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The picks
#1 Do-everything short
Vuori Kore Short
83/100 Crowd 91 Assessment 78 Value 70 €85
A cult-favorite short with buttery fabric that goes from gym to lounge effortlessly.
- Comfort9
- Versatility9
- Quality8
- Fit8
- Value6
Pros
- Softest-in-class four-way stretch fabric, very comfortable
- Extremely versatile: gym to street in one short
- Built-in boxer-brief liner adds support
Cons
- Premium price (€85)
- Heaviest in test, absorbs water and dries slowly
Buy it if Buy if you want one premium short that handles strength training, functional workouts and casual wear equally well and you value comfort over race-day speed. Skip it if Skip if you mainly do hot-weather runs or high-intensity cardio and need a light, fast-drying short with secure zip pockets.
#2 Max-cushion easy miles
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27
82/100 Crowd 84 Assessment 82 Value 82 €140
Plush, stable max-cushion daily trainer — the value pick on discount.
- Cushioning9
- Stability8.5
- Durability8.4
- Fit8.2
- Versatility6.5
Pros
- Plush, shock-absorbing ride — excellent for easy and recovery miles
- Surprisingly stable for a max-stack neutral shoe
- Breathable engineered-mesh upper, comfortable and true to size
Cons
- Heavy (~300 g) with low energy return — no pop for faster paces
- A minimal update over the 26; only makes sense on discount
Buy it if You coach runners who want maximum underfoot protection for easy days, long slow distance, or higher-mileage and heavier runners. Skip it if You want one lively do-it-all trainer with pop for tempo work — look at the Novablast or a plated shoe.
#3 Max-cushion easy days
HOKA Clifton 10
82/100 Crowd 84 Assessment 80 Value 82 €160
A plush, protective max-cushion cruiser for easy miles.
- Cushioning9
- Stability8.4
- Durability8.5
- Fit8
- Liveliness6.5
Pros
- Superb joint/impact protection, stable despite a tall stack
- Roomier, wider forefoot with a plush, comfortable knit upper
- Improved traction and durable outsole
Cons
- ~10% heavier than the Clifton 9 (~278 g)
- Dated CMEVA foam feels firm and lacks liveliness — no pop for tempo
Buy it if You coach easy-day and recovery clients who want maximum, protective cushioning in a stable neutral daily trainer. Skip it if You want a lightweight, springy shoe for tempo or faster paces — the firm EVA and weight make it dull.
#4 Do-it-all super-trainer
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
82/100 Crowd 80 Assessment 82 Value 85 €119
Versatile nylon-plated trainer — easy days to race day, now a steal.
- Ride9
- Versatility9
- Durability8
- Fit7
- Value8
Pros
- Versatile: easy runs, tempo, intervals and long runs
- Bouncy, responsive PWRRUN PB midsole with nylon plate
- Light with a secure, breathable upper
Cons
- Fits slightly small with a narrow-ish toe box
- Excess tongue fabric and long laces can bunch
Buy it if Runners who want one shoe for daily miles, tempo and race day, especially at today's discounted prices. Skip it if Skip if you need a maximally stiff carbon racer or have wide feet that need a roomy toe box.
#5 Firm max-cushion
On Cloudmonster 2
81/100 Crowd 82 Assessment 80 Value 78 €150
Stable, durable daily trainer with a firm, cushioned roll.
- Cushioning8.6
- Stability8.5
- Durability8.6
- Fit7.6
- Softness6.8
Pros
- Huge, protective max cushioning on a wide, stable platform
- Smooth CloudTec/rocker transition through the stride
- Dual-density foam adds pop versus the original
Cons
- Heavy for the category (~292–300 g)
- Firm ride — the foam reads more like enhanced EVA than a soft superfoam
Buy it if You coach neutral runners who want a firm-but-cushioned, durable max-stack daily trainer and like On’s rockered ride. Skip it if You want a soft superfoam feel, a light tempo shoe, or a snug/precise fit — size down or look elsewhere.
#6 Plush daily miles
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14
81/100 Crowd 83 Assessment 80 Value 78 €120
Comfort-first max-cushion daily trainer for easy and recovery runs.
- Ride8
- Cushioning9
- Durability8
- Fit7
- Value7
Pros
- Outstanding, plush Fresh Foam X cushioning for long easy miles
- Improved stability and breathable engineered-mesh upper vs. v13
- Solid outsole durability holds up past 300+ km
Cons
- Narrow toe box can feel restrictive — consider a wide (2E) width
- Heavier than v13 (~295 g / 10.4 oz men's), not built for fast running
Buy it if Buy if you want a max-cushion, comfort-first daily trainer for easy runs, recovery days and long slow miles. Skip it if Skip it if you want a lightweight, snappy shoe for tempo work or races, or if you have wide feet and can't get the 2E width.
#7 Foolproof daily trainer
Brooks Ghost 18
80/100 Crowd 82 Assessment 80 Value 78 €150
Dependable, durable neutral trainer — safe over spectacular.
- Cushioning8
- Ride7.8
- Durability8.8
- Fit8
- Value7.8
Pros
- Reliable, do-everything daily workhorse with a stable neutral ride
- Comfortable, well-padded upper with secure lockdown
- Excellent outsole durability
Cons
- Low energy return vs modern rivals — nothing groundbreaking
- Heavier (289 g) and the toebox runs a touch narrow/warm
Buy it if You coach beginners or neutral heel-strikers who need a stable, durable, foolproof shoe for daily easy miles. Skip it if You want lightweight pop for tempo work, or you have wide feet needing more room.
#8 Everyday workhorse
Nike Pegasus 42
80/100 Crowd 80 Assessment 78 Value 80 €140
Reliable, durable neutral trainer that nails comfort — an average but safe ride.
- Cushioning7.8
- Ride7.5
- Durability8.4
- Fit8.2
- Value8
Pros
- Reliable, durable, stable everyday ride
- Roomier, improved toe box and comfortable fit
- Strong value and build quality for the tier
Cons
- Midsole feels flat — the new Air Zoom adds little
- Best kept to easy runs; limited versatility for faster paces
Buy it if You coach beginner-to-intermediate athletes who need one dependable, cushioned neutral trainer for daily easy mileage. Skip it if You have heavier runners needing rearfoot stability, or athletes wanting a lively single-shoe rotation.
#9 Training shorts
Ten Thousand Interval Short
79/100 Crowd 82 Assessment 80 Value 68 US$68
Durable, high-mobility do-everything short (US-only shipping — see review).
- Mobility8.8
- Durability8.5
- Comfort8.4
- Value7
- Service6
Pros
- Excellent four-way stretch and mobility — versatile across training styles
- No-pinch, lay-flat waistband that stays put
- Abrasion-resistant; holds up over years of use
Cons
- US-only direct shipping — no direct delivery to Germany/EU
- Premium price for a polyester short; unlined feels thin for the cost
Buy it if You want one durable, high-mobility do-everything short and don't mind ~$68 (or a reseller route into the EU). Skip it if You want max breathability, a budget option, or cheap, hassle-free delivery inside Germany.
#10 Barefoot training shoe
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
76/100 Crowd 82 Assessment 74 Value 66 €115
Premium wide-toe barefoot trainer with real ground feel for natural movement.
- Ground feel9
- Versatility6
- Durability8
- Fit7
- Value6
Pros
- Outstanding ground feel and stable, flat lifting platform
- Wide, foot-shaped toebox with room to splay
- Durable recycled construction; grips well on gym floors
Cons
- Steep price for a minimalist shoe
- Real adaptation period — calves and feet need weeks to adjust
Buy it if Buy if you want maximum ground feel for lifting and functional training and you are ready to transition to barefoot gradually. Skip it if Skip if you are new to barefoot shoes and want one do-everything trainer, or if outdoor/trail grip and cushioning matter to you.
#11 Gym apparel
Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0
74/100 Crowd 70 Assessment 75 Value 80 €50
Affordable, iconic seamless training staple that ships fast to Germany.
- Fabric & fit8
- Value8
- Range8.5
- Durability7.5
- Service6
Pros
- Squat-proof seamless fabric and a consistent, recognizable silhouette
- Ships to Germany cheaply and fast (€4.40 standard, free over €55)
- Well-rated shopping app (4.8★, 21.3k) for easy DTC ordering
Cons
- Weak independent service ratings (Reviews.io 1.7★; Trustpilot 3.6★)
- DTC-only — no Amazon.de fallback, so returns route through Gymshark alone
Buy it if Your clients want an affordable, recognizable seamless legging or kit for everyday training and are fine ordering DTC. Skip it if You need try-before-buy retail, guaranteed precise sizing, or hassle-free local returns.
#12 Yoga & studio
Alo High-Waist Airlift Legging
70/100 Crowd 68 Assessment 76 Value 60 US$128
Premium, sculpting compression legging with a localized German store.
- Fabric8.2
- Fit8
- Look8.5
- Value6.5
- Breathability6.5
Pros
- Compressive, structured double-layered waistband with a sculpting fit
- Durable double-lined fabric with an elevated, subtle-sheen look
- Generally true to size
Cons
- Price premium ($128–$134) and no pockets
- Moderate breathability — not ideal for hot yoga
Buy it if You want a premium, sculpting, sheeny compression legging for strength or studio-to-street wear and accept the price. Skip it if You need pockets, high breathability for hot yoga, or a budget option.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need weightlifting shoes, or is this just marketing?
They genuinely help if limited ankle mobility is capping your squat depth or you do Olympic lifts, because the raised heel lets you reach depth with a more upright torso. They are unhelpful and often counterproductive for deadlifts, where you want to be as close to the floor as possible. If you mainly deadlift and press, a flat firm sole is the better buy.
What heel height should I choose?
Lower heels suit those with reasonable ankle mobility and anyone doing mixed training; higher heels suit longer femurs, restricted ankles and dedicated Olympic lifting. If you are unsure, go lower — a heel that is too high shifts load forward and can make the squat feel less stable, not more.
How should knee sleeves fit?
Snug enough that they take real effort to pull on, without cutting off circulation or numbing anything below the knee. Use the brands measurement chart rather than your clothing size, and expect to size differently between brands. If you compete, check your federations thickness and length limits first.
Is expensive training apparel worth it?
Sometimes, and the reason is longevity rather than performance. Better fabric and construction usually mean less odour retention and seams that survive more washes, which matters if you train four or five times a week. If you train twice a week, the premium is much harder to justify.
