Tracksmith recently released the 2025 Eliot Racer -- their take at the modern-day super shoe.

Below, you'll find my full review of the shoe. I'll give you some specs, without going too much into the weeds and talk the ins and outs of the product. They're priced at $280 and are available here. Of note, this is not a sponsored review and we are not receiving any compensation or commission.

Admittedly, I wasn't expecting much from the Eliot Racers. Spoiler alert: They're really solid.

Performance: A Boat Load Of Rubber? Maybe Not

The Magic

The Magic in a super shoe is always in the rock and plate, right?

I now have more carbon-plated shoes than I'm comfortable talking about. The plate in the Racer has a surprising amount of give compared to other shoes on the market.

The shoes feel really responsive. I joked with my fiance that I feel like I could probably steeple in them. The plate gets stiffer towards the mid-foot, which is good because they don't rock you onto your toes as aggressively as other shoes. So, you get a nice energy return if you are a mid-foot striker.

The foam is also top tier. When you put these on, you legitimately feel like the entire shoe is pushing you forward, not just the plate.

Tracksmith had the shoes independently tested by Heeluxe. The Racers produced one of the highest energy returns ever recorded.

Weight

The Eliot Racers are comparable to other shoes on the market in regard to weight. They come in at 7.7 ounces for a US Men's 9. Comparably, the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0s weigh 8.1 oz (M10), the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PBs weigh 7.4 oz (M10.5), and the Nike Alphafly 3s weigh 7.8 oz (M10.5).

They fall right in the ballpark of other super shoes on the market.

This was additionally surprising because of the amount of rubber on the outsole. Basically, anywhere that your foot can touch the ground, the shoe has rubber. There is very little exposed foam on the bottom of the outsole.

The result is a really grippy feel. You don't feel like you're on edge when running in wetter conditions or around tight curves.

Stack Height

The Racers measure 38mm in the rear and 30.5mm in the forefoot.

Comfort: Float Like a Butterfly

The Heel Lock

I recently wore a pair of New Balance Fuel Cell Rebels and the heel locks on them tore my ankles to shreds. I'll take the blame for wearing low-cut socks. 

Since then, heel locks have become a point of emphasis for me. After all, who wants to feel like they're getting stabbed 13 miles into a long run?

The Racers have a really high heel lock, measuring in at 9 cm compared to the 7.5 cm of the Rebels. This made me really nervous at first, but the contour of the lock seems to mesh really well with the rest of the shoe, and prevents undo pressure from being placed on your ankles. 

A micro suede collar and tongue help to anchor the foot into the ATPU midsole. Again, this just helps the foot feel snug.

The result is a really comfortable lock that keeps your foot in place.

The Ride

Admittedly, I haven't run a marathon in these guys, but I have no doubt that they can go the distance. The drop in midsole keeps your foot contained and snug, while the "Pebax midsole chassis" provides a comfortable ride. Tracksmith chose to sport the Alophatic TPU foam, which is notably durable and considerably light.

Final Thoughts

I hate when people have nice cars but don't drive them. Fast cars are meant to be driven fast, and the same applies for the Tracksmith Eliot Racers.

When I first received my pair, I scoffed at the idea of them being a legitimate race day option. Could Tracksmith really compete with the big brands?

I think the answer might be yes. I was expecting to be underwhelmed by these shoes, but I was dead wrong.

They're elegant, comfortable and responsive. 

If I had one wish, I'd ask for them to be a little more aggressive. I think Tracksmith could shave a little bit of weight in the outsole rubber and design, but overall they did a great job with these shoes.

I think the Eliot Racers are a really safe option for a first marathon. They check all of the boxes in a super shoe, and you're getting great return on energy, comfort and reliability. I'd actually encourage someone who wants to try a super shoe for the first time to buy these. Performance-wise, they're comparable to other super shoes, and I'd be shocked if someone told me they're uncomfortable.

From the aesthetic standpoint, they're bougie in the best way possible. When you're spending $280 on something, you want to feel like you're purchasing a luxury product. The Gold Sash and Ivory color schematic deliver a feel that makes you excited to toe the line on race-day.

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