Pros

• Good forefoot rebound keeps toe-off lively.

• Decent heel rebound stops landings from feeling flat.

Cons

The forefoot has good energy return, providing an energetic toe-off.

The heel of this shoe has a decent amount of rebound, so landings don't feel dull.

Pros

• Broad outsole gives the tall platform a dependable base.

• Gusseted tongue provides secure lockdown.

Cons

• Soft heel may be too wobbly for those with dedicated support needs.

• Soft forefoot can also cause some wobble at toe-off.

The heel of this shoe is soft, which makes landings comfortable but can also make them feel wobbly.

The forefoot of this shoe is very soft, so toe-off isn't especially secure.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder has a fully-gusseted tongue and no plate. The tongue helps keep the lockdown secure during daily running.

Pros

• Excellent impact protection under both the heel and forefoot.

• Cushioning remains very protective over longer distances.

Cons

The heel of the Tracksmith Eliot Ryder is amazingly cushioned overall, with superb impact protection at the lightest loads. Though it drops off as more force is applied, it's still impressive, even under the heaviest forces we tested.

The forefoot provides excellent cushioning overall. It's outstanding at the lightest loads and still very good under the heaviest forces.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder holds up impressively over the course of a long run. It isn't as protective as the ASICS Superblast 3, but its cushioning is still great overall.

Pros

• Midsole compresses enough to provide a decent amount of spring.

• Enough bounce to keep daily miles lively.

Cons

• Could be too subtle if you're looking for the bounciest ride.

The heel compresses decently, giving landings a noticeable amount of spring.

The forefoot compresses more than the heel, giving toe-off more spring.

Pros

• Excellent bending energy return keeps toe-off efficient.

Cons

• Softer forefoot limits leverage and snap.

The forefoot of the Tracksmith Eliot Ryder returns an amazing amount of the energy it stores as it unbends, helping to make the ride efficient.

The forefoot is relatively soft, so the shoe doesn't provide much leverage or snap.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder's forefoot rocker is quite gentle, delivering unremarkable assistance through toe-off.

Pros

Cons

• Very compliant rocker provides little assistance through the stride.

• Heel rocker doesn't make transitions into midstance very smooth.

• Gentle forefoot geometry does little to guide you through toe-off.

As of September 2026, this shoe has one of the most compliant rockers we've ever tested, providing very little assistance through stride.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder uses a gargantuan drop-in midsole to help conceal its very tall stack. And tall it is, with both the heel and forefoot providing ample foam to absorb impact, no matter where you land.

The heel rocker of this shoe does a poor job of rolling you into midstance.

Pros

• Length is spot-on.

• Roomy forefoot and arch accommodate a wide range of foot shapes.

• Ample toe-box height prevents pressure over the toes.

Cons

Pros

• Absorbs a relatively low amount of water in wet conditions.

Cons

• Poor breathability make feet hot in warm weather or on long runs.

• Takes over a day to dry completely, so can't be used for back-to-back days.

The upper of this shoe has poor breathability. The woven upper and suede overlays mean your feet are very likely to overheat on hot days, during longer runs, or if you're wearing thick socks.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder takes well over a day to fully dry, so it won't be ready for you the next day if soaked. We advise stuffing it with newspaper and positioning it in front of a fan or using a shoe dryer to speed up the process.

The shoe does a decent job of limiting water absorption, but because it's already heavy, the water it takes on becomes very noticeable underfoot.

The drop-in midsole can be seen here in our 3D model.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder has a very interesting foam setup. To conceal its mammoth stack, the shoe uses a firmer EVA compound along the bottom. However, instead of sitting the softer, more premium foam directly on top, as in the ASICS Superblast 3, Tracksmith uses a drop-in midsole made from A-TPU. This light, modern, and highly responsive compound helps give the shoe its good energy return.

The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder uses standard flat laces with moderate stretch. They kept the shoes securely locked down during testing without needing to overtighten or retie them.

The ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 is a better running shoe than the Tracksmith Eliot Ryder for most runners. It's significantly lighter, more cushioned, and offers more assistance when running, making it better suited to progressive long runs, faster efforts, and even marathons. Since it's also cheaper, it's the shoe to get if running performance comes first. Only get the Tracksmith if you want a deeply cushioned shoe that can double as a fashionable, everyday sneaker.

The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is a better running shoe than the Tracksmith Eliot Ryder. It costs the same, and even though it's not as lively underfoot, it's lighter, more stable, and rolls through the stride much more smoothly, making it the better option for regular training and longer efforts. Get the On if you want the better running shoe; get the Tracksmith if you don't mind sacrificing some performance for looks.