In this product guide:
- 1. Cushioned and durable 5K racer: adidas Adizero EVO SL
- 2. Cushioned tempo trainer for 5K: Hoka Mach 6
- 3. Firm lightweight trainer for 5K: Brooks Hyperion 2
- 4. Cushioned racing flat for 5K: adidas Takumi 10
- 5. Plated racer for 5K races: Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris
- 6. 5k racer with a soft ride: Nike ZoomX Streakfly
- 7. Entry-level 5k racer: Asics Hyper Speed 4
- How we selected
We’ve featured the adizero EVO SL and Takumi 10 in this guide. So what can the EVO SL do that the Takumi can’t, and vice versa?
Here’s a handy way to describe what the adizero EVO SL feels like. The ride quality reminds us of the Adios Pro 3, but without the energy rods. Like the Pro, the EVO SL has generous stack heights of 39 mm and 32 mm. It relies on a similar Continental rubber outsole with excellent grip and decent durability.
A rocker midsole adds value by helping roll the foot forward. The ideal speed range for the EVO SL is between 4:00 min/km to 5:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile to 8:00 min/mile).
The tall midsole stack and rocker produce a comfortable ride that feels quick.
The absence of stiff Energy Rods results in a slightly higher workload for the foot – this is noticeable under the forefoot.
The forefoot and heel lack the stiffness of the Takumi 10 and Adios Pro, so our vote is for the Takumi 10 if your running involves sub-4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) speeds.
The Takumi has a narrow, racer-like fit that the purists love. The EVO SL, on the other hand, has a more user-friendly fit. There’s a lot more room inside the true-to-size upper.
- 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)
Despite the similar-sounding name, the Mach 6 has very little in common with the Mach 5.
Not only does the midsole switch to a single-density foam that’s more resilient and responsive than the dual-density midsole of the Mach 5, but it also gets a rocker effect. There’s also a proper rubber outsole this time for better traction and durability.
The Mach 6 gets a brand-new midsole as well as a rubber outsole.
Together, the foam midsole and rocker profile work very well across a range of distances and running speeds. The tight upper, deep transition channel and the responsive foam make the Mach 6 quick enough for 3:30 min/km (5:30 min/mile) speeds.
On the other hand, the generous stack heights of 37 mm (rear) and 32 mm (front) make the Hoka Mach 6 comfortable enough for up to a half marathon.
The lightweight upper has a narrow and true-to-size fit. A wide sizing is optional.
- Hoka’s marketing pitch:Your gateway to everyday speed.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, elastic gusset.
- Midsole: Full-length Supercritical foam, 5 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Perforated Carbon rubber.
- Weight: 232 gms/ 8.2 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 37 mm (rear), 32 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E – wide.
- Previous model: Hoka Mach 5.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Easy runs, half-marathons, Fartleks, interval training, tempo runs.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 3:30 min/km (5:30 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Versatile, speed-friendly ride
- Bouncy cushioning
- Quick transitions
- Ultra-secure upper
- Optional width
Cons
- Less stable than the Mach 5
- Sizing differs from the Mach 5
- Lack of reflective elements
- Average grip on wet roads
Though the Brooks Hyperion 2 is from a similar category as the Hoka Mach 6, the fit and ride experience couldn’t be more different.
This 7.1-ounce trainer has a firm midsole made of DNA Flash foam – a supercritical foam that we first saw on the Hyperion Tempo a few years ago. The DNA Flash feels better at faster speeds (4:30 min/km, 7:00 min/mile and quicker) than it does at relaxed paces.
Non-EVA compounds like the Brooks DNA Flash fares well under heavy loads.
At easier paces, the cushioning feels flat and firm. The midsole is more responsive under quick touch-and-go conditions, something that typically happens during a 5K race. The midsole cushions the foot during a race, but does so efficiently.
A rubber outsole covers the contact areas, and that helps with the take-offs and overall grip.
Unlike the original Hyperion Tempo or Hoka Mach 6, the Brooks Hyperion 2’s true-to-size upper has a roomy toe-box and accommodating forefoot fit. It fits securely in the midfoot and heel to prevent slippage. The ventilation is excellent too.
How the Takumi has changed. Until a few years ago, the adizero Takumi was a traditional racing flat with a harsh ride, but with a superlative ground feel and outsole grip.
In 2024, the Takumi 10 is a high-tech racing shoe with a 100% Lightstrike Pro midsole, Carbon-infused Energy rods, and a Continental rubber outsole. It’s also more cushioned than it used to be. The 7 mm drop midsole has stack heights of 34 mm (heel) and 27 mm (forefoot).
So when all these parts come together, what kind of shoe do we get?
The Takumi 10 delivers a high-performance blend of cushioned comfort and ride quickness. The Lightstrike Pro keeps the ride from getting harsh during a 5K run, whereas the Energy rods and tight upper make quick turnovers happen. Like most adidas shoes with prong-like Energy rods, the midsole takes 30-50 miles to fully break in.
The lightweight upper is all business. The lacing reaches further into the forefoot for a tight fit that’s good at transferring power to the midsole.
- adidas’s marketing pitch: Race-day running shoes for a fast 10K
- Upper: Engineered mesh, collapsible heel.
- Midsole: Dual-layered Lightstrike Pro foam, Energy rods. 6 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Two-piece Continental + Textile rubber outsole.
- Weight: 201 gms/ 7.1 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 33 mm (heel), 27 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single, D – regular (reviewed)
- Previous model: adidas Takumi Sen 9.
- Country of origin: China.
- Recommended use: 5K and 10K races, intervals.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 300 miles.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than 0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Responsive ride
- Quick transitions
- Secure upper fit
- Outsole grip
- Ventilation
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- No widths
- Heel pull tab needs to be longer
Also consider:
- adidas adios 8
- Hoka Cielo Road
- Nike Streakfly
- New Balance SC Pacer
- Use the adidas Takumi 10 for intervals and 5K, 10K races
- Use the adidas adios Pro 4 for long runs and marathons
- Use the adidas Boston 12 for daily runs, including tempo workouts
A couple of things give the Metaspeed Edge an advantage over the Metaspeed Sky Paris.
The Edge’s outsole is firmer because of its solid design without a window (unlike the Sky). A firmer outsole makes it easier to push off from, particularly during faster paces.
The second advantage is the plate design. Unlike the Metaspeed Sky Paris, the plate inside the Metaspeed Edge has a sharper curve under the forefoot. This also places the plate closer to the outsole, and the result is a stronger rocker effect.
Both these factors help with quicker forefoot transitions, something that is very useful during a 5K race. On the other hand, the Metaspeed Sky’s forefoot behavior is less aggressive. That’s why we recommend the Sky for longer runs, and the Edge for shorter distances.
The lightweight and breathable upper is identical across the Metaspeed Sky and Edge.
- Asics’s marketing pitch:Add speed to your stride.
- Upper: Lightweight mesh, no gusset.
- Midsole: Flytefoam Turbo+ foam, Carbon plate. 5 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Thin, perforated rubber.
- Weight: 185 gms/ 6.5 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 39.5 mm (heel), 34.5 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular.
- Previous model: Asics Metaspeed Edge+.
- Country of origin: Indonesia.
- Recommended use: 10K, half-marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 300 miles.
- Recommended paces: Faster than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Speed-friendly rocker
- Soft, lightweight, and bouncy ride
- Extremely breathable
- Just-right upper fit
Cons
- Not for heel strikers
- Low midsole stability
- No widths
- Tongue slide
When used as a running shoe for 5K races or speed runs, there are a couple of things we like about the ZoomX Streakfly. The full-length ZoomX midsole delivers enough comfort for 5K and 10K runs, and the transition plate helps with quick turnovers.
The lightweight upper disappears on the feet, and so does the midsole – this is a featherweight 6-ounce shoe.
The Streakfly isn’t perfect, though. The exposed areas of ZoomX foam under the heel tend to take a beating, and the foam bottoms out when loaded. As pointed out in our detailed review, the outsole traction doesn’t have the bite of shoes like the adidas Adios 8 and Takumi 10.
The Hyperspeed 4 is very similar to the last couple of versions. The Flytefoam midsole delivers a smooth and cushioned ride that feels fast enough for 5K and 10K runs.
On the road, treadmill, or track, the horseshoe-shaped rubber outsole has excellent traction. We do miss the smaller lugs from the Hyper Speed 1 though.
The soft and comfortable upper fits well, and is surprisingly well put together for its $100 retail price. The Hyperspeed 4 is up $10 over the $90 Hyperspeed 3.
How we selected: What to look for
5K training runs and races are great. Most people in reasonable shape can do it, and even if you trod along at a very leisurely pace, the run is over within 30 minutes. You don’t have to train for months or go through a carb-loading ritual, and for most runners, recovery is a non-existent problem.
But where’s the fun in taking over 20 minutes to finish a 5K?
These short-distance races are where you’re likely to set your personal best. It is possible to maintain a rate of speed that is otherwise hard to sustain in distances of half-marathon and beyond. It’s like a road version of your speedy track workouts.
And shoes – that’s what we’re here for, yes? You need the right pair of running shoes to make the best of those 20 minutes.
5K is a distance that’s best served by racing flats and their ilk. The fact that they aren’t very cushioned is irrelevant given the short distance. In lieu, you get a featherweight shoe with a superlative road grip – exactly what a 5K entails.
On the following list, most of the shoes loosely belong to the category of racing flats. We say ‘loosely’ because only zero-drop shoes qualify as true racing flats.
This guide also includes more cushioned models like the Hoka Mach 6. Thus, most of the shoes here can be used for 10K races too. In case you’re searching for cushioned speedsters, read our other guide here.
In the spirit of brand diversity, we’ve put together recommendations from various manufacturers.