Updated October 16, 2026. Prices checked October 16, 2026.
Five shoes cost between $150 and $160: four daily trainers and one stability shoe. RunRepeat tested each one in its lab. The ASICS Novablast 6 leads by a wide margin. The ASICS GT-2000 15 is the stability shoe, and RunRepeat rates its stability the best among daily trainers. The adidas Adizero EVO SL gives the most bounce for the weight, and the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 has the most cushioning.
How these scores are built. Road shoes are judged mainly on cushioning and comfort, which counts for 45% of the score. Ride and energy return counts 25%, and the other two criteria count 15% each. Based on: Lab and wear tests by RunRepeat, manufacturer specifications and prices read on retailer or brand pages. Most shoes rest on one independent test source. We do not test products in person. 9 source pages are linked under the 5 products so you can check each finding. How we score.
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Product
Best for
Cushioning and comfort
Score
1
ASICS Novablast 6
Best overall
9
8.7
2
adidas Adizero EVO SL
Bounciest daily trainer
7
7.7
3
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6
Most cushioning
9.5
7.6
4
ASICS GT-2000 15
Best overall
7.5
7.5
5
HOKA Clifton 11
Plush easy miles
8.5
7.1
01
ASICS Novablast 6
Best overall, $155
8.7/10
Cushioning and comfort 45%
9/10
Ride and energy return 25%
8.5/10
Weight 15%
8/10
Durability 15%
9/10
Pros
RunRepeat measured a 39.2/32.1 mm stack with shock absorption of 143 in the heel and 130 in the forefoot, against 131 and 108 for the average road trainer.
It weighs 8.8 oz, and the outsole took a 0.5 mm Dremel dent against a 1.1 mm average, so it wears better than most.
Cons
RunRepeat found it less stable than the Novablast 5, and heel strikers may prefer another shoe.
The toebox is tapered, and the price went up slightly.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
02
adidas Adizero EVO SL
Bounciest daily trainer, $150
7.7/10
Cushioning and comfort 45%
7/10
Ride and energy return 25%
9.5/10
Weight 15%
9/10
Durability 15%
5.5/10
Pros
RunRepeat measured energy return of 74.3% in the heel and 70.3% in the forefoot, against averages of 58.6% and 60.9%.
At 7.9 oz it is 15.8% lighter than average, and the midsole bends 35.5% more easily than the average shoe.
Cons
The tongue is short and has no gussets, and RunRepeat rates the laces as poor quality.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
03
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6
Most cushioning, $160
7.6/10
Cushioning and comfort 45%
9.5/10
Ride and energy return 25%
6.5/10
Weight 15%
3.5/10
Durability 15%
7.5/10
Pros
RunRepeat recorded the highest shock absorption of any New Balance shoe it tested, on a wide and stable platform.
Energy return improved over the More v5, and the price stayed the same.
Cons
It is still a heavy shoe, and the interior is narrow and low volume.
Airflow is weak, and the low drop does not suit everyone.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
04
ASICS GT-2000 15
Best overall, $150
7.5/10
Standout strength. Stability shoe. RunRepeat rates its stability the best among the daily trainers it tested.
Cushioning and comfort 45%
7.5/10
Ride and energy return 25%
6.5/10
Weight 15%
7.5/10
Durability 15%
9/10
Pros
RunRepeat named it the stability leader among daily trainers, with a 3D Guidance System that adds arch support without a medial post.
It has stunning durability, improved energy return and a big weight cut, and it comes in D, 2E and 4E widths.
Cons
The price rose a little, and the toebox can feel cramped.
RunRepeat says it is a poor match for runners who dislike max cushioning.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
05
HOKA Clifton 11
Plush easy miles, $155
7.1/10
Cushioning and comfort 45%
8.5/10
Ride and energy return 25%
4.5/10
Weight 15%
6.5/10
Durability 15%
8/10
Pros
RunRepeat praises plush cushioning for easy miles, a protective ride for heel strikers and a durable outsole.
Breathability is excellent, and the shoe is lighter and more flexible than the previous Clifton.
Cons
Energy return is very low, again.
The max stack can feel bulky, the toebox is narrow and tapered, and the tongue has no gussets.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
How we picked
Each score comes from RunRepeat’s lab and wear tests, manufacturer specifications and the price on a retailer or brand page. RunRepeat earns commissions on shoes it recommends, so most shoes here rest on one independent source. We do not test shoes in person. Ratings are our assessment and fit varies by foot, so treat the scores as a guide and try shoes on when you can.
Every shoe is scored on the same four road criteria. The energy return score of the stability shoe comes from RunRepeat’s notes on it.
What we left out
Saucony Ride 19 ($145), HOKA Mach 7 ($145), Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 ($155), Saucony Guide 19 ($150), HOKA Arahi 9 ($155), Nike Structure 26 ($155) and ASICS GT-1000 15 ($115): lab-tested and priced, but they scored lower than the five shoes above. Each ranking keeps its five best scores.
Nike Winflo 12 ($110) and Brooks Launch 12 ($120): lab-tested, but heavy or simple, and lower scoring.
Brooks Ghost 18 ($150), Nike Pegasus 42 ($145) and ASICS GEL-Cumulus 28 ($145): prices read, no lab test found.
PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro, Mizuno Neo Vista 3 and adidas Supernova Solution 3: lab scores, but we could not read a US price.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 ($150): RunRepeat found cushioning but below-average outsole durability and weak support for many overpronators.
What to look for
A midsole that suits your pace: soft foam for easy miles, bouncier foam if you also run tempo
A tongue with gussets, which keeps the shoe from sliding
A wide platform or support frame if your foot rolls inward
Questions
Why is a stability shoe in the road ranking?
Every road shoe is scored on the same four criteria. The ASICS GT-2000 15 adds a guiding platform, which the standout line on its entry names, and it scores below the leading trainers on cushioning.
How is the energy return of the GT-2000 15 scored?
RunRepeat reports improved energy return for it, which we scored 6.5.
Why are the other stability shoes and trainers missing?
Each ranking keeps its five best scores. Seven lab-tested shoes in this price range scored lower: the Saucony Ride 19, HOKA Mach 7, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, Saucony Guide 19, HOKA Arahi 9, Nike Structure 26 and ASICS GT-1000 15.
Why is the Brooks Ghost not here?
The Ghost 18 costs $150 on REI, but we found no lab test for it in the sources we read. We left it out rather than score it from owner reviews alone.
Where do the prices come from?
The regular price on REI, Nike, ASICS, Fleet Feet or the brand site on October 15 and 16, 2026. Sale and outlet prices are ignored.