I Ran Over 1,000 Miles This Year—Here Are My Honest Thoughts on Every Sneaker I’ve Tried

As another reviewer so poetically put it: “Bury me in the 1080s.” After miles of testing, I get it. These sneakers are the definition of reliable. During marathon training, they quickly became my go-to for long runs, easy miles, and even walks on my rest days. The Fresh Foam 1080s are a great shoe for runners who like a cushioned and supported feel. I’ve worn them for everything from 2-mile shakeouts to 22-mile long runs, and they have yet to let me down. Plus, with nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.2-star rating on New Balance’s site, I’m clearly not alone. (P.S. If you’re on your feet all day, these would make great everyday shoes to keep your arches supported and comfortable.)

I live in the mountains, so most of my early training was on trails prepping for my first trail race. If you’ve ever dipped a toe into trail running, you already know trail shoes are in a world of their own. After testing a handful of options, the Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 checked boxes I didn’t even know I had. The Vibram Megagrip outsole takes on dirt, gravel and wet leaves like a pro, making upstate NY trails a lot less intimidating. Plus, the shoes are soft without being too cushiony, which made me feel secure even on slippery ground.

They are a bit heavier than expected, and the higher stack height means I don’t feel the terrain quite as much as I am used to, but that added cushion did give me a sense of security on uneven paths. The plot twist: Even though they’re built for the trails, I find myself reaching for them when I’m running errands, doing school drop offs or even just walking my dog. When I do, I almost always get a compliment. Now I’m genuinely tempted to grab another pair for everyday life.

The FuelCell Rebel v5 hits a sweet spot between a supportive long-run shoe and a performance trainer. It’s light, responsive, and energetic. These sneakers are ideal if you want one go-to pair that can handle everything from speed workouts to easy runs. However, if you prefer a super-soft, cushy feel, this might not be your perfect match. This design doesn’t have quite the same level of cushioning as others on this list, which some may see as a good thing, giving you a better feel of the road or trail, while others may find it means more aches and pains after a hard fun. But for me, I really loved the close-t0-the-ground feel and quick rebound of this shoe.

They say to save the best for last, right? Before this year, I’d never run in a carbon-plated shoe—partly because of the price tag, partly because, again, I’m a creature of habit. But after racing in the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, I can’t picture running in anything else for race day. I first tested the SuperCop Elites during a tempo run and immediately felt faster. Seriously, I even asked myself, is this cheating?

Unlike some carbon models that have been described as stiff or overly firm, the SC Elite manages to be both springy and soft, which makes it surprisingly comfortable over long distances. I wore them once a week leading up to the New York City Marathon and then (of course) on race day. The verdict? No blisters, no pain, no second guessing.  If I’m being honest, my feet felt shockingly OK after 26.2 miles (even if the rest of me did not).

It was my first marathon, and I’m convinced these shoes played a part in my performance and comfort. Oh, and they helped me secure a Boston Qualifying time.