Today, we’re going to go through 10 of the best running shoes for asphalt and concrete for women and men.
In terms of protecting your joints, you want something that’s hard enough but still has a springy feeling so that you don’t beat up your joints. Asphalt has non of those characteristics.
However, if asphalt and concrete are the only surfaces around you, you should definitely get one of the running shoes below to get the cush and protection you need.
Let’s dive right in …
10 Best Running Shoes for Asphalt
Brooks Ghost
This is the newest offering from Brooks and one of the best 12mm heel-to-toe drop shoes. You can read the full review of the Brooks Ghost 13.
First off, the Ghost is one of the best running shoes for asphalt and concrete. It’s also one of the best road running shoes for beginners. This is a cushioned running shoe designed for the neutral runner, which means it’s perfect for those with high to medium arches.
It’s also a great shoe for the entry to mid-level runner and maybe for those people that tend to strike more on the back side of their foot or heel.
The Brooks Ghost is a great everyday runner. It’s not super light or super-fast, but it’ll get you through those 5ks and it’ll get you through those long training runs.
Brooks is calling the Ghost the smoothest running shoe they’ve ever made. It’s so smooth that you might even forget you’re wearing it.
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Midsole
The midsole carries what Brooks call their DNA Loft cushioning. The difference between this and the 12 is the DNA Loft now extends all the way through to the front of the forefoot.
The reason that Brook’s decided to go this route is so that people that land more on the forefoot have padding all the way through.
Upper
The mesh engineered upper is a little bit more breathable than in the 12. One thing I do notice is that it’s a little thicker around the toe. Other than that, I don’t notice a lot of differences in the upper between the 12 and the 13.
The Ghost has an engineered Air Mesh upper that Brooks is saying is the most breathable that the Ghost franchise has ever had. This version of the Ghost has a traditional lacing system that works the way it’s meant to.
The heel cup on the back of the Brooks Ghost is stiff and padded and does a great job at securing your heel making sure there’s no heel slippage.
Midsole
The midsole has a BioMogo EVA foam. It’s super soft and cushiony and it invites your foot into a nice brace. One of the nice things about the midsole is it does give as much road feedback as possible. It really is a comfortable smooth ride. The Ghost has a 12-millimeter drop and a 32-millimeter stack height in the rear.
Outsole
As for the outsole on this shoe, it’s a pretty basic rubber outsole, but it’s really durable and handles asphalt really well. It does have some flex grooves, which is nice because it’s nice and flexible.
Fit-wise, the Ghost fits pretty well. If you have a pretty wide foot, you can get a 2E wide, but the nice thing about this model is Brooks makes it in a couple different widths.
Thanks to a little bit less padding in the heel compared to the 12, your foot does sit a little further back, which I think opens up a little bit of room in the toe box.
Overall, the Ghost is really comfortable, the mesh upper wraps around your foot really well, the cushioning really softens the ride, and it comes in plenty of widths and plenty of colorways.
It’s a really breathable shoe and ideally it should work for any temps. I think that Brooks could still find a way to make this shoe a little bit lighter and a little bit more responsive. The Ghost is a great dependable everyday running shoe. If you can only pick one shoe, this might be the shoe to have in your quiver.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brooks | Running Warehouse | |
Saucony Ride
This tried-and-true trainer has some key updates that I really think you’re going to love. This new version has an updated fit, a revamped midsole, and a refreshed upper.
It’s a neutral everyday trainer that is best for the road or the track.
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Fit
Like other Saucony shoes, the Ride does offer a very accommodating fit for a wide variety of foot shapes. In addition to the standard model, the Ride comes in a wide.
So when you put this shoe on, you’re going to first notice how roomy the toe box is, but it’s actually pretty roomy all the way through including the midfoot.
You’ll find some cushion around the heel collar all the way around the ankle and even the tongue offers some plush cushioning.
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Tubular Stretch Laces
The next thing you’ll notice when you go to lace up this shoe is the tubular stretchy laces. These laces are a pretty signature to Saucony straining shoes.
The laces are silky smooth and are easy to lace up and pull through the lace holes. That little bit of extra stretch is believed to help to customize the fit around the midfoot.
However, they seem to not work for everybody. So try them on and see how they feel on your feet, otherwise, you can always replace them with the ones you feel comfortable with.
Also, if you have a really narrow heel, it’s possible you’ll experience some slippage when running in this shoe. Again, if you have narrow heels, employ the marathon lacing loop using that extra eyelet and you will have no problem.
But if you have narrow heels with wider forefeet, these running shoes have got you covered.
Upper
The upper is made with one solid piece. It’s light, breathable, and stretchy. It’s also flexible and easy to mold especially when combined with the tubular laces.
So, what’s changed?
No ISO
You may notice that this Saucony 13 does not have ISO written in the Ride like its predecessors, the Saucony Ride ISO 2, and here’s why.
Along with many other shoes in the line, Saucony is transitioning away from the ISOFIT. If you’re not familiar with the ISOFIT lacing system, it is sort of this cage-like thing that goes around the midfoot as a way to enhance the fit.
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FORMFIT
Saucony removed that and transitioned away from ISOFIT and instead started implementing a fit system called a full FORMFIT system.
This updated fit system uses three layers of cushioning to create a more bucket seat-like feeling that naturally cradles your foot and adapts to your weight and foot shape.
Midsole
The Ride also has a different midsole. Saucony swapped out the PWRFOAM midsole for a new PWRUN foam. That new foam is something I credit for that really nice plush yet firm transition.
Saucony’s new PWRRUN midsole is soft and responsive. You’re going to get that plush cushion with each step and you’re also going to notice that it’s firmer and bouncier than the last model of the Ride.
Yet, this doesn’t take away from the softness of this shoe.
From personal experience, I have had trouble with the Ride in the past. For some reason, my forefoot often goes to sleep in the shoe and I don’t have a particularly wide foot so I found that somewhat strange.
But in this version of the Ride, there’s something about the foam that just works. I am personally really excited they made this transition and so are lots of runners, I guess.
If we’re going to compare the cushioning in the Ride to other Saucony models, the Ride does fall somewhere between the feather-light racing cushion of Saucony Kinvara 11 and the really plush Saucony Triumph.
With every step, you feel that plush cushioning and responsiveness. It also has a really nice balance of stiffness and flexibility especially along the forefoot area of the outsole.
This makes sure you have a nice smooth transition from landing on your heel to going into your toe-off. That’s a feature that makes this a truly accessible trainer for daily use whether it’s for easy recovery miles or fartlek tempo speed-type miles.
Offset
On top of everything, that 8-millimeter heel-to-toe differential is kind of right down in the middle between a traditional running shoe and a more minimal running shoe, which also adds to that smooth transition from each step.
This also helps with the ride of the Ride.
In conclusion, the Saucony Ride is an accessible trainer that’s a good fit for a lot of different types of feet.
Again, it does come in a wide, the new PWRUN midsole provides a cushy yet responsive performance, and finally, this shoe is an excellent update to the Ride series but without ISOFIT.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ride | Road Runner Sports | |
Asics EvoRide
Asics has dropped the trilogy of shoes called the Meta series starting off with a premium MetaRide that came at a hefty price point.
Later on, came the mid-range shoe called the GlideRide and the EvoRide is the final shoe in this series.
The EvoRide fits as the lighter more performance-based option of the three. It is the most exciting because it is actually affordable and it looks damn near sexy.
Upper
Starting off with the upper, you have a jacquard mesh with your standard perforations throughout the shoe to give this shoe some breathability.
At first glance, there’s not much to talk about. The design within itself is pretty basic. You have the Asics logo overlay that blends well with the design to give you a bit more structure from the midfoot and toward the heel counter.
The shoe itself has a standard tongue that is not one piece. This is surprising because that seems to be the trend with most brands but apparently not Asics.
The laces are your standard flat laces which loop through the tongue to prevent the tongue from moving around.
The tongue is well padded as well as the heel counter, which adds a nice level of comfort.
The fit runs true to size with a good midfoot snugness. From the looks of the shoe, you might be worried about the toe box being a bit too tight, but the toe box width is just enough to where you’ll feel comfortable during jogging sessions.
Midsole
On the midsole, we’ve got a full-length FlyteFoam Propel setup. That probably doesn’t mean much since FlyteFoam can feel different depending on how they use it.
In this case, it has more of a responsive feel and there’s a slight level of compression near the midfoot to where it’s not responsive without feeling too stiff. It also has a nice bouncy roll off thanks to the curved sole design.
Rocker
The rocker feel in this shoe is not as intense as the MetaRide and the GlideRide, but even so, it is still noticeable in a good way. It’s not too aggressive and neither is the arch.
The GlideRide takes a few runs for the arch to adapt to your foot, but this EvoRide is good out of the box. And that rocking transition in the shoe gives you that nice pop when coming into your stride.
It makes going faster in the shoe a bit more doable and efficient compared to the heavier clunkier MetaRide. During longer runs, you’ll feel fine as long as your goal is to maintain a modest pace.
So when you want to relax and just take things slow, I think you would rather have more cushion and just compensate having a heavier shoe when it comes to the longer slower pace.
From another perspective, thanks to the stiff forefoot, the GlideRide is a great shoe for Hallux Rigidus.
Outsole
The outsole uses AHAR, Asics High Abrasion Rubber, throughout the bottom of the shoe and it pretty much covers anywhere you would land while running.
Traction on the road is as good as you would expect and running on grass is okay as long as it is dry. I wouldn’t try this on any kind of harsh trail unless you just want to be that person.
Anyway, this shoe itself is not the most flexible, which in some instances would bother you, but it is not much of an issue since the EvoRide has that rocking roll-off. Transition still feels smooth with a sense of stability.
The EvoRide kind of reminds me of the Nike Pegasus with more of a rocker transition. So if the Nike Pegasus and the Hoka Clifton adopted an Asics baby and taught it their ways, the EvoRide is what you would get.
Con
- No pull tab
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Asics | Fleet Feet | |
Asics Gel Kayano
Asics Gel Kayano 27 Full Review
The Kayano is one of the best running shoes for asphalt and light trails and one of the best 5k running shoes.
This is the 27th edition of Asics’ very popular premium stability running shoe. The Kayano is a stability running shoe intended for runners with flat feet or those who overpronate.
If you’re not sure if your overpronate or not, I’d recommend a gait analysis at your local running shop. They can film you in slow motion on a treadmill and analyze the footage to recommend whether this shoe is suitable for you or not.
Because this is a stability running shoe, what are the features that the Kayano contains to help keep you stable when you’re running in it?
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Stability
There are quite a lot of technologies that have gone into the shoe specifically for that purpose.
Firstly, the Dynamic DuoMax technology is a higher density firmer foam that helps reduce the inward roll of the foot.
The Trusstic System is a plastic section that makes the shoe more rigid and stops it from twisting.
The Asics Guidance Line is designed to decrease the rate of pronation and then an external heel counter really locks your foot into the shoe and gives you support whilst you’re running.
Comfort
The Asics Gel Kayano 27 isn’t just about stability, it’s also about comfort and there are several aspects of the shoe that combine to give you a really comfortable ride.
You get shock absorption from the Gel in the rearfoot and the forefoot. You can see it in the rear but in the forefoot, it’s hidden away in the midsole.
As well as the firm at Dynamic DuoMax foam, the Kayano also uses FlyteFoam and FlyteFoam Propel, which combine to provide cushioning and bounce.
So the midsole technologies really do combine to provide a really nice feeling cushioned ride.
Upper
This shoe has a nicely designed engineered mesh upper with some ventilation slits that help provide breathability. It’s got a very well-padded traditional tongue and a good lacing system with a bit of stretch in the laces.
The Kayano has a 10-mm drop with 22 millimeters in the heel and 12 millimeters in the forefoot.
Outsole
On the outsole, we have the familiar hard-wearing Asics High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR) that is going to give you lots of grip even in wet conditions.
The flex grooves on the outsole are designed to give you flexibility for an efficient toe-off.
The Trusstic System might put some pressure on the bottom of your foot when you walk at first, but you won’t notice this discomfort at all when you’re running.
So, if you just try the shoe on and you feel something similar, try to have a little run in it before you make your mind because you might be worried about nothing at all.
Fit
The overall fit of the shoe and the support that it offers are in my opinion second to none. The Kayano is true to size with just the right amount of space in the toe box and you will have no issues at all in the lockdown.
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While the Kayano 27 isn’t the lightest shoe you can get, it still feels very well-balanced. Asics could have done things to the shoe to reduce its weight, but actually, I think they’ve gone for comfort and support ahead of light weight and speed.
But the good news is, as of August 2020, Asics did listen to runners and finally launched a lighter version of the Kayano called the Kayano Lite. This is exactly what Asics did when they launched the Asics Nimbus Lite.
With all that said, just like the Kayano 26, I think you’re going to really enjoy running in the Kayano 27.
But how will the Kayano 27 fit into your running shoe rotation?
This is going to be your everyday type of shoe whether that be for easy pace runs, steady pace, or especially the long runs.
If you’re looking for a shoe to do some speed work, then you’ve probably got other options. But for a shoe where you want it to soak up a lot of comfortable and stable miles, then the Kayano should be a perfect option.
Con
- A bit warm
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Asics | Running Warehouse | |
Nike Pegasus
Upper
The midfoot lockdown on the Pegasus is solid. It uses bands similar to the Zoom Fly 3 and the Zoom Rival that really help hug your midfoot and keep it locked in place.
The mesh isn’t super stretchy but it is stretchy enough and the same applies to the breathability. The Pegasus isn’t the most breathable shoe, but your feet will never overheat, either.
Overall, this is a solid and comfortable mesh.
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Midsole
With the full React midsole and forefoot Air Zoom units, the Pegasus feels a lot more cushioned than its predecessors.
There is a bit of extra bounce from the React foam and it is less firm than the older models making it feel like a more cushioned shoe overall.
With the new midsole also comes more durability. The React midsole helps prevent these shoes from getting packed down super quickly.
Durability is definitely something that you need in an everyday workhorse. Again, the React midsole helps make the shoe feel a lot different. That and the large Zoom Air unit provide a nice responsive toe-off.
It is a firm responsiveness, though. It’s not that bounce that you’d find in Zoom X or PWRUN PB, but you’ll like this for your normal everyday training where you aren’t necessarily picking up the pace.
During your first runs, the ride isn’t going to be the smoothest and it’s going to feel pretty firm. Luckily when you hit around the 40-mile mark or so, the ride will definitely start to soften up.
I feel like most shoes nowadays don’t have a break-in period, but I think the Pegasus definitely needs some time before it delivers all it has.
Outsole
You’re going to be surprised with how aggressive the tread on the Pegasus is. Compared to the previous Pegasus models and most road shoes, the outsole provides a lot more grip on both and some light trails.
You’ll be able to have some good traction making this a very versatile shoe.
Earlier prototypes of this shoe did show an outsole that closely resembled the Zoom Fly 3 and Vapor Fly Next%.
I’m assuming they didn’t end up choosing this design because it would have sacrificed on durability.
The large amount of rubber on this outsole isn’t the only thing that makes this guy heavy, but it definitely contributes quite a bit to the weight.
Since the Pegasus is an everyday trainer that performs great on asphalt, I would rather have more rubber on the outsole than save weight.
Conclusion
If you’re on a budget or only want one pair of shoes, the Pegasus could be used as a speed day shoe. It’s definitely responsive enough, but there are plenty of other lighter options out there that I would rather choose from.
As for an everyday trainer, the Pegasus definitely gets a green light. Again, the Pegasus is built to be a great everyday trainer.
The secure midfoot wrap, the nice cushioning, and the outsole coverage really help make these shoes a great choice for logging your normal daily miles.
During your long runs, the Pegasus is a great option. Your foot will stay comfortable in these no matter the distance.
The upper will keep your foot locked in really nicely and this shoe can handle any number of miles.
As for recovery runs, this one is a little bit subjective. Again, if this is your only pair of shoes, it could definitely be used for your recovery runs, but I personally like something a little more plush.
While my go-to is typically the Hoka Clifton, you could use the Infinity React or React Miler as a good option if you wanted to stay in the Nike running shoes.
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To wrap things up, the Pegasus is a great everyday trainer that I think will work for most people. It has a nice secure upper, a super cushioned and responsive midsole, and a super grippy and durable outsole.
This is definitely Nike’s workhorse and it’s a pretty reasonable price considering Nike’s prices nowadays.
The Pegasus is one of these best 10mm heel-toe drop shoes.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Dicks Sporting Goods | |
New Balance FuelCell Rebel
The FuelCell Rebel is one of the best running shoes for asphalt and track.
Upper
Starting off with the upper, you’ve got a one-piece engineered mesh with Trace Fiber stitching going around the midfoot for added support.
This upper looks great visually but let’s just start by saying that it does feel amazing, too. For a shoe that’s meant to be lightweight and nimble, it hits all the marks.
The mesh adapts to your foot to where there is no break-in period. Out of the box, it is good to go. Breathability is on point and the overall stability is okay for what the shoe is.
The previous FuelCell Impulse seemed to be a bit unstable, and though the Rebel isn’t much better, it is definitely better than the Impulse.
The heel cup is flexible for the most part and it has a small internal piece to give it a bit of structure while still maintaining a minimal setup. Surprisingly, the shoe has no issues with the heel slipping.
The overall setup of the upper is pretty basic, but everything just works. Tying the shoe down for a snug fit is simple enough.
Once the laces are tied, the shoe stays snug across your foot.
I think New Balance is definitely holding it down when it comes to the uppers, and this Rebel is no exception.
Midsole
The midsole is where the magic happens. You got a full-length FuelCell setup. Not many New Balance shoes have this cushioning, and my only question is why?
The cushioning in this shoe provides the ideal feeling of what I would want in a performance training shoe that can still go the distance as a racing shoe.
The ride is smooth. If you are a midfoot to forefoot striker, this becomes a fun shoe to run in. That extra bounce when coming off the midfoot is just so satisfying.
The dual densities of the FuelCell give a cushioning and response that feels great for your training runs, faster pace runs, and of course racing.
You can even wear the FuelCell Rebel around town. It’s one of those shoes that you wear and you kind of forget that you’re wearing a shoe, which is the best kind of shoe – less to think about while you’re running.
Outsole
The outsole is pretty simple. You get some blown rubber through the midfoot area and a bit of rubber around the heel. Traction works well in all conditions.
The unique thing about the FuelCell Rebel is the shape of the base. The outsole flares out toward the lateral side of the midfoot area and then back towards the medial side near the toe.
We were told that the shoe design was based off Jenny Simpson’s foot. We are not Jenny, but the FuelCell still works for us non-elite runners.
Now, if you’re someone who typically wears stability shoes, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel may not be your jam. Again, if you do overpronate, this shoe will most likely be a no-go.
This is very much a shoe for a neutral runner or a supinator with overall efficiency.
I think this shoe may be one of those shoes that no one really expected to be as good as it is. It is designed for performance and it could go from a 5k race probably all the way to a half marathon if you wanted to.
The versatility in this shoe is well worth the price.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| New Balance | Zappos | |
New Balance Vongo
New Balance has been working on making its shoes less of those stereotypical gray dad-like shoes.
The Vongo is their take on the traditional stability shoe. With the Vongo 4, they’ve made some updates.
Upper
This Vongo includes a knitted sock-like bootie. It’s very comfortable and it is similar to Nike’s Flyknit and Adidas’ uppers.
While this shoe has a sock-like upper that reminds me of Flyknit, it’s more supportive and secure. This is because it has a cage that keeps the foot locked in and helps reduce overpronation.
The elastic knitted collar is comfortable with a little bit of padding on the top of the foot where the tongue normally would be.
Midsole
The Vongo 4 is very cushioned but not a squishy cushion. It’s a bit firmer and responsive. It’s comfortable for longer and slower efforts and it doesn’t feel clunky or soft at faster speeds. This allows for a great mix and variety of runs.
The Vongo 4 is supportive without the support being noticeable. The unique geometry of the midsole makes it so the whole medial or inner side of the shoe is denser than the outside of the shoe.
This means that when you start to overpronate, your foot gets guided back towards a more neutral position. This reminds me of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS and how it uses the GuideRails support system.
I think this is a more effective way to add support than the ancient medial postings that some companies still use today.
While the Vongo 4 does implement a lot of cushion and support, it is still very stiff. It isn’t quite as stiff as the New Balance Fresh Foam More, but the Vongo doesn’t have much flex to it. However, this is a stability shoe and that’s how it supposed to feel.
Outsole
Moving on to the outsole, the hexagonal lugs are aggressive for today’s road shoe standards and allows for great traction on asphalt, concrete, dirt, or wherever you run.
This outsole also doesn’t wear down quickly. It’s nice and durable and will allow you to pack on some miles into this shoe.
All that rubber adds some heft and prevents the shoe from being something lighter like the New Balance Beacon. But for a stability shoe with lots of built-in support, the Vongo is still lighter than some high cushioned and high support shoes from other brands.
The only thing that would have been nice would be a little extra padding on the top of the shoe just to prevent the occasional rubbing and tightness from the laces.
Overall, I think this is a solid shoe and has a good mix of cushion and support. The sock-like upper is comfortable yet supportive enough to keep your foot locked in nicely.
I also love how the cushion is not too soft but also not too firm.
So, if you’re looking for a support shoe with lots of cushion that doesn’t have a stiff medial posting, the New Balance Vongo 4 is a great option to tackle the asphalt.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| New Balance | Road Runner Sports | |
Nike Zoom Structure
The Nike structure is one of the best running shoes for asphalt, gravel, sand, and dirt trails
There’s been a couple of changes to the Structure as we’ve seen from year to year, but it’s still going to be a shoe that gives us good cushion and also good support.
Outsole
The upper uses an engineered mesh that feels much more structured compared to the typical Fly Mesh of other Nike shoes such as the Pegasus.
The support of the upper does exactly what it’s supposed to do, your feet will stay locked in.
Upper
The upper is a new engineered mesh upper that also is almost a spin on the Flyknit material. It’s going to be a little bit more breathable and have a little bit more give to it.
The FlyWire lacing system makes a return to help dial in the fit. As you might have seen in other models, Nike also moved up the lacing a little bit to give you more room in that forefoot and let your toes splay out and spread a little bit better.
The heel counter is very structured using some plastic pieces through the outside of the heel.
Midsole
The biggest change in terms of the cushioning in the midsole and the top sole is that Nike has added a little bit more of the Nike Zoom foam into the midfoot and forefoot to give it just a little bit more bounce.
So, the midsole uses the midfoot/forefoot Zoom unit to provide a cushioned yet responsive toe-off. This feels very similar to other Nike shoes I’ve tried in the past.
It has a nice snappy feel and picking up the pace feels doable.
Stability
In terms of stability, you can almost see how they’ve extended the heel counter. We still have great medial support, but the structure on the 22nd edition is going to extend that support just a little bit more onto the exterior of the shoe so that we’re going to get more holistic support as opposed to just getting support for those people who overpronate and roll inwards.
So towards the medial side of the Structure, you have a posting that is considerably firmer than the rest of the midsole.
The idea is that for those who want some pronation support, this posting will provide more integrity going for your foot strike.
Overpronators will find the medial posting apparent, but it won’t bother overpronators as much as neutral runners.
The overall ride is good, the shoe is cushiony enough for longer runs and responsive enough to go a bit faster.
Outsole
The outsole uses blown rubber that helps provide a bit more underfoot protection.
Also, Nike added a little bit more rubber to the outsole of the shoe to give us just a little bit more of durability on the roads but also to give us a more cushioned feel.
Some would say that this is the stability version of the Nike Pegasus. Although it weighs a bit more than the Pegasus, I would say it’s probably the closest shoe to a Pegasus if you want a more stable option.
Overall, the Nike Zoom Structure 22 is going to give you just a little bit better hold and make it feel a little bit more sock-like when it’s on your foot.
If you prefer a stability shoe and don’t want any bells or whistles, the Nike Zoom Structure 22 would get the job done nicely.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Nordstrom | |
Adidas Adizero Boston
Released in June 2019, this is a lightweight shoe that is a great everyday training. It’s one of the best lightweight running shoes from Adidas.
Adidas designed the Boston to excel on those faster days when you want to pick up the pace. It’s also going to have protection to give you that much-needed support on those longer runs on the asphalt.
The Boston 8 comes with an offset of 10 millimeters and that’s going to be 29 millimeters in the heel and then 19 in the forefoot.
In my opinion, this stack height is what really separates this Boston from the Adios being your racing flat.
Midsole
The midsole has the one and only Boost material that is responsive, lightweight, and squishy offering a nice comfortable ride your entire race.
On top of that, we’re going to see a nice layered EVA foam, which gives this shoe a really cool combination of firm and soft for a nice snappy toe-off.
Upper
Moving to the upper of this shoe, this is where we see the main updates at the Boston 8. This edition just has a really cool breathable upper design for that nice sleek fast-looking shoe before you even put your feet in it.
Coming from the 7 to the 8, just feeling this upper, you’re going to notice that it’s a little bit harder to the touch. That’s going to be a little bit better at keeping the moisture away and that’s also going to be probably a little bit durable as well.
Moving from the toe box all the way up until the ankle collar area, there’s this new plastic almost patent leather-looking heel counter. On the left shoe, it reads BOS and on the right shoe it reads TON spelling out Boston.
It’s a super sleek looking shoe and with that sleekness, you also get super a lightweight shoe. The Boston 8 feels like there’s nothing on your foot and it’s super-fast and super quick.
I will say it does have a slightly wider forefoot than its previous version, but it’s still a little bit snug and it fits a lot of people very well.
You also have a wide tongue that wraps all the way around your foot.
Outsole
The outsole of the Boston 8 is almost a checkerboard look in the forefoot. This durable Continental rubber covers most of the outsole. The outsole has received an upgrade to the traction system on the bottom giving you a lot more traction and a nice heel-to-toe conversion.
In the middle, there’s the Adidas’s torsion system plate, which is going to load energy when you land and then release that energy when you toe-off almost acting as a spring when you run.
It’s nothing like a carbon fiber plate, though, but you can definitely feel it in your running.
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Inside
The inside is all covered with microfiber so it’s super comfortable on your foot.
In conclusion, I think the Boston 8 has all the tools and all the technology for you to go the distance.
I really think the toe box area as well as this torsion system and stretch web outsole all coupled just really makes this shoe a really nice everyday trainer.
The Boston 8 is a performance shoe. If you want a fast 5k shoe, a fast 10k shoe, or a fast marathon shoe, you can’t go wrong with the Boston’s lightweight and responsiveness.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Adidas | Running Warehouse | |
Hoka Mach
A springy yet cushioned ride built to pick up the pace, the Hoka One One Mach delivers a versatile performance training option that will excel on workout days.
As the fastest training shoe within the new Hoka Fly collection, the Mach was first released in February 2018. It delivers a lightweight experience that takes several cues from the old Clayton series.
Again, the Mach has several design cues that are similar to the old Clayton. Yet, it feels softer underfoot and also has a smoother transition.
Midsole
I think Hoka did a great job building on the success of the Clayton by making the Mach slightly softer and more responsive.
An RMAT midsole with ProFly cushioning provides a soft yet responsive ride
It’s also still really light and has that springy sensation that’s going to excel in your workout days.
Lots of runners really like the Mach for their tempo runs or anytime they are looking for a light and fast feel but also don’t want to beat themselves up with a racing flat.
Compared to the old Clayton, the Mach is just a little stripped-down but it still offers plenty of cushioning for you to take out for some of your longer daily runs.
Upper
The Mach offers a nice adaptive knit upper upgrade over the Clayton for optimal comfort. It still retains a similar fit that’s just a little more dialed in and the new material feels even softer and more adaptable.
It also didn’t hurt that they upgraded the Mach to a knit upper. This super-breathable knit feels great and hugs even narrow feet nicely.
The Mach is light enough for those hill repeats yet has enough cushion for the tempo and overall volume.
If you’re looking for one shoe that can do it all, the Mach is the perfect shoe for you.
For runners seeking a highly responsive trainer with a perfect balance of cushioning for the long haul, look no further than the Hoka One One Mach.
| Where to buy (not affiliate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hoka | Dicks Sporting Goods | |
So there you have it, those were 10 of the best running shoes for asphalt we think are capable of protecting you from the beating you get from the asphalt.
Is running on asphalt and concrete really safe?
Running is an excellent form of exercise. It can improve your overall health, increase muscle mass, improve bone density, have positive emotional effects, and, of course, can result in weight loss.
Although there are many potential benefits, running can also be associated with injuries. Most of these injuries typically affecting your joints, bones, and tendons are due to overuse and to the high-impact nature of running on asphalt.
So, is it okay to run on asphalt and concrete on 7 consecutive days?
The answer is no.
Alternatives to running on asphalt and concrete
It is imperative to allow your body to recover between runs to prevent injury. An excellent way to allow for recovery to your tendons, joints, and bones is through cross-training.
This refers to exercise that uses different techniques and muscle groups than your primary sporting activity.
For example, runners can cross-train by swimming, weight training, and cycling. Cross-training can build muscle groups that are important to running including your core and hip musculature.
Related:
Running on asphalt and concrete accentuates the high-impact nature of running and can precipitate injury.
By varying terrain and spacing your runs, you can limit the repetitive impact of running and can assure that your body remains injury-free.
In summary, these were some of the best running shoes for asphalt. Run and enjoy yourself, but make smart choices.
