In this product guide:
- 1. Lightweight 10K shoe for under 45 minutes: Brooks Hyperion 2
- 2. Plated 10K racer for under 40 minutes: Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris
- 3. Responsive 10K trainer for under 45 minutes: Hoka Mach 6
- 4. 10K tempo trainer for under 50 minutes: New Balance Rebel V4
- 5. 10K racer for under 45 minutes: adidas Adios 8
- 6. Most comfortable trainer for 10K: Asics Novablast 4
- 7. Everyday trainer for 10K: Saucony Ride 17
- How we selected
This 7.1-ounce (201-gram) running shoe doesn’t have a plate, but its low weight and DNA Flash midsole make it ideal for quick miles.
The ‘DNA Flash’ midsole is made of nitrogen-infused EVA foam, a cushioned material with great feedback – just the ingredients for a mid-distance race.
Despite its weight, the midsole packs a lot of foam. The heel and forefoot are 34 mm and 26 mm tall respectively, so the Hyperion has ample cushioning for a 10K.
The rubber outsole fully covers the forefoot and high-impact areas under the heel. The excellent forefoot grip helps with the quick transitions.
What you also need for a 10K is a lightweight and breathable upper that also secures the foot – something that you’ll find on the Hyperion 2.
It’s worth noting that the Hyperion V2 is not the true successor to the Hyperion, but a replacement for the Hyperion Max V1 at a $30 cheaper price.
You’ll be okay with any of the Metaspeed models, but we recommend the Edge Paris for a half-marathon and shorter. Naturally, that includes a 10K. Here’s why:
The plate inside the Metaspeed Edge is designed differently than the Sky. The plate curves lower under the forefoot to create a stronger rocker effect.
A sharper curve also increases the sensation of the springboard snap under the heel. If this sounds familiar, that’s because the Metaspeed Edge behaves similarly to the Nike Vaporfly.
The Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris makes short work of 10K runs.
On the road, the Edge does a better job with turnovers. It’s easier to tip the forefoot because of the (more) pronounced rocker, and the heel is also more responsive.
These character traits make the Edge Paris a superior shoe for 10K than the Sky.
Also consider: The Nike Vaporfly 3 and Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2. (the previous version)
We love what Hoka has done with the Mach 6. It’s nothing like the Mach 5 in the way it rides. While the narrow upper fit feels familiar, the rest of the shoe offers a brand-new experience.
Instead of the Mach 5’s dual-density setup, the midsole is now made of a bouncy supercritical foam. This new foam feels soft and bouncy at easy speeds (6:00 min/km, 9:40 min/mile, and slower) and efficient at higher paces.
The new midsole foam delivers its springy cushioning no matter the speed or footstrike orientation.
At quicker paces (4:00 min/km, 6:30 min/mile, and faster), the midsole delivers a springy sensation. The mild midsole rocker tips the foot forward towards the end of the gait cycle.
Equally important is the tight upper that drives the power to the midsole. There’s a good reason why most speed footwear (including ice skates and soccer boots) have a tight fit; it does a better job of transferring the power than a loose-fitting shoe.
The upper is narrow, yet comfortable. The mesh is soft, and the tongue and heel are padded.
Just know that the Mach 6 fits a half-size shorter than the Mach 5, meaning that a size 10 on the Mach 6 will give you the same length as a size 9.5 on the Mach 5.
Here’s a heads-up – the New Balance Rebel V4 is nothing like the Rebel V2 or V3. It’s got a brand-new midsole geometry as well as a new midsole foam. Even the upper doesn’t fit the same as the last time.
Regardless of the changes, the Rebel V4 is a sensible choice for a 10K run. Unlike the previous Rebel, the rocker midsole assists the foot during push-offs for quicker transitions. There’s more foam under the foot, so there’s enough cushioning for up to a half-marathon.
The wider outsole makes the Rebel 4 more stable than the Rebel V3 and V2. Though the PEBA-EVA blend foam isn’t as soft as the previous model, it’s got decent levels of responsiveness.
Also new for this year is the wider forefoot fit. The past Rebel models had a snug forefoot; the V4 does not. There’s more room for the toes to splay, and what’s more, New Balance also sells an optional wide.
The Adios 8 has many performance updates, but it retains the quick yet cushioned ride character from the previous shoe.
The firm EVA foam (Lightstrike) creates a supportive foundation under the heel, whereas the softer Lightstrike Pro makes the forefoot snappy and responsive.
The new Torsion footbridge has a 3-pronged extension, versus 2 on the adios 7.
A forked plastic shank (called Torsion rods) connects the rearfoot with the forefoot for efficient transitions.
The Continental rubber outsole gets rid of the center groove (seen on the adios 7) and instead provides a wider coverage with a one-piece setup. While this update makes the outsole slightly loud, the traction is excellent.
The breathable upper keeps the foot locked down during the fast runs. There’s a lot more room inside the upper because of the heel design (it shifts the foot towards the rear), but there’s no slide.
Not everyone wants to run a 10K in a lightweight tempo trainer or a plated racer. Cushioned trainers are often a sensible choice because of their comfortable midsole.
If cushioning comfort is your priority for a 10K, there are a few ways to go about it. Cushioned trainers like the Asics Nimbus 26 and Brooks Glycerin 21 will make most runs very comfortable, but how do they perform when pushed hard? Let’s say, when compared to the Novablast 4?
The Asics and Glycerin will give you the ride comfort you want, but without the tempo-friendly nature of the Asics Novablast 4.
Not only is the Novablast 4 deeply cushioned, but the midsole rocker also makes the ride propulsive. The Flytefoam Blast+ foam has a satisfying springiness that makes the ride engaging.
The rocker is more accentuated than the Novablast 3, and the midsole is softer and taller. We measured the stack heights at 43 mm and 35 mm, so there’s no dearth of cushioning.
What gives the Novablast 4 an edge over standard trainers is its tight fit. This kind of fit is preferable on a race-day shoe, as it does a better job of connecting the foot with the rocker midsole.
The Novablast 4 also works very well as a versatile everyday trainer.
Not only is the Saucony Ride 17 an excellent update to the series, it’s also one of the best neutral trainers of its kind.
At the time of publishing this guide, it’s comparable to the Asics Cumulus 26, Brooks Ghost 16, New Balance 880V14 and the Nike Pegasus 41. Our opinion is that the Ride 17 is more versatile than all these trainers, and here’s why.
Here, the headlining act is the Pwrrun+ midsole and its mild rocker profile. Pwrrun+ is an expanded Polyurethane foam that was also used on the Saucony Triumph 21. Even the adidas Ultraboost 5X uses it, albeit in a different density.
The Pwrrun+ on the Ride 17 is relatively firmer than the Triumph, and comparable to the Ghost 16’s DNA Loft foam. And that helps with the versatility – a firmer midsole makes the loading more efficient. The slight rocker profile and rubber outsole help with the turnover during a 10K.
The shoe has plenty of cushioning for a 10K, and the comfortable upper is nicely proportioned.
- Saucony’s marketing pitch: A truly versatile shoe, from warm up to tempo runs.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, internal gusset.
- Midsole: Expanded Polyurethane (Pwrrun+) foam. 8 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Carbon rubber in high-wear areas.
- Weight: 282 gms/ 9.9 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 35 mm (heel), 27 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E – Wide.
- Previous model: Saucony Ride 16.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Daily training, tempo runs, half-marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Recommended paces: 4:30 min/km (7:30 min/mile) and slower.
- Median lifespan: 500 miles.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Just-right upper fit
- Neutral and supportive ride
- Smooth cushioning
- Versatile ride character
- Optional widths
- Comfortable interiors
Cons
- Upper runs warm in summer
- Low reflectivity
- Heel loop needs to be bigger
How we selected: What to look for
A 10k run is a popular choice for many reasons. It’s a gateway for runners who eventually aspire to run half and full marathons; it gives you an idea of what longer races feel like. Even when not racing, a 10K training run is an excellent workout distance to build stamina without testing the limits of your body.
Depending on the pace, running a 10K involves being on your feet anywhere between 30 minutes to a little over an hour. If your target is a sub-40 minute 10K, that means you’d want (not need, though) a shoe that feels fast.
On the other hand, if finishing a 10K takes an hour or more, then you need a shoe with sufficient ride comfort. In other words, a running shoe needs to meet the speed and endurance requirements of a 10K run.
If you’re already wrapping up 10K runs in under 40 minutes, then you should read our buyer’s guide for 5K races. Those models will do just fine for fast 10K paces.
The Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris makes short work of 10K runs.
Given the context, we’ve put together a list of recommended shoes that work for both categories of runners. So regardless of whether you’re running a 37-minute or an hour-long 10K, these shoes will do a splendid job.
There’s another reason to consider this list. You can also use these shoes for half marathons, a distance where thinner racing flats (otherwise suitable for 5K races) may not offer adequate ride comfort.
Our selection criterion is relatively straightforward. The shoes listed below have a good blend of cushioning and fast; in other words, they’re lightweight trainers with enough midsole to go the distance.
While the Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris is the only Carbon-plated racer in this guide, also consider the adidas adios Pro 3 and Nike Vaporfly 3.