The Best of 2024 Running
I've tried a lot of stuff this year. I've also consumed a lot of running content this year... Here's a simple list of all my favorites from the past year. Consider this a gift guide too!
Another year has come and gone. 2024 was a year of testing and refinement for me. I’ve gone through a ton of different shoes, some amazing and some terrible. Numerous shorts, pants, shirts, socks, hats, gels, drink mix, watches, and so much more.
Gear is one thing…but we’re fortunate that we live in a digital age where tons of inspiring content and people are at the tips of our fingertips too. I wanted this post to be about more than products and consumerism, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorite people, brands, podcasts, YouTubers, and more.
These items and people have made this year so much fun in the outdoors, and have proven themselves worthy of the highest esteemed year-end list - hand crafted by yours truly.
I won’t be doing a specific gift guide post, so consider these top products for some great gifting ideas for the runners in your life! And with that, let’s dive into 2024’s best with some honorable mentions.
Road Shoe of the Year
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
2024 was filled with a ton of amazing daily trainer releases. ASICS came out strong, Hoka had their fair share, PUMA entered the chat with some strong releases, Brooks had some gems, and many more that I haven’t named. However, New Balance (which I’ll talk about for brand of the year…spoiler alert) had some amazing road releases in 2024, and the Rebel v4 was one of my favorites by a long shot.
The FuelCell foam on the Rebel v4 is a game changer. It’s a beautiful balance of plush comfort and responsiveness. After trying a variety of different trainers, I’ve come to the realization that I prefer my daily driver to be plateless, but responsive for the long miles. I can take the Rebels out for short and speedy miles or long miles and I love that ability to be so versatile. I even walk the dog in them. I’ve done 14 mile runs in these - feeling great the entire duration. New Balance really stepped up their game in terms of design this year with some of the best colorways in the business.
The Rebel v4s are my favorite road shoe of the year, and they’d make for an amazing Christmas gift idea for a runner who needs an everyday, do-it-all shoe. Snag them today!
Trail Shoe of the Year
Hoka Tecton x 3
Like many, I’ve been so intrigued by the release of the Tecton x 3 because we've been seeing iterations of it for years on the feet of Jim Walmsley at UTMB and Western States. Well, we finally got our hands on it and it did not disappoint.
The Tecton x 3 is the shoe I keep on reaching for when I’m going for long miles on the trail. I’ve logged just shy of 100 miles in these to date. The built in gaiter has become a favorite feature of mine, as it’s very comfortable and keeps all debris out. The best part about the Tecton x 3 is the ride. The foam underfoot is so nice, soft and responsive. If I want, I can get moving in these and cruise with minimal effort. They’re a bit pricey, but they have been a total win in my book this year. If you’re thinking about a comparison between the Tecton x 2 and 3, the shoes are completely different. The 3 essentially becomes its own model.
Honorable Mention: I’ve logged many miles in the Norda 002s and they have become my dependable shoe choice of the year. They are definitely built for shorter miles with more technical terrain in mind. I don’t take them out for every run, but if I’m doing anywhere between 5-10ks, then they get the job done. Norda makes top notch products that are built to last. I’ve got many many miles left in my 002s.
Hat of the Year
Folklord Tall Trails Hat - Leisletic
If you haven’t heard of Folklord yet, you’re missing out and probably experiencing major FOMO. Folklord was started in Portland, OR by Elliot Matson, who wanted to create mythically stylish apparel that looks as good in the streets as it does in the mountains.
I’ve gotten to know Elliot and his passion behind the brand. Not only do the designs and incredible hand-drawn graphics stand out, but the quality holds its own. I have three different Folklord hats and a couple pairs of socks, and I continually reach for my Folklord gear every time I’m headed out the door. The Folklord Tall Trails Hat is your super breathable, moisture management, adventure-ready, 5-panel hat. A great stocking stuffer idea if I do say so myself.
Socks of the Year
Near Earth The Distance Running Sock
I think it’s safe to say that most runners understand that a trusty pair of socks go hand-in-hand with your favorite pair of shoes. If we don’t have the right socks, then a lot can go wrong. I came across a post from Believe in the Run on Instagram promoting Near Earth and I was intrigued. I’ve always been obsessed with space, so I had to check these out.
Near Earth is all about connection - between feet and shoes, between runners and the earth, and between great understated design and performance that doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. They’re really into running and its people, into good design that’s not in your face and into creating products that are environmentally friendly.
The Distance Running Socks are made for your fast shoes with thin and highly engineered uppers. With carefully placed breathable zones and protection under the foot they hit the sweet spot of fit, breathability and cushioning.
Engineered in Germany and manufactured in Europe.
The distance running socks are extremely minimal, but the most comfortable, durable and dependable socks I own. You’ve got to check them out!
T-Shirt of the Year
Satisfy MothTech Tee
This t-shirt is a hole lot of fun…get it? Jokes aside, this $140 shirt might not be worth it for a lot of folks, and I totally get that. I lucked out and found this on sale for $99. I have always loved cotton tees, and the way that the Satisfy MothTech holes are strategically placed to help the body vent in those high heat areas is so good. I love the feel of this shirt after long miles. If I need a little bit warmer top layer, I just throw this t-shirt on over a long sleeve shirt and it does the trick.
I think that I’ve given in to the Satisfy hype as I love their designs and functionality. This is my favorite running shirt of 2024.
Honorable Mention: For my favorite long sleeves of the year, check out the Patagonia Capilene Cool Long Sleeve or the Tracksmith Session Long Sleeve t shirts. Both are incredible and get the job done when you need a little bit more coverage on colder days.
Shorts of the Year
Roark Run Amok 3.5” Bommer Shorts
What’s better than cool graphics and stellar performance? I love when the two can coexist well together. Roark knows what they’re doing by creating some grunge-esque designs that don’t overwhelm the shorts, but rather compliment them. I’ve logged many miles in my Bommer shorts, and they’ve been a trusty pair of fabric ever since they arrived on my doorstep. Tons of pockets - including a no bounce phone pocket built into the compression liner, and a tough and durable fabric that doesn’t feel fragile, yet it remains lightweight. There’s not much else to say besides these shorts are the best, and they’re even on Black Friday sale right now…so snag them while you can!
Honorable Mention: Honestly it was really hard to choose between these two. My other go to pair of running shorts are the Foehn Relais Polartec® Power Dry® Short. An extremely lightweight, ultra soft, and amazingly comfortable short with tons of pockets. The compression liner is the comfiest liner I’ve ever worn. Word on the street is there’s a version two of this short coming out in the spring, so I’m looking forward to seeing what adjustments and improvements come out of that.
Running Watch of the Year
Coros Apex 2 Pro
I’m one of those long time Apple Watch users. For years I’ve worn Apple, and even upgraded to the Apple Watch Ultra. However, I didn’t use 80% of its features and the battery life was killing me.
This past year, I tried out a couple of different watches, and ended up with the Coros Apex 2 Pro. This adventure watch has everything I need to track my runs, a battery that lasts 2 weeks, and is tough and durable for constant use in the outdoors.
If you’re looking for a trusty and dependable watch where you don’t have to worry about plugging it into your charger every single night, look no further.
YouTuber of the Year
Luke Barrett
Luke Barrett, if you’re not familiar, is an ultra runner that lives in Australia. He creates vlog style content that incorporates both cinematic shots, GoPro POV footage from his runs and races, and advice and knowledge. Every time we get a new Luke video, I rejoice. His videos all fall into the 8-15 minute range which is perfect for my ADHD brain to stay engaged.
After watching Luke’s channel, you’ll find yourself wanting to explore the trails of Australia, and head out the door for a long run in “the bush,” as Luke likes to say. Not only is he a talented video creator, but this year he put up some amazing results and found his way onto the podium at numerous races. Do yourself a favor and check out his channel today!
Shoe Reviewer of the Year
The Shoe-in with Cody
If there’s anything that each year brings, it’s new shoes, new gear, and more and more people to talk about them. Shoe reviewers have exploded throughout the years, and brands now incorporate product reviews and early releases into their marketing budgets to create hype and awareness. The tough aspect of buying footwear is that it’s extremely personal and subjective. Something that works for one person, totally feels terrible for another.
From all the reviewers out there, there was one that stood out. The Shoe In With Cody refined his craft of putting countless shoes for both trail and road through the wringer. What I love about Cody and his channel is that he also gives us his shoe rotation when training for races. Not only do you get first look, first impression, and final thoughts…you get to see which of his favorites he’s using for training blocks.
You can tell that Cody spends a great deal of time and effort churning out content on Instagram, his YouTube channel, and now his Substack. He also engages so well with those who have questions and need further advice. If you’re looking for the best advice for running gear, he’s your guy. Go check him out and follow today!
Brand of the Year
New Balance
The amount of heat coming out of New Balance this past year was off the charts. They had so many releases, fresh colorways, incredible performance, and what felt like a renewed sense of purpose.
New Balance had some amazing pro athletes appear in the Olympics, had major global activations at all of the majors marathons, and just recently signed on to become the official sponsor of Marathon du Mont-Blanc in 2025.
From shoe releases like the SC Elite, the Rebel, the Balos, The Pacer, the new 1080, the More v6, and many more, New Balance had a stacked lineup this year. I think a year like they’ve had will be tough to beat, and it will be interesting to see how 2025 lines up for them.
Honorable Mention: From activating major collaborations with Norda, Hoka, Salomon, Crocs and more, Satisfy Running has created a premium brand that performs as well as it looks. They’ve introduced new product technologies such as their MothTech tee, their FuzzMerino cold-wear apparel, and have started teasing their first trail running shoe coming Summer 2025. While they come at a premium cost, Satisfy is just one of those brands that’s fun to keep up with, and always pulls you into their latest product releases through obscure and one-of-a-kind marketing. If only they didn’t sell out of so many of their products!
Trail Runners of the Year
Katie Schide
The UTMB Queen.
Katie Schide wins my vote for female trail runner of the year. Her stellar performance at UTMB, demolishing the course record and securing a 1st place finish, was inspiring to watch. Excited to see what Katie does this coming year, and the inspiration she continues to bring to women and men in the community.
Max Jolliffe
The Beach Kid.
Your 2024 winner of Moab-240, Woah Max. I’d seen marketing campaigns that featured Max for Satisfy and Cadence floating around on Instagram for awhile. I never really dug into who this guy was until I watched his interview on Dylan Bowman’s Freetrail podcast. Then I knew this guy was something special. Overcoming addiction and a troubled past, to setting a 1000+ day running streak, running TDS and eventually winning this year’s Moab-240, Max Jolliffe has had quite the year. There’s a lot more we are going to see from the Beach Kid from Newport Beach in the coming year.
Podcast of the Year
Freetrail
Dylan Bowman might arguably be the person doing the most for the sport right now. If you disagree, I’d love to hear why. Freetrail has been doing so much for the community in terms of fostering an environment through Slack, race sponsorships, a massive social platform, race coverages like Western States, and of course the podcast. I could go into all of the areas where Freetrail is bringing the trail running community together, but we’re focused on the podcast right now.
The Freetrail Podcast brings in the most interesting athletes and conversations on a weekly basis. From Jim Walmsley, Katie Schide, Courtney Dauwalter, Kilian Jornet, Tara Dower to Tim Tollefson, Max Jolliffe, Hayden Hawkes, to brand folks like Jean Marc Djian from Satisfy and so much more. The way that Dylan Bowman interviews his guests is with the utmost respect and consideration to make sure that the episode is left leaving the audience with an inspirational tale of inspirational humans.
The Freetrail Podcast takes the cake for the best podcast of the year by a long shot. If you’re not familiar and need a solid listen while commuting, look no further.
Best Running Film of the Year
Walmsley by Wahoo Fitness
The fact that this film is free on YouTube is a true Christmas miracle. Walmsley follows the journey of none other than Jim Walmsley and his mission to take home first place at UTMB. The film follows the adventure that Jim and his wife Jess take on by moving to France to train and ultimately become one with the mountains. Through struggles, training, living among the French, and working with some of the best athletes in the game, Walmsley gives you the inspirational tale you need to pursue tough things - whether it be running or life.
Kick your feet up, grab your favorite holiday drink and snack, and put Walmsley on the big screen. The second it’s over you’ll want to grab your poles and head for the mountains.
Honorable Mention: Sisyphus and the Impossible Dream by Casey Neistat
Casey Neistat is a pretty popular YouTube filmmaker. He’s what I would call a pioneer of the YouTube career. Throughout the past 10 plus years, he’s made many popular videos that have garnered millions upon millions of views.
The thing about Casey is that he’s always been a runner. A lot of his content isn’t focused on running, but in the past year he’s put out a couple of short films that focus on running as the main topic. I stumbled across Sisyphus and the Impossible Dream the day before I ran my Half-Marathon in April. The film details Casey’s journey to breaking a sub-3 marathon time and the many years and attempts it took him.
This film will give you the inspiration and motivation to put your mind to hard things, and to never quit. Keep going and keep trying. I can’t recommend this film enough.
Closing Thoughts on 2024
That’s a wrap. El fin.
While there’s still another month and some change left in the year, this post signals the final look back on the year. The focus now turns toward what’s to come in 2025 and what amazing things might happen in the world of running with a brand new year.
My hope is that these top running things and people give you inspiration, motivation, excitement and enjoyment for your own journey. Whether you need a new daily trainer (the Rebel v4s are calling your name) or you need some content to get you stoked (Walmsley is free to watch literally right now), I hope there’s something for everyone on this list.
2024 was the most special year for me personally when it comes to my running journey. I logged the most annual miles ever (905 as of 11/28). I got to engage with the community through Slack channels, Instagram friends, run club, races, and my local trail. With the closing of one year, I so look forward to crafting new goals, hopes and dreams for a new year. 2025 is going to be massive - I can already feel it.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with loved ones and can’t wait to crush it in 2025 with this community.
Cheers,
Ryan