Team Picks: Our Favourite Running Shoes in Each Category

By RunDNA

Published on May 13, 2025

7 min read

Chosen by the team

Welcome to our latest roundup of running shoes! We asked our staff to pick their favourites across four key categories—and we’ve narrowed it down to their top two choices in each.

First up; daily trainers, your reliable companions for clocking most of your weekly mileage. Next are the super trainers, the versatile workhorses that excel on long runs and everything in between. For those fast days, we’ve got shoes designed for workouts and race days, built to help you push the pace.

Each pick comes straight from our team of passionate and dedicated runners—shoes they trust and rely on. Let’s check out the top contenders below!

Daily Trainer

Nike Vomero 18

For us, the Vomero 18 is one of Nike’s best daily trainer updates in a while. It still holds its place as the brand’s premium neutral option, but now it feels more modern and refined. The combination of ZoomX and ReactX in the midsole gives it that soft, cushioned feel underfoot without feeling mush, great for easy days and long runs. The 10mm drop keeps things feeling familiar and stable, especially if you're used to a more traditional geometry. What really surprised us though, is the price, considering the comfort, materials, and overall ride, it’s one of the more affordable daily trainers out on the market. A solid update all round.

Georgia: “I'm currently loving the Nike Vomero 18 for my easy runs within the 30-45 minute window. This new update has a much thicker midsole with more ReactX foam so it absorbs shock better whilst also maintaining a very smooth and stable ride. The upper hugs my foot nicely, they come in a range of cool colours and I think it's a fantastic daily trainer option at an affordable price.”

Adam: “I picked the Vomero 18 because I enjoy the responsive and soft ride that the midsole provides; I think it’s a great mix of comfort and energy return.”

Saucony Triumph 22

The Triumph 22 is Saucony’s max cushion daily trainer and this version really leans into that identity in the best way. With a full-length PWRRUN PB midsole, it brings that springy, energetic feel you'd expect, but it’s been tuned to feel more relaxed and controlled, which makes it a great option for easy runs and daily mileage. One of the biggest improvements we’ve noticed in-store is the broader footprint which adds a nice touch of stability and the more accommodating fit makes it better suited to a wider range of foot shapes. It keeps a traditional 10mm drop, so the transition feels smooth and familiar. A great cushioned option that offers elite durability.

Jessie: “I gravitate towards the Saucony Triumph 22 because it’s the perfect shoe for a casual runner like myself, who wants something a bit more than just a ‘plod along’ shoe. It’s comfortable for long distances and still allows me to pick up the pace a bit if I want to.”

James: “The Saucony Triumph 22 is a dependable shoe that does exactly what a daily trainer should; it’s durable, stable and the cushioning is really well balanced. It also works great with orthotics as the removable innersole is 7mm thick so replacing it with an orthotic won't cause much difference to the fit!”

Super Trainer

Asics Superblast 2

The Superblast 2 continues to be one of the most sought after super trainers on the market and for good reason! It hits that sweet spot between max stack comfort and uptempo versatility, making it one of the few shoes that can truly do it all. Whether it’s easy runs, long efforts, or picking up the pace mid-run, the Superblast 2 covers you well. What’s been really cool to see is how many first time marathoners are reaching for this shoe as it offers that light, fast feel without sacrificing the protection and stability you really start to appreciate in the late stages of the race. It’s one of those rare shoes that just about any runner can find a use for within their shoe rotation.

Tom: “I love the Superblast 2 because it’s a shoe that remains consistent underfoot for long runs up to and beyond 90 minutes, which is something not many shoes can offer.”

Lachie: “A shoe that you can wear for just about anything, whether that's easy runs, long runs or marathon pace workouts.”

New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3

The SuperComp Trainer v3 is one of those carbon plated shoes that doesn’t lock you into one type of run, it’s surprisingly versatile. While it still brings that snappy, efficient feel you'd expect from a plated shoe, it’s tuned in a way that makes it feel smooth and forgiving enough for daily use. We’ve found it really shines on longer runs, you get plenty of cushioning underfoot and it makes cruising at a steady pace feel effortless. It’s also easy to change gears mid run, whether you're settling into marathon pace or throwing in some surges, it responds without feeling overly aggressive. It’s a great option if you want plated performance without sacrificing comfort or range.

Shaun: “I picked SuperComp Trainer v3 due to its ability to facilitate so many kinds of training sessions. From a cruisy Sunday long run, to picking up the pace or even a hard interval session, the FuelCell foam and carbon plate is able to handle all distances and paces with ease.”

New Balance Fuelcell SuperComp Trainer v3 - Mens Running Shoes

Free Delivery in Aus
$329.99 $289.99

Session Shoe

New Balance SuperComp Elite v4

The SuperComp Elite v4 is a big step forward for New Balance and easily one of the most comfortable super shoes we’ve tried. The full PEBA midsole gives it a soft, energetic feel that still manages to stay responsive when you’re pushing the pace. It’s the kind of cushioning that holds up beautifully over long distances without feeling overly squishy or unstable. In fact, one of the things that really stands out is just how stable this shoe feels for a racer. The platform is a bit broader and more supportive than a lot of other plated options out there, which makes it a great choice for marathon efforts or anyone who wants a bit more confidence underfoot when fatigue starts to set in. Smooth, bouncy, and surprisingly grounded—NB nailed it with this one.

Miffy: “The Supercomp Elite is not only fast, but I find it really supports me well for longer training sessions. I think it's important to feel confident in the shoe, particularly when fatigue begins to set in on in those longer reps”.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

The Adios Pro 4 is hands down one of the best updates to a race shoe this year. Adidas took what worked in previous versions and made it softer, bouncier and more runnable across the board. The new Lightstrike Pro midsole is a big improvement, it’s got more softness underfoot and a more responsive feel, especially over longer distances. Instead of a traditional carbon plate, the Adios Pro 4 sticks with the carbon-infused EnergyRods, which gives the shoe a propulsive and rolling sensation. It’s a smoother, more comfortable ride that still delivers when you want to push the pace. For anyone looking for a top tier speed shoe and racer, this update nails it.

Nathan: “Adidas have improved everything in this new update compared to the version 3. The new upper has a better lockdown and is more comfortable, while the midsole has more softness underfoot which I really appreciate on longer sessions.”

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 Berlin - Womens Racing Shoes

Free Delivery in Aus
$359.99

Race Shoe

Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

The Metaspeed Edge Paris is one of the lightest and most responsive super shoes on the market and Asics have really refined the formula here. It builds off what runners love in the Superblast 2 - bouncy, energetic foam and smooth transitions, but dials it in for pure race day performance. Asics offers both the Edge and Sky versions in the Metaspeed lineup, with the main difference being in the plate design; the Edge plate drops down lower in the forefoot for a more aggressive toe-off, while the Sky’s plate stays flatter for a slightly different ride. Both are seriously fast, but we’ve found the Edge Paris has been slightly more popular in-store.

Edward: "I keep coming back and picking the Metaspeed Edge Paris because it's super lightweight and snappy. I’ve used it for races this year and found them great for triathlon events as well as shorter road races where the pace is a lot quicker.”

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

The Deviate Nitro Elite 3 has been a real surprise package in the racing scene this year. It might fly under the radar compared to some of the bigger names, but once you lace it up, it delivers in a big way. The ride is super snappy and responsive, there’s a real sense of pop with each stride that makes it fun to push the pace in. Add in the PUMA GRIP outsole, which is hands down one of the best out there, and you've got a race day shoe that grips everything from slick roads to tight corners without hesitation. It's lightweight, efficient and definitely deserves more attention from anyone looking for a fast, confident racer.

Harry: “I love the Deviate Nitro Elite for a fast, aggressive feel underfoot. I’ve picked this for all my 5km and 10km races this year and I reckon it would be my shoe for the half marathon too.”