The 12 best running shoes for the Course Navette test in 2024

Mikel Bejarano
Journalist and inveterate trail runner
Posted on 20-09-2024

At RUNNEA we know that if you are a regular runner or if you are preparing for a competitive exam, you have probably heard of the Course Navette test, also known as the "Beep Test". And this test is one of the most used to know our aerobic endurance. Although the physical preparation to perform it must be optimal, to get the best results, it is important not only to be well prepared physically, but also to have the right equipment.

That's why today we try to bring you in this article some of the best running shoes to do the Course Navette test. However, before we go into the list carefully selected by our experts, we believe it is important to explain and understand what this test consists of and why it is crucial to choose the right shoes. Because, although this test may seem simple in its early stages, as the speed increases, so does the physical demand. This means that the type of shoe you use must provide an ideal combination of cushioning, lightness, dynamism and stability. It's not just about running; it's about maintaining your pace for longer, with the right technique to avoid injury and optimize your performance.

What is the Course Navette and how is it performed?

As we have advanced and you probably already know, the Course Navette test is an aerobic endurance test in which you must run from one point to another, covering a distance of 20 meters, to the rhythm of a series of beeps that sound with intervals that are progressively shortened. At the beginning, the intervals are wide enough so that anyone, even without great physical preparation, can complete them. However, as the test progresses, the beeps shorten their spacing interval forcing you to increase your speed with each run. The test stops when the runner is not able to reach the end of the leg before the beep sounds, indicating that he has reached his physical limit.

What is the purpose of the Course Navette?

The main purpose of the Course Navette test is to measure maximal aerobic capacity, also known as VO2 max. This is a fundamental indicator to evaluate the state of cardiovascular and muscular endurance of a runner, or athlete in general. To simplify it somewhat, VO2 max reflects the amount of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise. The higher this value, the more efficient your body is at distributing and utilizing oxygen, which translates into a better ability to perform prolonged physical activities.

This test has become very popular in various fields, not only in sports, but also in selection processes for security forces, such as police, firefighters or military. As these professions require a high level of physical endurance, the Course Navette test is an effective tool for assessing whether a candidate is in top condition. Moreover, its simplicity in terms of equipment and execution makes it a very accessible option for trainers and evaluators. However, for those who face it,the key to success lies in proper preparation and, of course, in choosing the right shoes that allow maximum performance without compromising comfort and safety.

The best running shoes for the Course Navette test

Now let's move on to our recommendations as far as shoes are concerned to complete the Course Navette test in the best possible way. It only remains for us to clarify that the list will be divided into 2 distinct sections, on the one hand running shoes with carbon plate, and on the other running shoes without carbon plate. This is an important differentiation that can help to discern which of the two groups may fit you better. Both sections being a selection of fast running shoes, it is true that to stay comfortable with the first subgroup, the shoes with plate, it is necessary to have more experience in the world of running, with a more polished running technique to get the most out of the model.

Best running shoes to do the Course Navette test with carbon plate

New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Pacer v2

The New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Pacer v2 is one of the most outstanding launches of the Boston brand for this season in which some of the most outstanding technologies and materials of New Balance are combined to provide maximum speed and reactivity in our workouts.

  • Surface: Road
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Pace: High
  • Weight: 167 gr

Nike Zoom Fly 5

The Nike Zoom Fly 5 is a super running shoe with carbon plate that has one of the most contained and affordable prices on the market. You'll be able to use them both in those demanding quality workouts and in competition. In fact, the entire redesign of these Zoom Fly 5 is designed to continue to maximize the momentum in each stride and speed.

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

Brooks Hyperion Max 2

The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is one of the fastest running shoes of the brand, standing out for its great versatility and polyvalence and that, in this second version, maintains the essence of the shoe but integrates more advanced technologies.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Mixed
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: High
  • Weight: 260 gr

ASICS Magic Speed 4

The ASICS Magic Speed 4 are running shoes designed to offer the greatest dynamism and reactivity of the Japanese company and in which it has decidedly opted for the use of recycled material throughout the manufacturing process. They are designed to provide speed, dynamism and reactivity to anyone looking for speed in both demanding training sessions and competitions. The midsole of the shoe features Flyte Foam Turbo technology, the lightest and most reactive cushioning technology of the Japanese brand, while the outsole of the shoe maintains the design of the previous edition in which the carbon plate is visible in the middle and has the Asics Grip rubber . All this with a full-length carbon fiber plate that helps us to improve propulsion in each of our strides.

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

Adidas Adizero Boston 12

The new adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a shoe that maintains the essence of this legendary saga of mixed shoes from the German brand. It is a very comfortable and ideal model for fast workouts as it includes carbon plate (Energy Rods) to maximize the speed experience in training or competitions.

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

Puma Deviate Nitro 3

The PUMA Deviate Nitro 3 is a running shoe for neutral runners that includes a carbon plate and is designed to offer exceptional versatility in both high tempo runs and longer training sessions. From RUNNEA we assure you that this new revision of PUMA's Deviate Nitro 3 will make you fall in love again because they incorporate a high level of rebound to accelerate your pace with ease, providing that extra boost when you need it most. Not only has the cushioning been improved, but the weight of the shoe has been reduced, making for an even more comfortable and agile run. A perfect combination to cope with long distances without losing running speed. All this combined with an outsole that ensures great traction on different surfaces to run with total confidence and security. We are talking about a shoe that meets the demands of any type of training and / or fun run.

  • Surface: Road
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Mixed
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 10 mm
  • Pace: Low
  • Weight: 265 gr

Best running shoes to do the Course Navette test without a carbon plate

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is one of the most anticipated releases for this 2024 season as they are one of the most popular mixed shoes, not only of the brand, but the market in general. as they stand out for offering great efficiency and dynamism during our workouts and / or competitions.

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

Nike Pegasus Plus

The new Nike Pegasus Plus running shoes are a winning combination of cutting-edge technology and elegant design. With these hallmarks, Nike's Pegasus Plus seek to position themselves as the ideal choice for that demanding group of runners who want to wear a versatile, high-performance shoe. It is located between the other two models of the Pegasus range, the Nike Pegasus 41 and the Nike Pegasus Premium, sharing some of its most outstanding technologies. The great revolution of this model is the incorporation of ZoomX foam along the entire length of the midsole. This technology, previously reserved for elite models, offers unprecedented energy return in the Pegasus line. The Flyknit fabric, already known for its comfort and adaptability, has been redesigned for these Pegasus Plus. As for the technical specs, these Nike Pegasus Plus feature a more standard 10 millimeter drop, providing that more comfortable feel for running with confidence and security. While they have a weight of 245 grams in size 44 in men's running shoes; and 205 grams in size 39 in women's running shoes.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 10 mm
  • Pace: Low, Medium

Adidas Adizero SL 2

The adidas Adizero SL 2 is a running shoe that features some of the best technologies and materials of the brand and presents interesting new features in this second edition that keeps up to expectations.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 9 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 206 gr

HOKA Mach X 2

The HOKA Mach X 2 has a Pebax plate and an increased rocker profile to improve reactivity in each of our strides. It is a mixed running shoe that we can use both in fast training and competitions that has a good breathability and light weight.

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

Under Armour Velociti 3

The Under Armour Velociti 3 is now available, a lightweight shoe that provides good cushioning but stands out mainly for its great reactivity, ideal for running at fast paces during our daily running workouts.

  • Surface: Road
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Soft, Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 250 gr

Saucony Kinvara 15

The Saucony Kinvara 15 is a model of medium cushioning and perfect comfort that offers us a run with smooth transitions, great comfort and dynamism at all times. They maintain a philosophy of stability and optimal dynamism that makes them one of the most efficient and fast running shoes of the company. The upper of the shoe has been designed with seamless materials to offer a better running experience and fit of the foot inside the shoe. The midsole continues to use one of the most outstanding and popular foams of the brand, the PWRRUN compound, which provides a more than reasonable cushioning for our daily running workouts.

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

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