Expert Picks: The 5 Best Daily Trainer Running Shoes of 2025

Looking for the best daily trainer running shoes?
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You know the perfect go-to shoe for...

• Easy miles
• Long runs
• Race day
• And everything else

Whether you're chasing a PR or squeezing in miles before sunrise, the right daily trainer running shoes can make every step smoother.
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👟So which daily trainers rise to the top in 2025 for everyday miles, cushioning and performance?
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The Up & Runners put dozens of daily trainer running shoes to the test. 
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Check out their top 5 picks to help you go the distance.

There's a lot of daily trainer running shoes out there.
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👟So which ones are right to keep your feet happy for miles?
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We asked The Up & Runners to test out the top daily trainers, offer feedback, and share their top picks to making finding your next shoe a lot easier. 
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These guys live for testing running shoes & gear, while juggling work, family and chasing PRs. The Up & Runners includes:

• 🏃‍♂️‍➡️Eric McIntyre
• 🏃‍♂️‍➡️Blake Graf
• 🏃‍♂️‍➡️Cody Jett

✅With Blake’s retail expertise, Cody’s road-to-trail grit, and Eric’s coaching smarts, they bring real-world insights you can trust.
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▶️Their YouTube channels share a deeper dive into how they put these daily trainers to the test:

• 👟TF XC Running Shoe Reviews (Blake)
• 👟The Shoe In With Cody (Cody)
• 👟Rad Dad Bod TV (Eric)

Ready to check out their best daily trainer picks?

🏆Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Best Overall Pick (men's, women's)
✅Salomon Aero Glide 3, Plush Cushion & Recovery Miles (men's, women's)
✅ASICS Novablast 5, Bouncy All-Rounder (men's, women's)
✅New Balance Rebel v5, Smooth, Low-Profile Ride (men's, women's)
✅Mizuno Neo Zen, Fun, Max-Cushioned Feel (men's, women's)
 
Now let's dive into the details of daily trainer running shoes...
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If you’ve ever wished your race-day super shoe felt less fragile and more up for everyday mileage, the Adidas Evo SL might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

• ✅Midsole. It uses the same bouncy Lightstrike Pro midsole found in the Adios Pro line, but skips the carbon plate to give you a more stable and versatile ride for training.
• ✅Cushioning. At just under 8 ounces with a 6mm drop and a 39mm heel, it balances lightweight feel with enough cushion to go long. 
• ✅Performance. You can cruise through base miles, pick up the pace for tempo runs, or even toe the line at a local 10K without swapping shoes.
• ✅Outer. The upper is light and breathable with a snug, race-ready fit. Continental™ rubber on the outsole gives solid grip, whether the road is wet or dry. 
• 💲Price. For $150, you're getting a super-foam ride that holds up to daily training without feeling like overkill.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Cody: I love the Adidas Adizero EVO SL because it delivers premium performance without the premium price. 

• The Lightstrike Pro foam feels incredible underfoot: light, responsive, and comfortable enough for everything from daily miles to long runs. 
• It’s one of those rare shoes that just disappears on your feet, and at $150, it feels like you're getting race-day tech at a daily trainer price. Plus, that clean white design? Big win.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Blake: This shoe has racing in its DNA. With it's 100% Lightstrike Pro superfoam midsole, it gives you that energetic feel you'd expect from a racer, but in a training friendly package. 

• I love how this shoe feels right at home both on daily training runs, and workout on the track. 
• The biggest caveat to this shoe is that you'll want to go fast in it.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Eric: Possibly the most versatile shoe on the market. 

• Smooth and forgiving enough for easy and standard runs, responsive enough for short intervals to longer tempos. 
• One of the first daily shoes that I've legitimately felt OK racing in.

Cody Jett

Adidas Adizero EVO SL is a great pick for runners looking for one shoe to do it all—daily miles, easy days, recovery runs, and even long efforts. It’s on the higher stack side, so if you enjoy a bit more cushion underfoot without sacrificing versatility, this one’s for you.

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If your legs are toast from speed work or you just want to cruise without thinking too hard, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 delivers comfort in a big way.
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Fun fact: Cody and Eric both flagged this one as a go-to for recovery runs and easy miles. Why? It’s soft, smooth, and surprisingly stable for such a high-stack shoe.
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Here's what you need to know about the Salomon Aero Glide 3:

• ✅Midsole. A tall stack of EnergyFoam EVO provides soft, supportive cushioning with a moderately rockered shape that helps you roll through miles with minimal effort. You get about 41 mm in the heel and 33 mm in the forefoot.
• ✅Cushioning. At around 8.6 ounces, it’s not the lightest shoe in your lineup, but it feels smooth and steady underfoot. The high stack adds plushness without turning into a mushy mess.
• ✅Performance. Ideal for easy runs, long runs, and recovery days. It has just enough responsiveness to keep things interesting but really shines when the goal is getting in the miles without overthinking your pace.
• ✅Outer. The upper fits secure and comfortable, hugging your foot without any pressure points. Salomon’s Contagrip™ rubber outsole grips well in both wet and dry conditions.
• 💲Price. At $160, the Aero Glide 3 gives you premium-level comfort in a max-cushion daily trainer that doesn’t feel overbuilt or sluggish.

Cody and Eric put max comfort and daily recovery on their radar with this one. 

• It’s a plush, high-stack daily option but stops short of feeling cumbersome. 
• It’s the kind of shoe that makes running feel effortless, with a secure fit and surprising stability despite its high stack. 
• Salomon really nailed the comfort game here.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Cody: The Aero Glide 3 is perfect for runners who prioritize maximum cushion and comfort above all else. If you want a soft, smooth ride and don’t care much for ground feel, this shoe delivers that plush, protective experience every time you lace up.

Eric McIntyre

The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is just everything you want in a standard trainer. Comfortable upper that is structured without being overbearing. The foam is supportive yet responsive and the grip is top notch. 

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If your daily trainer needs to feel fun, forgiving, and get you out the door when motivation’s low, the ASICS Novablast 5 checks a lot of boxes.
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Blake called it a “joy to run in,” and that’s the whole point. It’s built for comfort across a wide range of paces without feeling stiff or overbuilt.
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Here's what you need to know about the ASICS Novablast 5:

• ✅Midsole. The fifth version of the Novablast features updated FF Blast+ ECO foam. It’s lightweight, springy, and delivers that signature trampoline-like bounce ASICS fans love. The midsole stack sits around 41.5 mm in the heel and 33.5 mm in the forefoot.
• ✅Cushioning. At roughly 9 ounces, it's slightly heavier than some daily trainers, but the bounce-to-weight ratio makes it feel quicker than the numbers suggest.
• ✅Performance. This one’s a solid choice for everything from easy miles to long runs and even some tempo efforts. It’s not a speed shoe, but it handles pace changes well and never feels dull.
• ✅Outer. The engineered mesh upper is breathable and padded in all the right places. It doesn’t fit tight like a racer, and the slightly relaxed feel makes it great for higher mileage training.
• 💲Price. At around $140, the Novablast 5 brings a fun, cushioned ride with solid durability and comfort for the daily grind.

For Blake a great daily trainer is something that you enjoy running in and gets you out the door. 

• It shouldn't fit too snug like a racer, and should have more padding and comfort all around. 
• The main purpose is to log the majority of your miles in them and it should feel comfortable from the easy to moderate range of paces.

Blake Graf

The Novablast 5 is fun, bouncy and durable but can be a bit unstable due to softness. This shoe delivers for runners who need one shoe that can do it all.

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If you want one shoe that quietly does it all, the New Balance Rebel v5 might be your perfect match.
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Cody called it a standout for versatility and value: a shoe that handles daily miles without feeling dull and can still hold its own when the pace picks up.

Here's what you need to know about the New Balance Rebel v5:

• ✅Midsole. The Rebel v5 uses a lightweight blend of FuelCell foam with PEBA and EVA components. It’s soft enough to feel forgiving on easy days but has a responsive pop that makes it feel snappy when you need it.
• ✅Cushioning. With a 35 mm heel and 29 mm forefoot, the added stack provides more underfoot comfort than previous versions. At around 7.9 ounces, it’s light, smooth, and easy to forget you’re even wearing it.
• ✅Performance. This is the kind of trainer you reach for when you're not sure what your run will become. It’s great for recovery days, steady-state efforts, and even a few uptempo strides without needing to switch shoes.
• ✅Outer. The engineered mesh upper is minimalist but effective. It locks in securely without hot spots or pressure, giving you that barely-there feel without sacrificing support.
• 💲Price. At $140, the Rebel v5 delivers comfort, speed, and range in one of the most versatile daily trainers of the year.

For Cody, a great daily trainer is all about versatility and value. 
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It should handle the bulk of your weekly mileage, those easy, unglamorous "junk miles," but also be capable of flexing into:

• Recovery runs
• Light speed sessions, and even...
• Long runs when needed

The fit needs to be secure without being restrictive, with a comfortable upper that doesn’t distract. And the midsole should strike a balance: soft enough for daily comfort, yet responsive enough to pick up the pace. 

Cody Jett

New Balance Rebel v5 is a shoe I think a lot of runners will enjoy. Not only does it look great, but it backs it up with a smooth, bouncy ride that’s ideal for daily training and longer miles. It’s lightweight, fun to run in, and versatile enough to earn a regular spot in your rotation.

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If you’re looking for something a little different in your daily trainer, something soft, smooth, and just plain fun to run in, the Mizuno Neo Zen brings a fresh feel to your rotation. 
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It has bounce, comfort, and a bold design that doesn’t feel like your typical Mizuno. Check this out:

• ✅Midsole. The Neo Zen uses Mizuno’s Enerzy NXT foam, which delivers a soft and lively ride with a surprising amount of pop. Stack height comes in around 40 mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, offering plenty of underfoot cushion without losing ground feel.
• ✅Cushioning. At 8.5 ounces, it is light for a max-cushion shoe and feels energetic rather than mushy. It is a great choice for easy miles, recovery runs, and mellow long runs where comfort takes the lead.
• ✅Performance. This shoe is made for daily cruising. It handles moderate paces well and rolls smoothly through your stride. It is not built for speed, but it definitely keeps the legs happy.
• ✅Outer. The seamless knit upper is breathable and soft. It wraps the foot in a relaxed yet secure fit, making it ideal for longer efforts or anyone who prefers a little extra wiggle room.
• 💲Price. At $150, the Neo Zen gives you max cushion and a fun ride in a package that feels different from the usual daily trainer crowd.

Whether you want max cushion, lightweight speed, or just something that makes daily miles feel a little easier, there’s a daily trainer on this list for every kind of runner.
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Pick the one that matches your goals, your training style, and most importantly, the one that makes you want to lace up and head out the door.

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What's your favorite daily trainer? Share yours in the comments or Create a WeeView and tell us more about it.