The Monday Shakeout: The Shoes I Used for Racing in 2025

The Monday Shakeout: Shoes I Used for Racing in 2025
By Matthew Klein

This week Matt talks about the shoes he used for racing in 2025. A slight increase in the number of races for the stroller dad, Matt gives some quick race recaps and thoughts on each shoe as he reflects on goals for 2026.

As someone who does all his miles pushing a stroller, whose primary objective is to support his semi-pro wife and has a ton going on, I have not made a ton of time for racing recently. The first full year of my daughters birth (2024) I managed to get three races total in. I got quite sick at the end of the year and didn't know what the future held for me. Fortunately, in 2025, I jumped into more things without expectations and managed to survive. I ran a total of five races this year, all with the stroller, including a half-marathon and four 5K races. I was hoping for a sub 1:20 stroller half-marathon, which I came surprisingly close to. For the 5k distances, my goal was simply to compete pushing the stroller and see what the results were. All races resulted in a top 10 finish (except the Bowerman 5k obviously) and 2025 ended up being a great building year, putting my feet back into the racing waters. 

Best Distance Racer: Nike Alphafly 3
Review

Despite being an early 2024 release, the Nike Alphafly 3 is still a powerhouse in distance racing. While pushing Isabella, I ran a 1:20:39 half-marathon at the Vernonia Banks Half Marathon (8th Overall). I chose the Alphafly 3. because the wider platform provided some inherent guidance that I thought I would need over the distance and at the time it was one of the faster shoes I owned. While the shoe did keep me centered over the race and proved fast, the durability problem came alive as I tore off the lateral heel at mile 2.5 and ran the remainder of the race with a chunk of the shoe missing. 

Despite going through the first half of the race at around 5:50 to 6 min pace, I struggled in the second half, desperately holding onto the stroller and trying to stay upright despite missing part of my shoe. Isabella slept through most of the race, then woke up in the last mile and repeatedly told me to "go faster". While I was disappointed that the heel came off at only 60 total miles of use, the snappy forefoot, incredible bounce, good lockdown and surprisingly centered ride did help me finish. Retrospectively, I wish I had used the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 as it is more stable and durable, but for those light on their feet, the Alphafly 3 is still a solid half-to-full marathon racer. 

Best Stable Neutral Racer: Hoka Rocket X 3

Review

 

The Rocket X 3 continues to be one of the few stable neutral racing shoes on the market. This version dropped weight and felt more aggressive compared to the prior version. The 7mm drop feels almost negative and the fit is quite slim, making it feel far faster than other reviewers claiming it feels like a comfortable long distance shoe. Due to its aggressive nature, I decided to use it at the Bowerman 5k, an incredibly competitive race held at the Nike Campus. I was not the fastest stroller runner there, as one of the Bowerman track club members beat me by a good chunk pushing his daughter. 

Despite being a little annoyed that I got bested even with a stroller, I ran 17:09 for my fastest 5k of the year. Retrospectively, it would not be my top choice for a 5k as it is heavier than many of the other options out there. It has a really rockered and smooth ride, which makes it excel at tempo runs and longer distance runs. It will work better for those with more narrow feet given the snug fit. The lateral bias is quite present, so those with medial stability needs will find this to be one of the better options if a rolling, stable, super ride is needed. However, this is another shoe that has subpar outsole durability as I began to rip the outsole off after only 25 miles. 

Best Overall Racing Shoe: ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo

Review

The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo is one of my top racing shoes for 2025. It took a while for me to break in and I was not initially impressed with it. The upper is a bit harsh and gave me blisters initially until I started using thicker socks. The midsole was not initially as bouncy as I expected but that is likely because I had to figure out the rocker. After 50 miles, the ride broke in and turned into the wonderful shoe I knew the Edge Paris to be. The weight is incredibly light, getting back to the sub 6 oz racing shoe weight (where things should be...). Despite being the "rolling" shoe, I have found that the ride works no matter where I land. It works better for me than the stiffer and less stable Metasped Sky Tokyo. While not a stability shoe, there is some slight lateral bias in the heel which helped me. 

I ran 17:36 (7th Overall) at the Hillsboro Rotary 4th of July 5k and 17:45 at the Sherwood Turkey Trot (also 7th Overall) in this shoe. The 4th of July race was the first 5k I had run in 8 months and pushing the stroller at low 5:30 miles got me in the last mile. The shoe got out of the way, but was still early in breaking in. The Sherwood Turkey Trot is where it came alive, helping me through a hilly course and catching some runners much faster than me. The outsole traction helped me grip the road in rainy conditions and allowed me to zip through a narrow trail without hesitation (thank goodness my wife didn't see me whipping around corners with Isabella in the stroller). On the downhill, the bouncy, fast FF Leap helped me cruise to the finish line. 

Despite technically being my slowest 5k of the year, it is the race I most proud of. The ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo continues to be a shoe that disappears off the feet and lets you focus on fast racing. I would use this shoe for up to 10k, but am not sure it is stable enough for me to use in longer distances. I might find out soon, though. 

Lightest Racing Shoe: Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure

Review

The Mizuno Hypewarp Pure is one of the lightest super shoes out there, coming in at 4.9 oz for men's size 9. Racing in it was an impulse decision, as I needed to get miles for review, I was curious to see how it would handle a race situation and was testing to see if my Achilles tendon could handle a 3.5 mm heel drop. I chose it to race the George Fox University DPT Uganda 5k, which is a race my students put on to fund raise for their DPT mission trip to Uganda in 2026. The course is loops around the George Fox main campus and requires going up two steep hills, one of which is a steep ravine. The students and community members took the race out hard and I wondered if I'd even make top 3. 

The Hyperwarp Pure felt slightly mushy on the warm up and I was worried about how responsive it would feel at pace. A prior workout had left me a little disappointed as it was not as stable as I expected it to feel with the broad midsole. At pace, the softness became a pretty solid bounce and I was able to forget about it and focus on racing. The grip was fantastic as it kept traction on steep, wet terrain and handle me going over curbs while turning with the stroller (Isabella was fine and we didn't fall or lose stride... but good thing my wife didn't see this). I am happy I went up to a size 10.5 as the 10 was far too short and the upper held my foot down without causing any issues. 

During the 2nd lap of the course (two loop), the shoe responded well when I dropped the hammer trying to push past 2nd place and managed to hold the pace after I passed him. My students got so see my "death march" as I came into the finishing stretch while still trying to push Isabella and I finished 2nd overall in 17:41. 

The next day, my Achilles tendon was a little irritated but I was able to calm it down, keep running and continue my rehab. The Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure is certainly a fast and responsive shoe that will work best for those who can handle lower drop shoes. For most people, including myself, it is a 5k to 10k racer given the lower profile. Those elite runners or those wanting a non-max stack height racer could certainly take it for long distances, but most people will not. 

Conclusion

While I appreciated the many shoes I ran in, the ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo was a top shoe for me. Other shoes I would have considered include the New Balance SC Elite v5, which was a top long run and workout shoe for me; the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, which despite me not liking it early on, turned into a top stable neutral workout/racer for me; and the Puma Fast-R 3, which is insanely fast but I was too worried to race in due to the excessive medial bias. Racing shoes are returning to their pre-super shoe era weights while still being super and this is an exciting time. They are also getting more aggressive than ever, with low drop shoes like the Hyperwarp Pure and crazy designed Puma Fast-R 3 coming into the picture. 

2026 is looking to refine those models and more, so we will have to see what is in store. Right now, my main goals for racing in 2026 is to run a sub-36-minute stroller 10k and maybe make another attempt at a sub 1:20 stroller half-marathon. Racing with Isabella is the only thing on my mind, and I hope she remembers these experiences positively as I continue to train/race with her while she still fits in the stroller. 

PAST MONDAY SHAKEOUTS

Reflections on 2026 
Shoes for Ultramarathons?
Super Shoes for Recovery Runs?
Do "Illegal" Racing Shoes Matter for Recreational Runners?
Long-Term Care for Aging Runners
What is the Best Running Form?
Running-Related Injuries

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Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt: The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt)
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Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
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