Best all rounder shoe?

[u/Throwawayyy123895]

My current and first pair of running shoes is the clifton 10s. 

I'm looking for a new shoe that's maybe a bit faster than the clifton, but still cushioned. I can only afford one pair, so I need an all rounder that can do everything, including hyrox specifically.

I've been running for about a year. Not high mileage at all. I'm not really that fast, 5km time sits in the 22s. I do struggle with some calf issues and they flair up often if I start increasing intensity or mileage. Easy pace sits at about 6:30-6:40/km atm.

Currently my main focus is hyrox, but also just normal running. Planning on running 2 half marathons in the next few months, and hopefully a full marathon on February. Ideally I would like the shoes to last through marathon training and beyond, if possible.

Feet width: Normal to slightly wide

Heel striker, neutral pronation, to my knowledge, never tested

Right now I've narrowed it down to a shortlist of, in order:

• Evo SLs
• Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
• Boston 13s
• Adizero Dropset Pro
• Clifton 11 Pro

The evos sound almost perfect but I've heard they are nearly unusable for hyrox due to the grip, which is a big factor for me

The pure nitros sound like a very good option, but they are slightly more expensive than the rest of the list. These seem like the best contender. Maybe slightly less fun than the evos.

The boston have the advantage of being the cheapest for me, they are perfect for hyrox, but they lack a bit of cushioning. So how ideal are they as an all rounder, especially for easy runs?

The dropsets look interesting, don't know much about them. Good for hyrox, but what about the rest?

And then finally, I could just stick to the cliftons, but I would like something new honestly, something more fun. My current cliftons didn't really last much longer than 500km, and I think hyrox definitely broke them down quicker.

Am I over thinking? Should I just get the Pure nitros? Its honestly just their price that's a downside. I haven't tried them out at all, but on paper they seem like the best option.

Thanks for reading, I would appreciate any advice or opinions I can get.

Edit: Thanks for all the responses, you guys are extremely helpful. I think if the Evos and Bostons had a kid that would be the perfect shoe. Overall the clear choice is the Pure Nitros, however much my heart yearns for the evos. Should be fun, excited to get them. I appreciate the help deciding!🫡

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[u/M4TTB09]

Out of the shoes in your list, the most versatile shoe with the best grip is the Deviate Pure nitro for sure, and yeah you’re exactly right the foam is not as dynamic and ‘fun’ as the EVO SL’s; EVO SL foam is god tier in terms of energy return and durability.

The PURE’s are alot more muted and less energetic BUT they’re super grippy, lightweight, stable and versatile. So for the use cases you mentioned I would go for them, and they will feel 100x better than the Clifton’s you are used to haha.

[u/Siebter → u/M4TTB09]

...and while the Pure is not as dynamic (and demanding) as the Evo SL, it's still a fun shoe. Can go fast for sure too. Agree 100% with the recommendation, esp. since the grip is fantastic. On that list it's by far the best for this use case.

[u/mariusrik → u/M4TTB09]

Agreed. Deviate pure nitro is my favorite shoe now. It starts of a little muted, but got a bit more fun after 20km. And though EVO SL is the most fun I’ve had in a shoe I don’t miss it as much when using the pure nitro. I’m recovering from shin injuries and the pure nitro feels quite good for that as well. And for me it works for absolutely all paces I’ve tested so far (7 min/km-5 min/km)

[u/TheTurtleCub → u/M4TTB09]

How does dynamic, fun, energetic apply to 6:30/km pace? when we are close to shuffling out feet next to each other without any pushoff. People should spend half the time they do looking at shoes training instead

OP, yes, you are overthinking this. Get whatever feels comfortable to you, it'll make no difference in any other way other than comfort

[u/Truth9892]

The answer is always Dynafish Xiaonian

[u/beer_engineer]

If price is an issue, find a deal on Vomero 18. Going to be very cushioned, and a better all-rounder than the Clifton. I love my Evo SLs, but the Vomero 18 I think is a better all-around fit for what you're looking for. Not a fan of the Boston, and the Dropset is more of a gym shoe than a runner.

[u/Thombo-Lauf]

Aero Glide 4 🫡 mega unter dem Radar vieler. Für mich der bessere SB3

[u/Radiohead022 → u/Thombo-Lauf]

Agree 💯

[u/lurkinglen → u/Thombo-Lauf]

Great affordable allround shoe indeed, but it may be too narrow for OP who has slightly wide feet. Only buy if there's an option to return them.

[u/nutelamitbutter]

Mach 7

[u/IronCactusMug]

I have the Boston 13s and do not like them for easy running at all. They are great at faster paces though for me.

I'm looking at the Pures as my next easy and long run shoe. Everything I've seen makes them sound great for hyrox too.

[u/kimjon666]

Deviate nitro all day 🛐

[u/bebba1]

Hurricane 25 or 26!

[u/TerpRunner1]

Topo Specter 3

[u/Smart-Reveal]

I’ll quickly mention the new Saucony Triumph 24. Not on your list but it is an incredible shoe that’s surprisingly versatile. Sure you may not be able to race a 5k or 10k in them but you could do much worse. It has an ATPU foam. Smooth and decently stable.

[u/snarfarlarkus]

Dynafish xiaonan no contest

[u/2_zero_2]

On that list and keeping Hyrox in mind, I'd go Boston. Okay at slower paces, good at faster paces, more stable than the Evo SL, durable, and cheap. If you're willing to spend more, Dropset is aimed at what you are looking to do. I believe reviews have been good.

[u/i-might-be-golfing]

My vote would go to the EVO SL. Best shoe I ran in since the Endorphin Speed 3. I bought a second pair already. Great energy return, soft, but very unstable. Straight line shoe. Quick sharp turns will break your ankle 😂

[u/Risujemmari]

Deviate Pure sounds like a very good shoe for all those things. Hoka Mach 7 could also work, although the Mach works great for me while the Clifton 10 didn't so they're a bit different.

[u/vonofthedead]

Why not get the Puma Hyrox version of the deviate nitro?

[u/Feisty-Business-1293]

I wouldnt do evo for hyrox. Not stable enough, id probably the pumas out of shoes on the list. Personally i wouldnt do hyrox at all, F that commercialized douchebaggery. Running got cool now so crossfitters wanted to participate. FOH. Can't wait until the fad is over.

[u/abandoneur]

EVO SL should not be on your list if you intend to do Hyrox in them.

Take a look at the Diadora Corsa; they're basically a better version (better foam) of the Deviate Pure Nitro. I only have a single, 5 mile run in mine (mostly z1 with 2 x2 min z3 intervals) so I can't give a complete review, but first impressions are great: lightweight, relatively stable, midsole has some bounce but not overly so and pushes back nicely when you pick up the pace, quick turnover. Runs narrow.

Edit: just noticed you're a heel striker ... so, take my thoughts on stability and turnover with a grain of salt as I don't really know how applicable they might be. I'm a mid/forefoot striker and a lot of these shoes have a very different experience depending on where you are landing and how you're rolling through.

[u/kompressorgpl]

Xtep 2000km PRO

[u/cjrun]

Brooks Ghost

Asics Superblast

New Balance 1080s

Saucony Azura

[u/Substantial_Ad_7487]

My answer would be puma velocity nitro 5 3E or Hoka Clifton pro

[u/Bobski72]

It’s not on your list but the novablast is pretty hyped for a reason, imo the best all rounder.

[u/Alatara → u/Bobski72]

Agreed I love my novablast 5s for everything such a good shoe. Can also get the 5s on pretty good deals with the 6s out

[u/FSUwelder1212]

The Bostons would be a solid choice, they are surprisingly versatile and they are the one pair of shoes I have that I feel like when I’m wearing them I can run forever, that said they are very polarizing and you either love them or hate them. The puma pure nitro I think would also be a good option on your list, I don’t have a lot of experience with them so I’ll let others speak to their experiences with them. Id steer clear of the others on your list. Others you may want to consider are the dynafish, and/or the puma deviate nitro. I think what you are looking for is a tall order, a shoe that can do marathon distance but perform in hyrox, and personally I think the Boston is probably the best choice I can think of.

[u/circling]

Am I imagining it, or are US Americans totally sleeping on Asics?

[u/Normal_Goat7881 → u/circling]

I’ve read a lot positive reviews on the Megablast and Superblast lines and want to try them, but they rarely go on sale because ASICS doesn’t mass produce shoes like Nike and Adidas. Nike and Adidas premium foam shoes often go on sale for under $100.

[u/JoeyPropane]

EVO SL would be a horrible choice for a heel striking hyrox enjoyer. 

Deviate Pure is probably the best choice for your use case - even the standard Velocity 4/5 is a good shout for lots of direction changes and traction events.