With Spring upon us and summer right around the corner, it's time to refresh your footwear for the season ahead. Whether you're hitting the pavement, exploring trails, or upgrading from everyday style, the 2025 Spring Shoe Guide has you covered. This year brings a perfect blend of innovation, comfort, and style, with top brands rolling out shoes that cater to runners, casual walkers, and lifestyle enthusiasts alike. Expect cutting-edge materials, eco-conscious designs, and bold aesthetics that will keep you ahead of the game. Get ready to step confidently into the new season with shoes tailored to your needs and preferences.
We gathered testers from all over the country, including veteran runners at ACTIVE, to extensively test the shoes in this guide. Our testers put their shoes through at least 20 running miles (some way more than 20 miles) while paying attention to comfort, fit, weight, breathability, flexibility, and ride.
From updates of old favorites that had our feet singing to new releases that will ensure you'll find something to motivate your miles well into summer, you're guaranteed to find a shoe you'll love. We know money might be tight, but if you can, treat yourself! You deserve it.
Spring Shoe Guides
AHNU | Asics | Brooks | Craft | Diadora | HOKA | KURU | La Sportiva | Merrell | New Balance | Nike | The North Face | Reebok | Rossignol | Salomon | Saucony | Scarpa | Skechers | Speedland | Under Armour
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts, including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Under Armour Velociti Elite 2
Under Armour Infinite Elite 2
Under Armour Reign 2
Under Armour Velociti Elite 2
About: Experience performance redefined with the Under Armour Velociti Elite 2. Built for athletes who demand the best, these shoes combine cutting-edge technology with sleek design, ensuring you excel in every step, sprint, or stride. Featuring a lightweight yet durable construction and responsive cushioning, the Velociti Elite 2 offers unmatched support for those pushing their limits. Whether you're training for your next marathon or need reliable footwear for high-intensity workouts, the Under Armour Velociti Elite 2 is ready to go the distance.
The shoes are peppy and inject some much-needed energy into a middle-aged runner. The important part is that I feel fast, even though my splits tell me otherwise.
Things We Liked:
"Every step gives back energy, making the shoes feel weightless - a zero-sum running experience."
"I love the upper construction - it's very breathable and didn't leave me with any hot spots or blisters."
Areas for Improvement:
"The shoe needs to cradle the heel and mid-section better, running on roads with a steep crown will force the foot to the upper wall and get a little wobbly."
"This is a personal preference, but I don't love the colorways. I tested the all white version, and I think I prefer a shoe with pops of color."
Final Thoughts
The UA Velociti Elite v2s boast a full-length carbon plate and are marketed as a performance shoe, but they're a few ounces heavier than most racing shoes, so that's something to keep in mind. The shoes feature one of the most breathable uppers on the market, making them an ideal choice for hot, humid, or wet conditions. The outsole is extra grippy, ensuring good ground contact even on slippery roads.
These shoes are fast, propulsive, and designed for speed, but like most shoes in this category, they can feel unstable, especially when transitioning between different surfaces (e.g., from the road to the shoulder). But the locked-in fit, breathable upper, and high-speed carbon plate more than make up for any instability.
Specs:
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 8.2 oz
- Price: $250
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Speed, Long Distance, Race
Buy:
Unisex
Under Armour Infinite Elite 2
About: Meet the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2, a shoe crafted for athletes who value versatility, comfort, and unparalleled performance. Designed to effortlessly shift between long runs, gym sessions, or casual strolls, this shoe stands out with its superior cushioning and energy-return technology. Its breathable upper keeps your feet cool during the most grueling routines, while the reinforced outsole adds durability to support your active lifestyle. With the Infinite Elite 2, every activity becomes an opportunity to perform with confidence and style.
These are the best shoes to run in due to their lightweight, stability, and support.
Things We Liked:
"Great shoes for errands and casual activities! Cute and stylish with comfort!"
"It is nice to have a shoe that has built-in heel support."
Areas for Improvement:
"The shoe runs a tad bit wide, I would make it a bit more snug."
"More flexibility of the leather around the toes of the shoe."
Final Thoughts
The UA Infinite Elite 2 is like the comfy couch of running shoes — soft, stable, and built to soak up all your miles. It’s super cushy underfoot thanks to the HOVR+ foam, making it perfect for long runs, easy days, or when you just want your legs to forgive you. The fit is true to size, with a roomy toe box, allowing your toes to spread out and live their best lives. The lacing system keeps everything nicely locked down. Durability is solid, and the breathable upper won’t turn your feet into sad little saunas. It’s not exactly a speed demon (think cruise control, not turbo mode), but overall, this shoe is here to treat your feet like royalty.
Specs:
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 8.4 oz
- Price: $160
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Running - Road
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Speed, Recovery, Long Distance, Race, Cross Training
Buy:
Women's | Men's
Under Armour Reign 6
About: Your ultimate training partner has arrived with the Under Armour Reign 6. Engineered for the toughest workouts, this shoe is built to withstand everything from heavy lifting to dynamic movements. With its superior grip, stability-enhancing base, and abrasion-resistant materials, the Reign 6 ensures you stay grounded and supported no matter the challenge. Lightweight and adaptable, it offers the perfect balance of strength and flexibility, making it your go-to choice for elevating your fitness routine.
The Reign 6 grips, grounds, and grinds—it’s the kind of shoe that shows up to work as hard as you do.
Things We Liked:
"The unbeatable stability under heavy loads makes it a go-to for lifters who still want versatility for conditioning work."
"It's nice to have a quality comfortable shoe that I can throw on for a lifting, plyometrics, or a group fitness class. "
Areas for Improvement:
"Cushioning could be dialed up slightly for better comfort during longer or more repetitive cardio."
"I would like to have the upper of the shoe have a little less material because it caused my feet to tend to overheat if it was a longer, harder workout session. "
Final Thoughts
The Under Armour Reign 6 solidifies itself as a go-to training shoe for athletes seeking stability, grip, and all-around performance in the gym. Built on UA’s TriBase platform, the shoe offers a solid base for heavy lifts while maintaining enough flexibility for dynamic movements. The low-to-the-ground feel helps you stay connected during squats and deadlifts, while the full-length Micro G foam midsole delivers just enough cushioning for comfort without feeling squishy or unstable.
The upper has improved with a more breathable yet durable mesh construction and reinforced overlays in high-wear areas. The fit is snug and locked in—ideal for explosive training, but potentially tight for those with wider feet. Whether crushing compound lifts or mixing in some functional fitness work, the Reign 6 adapts well without feeling out of place. While it won’t replace your running shoes for longer cardio sessions, it’s a powerhouse performer for most gym-based activities.
Specs:
- Drop: 2 mm
- Weight: 13.66 oz
- Price: $130
- Category: Neutral
- Type: Training Shoes
- Fit: True To Size
- Ideal for: Gym, Cross Training
Buy:
Women's | Men's