Best lightweight running shoes

by Solereview editors
This article was updated on January 3rd, 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 Nike ZoomX Streakfly on a scale.

Lightweight everyday trainer
Asics Cumulus 26 product box


Asics Gel-Cumulus 26

Replacing the rubber outsole with a foam one helps the Cumulus 26 achieve its 9-ounce weight.

Buy from Zappos.com

The new outsole makes the Cumulus 26 a different – and lighter – Cumulus.

There’s no outsole per se, at least in a traditional sense. Asics doesn’t use rubber for the outsole; it uses a firm EVA foam. The grip quality suffers a bit, but in lieu, you get a 9-ounce neutral trainer with the softest cushioning in its class.

You read that right – the Cumulus 26 is softer than the Ride 17, Brooks Ghost 16, or the Nike Pegasus 41. The Flytefoam Blast+ layer above the firm EVA base makes everyday runs very cushioned. The plush insole and lasting add plenty of step-in cushioning as well.

There’s another missing component on the Cumulus 26. The tongue is no longer padded; this time, it’s just a stretchy knit layer that snaps tight over the foot. This update makes the upper accommodating and more breathable than before.

Weight: 9 ounces or 255 grams.

  • Asics’s marketing pitch:A reliable training partner built for everyday running.
  • Upper: Engineered mesh, inner gusset.
  • Midsole: Flytefoam Blast+ foam, heel Gel unit. 8 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Firm EVA foam; no rubber.
  • Weight: 255 gms/ 9.0 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
  • Stack heights: 38.5 mm (heel), 30.5 mm (forefoot).
  • Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E (wide), 4E (extra-wide).
  • Previous model: Asics Cumulus 25.
  • Country of origin: Indonesia.
  • Recommended use: Everyday training, 10K, half-marathons.
  • Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
  • Median lifespan: 400 miles.
  • Recommended paces: Slower than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile).
  • Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.

Pros

  • Soft cushioning for easy efforts
  • Supportive and neutral cushioning
  • Most lightweight in its class
  • Optional widths
  • Breathable upper

Cons

  • Lack of reflective elements
  • Outsole grip needs improvement

 

Lightweight versatile trainer
Asics Novablast 4 product box


Asics Novablast 4

Despite the generous Flytefoam stack, the peppy Novablast 4 comes in at just over 9 ounces.

Buy from Zappos.com

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

Sure, there are lighter shoes than the Novablast, but few are as versatile. The Novablast is truly a multi-role trainer.

Based on specs alone, it’s easy to misinterpret the shoe’s capabilities. The tall midsole (43 mm and 35 mm stack) would suggest a cushioned shoe for leisurely runs, but the Novablast has a lot more going for it.

The Asics Novablast 4 on the road.

The midsole rocker of the Asics Novablast 4.

The rocker midsole and responsive Flytefoam Blast make the cushioning speed-friendly. The deep channel under the rear and midfoot enhances the cushioning (through compression) and the overall stability. The rocker forefoot makes it easier for the foot to tip forward, and Flytefoam isn’t mushy.

That way, the distance-friendly ride comfort doesn’t slow you down. While not exactly a speed shoe, the Novablast 4 doesn’t struggle at 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) paces.

The tight upper fit is good at transferring the power from the foot to the rocker midsole. The interior is plush where it needs to be, but it sticks to a minimalist theme with a thin racer-like tongue.

Weight: 9.2 ounces or 260 grams.

  • 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

 

Lightweight marathon racer
Nike Vaporfly product box


Nike Vaporfly 3

The minimal upper construction, Carbon plate, and the ZoomX midsole offer marathon-capable performance without the added weight.

Buy from Nike.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Vaporfly 3 here.

This guide wouldn’t be complete without the Nike Vaporfly 3 would it?

Just like the Vaporfly Next% 2, the soft and springy ZoomX foam midsole makes long-distance races less punishing on the feet.

The Nike Vaporfly 3 on the road.

Inside this cushy foam stack is a curved Carbon fiber plate adds delivers the transition-friendly snap. The ZoomX core is protected by front and rear outsole rubber pieces that offer reliable traction. ‘Protection’ is a relative term, as the Vaporfly 3 uses thinner rubber lugs that are less durable than the Vaporfly 2.

The weight of the Nike Vaporfly 3.

The Vaporfly 3 has an incredibly lightweight upper that’s true to size and secure. The deconstructed upper disappears on the foot during a run. That said, we like the Vaporfly 2’s forefoot fit better. The Vaporfly 3’s much looser fit weakens the lockdown and negatively affects the power transfer to the midsole.

All of these features are contained within a compact 6.5-ounce form factor.

Weight: 6.5 ounces or 184 grams.

  • Nike’s marketing pitch: Giving you race-day speed to conquer any distance.
  • Upper: Perforated mesh, asymmetric lacing.
  • Upper fit: True-to-size with loose forefoot.
  • Midsole: Full-length ZoomX foam with Carbon plate. 8 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Carbon rubber in high-wear areas.
  • Weight: 200 gms/ 7.0 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
  • Stack heights: 38 mm (rear), 30 mm (forefoot).
  • Available widths: D – regular (reviewed).
  • Previous model: Nike Vaporfly Next% 2.
  • Country of origin: China.
  • Recommended use: 10K races, marathons.
  • Footstrike orientation: Midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
  • Median lifespan: 300 miles.
  • Recommended paces: 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) and quicker.
  • Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -0° C/32° F.

Pros

  • Lightweight and springy ride
  • Seamless plate-foam integration
  • Ventilation
  • Roomy upper

Cons

  • Spacious forefoot weakens the power delivery to the midsole
  • Sluggish toe-off when compared to the Vaporfly 2
  • Low heel stability
  • Structurally unsound for overpronators

 

Lightweight shoe for tempo/intervals
Hoka Mach 6 product box


Hoka Mach 6

The peppy midsole and snug upper of this lightweight trainer make tempo workouts and intervals engaging.

Buy from Zappos.com

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

The Hoka Mach 6 has the same name as the last model, but the two are nothing alike. The midsole uses a full-length supercritical foam instead of the dual-density setup that the Mach 5 had. There’s a full rubber outsole, and the upper fit has changed too.

To say that the Hoka Mach 6 is an ‘update’ would be an understatement. It has transformed itself into a versatile almost do-everything shoe. The tight upper fit accentuates the bouncy ride, and the tall stack heights (37 mm and 32 mm) make even half-marathons doable.

The midsole cushioning of the Hoka Mach 5 versus Mach 6.

The midsole of the Hoka Mach 6.

The footwork in the Hoka Mach 6.

If you’re okay with the narrow fit, the Hoka Mach 6 will also work as an everyday trainer. The shoe also stays true to its name. The upper lockdown and responsive midsole make the Mach 6 ideal for tempo runs, interval training, and Fartlek.

Weight: 8.2 ounces or 232 grams.

  • 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

 

Lightweight shoe for 10K
Brooks Hyperion 2 product box


Brooks Hyperion 2

The Nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam midsole plays a huge part in keeping the Hyperion 2’s weight low.

Buy from Zappos.com

The Hyperion 2 and Hyperion Max 2 updates are slightly confusing this year, so let’s quickly bring you up to speed.

For all practical purposes, the Hyperion 1 from last year no longer exists. The Hyperion 2 (featured here) is an updated and less expensive version of the Hyperion Max 1 – a shoe that was more cushioned than the Hyperion 1.

Even with the changes, the Hyperion 2 feels familiar. It’s got a similar cushioning as the V1 due to the midsole material. Though the Hyperion 2 uses an updated version of the Nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam, it retains the firm and supportive cushioning feel.

The lightweight 8-mm drop midsole has an important role in keeping the weight down. The firm cushioning is friendly for long-distance and tempo runs alike.

The Hyperion 2 has a 4 mm taller heel stack than the Hyperion 1, so there’s plenty of comfort for tempo training or 10 K races – even if the cushioning isn’t of a soft kind.

The comfortable upper sticks to the basics. Interior plushness is all but absent, with foam padding and superfluous overlays kept to a bare minimum.

Weight: 7.1 ounces or 201 grams.

  • Brooks’s marketing pitch: Tap into that punchy, speedy feeling.
  • Upper: Perforated engineered mesh, no sleeve or gusset.
  • Upper fit: True to size.
  • Midsole: Supercritical DNA Flash v2 foam. 8 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Harder rubber under the heel with softer forefoot blown foam.
  • Weight: 201 gms/ 7.1 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
  • Stack heights: 36 mm (heel), 24 mm (forefoot).
  • Available widths: D – regular.
  • Previous model: Brooks Hyperion Max v1 (not a typo).
  • Country of origin: Vietnam.
  • Recommended use: Everyday training, 10K, half-marathons.
  • Footstrike orientation: All types (heel/midfoot/forefoot).
  • Median lifespan: 400 miles.
  • Recommended paces: 4:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile) and slower.
  • Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.

Pros

  • Lightweight and speed-friendly ride
  • Stable midsole
  • Good for all footstrike positions and speeds
  • Upper fit and ventilation
  • Value for money
  • Outsole grip

Cons

  • Not as soft as Brooks claims
  • No reflectivity

 

Lightweight 5K and 10K racer
Nike Streakfly product box


Nike ZoomX Streakfly

The full-length ZoomX midsole adds soft cushioning with minimal bulk.

Buy from Nike.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the Nike ZoomX Streakfly here.

There are a couple of reasons why Nike’s lightweight racer weighs only 6.0 ounces for a half pair of US 9.

Most of the midsole is made of ZoomX – a PEBA foam that also helps the Vaporfly Next% keep its weight low. Even the forefoot outsole of the Streakfly is made of foam, with only the heel getting two thin lugs of hard rubber.

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly in a 10K race.

The rear outsole of the Nike ZoomX Streakfly.

Over the lightweight midsole is a featherweight upper that uses a breathable mesh with no superfluous trims.

The ZoomX Streakfly is an excellent shoe for runs up to a 10K distance. The soft foam stack has sufficient ride comfort for mid-distance runs, whereas the embedded midfoot shank maintains transition efficiency. It’s not perfect, though – our detailed review explains why.

Weight: 6.0 ounces or 170 grams.

The Hoka Cielo Road on a scale.

Also look at the Hoka Cielo Road – a lightweight, short-distance racer.

Also see: The New Balance SC Pacer – a lightweight (7.1-ounces) yet soft racing shoe with a Carbon transition plate. Or the Saucony Sinister – an ultralight racing flat that’s similar to the discontinued Reebok Run Fast Pro. Also consider the Hoka Cielo Road – our favourite 5K racer.

 

Lightweight trail runner
Brooks Catamount 3 product box


Brooks Catamount 3

This trail shoe borrows the DNA Flash foam from the Hyperion to deliver lightweight comfort and stability.

Buy from REI.com

The Brooks Catamount 3 uses the same midsole tech as the Brooks Hyperion 2, so the hyper-lightweight DNA Flash (Nitrogen-infused EVA foam) makes the Catamount cushioned, yet versatile and protective on the trails.

The shoe weighs just over 9 ounces, and that’s very respectable for a product with a trail-worthy outsole and transition plate. The aggressive lugs made from the sticky rubber (TrailTack) compound deliver a sufficient bite. Inside the midsole, the ‘Skyvault’ plate helps guide the foot through the gait cycle.

We think highly of the Hyperion Tempo 2’s cushioning, and the same material provides the Catamount 3 with supportive cushioning on the trail. The midsole design is trail-focused, so the edges ‘cup’ the rearfoot for a seated feel.

The firm ride of the 6mm offset midsole has inherent stability for off-road runs with sufficient comfort for high-mileage trail runs.

The upper keeps the weight low by applying protective urethane films over a mesh exterior. The partial sleeve helps keep the debris out and secures the midfoot.

Weight: 9.4 ounces or 266 grams.

 

Lightweight trail runner
adidas Terrex Agravic Speed product box


adidas Terrex Agravic Speed

True to its name, the ‘Lightstrike” foam adds lightweight cushioning to the Agravic Speed.

Buy from adidas.com

Thanks to the Lightstrike Pro foam, Adidas running shoes are getting lighter by the year. Adidas’s high-performance midsole foam has now replaced the heavier Boost foam on their Terrex trail line-up, so this has led to noticeable weight savings.

The Terrex Agravic Speed is a good example. Even with a firmer EVA foam frame on top of the Lightstrike Pro base, the shoe weighs 8.5 ounces.

The shoe packs a surprisingly high level of kit for its weight. There’s a full-length Continental rubber outsole for grip and protection, along with a thick midsole with stack heights of 30 mm (heel) and 22 mm (forefoot).

The ‘Speed’ suffix in the shoe’s name suggests that the Agravic Speed is designed for fast trail runs, but it’s quite versatile. The Lightstrike Pro foam core and EVA frame add comfort and stability to everyday trail runs. The lightweight upper is non-distracting, yet secure and protective where it needs to be.

Weight: 8.5 ounces or 241 grams.

 

How we selected

The weight of the Asics Cumulus 26.

The easiest way to write this guide would be to compile a list of lightweight running shoes with their weights sorted in ascending order.

But that would be a completely pointless exercise, because that list would be full of impractical racing flats. A more effective approach is to group the shoes by use cases – in the same way that most of our guides are structured.

If this piece had been written a decade ago, most lightweight shoes would have featured injection-molded EVA midsoles with a token placement of outsole rubber.

Back then, running shoes had to conform to a strict weight budget – cuts made in one place had to be compensated elsewhere. Design and material cutbacks usually meant a compromise in performance or durability.

The Hoka Mach 6 in a road race.

The Hoka Mach 6 is an excellent lightweight trainer.

Those constraints do not apply to modern running shoes. Contemporary lightweight running shoes routinely match – and sometimes exceed – the median lifespan.

While midsole foam materials have vastly improved, a lightweight build is also a result of the upper and outsole. Single-piece engineered mesh uppers help reduce weight, as do thinner outsoles.

Thick outsoles made of superior rubber or flexible geometry are still the most durable kind. At the same time, brands use a combination of improved compounds and clever engineering to reduce weight without sacrificing durability.

For example, the Nike Vaporfly 3 relies on thin, perforated lugs that flex together with the Pebax midsole. Shoes like the Asics Cumulus 26 feature an all-foam outsole.

Not long ago, 12 – 13 ounces was the acceptable weight range (refer to our 2011-2012 reviews) for a running shoe. Today, a shoe is deemed heavy if it exceeds 10 ounces.

The Hoka Cielo Road on a scale.

New midsole foams – like the one the Hoka Cielo Road uses – help reduce weight.

In nearly all situations, a lighter running shoe is always better. Runners love the NB Fuelcell Rebel 4 or Brooks Hyperion 2 not just because they’re cushioned and versatile, but also how light and non-distracting they feel during runs.

Trail running shoes are an exception – removing things like the rock plate, a rugged outsole, and protective upper overlays affects the functionality.

That said, the times have changed – even for trail running shoes. Both the Brooks Catamount 3 and adidas Agravic Speed use lightweight foam compounds for significant weight-related improvements.

As a side note, certain stability shoes cannot function without additional support features. Models like the Brooks Beast 20 or the Saucony Omni 20 have wide midsoles with raised rims and plastic stabilizers. Here, a lighter build will water down the functional proposition.

The bar for the ‘lightest’ tag isn’t the same for every category. It would be unfair to expect a cushioned and mileage-friendly running shoe to weigh the same as a racing flat.

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