The marketing people at these big shoe companies can’t believe their luck that they’ve managed to normalise charging £180 for an average pair of trainers.
If people still buy it, the prices will just go higher... I got all of my shoes around or under 100EUR - and I got Endo Pro 2, Speed 2, Takumi Sen 10, Deviate 2 WTR, Peregrine 12 GTX, TNF Vectiv Pro... Plenty good for an average runner. Now waiting for an SL2 to appear around 60-70EUR, or a Boston for 80-90 - the Pumas (and soon the Endo speed) need replacement.
My shoe of the year… Topo Specter 2. If you don’t look at your feet while running, you could easily think you’re wearing the love-child of the Superblast and Speed 4.
Great video and the fact you buy them all is really important to note. Daren't add up what I've spent in year 1 of running (up to about 7 pairs now I think - eek!), but stands out are the SL2 (despite being amongst the cheapest and also slightly too small for me) and the Zoom Fly 6 (they look pretty nice in the EK colours I think). Officially banning myself from buying any shoes at all in 2025! Oh, we ran past each other today in Greenwich, so belatedly - hi!
My shoe of the year is the Nike Zoom Fly 6. For most of the year it was the Mizuno Neo Vista! But I wanted to try the Zoom Fly 6's bc it was advertised as a daily shoe to pair with the AF3's and that's exactly what I wanted. Without trying it on I ordered a pair online. It blew my expectations out of the water. Comfortable pace to my faster paces it doesn't matter. They can do it all while still making you do most of the work.
The Boston 12 is getting my vote as daily trainer of the year👌. I even like the minimal padding which leads to the shoe drying up very fast after wet/sweaty sessions 😊
I wish they made the Superblast in larger sizes and offered wide widths. ASICS shoes tend to fit me well, and everything I’ve heard about the Superblast makes it sound like heavier runners would love them. Big dudes tend to have big feet…
My shoe of the year is hoka cielo. Absolutely amazing. I got about 15 shoes this year, including alphaflys rocket x2, endorphin pro 4, superblast 2 etc. cielo is absolute king
Great video, Ben. The fact you buy the shoes with your own money really does set you apart from the vast majority of reviewers. I know most have the “disclaimer” about unbiased views, but there’s no substitute for shelling out your own cash!
I no longer feel bad for buy 3 running shoes this year. Your reviews are appreciated. I tried 1/2 size down with the Boston 12 and it was too small and changed to my regular size. Sizing is very personal in the end.
I have very similar thoughts, but I wasn't able to pick one shoe of the year - I personally have thought the Zoom Fly 6 and Superblast 2 came in at a tie for me! Best speed shoes have been the same with the ZF6 and Endorphin Speed 4, best long run I also thought the ZF6 and Superblast, and best daily being the Novablast 5 and Rebel v4. We are so spoilt with shoes these days as so many of them overlap in categories too, so with the ZF6 covering more categories with it's versatility, I'd probably give that the edge over the Superblast 2 coming to think of it! Can't beat the comfort, durability and ability to pick up the pace in the Superblast 2 though!
I have the same top 2 shoes of the year, but I'm not sure which of them I prefer over the other. My personal favorite, though, is the Saucony Hurricane 24. They're easily my favorite easy and LSD run shoes. They're just so comfortable without being mushy, and so easy to turn over. They definitely should get more love!
Oh 🥰 I love that kind of videos where you‘re looking at all the shoes from the year that lays almost behind us. Which are best it‘s kinda interesting in my eyes 😍
Crikey that’s some trainer purchase stash! Hope the channel enables you to plough back into these purchases. Alpha Fly 3 has been a joy to race in for me.
@@denaeb5897i fking love my speedgoat 5! Perfect road to trail shoe for me. And also the Mach 6 is superb! Fits me perfectly and the lower drop makes it easier and more natural to land on the forefoot. Don't know what your problem is, maybe bought the Bondi X what is concerned their worst shoe ever? Or had a fast foam die of a shoe from pre 2024?
I bought the Nike Zoom Fly 6 earlier this year, and I love them. However, I agree that most of the colours available for men are not great. As my size is 44.5, I ordered the blue model from the woman's collection (they go to 44.5 max), and this fits perfectly. If you're under 44.5 EU size, definitely consider doing the same. The mix of blue, orange, and light purple is great, in my opinion.
I’ve picked up the Superblast 2 which has become my go to long run shoe and the Endorphin Speed 4 for pretty much everything else, at 94kg they both work well under my weight and have been a joy to run in.
Another great video very comprehensive thank you Ben. I also did the same thing with the super blast too. I never had the super blast one, but I bought two sizes in the super blast too, and I went half a size down from what I usually wear.
Your favorite shoe + runner up are my favorites as well! I didn't expect the winner to be this good... I mean, a non-plated Asics shoe? It seemed so boring to me, but boring gets the job done, apparently.
appreciate all you do - just picked up the nike ultrafly half price, using your review I put off getting it on release, but rewatching the review video (and all the comments) helped me realise it will be great for what I want in the new year
Heavier runner: Novablast Glycerin Max Brooks Hyperion Max 2 for speed, but NB SC Trainer on Christmas list. Superblast 2 is also on Christmas list Probably buying Puma Magmax Nitro after Christmas
Puma Velocity Nitro 3! I just bought the GTX version and am suprised how good it is! Firmer, but feels natural to run or just walk alomg with them as a casual shoe. Pumagrip is outstanding! I just ordered a normal pair (nonGTX).
At 222k subscribers, certainly brands must send you free shoes. What do you do with the free shoes? You go out and buy a duplicate pair to review them?
Loudness is a plus for me - means dog walkers, phone-zombies and groups of people 4+ abreast taking up the entire pavement are more likely to hear me coming and move to one side!
Its good you buy them. Keeps the reviews honest. What do you do with them though? Some you obviously use. Do you sell the others you review and then don't use?
Thx for the video. Can't understand why the ASICS Sb2 is never in stock or why the US have the black colour but we don't in Europe. Registered on many website and none had a restock yet after a full month. Really frustrating. Keep going Ben your shares are really helping me ;)
I wouldn't rely on getting stock notifications unfortunately. I signed up for stock notifications on the ASICS website for the SB2 for my partner. I never got a single notification. I happened to check one day and they had a bunch of sizes so he managed to order them. Ben has posted about them being in stock on his Instagram before, again never received a notification from ASICS to say that they had any in stock (my partner had already purchased them at this point but it still applies).
You are the Best, Bro. Not the shoes.😂 The argument of this video is the reason why I trust only in you for honest reviews before buying a pair of running shoes ....🤷♂️
The marketing people at these big shoe companies can’t believe their luck that they’ve managed to normalise charging £180 for an average pair of trainers.
The old 100€ trainers circa 2017 were complete shit compared to those coming out today
@@eby6613 I remember spending £50 back in 2010 and that was a top shoe.
If people still buy it, the prices will just go higher... I got all of my shoes around or under 100EUR - and I got Endo Pro 2, Speed 2, Takumi Sen 10, Deviate 2 WTR, Peregrine 12 GTX, TNF Vectiv Pro... Plenty good for an average runner. Now waiting for an SL2 to appear around 60-70EUR, or a Boston for 80-90 - the Pumas (and soon the Endo speed) need replacement.
My shoe of the year… Topo Specter 2. If you don’t look at your feet while running, you could easily think you’re wearing the love-child of the Superblast and Speed 4.
I just heard of this shoe in a video in Yowanas channel. Firmer, so in Superblast direction.
Would ne interested, but i already have a Superblast 1.
10000 $ is a lot of money! I appreciate your commitment to objectivity!
It's his job :)
Great video and the fact you buy them all is really important to note. Daren't add up what I've spent in year 1 of running (up to about 7 pairs now I think - eek!), but stands out are the SL2 (despite being amongst the cheapest and also slightly too small for me) and the Zoom Fly 6 (they look pretty nice in the EK colours I think). Officially banning myself from buying any shoes at all in 2025! Oh, we ran past each other today in Greenwich, so belatedly - hi!
Thanks for your hard work! Appreciate it.
Thanks for your honest reviews! Much appreciated
My shoe of the year is the Nike Zoom Fly 6. For most of the year it was the Mizuno Neo Vista! But I wanted to try the Zoom Fly 6's bc it was advertised as a daily shoe to pair with the AF3's and that's exactly what I wanted. Without trying it on I ordered a pair online. It blew my expectations out of the water. Comfortable pace to my faster paces it doesn't matter. They can do it all while still making you do most of the work.
I love my hoka Mach 6, but it is still my first real shoe
The Boston 12 is getting my vote as daily trainer of the year👌. I even like the minimal padding which leads to the shoe drying up very fast after wet/sweaty sessions 😊
Wow, I never imagined it added up to be that high. I knew you bought everything yourself but wow, that’s the difference.
thank you Ben!
Just bought the GM2 yesterday 😮💨 ik i should’ve waited for this video its okay these shoe reviews will get me into running thanks man🤞
What is GM2?
@ ghost max 2
@@DaddyGokky ghost max 2
@@DaddyGokkythe Ghost Max 2 is a superb shoe!
I don't know what the problem is. Just because it is not first place on someonee tier list?
Well done!
I wish they made the Superblast in larger sizes and offered wide widths. ASICS shoes tend to fit me well, and everything I’ve heard about the Superblast makes it sound like heavier runners would love them. Big dudes tend to have big feet…
Exactly! At least the Novablasts come in wide.
Great Vid Ben, I have to agree I love the ASICS Superblast 2. I got it this year and completed 2 marathons, fantastic shoe.
My shoe of the year is hoka cielo. Absolutely amazing. I got about 15 shoes this year, including alphaflys rocket x2, endorphin pro 4, superblast 2 etc.
cielo is absolute king
Great video, Ben. The fact you buy the shoes with your own money really does set you apart from the vast majority of reviewers. I know most have the “disclaimer” about unbiased views, but there’s no substitute for shelling out your own cash!
I no longer feel bad for buy 3 running shoes this year. Your reviews are appreciated. I tried 1/2 size down with the Boston 12 and it was too small and changed to my regular size. Sizing is very personal in the end.
What socks do you recommend?
Nike Vaporfly 3 any day. Brought me solid PB's on 5k, 10k and half-marathon.
Sole isn't built for stoney surfaces get too many stones embedded in the zoomx, otherwise brilliant
Metaspeed Sky Paris for me, also Saucony Speed 4.
My Top 3 shoes of 2024: 1. New Balance SC Trainer V3 2. Altra Torin V7 3. Saucony Tempus V1 or V2
Ben doing great work 🫡
I have very similar thoughts, but I wasn't able to pick one shoe of the year - I personally have thought the Zoom Fly 6 and Superblast 2 came in at a tie for me! Best speed shoes have been the same with the ZF6 and Endorphin Speed 4, best long run I also thought the ZF6 and Superblast, and best daily being the Novablast 5 and Rebel v4. We are so spoilt with shoes these days as so many of them overlap in categories too, so with the ZF6 covering more categories with it's versatility, I'd probably give that the edge over the Superblast 2 coming to think of it! Can't beat the comfort, durability and ability to pick up the pace in the Superblast 2 though!
Saucony Tempus v1 is my favourite shoe of the year. Great performance, comfort and value :-)
I have the same top 2 shoes of the year, but I'm not sure which of them I prefer over the other.
My personal favorite, though, is the Saucony Hurricane 24. They're easily my favorite easy and LSD run shoes. They're just so comfortable without being mushy, and so easy to turn over. They definitely should get more love!
Oh 🥰 I love that kind of videos where you‘re looking at all the shoes from the year that lays almost behind us. Which are best it‘s kinda interesting in my eyes 😍
What about speed sky Paris from asics?!
Crikey that’s some trainer purchase stash! Hope the channel enables you to plough back into these purchases. Alpha Fly 3 has been a joy to race in for me.
$10,000 dollars??? seriously!!! that's ridiculous
He refuses sponsered shoes and buy all himself to give honest review, very rare these days. Gotta give him credit
Ben recoups a lot of that from selling them on after review
10% of it was his 4 pairs of Superblasts, so then it goes quick.
10k, not bad! My expanses in 2024 were 111.97€ for the Hoka Speed Goat 5s 🙈
Hoka's suck
@@denaeb5897i fking love my speedgoat 5! Perfect road to trail shoe for me.
And also the Mach 6 is superb!
Fits me perfectly and the lower drop makes it easier and more natural to land on the forefoot.
Don't know what your problem is, maybe bought the Bondi X what is concerned their worst shoe ever?
Or had a fast foam die of a shoe from pre 2024?
I bought the Nike Zoom Fly 6 earlier this year, and I love them. However, I agree that most of the colours available for men are not great. As my size is 44.5, I ordered the blue model from the woman's collection (they go to 44.5 max), and this fits perfectly. If you're under 44.5 EU size, definitely consider doing the same. The mix of blue, orange, and light purple is great, in my opinion.
I’ve picked up the Superblast 2 which has become my go to long run shoe and the Endorphin Speed 4 for pretty much everything else, at 94kg they both work well under my weight and have been a joy to run in.
For me was also the zoomfly 6 beside the AF3 the best shoe in 24 🎉
Race: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris
Marathon Training: Nike Zoom Fly 6
Daily: Adidas SL2
Waiting to get my feet in a pair of Superblasts! Next Purchase 🤞🏻
For me it's a BMAI Carbon Fly 3. Lightweight Carbon plated racer for the fraction of Vaporfly's cost and it's really comfortable aswell.
what about hoka mach 6?
Another great video very comprehensive thank you Ben. I also did the same thing with the super blast too. I never had the super blast one, but I bought two sizes in the super blast too, and I went half a size down from what I usually wear.
What race shoe do you recommend for heel strikers ?
Your favorite shoe + runner up are my favorites as well! I didn't expect the winner to be this good... I mean, a non-plated Asics shoe? It seemed so boring to me, but boring gets the job done, apparently.
Hey Ben, will you ever release the technical shorts ?
The Saucony endorphin elite 2 looks like 2025 shoe of the year
The NB SC Trainer is V3 not V4
You sold most of them or keep all ?
My vaporfly 3s felt good for 2-3 races, but then it was like they lost their springiness and pop.
appreciate all you do - just picked up the nike ultrafly half price, using your review I put off getting it on release, but rewatching the review video (and all the comments) helped me realise it will be great for what I want in the new year
Love that hoddie! Just bought it.👍
Correct me if I'm wrong, but at 18:40 i noticed that you put the race timing strap the wrong way?
Zoom Fly 6 is my winner. I bought 3 pairs.
Loved the endorphin speed 4 and on 2nd pair this year
Heavier runner:
Novablast
Glycerin Max
Brooks Hyperion Max 2 for speed, but NB SC Trainer on Christmas list.
Superblast 2 is also on Christmas list
Probably buying Puma Magmax Nitro after Christmas
Puma Velocity Nitro 3! I just bought the GTX version and am suprised how good it is!
Firmer, but feels natural to run or just walk alomg with them as a casual shoe.
Pumagrip is outstanding!
I just ordered a normal pair (nonGTX).
Hey Ben, i love your stuff!! Can you talk about how to choose shoes for ultra trails?
SL2 ❤
At 222k subscribers, certainly brands must send you free shoes. What do you do with the free shoes? You go out and buy a duplicate pair to review them?
I truly don't understand why ppl are so worried about how loud the AF3 & Zoom Fly 6 are 🤣. Are they doing what they're intended to do or not???
Loudness is a plus for me - means dog walkers, phone-zombies and groups of people 4+ abreast taking up the entire pavement are more likely to hear me coming and move to one side!
I have 277g on my novablast 5. I had to go half a size up. To a US 11 normally a 10.5.
Some shoes are soooo cheap here in India, I got nimbus 25s for 80-85 bucks
Really do like Asics blast 5!
Its good you buy them. Keeps the reviews honest.
What do you do with them though? Some you obviously use. Do you sell the others you review and then don't use?
Superblast 2 and Mizuno Neo Vistas for me
Thx for the video. Can't understand why the ASICS Sb2 is never in stock or why the US have the black colour but we don't in Europe. Registered on many website and none had a restock yet after a full month. Really frustrating. Keep going Ben your shares are really helping me ;)
I wouldn't rely on getting stock notifications unfortunately. I signed up for stock notifications on the ASICS website for the SB2 for my partner. I never got a single notification. I happened to check one day and they had a bunch of sizes so he managed to order them.
Ben has posted about them being in stock on his Instagram before, again never received a notification from ASICS to say that they had any in stock (my partner had already purchased them at this point but it still applies).
Life goes on, buddy.
You are the Best, Bro.
Not the shoes.😂
The argument of this video is the reason why I trust only in you for honest reviews before buying a pair of running shoes ....🤷♂️
Hey Ben, If i get a certain amount of likes can i get a pair of your trainers. I think your videos are cool and this is a longshot but i gotta ask.
nice video
So you spent 1 million in yen
Streakfly is just dead now a days I guess 😂
Commenting because I want Ben to be rich and famous
He is 😂
I wanna see at least one video in which you lie and give a dishonest review about shoes that you bought 46% on your own money.😂
So you dropped 10 grand on shoes, but how much did you actually make by lying about them?
What an odd comment, why do you think he is lying or what he's lying about?
Don't feed the troll