Top 5 Versatile Running Shoes
Sportitude Running shoe expert Josh Willoughby shares with you our top 5 versatile running shoes for 2023, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, Asics NovaBlast 3, New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Trainer, Altra Vanish Tempo and Hoka Mach 5. He provides a shoe review of each to deliver insight on which running shoe offers the best fit, feel and function for you.
A versatile running shoe is a must-have in every runner's shoe rotation or as a stand-alone shoe in your running wardrobe. Finding the best versatile running shoe for you can help keep you on track of your running goals – from snappy speedwork to high mileage runs to daily training.
What does it take to be crowned one of the top 5 versatile running shoes? Our selection was based on the Sportitude team’s experience, customer feedback and conversations with our referring partners. We’ve also taken into account the durability of each running shoe and whether it provides consistent performance over its entire lifespan, alongside the improvements made from its predecessor.
A common theme among our top 5 versatile running shoes selection is cushioning in a lightweight package – providing a balance of protection during longer runs and responsiveness for when you’re eager to shift the pace up a gear.
Check out the review with full transcript below.
Hey guys Josh here from Sportitude Running and today we are going to be talking all things versatile running shoes.
We're fast approaching the halfway point of the year in June 2023 and it's a great time to talk to you, the running community, about versatile trainers. We have five of what we feel to be the very best options for you.
In today's review we'll talk about them individually, why they've come into the versatile conversation and give you all the information that you need at home to potentially make your next running shoe purchase. Let's get stuck in.
What Is A Versatile Running Shoe?
Before we jump into the review and discuss the tech features of every single running shoe, let's talk about what actually makes a versatile running shoe a versatile running shoe. We throw this phrase out quite often downstairs amongst our team at Sportitude Running.
If you're going on a holiday and you're heading away for four weeks and you had only one running shoe you could take, what would it be?
The reason we throw that out is because a versatile shoe needs to be able to cover you from your mileage running through to your speedwork and potentially even be used for a race.
When you're talking about versatility, technically speaking every single road running shoe can be used as a versatile shoe. You can use a good soft mileage shoe for speedwork, and you can use a lighter speed shoe for some mileage running.
However, what we tend to find is that your heavier running shoes aren’t as poppy and your lighter shoes don't tend to be as stable, so this versatile category really does play across all areas of your running program requirements.
How have we come to this top selection? We've discussed this amongst ourselves, had conversations with trusted customers and with allied health professionals.
1. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Running Shoes
#1 in our most versatile running shoes for 2023 is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. This running shoe is probably or arguably the most versatile shoe currently on the market. It's light without being unstable, cushioned without being heavy and it is certainly snappy without being too stiff.
This running shoe is a very popular shoe across the running community and we have a lot of runners gravitating towards it. It's also a great shoe for someone who can't tolerate a carbon plate or is looking for their first plated shoe. It has an EVA plate injected into the midsole, so it has a snappy feel but it's not overly stiff like you would find with your carbon plate running shoes.
The other great thing about this running shoe is the upper. While it is light and refined, it is structured as well. It features a good heel counter, great saddle hold and the forefoot is nice and generous.
Taking a deeper dive at the specs of this running shoe, we have a PWRRUN PB midsole, a very soft, resilient, springy foam from Saucony. It's on a relatively generous heel-to-toe offset of 8mm, with a 36mm heel and 28mm forefoot. It’s a lightweight option, being 229 grams in a men's size 9 and 204 grams for a women’s size 7.
Why did this make it into our top versatile running shoes selection? It is light without being unstable, it's cushioned without being heavy and it is snappy without being too racy.
We know a lot of people in the Sportitude Running community use this running shoe for everything from longer runs to shorter, quicker runs and we've even seen a lot of people PB on race day in this shoe.
It is a fantastic option for those of you looking for a versatile running shoe that can pretty much do it all.
2. Asics NovaBlast 3 Running Shoes
#2 in our top versatile running shoes selection is the Asics NovaBlast 3 running shoes. This running shoe has been versatile for a few years now and nothing has changed. The great thing about this running shoe is it is cushioned underneath the foot, but it's cushioned on a very light package.
For a runner who's coming from an Asics Gel Nimbus or something along those lines with their mileage training and wants a little bit more versatility and a lighter package but likes cushioning, the Asics NovaBlast 3 is certainly a running shoe you should be considering.
Let's take a deep dive into the tech and the stats of this running shoe. We have an 8mm offset with 31mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot. FlyteFoam Blast Plus technology is injected through that midsole. It features a jacquard mesh upper and AHAR Plus rubber outsole configuration. (Above is the Limited Edition model featuring a Nexkin mesh upper instead of jacquard mesh for improved ventilation).
This running shoe is very light and a lot of that is to do with elements that have been reduced or removed. It’s not an overly complicated outsole, and being a single density foam midsole, it is light and relatively responsive. The great thing about this running shoe and why it's so popular is because of its cushioning element.
The reason this running shoe has made it into this top selection for versatility is purely and simply because it is a very light but a cushioned running shoe.
If you're someone who's transitioning from your daily trainer, something like an Asics Gel Nimbus or a New Balance 1080, you like that soft, spongy feel under your body and you want it on a lighter package, the Asics NovaBlast 3 is certainly one you should be considering.
3. New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Trainer Running Shoes
The #3 running shoe in our top 5 versatile running shoes selection is none other than the New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Trainer. This running shoe is more cushioned regarding the other categories we're going to talk about today.
With the excessive amount of FuelCell foam underneath the foot and the Energy Arc carbon plate, this running shoe provides a stable and smooth transition through entry to midstance. However, the roll through the forefoot with that carbon plate makes it a snappy release through your toe-off.
Taking a deep dive look at the stats of this running shoe, we have quite a lot underneath the foot. We have 47mm in the heel and 39mm at the forefoot for that heel-to-toe offset of 8mm.
There's FuelCell foam underneath the body for a really soft but spongy and responsive foam on offer. It has a relatively durable outsole across the border, both on the medial side, lateral side and the heel of the running shoe.
The upper is very breathable but also quite techy regarding how the foot feels in the heel counter and how that saddle feels through midstance. With this running shoe there is a higher stack. There is that carbon plate injection to the midsole and the upper plays an important part in keeping your foot on top of the platform.
The reason the New Balance FuelCell Super Comp Trainer has made it into the top versatile running shoe selection is because it is a slightly more stable cushioned shoe. The other running shoes are certainly lighter, but this running shoe is great for someone who wants speed but needs more protection under the body.
At Sportitude Running and across the running community, we have found this running shoe to be used for runners looking for that easy trainer on the weekends. We have had great success with this running shoe for someone looking for that extra support but in a speed package. They can get a little bit more out of the running shoe by putting their foot on that midsole to engage with the carbon plate.
We have sold this running shoe to a number of long-distance triathletes and Ironman 70.3 athletes who are wanting a little bit more out of their running shoe, but want and expect that race feel underneath the body.
4. Altra Vanish Tempo Running Shoes
For #4 in our most versatile running shoes for 2023, I hold in my hand the Altra Vanish Tempo. It’s probably the surprise packet in our opinion at Sportitude Running of this category.
This running shoe is very light and extremely comfortable. The slim foot shape through the forefoot allows a little bit more splay and wriggle room in your toe box. The midsole with the EGO Pro technology is a resilient offering underneath the body. It had everyone use this for some easy days out the road to your speed days on the footpaths. It’s very comfortable, light and snappy.
Let's take a deep dive look at the stats. First things first, we have the EGO Pro midsole on a 33mm stack in the heel and 33mm stack in the forefoot, making it a a zero-drop running shoe.
Don’t be alarmed, that slim fit foot shape through the forefoot allows wiggle room through the front half of your toe box which allows your foot to splay, engage and release on a stable platform.
The other thing about this running shoe which plays into why it’s versatile is that it is light, weighing in at 232 grams in a men's size 9 and 195 grams in a women’s size 7.
The reason it is in this top versatile running shoes conversation is purely and simply because if you're a runner that likes or tolerates a slightly lower drop and is looking for something that's resilient on the road for long days, but wants something snappy as you pick up the pace, this shoe is certainly one to consider.
5. Hoka Mach 5 Running Shoes
The last shoe rounding out our top 5 versatile running shoes for 2023 is an old favourite of mine, the Hoka Mach 5. This running shoe has had some ups and downs over the years but what we have found with the Hoka Mach 5 is that it’s a very comfortable running shoe on the foot.
We get a nice, cushioned feel under the body but it's all in a light package. It's quite easy to pick up the pace with this running shoe.
Let's take a deep dive look at the stats. It features a 5mm offset with 30mm in the heel and 25mm in the forefoot. It’s 232 grams in a men's size 9 and around 192 grams in a women’s size 7.
This running shoe speaks right to that consumer looking for that light but cushioned package. The PROFLY midsole and the rubberised EVA plays into the same piece of technology. Therefore, we've sacrificed a little bit of weight by having that rubberised EVA.
With that weight reduction you may find the running shoe to not be quite as durable as a Hoka Clifton, mainly due to the fact that it's on a lower stack and that rubberised EVA doesn't quite have the durability that the Hoka Clifton holds.
The jacquard mesh upper provides a strong, stable controlled upper and a breathable configuration which is exactly what you want with your road running shoes. The reason it's in this category is because it's cushioned but it's light.
This running shoe has spoken to that runner for a number of years in the Hoka offering. While it's not the lightest in this offering and it's certainly not the most cushioned, it plays to that runner who wants a running shoe to be easy on the foot for long days, but also nice and light for you to pick up the pace.
It’s quite a consistent theme regarding the versatile running shoes. The Hoka Mach 5 is something that I would consider for a runner transitioning from a Hoka Clifton wanting that fit and feel in a lighter package.
The Wrap Up
There you have it, the top 5 versatile running shoes for the front half of 2023. We have tried to cover every single category within the versatile category, from your cushioned running shoes, to your lightweight running shoes, your racing shoes and everything in between.
If you have a versatile running shoe in your shoe rotation and it hasn't been discussed, please contact our Sportitude shoe experts and let us know. Alternatively, if you have one of these running shoes we'd love to know how it's going for you for all of your training.
As I touched on, it's the halfway point of 2023 and I know that you are out there chasing those PBs and enjoying your running. Let's make the back half of 2023 just as enjoyable.
Until next time, stay safe, be kind to one another, happy running and we'll see you on the road. Take care.
For a more in-depth shoe fitting experience, you can book a free 15 minute video chat in a Live Fit session or make an appointment to discover your RunDNA at Sportitude Running@Hindmarsh.
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