The best running shoes for forefoot and midfoot strikers

by Solereview editors
This article was updated on February 5th, 2025 with current models. Solereview has no ties to the industry and does not accept free products. We buy all our shoes at full retail price; the proof of purchase is here.

The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris on the road.

Versatile trainer for forefoot strikers
Asics Novablast 4 product box


Asics Novablast 4

The Novablast 4’s cushioned forefoot and rocker midsole make it a top pick for midfoot strikers.

Buy from Zappos.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Novablast 4 here.

Don’t let the 8 mm heel drop scare you; the Novablast 4 is as much a midfoot striker’s shoe as it is heel striking-friendly. A beveled heel and deep transition channel prevent the heel from catching the ground.

The Novablast 4 is a tall shoe with a generous amount of ride comfort. At 33.5 mm, not only is the forefoot tall, but it is also wide enough for planted midfoot landings. The Flytefoam Blast midsole has a rocker shape that ‘tips’ the foot forward for quicker transitions. The tight upper fit locks the forefoot over the midsole for efficient power transfers.

The cushioned midsole makes the Novablast excellent for everyday runs and pre-marathon training. The cushioning works equally well at an easy 6:00 min/km (9:40 mile/min) pace as it does during a 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) tempo run.

  • Asics’s marketing pitch: Add bounce to every step.
  • Upper: Engineered mesh, tongue gusset.
  • Upper fit: True to size, narrow.
  • Midsole: Full-length Flytefoam Blast foam. 8 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Carbon rubber in high-wear areas.
  • Weight: 260 gms/ 9.17 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27
    .
  • Stack heights: 43 mm (heel), 35 mm (forefoot) – Solereview verified.
  • Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E (wide).
  • Previous model: Asics Novablast 3.
  • Country of origin: Indonesia.
  • 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

  • Upper runs hotter vs. the Novablast 3
  • Outsole grip is (still) average

 

Daily trainer for midfoot strikers
Saucony Ride 18 product box


Saucony Ride 18

The improved Pwrrun+ midsole has the cushioning, grip, and support that forefoot strikers need.

Buy from Zappos.com

The everyday trainer category is very competitive, but the Saucony Ride has held up over the years. Now in its 18th year, the brand-new midsole features improved Pwrrun+ foam – a material similar to what the adidas Ultraboost 5X uses.

By improved, we refer to the softer ride and lower weight of the latest model. The Ride 18 achieves this by switching to a lower-density version of Pwrrun+ foam.

This gives the Ride 18 an edge over the Ride 17 in ride comfort. The new midsole is more responsive during foot-strikes and transition, yet is supportive.

At the core of the Ride 18 is a character that appeals to runners of all experience classes and footstrike patterns. The 8 mm heel drop midsole has plenty of cushioning, no matter where you land. Half-marathons are easily doable, and the midsole is durable enough for everyday mileage.

The wide forefoot is 27 mm tall with a greater share of the outsole rubber coverage. The heel midsole doesn’t stick out too far, and is beveled for gradual landings.

The comfortable upper is true-to-size with smooth interiors. The upper has a snug fit, so Saucony offers the Ride 18 in an optional 2E (wide) sizing as well.

It’s worth pointing out that new upper has less room in front of the toes. More foam has been added to the heel collar, so the foot’s position shifts forward by a few mm.

Saucony makes up for it with a plusher upper – there’s more padding the tongue and heel. Even the mesh has changed to a spacer kind with a spongy feel. The tighter fit also improves the quality of lockdown.

  • Saucony’s marketing pitch:Your perfect partner for every run.
  • Upper: Engineered mesh, internal gusset.
  • Midsole: Expanded Polyurethane (Pwrrun+) foam. 8 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Carbon rubber in high-wear areas.
  • Weight: 259 gms/ 9.1 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 17.
  • 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

  • Sizing consistency versus the Ride 17
  • Low reflectivity

 

Stability trainer for forefoot strikers
Saucony Tempus v2 product box


Saucony Tempus V2

The Tempus’s PEBA midsole and firm EVA frame adds cushioning and stability for mid and forefoot strikers.

Buy from Zappos.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the Saucony Tempus here.

First things first. If you have the original Tempus and loved its spacious and breathable upper, you might not like the Tempus 2.

The Tempus V2’s upper is narrower in the forefoot, tighter over the tongue, and snugger in the heel. The reflective strip over the toebox has also been removed.

The V2’s forefoot uses a thicker mesh with less ‘give’, so that decreases the interior space. The soft and thin tongue has been replaced with a thicker kind. The heel switches to a different mesh with more padding within.

To sum things up – the Tempus V2’s upper isn’t as comfortable as the V1, nor does it breath as well.

Both the Tempus share the midsole, so nothing has changed from a ride standpoint.

The 8 mm heel offset is derived from a 28.5 mm forefoot and 36.5 mm heel. So regardless of which part of the shoe you land on, there’s plenty of cushioning to manage the footstrike.

The forefoot gets a cushy PEBA foam stack and most of the outsole rubber, so full-contact landings are supported with a transition-friendly design. The wide midsole base translates into a high level of stability.

Speaking of stability, the Tempus is a unique running shoe that blends a firmer EVA frame with a softer Pwrrun PB (PEBA foam) core.

So this lightweight (8.9-ounce) stability trainer is cushioned, supportive, and extremely versatile – whether you’re using it as an everyday trainer, long-distance cruiser, or tempo trainer at 4:30 min/km speeds.

 

Marathon racer for forefoot strikers
Asics Metaspeed Sky product box


Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

When compared to the Edge, the Metaspeed Sky’s softer forefoot offers greater comfort when landing forefoot first.

Buy from Asics.com

Some readers may be surprised to see the Nike Alphafly 3 left out of this guide. By all accounts, it’s an excellent racer for landing forefoot first.

We chose to do so for two reasons. First, the insole placement inside the Alphafly is a roll of the dice, and a few unlucky runners may get blisters. Secondly, the Alphafly 3’s forefoot is much firmer than the heel, so the midsole tends to negative drop during mid-stance. You need near-perfect form and speed for the Alphafly to be on its best behavior.

So in its place is the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris – an excellent update by Asics to last year’s shoe by the same name. And why have we recommended the Metaspeed Sky over the Metaspeed Edge?

The Edge has the forefoot plate closer to the ground. On the other hand, the Metaspeed Sky plate is separated by a thicker layer of Flytefoam Turbo. The outsole is also softer due to the exposed windows. Thus, forefoot strikers will benefit from cushioned landings, but without the speed trade-off. The Sky also happens to be the lighter of the two Metaspeeds.

The Carbon plate makes the loading quick and efficient, and the Flytefoam Turbo midsole is sufficiently comfortable for marathons.

Mated to the midsole is a lightweight, breathable, and true-to-size upper.

 

Versatile cushioned shoe for forefoot strikers
Asics Superblast 2 product box


Asics Superblast 2

The Superblast 2 is a high-tech version of the Novablast 4. That makes it ideal for mid and forefoot landing.

Buy from Asics.com

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

The Asics Superblast V2 is proof that a higher heel drop – in this case, 8 mm – doesn’t decide whether a shoe is forefoot-striking friendly or not.

The Superblast is a premium, softer, and more responsive version of the Novablast – a versatile trainer with a cushioned ride and rocker midsole.

The Superblast 2 has a rocker forefoot for smoother transitions during toe-offs, and the 37 mm thick forefoot provides a lot of padding during full-contact landings.

The midsole blends the Flytefoam Turbo foam over a firmer base, thus balancing long-distance comfort with decent levels of stability. The Superblast V2’s redesigned outsole comes with improved forefoot grip over the Superblast V1.

Having said that, the SB2’s looser forefoot upper and softer ride negatively affects its speed-friendliness. It’s more breathable, but ‘relaxed’ version of the SB1. The shoe fits true to size.

  • 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:

  1. Brooks Hyperion Max 2
  2. New Balance SC Trainer v3
  3. 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 4 or adidas Takumi 10 for intervals, tempo runs, and short races

 

Max-cushioning for forefoot strikers
New Balance 1080V14 product box


New Balance 1080V14

The 1080V14 is excellent for forefoot strikers who prefer soft landings.

Buy from Newbalance

  1. Read our detailed review of the New Balance 1080v14 here.

On a high-stack shoe like the 1080V14, mileage-friendly cushioning is available no matter how or where you land. The 6 – 8 mm heel offset is the perfect middle ground too.

The 1080 V14 is the ideal long-distance cruiser for forefoot and midfoot strikers. It’s also an excellent daily trainer for speeds up to 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile).

The midsole rocker makes the transitions and push-offs smoother; the soft-blown rubber under the forefoot muffles the landings and delivers dependable traction.

There are a couple of important updates to the ride quality. Unlike the 1080v13’s segmented outsole that allows the rubber lugs to flex together with the soft midsole, the v14’s larger and thicker lugs offer greater resistance.

So while the thicker outsole makes the rocker effect more pronounced, you don’t get the ground feel (proprioception) of the v13. The latest 1080 is better for quicker runs, but loses some of the feedback in the process.

The tweaked Fresh FoamX midsole delivers a more engaging ride experience than before. The cushioning is bouncier, and the tighter upper does a better job of extracting the responsive cushioning. The upper is now mildly elastic over the toe-box.

The snugger upper also improves stability by keeping the foot locked down over the midsole.

  • New Balance’s marketing pitch: Reliable comfort and high performance.
  • Upper: Engineered mesh, gusseted tongue.
  • Midsole: Full-length Fresh FoamX foam, 6 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Softer rubber under the forefoot, harder rubber in the rear.
  • 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: 39 mm (heel), 33 mm (forefoot).
  • Available widths: B (narrow), D – regular (reviewed), 2E (wide) 4E (extra-wide).
  • Previous model: New Balance 1080V13.
  • Country of origin: Vietnam.
  • Recommended use: Daily training, tempo runs, marathons.
  • Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
  • Median lifespan: 400 miles.
  • Recommended paces: Slower than 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile).
  • Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.

Pros

  • Versatile ride, more propulsive
  • Quick transitions, effective rocker
  • Secure and plush fit
  • Long-distance comfort
  • Multiple widths

Cons

  • Lower forefoot and heel stability than v13
  • Weaker proprioception and ground feel vs. v13
  • Scarce reflectivity

Also consider:

  1. Asics Nimbus 26
  2. Saucony Triumph 22
  3. Puma Magnify Nitro
  4. Brooks Glycerin 21
  5. Mizuno Wave Sky 8
  6. Hoka Skyflow
  • Use the New Balance 1080v14 for daily runs, recovery, and long runs
  • Use the New Balance SC Elite V4 or Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 for marathons
  • Use the New Balance Rebel v4 or Hoka Mach 6 for intervals, tempo runs, and short races

 

Tempo trainer for forefoot strikers
Hoka Mach 6 product box


Hoka Mach 6

The Hoka Mach 6’s new midsole architecture makes forefoot landings better than before.

Buy from Zappos.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the Hoka Mach 6 here.

Hoka positions the Mach 6 as a speed shoe, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s very different from the Mach 5; the new midsole is more resilient, responsive, and has a rocker that was missing on the previous model.

The Hoka Mach 6 in a road race.

Consider the Mach 6 for your faster runs.

This 5 mm heel drop trainer has stack heights of 35 mm (heel) and 30 mm (forefoot). That’s enough cushioning for everyday runs and half-marathons, yet doesn’t get in the way of tempo efforts. The new foam has a smooth, bouncier ride than before, and the rocker promotes a roll-forward effect.

The low heel-to-toe offset (5 mm) and support midsole make the Mach 6 ideal for forefoot and midfoot striking.

The rocker midsole of the Hoka Mach 6.

The racer-like upper complements the lightweight midsole. The true-to-size interior combines comfort-oriented features like a padded heel with the minimalist design of a road racer. Though the Mach 6 has a narrow forefoot fit, there’s an optional wide sizing for sale.

  • 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

 

5K and 10K racer for forefoot strikers
adidas Takumi 10 product box


adidas Takumi Sen 10

During short races, forefoot strikers will love the Lightstrike Pro cushioning, Energy rods, and Continental outsole.

Buy from adidas.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the adidas Takumi 10 here.

If our review didn’t make it obvious, we loved the Takumi Sen 10. But you should know what you’re buying it for; this is a shoe that works best during short races – like a 5K, for example.

We’d limit the Takumi to a 10K though – the midsole lacks the comfort for longer distances. The upper also fits super tight, so it’s going to get uncomfortable over a long run.

But if you want to go fast during a shorter race, the Takumi has a lot to offer than comparable racing flats like the Hoka Cielo Road and Nike Streakfly.

The low-profile midsole made of Lightstrike Pro has a nice bouncy feel to it; it also keeps the foot protected during a 5K – 10K race. The upper fits narrow, as it should for a shoe of this category. The tight upper creates a seamless bond between the foot and the midsole for smooth power transfer.

What makes the Takumi Sen 10 special is the Energy Rod setup inside the midsole. These stiff tubes carry the foot over the midsole efficiently and add a nice snap during push-offs. Unlike a solid plate, the foot can work through fork-like Energy rods. However, a brief break-in period is necessary.

Forefoot strikers will get the dependable grip of the Continental rubber outsole as well.

  • 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:

  1. adidas adios 8
  2. Hoka Cielo Road
  3. Nike Streakfly
  4. 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

 

How we selected: What to look for

The forefoot outsole of the Asics Novablast 4.

If you’ve been around for a while and have tracked the evolution of running footwear, you’d agree that as recently as the mid-2000s, shoes were purposely designed for rearfoot striking.

For example, most of the cushioning tech was crammed under the heel. Moreover, running shoes with a low heel-to-toe offset did not become popular until the barefoot running boom of the late 2000s.

The thought of altering the footstrike also didn’t occur to most runners, so the market didn’t exist.

Today, we have a slew of balanced choices. There’s something for everyone, no matter what your preferences or running mechanics are.

Do you want maximal cushioning, or for that matter, a shoe with a low heel-to-toe offset? Or do you want both in one shoe? Many products meet these criteria.

Runners who prefer to make full-contact landings are called midfoot/forefoot strikers. Having said that, if you currently land rearfoot and are injury-free, there’s no reason to alter the technique just because the internet tells you to.

While there is plenty of anecdotal support for forefoot striking – we also feel that full-contact landings are more efficient – there’s scant scientific evidence proving that forefoot striking is biomechanically more efficient or leads to fewer injuries.

There are so many components of a good running form, and the foot-strike pattern is just one part of it. However, it makes sense to avoid over-striding and exaggerated dorsiflexion, a state where the toes point skywards when landing heel-first.

Hoka Mach 6 midfoot striking.

The Hoka Mach 6 in action during a road race.

Running shoes that are suitable for forefoot and midfoot striking need to fulfill certain qualifying factors.

Ride stability is extremely important. This criterion could be met by either a firm midsole, a wide flare or surface area, or a combination of both – along with a secure upper fit. A high midsole stack isn’t a concern as long as the other two factors add up.

The quality of transition also determines whether a shoe is compatible with full-contact landings – or not. The transition quality is the product of design choices like the foam density and formulation, the outsole geometry and grip, or the midsole shape.

Though some runners prefer a cushioned forefoot, that depends on what the shoe is being used for. Is it just a 5K run or intense interval training? Here, excessive midsole softness will impede your workout.

On the other hand, if one intends to run a marathon, then a cushioned and fast ride is desirable.

A high heel-to-toe drop is not a deal-breaker. We’re not talking about a 12 mm offset shoe here, but even 8-10 mm works as long as the heel midsole doesn’t have a long overhang. That’s the reason why the New Balance 1080 V14 and Asics Superblast feature in this guide.

Also, look for running shoes where the rear midsole edge is flush with the upper heel. A generous bevel is preferable. Here’s an example; this is what the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4’s heel looks like:

The transition groove of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4.

Most beveled heel designs work well for ground-contact landings. The New Balance 1080V14 isn’t exactly ‘low drop’, but it works perfectly for forefoot and midfoot strikers. So does the Novablast 4.

The bottomline is, if you get a low-drop shoe, that’s a bonus. Else, it’s a non-issue for most brands.

We cover a lot of categories here across half a dozen brands, ranging from supportive shoes like the Saucony Tempus to lightweight trainers such as the Hoka Mach 6.

Do you own any of the shoes on this guide? Improve this review by sharing your insights.

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