Every Running Shoe I've Owned: Rated with Real Photos

I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of money on running shoes over the past few years. Eleven pairs. Over 8000 kilometers. Every single one bought with my own money, worn until they fell apart or I moved on.

This isn’t a “top 10 best running shoes” list written by someone who jogged in them twice on a treadmill. I own these shoes. I ran in them through Belgian winters, summer heat, intervals, long runs, and races. Some I’d buy again tomorrow. Others I genuinely regret.

Here’s every pair, rated honestly, with real photos showing exactly what they look like after hundreds of kilometers.

The Full Lineup

Shoe	Kilometers	Rating	Category
Nike Vaporfly 4	50km	10/10	Race day carbon
Adidas Evo SL	400km	9/10	Daily trainer
Adidas Adios Pro 3	337km	9/10	Race day carbon
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3	1481km (2 pairs)	9/10	Tempo/workout
Adidas Boston 12	624km	8/10	Tempo/daily
Saucony Triumph 21	821km (2 pairs)	8/10	Easy day
ASICS Novablast 4	1000km	7/10	Easy day
Brooks Ghost 14	900km	6/10	Easy day
Saucony Triumph 22	750km	5/10	Easy day
Kiprun KD Plus	500km	4/10	Budget daily
Brooks Ghost Max 2	400km	3/10	Max cushion

Now let me break down each one.

Nike Vaporfly 4 - 10/10

Only 50km on these so far, but I already know. This is the best racing shoe I’ve ever put on my feet. The carbon plate feels like it’s pulling you forward. Every step returns energy in a way that’s almost unfair.

I ran my PR in these and I don’t think that’s a coincidence. They’re expensive, they’re fragile, and I only use them on race day. But when you toe the line and want every second you can get, nothing else comes close.

If you’re chasing a time goal and you can afford one pair of carbon shoes, this is what I’d recommend.

Adidas Evo SL - 9/10

This shoe surprised me completely. It’s light, it’s responsive, and it’s versatile enough for easy runs and tempo days. At 400km the sole still looks great and the upper hasn’t degraded at all.

The Lightstrike Pro foam in a daily trainer at this price point is absurd value. I use it for everything from recovery jogs to threshold work. It just does everything well. If I could only own one training shoe, this would be it.

Adidas Adios Pro 3 - 9/10

My first carbon plated racer and the shoe that showed me what race day shoes actually do. At 337km it’s seen more racing and fast workouts than most people would dare. The EnergyRods give a unique rolling sensation that I still love.

It’s slightly heavier than the Vaporfly 4 and the ride is different. More stable, more predictable. I used this for half marathon races and fast 10K workouts before I got the Vaporfly. Still a phenomenal shoe. Would buy it again instantly.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 - 9/10

I’ve gone through two pairs. 1481 total kilometers. That alone tells you everything. The nylon plate gives you a snappy feeling without the stiffness of full carbon. Perfect for tempo runs, intervals, and those days where you want to feel fast without destroying a race shoe.

The durability is exceptional. I pushed each pair well past 700km and they still felt good. The PWRRUN PB foam doesn’t break down quickly. For the price, this might be the best value shoe in my entire rotation.

This is the shoe I recommend most often to other runners. It works for daily training and faster sessions equally well.

Adidas Boston 12 - 8/10

Great shoe with one significant flaw. The ride is fantastic. Lightstrike Pro in a daily trainer format that handles tempo days beautifully. But look at that photo. A hole in the upper at just 300km. That’s not acceptable.

The second half of this shoe’s life was spent with mesh tape over that hole. The cushioning lasted longer than the upper, which is frustrating because the actual running experience is excellent. If Adidas fixes the durability on the next version, it’s easily a 9.

Saucony Triumph 21 - 8/10

Two pairs, 821km total. My go-to easy day shoe for a long time. Soft, cushioned, protective. Exactly what you want on recovery days when your legs are tired.

The first pair developed gaps in the upper. I contacted Saucony customer service and they replaced it. Credit to them for that. The second pair held up much better. The PWRRUN+ foam is plush without being mushy, which is a hard balance to nail.

ASICS Novablast 4 - 7/10

1000 kilometers is a serious test for any shoe. The Novablast 4 survived it, which says a lot about the FF Blast Plus foam durability. It’s bouncy, fun to run in, and handles easy miles well.

Why not higher? It’s a bit unstable for my taste. The stack height combined with the soft foam means I don’t fully trust it on uneven surfaces. For straight, flat easy runs it’s solid. I just prefer something more planted.

Brooks Ghost 14 - 6/10

900km and it still looks mostly intact. The Ghost 14 is the Toyota Corolla of running shoes. Reliable, boring, gets the job done. Zero excitement. It’s soft enough for easy days but there’s no energy return, no spring, no fun.

I ran in this when I was starting out and it served its purpose. But once you’ve experienced better foams, there’s no going back. It’s not bad. It’s just not good enough when better options exist at similar prices.

Saucony Triumph 22 - 5/10

This is where Saucony lost me. The Triumph 21 was great. The 22? They changed the foam, changed the geometry, and it just doesn’t work as well. It feels dead compared to its predecessor. Less bounce, less cushion, less enjoyable.

750km because I forced myself to use them. I won’t buy a Triumph 23 unless they go back to what made the 21 work. A clear downgrade from the previous version.

Kiprun KD Plus - 4/10

500 kilometers in a budget shoe from Decathlon. Look, for EUR 50 it’s fine. But “fine” isn’t what you want when you’re running 40-50km per week. The foam packs out fast, the fit is mediocre, and after 300km it felt like running on cardboard.

If you’re starting out and need something cheap to figure out if you like running, sure. But upgrade as soon as you can. Your joints will thank you.

Brooks Ghost Max 2 - 3/10

I wanted to like this shoe. The idea of maximum cushion for recovery days sounded perfect. The reality? It’s like running in quicksand. The stack is too high, the foam is too soft, and I felt less stable with every step.

After 400km I stopped using it entirely. My ankles felt worse after runs in this shoe, not better. The “max cushion” trend needs to die. More foam isn’t always better. I’d rather run in the Ghost 14 and that’s saying something.

This shoe taught me that choosing the right daily trainer is about balance, not just stacking foam higher.

What I Actually Rotate Now

My current rotation is simple:

• Race day: Nike Vaporfly 4
• Workouts/tempo: Adidas Evo SL or Endorphin Speed 3
• Easy days: Adidas Evo SL
• Long runs: Adidas Evo SL

Yeah, the Evo SL does most of the work. It’s that good.

I’ve written more about my complete rotation philosophy and what I’d buy again vs. regret if you want the deeper reasoning.

FAQ

How many kilometers should running shoes last?

Depends on the shoe and your weight. I’ve gotten 1000km from the Novablast 4 and less than 400km of good cushion from the Kiprun KD Plus. Expect 500-800km from most quality shoes. You’ll feel it when they’re done.

Do carbon plate shoes really make you faster?

Yes. The difference between my Adios Pro 3 and a regular trainer on race day is noticeable from the first kilometer. It won’t turn a 25-minute 5K into a 20-minute 5K, but for trained runners, 2-4% improvement is real and measurable.

How many pairs do you need in a rotation?

Three is the sweet spot for me. One for easy days, one for workouts, one for racing. You can get away with two if your daily trainer is versatile enough. I wouldn’t go below two because alternating shoes extends their lifespan.

Is the Adidas Evo SL really that good?

For me, yes. It’s light, responsive, durable, and versatile. But shoe fit is personal. What works for my foot shape and running style might not work for yours. My advice: try it and return it if it doesn’t click.

What’s your biggest shoe regret?

The Brooks Ghost Max 2. I bought into the max cushion hype and it was a complete waste of money. I should have spent that EUR 160 on another pair of Endorphin Speed 3s.