8.8Staff pick
Nike
Alphafly 4
$280ZoomX LT foam, a wider Flyplate and quieter Air pods, about 10 grams lighter than before.
“A better Alphafly in nearly every way, and slightly cheaper too.”
Curated kit for runners who care
Things worth running in.
The best running shoes, watches, vests and recovery kit, picked by our editors and rated with a straight face (mostly).
Chosen by the desk
Staff Picks
8.7Staff pick
Garmin
Forerunner 970
$750AMOLED, offline maps, a flashlight and training metrics you'll actually read.
“The watch serious runners stop shopping after.”
8.6Staff pick
Nike
Alphafly 3
$285Air pods, ZoomX and a full carbon plate, now light enough to stop apologising for.
“Still the marathon shoe everyone else is measured against.”
8.5Staff pick
ASICS
Novablast 5
$145Bouncy, cheerful and happy to pick up the pace when you are.
“If you only buy one shoe this year, start here.”
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Latest finds
8.8Staff pick
Nike
Alphafly 4
$280ZoomX LT foam, a wider Flyplate and quieter Air pods, about 10 grams lighter than before.
8.2
7.9
7.8
7.7
8.2
Hyperice
Normatec Elite
$1,099Normatec compression with the pumps built into the boots, so there's no hose and no box.
7.9
Therabody
RecoveryAir JetBoots Prime
$549.99Cordless four-chamber boots that zip on and run from the app.
7.5
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Guides, verdicts & versus
The Journal
Versus · 8 min
Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Coros Pace Pro: Which GPS Watch Is Worth It?
Both put maps on an AMOLED screen. Garmin lists the 970 at $749.99. Coros lists the Pace Pro at $349. What the gap buys, and whether Black Friday is worth the wait.
Versus · 8 min
Normatec Elite vs RecoveryAir JetBoots Prime: Which Compression Boots Are Worth It?
Five zones at $1,099, or four chambers at $549.99. Who should buy which, and whether Black Friday is worth the wait.
Buying Guide · 8 min
How to Choose a Running Vest: Capacity, Fit and Flasks, Explained
A hydration vest's litres are storage, not water. How capacity, fit and flasks should follow the day you're actually running.
Versus · 6 min
Alphafly 4 vs Alphafly 3: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Same 8 mm drop, same Air pods, same idea. The 4 is lighter, quieter and steadier, but a discounted 3 is still a very fast shoe.
Versus · 6 min
Alphafly 4 vs Nike Apex: Which Nike Should You Race In?
Nike now has two flagship marathon shoes. One is for personal bests, the other is for world records, and they aren't built the same way.
Versus · 6 min
Alphafly 4 vs Adios Pro Evo 3: Bounce Against Bare Minimum
Nike's marathon all-rounder against Adidas's sub-100 g, $500 race-day special. One of these is for most runners. The other is not.
Versus · 6 min
Alphafly 4 vs Adios Pro 4: Nike's Bounce or Adidas's Roll?
The two most popular marathon super shoes, and they could hardly feel more different. How your foot lands decides which one is right.
Versus · 5 min
Alphafly 4 vs Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Big Bounce or Featherweight Speed?
Nike's cushioned marathon shoe against ASICS's 170 g racer. One protects your legs, the other gets out of their way.
Versus · 5 min
Adios Pro 4 vs Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Two $250 Super Shoes, Two Different Rides
Same price, same stack limit, very different feel. Adidas gives you a safer landing, ASICS gives you less weight.
Versus · 5 min
Endorphin Elite 2 vs Fast-R Nitro Elite 3: Forgiving or Ferocious?
Saucony built a super shoe that's easy to run in. Puma built one that rewards perfect form. Here's how to pick.
Versus · 5 min
SC Elite v5 vs Rocket X 3: The Best Super Shoes for Heel Strikers
Not everyone lands on their forefoot. These two $250 racers are built for the rest of us, but they feel very different.
Versus · 8 min
Every Nike Alphafly, Compared: From Next% to Alphafly 4
Four generations, two world-changing marathons and one persistent squeak. We rank them all and tell you which is still worth buying.
Story · 5 min
Nike Alphafly 4: Lighter, Bouncier and $5 Cheaper
New foam, a wider plate and quieter Air pods. Nike's marathon shoe gets a real update, not just a new colourway.
Versus · 5 min
Alphafly 3 vs Adios Pro 4: Which Super Shoe Wins Race Day?
Nike's bouncy Air pods against Adidas's ground-hugging rods. The right answer depends on how your foot lands.
Buying Guide · 7 min
How Many Running Shoes Do You Actually Need?
One pair is fine. Two is better. Five is a hobby. Here's how to build a rotation that earns its shelf space.
Story · 6 min
Do You Need a GPS Watch, or Just Your Phone?
A $750 watch won't make you faster. But it might change how you train. We looked at who actually benefits.
Buying Guide · 8 min
Trail Shoes, Explained: Lugs, Plates and Drop
What lug depth, rock plates and zero-drop actually change underfoot, and which of them you can ignore.