2017 was a fantastic year for running innovation, and now, as we enter the new year, new running shoe technology only continues to impress. But before we dive into all the cool offerings of 2018, we’d like to take a look back at the previous season and see which shoes were the best sellers here at Running Warehouse. After compiling the data and excluding any clearance sales, we have created a list of road running shoes (by color) that sold the highest volume during Winter 2017 (Q4).
On the men’s side, we saw best sellers that were very similar to our previous season’s list. To no surprise, the hype for the Nike Vaporfly 4% continued into Winter 2017 with the Ice Blue colorway taking the top spot, and an additional colorway securing sixth. The shoe’s responsive cushioning and ultra-lightweight design have made it a game changer for the competitive runner looking for an edge in the half marathon or marathon. And although both colorways sold out in record time, more Vaporflys are coming in the near future, so be sure to bookmark our new arrivals page!
Working off the hype of the Vaporfly, the slightly more versatile and durable Nike Zoom Fly also had a great season with three colors making the top ten. While the shoe doesn’t feature the magic ZoomX foam used in the Vaporfly, it does offer a similar design philosophy with a full-length, carbon-infused nylon plate for a stiff and springy ride. Other performance trainers that topped the list include the mild stability favorite the ASICS DS Trainer 23 (third), and, for fans of a zero-drop platform, the Altra Escalante (fifth).
While HOKA ONE ONE didn’t have any shoes in the men’s top five this season, the brand still had a great run with eight colorways making the top twenty. The maximal cushioning of the Clifton 4 and Bondi 5 both excelled while an individual color of the sleek and comfortable Hupana 2 also slipped onto the list.
HOKA may not have taken the top positions on the men’s side, but they nearly pulled off a sweep on the women’s side with four shoes in the top five and ten in the top twenty. The more supportive Arahi was the top pick for women, but the Clifton 4 and Bondi 5 also showed strong numbers.
The only shoe to break the HOKA sweep was the Brooks Ghost 10, which came in at fourth. Year after year, the Ghost series has delivered a reliable daily training experience, and with its loyal fan base, it’s no surprise to see it crack the top five. Mizuno has also had a nice run over the past couple of seasons, and with growing enthusiasm for the brand’s direction, sales have continued to increase. Two colors of the Inspire 13 made it into the top ten, and one color of the Rider 21 got into the top twenty.
Below are the full lists for the top twenty best selling* road shoes in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Men’s Best Selling Road Running Shoes – Q4 2017
Women’s Best Selling Road Running Shoes – Q4 2017
*Rankings are based on each color being treated as a stand-alone shoe. Units sold on clearance have been excluded.
Curious about the most popular individual shoes by model? Check out our lists for the best selling road shoes by color here.
Connor, aka The Face of Running Warehouse, is our resident footwear guru and helps us keep a finger on the pulse of running trends and current events. A member of the local HOKA Aggies running team, Connor walks the walk, or should we say, runs the run.