Best Shoes to Crush Your Around the Crown 10K Race

You’ve hit register and now all that’s left is to train for Around the Crown. Of course that sounds simple, but we all know it means weeks of dialing in paces and finding the right gear to make the most out of race day!

While there is no one perfect running shoe, there are definitely shoes better suited to 10K speed than others. Our team has tested literally hundreds and hundreds of shoes at a variety of paces in a variety of body sizes, so we wanted to help you find the shoe that’s going to help you nail that PR or cross that first finish line feeling good!

*Do you need a specific race day shoe? That really depends on your goals.

What you’ll see is that we have included a lot of daily trainer options because they are so much more durable, cost effective and depending on your race goals will absolutely get the job done.

PSSSTTT don’t forget code RUNTOTHEFINISH is good for $5 off your ATC 10K entry.

First time running ATC? Checkout our full Around The Crown experience and tips!

Best Lightweight Option for Daily to Race Day: Saucony Kinvara 16

As a long-time fan of Saucony’s Kinvara line, I was stoked to find out that even with the growing popularity of their Endorphin range, the Kinvara isn’t being left in the dust.

I’ve truly run in so many of models of this and often recommend it for the low heel to toe drop if anyone has dealt with IT band issues. The Kinvara continues to be a lightweight, nicely cushioned trainer that you’ll want to keep grabbing for.

I’m so excited that for the 16 Saucony went back to the original stack height of 29mm! There was also a small change to the geometry of the midsole, but as someone who has worn this shoe for YEARS, it didn’t really stand out to me.The Saucony Kinvara 16 feels smooth and stable. The PWRRUN foam is going to provide even more energy return, really giving the snappier feel underfoot. For a whole lot of runners this will be a shoe that can pick up the pace enough to feel good on race day while still having cushion for all the training days meaning you don’t need to buy more shoes.

The shoe’s upper is made from a breathable mesh material that allows for maximum airflow and helps to keep feet cool and dry. This one has a bootie style fit, meaning that the tongue is attached. I LOVE this because it means it’s not going to be moving all over while I run.

• Weight: 6.3 oz Women’s. 7.0 oz Men’s
• Heel drop: 4 mm
• Stack Height: 29mm
• Available in 9 colors
• Available in wide
• Available now on Saucony.com ($130)
• The 15 is on sale and not as snappy, but still a really good option for big savings
• Read our full review of the Saucony Kinvara 16 here >>

Runner Up Lightweight Daily to Race Day: New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 doesn’t feel as fast as the V4 to many of us, but it’s still a shoe that’s going to provide you with soft cushion and the ability to pick up the tempo. We know runners at a wide range of paces who feel good picking it up in these, so it’s certainly not just a mid-pack option.

Could be a good option if you struggle with issues like plantar fasciitis because it’s not as soft as others.While the ability to tear through fast track workouts may be a thing of the past for the Rebel, it is still an excellent non-plated lightweight daily trainer, tempo shoe, and affordable racing shoe for anything from the 5K to the half marathon.

• • Weight: 6.3 oz Women’s, 7.9 oz Men’s
  • Heel drop: 6mm drop
  • Stack Height: 35mm
  • Available in wide sizes
  • Available in 8 colors
  • Check it out at Newbalance.com for $140
  • Read our full review of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 here>>

Best High Drop Daily Trainer: Brooks Ghost

The Brooks Ghost 17 still delivers everything a runner could ask for: just the right amount of cushion in midsole, a durable rubber outsole and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling comfortable mile after mile.

These feel like a shoe with a lot more structure and while cushioned, they don’t have the plush feel of some shoes. But the Ghost remains one of the top selling running shoes because it works for so many and is durable.

This is useful to many runners who end up with lower back pain while running in a too cushioned shoe.

The Brooks Ghost 17 is a mix between soft and firm, like a shoe that you’d throw on when you want to hit party paces, but you also want to be able to get down to business.

If you’re aiming for 5 minute miles, probably not the ideal shoe. But for a whole lot of runners, this is going to absolutely be a really durable shoe for training and race day.

This is a higher heel to toe drop shoe, which is good for those with less ankle mobility.

• Weight: 9.0 oz women’s, 10.1 oz men’s
• Heel toe drop: 10mm
• Stack: 36 mm
• Available in six colors
• Available in Wide, Narrow and Extra Wide in select colorways
• Available from Brooksrunning.com for $150
• Read our full review of the Ghost 17 here >>

Best Option for Heavier Runners: Adidas EVO SL

Is this the fastest carbon plated shoe? No, but it’s also only a half plate, it’s not the super bouncy foam and yet it’s one of the most popular running shoes we saw from our athletes in 2025. Particularly our heavier runners found that the cushion here didn’t collapse underfoot AND they got cushion while being able to pick up the pace.

Lighstrike Pro is their top of the line foam. It’s the lightest with the best energy return and we’re finding it here in a $150 daily trainer, that’s very unusual.

The Adidas EVO SL is not as bouncy as a carbon plated shoe and not as soft as a daily trainer. It’s a blend right in the middle that allows for that energy return, but if you’re used to something like the Nimbus or NB 1080 that are super soft it could feel firm.It’s not the pick we’d give for a 7 minute mile, but it is a shoe that will carry you through training and easily hit 9 minute miles comfortably for the 10K.

• Weight: 6.6 oz Women’s, 7.9 oz Men’s
• Heel drop: 6 mm
• Stack Height: 38mm
• Available in a whole lot of colors
• Available in wide
• Available now on adidas.com for $150

Stability Racing Shoe Option: Saucony Tempus 2

Our speed runner Jeff was thoroughly shocked and impressed by this shoe. Not only does he usually eschew stability, but he couldn’t believe that it really picked up the pace! In fact, there are very few stability shoes that ever feel like you can pick up the pace, so we’re excited to have an option for you!

The major con of this shoe is that it does run more narrow and has a bit of a shallow toe box, so it’s not going to be for everyone.

This shoe performs adequately at relaxed paces but truly comes alive during uptempo efforts. The midsole is bouncy and responsive, and my legs felt fresh during the final miles of a half marathon as well as multiple long runs.

It’s also one of the few stability shoes to feature a superfoam, (PWRRUN PB) so the ride is remarkably cushioned

• Weight:  8.2 oz Women’s, 9.4 oz Men’s
• Heel Toe Drop: 8mm
• Available in 12 colors
• Not available in wide
• Available at Saucony.com for $160
• Read our full Saucony Tempus 2 Review

Best Carbon Plate for Mid-Pack Runners: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Those looking for speed are often drawn to the carbon fiber shoes for that extra boost. I certainly was for the Chicago marathon! It’s important however that you not run in them too much to breakdown the shoe, so just enough to break them in!

For those really looking to hit faster times (anything Sub 4) the Saucony Endorphin Pro can be a good option.

This has been a highly loved shoe from version 1, to the newer higher stack height version 4. It was visible all over the Boston marathon course in the neon green color. AND I AM LOVING the 4 so much! I would definitely run a marathon in it.

I’ve always liked the moderate cushion of Saucony shoes, so this felt fantastic to me. It’s in line with something like a Kinvara, but so phenomenally light. And the higher outsole seems to provide a little extra stability.

• Heel Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 6.5 oz women’s, 7.2 oz men’s
• Max Cushion with Carbon Fiber Plate, narrow fit
• Not available in wide
• Available now on Saucony.com for $225
• See my full Endorphin Pro 4 review

See all of my best carbon plate running shoe recommendations >>

Best Front of the Pack High Speed Option: Brooks Hyperion Elite 5

Ready to lay down some serious speed? Time for a serious shoe. Like American marathon legend Des Linden had a hand in developing this shoe kind of serious.

Their DNA gold cushion is all super critical PEBA, instead of any EVA, which means it’s less durable, BUT gives that speed without squish feel that we enjoyed. In fact, this shoe is lighter thanks to those little cut outs around the orbs, but actually contains more foam making it faster and more efficient based on testing.

The rocker is subtle, so any footstrike can find speed comfortably. This shoe works with your stride rather than forcing a motion, making it versatile for a wide range of runners.

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