Most durable running shoes

Durable everyday trainer

Saucony Ride 18

The Pwrrun+ midsole can take a beating, and so can the gusseted upper and rubber outsole.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Saucony Ride 18 here.

Nobody should be surprised to see the Ride 18 on this list; its new Pwrrun+ midsole adds miles to its lifespan.

Like the previous year’s model, the Ride 18’s midsole uses long-lasting Pwrrun+. It’s an expanded Polyurethane foam similar to the adidas Boost foam. And we all know that Boost midsoles are nearly indestructible.

Prior versions of the Saucony Triumph (21 and older) also used Pwrrun+, and those trainers have an excellent track record as well.

Rocker assist is unavailable on the Saucony Ride 18.

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The outsole geometry also helps. Most of the rubber lugs are nearly flush with the midsole. That way, they don’t take direct hits from the footstrike and the transitions that follow.

The lightweight upper has an inner sleeve for superior structural integrity.

If you’re a current Ride 17 owner, you should know that the Ride 18 has softer and lighter cushioning. Also, the upper fits tighter because of the added heel and tongue padding.

Durable everyday trainer

Nike Pegasus 41

If you want a long-lasting everyday trainer, the Nike Pegasus 41 won’t disappoint.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Pegasus 41 here.

For all its changes, the Pegasus 41 is (still) a chip off the old block.

Its compression-molded ReactX midsole delivers a cushioned yet muted ride character. Zoom Air is the only ‘special’ part of the Pegasus 41, but it feels dated against new-age midsole materials.

That criticism aside, the Pegasus 41 gets its fundamentals right. This is an ‘easy reach’ everyday trainer with just the right balance of cushioning comfort and support.

This is a heel striker’s running shoe, though – the forefoot gets the short end of the cushioning stick.

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This neutral trainer is also very durable – thanks to the React midsole, Zoom Air, and the thick rubber outsole. And it’s not just about the quality of rubber. The outsole geometry also plays a role in extending the shoe’s lifespan.

The outsole lugs ‘pistons’ into the foam during the gait cycle to minimize damage, all while providing durable traction.

The sleeved construction of the engineered mesh upper resists premature failure.

Durable max-cushioning for heavy runners

Brooks Glycerin Max

This one-of-a-kind trainer introduces a unique midsole and ride quality. It’s pretty durable too.

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There’s nothing quite like the Brooks Glycerin Max. It has a dual-density midsole, but not the kind everyone is familiar with.

Two separate densities of supercritical foam are co-molded together. The outer casing (in white) is made of bigger ‘bubbles’ to make it softer. The part in blue has a denser molding for firmness. The forefoot has most of the blue stuff, so it’s firmer than the heel.

The (firmer) forefoot is also stiff and rocker-shaped. Both complement each other perfectly – the stiff forefoot makes the rocker more effective. While the Glycerin Max is not a quick shoe, the rocker makes this ultra-cushioned trainer surprisingly agile.

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Stack heights of 47 mm and 41 mm are unheard of in a running shoe, but here we are.

The softer heel makes the landings comfortable for heel strikers and offers decent stability – as long as you aren’t carving corners or running on uneven terrain. This shoe works for long runs and everyday training at speeds slower than 5 min/km (8 min/mile).

The thick rubber outsole and dense supercritical foam (DNA Tuned) are hard-wearing, so you’ll get many miles of this shoe.

The upper is a mixed bag. The forefoot fits narrow, the heel collar is too low, and there’s no tongue gusset. It’s not a bad upper, but feels out of place on such a high-tech midsole.

Durable long-run trainer

Asics Superblast 2

If you want a durable shoe for marathon training, the Asics Superblast 2 makes a strong case for itself.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Superblast 2 here.

Sure, the Asics Superblast is a durable running shoe. But that’s not the only reason why it is immensely popular and always short in stock.

Its 9-ounce weight gives an excellent cushioning-to-weight ratio, with most of the ride comfort delivered by the thick Flytefoam Turbo midsole. The firmer midsole base and rocker profile makes quick transitions happen.

That being said, the Superblast 2 is a very forgiving shoe, thus making it equally suited for easy runs and daily training.

The rocker effect of the midsole is toned down by the less-than-ideal fit and softer Flytefoam Turbo.

The lightweight and uber-cushioned Superblast 2 is missing two things that contributed to the Superblast 1's success.

The midsole stability is excellent relative to its stack height and deep cushioning.

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There’s one major difference between the Superblast 1 and Superblast 2. The updated Superblast has more upper room than the Superblast 1, so there are pros and cons of that change. On one hand, runners will appreciate the extra space during longer runs.

On the flip side, the connection between the foot and midsole is weaker than before, so the Superblast 2 doesn’t feel as fast as the Superblast 1.

There isn’t a lot of outsole rubber covering the midsole. However, the outsole-midsole relationship is what makes the Superblast long-lasting.

The spaced-out rubber lugs flex with the Flytefoam midsole rather than taking direct hits during landings. The Flytefoam midsole is also resistant to long-term cushioning loss.

Durable recovery run trainer

adidas Ultraboost 5X

The combination of a Boost foam midsole and Continental rubber outsole is a proven formula for long-term durability.

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1. Read our detailed review of the adidas Ultraboost 5X here.

Key to the Ultraboost 5X’s durability is the Boost midsole and hard-wearing Continental rubber outsole.

adidas Boost foam is made of an expanded Polyurethane foam which is highly resistant to creasing and gradual cushioning loss. The rubber outsole perfectly complements the long-lasting midsole.

As always, the Ultraboost’s Primeknit upper is stretchy and thick for better longevity.

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On the road, the Ultraboost 5X offers decent levels of versatility. The highly-cushioned midsole makes short work of everyday runs, and is comfortable enough for a marathon.

Also, this version is much better for forefoot strikers than any of the previous Ultraboosts.

The forefoot now has a 28 mm stack for improved cushioning comfort during landings and take-off. Overall, the Ultraboost 5X is softer than the Ultraboost Light because of the taller midsole.

The bouncy Boost midsole benefits the transition quality, so even 4:30 min/km (7 min/mile) speeds are in its wheelhouse.

Durable marathon racer

Nike Zoom Fly 6

The double-layered upper and robust midsole design makes this racer relatively durable.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Zoom Fly 6 here.

The Zoom Fly has always been a durable plated racer. Unlike the more expensive Vaporfly and comparable super shoes, the midsole isn’t made entirely of PEBA (ZoomX) foam. Only the top layer is made of ZoomX; the lower half is the firmer SR-02 foam. This setup is more resistant to compression fatigue and creasing than 100% super-foam midsoles.

Nike doesn’t skimp on outsole rubber. The landing and push-off zones are rubber-covered to slow down wear and tear. The wide outsole coverage also helps the shoe grip better.

The full sleeve practically makes the upper double layered. So it’s nowhere as flimsy as the uppers on the Asics Metaspeed, Saucony Endorphin Pro, or the Nike Vaporfly. There’s a standard size heel counter with the padding to match.

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Does the relative durability of the Zoom Fly 6 get in the way of its on-road performance?

The short answer is no. Sure, it may not have the disappear-on-the-feet quality that lighter racers do. But if we’re judging the Zoom Fly 6 by its ability to go fast, it doesn’t disappoint.

The full-length Carbon plate and midsole rocker deliver fast miles. The Z-Fly 6 can do sub 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) paces – no problem at all. The upper has excellent proportions and comfort. The heel is padded for comfort, and there’s plenty of toe-box room. The full sleeve makes the forefoot fit snug – just what a race-ready shoe needs.

The durable Z-Fly 6 is also very user-friendly, so it’s an excellent training-racing hybrid. The supportive midsole doesn’t penalize heel striking and slower speeds.

Durable tempo/10K trainer

Brooks Hyperion 2

Thanks to the thick rubber outsole and firm DNA Flash midsole, this lightweight tempo trainer doesn’t sacrifice durability.

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The Hyperion 2’s firm ‘DNA Flash’ foam is unique to Brooks. The cushioning produced by this supercritical foam (we explained what that means, here) isn’t of a soft kind. In fact, it’s borderline firm.

That’s what we like about it – the midsole is comfortable enough for up to a 10K distance with the speed to match. The firm midsole efficiently loads the weight during the gait process without slowing you down.

Despite lacking an internal plate, the Hyperion 2 is a capable tempo and Fartlek trainer, with speeds as fast as 3:30 min/km (5:30 min/mile) within its reach.

Non-EVA compounds like the Brooks DNA Flash fares well under heavy loads.

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The midsole foam is resistant to bottoming out, and the thick rubber outsole slows down the rate of wear and tear. For a shoe that weighs just over 7 ounces, you get very decent miles/gram output.

Lastly, the Hyperion 2 replaces (unofficially, though) the Hyperion Max 1. So it’s like an updated H-Max, but at a cheaper ($140) price.

Durable 5K racer

Asics Hyperspeed 4

This entry-level speed shoe can take a beating.

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There aren’t many $100 speed trainers, so the Hyper Speed is an underrated pick. We reviewed the original version and loved the value it offered.

Except for the softer midsole and minor price hike, not much has changed since. The low-profile Flytefoam cushions the foot under quick touch-and-go conditions. The foam is a hardier version of Flytefoam, so it’s more durable than lighter super-foams.

This is a low-stack racer, so the Hyper Speed 4 works up to a 10K distance. A 5K distance would be ideal, whether it’s a race or an interval run.

The midsole is protected by a full-length outsole that covers the critical landing and transition areas. Besides doing its job – which is to grip well – the outsole distributes the wear and tear from speed runs.

The lightweight upper has a snug fit to optimize power delivery. It’s layered on the toe-box and midfoot to prevent premature tearing.

If you want a fancier 5K racer with the price to match, we recommend the Hoka Cielo Road.

The Cielo’s firm PEBA midsole is more resistant to bottoming and creasing, and a thick rubber outsole protects the midsole.

Durable trail running shoe

Brooks Cascadia 18

Not only is the Cascadia durable, but it’s also an excellent all-around trail running shoe.

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Following design best practices extends the lifespan of any running shoe.

The Brooks Cascadia 18 is a good example. The grippy Trail Tack rubber outsole protects the DNA Loft V2 midsole, which, by the way, is a firm EVA foam blend that is resistant to compacting over time. The stiff ‘Trail Adapt’ plate adds structural reinforcement to the midsole.

On top is a protective upper that is built to last. Fused panels are applied liberally to guard against scratches and bumps during trail runs.

The robust build quality isn’t the only reason why we recommend the Cascadia 18. This is a very versatile trail running shoe for many reasons. The segmented outsole design encourages proprioception on off-road surfaces. Deep midsole grooves run through the center and sideways for better spread (and grip) on the trail.

This isn’t a soft trail running shoe, so the ride is very supportive. The firm EVA blend (DNA Loft V2) cushions the impact without sinking in; the winged plate also stabilizes the shoe.

The snug upper forefoot fits keeps the foot secure. That said, it’s much tighter fitting than the Cascadia 16 from a couple of years ago.

HOW WE SELECTED

Three factors determine the shoe’s potential durability or the lack thereof:

1. The upper: Decoding the estimated lifespan of the upper is difficult for several reasons. At a very basic level, the materials used – be it the mesh or synthetic overlays – must flex and have a certain amount of thickness. But what’s of greater importance is the working relationship between the materials.

Even an upper made of thin materials can be durable – as long as it gets a few things right. The first is the absence of friction between the materials, and the second is the lack of pressure points. This can be made clear by a few examples.

If the big toe rubs the area where the stitched toe-bumper (if applicable) and mesh meet, there is a chance that a tear could develop over time.

The Rebel 2’s lightweight mesh was great for ventilation, but was fragile.

This often happens if the toe-box mesh is thin and lacks an inner lining. However, this is becoming less of a concern since newer running shoes are based on knit uppers with internal bumpers. But every once in a while, an imperfect shoe with a fragile upper shows up – the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel 2 was a good example.

Certain brands rely on a fabric backer as a reinforcement, and you can feel this by inserting your hand under the upper. Other shoes skip the lining and rely on a thicker base material or an inner sleeve instead.

Some shoes use stiff materials around the last two rows of lacing. We’ve come across cases where this portion tears prematurely due to friction. There are a few cases of the heel lining coming apart, but that’s usually due to improper (shorter) sizing.

Lacing eyelets rarely tear these days. But if you want to make sure that this doesn’t happen, turn over the lacing panel to check for reinforcement.

The upper durability is also affected by how well (or not) the shoe fits; it is important to buy the right size and have enough room in the front. In many cases where the heel lining tears too soon may indicate a short size.

Lastly, high-end uppers like the kind used on the adidas adizero line-up are tough as nails – even if they seem paper-thin.

2. The midsole material: The lifespan of the midsole depends on three things – the compound, the density (firmness, softness), or a combination of both.

Polyurethane, PEBA, and SBES-based foams last longer than EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) ones. Polyurethane (PU) is used in two forms; a poured kind like the Puma Ignite and Brooks Levitate, or the popular variety known as E-TPU.

The durable adidas Lightstrike Pro foam is supportive and temperature resistant.

These materials have a higher resistance to abuse from repeated compression and temperature, making them extremely durable. E-TPU is commonly used as adidas Boost or the Saucony Pwrrun+.

As for the adidas Lightstrike Pro, we don’t know what exactly it’s made of. That said, it’s very resistant to compression fatigue – unlike the crease-prone PEBA foam. The Saucony Endorphin Elite also uses a similar material as the adidas Lightstrike Pro.

Standard Polyurethane midsoles can be distinguished from EVA with a few visual cues; read this solereview article for more. The Brooks Levitate also uses a Polyurethane midsole.

Meet Pwrrun PB – Saucony’s spin on the PEBA foam cushioning.

Saucony uses PEBA (Poly Ether Block Amide) foam for its Endorphin Speed and Pro models. The feedback on Pwrrun PB’s durability has been very positive so far.

The Superblast 2’s Flytefoam midsole is a durable cushioning material.

EVA midsoles are ubiquitous and form the majority of running shoe midsoles. Though not as durable as newer foams, most last reasonably long.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. The softer the EVA midsole, the shorter its life. A softer-density EVA midsole is more likely to lose its cushioning properties sooner.

The Zoom Air bag of the Pegasus 41 makes the cushioning durable.

Besides the firmness, midsole inserts such as Nike Zoom Air (like the one inside the Pegasus 40) increase cushioning durability.

3. The outsole: In the majority of cases, the rubber outsole is the first point of failure. The upper and midsole may be in perfect condition, but the outsole could get shredded into wafer-like thinness after a few hundred kilometers.

Three things matter when it comes to the outsole life – the rubber material, the layout/geometry, and how well it works together with the midsole.

A running shoe that uses only hard rubber for its outsole will outlive a model that uses a mix of soft blown rubber (forefoot) and a harder rubber under the rearfoot.

The adidas Continental rubber compound has proven durability.

Generally speaking, compounds like Saucony’s XT-900 rubber and adidas Continental are more durable than regular rubber.

A flat and full-coverage outsole will outlast a design that features prominent lugs. Pointy outsole lugs take the brunt of the wear and tear – as opposed to a flat profile outsole that spreads the wear and tear over a wider area.

Using a hard rubber compound with a flat profile usually delivers a higher mileage. We’re always surprised at the extent of the positive effect a flat outsole has on durability  – even with soft rubber.

At times, the outsole lifespan depends not on the material but on how it works together with the midsole. The Asics Superblast is a good example of what we mean.

Its thin outsole flexes along with the soft midsole and slows down the rate of wear and tear. Our readers have unanimous praise for the Asics Superblast’s high mile-per-dollar value.

The shoes in this guide satisfy most of the selection criteria. The adidas Continental rubber outsole used to be the only show in town, but that time has passed. Other brands have caught up and now offer a wide selection of durable running shoes.

Under normal usage conditions, these shoes will last at least 400 miles. Unless you’re a heavy runner living in a warm country, most of these shoes will give you 600 miles (and beyond) without any degradation in performance.