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A year ago, running shoes, with carbon-fiber plates embedded in thick, cushy midsole foam, were still a $180
7.4 oz., 5mm heel-toe offset
The third shoe HOKA has developed with a carbon-fiber plate, the Rocket X falls between the burly Carbon X and the low-to-the-ground Carbon Rocket. Compared to the Carbon X (and other marathon shoes included in this review), the Rocket X’s plate is far straighter. As such, it feels like it lifts you onto your toes more than it rolls off the toes. That produces a powerful lever to propel you forward, but requires a strong stride: up on your toes and forward-balanced, driving with calves and posterior chain. Settling into a less aggressive stride the shoe feels like you have to work against it some, rolling over up and over the rigid plate. The Rocket X is lighter, softer and more breathable than the Carbon X shoe and could double as a performance trainer. (Some of our wear-testers thought it felt like HOKA’s Rincon shoe with much more energetic pop.) Three of the top eight women in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon wore these shoes (before they were released), including winner Aliphine Tuliamuk of Team NAZ Elite.
Skechers GOrun Speed Elite Hyper, $185
5.7 oz., 4mm heel-toe offset
Skechers Performance has paid a lot of time and attention to the evolution of its line of racing shoes and the GOrun Speed Elite Hyper certainly feels like a marquee model. The featherweright Hyperburst foam provides a unique cushioning that molds and cradles without deflecting much—thus it feels soft on the foot bones while still being stable and firm enough for the push-off phase. The combination of that midsole foam, a moderate rocker shape and a firm, polymer plate (it’s technically a plastic plate infused with carbon-fiber as opposed to a plate made entirely of carbon-fiber) allow it to serve up an efficient ride that still gives the shoe noticeable “pop” in the forefoot. The moderate thickness of the midsole and the low heel-toe offset give it a sense of inherent stability and enhanced agility for turning and cornering. We really liked it as a workout and short-distance road racing shoe (1 mile to 5K for most, maybe a half when fit and flying) because it’s a fun, energetic shoe that favors high-cadence running and provides a pronounced connection with the ground.
Cushioned Flexible-Plate Training Shoes
These models use a plate to enhance turn-over and propulsion, but one that isn’t as rigid and curved. They are more forgiving and versatile and feel fast, but don’t necessarily promise the energy-savings of the full super shoes.
Saucony Endorphin Speed, $160
7.8 oz., 8mm heel-toe offset
The middle model of the trio of shoes in the Saucony Endorphin line, the Endorphin Speed has a semi-flexible nylon plate embedded in a similar midsole as the Endorphin Pro—made from the same responsive PWRRUN PB. While the Endorphin Pro is a sharp, race-day shoe, the Endorphin Speed was designed as a performance trainer, but we found it also plays well as a high-mileage, everyday trainer. With a slightly less curvy plate, the Speed lacks the snap of the Pro but instead has a soft, smooth, and slightly bouncy ride that is versatile enough for effective running at faster paces for tempo workouts, fartleks and intervals as well as moderate paces for long runs. If you aren’t going to be spending all your time up on your toes with a race-fast turnover, these might well be a better bet than the rigid-plate racers.
On Cloudboom, $200
7.9 oz., 9mm heel-toe offset
On’s carbon-fiber-infused “speedboard” boosts propulsion as it flexes and rebounds, and provides a proprioceptive platform between two layers of independent Cloud pods of semi-firm, bouncy Helion foam that have variable densities and rebound characteristics based on where they are positioned under the foot. The fit is exceptional, hugging the heel and midfoot while leaving slightly more room in the forefoot. The ride feels low to the ground, connected, smooth and speedy, while limited segments of outsole rubber optimizes traction while keeping the weight down. The upper gives off an airy, “barely there” sensation, making the Cloudboom feel lighter than it is. Our wear-testers reported it rides like a surprisingly comfortable track spike for road racing.