2023 LetsRun.com Running Shoe Awards – The Best Shoes of 2023
By Weldon JohnsonIn 2023, we relaunched the LetsRun.com Better Running Shoe site because our visitors are the most advanced runners on the planet and they know a lot about running shoes. Why not use the collective wisdom of LetsRun to help everyone find a better running shoe?
We improved the site, added more data science to it, and are now working to highlight better deals for you on running shoes.
Before we do our first big push for reviews in 2024, it’s time to highlight the winners of 2023.
We list a few highlights and lowlights of the the top shoes below. Please click through on each shoe for a more detailed review, quotes from people who ran in them, and more.
The Best Running Shoe of 2023 – Hoka Bondi 8
At the end of 2023, the HOKA Bondi 8 moved ahead of the Asics SUPERBLAST as the #1 rated shoe on LetsRun.com. 2023 showed us that people who love max cushioning shoes, really love them as both the Bondi and SuperBlast are max cushioning shoes. If you want max cushioning, it is fitting the Bondi is #1 as HOKA essentially pioneered the max cushioning category.
If you need a plush ride for recovery days, the Bondi is for you.
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 8
- Max cushioning and comfort in a relatively lightweight shoe.
- Click through on all the shoes for more info
- Some find it clunky, not designed for faster paces
Newcomer of the Year – ASICS SUPERBLAST
For much of 2023, the ASICS SUPERBLAST was the #1 shoe on LetsRun.com. ASICS took quite a few risks with the SUPERBLAST. It attempted to design a max cushioning shoe with a huge stack height (45mm) that also was durable and could handle faster paces (they did this by how they combined various foams), not to mention having a $200 price point for what is first and foremost a training shoe. ASICS succeeded on nearly all fronts as the LRC audience loves this shoe.
ASICS SUPERBLAST
- Max cushioning and lightweight (8.4 ounces)
- Great for long runs, can be used for all paces
- One of the most expensive non-supershoes you can buy.
- 45mm stack height is ineligible for WA races
Shoe Most Likely to Please Everyone – Brooks Ghost 15
The Brooks Ghost 15 is the third highest ranked shoe on LetsRun.com, but it is more widely run in than the Bondi and SUPERBLAST amongst LetsRun visitors. This neutral, all-arounder got twice as many reviews as the SUPERBLAST which means not only is it highly rated but also widely run in. If you had to recommend one shoe to any type of runner, this would be it.
Brooks Ghost 15
- A solid overall performer with high marks on comfort, cushioning, and durability.
- Not max cushioning
Most Cushioned and Most Comfortable- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
The LetsRun shoe rankings let users rank shoes on subcategories like cushioning, comfort and durability and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 topped the rankings for comfort and cushioning. A top 15 shoe overall, it is pretty amazing that this shoe ranked #1 in both comfort and cushioning.
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25
- #1 in comfort and cushion in 2023
- Not heavy (10.2 ounces) , but heavier than similarly popular and well-rated shoes
Most Durable – PUMA Deviate Nitro 2
When we previously looked at the most durable running shoes one thing that stood out was all the most durable shoes provided excellent grip. The PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 does that with the PUMA Grip and has a carbon plate. The result is a very durable shoe.
(None of our official partners still have this shoe for sale but it is available from Puma here)
Puma Deviate Nitro 2
- Praised for its grip and high performance on multiple surfaces.
- Multiple reviewer complaints about narrow toe-box.
Best Stability Shoe – ASICS Gel Kayano 30
The ASICS Gel-Kayano line has been a constant for the last 30 years and it is getting better with age as it was voted the best stability shoe as LetsRunners like the Kayano 30 much better than the 29.
ASICS GEL-Kayano 30
- Rates highly on both comfort and cushioning while providing stability
- Got to pay $160 for it until it goes on sale
#1 Trail Shoe – HOKA Tecton X 2
We don’t include trail shoes in the overall rankings on LetsRun.com otherwise this would be a top 3 contender. One reviewer said it succinctly for this shoe, “Simply put, this shoe is perfect for trail running. It is cushioned and fast, with no weaknesses aside from price.”
HOKA Tecton X 2
- Rave reviews
- $225 retail price
Most Popular Shoe – Nike Pegasus 40
40 years ago Carl Lewis was about to make history at the LA Olympics and the Nike Pegasus was on the scene. Carl Lewis is still in the game coaching at Houston, and the Pegasus is on its 40th iteration and the #1 shoe in terms of popularity on LetsRun.com. Overall, LRCers liked the Pegasus 39 better than the Pegasus 40, but more than 1/3 people still rate this shoe 10/10. Running shoes are so good that this shoe which averages an 8.2 rating on LRC is actually a disappointing update. But considering you can buy it for $84 right now, a lot of people are scooping it up.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40
- 56% give it a 9-10/10 overall rating.
- Reviewers who dislike the shoe really disliked this update it. About 17% of reviewers rate it at 6 or lower
Best Super Shoe – Nike Zoom Alphafly Next% 2
Nike brought the super shoe to the pros secretly at the 2016 Olympics and then to the masses. It continues to dominate the super shoe category although many of the other brands now have similar products. While the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 is the most popular supershoe, the most highly rated is the Nike Zoom Alphafly Next% 2. This really comes down to personally preference and while more people run in the Vaporfly, the ones who choose the Alphafly love it even more.
Nike Zoom Alphafly Next% 2
- Good enough for Kipchoge!
- Heavier than the Vaporfly
Best Racing spike – Nike Dragonfly
Nike has long dominated the racing portion of the shoe market and that trend continued in 2023. The Dragonfly is part of the super spike revolution with superfoam and a carbon plate.
- Superfoam and a plate
- The record books have been rewritten
Want to just browse around? Check out BetterRunningshoes.com
Thank you to everyone who submitted a shoe review in 2023. We got over 4,000 of them! And will be highlighting more great shoes on the site in 2024.
Note: LetsRun.com receives a commission if you buy shoes from certain partners and we thank you in advance.
