In this product guide:
- 1. Reflective daily trainer: Asics Cumulus 26 Lite-Show
- 2. Reflective trainer for overpronators: New Balance 860V14
- 3. Reflective max-cushioned trainer: Hoka Bondi 9
- 4. Waterproof reflective trainer for winter: Nike Pegasus 41 Gore-Tex
- 5. Reflective versatile trainer: Asics Novablast 4 Lite-Show
- 6. Reflective cushioned trainer: Asics Nimbus 26 Lite-Show
- 7. Reflective recovery run trainer: adidas Ultraboost 5X
- How we selected
Out with the rubber outsole, in with the foam midsole – that’s the Cumulus 26’s brief. Unlike every version that preceded it, the Cumulus 26 doesn’t have a rubber outsole. The sole is all-foam – which now includes a firmer base for ground contact and a softer Flytefoam stack for cushioning comfort.
Except for the slightly degraded grip, the new midsole scores well on everyday comfort and runs up to a half-marathon distance. There’s more softness closer to the foot, courtesy of the plush Ortholite insole and lasting.
Getting rid of the rubber outsole also makes the Cumulus a much lighter shoe.
The true-to-size upper is also available in a reflective Lite-Show version for low-light running conditions.
While both versions use the same midsole, the upper uses a closed mesh that is better suited for the colder months. The fused toe bumper and large heel pull loop are exclusive to the Cumulus 26 Lite-Show.
There aren’t many decent reflective running shoes for overpronators. No, really.
The Asics Kayano 31 Lite-Show is nice, but what if you wanted something softer, different, and less expensive?
We recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam 860V14. It’s also one of the two shoes (the other being the adidas Ultraboost 5X) in this guide that isn’t a special edition (Lite-Show, Gore-Tex) and doesn’t charge extra for reflective bits.
In short, anyone who gets the standard 860V14 will benefit from the high-visibility trims. The large ‘N’ logos on the side are reflective to make runs safer in the dark.
So what makes the 860V14 different from other stability shoes like the GT-2000 13 and Brooks Adrenaline GTS?
Inside the soft Fresh Foam X midsole is a ‘stability plane’. This plastic plate has perforations on the outer half (longitudinally) and is solid on the arch side.
This makes the outer midsole easier to compress than the inner side, so the pronation – or the inwards roll of the foot – is redirected away from the arch side.
That said, the New Balance 860V14 doesn’t have a full-length plate on the outer side as the Vongo V6 does. So forefoot/midfoot strikers won’t fully benefit from the plate.
As a stand-alone shoe, the 860V14 is ideal for everyday training – there’s plenty of comfort inside that Fresh Foam X midsole.
- New Balance’s marketing pitch: Built for reliability over the long haul.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, tongue gusset.
- Upper fit: True-to-size with loose forefoot.
- Midsole: Dual-density Fresh Foam, perforated ‘stability plane’ plate. 8 mm drop.
- Outsole: Harder rubber under the heel with softer forefoot blown foam.
- Weight: 306 gms/ 10.8 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 36 mm (rear), 28 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E – wide.
- Previous model: New Balance 860 v13.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Everyday training, half-marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended paces: 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) and slower
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Effective pronation control
- Ride comfort
- Outsole grip
- Plush and breathable upper
- Optional 2E width, reflectivity
Cons
- None worth mentioning
The Bondi 9 is finally here. So what’s new this time? One thing’s for certain – there’s no drastic change.
Unlike competing max-cushioned trainers like the Brooks Ghost Max 2 and Glycerin Max, Hoka sticks to a tried-and-tested EVA foam midsole. It’s neither PEBA nor super-critical foam. It feels similar to the Bondi 7 and 8, but with a few changes.
This year’s Bondi is the softest and bounciest version yet. The lower-density foam has improved bounce and give; there’s more ‘life’ in the midsole than the stiffer ride of the 7 and 8.
The Hoka Bondi 9 has a cushioned yet supportive midsole.
Even the step-in softness has improved, thanks to the new footbed. The use case for this shoe is the same as before – it’s an ultra-cushioned trainer for long-distance training or recovery runs.
However, the Bondi 9 is anything but mushy – the stiff forefoot and midsole rocker keep the transitions efficient.
The upper fits narrow, as most Hoka shoes do. The half-gusset of the Bondi 8 is missing, resulting in a mild tongue slide. To make up for the loss of the half sleeve, Hoka equips the Bondi with a softer mesh and a larger reflective piece on the heel.
- Hoka’s marketing pitch: The ultra-cushioned game-changer.
- Upper: Perforated engineered mesh, reflective details. No tongue gusset.
- Upper fit: True to size, narrow.
- Midsole: EVA foam and footbed. 5 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Carbon rubber, exposed EVA foam.
- Weight: 298 gms/ 10.5 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 44 mm (heel), 39 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E – wide, 4E – extra wide.
- Previous model: Hoka Bondi 8.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Everyday training, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: All types (heel/midfoot/forefoot).
- Median lifespan: 450 miles.
- Recommended paces: 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile) and slower.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Cushioned and stable ride
- Reflective details
- Smooth transitions
- Secure upper fit
- Optional widths
Cons
- Antiquated cushioning tech
- Heavy
- Overpriced for what it offers
- Mild tongue slide
Nike seems to have ditched the ‘Shield’ versions of their popular running shoes.
In their place are waterproof variants of the Pegasus, React Infinity, and the Winflo. And while all three models have a Gore-Tex lining, the Pegasus 41 GTX is the most reflective.
All sides of the upper have high-visibility trims. There’s one on the forefoot, two on the sides, and a large piece over the heel as well. The silver paint on the lacing loops is also reflective.
But don’t buy this shoe just for its reflective upper. The Pegasus 41 GTX is a bonafide winter shoe with upper insulation and outsole grip to match. The heathered mesh around the heel and tongue keeps the feet toasty, and the ripstop mesh is an effective wind-blocker.
The star of the show (uh, shoe) is the ultra-grippy Stormtread rubber outsole that performs well on wet roads.
The GTX model shares the React and Zoom Air midsole with the regular Pegasus, so the ride quality is nearly identical. Just know that this is very much a heel striker’s shoe because of the low profile and firm forefoot.
The Novablast is one of Asics’s popular performance running shoes, but it’s no surprise how it got there.
The Novablast 4 is one of those rare shoes that gets many things right. The Flytefoam midsole is extremely comfortable yet peppy – the rocker midsole propels the foot, and the responsive Flytefoam Blast makes the ride engaging. It’s softer than the Novablast 3 and grips better as well.
There are many use cases for this versatile trainer. It’s peppy enough for tempo training, cushioned enough for daily runs, and has the ride comfort to last a marathon. The snug upper keeps the foot locked in during more aggressive workouts.
The reflective ‘Lite-Show’ variant has the same midsole and outsole (photos above), so the ride experience is identical to the regular Novablast 4 (our review is here). The upper has a few extras tacked on, though.
Besides the high-visibility trims for running in the dark, the Lite-Show versions get a protective toe bumper and a large heel loop. Also, the mesh has a close-knit structure for better wind resistance.
Except for the reflective trims, everything on the Nimbus 26 Lite-Show is the same as the standard model – a shoe that we reviewed here.
Unlike the Lite-Show Cumulus, the Nimbus has an identical engineered mesh, stretchy tongue and the large pull loop from the non-Lite-Show version.
The Lite-Show Nimbus shares an identical sole unit with the standard Nimbus, so it has the same plush ride that makes long-distance runs extremely comfortable. The rockered Flytefoam blast midsole of the Nimbus 26 creates an engaging ride experience.
The deeply cushioned ride makes it an excellent running shoe for long-distance cruising and everyday runs.
If you’ve read our in-depth review, you’d know that the new Ultraboost 5X is a much changed Ultraboost. The midsole improves its thickness spread between the front and rear, making it a comfortable trainer regardless of the footstrike pattern.
Earlier versions had an anemic forefoot midsole, so runners who landed midfoot and forefoot first didn’t get the full Boost cushioning.
Now you do – the ‘Boost light’ cushioning provides mileage-friendly comfort for recovery runs as well as everyday training. It’s not a speed shoe, so it does best at speeds slower than 5:00 min/km or 8 min/mile.
Though the snug fit of the Primeknit upper feels familiar, the reflective 3-stripe logos are new. The high-viz midfoot makes running safer at night and dawn.
- adidas’s marketing pitch: Delivers continual energy return across the miles.
- Upper: Stretchy Primeknit upper with a bootie construction.
- Midsole: Full-length ‘Light Boost’ foam, Torsion midfoot shank. 10 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Single piece Continental rubber.
- Weight: 275 gms/ 9.7 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 38 mm (heel), 28 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single, D – regular (reviewed)
- Previous model: adidas Ultraboost Light.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Daily cruiser, half-marathons, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Orthotic compatibility: Low.
- Median lifespan: 500 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Soft and bouncy comfort
- Very secure fit
- Outsole traction
- Long term durability
- Highly reflective upper
Cons
- Lower stability than before
- Shallow toe box
- No optional width(s)
- Short Torsion piece affects transitions
HOW WE SELECTED
Most brands of note now sell their popular running shoe models in two kinds – reflective and standard (an euphemism for non-reflective). It wasn’t always like this.
Up until 2018, most road models had adequate low-light visibility. Today, except for New Balance, reflective bits are in short supply unless you pay extra for a ‘reflective’ version.
Nike was the first to offer a seasonal assortment (Shield) of running shoes that combined high-viz elements with cold-weather features. Lately, it seems that Nike has replaced the Shield models with waterproof Gore-Tex variants.
Nike sells the Pegasus 41 in a reflective Gore-tex variant, so it’s included in this guide. The Pegasus 39 Shield has a wind and water-resistant upper, as well as a grippy outsole.
Asics has been selling a reflective pack called the ‘Lite-Show’ for well over a decade.
Everything about the Lite-Show assortment is reflectivity for running in the dark, which contrasts with Nike’s winter-focused approach. For example, Nike Gore-Tex products are water-repellent and warm; Asics Lite-Show shoes are not.
Asics’ reflective running shoe strategy is to sell them perennially. You can find a Lite-show model at any time of the year – even if it isn’t the latest model.
Adidas is a hit or miss since it lacks a consistent strategy for its reflective shoes. Some adidas models have some reflectivity than others, but it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack – those shoes are all over the place.
For this guide, we have included just one adidas product – the Ultraboost 5X.