Avia Avi-Mantis
Somehow, the Avi-Mantis’s balance of a soft, moderately thick heel and a thin, firm forefoot appealed to every one of our testers: it’s responsive enough for midfoot strikers and accommodating enough for heel strikers. One of the best shoes we’ve ever seen from budget-friendly Avia. 6.9 oz; 9 mm drop
ASICS Gel-Kayano 19
Each year, ASICS tweaks the fit and feel of its flagship, award-winning high-mileage trainer. The 2013 version is a bit lighter and smoother, but it still delivers a pillowy ride that makes it the most comfortable shoe here for marathon-training heel strikers. Performs best on long, steady runs. 8.9 oz; 13 mm drop
Nike FlyKnit Lunar 1+
As the name suggests, the upper of this lean, low-to-the-ground trainer is made out of a knit (read: seamless) and stretchy material, providing a close-fitting, socklike feel. Some testers loved the fit and overall breathability; others found it too loose and craved more support. 5.7 oz; 10 mm drop
Salomon Sense Mantra
The narrow fit and snug upper made the Sense Mantra stand out on trickier terrain. “These feel like dancing shoes,” said one tester. Firm and a bit more heel oriented than the six-millimeter drop suggests, the Mantra was a big hit with moderate heel strikers. 8 oz; 6 mm drop
TrekSta Sync
Thanks in part to an ergonomically shaped toe box, the Sync was one of the nicest-fitting shoes we tested; it’s also fast and fun, with a smooth enough gait for those who log just as many miles on-road as off. 10 oz; 4 mm drop
Vasque Pendulum
Vasque took a pliable, unpadded upper and mated it to a fat, off-terrain midsole with big, toothy lugs and a protective rock plate underfoot. Which is why one tester called it a “stripped-down dune buggy with monster tires.” Be sure to check the fit: some testers found the heel too wide. 8.8 oz; 6 mm drop