You have your road shoes, your trail shoes, your sentimental favorites…but the shoes that you wear on race day? Those mean something extra-special. Whether you’re lacing up for your first 5K or targeting a new marathon PR, it’s crucial to have a pair that’s strong enough to endure your planned distance, cushioned enough to keep your feet healthy, and fast enough to help you reach the time you want. And finding that just-right pair can take time—but we’re here to help.
From Runners World for Matrix Fitness From Runners World for Zenni on a demo run. A road shoe designed to be race-day ready, it features Helion HF hyperfoam that provides ultra-responsive max cushioning for superb energy return. The spoon-shaped Speedboard absorbs and transfers energy in each stride, while the Bounceboard technology propels you forward. In short, this shoe is about speed. But how does it feel on feet? Here are Bailey’s first impressions.
Tested: From Runners World for Zenni
The Tester
Races - Places
Age: 33
Shoe Size: Women’s 7.5
Arch Height: High arch
On Cloudboom Strike
Weekly Mileage: 25–35 miles during the season; 15–20 during the offseason.
From Runners World for New Balance
Bailey resting after her first-impression run in the On Cloudboom Strike.
The Review
First impression: “My first thought was, Shoes & Gear! I loved the bright white look, and I was struck by how light the shoes were.”
Fit and comfort: “They fit very true to size. The shoes have a wider toe box, which I really appreciated—no pinching! Running shoes don’t always have that, but I think it’s so needed. The upper of the shoe is very breathable, which helped keep my feet cool—I could almost feel the wind moving through (in a good way). The tongue was secure and didn’t slip or cause discomfort.”
Cushioning: “I usually like a high-cushioned daily trainer, but sometimes they can feel clunky and stiff. I loved that this had all the cushioning I needed while still feeling light enough that I could easily pick up speed. Looking forward, I’m excited to race longer distances in this shoe—I think it’ll be a comfortable and fast ride.”
Stability and support: “I laced up and felt totally locked in and stable. The shoes were snug and supportive. However, the first time I wore them, I tied them too tight around my ankles and they rubbed against my Achilles in a somewhat irritating way. I tied them looser the second time and didn’t have that issue, so I’d just note that they sit higher on the ankle than some other running shoes.”
Traction and durability: “I took the shoes on a couple of runs on slippery surfaces, and they were moderately grippy. I wasn’t slipping, but they felt a little loose on downhill surfaces that were wet. But on flat surfaces, even when covered with slick leaves, the traction felt great.”
Overall: “I genuinely love this shoe as a racing shoe. It has a strong, trustworthy structure, but it’s still very comfortable and flexible in a way that makes me feel free to run my fastest.”
