Stories by Cory

Outside Online •

We Put Thousands of Miles on 119 Running Shoes to Find the 14 Best for Your Training and Racing

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! Subscribe today. Finding the right pair of road running shoes can invigorate—or reinvigorate—anyone’s relationship with running. Shoe technology is constantly evolving. With lighter weight, springier midsole foams, comfort-enhancing upper materials, novel shapes that add stability, and embedded plates for increased effic...
RUN | Powered by Outside •

The New Foam That Could Propel You to a Marathon PR

We are arguably living through the most pivotal period in the history of running shoes. Never before has picking a race-day shoe had as significant an impact on performance as it does today. A growing body of research confirms this: Studies show that modern super shoes can improve running economy by up to 4 percent, or more, translating to significant time savings in races. Over the past nine years, shoe technology has evolved at a lightning pace. High-rebound foams, new gas-infusing processes,...
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Fastest Shoes From the 2025 Western States 100

The 2025 Western States 100 was everything we expected: fierce competition, scorching heat, and a spotlight on cutting-edge trail running shoes. On the men’s side, Caleb Olson, wore the yet-to-be-released Nike Ultrafly 2, while Abby Hall, won the women’s event in the now-available Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. As one of Outside’s lead trail shoe testers, I can’t think of a better proving ground than 100 miles of altitude, searing temperatures, and punishing descents with a mixture of more t...
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Plus = Plush: Nike Vomero Plus First Run Review

Nike is in the middle of a major overhaul of its training shoe lineup. For several years, the brand has been pouring much of its innovation into carbon fiber racing shoes like the Alphafly 3 and Vaporfly 4, and competitors like Hoka, Asics, New Balance, and Brooks have surged ahead in the daily trainer category. Recognizing the growing demand for max-cushioned trainers, Nike has overhauled its everyday cushioned-shoe lineup and is creating three distinct versions of the classic, trusted Vomero....
RUN | Powered by Outside •

The Best Running Shoes For Beginners (2025)

So you’ve decided to start running. Congrats! Whether your goal is to get fit, clear your mind, or train for your first race, lacing up a pair of running shoes is the first step toward success. But with hundreds of options on the market, buying running shoes can be as daunting as braving your first miles on your neighborhood streets. Running shoe jargon like midsole, rocker, and stability gets tossed around a lot, but odds are you’re not exactly sure what those terms mean, or which ones matter f...
Outside Online •

The 9 Best Men's Running Shorts to Keep You Cool and Comfortable All Summer

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! Subscribe today. Summer running is difficult enough with the challenges of heat and humidity. The last thing you need is to be held back by running shorts that bunch, cling, chafe, or restrict your movement. The perfect running shorts should be so comfortable that you hardly notice them, while looking so good that others...
Outside Online •

These Field and Lab Tested Men's Running Shirts Will Keep You Cool, Dry, and Comfortable All Summer

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! Subscribe today. Running during the summer can be exhilarating (all that daylight!) and daunting (all that sweat!) at the same time. Whether you embrace the heat and humidity of summer running or long for a return to cold, dark winter days, the right running top can keep you cooler and drier while making you feel fast an...
Runner's World •

Trying to Shave Seconds Off Your PR? These Carbon-Plated Running Shoes Help You Push Past Your Limit

Put a spring in your step and shave seconds off your PR with these cutting-edge racing shoes.3Most VersatileNew Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite 4$250 at Amazon$250 at Dick's Sporting Goods$250 at New BalanceProsIncredible underfoot comfort Form-fitting upper Very stable for a plated shoeConsThin laces can be annoying Relatively heavy From the moment you slip on the New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite 4, there’s a welcoming, soft underfoot feel that feels just as good at mile one as it does at...
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Nimble, Durable, Comfortable Trail Tackler: Mount to Coast T1 First Run Review

Boutique running shoe brands are having a moment. Thanks to advancements in materials (particularly foams) and a flurry of innovative shoe design, smaller companies are now producing footwear that rivals—and in some cases, surpasses—the offerings of traditional big brands. One emerging brand quickly gaining recognition as a serious contender is Mount to Coast. Founded in April 2024, the Hong Kong-based company’s mission is to design a shoe capable of withstanding the rigors of ultra-distance run...
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The Lightest Super Shoe Ever Made: Asics Metaspeed Ray Review

While runners work to optimize lungs, legs, and heart (physical and metaphysical) to leave it all on the race course, shoe companies are locked in their own race, battling each other to build the ultimate race-day super shoe. Looking back, there have been two major turning points in the evolution of racing shoes. The first came in 2017 when Nike unleashed the Vaporfly 4%, the shoe that changed everything by enhancing running economy. The second was in 2023 when Adidas introduced the Adizero Adio...
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The Nike Vaporfly 4 Is a Drastic Departure from the Vaporfly 3. Is That a Good Thing?

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Nike Vaporfly 4% was one of the most groundbreaking running shoes ever created. When it debuted commercially in 2017, it stood apart from every other racing shoe on the market, making claims that it could increase running economy by 4% (which, lab results showed, turned out to be true). From its futuristic thick-soled design to the loud, almost obnoxious slapping sound it made with each stride, the Vaporfly 4% sent shockwaves through the running shoe industry...
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Nike Vomero 18 First Run Review: Bigger, Plusher, Smoother

Whether you like it or not, today’s running shoes are getting thicker and more cushioned. Thanks to lighter, bouncier, and more resilient foams, brands can now stack more foam underfoot without sacrificing performance. The previous stack ceiling used to look more like 30-40 mm, but as the new 46 mm Nike Vomero 18 proves, 30-40 mm is more like a jumping-off point, but why? Historically speaking, adding more foam meant creating a less stable platform, but modern engineering has tackled that issue...
Runner's World •

These Are the Essentials You Need to Start a New Running Routine in 2025

So you’ve made the decision to start running? Let us be the first ones to welcome you to the club. No matter how fast or far you go, or whether you use the run/walk method, you’re a runner from here on out.As we explain in our new video training guide, How to Start Running, that first step is most important. Once you’ve laced up and stepped out the door, you’re already ahead of the curve. That said, starting on the right foot can make all the difference in how enjoyable—and sustainable—your runn...
Outside Online •

Ease Your Tired Feet with These 9 Best Recovery Shoes, Slides, and Sandals

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! Subscribe today. If you’re a runner, walker, yogi, rock climber, or participant in nearly any active pastime, your feet endure a tremendous load, making your choice of footwear critical. While most people spend hours researching the perfect workout shoes, they give far less attention to their recovery shoes—what they wea...
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More Super, Less Stable: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 First-Run Review

Changes are not taken lightly whenever a brand updates a running shoe, especially with a flagship shoe like the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro, and Adidas took its time. While most shoes see updates every 12 to 18 months, it’s been over two years since Adidas updated its most popular racing shoe. In an industry where running shoe technology is constantly advancing, two years feels like a long time between updates. Adidas made substantial strides in the super shoe space during that period, most notably...
Runner's World •

The Best Massage Guns, According to an Expert Running Coach

As runners, our muscles take a beating. With each stride, our legs will absorb an impact equivalent to 1.5-2.5 times our body weight. The constant pounding, mile after mile, can lead to wear and tear on our muscles and joints. Recovery tools like massage guns and foam rollers offer a targeted way to reduce pain, enhance blood flow, and keep muscles feeling fresh for the next run.A 2023 systematic review of studies published in The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that repea...
Runner's World •

The Best Affordable Running Shoes Under $100, According to Our Testing

Running is not the simple and inexpensive sport it once was. Previously, all you needed was a pair of decently priced running shoes and some clothing, and off you go. Today, running has become a more expensive, gear-centric pursuit—high-tech running shoes, GPS watches, and expensive moisture-wicking apparel are all part of a runner's daily wardrobe, not to mention all the post-run recovery gear. Luckily, plenty of well-made, affordable options are still available, especially when it comes to run...
Outside Online •

The Best Trail-Running Shoes for Every Terrain

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! Subscribe today →. Today’s trail-running shoes are more advanced than ever, incorporating cutting-edge materials, innovative designs, and clever blends of foams, plates, fabrics, outsole rubbers, and lug patterns. This combination results in shoes that excel across diverse terrain like never before. A great pair of trail...
Runner's World •

A Professional Running Coach Picks The 10 Best Adidas Running Shoes

Who would’ve thought that three diagonal stripes could tell you so much about a running shoe? And yet the Adidas logo represents excellence, innovation and a legacy of sports performance around the running world.Founded in 1924, in Adi Dassler’s mother's laundry room, Adidas quickly made its mark on the world stage, with athletes wearing its shoes to Olympic gold in 1928, 1932, and 1936. These early victories paved the way for the brand to grow into the second-largest sportswear manufacturer glo...
Outside Online •

The Best Running Shoes for Training and Racing

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! Subscribe today →. We are experiencing one of the most thrilling eras in the history of running shoes. In recent years, cutting-edge materials, innovative geometries, and creative combinations of foams, plates, fabrics, and soles have resulted in faster, lighter, and more comfortable models than ever before. The good new...
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