7 Best Speed Training Running Shoes in 2024 (2024)

The fourth Novablast is living proof that speed and comfort can seamlessly blend. A remarkable foam delivers energy beneath our feet while providing much relief and stability to ease out the most brutal speed sessions. Our lab results back up Novablast 4 as our top speedster pick with the best plush cushioning.

Our durometer reveals the midsole is only 16.9 HA, 28.7% softer than average. This indicates a decadent foam and our feet wholeheartedly agree. Despite the lighter foam, our runs feel energetic. What’s amazing is how the comfort and pop don’t fade away as we run longer miles, making the ride all the more enjoyable. Novablast 4 firmly established its leg-saving feature when our caliper measured a towering 39.2 mm heel stack vs. the 33.5 mm average.

We’re caught off-guard by this maximalist’s stable ride. It offers generous width to the midsole to firmly plant our feet to the ground. Our caliper measures a vast 122.8/94.7 mm landing platform. Even as we approached fast turns, we didn’t lose our balance.

While we find Novablast 4 grippy enough on most pavements, it still lacks grip on wet surfaces. We recommend checking other options if reliable traction is a must.

Despite its flat profile, the Kinvara 14 aims for the stars. The 4.1 mm heel-to-toe drop stood out from his data sheet, with its ultra-light and nimble aura perfectly complementing our speed sessions.

With a scalpel and caliper, we did our geeky thing. We measured a stack of 30.3 mm at the heel, just over the average of 29.2 mm for speed trainers. By hovering around the average, the Kinvara 14 combines ample protection without standing in the way of performance.

The lightweight construction of the Kinvara was made for speed sessions. Its 194 grams (6.84 oz) sit light years below the average of 244 grams (8.61 oz), disappearing on the foot after a couple of quick strides. Being incredibly bendable in all directions seals the deal, enhancing an untamed ride that had us unleashing our true potential. Turning to our force gauge once again, this Saucony emerged as 49.8% more flexible than average in our 90º pliability assessment.

However, a chilly 20-minute stay in our freezer saw the Kinvara stiffen up by a massive 86.9%, which is rather disappointing when the average increase sits at 45.5%. Runners might need to double-check their weather charts before diving into the Kinvara 14.

Those in need of a stability running kick for speed workouts, look no further. The Saucony Tempus manages overpronation with class while rocking high-speed runs with an energetic rebound and an impenetrable outsole.

Saucony didn’t overcomplicate the stabilizing system, putting all chips on the star player - the midsole. Crafted from a composed foam, it widens towards the outsole’s edges in the name of a steady ride that flooded our runs. Checking its footprint with our caliper revealed a midsole width of 117.4 mm at the forefoot and 94.5 mm at the heel, effortlessly surpassing the average by 4.6 mm in both measurements.

A rockered geometry delighted our testing sessions, smoothing out our infinitesimal heel-to-toe transitions. The fun and lively midsole puts the Tempus on the speedy side, bouncing back joyful bursts of energy with each step. And beneath it all, lies a titanic outsole. With a score of 89.5 HC in our durometer, the underfoot rubber emerges as incredibly tough and dense, promising an endless lifespan. For comparison, the average outsole sits at a way softer 80.0 HC.

At $160 though, this is a pricey speedster. Stability shoes average $135, so budget-conscious speed lovers might need to think twice before diving into the Tempus experience.