Running Shoe of the Year 2018

Denmark’s most popular running shoes 2018….

Which running shoe in 2018 was the best, or perhaps more correctly, which running shoe in 2018 was the most popular running shoe. Because it is never easy to conclude which running shoe is the best. Because the shoe that is the best for you, it is most likely not the best for me. That is why we usually refrain from saying which running shoe is the best.
But that being said, the most popular running shoes usually show a trend. A trend that shows which running shoe could be the best. Because when a lot of a running shoe is sold and it gets a lot of attention, it’s because it’s good (and who knows, maybe the best?) This article is based on data from 1/1-2018 to 31/12-2018.

2018 was a good year in terms of running shoes. There were a lot of “hitters” and also more than we have room for in this article. This article is based on the behavior of our users in the year 2018, so the study and conclusion may of course be a bit limited by our own site. Since statistics and figures are taken from our website, it requires that the running shoe is represented with us. But without jinxing anything or anyone, we ourselves think that we have a significant database when it comes to running shoes, and therefore our study will show a true picture of the situation. If there are any models of running shoes missing, they are probably models from smaller brands, and then they would not be in this top 10 anyway.

2019 looks to be different

Although 2018 was an excellent running shoe year seen through nerdy glasses like mine, it also showed a trend that 2019 could well be quite different. A trend that has been brewing for a long time, but when one of the really big players is so actively moving in 2018, my/our prediction is that 2019 will be different.
In 2018, no less than 3 speed devils came out from Nike. (the reviews were made at Iloebesko.dk in 2018) All running shoes that step a little further away from this thing with pronation and neutral running style, at least if you ask us. The trend points towards people no longer caring so much about what direct running style they have. Much has gone in the direction of natural running. That is, where shoes and body should be better united – without any form of support or the like. And the releases of Nike Pegasus Turbo, Nike Zoom Fly and finally Nike Epic React speak to that extent.

Here are the users’ favorites

Our users have spoken. This heading covers which favorites we can read from data from our website. With more than 300,000 users on an annual basis, it is interesting reading. There are clear signs of what and which shoes Iloebesko.dk’s users prefer.
In fact, you could take our article about “Running Shoe of the Year 2017” and read pretty much the same. There are a lot of repeats on the list, a few new ones and then slightly different restructurings of placements

5. Nike LunarGlide

4. Adidas Ultra Boost

3. New Balance 1260

2. Asics Gel Nimbus

1. Read the presentation below

The most popular running shoe of 2018

Once again this year Asics takes home the prestigious honor. The most popular (and perhaps best) running shoe of the year. In 2018, our users voted the Asics Gel Kayano as the best running shoe. It is certainly the one that has received the most attention. And without going into the very deep explanation of why the Kayano is so popular and always at the top of such lists. We have to mention that the last 2 updates of the Asics Kayano have been especially good and excellent. Both the Kayano 24 and the Asics Kayano 25 have been launched. When such a popular shoe changes version number, there is always a lot of hype. But that is not why it is the most popular. It is because it is a good shoe – and it has been for many years.
Because when Asics launched its 23rd edition, which didn’t get quite as much praise, the shoe was also at the top of the list. So it doesn’t matter if the new updates are the most popular shoe.

Asics Gel Kayano is just popular in Denmark, and that’s how it is. It has been at the top for the past many years. It’s a bit of a funny trend, because Denmark is one of the countries that sells the most Asics Kayano running shoes compared to the population. In many other countries, Asics Kayano can’t compare to another popular Asics model, namely the well-known Asics GT-2000.
In fact, both in our review of the Asics GT-2000 and in a separate article, we have pointed out why the Asics GT-2000 is a much better fit for many regular Kayano runners.

Asics still sits on the throne

Asics is a powerhouse in running. You’ve probably never had any doubt about that. But again in 2018 they just show that the balance of power hasn’t changed. According to our database, they are without a doubt the brand with the most interest. Measured by the number of users who have shown interest in the Asics brand (mostly distributed between Nimbus, Kayano and GT-2000), they distance all the other brands in terms of user visits. Even when it comes to big brands like Adidas and Nike, which also have a number of models represented in our database, they can’t keep up..
But let’s look at 2019 and 2020. As written elsewhere in the article, Nike has something revolutionary and very interesting going on. Maybe the balance of power between brands on our side is about to tip? We will certainly look forward to following the development.

You are welcome to borrow our infographic if you would like. Write to us if you need it, and we will send you the original version as an image or PDF.

3 models stand out

If you look at our infographic, you can see that the top 1 to 3 in our 4 major cities are the same models of running shoes. However, there are a few discrepancies in terms of whether they are ranked 1, 2 or 3..
In all 4 cities the top 3 is shared between Asics Gel Kayano, Asics Gel Nimbus and so on.Adidas Ultra Boost. The same trend was observed in 2017. So it seems that some brands have to get on the horse if they want to be on the “podium”.

Top 3 neutral and pronation running shoes in 2018

Below we have highlighted 3 of the running shoes in the neutral/natural + pronation running shoe categories that stood out in 2018. The list is certainly not exhaustive, and the shoes are not listed in order of priority.

Neutral running shoes:

Asics Nimbus 20 (and 21) is certainly on such a list. Not least because it is once again among the most hyped running shoes in 2018. Asics did well to launch both their version 20 and 21 of the Asics Gel Nimbus. We have included both version numbers on the list since the Asics Gel Nimbus 21 came out at the end of 2018, so that is why it is on the list.
If you don’t already know the shoe, then this is a soft running shoe from Asics in absolute top quality. A running shoe that is for you who run longer distances. In version 20, Asics did the genius thing of making a little extra room for the toes. that’s what runners have been yearning for for many years in the Asics Gel Nimbus.
Read our review of Asics Gel Nimbus here

Nike Epic React became their flagship in terms of launching their REACT midsole. There have been plenty of similar models since then and also during 2018. But their top model Nike Epic React is a unique solution for those who want an all-round running shoe. It is both light, responsive and good for long runs.
With the introduction of REACT technology, Nike has raised the bar considerably for what a combination of pace and volume running shoes could look like. Stay tuned for more of that.
Readthe review of Nike Epic React here

Nike Pegasus 35 (and a little bit of Nike Pegasus Turbo) are 2 running shoes that are somewhat covered under the same name. And since I have to stick to the “Top 3” both are mentioned here. Because they deserve it.
The Nike Pegasus 35 is a “tradition warrior” when it comes to running shoes. And it’s super commendable that a running shoe can reach such a high version number. The Pegasus 35 is no exception in terms of the incredibly good running shoes that come out every time a Nike Air Pegasus is launched.
Then comes the big hit (if you ask me) And you can also read that further down in personal favorites. Pegasus Turbo is this fast and annoying little brother of the traditional Nike Air Pegasus. Nike Pegasus Turbo was launched with ZoomX foam in the midsole as the groundbreaking. And we can only agree with Nike. Because it is a super cool running shoe.
You can read review of Nike Pegasus 35 here and of course also of Nike Pegasus Turbo here

Adidas Solar Boost should also be on this list. And it should be because it is a combination of something familiar and something new. The Solar series from Adidas is something relatively new, while the Boost technology is becoming an aging gentleman (ahhh it’s not that bad)
But the combination of the ultra soft boost midsole, and a very flexible upper in Adidas Solar Boost, makes it a running shoe that deserves to be on the list.
You can read the review of Adidas Solar Boost here

Pronation:

Asics Kayano 25 we probably can’t avoid it. It’s in the top 3 everywhere in relation to the best running shoe in 2018. Asics Gel Kayano in its 25th version is really a hit in Denmark. Where Asics had some challenges especially with version 23 and partly also Asics Kayano 24, in number 25 they have hit it right in the hole…
This version has an improved midsole and many have welcomed it. And that’s why the Asics Kayano 25 is on our list. It will NEVER be a speed running shoe, but the Kayano 25 has become smoother and more straightforward. If nothing else, in terms of its appearance..
You can read our review of Asics Kayano here

New Balance 1260 v7 is on our list because it is a damn good pronation running shoe. Although it has also become smoother and lighter through the latest updates, it is still what I would describe as one of the “good old” running shoes. With a classic construction and support for pronation that is noticeable.
I have sworn by the New Balance 1260 for many years when it comes to running. And to this day I would not doubt for a second that it would do the job if I ran in it for a half marathon. Not at all considering the many great updates the shoe has received since I last ran in it (seriously).
New Balance has fought a battle to keep their top models from online sales, and they have partly succeeded with the New Balance 1260. You won’t find the shoe in many online stores. It is reserved for specialty stores.
Read our review of New Balance 1260 here

Asics GT-2000 v7 should be on our list. And that’s even though it doesn’t stand out significantly on other popular lists around. But you have to say that Asics with GT-2000 in version 7 has managed to fight back with a shoe that just works. In version 5 and partly also version 6, there were some things about the width of the shoe that Asics struggled with a bit. We think that has been fixed nicely in GT-2000 version 7.
In fact, the GT-2000 is a very underrated running shoe. You can read our article where we set up a battle between it and the Kayano here, where we also discuss why more people should actually run in the Asics GT-2000 rather than the Asics Gel Kayano.
You can read our review of Asics GT-2000 here

There are plenty of well-known running shoes on the list

When you look at our infographic, only “well-known” running shoes appear. And that’s of course because those are the ones they have access to via our website..
But that wasn’t really the point of this headline. The point is that when you move in a running environment, and once in a while you go out and run. Then you actually see a true-to-life representation of data from our site. The running shoes that are on our lists as the most popular and best running shoes, are also the ones you see on the feet of him and her in the Danish country.
However, I would like to, and it is entirely at my own expense, proclaim that the trend that I myself have helped to speak up a little. The one with the more “natural running” running shoes from Nike in particular and their tendency to take hold more and more firmly in the market. It is not quite AS clear in reality as it is in our data. But that could be due to bad luck on my part or something else entirely.

Truth with modifications

As mentioned elsewhere in the article and in the article for best running shoes 2017. So it’s all a truth with modifications. Or maybe it’s a bit too extreme a predicate, but in any case what we write is not law. Our articles are formed based on our data, so there will be fallacies in the picture we draw.
We touch so many brands, running shoes, and other technologies in our daily lives, but in a world that moves so fast, it’s practically impossible to keep up. God knows we try.

Another thing that can be covered under the heading “Truth with modifications” is that the running shoes we include on our lists are not always running shoes in use. But when we have, for example, the Nike Lunarglide in the top 10 of the most popular running shoes. It is true that it has been searched and read many times with us, but in fact it is a running shoe that has been discontinued during 2018/2019 and will soon no longer be found on the shelves. But maybe that is why our data shows the way it does. Users just need to register that a shoe has been discontinued (and not just changed version number), and possibly been replaced by another model.
For example, Lunarglide is on and off
1260 is not available in many places – is that why?

Personal favorite running shoes in 2018

Wow, what a tough one. As the article clearly shows, 2018 has been an exciting year in terms of running shoes. There have been good updates to the 2 big hitters, the Asics Nimbus for version 21 and the Asics Kayano for version 25.
But these are not the ones I would highlight as my personal favorite for the year 2018. We are going in the direction of the “speed devils” that Nike launched at the end of 2017 and otherwise continuously throughout 2018.

I was a big fan of the Nike Zoom Fly for a long time (I still am, but it’s overtaken by the inside). The Zoom Fly from Nike was this sock-like lightweight running shoe that just invited speed and speed play. But it’s another drop from Nike in this “fast category” that I choose to launch as my favorite. When I look down at my feet at the time of writing (article was written in 2019) I look down at a pair of Nike Air Pegasus Turbo.
The Nike Pegasus Turbo is this further development of the original Nike Air Pegasus from Nike. And to be honest, I have never had this close relationship with the original Nike Pegasus. But their new turbo model appeals to me to that extent. It is a running shoe that I can use for everything. Speed ​​games, intervals, short and long runs. So the Nike Air Pegasus Turbo has to be my personal favorite for 2018.