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Like that nostalgic binder snap and fresh loose-leaf scent of Five Star notebooks, it’s the new shoe smell that gets runners like us excited as Labor Day approaches. School student or student of training (at Dicks Sporting Goods marathon season, after all), there’s no denying the excitement of getting a fresh pair of kicks—especially when they’re on sale. We scoured the virtual shoe racks to find the best deals so you can gear up for autumn.
How We Selected
Our team of over 350 local wear-testers, with diverse experiences, gait patterns, arch heights, and weekly mileage, tests hundreds of shoes each year to determine the best trainers for your next run. We selected our 10 favorites for everyday training, speed workouts, and trail running.
Because most of these styles are from last season, now’s the time to buy a pair before they disappear. (You know the dilemma: “What have they done to the
Labor Day Men’s Shoe Deals
Labor Day Men's Shoe Deals
Brooks Ghost Max 2
The Ghost Max 2 is a plusher, slightly heavier sibling of the classic Ghost. Think of it as a maxed out version: a higher stack height pumped with nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 cushioning. GlideRoll rocker geometry makes the ride smooth despite the heavier weight. The Ghost Max 2 is an excellent recovery day shoe.
“The cushioning, while piled high, is responsive and gives a nice pop to runs, where the energy return from the compression and spring-back pushes the runner along well,” says tester Jim Warrenfeltz.“ It certainly isn’t a dead, marshmallow-y feeling shoe, which some maximalist shoes can trend towards.”
Compression molded EVA foam and an early stage MetaRocker provide a smooth, high energy return ride in the Clifton 9. It’s a shoe synonymous with Hoka for its max-cushioned feel and cozy interior.
“This was all around one of the best shoes I have tested,¯ says tester Tim O’Connor. “I ran it primarily on roads, but in a variety of conditions like rain, snow, and slush in addition to a traditional dry day with cinders everywhere. The feel and response was consistent whether I was going on a longer, slower run or a more tempo quick run. This shoe never let me feel uncomfortable both on my foot and when pushing it through conditions.”
A PEBA-EVA blend midsole gives the Rebel v4 its edge for hard workouts. Take this one out for your next speed session or 5K. We loved the breathable, lightweight FantomFit upper that fit over our feet like a second skin.
“The FuelCell Rebel V4 is an overall solid, dependable everyday trainer,¯ says tester Josh Davis “I put about 100 miles in it over the course of testing and was generally pretty happy. I spent most of my time on paved running trail, and that seems to be this shoe’s happy place.”
The GT-2000 13 has supportive FF Blast Plus cushioning in its midsole and Asics’s 3D Guidance System to help with overpronation.
“I’ve run in several iterations of the GT-2000 dating back to the inception of the model. This is definitely one of, if not my favorite,” says tester Chris Garges. “Overall, I was most impressed by the light weight, the cushioned ride, and the fast feel on my feet. I generally run in the 7:30 to 8:00 pace range on flatter surfaces, but I felt that these shoes were faster, more so even on hilly runs. The shoe provided great cushioning, a flexible and fast ride, and a comfortable upper.”
The Best and Most Comfortable Running Socks Tested
Dual-density Fresh Foam X keeps your legs fresh and buffers any trail debris in your way. A toe sweep protects your feeyt from getting stubbed and a Vibram Megagrip outsole bites into mud so you can stay upright without slippage.
The Hoka Mach 6 is built for comfort and durability, providing a wider toe box and balanced cushioning for daily miles and long runs. Gear editor Amanda Furrer calls it a "mile eater"—a nod to its zero-drop platform, natural ride, and reliable feel that keeps runners going strong on every outing.
The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is a past-gen pro praised for its comfort and versatility, making it ideal for long trail runs and ultras. We highlighted its lightweight, plush midsole and grippy Vibram outsole, calling it perfect for rugged terrain. One tester said, "every time I lace them up, they’re just as comfortable as the last time"—a true trail companion.
Labor Day Women’s Shoe Deals
Labor Day Women’s Shoe Deals
The Mach 6 is upgraded with a supercritical foam midsole. Formerly Profly+, the new platform is more lightweight and delivers more rebound. It’s an RW editor favorite for its comfy fit and responsive ride. We love taking it out for fast workout sessions. And so did our testers.
“The first thing I thought when I took these shoes out of the box—other than, wow, these look sharp—was, wow, these are light!” says shoe tester Erica Bobsein. “Then I put them on and was instantly giddy to take them out for a spin. These early sentiments stayed true through my testing. The Asics GT-2000 13 is so much fun to run in. The shoes are light and zippy and so comfortable.”
Built with learnings inspired by the Cielo X1, this super trainer has a PEBA top layer for soft, responsive cushioning, a Pebax plate sandwiched in the midsole, and a rocker profile to promote propulsion.
Says tester Aly Costello, “The peppiness and bounce from the foam plate make these super fun to train and race in. I ran mostly on my usual combination of road and rail trails. These held up very well on that surface with little slippage, even on rainy days. I ran a few tempo runs and easy runs with these, and they propelled me to run a bit faster than I usually would, even on my easy days.”
Best for Tempos
With a nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole, the Ghost 16 is plush and great for logging everyday miles. Snag the Ghost 16 before it’s gone—the Ghost 17 has a lower offset (10mm). If you prefer a higher heel lift (because, ah-hem, bursitis), cart the Ghost 16 now before it disappears.
“The cushioning of the Best for Tempos was more than adequate, but without the moon boot feeling of some of the highly cushioned shoes out there, like Hoka Bondi or Clifton,” says tester Lianne Greco. “I felt like I was nestled down and in control, and the stack height felt good. I liked that they felt light on my feet, and didn’t have a clunky, overly cushioned feel to them, despite definitely being well cushioned.”
The Divide 5 is an ideal beginner's trail shoe, thanks to its lightweight, responsive DNA Loft v2 cushioning and tacky 3.5mm lugs.
“This shoe checked a lot of boxes for me in terms of a shoe I didn’t have to think much about,” says RW Senior Photographer and shoe tester Trevor Raab. “It’s not a ‘real deal’ trail shoe but feels a lot like a nice everyday road shoe with some added grip. Dare I say a good gravel shoe? It felt quite nice on that kind of terrain: gravel, double-track, and less-technical trails. A good shoe to run from the road to a path or trail and back.”
Altra We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article
Even though the We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article doesn’t have a Vibram Megagrip outsole like the We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article+, it still has incredible traction with Altra’s MaxTrac rubber, and everything else you need for the trail: gaiter attachment points, a rock plate for protection in the midsole, and a roomy toebox to splay your toes.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
Download Your Training Plan Runner’s World and Bicycling, a dedicated cyclocross racer, and, occasionally, a product reviewer for the Test Team. He fits the typical “how I got into bikes” story: his dad introduced him to mountain bikes when he was a kid, then found skateboarding in the middle, worked as a bike shop mechanic, and now he’s riding or racing every sort of bike he can find.
