. In the front, the rocker midsole accelerates the gait cycle with faster roll-offs. The Lightstrike Pro foam is quick to respond, so the tall stack doesn’t impede speed.
For a change, this speed shoe doesn’t have a narrow-fitting upper. The breathable EVO Pro-inspired upper is relatively spacious and will accommodate most foot profiles.
- adidas’s marketing pitch: Experience the feeling of fast.
- Upper: Lightweight mesh, no inner sleeve.
- Midsole: Full-length Lightstrike Pro foam. 7 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Continental rubber (forefoot), Clear rubber (heel).
- Weight: 224 gms/ 7.9 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 39 mm (heel), 32 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single, D – regular (reviewed)
- Country of origin: China.
- Recommended use: 5K, 10K, half-marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Orthotic compatibility: No.
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended paces: 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) and slower.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Soft and bouncy comfort
- Effective midsole rocker
- Outsole traction
- Breathable, just-right fit
- Works well even at slow speeds and heel strikes
Cons
- No reflectivity
- No optional width(s)
The Superblast 2’s unique suite of tricks made it excellent for long races like a half or full marathon. The specs appear contradictory, but the entire package runs like a well-oiled machine. Here’s what we mean: The Superblast 2 has stack heights of 45 mm (heel) and 37 mm (forefoot), so it should be a heavy shoe, correct? Wrong. The Superblast 2 weighs less than 9 ounces or a mere 250 grams.
The midsole stability is excellent relative to its stack height and deep cushioning.
Also, the midsole doesn’t feel sluggish for a highly-cushioned shoe. The rocker profile of the thick midsole helps with smooth turnovers, and the responsive cushioning of the Flytefoam Turbo – Asics’s premier foam – prevents the midsole from feeling mushy.
While most of the midsole is the soft FF Turbo foam, the firmer base works with the rocker to keep the transitions efficient. That said, we don’t recommend the Superblast V2 for speeds faster than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile). The SB2 is a ‘slower’ shoe than the SB1 because of weaker upper lock-down and softer Flytefoam Turbo. The more spacious upper dials down the rocker effect, as the foot isn’t as secure as it was in the SB1. The softer ride makes the transitions a little more work when compared to the firmer Superblast 1.
Compared to the Superblast V1, the V2 has more toe-box room and better ventilation. Asics has updated the outsole lug design and rubber compound for improved grip over the Superblast V1. Use them for daily runs, endurance training, and marathons – be it a half or full 26.2.
- Asics’s marketing pitch: Supercharged cushioning.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, gusseted tongue.
- Midsole: Flytefoam Turbo and FF Blast, 8 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Asicsgrip rubber in high-wear areas.
- Weight: 250 gms/ 8.8 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 45 mm (heel), 37 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed).
- Previous model: Asics Superblast 1.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Daily training, recovery runs, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 450 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Lightweight yet deep cushioning
- Supportive ride
- No performance penalty for slow speeds and heel landings
- Ventilation
- Long-distance comfort
- Multiple widths
Cons
- Weak upper fit lockdown
- Diminished speed capabilities versus the V1
- Under-utilized rocker because of excess upper space and softer ride
- Lack of optional widths
- Scarce reflectivity
Also consider:
- Brooks Hyperion Max 3
- New Balance SC Trainer v3
- Nike Zoom Fly 6
- Use the Asics Superblast 2 for daily runs, recovery, and long runs
- Use the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris or Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 for marathons
- Use the Asics Hyperspeed 5 or adidas adios 9 for intervals, tempo runs, and short races
If you’re someone who appreciates the stiff and stable ride of the H-Max 2, the new Hyperion Max 3 will surprise you. The ride is notably softer due to the new foams used. The top midsole features DNA Gold, a soft and bouncy PEBA foam that’s also on the Hyperion Elite 5. The base is made of DNA Flash, except it’s softer. A nylon Speedvault plate minimizes midsole sink and forms a rocker under the forefoot.
The added softness makes the Hyperion Max 3 less ideal for faster speeds than the V2. Don’t get us wrong; the springy midsole and plate help build up speed up to 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile). However, runners will miss the efficient and tempo-friendly ride of the previous model, as well as its rock-solid stability. The new model has a plusher ride, but there’s a performance penalty. Despite the changes, the Hyperion Max 3 offers an enjoyable ride served with a side of peppiness.
The upper also heads in a new design direction. The entry is now a closed bootie type with an elastic tongue; the forefoot is narrower. While the interior fits true to size, the toe-box is shallow and doesn’t breathe as well as it did. We also miss the serrated laces from the previous version.
The Novablast 5’s ultra-cushioned midsole (41.5 mm and 33.5 mm stack) makes it a comfortable running shoe up to a marathon. The Flytefoam Blast Max foam is neither E-TPU nor PEBAX, but delivers excellent cushioning feedback. This year’s version is softer and bouncier than the Novablast 4 because of the new Flytefoam Blast Max foam.
Being tempo-friendly is the other thing that the Novablast is good at. The rocker assists with quicker push-offs, helped by the improved grip from the hybrid Asicsgrip outsole.
There are a couple of things one should know about the Novablast 5. First, its softer ride negatively impacts stability and rocker effect. Since the forefoot midsole isn’t as stiff as the V4, it’s slightly less eager to propel you forward. Heavier runners will miss the rock-solid stability of the Novablast 4.
The second update is about the upper fit. The V5 uses a thinner mesh and a different lacing setup than the V4. These tweaks add more forefoot room, and that too, dilutes the ‘speed’ part of the ride quality. A relaxed fit is less effective at transferring the power from the foot to the midsole.
- Asics’s marketing pitch: Dynamic bounce and responsive energy return.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, tongue gusset.
- Upper fit: True to size, narrow.
- Midsole: Full-length Flytefoam Blast Max foam. 8 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Carbon rubber in high-wear areas.
- Weight: 255 gms/ 9 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27
. - Stack heights: 41.5 mm (heel), 33.5 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E (wide).
- Previous model: Asics Novablast 4.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Everyday training, tempo runs, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: All types (heel/midfoot/forefoot).
- Median lifespan: 500 miles.
- Recommended paces: 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) and slower.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Tempo-friendly ride comfort
- Smooth transitions
- Cushioning to weight ratio
- Secure upper fit
- Optional width
Cons
- Less stable than the Novablast 4
- Weaker rocker effect than the Novablast 4
How we selected: What to look for
We have running shoe product guides for 10K runs and marathons, but what about the under-rated half marathon?
A half marathon doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s a long-distance race that’s a good test of physical endurance. At the same time, it doesn’t require the intense training and long recovery period that a marathon entails. If you’re in reasonably good shape, a sub-2:00 half-marathon is within reach for most runners.
By the way, if you’re searching for an easy-to-follow training plan for a half marathon, here’s one on the Canadarunningseries website that’s put together by Saucony. And here’s another one from the Boston Athletics Association.
This guide contains running shoes that are recommended for distances between a 10K and a half-marathon. If you want to see a selection of plated running shoes for marathons (and longer), then reading this guide should help. On the other hand, if a soft running shoe is all that you need, then our recommendations are here.
So what kind of half-marathon running shoes would you find here?
This guide includes cushioned running shoes with a bit of snap in them. That way, the cushioning won’t slow you down during fast, high-mileage runs. Highly cushioned tempo shoes like the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 use transition-friendly components like a Speedvault plate for a speed-friendly character.
On the other hand, products like the Asics Superblast 2, adidas EVO SL, and Novablast 5 don’t use stiff internal components. They combine midsole foam and geometry to create a ride quality that’s comfortable and fast.
While the Nike Vaporfly 4 is our recommended plated racer on this list, you’d be served equally well by the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 or adidas adios Pro 4.