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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Science
- Tom's Guide
I've tested 17 carbon plate running shoes this year — this is my favorite racer
As a keen runner who loves to race, I consider myself very lucky that my job involves testing the best carbon plate running shoes. These are the most exciting running shoes on the market, packing in the latest and most impressive tech to deliver as fast a ride as possible. This year I've already tried 17 new carbon plate running shoes, as well as continuing to test many more that came out last year. In fact, going back to the original super-shoe — the Nike Vaporfly 4% — I've tried almost every carbon racer released by the major brands, and they are only getting quicker as time goes on. It's getting harder for super-shoes to stand out, such is the high level of performance you get from every brand these days, but one shoe has stood out for me in 2025, and that's the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. I've found the Puma Fast-R 3 to deliver an extremely fast and efficient ride in all my testing, which included running the London Marathon in the shoe, and I'm not the only one — there's even scientific research backing up the idea that it outperforms other top racers. They aren't cheap, but these are the best carbon plate running shoes I've tested — and I've tested them all. They only come in one colorway, but are available in a range of sizes. When the Puma Fast-R 3 launched, Puma also publicized a study undertaken by researchers at the University of Massachusetts which found that it improved running economy more than other leading super-shoes, with the Nike Alphafly 3 and Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 1 both included in the testing. Running economy is a measure of how much energy you are using to run at a certain pace. If you improve your running economy, then running at your goal race pace will cost you less energy, so you are more likely to be able to maintain that pace for the target distance. It's a key benefit of carbon plate shoes in general, so the research certainly increased the hype around the Fast-R 3 at launch. It should be noted the study was small and funded by Puma, and running on a treadmill in a lab for testing doesn't always translate to real-world performance, but the results were clear that the Puma was the most economical shoe, and I couldn't wait to test it myself. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I got the Fast-R 3 a week before the London Marathon and used it for a 15:53 parkrun that weekend as well as a 10-mile run where I ran entirely to feel and heart rate. When I finished that 10-miler, I found the pace I was running at was substantially quicker than I had felt like I was running, and I decided to use the Fast-R 3 for the London Marathon as a result. It was a hot day in London and I did fall off my target pace in the second half of the race, but still ran 2:26 — my second-fastest marathon overall and my fastest time at the London Marathon, which I've run eight times. The Fast-R 3 is incredibly light, but still has enough responsive foam underfoot to deliver a lot of energy return and enough comfort for the marathon. The sharp rocker and extended carbon plate also helps roll you onto your forefoot and kept me ticking over even as I tired in the later stages of the race. It's not just a marathon racer either; it's great for any distance. I've run my 5-mile PR in the Puma Fast-R 3, as well as a lot of short reps during training. There are a lot of excellent carbon plate running shoes these days and which is the best for you might well depend on your running style and personal preferences. The Fast-R 3 might be too aggressive and unstable for some runners, who could get on better with a more comfortable carbon shoe like the Hoka Rocket X3, for example. For my money, however, it's as good as it gets right now, with the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo being the closest competitor. I've yet to race a marathon in the Asics, which could steal back my affections since the previous model, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, was my favorite racer last year. You might have to keep a sharp eye out to get the Puma though, since it usually sells out quickly when stock is made available — new drops are expected in August, September and October. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
18-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
I ran 35 miles in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 — here's my verdict on Brooks' flagship racing shoe
There's an old saying about buses; that you wait ages for one and then two come along at once. The same is true of top-tier Brooks racing shoes, because after waiting years for a competitive super-shoe from the brand, it has now released two in 2025. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 follows hot on the heels of the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB, which was the first Brooks racer to use a bouncy PEBA foam in the midsole, which elevated its performance to match that of the best carbon plate running shoes. After racing and doing several fast training sessions in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, I'd say it's an upgrade on the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, with a slightly lighter and springier design. It's an excellent option for races of any distance, but in the highly competitive carbon shoe market, I still have it behind a couple of standout super-shoes, like the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 and Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 launched in July 2025 and costs $275 in the U.S. and £240 in the U.K., which is a $25 / £40 jump in price on the Hyperion Elite 4 PB. In the U.S. in particular, the Hyperion Elite 5 is quite an expensive option, with shoes like the Adidas Adios Pro 4 and Hoka Rocket X3 being notable cheaper options. The Hyperion Elite 5 launched in the Pink Clay/Atomizier Blue color and tested and it fit well in my normal running shoe size, the same size I use across the Brooks range. It has a stack height of 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot for an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, and weighs in at 7.2oz in my US men's size 10, a fraction lighter than the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, which was 7.3oz in my size. The upper on the Hyperion Elite 5 is made from a TPU-coated yarn and it's very open to be as breathable and lightweight as possible, especially in the toe box. There is minimal padding on the tongue, but there is a strip that runs around the heel collar to hold the heel in place. I didn't love this strip of padding, which sometimes irritated my Achilles a little, but it wasn't a major problem, even on longer runs. The Hyperion Elite 5 uses the DNA Gold foam that was introduced on the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, which is made from PEBA and is the lightest and bounciest foam in Brooks' range. There are 'bubbles' on foam in the midfoot on both sides of the shoe, which allows Brooks to reduce the amount of foam used and the overall weight of the shoe without creating as much instability as a full cutout. Running through the midsole is a full length 3D-printed Arris carbon plate. Brooks says that the plate is made to measure for each size of the Hyperion Elite 5, rather than just being shrunk or stretched, which optimizes the stiffness for each size. A 1.5mm thick layer of Speedtack rubber covers the forefoot of the Hyperion Elite 5, and there are two strips of rubber on the heel as well. I found the shoe gripped well for me throughout testing and there are no signs of wear and tear on the rubber yet. I did three hard workouts in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 on both the road and the track, as well as racing a 10K in 33:17 with the shoe, and its overall performance is certainly impressive and in line with most carbon plate super-shoes. It has a bouncy ride with a fast transition from heel to toe, and feels very light and nimble on the foot. There's also enough cushioning in the midsole for long distances, and I got the usual benefit of a carbon plate shoe in that my legs felt pretty fresh the day after a hard effort or race. For a super-shoe, the ride is quite natural and stable. The Hyperion Elite 5 is not as squishy and wobbly as a shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, or as aggressively rockered as a shoe like the Puma Fast-R 3. This means it could suit those new to carbon racers quite well, and will feel a bit more supportive over longer events like marathons. It's also comfortable and stable enough to use for regular training, though durability will always be a concern with lightweight racing shoes like this. However, the drawback of the more natural design is that it doesn't feel quite as fast and propulsive to me as a shoe like the Puma Fast-R 3, or the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, which is lighter and bouncier. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a fast, lightweight and springy carbon plate racing shoe that I'd be delighted to have on my feet for races of any distance. Unfortunately, that's also true of several other super-shoes right now — the market has never been more competitive, and there isn't one thing that really stands out about the Hyperion Elite 5 that makes me recommend it above all others. There are a couple of standout shoes for me right now, which are the Puma Fast-R 3 and Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, which are lighter and feel faster, and they'd be my go-tos if you just want a flat-out speedster for racing. However, the Brooks is a bit more stable than those shoes, but if you do want a more natural ride in a super-shoe you can get it for less, from options like the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 or Hoka Rocket X3. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is also cheaper and performs at the same high level as the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5. As good as it is, I think there are better or at least better value options than the Hyperion Elite 5 I'd check out first, but if you do pick it up, you can be sure you're getting a great racing shoe.
Tom's Guide
01-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ran 40 miles in the Hoka Rocket X3 — here's my verdict
It's hard for racing shoes to stand out these days, because most of the best carbon plate running shoes have converged on a similar design in a bid to be the fastest option on the market. Many shoes now have a good case to be the speediest, with the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 currently topping my personal charts on that front. However, another way you can attract runners is to offer a more rounded design. That's exactly what the Hoka Rocket X3 does. It doesn't have as aggressive and unstable a ride as many super-shoes, but is still lightweight and fast while being more stable and supportive. As a result I think it will suit a lot of runners perfectly, even if it's not as propulsively fast as some shoes, because it does offer a little more comfort and stability, which is especially valuable in longer events like marathons and for regular training use. The Hoka Rocket X3 launched on July 1 and costs $250 in the U.S. and £220 in the U.K. That's the same price as the Hoka Rocket X2, and cheaper than the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, which is the other carbon super-shoe in the brand's range. The Hoka Rocket X3 launched in the grey and white color that I tested and fit me well in my normal running shoe size, the same size I use for other Hoka shoes including the Cielo X1 2.0 and Rocket X2. The new pair has a higher drop than the Rocket X2, with a 7mm offset from heel to toe compared with 5mm on its predecessor. It's also lighter, weighing 7.3oz in my US men's size 9.5 compared to 7.9oz for the Rocket X2. It's the lightest Hoka carbon shoe to date, in fact. The Rocket X3 has a single-layer warp knit upper that's lightweight and highly breathable. There's a little padding around the collar and tongue of the shoe and it has held my foot securely during fast runs. I haven't had any complaints with the upper during my testing so far, and I've appreciated the breathable material while running in a summer heatwave. The Rocket X3 has a dual-density midsole with two layers of PEBA foam that sandwich a carbon plate. The softer layer of foam increases the comfort and bounciness of the shoe, while the firmer layer makes it more stable. This plate has a wing on the outside of the forefoot to increase stability, and there are also sidewalls of foam that frame the back of your foot to add more support at the rear of the shoe. While there are cutouts on the bottom of the midsole, these are positioned centrally which means the Rocket X3 is more stable than carbon shoes with cutouts on the medial side of the foot. The Rocket X3 has a sticky rubber outsole that offers better grip than the outsole on the Rocket X2, which I did find could be slippery on wet roads and tracks. Like most racing shoes, rubber is used sparingly on the outsole of the Rocket X3 to keep the weight down. The forefoot is covered, and there are two strips of rubber at the heel, but otherwise the midsole is left exposed. While I liked the Hoka Rocket X2 and actually ran my 10K PB in that pair, it got a little lost in the carbon plate running shoe crowd as just another lightweight racing option. In the time since Hoka launched the Rocket X2, it has released two versions of its Cielo racer. The first, the Hoka Cielo X1, was a comfortable, bouncy and stable shoe that I loved for fast training but found a bit heavy for racing. The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is the current flagship racer in the lineup and is much lighter and faster than the Cielo X1, with a more rockered but less stable design. With the Cielo X1 2.0 already in place, Hoka has aimed to create a different ride with the Rocket X3. It has a smoother ride that's less bouncy and rockered than the Cielo X1 2.0, and is more comfortable and stable. That's especially noticeable at the heel, which offers more support than most carbon racing shoes. The lightweight design and mild rocker then help to roll you through and off your toes quickly. I've done sessions with all-out 400m and 300m reps in the shoe, as well as longer interval workouts at around my marathon or half marathon pace, and the Rocket X3 felt great. It's fast and smooth, and comfortable enough for warm ups and cool downs too. It doesn't feel as springy and efficient as some carbon shoes though, like the Puma Fast-R 3 or Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, trading this all-out speed for a more natural ride. Whether that's a good thing will depend on your preferences as a runner. In general, I love highly-rockered race shoes and want the fastest shoe possible for my key events. However, for many runners, more support will be more valuable, especially for longer races. Hoka has made a great racer in the Rocket X3, and one that will have broader appeal than many carbon super-shoes. It's light and fast, but more comfortable and supportive than many rivals. For pure speed when chasing PRs, I'd turn to a few shoes ahead of it, especially the Puma Fast-R 3. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is another one to consider that has the comfort of the Rocket X3, though isn't quite as stable. However, if you need to balance speed with support to deliver your best performance in races, or want a more comfortable carbon shoe to use for a mix of training and racing, the Rocket X3 is certainly worth considering.
Tom's Guide
22-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ran 45 miles in the Tracksmith Eliot Racer carbon plate running shoe — here's my verdict
Tracksmith is better known for making running apparel than running shoes, but its first performance shoe — the Tracksmith Eliot Runner — was an impressive daily trainer, and there's a lot to like about the Tracksmith Eliot Racer as well. While I didn't find it to be as propulsive and fast as the best carbon plate running shoes, the Eliot Racer has a more stable and natural ride that makes it comfortable at a wider range of paces than some racers with very aggressive rides, like the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. It's a good option for both training and racing as a result, but the high price is off-putting. You can get a similar level of performance from the best super-trainers like the Hoka Mach X2 for less, and some top of my favorite racing shoes are cheaper than the Eliot Racer, like the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris. The Tracksmith Eliot Racer launched in March 2025 and costs $280 in the U.S. and £270 in the U.K., making it an expensive option even compared with other carbon plate running shoes. It launched in two colors — white with a gold sash and navy with a gold sash. I'm generally in between two sizes for running shoes and went for the larger one with the Eliot Racer to get a good fit. I'd say it fits small in general, and getting a half size up might be worth it. The Eliot Racer weighs 8.2oz in US men's size 10, which is at the heavier end of the spectrum for a carbon plate racing shoe. It has a stack height of 38.5mm at the heel and 30.5mm at the forefoot for a 7.5mm drop. The Eliot Racer has a lightweight engineered mesh upper with some classic Tracksmith touches that separate it from normal racing shoes, like the prominent sash and microsuede lined collar and tongue. I particularly liked the silicone-coated laces on the shoe, which feel like they will always stay firmly tied during races. The overall feel of the upper isn't as lightweight and racy as many super-shoes — it's more comfortable, which is a good thing for daily runs, but also more built-up, which isn't ideal for racing. The Eliot Racer uses two different foams in its midsole, with a drop-in top layer made from aliphatic TPU sitting above a chassis made from Pebax foam, both of which are responsive, lightweight materials that you'll find in many racing shoes these days. This innovative design minimizes the amount of glue used in the midsole, reducing the weight a little, and the carbon plate that sits between the two layers of foams has a rockered shape to boost energy return and the efficiency of the ride. Aside from the cutout on the inside of the shoe and a central groove that runs its length, the Eliot Racer's rubber outsole covers most of the bottom of the shoe. I found that the shoe gripped well at speed even on rainy runs and while it's just a thin layer of rubber, it isn't showing any signs of wear and tear from my use as yet. I did a wide variety of runs in the Tracksmith Eliot Racer, using it for fast, short reps on the track, longer tempo runs and marathon-pace efforts as well as some easy runs as well. Versatility is certainly its strong point — most carbon racers don't feel comfortable or stable at easy paces, but you can pull on the Eliot Racer for all kinds of runs without it feeling wobbly or harsh. However, this versatility is a result of it not having an especially aggressive or rockered ride, and I didn't find the Eliot Racer as fast as the best racing options. The Puma Fast-R 3, for example, really thrusts you forward and helps make running at faster paces feel easier, as does the Metaspeed Sky Paris, and both are a lot lighter than the Eliot Racer. I didn't feel that same level of punch from the foam and plate in the Eliot Racer. When I did longer fast runs in the shoe, it felt good but not great. It's snappy and quick for short intervals, but doesn't help you maintain race paces over long stretches as much as top carbon shoes. The Tracksmith Eliot Racer is a versatile speed shoe that I enjoyed running in, but wouldn't be top of my list to pick up unless you're a huge fan of its style. If you're seeking all-out speed for race day there are faster options available for less. The Puma Fast-R 3 is my favorite racer right now, but even if you're keen to avoid very rockered racers you could look at the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB, which is cheaper, lighter and faster than the Eliot Racer. There are also plated trainers that offer a high level of versatility at a lower price, like the Hoka Mach X2 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. While the Eliot Racer is an impressive first attempt at a carbon plate running shoe — many more established shoe brands have done worse in the past — the price-to-performance ratio isn't quite there for me to recommend it as a top option.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Puma's Newest Super Shoe Can Purportedly Shave Minutes Off of Your Marathon Time
With the Boston Marathon just days away, Puma is taking the opportunity to introduce its newest super shoe. The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 comes in 95 grams lighter than its predecessor, and a study commissioned by the company found that the shoe's prototype was 3.15 to 3.62 percent more economical than other super shoes on the market. Over the course of 26 miles, this could translate to saving more than 4 minutes and 30 seconds in time. More from Footwear News Foot Locker Taps Flau'jae Johnson and Puma for 'Stay in Rotation' Campaign Aimed at Gen Z Consumers Puma Promotes Tara McRae to President of North America - She's the First Woman in Company History to Hold the Title A decoupled midsole is made out of a new NitroFoam Elite foam compound, and the PwrPlate has been restructured in a bid for improved propulsion and efficiency while maintaining its conspicuous extension out past the toe. Multi-surface traction is provided by the PumaGrip outsole, and a lightweight UltraWeave upper is tailored to comfort and support. Puma commissioned the University of Massachusetts Amherst to compare the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 prototype with the Nike Alphafly 3, Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 and Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2. Wouter Hoogkamer, senior author of the study and head of the UMass Integrative Locomotion Lab, said the difference in running economy for super shoes on the market is typically no more than 1 percent and that the field has plateaued since Nike broke through with a 4 percent improvement on its first Vaporfly. 'The most striking result from this study was the consistency of the running economy improvements,' Hoogkamer said in a press release. 'For every single participant the numbers showed that running was easiest — requiring the least amount of metabolic energy — in the Fast-R 3. This is remarkable. From years of research we know that our lab-measured improvements in running energetics translate to faster race times.' A data-driven computational design process saw Puma's latest super shoe created and revised digitally rather than being made as a physical shoe, tested and tweaked. Before a foot ever went into the shoe, Puma digitally identified optical foam placement, material properties, carbon fiber layering and overall geometry. 'Optimizing this approach has resulted in science and data that proves Puma is not just competing in the running category, we're leading it,' Romain Girard, Puma vice president of Innovation said. 'This is a truly generational shoe that sets a new standard for the entire category.' Puma's team of elite competitors will wear the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 at both the Boston and London Marathons, as will 300 runners chosen from the public to participate in its Project3 training program. The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 will be available to purchase beginning Friday, April 17, exclusively at Puma's Boston Marathon Experience at 745 Boylston Street. A wider but still limited drop will then follow April 25 through Puma's website and flagship stores, as well as select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $300. Best of Footwear News Allen Iverson's Reebok Deal: The Details of His Lifetime Contract NBA All-Star Weekend's Most Iconic Sneakers of All Time Super Bowl Halftime Show Shoes Through the Years: From Michael Jackson's Loafers to Rihanna's MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Sneakers
