The best triathlon shoes 2024

As we approach the spring/summer season, it's a prime time for triathlon competitions, making it crucial to check out the latest running shoes designed for this challenging sport. At RUNNEA, we've compiled a list that will not only help you pick the perfect shoe for your needs but also shave valuable seconds off those critical transitions in the running leg of a triathlon.

Best running shoes 2024

Our selection caters to various triathlete profiles. You’ll find super shoes equipped with reactive carbon plate, designed for maximum speed to help smash personal records. Additionally, there are models prioritizing a dynamic stride but with maximum cushioning to ensure safety, go the distance, and finish any triathlon distance with the best sensation.

2024 Triathlon shoes for each distance

While we've included some of the latest models in our current list, keep in mind that as brands release more innovations in the coming months, we'll update our recommendations with the top choices.

1. New Balance Supercomp Elite v4
2. Nike Alphafly 3
3. Brooks Hyperion Elite 4
4. ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris
5. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
6. New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
7. Joma R3000 24
8. HOKA Cielo X1
9. Adidas Adizero Boston 12
10. ASICS Novablast 4
11. Under Armour Velociti Elite 2
12. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2
13. Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
14. Nike Zoom Fly 5
15. Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2
16. Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
17. Skechers GORun Razor 4

New Balance Supercomp Elite v4

Since its launch in February, the New Balance Supercomp Elite v4 has become one of the standout shoes from the brand this season, thanks to significant improvements. It is noted for its exceptional comfort and performance.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: High

Nike Alphafly 3

The Nike Alphafly 3 was the model worn by the late Kelvin Kiptum when he broke the world marathon record in Chicago in 2023. This new version introduces enhancements to the upper, incorporating Atomknit 3.0 technology, among other notable updates to this high-performance shoe.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is one of the season's initial releases from the North American brand and stands out as one of the fastest running shoes available, thanks to its carbon plate and high-quality materials. This shoe is specifically designed to boost your speed, making it an excellent choice for runners aiming to improve their performance.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 221 gr

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris

The new ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is now available, specially renamed in honour of this year's Olympic Games in Paris. This shoe represents the pinnacle of performance footwear from the Japanese brand, incorporating significant enhancements designed to help runners become faster, stronger, and more efficient. It's an ideal choice for athletes looking to maximise their potential in competitive settings.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 5 mm
• Pace: High

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 shoes are updated while maintaining that clear purpose of being the fastestshoe in the history of the brand. For this, and how could it be otherwise, adidas has implemented an evolution of its most advanced technologies to achieve this ambitious goal. In this third version of the Adizero Adios Pro, the product developers of the German brand have decided to go for an improved midsole with a double layer of LightStrike Pro foam for greater energy return. The anatomical design of the innovative EnergyRods 2.0 shanks has also evolved to boost the stride, but the upper has also been updated with the inclusion of a new mesh for more precise support and the more sustainable End Plastic Waste material to respect the environment. All designed to provideflexibility, support and breathability, but above all, maximum speed.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6,5
• Pace: High
• Weight: 215 gr

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4

Uno de los primeros lanzamientos de la marca de Boston de la temporada 2024 son las New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, una running shoe mixta, ideal para entrenamientos de calidad y competir en carreras populares y que se presentan con una gran renovación con respecto las versiones anteriores.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Mixed
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6 mm
• Pace: High

Joma R3000 24

The new Joma R3000 2024 edition represents a total overhaul, marking the first time the Spanish company has incorporated a carbon fibre plate into the midsole construction of its shoes. This significant update greatly enhances the running experience, offering improved performance and innovation in a sleek, modern design.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High

HOKA Cielo X1

The new HOKA Cielo X1 stands as one of the significant launches from the brand this season, and we are confident it will be a topic of much conversation. This high-performance model incorporates a carbon plate along with the latest technologies and innovations developed by HOKA, positioning it as a key player for athletes seeking to elevate their performance.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 7 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 210 gr

Adidas Adizero Boston 12

One of the most versatile running shoes from the German multinational is the adidas Adizero Boston 12, a model that stands out for its comfort, speed and design, also includes carbon plate (Energy Rods) to maximize the experience of speed in each stride of your workouts and / or races.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 7 mm
• Pace: High

ASICS Novablast 4

The ASICS Novablast 4 has become one of the most popular shoes from the Japanese brand, acclaimed for its excellent blend of cushioning and responsiveness that facilitates running at very fast paces. This latest version delivers a perfect balance between comfort and performance, making it a favoured choice for runners looking to enhance their speed without sacrificing comfort.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training, Mixed
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Medium

Under Armour Velociti Elite 2

One of the first highlights from Under Armour in 2024 is the launch of the new Under Armour Velociti Elite 2. This shoe incorporates some of the best technologies developed by the American brand, positioning it as a top choice for athletes seeking advanced features in their footwear.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 232 gr

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2

The new Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 marks a significant advancement in the innovation and technology of the Japanese brand. This shoe is designed for athletes with high performance and refined running techniques, offering a perfect combination of performance, speed, and comfort. It's tailored to meet the demands of those who require excellence from their footwear during intense activities.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: High

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

The new version of one of the fastest shoes from the American brand, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, is now available. This updated model features enhancements over its predecessor, including a carbon fiber plate and an increased amount of PWRRUN PB foam in the midsole, making it an even more compelling choice for runners.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 212 gr

Nike Zoom Fly 5

The Nike Zoom Fly 5 is part of a range of super shoes with a carbon plate from the brand, and also has the most contained and affordable prices on the market. This new version is a big update on the previous model. 

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 286 gr

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2

The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is one of the flagships of the German company as far as fastshoes are concerned. We are talking about a flying model with the best responsiveness and propulsion of the brand, a model perfected for the most demanding runners that will adapt to all the necessary efforts. With a new design, the reformulation of its foam and its already characteristic carbon plate will not leave any athlete indifferent.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is undoubtedly one of the most popular shoes from the American brand thanks to its excellent combination of cushioning and reactivity, ideal for running fast both in training and competitions. Probably one of the best mixed shoes on the market.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Mixed
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High

Skechers GORun Razor 4

After a few seasons without news, the Skechers GORun Razor 4 is updated with new materials and technologies to provide extra speed and greater reactivity and durability for our training or competitions on asphalt.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 178 gr

The 5 keys to choosing a good triathlon running shoe

Before we conclude, it’s important to highlight the crucial factors to consider when selecting a triathlon running shoe, especially for those new to the triathlon world:

• Lighter materials: As long as the idea is to run fast to beat personal bests, running shoes should have lightweight materials and technologies that contribute to provide more dynamism, agility and reactivity.

• Easy to put on and take off: as one of the main objectives is to beat the clock, especially in transitions. The design of the model should make it easy and quick to put on and take off. In this sense, those pullers that come with some models can be very useful.

• Maximum breathability: Focusing on the upper part of the model, it must be made to offer very good ventilation, while being able to expel moisture (water and sweat) easily and quickly to keep your feet dry at all times.

• Reduced internal seams: a must if you want to wear your running shoe without socks. Minimizing the seams to their minimum expression avoids friction and rubbing on the skin, without the risk of chafing and blisters.

Last but not least, it is important to remember that the most expensive running shoe is not always the best. Your ideal shoe is the one that best suits your needs as a runner.