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Running shoes read one pair at a time by official weight, stack height, drop and price. Includes picks by maker, by marathon pace, and reviews of 2026 releases.
Shoes & gearHow to Buy Japanese Running Shoes Overseas: Sizes, Duty, ShippingFour ways to buy Japanese running shoes from overseas: Rakuten forwarding, buying agents, local stores and shop-to-abroad shipping. How cm sizing works, US and Taiwan duty, banned items, from official pages.Oct 19, 2026Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Brooks Ghost AMPBrooks Ghost AMP ReviewRelease date and how it differs from the Ghost 18. The Brooks Ghost AMP went on sale in Japan in late Aug 2026 at JPY 19,800. It weighs 250g (8.8 oz) in a 27cm and has a 6mm drop. That makes it 40g lighter than the Ghost 18, with a PEBA-blend DNA HYPE midsole. Here is what changed and how it fits.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno HYPERWARP PURE 2 (out Nov 6)Adizero Adios Pro 5 vs HYPERWARP PURE 2A 42g gap and different outsoles. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 and Mizuno HYPERWARP PURE 2 differ by 42g at the same 27.0cm. Stack height is nearly identical; the plate placement and outsole rubber are not. I compare them down to who each one suits.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Shoes & gearCloudboom Strike 2 vs Alphafly 4 | 5mm vs 8mm dropThe real difference between the On Cloudboom Strike 2 and Nike Alphafly 4 is not weight but a 3mm gap in drop. At 191g and about 188g, they're almost equally light. I compare foam, plate, air units and availability in a table, and say who each one suits.Oct 18, 2026Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33GEL-KAYANO 33 vs NOVABLAST 6Choose by weight, stack, stability and bounce. The GEL-KAYANO 33 and NOVABLAST 6 differ by 45g and in how they support you. The KAYANO, at 298g, controls foot wobble; the NOVABLAST, at 253g, has high energy return up front. I compare stack height, width and price in a table and say who each one suits.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudrunner (check the generation in the product name)On Cloudrunner 3 Max ReviewRelease date, price and weight. The On Cloudrunner 3 Max is my daily top pick for runners who want to keep their stride together over long distances. General release Aug 20, 2026, JPY 24,200. I also cover how it differs from the Cloudrunner 3 and Cloudmonster 3.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Skechers AERO EliteSkechers AERO Elite ReviewRelease date, price and weight. The Skechers AERO Elite is my top pick for runners who want lightness above all on race day, from 5K to the marathon. Released Oct 2, 2026, about 167g in 27cm. It's the brand's first carbon-plated shoe, and I compare it with the Adizero Adios Pro 5.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno SKY PRIME (MIZUNO SKY PRIME)Mizuno SKY PRIME ReviewRelease date and how it differs from the WAVE RIDER 30. The Mizuno SKY PRIME is my top pick for runners who want soft, stable, high-stack cushioning for easy runs and long runs. Released Sep 11, 2026, JPY 24,200. I also cover the differences from the WAVE RIDER 30 and how it fits.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Brooks Hyperion Elite 6Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 ReviewRelease date and how it differs from the last one. The Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 is my top pick for a half or full marathon where you want both lightness and spring. Released Sep 4, 2026, at 192g in a 27cm. Also covers the gap from the Elite 5, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 17, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS METASLEEKASICS METASLEEK ReviewRelease date, price and fit. The ASICS METASLEEK is the top pick if, besides a plated max-cushion shoe, you want a training shoe that lets you feel the ground. Released Aug 20, 2026, at JPY 19,800. I also cover how it differs from the NOVABLAST 6, and fit.Shoes & Gear · Oct 17, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSHGEL-SLOWCUSH ReviewAbout 48mm of stack and cloud-like softness for JPY 26,400. The ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH was released Oct 8, 2026. Max stack is about 48mm, 4.5mm more than the GEL-NIMBUS 28. JPY 26,400. I cover FF LUXE PLUS, the PureGEL PLUS in the heel, and how it differs from the NIMBUS 28, Mizuno SKY PRIME and other max-cushion shoes.Shoes & Gear · Oct 18, 2026
Shoes & gearOn Cloudsurfer 3 Review: Release Date, Price & vs Cloudsurfer 2The On Cloudsurfer 3 is a daily trainer, and its new foam is 15.5% softer than Helion. It weighs 285g with an 8mm drop, 25g heavier than the 2. It went on early sale at specialty stores on Oct 1, and general release is early 2027.Oct 18, 2026
Shoes & gearHYPERWARP PACER Review: JPY 18,700, No Plate, and How It Differs From the RACERThe Mizuno HYPERWARP PACER goes on sale Dec 10, 2026 for JPY 18,700. It's a plateless shoe for practicing race pace, at about 205g (27.0cm) with a 3.0mm drop. I also cover the differences from the RACER and the fit.Oct 19, 2026Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno HYPERWARP (current generation)HYPERWARP RACER ReviewRelease date, JPY 22,000, and vs ELITE 2. The Mizuno HYPERWARP RACER is out Dec 10, 2026 at an official JPY 22,000. About 200g (27.0cm), with a full-length carbon plate tuned to be less stiff: a race shoe for 3–4 hour marathoners. I compared it with the ELITE 2 and PACER and checked the fit using official numbers.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno HYPERWARP PURE 2 (out Nov 6)HYPERWARP 96 ReviewAbout 96g, 696 pairs, release date and vs PURE 2. The Mizuno HYPERWARP 96 weighs about 96g (27.0cm), a plated race shoe limited to 696 pairs worldwide. Early release Dec 4, 2026 on the official online store and brand stores. 39.0mm stack, same as the ELITE 2, at 60% of the weight. I compared it with the PURE 2 using official numbers.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 ReviewRelease date, price and the 158g weight difference. The On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 came out on Jul 30, 2026 for JPY 44,000. At 158g it is 33g lighter than the laced Strike 2 with the same stack. It's a race-day shoe for marathon and half marathon runners who don't want to stop and retighten their laces.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33GEL-KAYANO 33 ReviewSame price, with a new support system and a 2-layer midsole. The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33 is a stability shoe released in Jun 2026 for JPY 22,000. 298g, about 40mm stack, 8mm drop. Can it handle a full marathon, how it differs from the Kayano 32, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 19, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno HYPERWARP PURE 2 (releases Nov 6)HYPERWARP PURE 2 ReviewThe sole is 3.5mm thicker, and the weight is about 135g. The Mizuno HYPERWARP PURE 2 releases Nov 6, 2026 for JPY 35,200. About 135g (27.0cm), with a sole 3.5mm thicker than the original yet about 2g lighter. A carbon-plated shoe for runners aiming to break 3 hours in the full marathon.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloud X Tempo / PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 / PUMA x HYROX Deviate NITRO / PUMA Deviate NITRO 46 Best HYROX ShoesPUMA and On picked by official weight, stack and price. My No. 1 HYROX shoe is the PUMA x HYROX Deviate NITRO Elite 4 (about 194g). Of the two race shoes, it's 73g lighter than the On, and that decides it. I picked from six PUMA and On shoes using four criteria.HYROX · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): HOKA Cielo X1 3.0HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 Review213g for JPY 38,500: 51g lighter than the first Cielo X1 at the same price. The HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 came out on Jan 30, 2026 for JPY 38,500. At 213g (28cm) it is 51g lighter than the original, with a 7mm drop. It's a carbon-plated race shoe, 13g lighter than the Rocket X 3 and JPY 7,700 more expensive.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS NIMBUS MIRAI (original and 2 shown together; tell them apart by the number in the product name)NIMBUS MIRAI 2 Review248g, 8mm drop, 33g lighter than the GEL-NIMBUS 28. The ASICS NIMBUS MIRAI 2 released Oct 15, 2026 for JPY 24,200. At 248g it's 33g lighter than the GEL-NIMBUS 28, with a sole of about 41mm and an 8mm drop. It's a jogging shoe for runners who want to run every day in a soft shoe.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS Yogiri SpeedYogiri Speed ReviewAbout 227g, with a carbon plate that splits in two at the heel. The Yogiri Speed weighs about 227g (27.0cm, per shoe), costs JPY 24,200, and launched Sep 10, 2026. It's about 13g lighter than the last version, and the plate's forked heel softens the stiffness. The sticking point is width: standard only.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): GronG Fit-in Pouch (running pouch) / ASICS GT-2000 15 / New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 / ASICS METASLEEK20 New Running Releases, Aug–Oct 2026A quick list by release date, plus the one shoe worth buying. Here are 20 new running releases from fall 2026 (Aug–Oct) in release order. My top pick is the ASICS GT-2000 15 (Aug 6, JPY 16,500): about 2mm more stack and about 20g lighter. I checked 10 shoes, 3 watches, packs and accessories against official announcements, and flagged items not sold in Japan and early releases.Shoes & gear · Oct 18, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): adidas Adizero EVO SLAdizero EVO SL Review224g with a 38.5mm heel, a trainer with no rods. The adidas Adizero EVO SL is for runners who want one light shoe for daily training. 224g at 27.0cm, with a 38.5mm heel as thick as a racer. I worked out how it differs from the Adios Pro 4 and Boston 13, and the weight differences of the Woven, EXO, Zip and ATR versions.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28GEL-NIMBUS 28 Review281g, about 20g lighter by trimming rubber; the soft one. The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 is for runners whose top priority is soft landings. The cushioning stays the same, but trimming outsole rubber makes it about 20g lighter than before at 281g. About 43.5mm of stack, JPY 22,000. I worked out the differences from the NIMBUS 27, NOVABLAST 6 and GEL-KAYANO 33 by subtraction.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudsurfer Max / On Cloudsurfer / On Cloudrunner (check the generation in the product name) / On Cloudmonster Hyper (check the generation in the product name)Choose On Running Shoes by Sole ShapeOfficial numbers for 12 models, sorted by role. Choosing an On shoe comes down to type (role) and sole shape. My top pick for daily training is the Cloudsurfer 2 (261g), the Cloudsurfer Max for long distances, and the 191g Cloudboom Strike 2 for race day. I compare 12 models by weight, drop and price, and spell out the differences between siblings by the numbers.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS GT-2000 15GT-2000 15 ReviewAbout 20g lighter and 2mm thicker than before: the stability pick. The ASICS GT-2000 15 is a stability shoe for runners who worry about their feet rolling inward but still want low weight. The stack is about 2mm thicker and the weight about 20g lighter, at 252g and JPY 16,500. I also cover the 46g and JPY 5,500 gap to the GEL-KAYANO 33, where it parts ways with the NOVABLAST 6, and when to pick the 14 instead.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 Wide／PUMA Deviate Nitro 4／PUMA x HYROX Deviate NITRO／PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4PUMA 2026 New Shoes Reviewed: 4 ModelsMy top pick is the plateless Deviate Pure Nitro at about 220g. Of PUMA's 4 new shoes for 2026, the Deviate Pure Nitro (about 220g, JPY 19,800) is the one I'd pick. It keeps the 38mm stack of the Deviate Nitro 4, drops the plate, and sheds about 30g. I also compare the Elite 4, the Velocity Nitro 5 and the previous generation, plus the cost per kilometer.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5SuperComp Rebel Review222g with a nylon plate, a different shoe from the Rebel v5. The New Balance SuperComp Rebel is a pair for runners who want to stack up pace workouts with a plate. Men's 222g, nylon plate and Infinion. We read how it differs from the similarly named Rebel v5 and the racing Elite v6, and fit, from official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): New Balance SuperComp Elite v6SuperComp Elite v6 ReviewA 198g racing shoe with an 8mm drop. The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a racing shoe for runners whose training shoes have a larger drop and who are chasing a personal best. Men's 198g, 8mm drop, 17g lighter than the v5. We read how it differs from the SuperComp Rebel, and fit, from official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5FuelCell Rebel v5 Review226g with no plate, and only 4g and JPY 7,040 apart from the SuperComp Rebel. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is a plateless shoe for faster training days and for wide feet. Men's 226g, with 5 widths across men's and women's. I read the gap to the v4, and to the SuperComp Rebel that is only 4g different, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Saucony Triumph 24Saucony Triumph 24 Review250g with a 43mm heel, 6mm thicker and 13g lighter than the last one. The Saucony Triumph 24 is a cushioned shoe for runners who want a thick sole to feel light on slow, long days. 43mm heel, 250g, 10mm drop, 6mm thicker and 13g lighter than the last one. We also cover how it differs from the 23 and Ride 19, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): New Balance 1080v15New Balance Ellipse Review273g, 8mm drop, and only one width each for men and women. The New Balance Ellipse is the shoe for easy days when you don't look at your watch. Men's 273g and 8mm drop, in men's 2E and women's D only. It came out on Mar 12, 2026 for JPY 17,930. I read how it differs from the 1080v15 and the FuelCell Rebel v5, and how it fits, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Saucony Endorphin Elite 3Endorphin Elite 3 Review204g, 39.5mm, JPY 46,200, and a 2g gap from the Pro 5. The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 is a racing shoe for runners who choose by foam for a time-chasing full marathon. 204g in a 27cm, 39.5mm, 8mm drop, with 6% more foam than the last version. We also cover how it differs from the Pro 5 (a 2g weight gap) and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): New Balance 1080v15New Balance 1080v15 Review38.4g lighter, and still 3 widths. The New Balance 1080v15 is a daily trainer for runners who want 1 pair for jogs through long distances, and for wide feet. Men's 259.6g, 38.4g lighter than the previous v14. We read the new foam, how it differs from the Ellipse and SuperComp Rebel, and the fit in D, 2E and 4E, from official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Saucony Endorphin AzuraEndorphin Azura ReviewA new shoe with a 40mm sole and no plate, 240g, JPY 23,100. The Saucony Endorphin Azura is a daily trainer for runners who want to cover jogs and fast days in 1 plate-free pair. 40mm heel, 240g, 8mm drop, 4mm thicker than the plated Speed 5 and JPY 6,600 cheaper. We also cover how it differs from the Ride 19, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4Adios Pro Evo 3 Review97g per shoe: a pair weighs less than one Pro 4. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 weighs 97g per shoe at 27.0cm. It launched in the US on Apr 25, 2026, in limited numbers at $500; Japan is not set. 39mm heel, 3mm drop. I worked out how it differs from the Pro 5 and Pro 4.Shoes & Gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA Velocity Nitro 5Velocity Nitro 5 Review1mm moved from the heel to the front for an 8mm drop, at an unchanged price. The PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 is a buy if you want one plateless daily trainer. About 240g, 8mm drop and JPY 16,500: 10g lighter than the previous Velocity Nitro 4 at the same price. I read the 2E and 3E equivalent widths, the differences from the GORE-TEX and HYROX versions, and the fit from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): adidas Hyperboost EdgeHyperboost Edge Review45mm at the heel and 255g, with no plate and no rods: a pure training shoe. The adidas Hyperboost Edge is for daily jogs and long distances on a thick midsole. 45mm at the heel, 255g, no plate. I worked out how it differs from the EVO SL, the Boston 13 and the waterproof GTX version, the weight per 1mm of stack, and the gap to World Athletics' limit.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudsurfer / On Cloudboom Volt / On Cloudmonster (check the generation in the product name) / On Cloudmonster Hyper (check the generation in the product name)On 2026 Releases: 6 Shoes ReviewedWhy choose the Strike 2: 19g lighter and $30 cheaper than before. My top pick among On's 2026 shoes is the Cloudboom Strike 2 (191g, JPY 35,200). It's 19g lighter than the previous generation and $30 cheaper. The Cloudmonster 3 drops 5g. I compare each against its previous generation by the numbers, down to the Volt, Hyper and LightSpray versions.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4Deviate Nitro Elite 4 ReviewPUMA's about 170g. 24g lighter at the same price as before. The PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is a racing shoe for runners who want lightness in the full marathon. About 170g with a 40mm sole and a carbon plate, 24g lighter than the last one at the same price. We cover differences from the Elite 3, the HYROX version and the FAST-R, fit, and how to use the 400 km guideline, from official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA Deviate Nitro 4Deviate Nitro 4 ReviewPUMA's main training shoe, with the drop cut from 10mm to 8mm. The PUMA Deviate Nitro 4 is a plated shoe for runners who log their daily mileage in it. About 250g, 8mm drop, a guideline of 800km and JPY 22,000. I read what changed from the Nitro 3, how it differs from the HYROX version, the Pure Nitro and the Elite 4, and how it fits, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike Pegasus 42 / Nike ACG Pegasus Trail / Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail / Nike Vaporfly 4Nike's 6 New 2026 Shoes Read by Official FiguresPegasus 42, Plus 2, 3 ACG shoes, and Alphafly 4. The top pick of Nike's 6 new 2026 shoes is the Pegasus 42 (JPY 17,600). It has 15% more energy return than the previous generation and 3mm more cushioning on the toe side, and it's the cheapest of the 6. We also compare the Pegasus Plus 2, the 3 ACG shoes and the Alphafly 4 with their previous generations, using official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA Deviate Pure NitroDeviate Pure Nitro ReviewAbout 220g with the plate removed and the 38mm stack unchanged. The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro is a plateless max-cushion shoe for everything from daily runs to faster training. It has the same 38 / 30mm stack as the Nitro 4 and is about 30g lighter at about 220g and JPY 19,800. I checked how it differs from the Nitro 4 and the Velocity Nitro 5, plus fit and width, against the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno HYPERWARP ELITE 2 (out Nov 6)HYPERWARP ELITE 2 Review10g lighter at about 160g, still a two-layer midsole. The Mizuno HYPERWARP ELITE 2 is out Nov 6, 2026. A race shoe for sub-3 runners who want stability as well as lightness. About 160g (27.0cm), about 10g lighter than the original, with the two-layer midsole kept. I compared it with the original and the PURE 2 using official numbers.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike Vomero Plus / Nike Pegasus 42 / Nike Vomero 18 / Nike Structure 26How to Choose Among Nike's 10 Running ShoesComparing the Pegasus, Vomero and Vaporfly by official weight. The difference between Nike's Pegasus and Vomero is rebound versus cushioning. The daily top pick is the Pegasus 42 (about 287g, JPY 17,600), and for softness it's the Vomero Plus, 33g lighter than the Vomero 18. From the Structure to racing shoes, we compare 10 road shoes by official weight and midsole material.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Garmin Enduro / ASICS NIMBUS MIRAI (original and 2 shown together; tell them apart by the number in the product name) / Mizuno HYPERWARP (current generation) / On Cloudsurfer12 Upcoming Running ReleasesRelease date list (from Oct 14, 2026), and wait or buy now. Release dates for 12 upcoming running releases, in one list. The top picks are the Nike Alphafly 4 (Oct 29, JPY 39,600) and the Garmin Enduro 4 (Oct 22). Plus yardsticks for waiting or buying now.Shoes and Gear, Oct 19, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 (previous generation) / New Balance 1080v15 / New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 / New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5New Balance's 5 New 2026 Shoes Compared by Official FiguresThe 1080v15 is 38g lighter than the previous generation. The top pick of New Balance's 5 new 2026 shoes is the 1080v15. At 259.6g, 38.4g lighter than the previous generation, it's the only one of the 5 that comes in 3 widths. We also compare it with the SuperComp Elite v6, Rebel, Ellipse and Flite-R, and the new foam, Infinion.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): HOKA Clifton PROHOKA Clifton PRO Review14g heavier than the 11 and JPY 2,200 more: reading what's inside. The HOKA Clifton PRO is a buy for runners who want to push the daily shoe toward moving forward at the Clifton's height. The 42 / 34mm and 8mm drop are the same as the 11, with SCF foam and a strongly curved sole. 296g, JPY 22,000, and we calculated how it differs from the Clifton 11.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): HOKA CliftonHOKA Clifton 11 ReviewThe sole is the same as the last version, and all 10 men's colors come in wide. The HOKA Clifton 11 is a daily trainer worth buying for first-time HOKA wearers and those who've struggled with foot width. 42mm heel, 8mm drop, 282g for JPY 19,800, with wide in every color. The sole is the same as the last version, and we cover how it differs from the Clifton 10 and PRO, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudmonster (check the generation by product name)On Cloudmonster 3 Review5g off the last version, and what changed is the 3-layer holes and the rocker. The On Cloudmonster 3 is a buy for runners who want a plate's push and a forward roll in a daily jog shoe. 295g, 35mm heel, 6mm drop, JPY 24,200. What changed is the 3-layer holes and a stronger rocker. We also cover the Cloudmonster 2, the Hyper, same-price shoes from other brands, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudsurfer 2On Cloudsurfer 2 ReviewNo plate, 261g, 9mm drop: who can buy it now without waiting for the 3. If you want a light, no-plate daily trainer, the On Cloudsurfer 2 is worth buying without waiting for the 3. 261g, 9mm drop, 32mm heel, with angled cutouts that roll you forward. I also cover how it differs from the Cloudsurfer 3, Max and Next, and how it fits, by official specs.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudmonster Hyper (check the generation by product name)On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper ReviewPlate-free with a 39.5mm heel, and 20% more foam. The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is a buy for runners who want to run long days and fast days in a plate-free max-cushion shoe. 39.5mm heel, 253g, 6mm drop, with 20% more foam than the previous generation. We also cover how it differs from the Cloudmonster 3 and the LightSpray version.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudboom Strike (check the generation by product name)On Cloudboom Strike 2 Review19g lighter than the original at 191g, and the dollar price fell by $30. The On Cloudboom Strike 2 weighs 191g, 19g lighter than the original. Released Jul 30, 2026, the drop goes from the original's 4mm to 5mm, and there is 1 width. It's a race-day pair for runners chasing a time in the full and half.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudboom VoltOn Cloudboom Volt Review210g, 39.5mm heel, the same dimensions as the original Strike, for 10K to half marathon. The On Cloudboom Volt is a race-day shoe for runners whose big days are the 10K and half and who also want to use it in fast workouts. 210g, 39.5mm heel, a carbon-blend plate, the same dimensions as the original Strike. We cover how it differs from the Strike 2 and Max, and fit, using official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloudboom MaxOn Cloudboom Max Review296g, built for sub-4:30, with a 40mm heel. The On Cloudboom Max is worth buying as a race shoe for runners finishing the marathon in 4 to 4.5 hours. The deciding factors are its 40mm heel and 8mm drop; it weighs 296g. I cover how it differs from the Strike 2 and Volt, fit, and who it suits, with numbers.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 / adidas Adizero EVO SL / adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 / ASICS MAGIC SPEED 512 Marathon Shoes by Goal TimeFrom sub-3 to a 6-hour finish, pick by how long you'll be running. The max-cushion pick for sub-4 is the ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 (196g, carbon-plated). Six tiers from sub-3 to a 6-hour finish, one race shoe and one training shoe each, chosen by official weight, stack and drop. I also calculated per-km pace and footstrike counts.Marathon · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): HOKA Rocket X／HOKA Cielo X1 3.0／HOKA Clifton／HOKA Clifton PROComparing HOKA's 3 New 2026 Shoes From the Press ReleasesThe Cielo X1 is 51g lighter than the original, and the Clifton 11 keeps the same stack. My top pick among HOKA's 3 new shoes for 2026 is the Clifton PRO (296g, JPY 22,000). Its thickness matches the Clifton 11, but the foam and the rocker are new. The Cielo X1 3.0 is 51g lighter than the original, and the Clifton 11 has the same stack as its predecessor. I compared release dates and the differences from the previous generation using the numbers in the press releases.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): HOKA Clifton 11 / Nike Vomero 18 / adidas Adizero EVO SL / Nike Pegasus 4210 best running shoes for 2026Picked by use, using official weight, stack and price. Sorting running shoes by use for 2026, my first pick is the HOKA Clifton 11 (283g, JPY 19,800). I compare 10 shoes from 6 brands by official Japan weight, stack height, drop and price, give top picks for daily training, speed work and racing, and show three new generations released in 2026.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO / ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO / Nike Vaporfly 4 / adidas Adizero Adios Pro 410 max-cushion carbon marathon shoes compared by the official numbersStack heights are even; the difference is in the drop. Comparing 10 max-cushion carbon shoes by the official numbers, stack heights line up at 39–41mm, while drops range from 5 to 8mm. The lightest is the ASICS METASPEED RAY at about 129g. I also worked out where World Athletics' 40mm rule is measured, and the price per gram.Marathon · Oct 18, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO / ASICS NOVABLAST 6 / ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 / ASICS SUPERBLAST 3Best ASICS running shoesWeight, stack and price for 11 shoes, with 4 top picks by role. I compared ASICS running shoes using official numbers for 11 models. The top pick for a first pair is the GT-2000 15: 46g lighter than the KAYANO 33, at JPY 16,500. I pick one shoe each for cushioning, stability, speed and racing, with a table on how the NOVABLAST and SUPERBLAST differ.Shoes & Gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike Pegasus Plus (original)Nike Pegasus Plus 2 ReviewAbout 249g in a 27cm and JPY 22,000, and the gap from the original calculated. The Nike Pegasus Plus 2 weighs about 249g in a 27cm, 38g lighter than the Pegasus 42. Released in late Aug 2026, JPY 22,000, 10mm drop. We read the gap from the original, how it differs from the 42, and fit, from official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 19, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Brooks Ghost 18Brooks Ghost 18 ReviewSame midsole as the 17: 290g, 10mm drop, JPY 19,800. The Brooks Ghost 18 suits runners who want a 10mm-drop daily trainer and choose by width. Men's 290g (27cm), JPY 19,800, with the same midsole as the 17. We cover the 5g gap from the Ghost 17, how it differs from the GTX, and how the wide and slim widths fit, using official figures.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike Pegasus 42Nike Pegasus 42 ReviewAbout 287g at 27cm for JPY 17,600, and the change is in the forefoot. The Nike Pegasus 42 is a daily trainer for a first pair, or for anyone whose toes felt cramped in the 41. About 287g at 27cm, with 3mm more cushioning under the toes. I read the release date and price, how it differs from the Pegasus 41, the Wide and the Plus 2, and how it fits, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike Vaporfly 4Nike Alphafly 4 ReviewAbout 188g, JPY 39,600, and "coming soon" in Japan. The Nike Alphafly 4 is a max-cushion carbon shoe for runners who want softness and return left late in a full marathon. About 188g, 8mm drop, 5% lighter than the last generation, JPY 39,600. We also cover how it differs from the Alphafly 3 and Vaporfly 4, in numbers.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 / ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 / ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 / ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33ASICS's 6 new shoes for 2026, reviewedPick the one that got 20g lighter and 2mm thicker. The top pick of ASICS's six new shoes for 2026 is the GT-2000 15. It is about 20g lighter and about 2mm thicker than before, and at JPY 16,500 it is the cheapest of the six. I also lay out, with official numbers, how the NIMBUS 28, SUPERBLAST 3, KAYANO 33, NOVABLAST 6 and YOGIRI SPEED differ from their predecessors and how much prices rose.Shoes & Gear · Oct 17, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike ACG Pegasus TrailNike ACG Zegama Trail Review4mm drop and about 315g at 27cm: a shoe for rocky ground. The Nike ACG Zegama Trail is for runners who log long miles on rocks and roots. About 315g at 27cm, 4mm drop and a rock plate in the forefoot. I read what the two layers, ZoomX and Cushlon 3.0, each do, how it differs from the Pegasus Trail and the Ultrafly, and how it fits, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS SUPERBLAST 3SUPERBLAST 3 ReviewAbout 46.5mm of stack at 239g: the thickest plateless shoe. The ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 is for runners who want a plateless max-cushion shoe for long distances. The stack is about 46.5mm at 239g, and the top layer switches to the race foam FF LEAP, for about 15.2% more energy return. I worked out how it differs from the SUPERBLAST 2, the NOVABLAST 6 and the MEGABLAST.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike ACG Ultrafly TrailNike ACG Ultrafly Trail ReviewA softer carbon plate at about 276g. The Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail is for runners going after a time in trail races. About 276g at 27cm, with an 8.5mm drop and a carbon plate. I read why the plate is softer than in the original, the weight and price gaps to the Zegama and the Pegasus Trail, and the fit, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS SONICBLAST 2SONICBLAST 2 Review242g, 14g lighter, with a resin plate in a 46mm sole. The SONICBLAST 2 released in Sep 2026 for JPY 22,000. It weighs 242g, about 14g lighter than the last one, with a 46mm sole and a resin plate. At about 5.3g per millimeter of thickness it's close to a plate-free shoe, though width is standard only.Shoes and Gear, Oct 15, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Nike ACG Pegasus TrailNike ACG Pegasus Trail ReviewAbout 286g at 27cm, just 1g from the road Pegasus 42. The Nike ACG Pegasus Trail is a buy if you run from pavement to dirt in a single pair. About 286g at 27cm, an 8mm drop and a ReactX midsole. I read the 1g gap to the road Pegasus 42, the differences from the previous generation, the Zegama and the Ultrafly, and the fit, from the official figures.Shoes & gear · Oct 15, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): ASICS NOVABLAST 6NOVABLAST 6 ReviewHigh energy return in the forefoot only, a JPY 17,600 entry point. The ASICS NOVABLAST 6 is a bouncy max-cushion shoe at 253g, about 41.5mm of stack and JPY 17,600. FF TURBO SQUARED is now in the forefoot. It fits true to size, with wide versions for men and women. It suits runners who want one shoe for all their daily jogs.Shoes & Gear · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): adidas Hyperboost GTX / adidas Hyperboost Edge / adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 / adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra 2Adidas's 4 New 2026 Shoes Read by Official FiguresThe one with a price in Japan is a plate-free 45mm shoe. Of adidas's 4 new 2026 shoes, the top pick you can buy in Japan is the Hyperboost Edge (255g, JPY 24,200, released Mar 17). The Adios Pro 5 has no Japan release date yet, and the Evo 3 and Ultra Evo are lined up too.Shoes and Gear, Oct 18, 2026
Product pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): Mizuno WAVE RIDER 30WAVE RIDER 30 Review8mm drop, up to 6mm more stack. The Mizuno WAVE RIDER 30 is a daily trainer for runners who want a thick midsole with an 8mm drop. JPY 18,700 and about 265g (27.0cm), unchanged from the last generation, with 6mm more stack up front and 4mm more at the heel. I lay out the gap to the 29, how it differs from the SKY PRIME and other brands' daily trainers, and the fit.Shoes & Gear · Oct 18, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): PUMA x HYROX Velocity NITRO / PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 / PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 / PUMA Velocity NITRO 5PUMA Deviate NITRO ComparedHYROX edition, Elite 4, NITRO 4 and Velocity compared by the numbers. The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 HYROX edition differs from the standard one in weight and lifespan. The HYROX edition is about 194g with an estimated 500 km life: 24g heavier and 100 km longer-lasting. I also compared 5 models by price per km.HYROX · Oct 18, 2026
Products pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On Cloud X / On Cloud X Tempo / On Cloudpulse / On CloudsurferChoosing On Shoes for HYROXOfficial numbers for 6 gym models and 12 running models. On's HYROX shoe is the race-ready Cloud X Tempo Pro (267.4g, JPY 33,000). If you pick for running, it's the 210g Cloudboom Volt. All 18 current models, listed by weight and price.HYROX · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): On CloudpulseWhat to Bring on HYROX Race DayWhat's allowed and what's not, checked against the official rules. For HYROX, the basics are closed-toe shoes, running clothes and photo ID for check-in. Gloves are allowed, grip aids are not, and earphones are banned. I list what's allowed and link to the shoe, watch and training gear articles.HYROX · Oct 18, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4Adios Pro 5 ReviewNo Japan release date yet. 177g, 23g lighter than the Pro 4. The Japan release date of the adidas Adios Pro 5 is not set (announced Sep 22). At home it released Sep 22 at $275. It weighs about 177g (27.0cm), 23g lighter than the Pro 4, with a 4mm drop. We sort out how it differs from the Pro 4 and Evo 3, and fit.Shoes and Gear, Oct 19, 2026
Pictured (Rakuten Ichiba): HOKA Bondi／HOKA Clifton／HOKA Arahi／HOKA Rocket XHow to choose among 12 HOKA running shoesI split the picks by 5mm and 8mm drop. This compares 12 HOKA running shoes using the official figures. My daily-trainer pick is the Clifton 11 (283g, 8mm drop). The Bondi 9 is 14g heavier with a 5mm drop, and the Mach X 3 is 51g heavier than the Mach 7. I also cover the top pick for each role and how to choose among 4 trail shoes.Shoes & gear · Oct 17, 2026
