Best for daily runs

Asics Cumulus 27

Like last year’s model, the Cumulus 27 skips outsole rubber to achieve its 9.3-ounce weight.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Cumulus 27 here.

On paper, the Cumulus 27 is similar to the Cumulus 26. There’s no outsole per se, at least in a traditional sense. Asics doesn’t use rubber for this model’s outsole; it uses a firm EVA foam. The grip quality suffers on slushy and/or smooth surfaces, but in return, you get a 9.3 ounce (265 gram) neutral trainer. This year’s model is slightly heavier, by 0.2 ounces or 6 grams, due to Asics’ new FlyteFoam Blast+ foam. It’s a denser version of what the Cumulus 26 used, so it’s also firmer.

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Runners swapping their Cumulus 26 for the 27 will find a less plush shoe. The soft footbed and foam lasting are identical to last year, but the new midsole isn’t as soft. It’s still a very cushioned shoe – the forefoot and heel stack heights are 32 mm and 40 mm. Because of the firmer ride, it’s easier to run faster in this version. While the midsole lacks a rocker, the added firmness makes transitions happen quicker.

Updates to the Cumulus 27’s upper include a thicker tongue and mesh. The gusset mesh no longer uses spacer mesh, negatively affecting the ventilation. While the sizing is similar (it’s true to size), the upper lacks the soft hand feel and ventilation of the previous model. The new elastic heel loop is a useful addition that makes it easier to put the shoe on. While sizing is similar the Cumulus 26 (it’s still true to size), the Cumulus 27 is also offered in optional narrow (women only) wide, extra-wide widths.

Weight: 9.3 ounces or 265 grams.

Best for long runs

Asics Novablast 5

Despite the generous Flytefoam stack, the peppy Novablast 5 comes in at just 9 ounces.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Novablast 5 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 misread the shoe. The tall midsole (41.5 mm and 33.5 mm stack) would suggest a cushioned shoe for leisurely runs, but the Novablast has more than meets the eye. The Superblast 2 (LINK) isn’t on this guide, but you can also consider that shoe for long runs, marathon training, and race day.

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The rocker midsole and bouncy Flytefoam Blast Max foam make the cushioning tempo-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 5 doesn’t struggle at 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) paces. If you want a quicker Novablast, consider the version 3 or 4. The Novablast 5 is much softer than the Novablast 4, so a few things happen as a result. The shoe isn’t as stable for heavy runners, and the rocker effect isn’t as strong.

The secure 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. Asics also updates the upper design and mesh to make the interiors more spacious and breathable.

Weight: 9.0 ounces or 255 grams.

Best for 10K and marathons

Hoka Rocket X3

The Rocket X3’s lightweight cushioning has the speed and comfort for racing.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Hoka Rocket X3 here.

Based on its weight alone, the Rocket X3 isn’t the lightest carbon-plated racer. The Asics Metaspeed Ray (4.2 ounces), Metaspeed Edge and Sky (5.5 ounces) weigh considerably less than the Rocket X. However, this buyer’s guide is about the best lightweight shoes, and that’s where the Hoka shoe has an edge over comparable racers. By super-shoe standards, the Rocket X3 is more usable than, say, the Metaspeed series. The heel and forefoot have ample outsole coverage, and the midsole maintains its structure during heel strikes and at slower paces. The dual-density PEBA midsole features a firmer rearfoot wedge and a softer forefoot insert. Together, they produce bouncy ride comfort that complements the snappy carbon plate and midsole rocker.

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The upper fit is excellent – just right for a racing shoe. The Rocket X3’s snug fit locks the foot down for maximum power transfer to the midsole; it also enhances the rocker effect and cushioning responsiveness. The interiors are super comfortable as well. The Rocket X3 defies convention by adding a daily trainer-like heel collar and padding to maximize comfort. The tongue uses soft-touch mesh, and the laces have a serrated/ribbed texture for a secure cinch. The ventilated mesh keeps the feet cool during high-intensity runs.

Weight: 7.1 ounces or 201 grams.

Best for 10K, tempo, interval

Hoka Mach 6

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

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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.

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.

Best for track, 5K races

Nike Streakfly 2

The Streakfly now includes a full carbon plate, making it a strict track and short-distance racer.

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With a full-length carbon plate, the Nike Streakfly is a scaled-down version of the Vaporfly 4. The midsole is made entirely of ZoomX foam, with low stack heights of 26 mm in the heel and 22 mm in the forefoot. The upper, while visually similar to the Vaporfly, has an ultra-tight fit. But that’s where the similarities end. Don’t expect a highly cushioned ride from the low-profile midsole, nor should you expect a particularly comfortable upper fit.

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The Streakfly performs exceptionally well in only a couple of scenarios. It’s best used for sprint training on synthetic Tartan tracks or as a 5K racer. The forefoot is extremely stiff – similar to a track spike – which makes it ideal for super-quick turnovers. That’s also where most of the waffle rubber outsole is concentrated, providing reliable traction during forefoot landings and take-offs. The Streakfly 2 is not suitable for heel strikers or speeds slower than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) due to its unique geometry and limited cushioning.

Weight: 5.1 ounces or 145 grams for a half pair of US 10.

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

Best for trail

adidas Terrex Agravic Speed

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

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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.

Also see: The Brooks Catamount 4.

How we selected

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, like how 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 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 Asics Metaspeed series feature thin rubber outsoles that flex together with the Flytefoam midsole. Shoes like the Asics Cumulus 27 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.

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 5 or Asics Novablast 5 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.

The bar for the ‘lightest’ tag varies across categories. It would be unfair to expect a cushioned and mileage-friendly running shoe to weigh the same as a racing flat.