7 Best Speed Training Running Shoes in 2024 (2024)

While not exactly supersonic, the Mach 5 defies physics with its unwavering momentum. A true maestro in its field, its fluid ride overflows with wild energy and soars this shoe to our top spot overall for speed training.

How this Hoka seamlessly blended with our feet during our runs was mystical. A fresh and light foam got us feeling like floating on sparky energy, flooding the midsole with ginger and leg-saving sorcery. Putting this material against our durometer revealed a velvety 15.0 HA score, marking this foam as 39.0% softer than average. This means it’s less dense than usual, which translates to its featherlight 225 grams (7.9 oz).

Its flexibility numbers are exceptional, setting our untamed spirits free. Locking the Mach 5 by its tip to assess its resistance to being bent 90 degrees, our force gauge measured an easygoing 20.3N, rendering it 33.9% more flexible than average.

Plus, this shoe remains highly stable even when cornering at full speed! Its generous platform effectively avoids landing instability, with our caliper measuring a 96.7 mm midsole width at the heel, 6.8 mm above average.

However, we do not recommend taking the Mach 5 for a rainy workout. Its grip leaves a lot to be desired in wet conditions, tempering the overall performance of this speedster.

At $100, Revel 6 offers speed with a durable outsole and a protective cushion. For the price, it already has the qualities we look for in more premium shoes. Our lab results and actual runs agree it’s the best-value speed-training shoe.

With its rocker structure and flexible forefoot, our toe-offs are buttery smooth. This promotes efficient turnover and a faster pace since the momentum stays strong. The midsole flows with our feet — working with us instead of against us. Our flex test confirms it's 36.2% more flexible than average. Its airy 9.2 oz (261g) weight makes us more agile vs. the 9.5 oz (268g) average of road-running shoes.

Its cushion feels delightful and supportive at the same time. Our durometer measured the foam to be 16.6% softer than average, dampening landing impact without sinking too much. When moving our weight from side to side, our feet remain steady. As confirmed by our torsional rigidity test, it sits above average — making it tougher to twist. This type of support is great for pronators.

Based on our durometer, the 84.0 HC outsole is tougher than the average (80.0 HC). Harder rubber means more resistance to wear. This budget shoe can last many miles.

Unfortunately, the harder rubber lacks grip on smooth and wet surfaces.

The fourth Novablast is living proof that speed and comfort can seamlessly blend. A remarkable foam delivers energy beneath our feet while providing much relief and stability to ease out the most brutal speed sessions. Our lab results back up Novablast 4 as our top speedster pick with the best plush cushioning.

Our durometer reveals the midsole is only 16.9 HA, 28.7% softer than average. This indicates a decadent foam and our feet wholeheartedly agree. Despite the lighter foam, our runs feel energetic. What’s amazing is how the comfort and pop don’t fade away as we run longer miles, making the ride all the more enjoyable. Novablast 4 firmly established its leg-saving feature when our caliper measured a towering 39.2 mm heel stack vs. the 33.5 mm average.

We’re caught off-guard by this maximalist’s stable ride. It offers generous width to the midsole to firmly plant our feet to the ground. Our caliper measures a vast 122.8/94.7 mm landing platform. Even as we approached fast turns, we didn’t lose our balance.

While we find Novablast 4 grippy enough on most pavements, it still lacks grip on wet surfaces. We recommend checking other options if reliable traction is a must.

One could describe the Endorphin Speed 3 as a massive scorching air bubble. Given the average 244 grams (8.6 oz) for speed trainers, we had to double-check its feathery mass. Debunking its 225 grams (7.9 oz), a nylon plate takes the reins of speed while the silky midsole tempted us to chase more and more miles.

Head to head with the usual carbon fiber, this nylon plate may not feel as mighty. Still, it’s as snappy as we could dream of, with a pristine propulsion game that gracefully catapulted our fartlek paces. Our 90 degrees bending test confirmed its supple build, emerging as a charming 23.4% more flexible than average.

On top of this, the energy return coming from the midsole is otherworldly. With a score of 13.8 HA in our durometer - meaning it’s 43.9% softer than average - this silky foam enchanted our legs from the very first rep. Moreover, the Speed 3 ride is incredibly stable at any pace, with a midsole width of 89.5 mm at the heel closing in on the 89.9 mm norm.

Runners with narrow feet who prefer a snug fit might need to be cautious with this Saucony. Our caliper measured a toebox width of 98.5 mm at its widest, just above the average of 97.9 mm.

Despite its flat profile, the Kinvara 14 aims for the stars. The 4.1 mm heel-to-toe drop stood out from his data sheet, with its ultra-light and nimble aura perfectly complementing our speed sessions.

With a scalpel and caliper, we did our geeky thing. We measured a stack of 30.3 mm at the heel, just over the average of 29.2 mm for speed trainers. By hovering around the average, the Kinvara 14 combines ample protection without standing in the way of performance.

The lightweight construction of the Kinvara was made for speed sessions. Its 194 grams (6.84 oz) sit light years below the average of 244 grams (8.61 oz), disappearing on the foot after a couple of quick strides. Being incredibly bendable in all directions seals the deal, enhancing an untamed ride that had us unleashing our true potential. Turning to our force gauge once again, this Saucony emerged as 49.8% more flexible than average in our 90º pliability assessment.

However, a chilly 20-minute stay in our freezer saw the Kinvara stiffen up by a massive 86.9%, which is rather disappointing when the average increase sits at 45.5%. Runners might need to double-check their weather charts before diving into the Kinvara 14.

When it comes to preparing for track season, the Metaspeed Edge+ is the ultimate beast. This supershoe handles the 100m turns gracefully, only to burst out with zillions of watts when pushing the speedometer.

As a racing high-tech shoe, no wonder its mighty ride left us in ecstasy. An insanely stiff carbon plate lies within the midsole, aggressively propelling us to new bests each rep. Putting the Edge+ to our 90º bending test revealed a massive 63.0N resistance, more than double the average - numbers of an infamous powerhouse.

With a seamlessly low profile and a rather firm midsole, the Edge+ feels remarkably quick and agile. Our durometer ranked the foam beneath our feet as 23.2% harder than average, with a lovely surprise coming from the freezer. If one were to put the Edge+ next to the frozen peas, it would firm up by a mere 8.1% after 20 minutes - optimal numbers next to the 27.2% average. Add the utterly sticky and smooth outsole, and this shoe becomes a lightning-fast devil with the reflexes of a feline.

Keep in mind that this shoe belongs to the ASICS’ premium arsenal, as reflected in its $250 starting price, tailored for unafraid investors.

Those in need of a stability running kick for speed workouts, look no further. The Saucony Tempus manages overpronation with class while rocking high-speed runs with an energetic rebound and an impenetrable outsole.

Saucony didn’t overcomplicate the stabilizing system, putting all chips on the star player - the midsole. Crafted from a composed foam, it widens towards the outsole’s edges in the name of a steady ride that flooded our runs. Checking its footprint with our caliper revealed a midsole width of 117.4 mm at the forefoot and 94.5 mm at the heel, effortlessly surpassing the average by 4.6 mm in both measurements.

A rockered geometry delighted our testing sessions, smoothing out our infinitesimal heel-to-toe transitions. The fun and lively midsole puts the Tempus on the speedy side, bouncing back joyful bursts of energy with each step. And beneath it all, lies a titanic outsole. With a score of 89.5 HC in our durometer, the underfoot rubber emerges as incredibly tough and dense, promising an endless lifespan. For comparison, the average outsole sits at a way softer 80.0 HC.

At $160 though, this is a pricey speedster. Stability shoes average $135, so budget-conscious speed lovers might need to think twice before diving into the Tempus experience.