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Test Bench 0.9  
Changelog

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Updated 

Test Bench 0.9 marks the first expansion of our testing, with the introduction of a new compression test: Forefoot Long Run Cushioning. While our existing Energy Absorption tests across different loads provide a meaningful and accurate picture of a shoe's overall cushioning, we knew from both experience and user feedback that they didn't tell the full story. How that cushioning evolves over the course of a run matters just as much, if not more.

Some midsoles feel soft and well-cushioned initially, but lose that comfort after only a few kilometers. This is what the running community often refers to as a shoe bottoming out. While the foam doesn't necessarily collapse completely, certain models reach a point where Energy Absorption drops sharply, creating a harsher, more fatiguing feel. In practice, this becomes especially important during long runs, when reliable cushioning is most valuable as the runner's legs are fatigued from the effort.

To capture this aspect of performance, we developed a new Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test that measures how cushioning evolves over the equivalent of up to 50 km of running, with data recorded every 10 km (10km, 20km, 30km, 40km, and 50km).

Initially, we considered introducing a Heel Long Run Cushioning test as well, but ultimately determined that it would provide limited additional value compared to the forefoot for real-world running scenarios. There are two main reasons for this. First, the forefoot typically bottoms out before the heel. Because it's usually lower stacked, it tends to absorb less energy overall. Second, even for heel strikers who land with significant force at the rear of the shoe, the stride naturally transitions toward the forefoot. In practice, this makes the forefoot the region where runners begin to feel the decline in protection first. For this reason, the Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test is the most representative indicator of how a shoe will hold up over the course of a long run.

What's Changed?

Test Group Description
Performance | Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
  • Introduction of a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test, which repeatedly compresses the forefoot of the shoe over the equivalent of 50 km of running.
  • The shoe is compressed up to 1300N, as this force level represents a realistic midpoint that covers most runner profiles: a lightweight runner at fast paces (≥ 3 min/km), a mid-weight runner at moderate speeds (≈ 5 min/km), and a heavyweight runner at slower paces (≤ 7 min/km). While it doesn't capture the entire range of possible forces, it serves as a meaningful and consistent benchmark to compare all models under the same conditions. For more information on how we replicate real-world strike forces using insights from pressure-mapping testing, see our R&D article on the subject.
  • The test is conducted with a linear actuator and load cell, compressing the shoe at the forefoot (70% of its internal length), consistent with our other compression-based tests.
  • Cushioning performance is tracked throughout the test, with intermediate data points recorded at 10 km, 20 km, 30 km, and 40 km, and an overall score calculated as the average of the four results.

Here's how that new Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test appears in the performance section of the review, using the Nike Vaporfly 4 as an example.

A picture of the Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test for the Nike Vaporfly 4.

This is the only change introduced in Test Bench 0.9. It doesn't affect the existing Heel Cushioning or Forefoot Cushioning tests, nor does it currently impact any Usage or Performance Usage scores in the Our Verdict section of our reviews.

Conclusion

Overall, this update introduces a more targeted addition to our test bench, capturing a new dimension of performance: how cushioning evolves over distance during a long run. The Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test gives a clearer view of how shoes maintain comfort and protection as mileage accumulates, complementing our existing compression-based tests.

Let Us Know What You Think!

We plan to continue expanding on this by developing a dedicated Midsole Durability test, which will assess performance not just within a single run, but across multiple runs and higher total distances. If you have suggestions or ideas to help guide this development (or other concepts you'd like to see tested), feel free to comment on any page or reach out at feedback@rtings.com. Your feedback has been essential in shaping our methodology, and we're grateful for your continued input.

58 Running Shoes Updated So Far

We are retesting popular models first. So far, the test results for the following models have been converted to the new testing methodology. However, the text might be inconsistent with the new results.

43 Running Shoes Planned To Be Updated

We are also planning to retest the following products over the course of the next few weeks:

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