RUNNER'S 2022 - SHOE AWARDS

HIGH-TECH FOAMS AND CARBON-FIBER PLATES HAVE LED TO THE BEST RUNNING SHOES YET. BUT AS SUPPLY-CHAIN DISRUPTIONS LINGER, MANY EXCITING NEW MODELS ARE LATE TO HIT RUNNING SHOPS. SOME OF THOSE SHOES ALSO GOT TO US TOO LATE TO TEST FOR THIS ISSUE. THANKFULLY, THERE ARE SO MANY OUTSTANDING SHOES AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW THAT WE STILL TESTED NEARLY 90 MODELS TO BRING YOU THE 23 BEST. TO HELP YOU ZERO IN ON YOUR NEXT FAVORITE SHOE, OUR WEAR-TEST TEAM OF MORE THAN 250 RUNNERS LOGGED MORE THAN 100 MILES IN EACH OF THEIR TEST PAIRS. WE CONSIDERED KEY QUALITIES LIKE CUSHIONING, FLEXIBILITY, STABILITY, AND OVERALL RIDE. THE FOLLOWING PAIRS LEAD THE PACK.

FAST

Craft CTM Ultra Carbon Race Rebel

PRICE: $250

WEIGHT: 6.9 OZ (M)

DROP: 11 MM

TYPE: ROAD

BOLDEST STATEMENT OF 2022 so far: The CTM Ultra Carbon Race Rebel is the breakout hit in the racing-shoe category. Last spring, ultra-runner and RW video editor Pat Heine-Holmberg tested Craft's foray into carbon-plated shoes, the CTM Ultra Carbon. That road and light-trail model (best suited for nothing more technical than a gravel road) blistered his Achilles because of the high collar. Pat warned me about this before I laced up the Race Rebel for testing. The good news is my ankles are unscathed. Even better: The Race Rebel has earned its place on my shoe rack beside the Saucony Endorphin Pro, Brooks Hyperion Elite, and Asics Metaracer.

You might be asking, What business does a Swedish brand known for its long underwear have entering the super-shoe ring? Don't knock it until you've tried it, I say. Of the shoes I've raced in-Metaracer, Vaporfly, Endorphin Pro-the Craft feels the most stable. It's supportive in turns, like the Hyperion Elite. The fit is dialed, with a collar that grips your heel and a tongue that doesn't go askew midrace.