QUICK TAKE
How my running shoe lineup evolved from a single pair of Hokas to a four-shoe rotation spanning three brands — and what I learned about my own running along the way.
A year ago, I owned one pair of running shoes. I ran in them for everything and replaced them when the cushion gave out. It was simple. It was also, I’ve since realized, leaving a lot on the table. Here’s how my rotation came together, one shoe at a time.
The Hoka Clifton 8
For years, my rotation was just one shoe: the Hoka Clifton 8. I loved the max cushion and low 5mm heel-to-toe drop. The Meta-Rocker geometry made easy runs feel effortless. I’d buy a pair, run 300+ miles in them, buy another pair. No thinking required.
Then Hoka changed the newer Clifton versions — increased the drop, shifted the ride feel. The thing I loved about the shoe was no longer there in the newer models, and for the first time in years, I had to go shopping.
What the Clifton taught me: Cushioning matters. The right drop matters. And when a brand changes the formula on a shoe you love, it’s an opportunity to explore, not a reason to settle.
Status: Retired at 300 miles. The Clifton 10 (45) is the current version for those who want to stay in the Hoka family.
The Nike Pegasus 41
The Pegasus 41 actually entered the picture for a non-running reason. I needed a shoe I could travel with — something that could handle a morning run at the hotel, a full day of walking, and a casual dinner without looking ridiculous. The Pegasus has been Nike’s do-it-all daily trainer for 40+ years, and in the white/grey colorway, it checks every box.
As a running shoe, it’s solid but not special. As a one-shoe travel solution, it’s the best I’ve found. It taught me that not every shoe in the rotation needs to be the best running shoe — sometimes the most useful shoe is the one that adapts to your whole day.
What the Pegasus taught me: A rotation isn’t just about running. Life has other demands, and the best gear is the gear you actually use.
Nike Pegasus 41 — 40. 50 miles logged and still my go-to travel shoe.
The Asics Novablast 5
With the Clifton aging out, I needed a proper daily trainer again. The Novablast 5 was getting rave reviews everywhere, and the hype around Asics’ new FF Blast Max foam was impossible to ignore. I took a chance on it.
It was comfortable from the very first step. Not in the same way as the Clifton — no Meta-Rocker, no guided stride — but a deep, pillowy plushness that made my legs feel instantly good. The transition from Hoka to Asics took some adjusting (the flat platform feels different from Hoka’s curved sole), but within a few runs, the Novablast had earned the daily trainer spot.
An interesting thing happened around 75 miles: the springy bounce I’d loved early on mellowed into something softer and plusher. Rather than being disappointed, I realized this made it an even better recovery shoe. That shift ended up defining its role in my rotation.
What the Novablast taught me: A shoe can change over time, and that’s not always a bad thing. The ride at mile 200 is different from mile 1 — and I like it more now.
Asics Novablast 5 — 40. 200 miles in, firmly my easy/recovery day shoe.
The Asics Superblast 2
The Superblast 2 was the shoe that changed everything. While the Novablast replaced my Clifton for easy days, I still didn’t have a shoe for harder efforts. The Superblast 2 — a “super trainer” built with the same FF Turbo Plus foam found in Asics’ elite racing shoes — promised to bridge the gap between daily trainer and race day.
I almost returned it. My first runs felt stiff and rigid — a shock after months of soft, cushioned shoes. But I stuck with it, and somewhere around mile 25 the ride clicked. The firmness isn’t a problem — it’s the mechanism. The foam stores and returns energy on each stride, and at tempo paces, it genuinely propels you forward. After 100 miles in the blue/sea colorway, I bought a second pair in Edo Purple because I plan to race my next half marathon and marathon in these.
What the Superblast taught me: Comfort and performance aren’t the same thing. The softest shoe isn’t always the best shoe. And sometimes the gear that challenges you at first is the gear that makes you better.
Asics Superblast 2 — ~00. The Superblast 3 is also now available.
Where it stands today
Hoka Clifton 8 — 300 miles, retired. The daily trainer that started it all.
Nike Pegasus 41 — 50 miles, active. My travel and daily wear shoe.
Asics Novablast 5 — 200 miles, active. Easy and recovery runs.
Asics Superblast 2 — 100 miles, active (plus a fresh pair for race day). Workouts, long runs, and race day.
The funny thing is, I never planned to have four shoes. Each one arrived to solve a specific problem, and over time they sorted themselves into roles. The Novablast handles the easy miles, the Superblast handles the hard ones, the Pegasus handles life outside of running, and the Clifton — well, the Clifton started the whole journey.
The Sunny One says: You don’t need four shoes to start. If I had to pick two, it would be the Novablast 5 and the Superblast 2 — one for comfort, one for performance, about 40 total. That covers 95% of what most runners need. Add the Pegasus 41 if you travel. But however you build it, having the right shoe for the right run makes a bigger difference than I expected. My legs are happier, my shoes last longer, and every run feels a little more intentional.
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