For Dads Who Run Before Sunrise

There’s a certain breed of dad who runs when the rest of the house is asleep. Coffee at 5:15, shoes by the door, Garmin synced before the sun peeks up.

If that’s you, this one’s for you. Running coach and marathoner Ben Parkes just dropped his “Top Shoes of 2025 (So Far)” video, breaking down the best daily trainers, race rockets, and recovery kicks of the year. He buys every pair himself, so there’s no sponsor fluff or influencer bias. Just real miles and honest takes.

Here’s the shortlist.

Daily Trainers: The Workhorses

Winner: Adidas Adizero Evo SL
A dad’s dream. Premium Lightstrike Pro foam without the carbon plate, giving a ride that’s both springy and responsive. Fast enough for tempo runs, soft enough for recovery miles. Downsides: short tongue, sub-par laces, and a little unstable for heel strikers. But for the price, it’s a killer deal.

Runner-Up: ASICS Novablast 5
The Swiss Army Knife of running shoes. Durable, cushy, and fun. Great for nearly any runner and any pace. The only real drawback: wet-weather grip could be better.

Also worth a look:

  • New Balance More v6

  • Salomon Aeroglide 3

Speed Shoes: For When the Pace Picks Up

Winner: Nike Zoom Fly 6
ZoomX midsole with a carbon plate delivers a fast, fun, and surprisingly comfortable ride. Great for intervals or tempo runs without the top-tier race shoe price tag. Cons: a bit unstable in the heel and awkward to walk in — but who walks in these?

Also Great: Hoka Rocket X 3
Technically a race shoe, but versatile enough for speed sessions too. Lightweight, stable, and smooth through transitions. Pricey, yes — but it earns its keep.

Race Shoes: PR Material

Short Distance Pick: Nike Vaporfly 4
Light, bouncy, and perfect for shorter races. Built for pure speed. Not ideal for marathon distances or heel strikers due to its softer mid-foot feel.

Marathon Pick: ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo Edition
Ben’s go-to marathon shoe for 2025. Fast, stable, and surprisingly comfortable for its weight. Excellent grip and smooth transitions. Knocks: sliding tongue and a premium price tag.

Recovery Shoes: Comfort Mode

Best Cushion: New Balance More v6
Massive stack height and cloud-like comfort. A shoe designed for tired legs, not speed. Heavy, yes, but your joints will thank you.

Best Premium Feel: ASICS Gel Nimbus 27
Plush, stable, and built to last. One of the most comfortable shoes of the year. On the expensive side, but worth it for the miles you’ll put in.

Long Run Shoes: Weekend Warriors

Top Pick: ASICS Superblast 2
Firm, responsive, and ready for high mileage. Handles long runs, tempo work, and everything in-between. Not the cheapest option, and its firmness may not suit everyone.

Also Great: Nike Vomero Plus
Bouncy, smooth, and with excellent grip. Feels faster than it should for a cushioned shoe. Only gripe: a little unstable on uneven terrain.

The Dad Takeaway

The right running shoe won’t just shave seconds off your splits. It’ll keep you healthy, consistent, and out the door before the rest of the house wakes up.

Here’s the 2025 dad-tier rotation:

  • Daily workhorse: Adidas Adizero Evo SL or ASICS Novablast 5

  • Speed weapon: Nike Zoom Fly 6

  • Race-day rocket: ASICS Metaspeed Edge

  • Recovery cruiser: ASICS Gel Nimbus 27

Because the best shoe isn’t the flashiest one. It’s the one that gets you moving when it’s dark, cold, and the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet.

Watch the full review from Ben Parkes.


Note: This rundown is based on Ben Parkes’ YouTube video, “The Top Shoes I’m Running In So Far in 2025.”  The picks and opinions are all his — we’re just fans sharing the goods. We’re not sponsored by any of these brands (though if they want to send a pair or two, we’ll test ‘em properly). Links are for your convenience and may help keep our coffee fund alive.