On team New Balance, runners’ votes give a slight edge to the Fresh Foam Vongo v2 over the classic 1260. Where traditional trainers might have a heel stack 10 or 12 mm higher than the sole at the toe, newer models tend to even out the height difference. The Vongo achieves its low offset not by lowering the heel, but by providing a generous 21 mm of cushion under your toes, the most of any shoe on this list (along with the UltaFly). And what’s under your foot is New Balance’s Fresh Foam, giving the Vongo outstanding forefoot cushion.