ASICS · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
ASICS Magic Speed 5
190 g, 7 mm drop, 37.5/30.5 mm stack, carbon plate, FF LEAP / FF BLAST PLUS foam.
190 g · 7 mm drop · 37.5/30.5 stack
$180
MSRP
Shoe guide
The best tempo shoes
Tempo shoes sit between daily trainers and race shoes. They are light enough to make fast running feel natural and durable enough to survive regular workouts – the workhorses of a speed-focused rotation.
Both plated and plate-free options appear here. Plates add propulsion and stability at speed; plate-free shoes are more flexible and often cheaper.
Adidas · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
Adidas Adizero Japan 9
177 g, 7 mm drop, 27/20 mm stack, LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam.
177 g · 7 mm drop · 27/20 stack
$130
MSRP
Adidas · Tempo / workout
Adidas Adizero Boston 13
A durable tempo trainer with composite rods: quick enough for workouts, tough enough for daily abuse.
260 g · 6.5 mm drop · 38.5/32 stack
$160
MSRP
Puma · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
Puma Deviate Pure NITRO
220 g, 8 mm drop, 38/30 mm stack, NITROFOAM foam.
220 g · 8 mm drop · 38/30 stack
$150
MSRP
Puma · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
Puma Deviate NITRO 4
250 g, 8 mm drop, 38/30 mm stack, carbon plate, NITROFOAM foam.
250 g · 8 mm drop · 38/30 stack
$170
MSRP
New Balance · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
New Balance FuelCell Rebel 5
223 g, 6 mm drop, 35/29 mm stack, FuelCell PEBA / EVA foam.
223 g · 6 mm drop · 35/29 stack
$145
MSRP
ASICS · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
ASICS Megablast
230 g, 8 mm drop, 46/38 mm stack, FF TURBO SQUARED foam.
230 g · 8 mm drop · 46/38 stack
$225
MSRP
Brooks · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
Brooks Hyperion 3
232.5 g, 8 mm drop, 36/28 mm stack, DNA FLASH v2 foam.
233 g · 8 mm drop · 36/28 stack
$140
MSRP
Saucony · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
Saucony Endorphin Speed 6
233 g, 8 mm drop, 38/30 mm stack, PWRRUN PBX foam.
233 g · 8 mm drop · 38/30 stack
$175
MSRP
HOKA · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
HOKA Mach 7
237 g, 5 mm drop, 37/32 mm stack, super-critically foamed EVA foam.
237 g · 5 mm drop · 37/32 stack
$145
MSRP
HOKA · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
HOKA Mach X 3
242 g, 5 mm drop, 42/38 mm stack, PEBA / EVA foam.
242 g · 5 mm drop · 42/38 stack
$190
MSRP
Saucony · Tempo / workout · Not yet tested
Saucony Endorphin Azura
240 g, 8 mm drop, 40/32 mm stack, PWRRUN PB foam.
240 g · 8 mm drop · 40/32 stack
$150
MSRP
Specs and role judgements are reviewed editorially and carry a last-reviewed date on each product page. This is decision support, not medical advice.
Read before you buy
Running basics · 4 min
What is a tempo run?
A tempo run is a sustained, comfortably hard effort – the bridge between easy running and race pace.
Read →Shoe basics · 4 min
Carbon plates and super foams
Plates and super foams make fast shoes feel faster and more protective, but they work best for runners who already train consistently.
Read →Race preparation · 4 min
Training shoes vs race shoes
Trainers are built to absorb daily miles; race shoes are built to make one specific pace feel easier. Most runners benefit from both.
Read →