By Sarah Correa

For the past several years, elite podiums at every running event have been dominated by super shoes. The term “super shoe” is a very general term for shoes that (1) have a full-length carbon plate and (2) are constructed with specialty “super foams”: ultra-light, compressible PEBA foams with the highest-level performance capabilities. To put the performance of these foams in perspective – their energy return is estimated to be as high as 89%, versus EVA foams found in traditional daily trainers, which average about 65%-70% energy return.

However, for reasons such as reduced durability and the rigidity of the carbon plate, super shoes are typically not recommended for daily use.

So, as runners gear up for another fall marathon training season (CIM anyone?), they may be wondering if there are “super-shoe like” trainers suited to tempo workouts, goal marathon pace miles, and even zone 2 cruising miles, which have the fun, energetic ride of a super shoe, without the drawbacks noted above.

Just three or four years ago, the answer may have been no. However, in response to runners’ love of super shoes, today there are many great options in the rapidly developing sub-category being referred to as “Super Trainers.” So, what are Super Trainers and are they a good choice for you?

Super Trainers vs Super Shoes

Let’s start with the key differences between super trainers and super shoes.

Super trainers are still generally plated, however the plate may be nylon or carbon mixed with another material, making it more flexible and forgiving for daily use. They also still contain highly responsive and cushioned PEBA foams, but usually also have slices of TPU or EVA foams within the midsole, which still deliver great energy return, but are also significantly more durable and stable. Finally, super trainers generally have more substantial outsole materials than their super shoe cousins for added traction and durability.

These adjustments make super trainers suitable for daily use, however maybe not all of them for “easy” or “base” mileage. Every major brand now has at least one super trainer in their portfolio, but here I’ll just touch on four recently updated models, which are very popular.

Super Trainer: The ASICS Magic Speed 4

The first is the ASICS Magic Speed 4. This shoe features the high midsole stack typical of super trainers – in fact the heel is 43.5mm (with an 8mm drop). The “energized cushioning,” as described by ASICS consists of FF Blast Plus foam throughout the midsole, as well as pad of FF Blast Turbo (their race day PEBA foam) placed in the forefoot. So, the FF Blast Plus works to give the shoe a cushioned and responsive, yet durable ride, and the FF Blast Turbo provides that super shoe like “pop,” as you toe off with each stride. With all this cushioning, the Magic Speed 4 still only weighs 8.5oz (men’s size 9) which ranks well relative to other models in the super trainer category.

The Magic Speed 4 also contains a full carbon plate, but its placement between two thick layers of midsole foam lends it a more forgiving ride, suitable for daily use.

Super Trainer: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

Wow what a mouthful. But buzz words aside, the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

packs a punch. Towering at 47mm in the heel and 41mm in the forefoot, the SuperComp utilizes New Balance’s trademarked single-density foam, which they call “FuelCell” to create a supremely cushioned and propulsive ride.

Additionally, a full carbon plate, which they call “energy arc,” combined with strategic midsole voids, increases stored energy to deliver a higher amount of total energy returned. But just as importantly, the energy arc creates structure within the thick layer of FuelCell foam, making the ride surprisingly stable, for its height.

The SuperComp Trainer v3 weighs in at 9.2oz, so slightly heavier than the Magic Speed 4.

Super Trainer: The Hoka Skyward X

Remember the Bondi X? Well, the Hoka Skyward X is reminiscent of the Bondi X, but with all the benefits of the last three years of innovation and research in the super trainer category.

The Skyward X is highly cushioned and stable, with an exceptionally smooth ride. In fact, it may have the highest stack height of any trainer marketed today, at 49mm in the heel and 44 mm in the forefoot! Despite this, reviewers say the ride is very stable and energetic. The energy comes from the PEBA midsole and the stability comes from the EVA frame around the PEBA. So, like the ASICS Magic Speed 4, we see the utilization of a dual density midsole to create both dynamic propulsion and stability/durability.

The most interesting thing about the Skyward X, however, isn’t the cushioning, but the innovation it brings to carbon plate technology. Hoka calls it a “suspension system”: The carbon plate in has a bump, situated in the midfoot, and the idea is that when the midfoot is loaded, the plate flattens and when released, pops back to its original shape, propelling the runner forward.

However, unlike the other super trainers on our list, the Skyward X is heavy. And not just heavy for a super trainer, heavy for a regular trainer, weighing in at a hefty 11.3oz for the men’s size 9. But, in the next section where I break down uses for these shoes, we’ll see that for Hoka, weight really wasn’t important, stability and comfort were.

Super Trainer: The Hoka Mach X 2

The Hoka Mach X 2 is a complete revamp of the inaugural Mach X. The creel jacquard upper was replaced with a very light woven mesh and a thin, gusseted tongue. The stack height increased, measuring 44mm in the heel and 39mm in the forefoot, putting the Mach X 2 is in line with the other super trainers we have covered. Despite the increased stack, Hoka got the shoe down almost 2oz in weight to 9.2oz (M9), making it truly competitive in its category.

The shoe offers a dual-density midsole as well, with a PEBA layer directly underfoot (in the forefoot), and an EVA layer below that (which runs the length of the shoe). Additionally, there is an extended Pebax (a plastic, not carbon) plate sandwiched between the two layers. This provides energy, but also lends a more flexible/forgiving feel to the ride than a carbon plate would provide. Lastly, Hoka’s signature MetaRocker construction makes the ride silky smooth.

So, which Super Trainer may work best for you?

From the examples above, it’s clear that there are many different technologies, fits, and rides to choose from when it comes to selecting a Super Trainer. And these examples are but a few relative to the many options available today!

However, very generally speaking, based on current and popular reviews of the models above, here are some takeaways…

If you prefer a firmer ride, which truly feels smooth at a wide variety of paces from easy runs to race day, then the ASICS Magic Speed 4 could be a great choice. Reviewers mention that yes, there could be a better option purely for race day and yes, there could be a better option purely for base mileage, but if you want a shoe that can “do it all” and do not want to pay the $250+ price tag for a super shoe, the ASICS Magic Speed 4 would serve you very well in your training and racing goals. It is also worth noting, however, that the fit of the Magic Speed is a bit narrow in the forefoot.

If you prefer a ride that is supremely cushioned and soft, which excels at marathon-paced to tempo-paced workouts, but also is a good choice for long recovery runs when your legs need extra cushioning, then the New Balance SuperComp v3 or Hoka Mach X 2 would be excellent choices. They are both lightweight, snappy, and plated, while still offering significant cushion. Reviewers note these shoes being great race-day options with great value.

Lastly, if you’d like a Super Trainer with very little ground feel for that true floating sensation, and aren’t concerned with weight or with the shoe being a “race-day option,” then the Hoka Skyward X may be a great choice. It’s unique in the super trainer category in that it’s by no means a “fast” shoe, nor is it trying to be. In fact, its best usage is for recovery miles or long runs at zone 1-2 efforts. This is a true “cruiser” shoe and as long as you don’t mind the $225 price tag, you’ll get a stable and effortless ride that will support you for many miles to come.

Reading about shoes is one thing, but the best way to see if they’re a good fit for your running goals is to put them on yourself! If you’d like to try any of the options listed above, come visit us at Gold Country Run + Sport in Rocklin or El Dorado Hills, and we can get you started on finding your perfect fit!