WOLF PICKS · RUNNING · SHOES
Running shoes: Daily, Tempo, Marathon.
RTINGS lab measurements and use scores, Chinese brands included. No ranking.
- How we split the categories: RTINGS does not use the word "Tempo". For Daily and Marathon we use its use scores ("Daily Training", "Half/Full Marathon Racing"). For Tempo we group shoes that RTINGS reviews describe for fast workouts and short races. The grouping is ours; the numbers are RTINGS'.
- The 0-10 scores and measurements are RTINGS' on one pair (men's size) and change as their test bench updates. Prices are left out: they vary by market.
Daily
Everyday miles. By use score the ASICS Novablast 6 is highest; Evo SL and Ghost 18 score the same. No Chinese-brand daily shoe read so far.
| ASICS Novablast 6 | adidas Adizero Evo SL | Brooks Ghost 18 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 247.7 g | 220.0 g | 283.3 g |
| Heel stack | 41.9 mm | 36.9 mm | 36.6 mm |
| Drop | 8.8 mm | 6.7 mm | 10.8 mm |
| Plate | None | Plastic shank | None |
| Energy return (0-10) | 7.2 | 8.3 | 4.3 |
| Cushioning (0-10) | 8.5 | 8.0 | 6.6 |
| Stability (0-10) | 7.1 | 6.6 | 8.1 |
| Use: daily training (0-10) | 7.9 | 7.4 | 7.4 |
RTINGS on the Novablast 6: in its comparison, the Gel-Nimbus 28 is better for daily training and long runs thanks to stability and more resilient cushioning; the Novablast stays more lively.
Tempo
Fast workouts and short races. RTINGS describes the ANTA C202 7 as more practical "for workouts and general faster training sessions" than the race version; the XTEP 260X 3.0 as a "short-distance workout and racing shoe"; the Endorphin Speed 6 as a meaningful upgrade "especially for longer workouts and races".
| Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 | ANTA C202 7 | XTEP 260X 3.0 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 222.0 g | 212.9 g | 216.0 g |
| Heel stack | 37.8 mm | 37.8 mm | 36.8 mm |
| Drop | 7.3 mm | 7.5 mm | 10.4 mm |
| Plate | Plastic plate | Carbon fibre plate | Carbon fibre plate |
| Energy return (0-10) | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.2 |
| Cushioning (0-10) | 7.7 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| Stability (0-10) | 7.4 | 6.3 | 7.1 |
| Use: 5K/10K racing (0-10) | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
ANTA and XTEP: Chinese brands tested by RTINGS. XTEP is named as a Chinese brand by Outside (Running).
Marathon
Carbon-plated race shoes. Highest RTINGS half and full marathon scores: Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite (8.4), then XTEP 160X 7.0 PRO (8.2) and Adizero Adios Pro 4 (8.1). Outside (Running) calls the Feidian 6 Elite and XTEP 160X 7.0 PRO Chinese carbon-plated "marathon racers".
| Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite | XTEP 160X 7.0 PRO | adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 205.1 g | 226.8 g | 197.5 g |
| Heel stack | 39.7 mm | 38.2 mm | 39.5 mm |
| Drop | 5.4 mm | 4.0 mm | 7.0 mm |
| Plate | Carbon fibre plate | Carbon fibre plate | Carbon fibre rods |
| Energy return (0-10) | 8.9 | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| Cushioning (0-10) | 9.0 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Stability (0-10) | 6.2 | 6.7 | 5.5 |
| Use: half and full marathon racing (0-10) | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.2 |
Low stability on all three (5.5-6.7 out of 10): race shoes, not everyday shoes, and their daily-training score is between 6.0 and 6.5.
Sources
- RTINGS, Adizero Evo SL
- RTINGS, ASICS Novablast 6
- RTINGS, Brooks Ghost 18
- RTINGS, Saucony Endorphin Speed 6
- RTINGS, ANTA C202 7
- RTINGS, XTEP 260X 3.0
- RTINGS, adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
- RTINGS, Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite
- RTINGS, XTEP 160X 7.0 PRO
- Outside (Running), 8 Chinese running shoes tested (10/06/2026)
Last checked: 29 October 2026.
Transparency: we summarise tests and reviews already published, name who ran them, and keep manufacturer data apart from tester results. No affiliate links on this page.