THE NEW ENGLAND running brand Tracksmith has made a name for itself with its understated style geared towards performance. And the Eliot Ryder is its latest running shoe offering, this time a high-stack trainer. And to be certain, it’s much more than a supersized slab of soft foam underfoot.
In a crowded category, Tracksmith manages to stand apart with a novel approach to max-cushion running shoes. Instead of wrapping the entire shoe in a towering midsole, it uses a drop-in supercritical foam insert that delivers the plush ride you’d expect while maintaining a sleeker profile from the outside. Essentially, it looks like a daily trainer that performs as a max-cushion one.
The result is a shoe that feels distinctly Tracksmith. The design is clean and understated (yes, it still has the sash), with tone-on-tone overlays reinforcing high-wear areas without adding visual clutter. It looks refined, but also built to handle plenty of miles.
On a recent weekend trip, the Eliot Ryder was the only pair of shoes I packed, and that turned out to be the right call. It felt comfortable walking through the airport, looked great around town, and transitioned effortlessly into an early-morning five-mile run. Later that day, it proved stable enough for an off-road hike without missing a beat.
The Shoe Specs
The Eliot Ryder is a 44.5 mm high-stack trainer with a 7 mm drop. It features an engineered woven upper with suede stabilizing overlays that help keep your foot centered over the platform. An engineered knit tongue with integrated padding adds to the overall comfort.
The drop-in foam insert is shown below the shoe, which helps add foam to the stack on the inside and not the outside of the shoe.
The drop-in midsole features 25 mm of ultra-responsive supercritical ATPU foam positioned closer to your foot (hidden in the insole) for a softer, more connected feel. Beneath that, a rockered chassis promotes smooth transitions, while the rubber net outsole trims weight without sacrificing durability. Hiding that 25 mm of foam makes it one of the largest drop-in midsoles of any running shoe around. Tracksmith also took this drop-in approach on the Eliot Racer, which we really enjoyed (just not at the $280 price tag).
The Road Feel
The Ryder strikes an impressive balance between softness, responsiveness, and stability. By positioning the supercritical foam closer to the foot, Tracksmith creates a ride that feels more connected than many max-cushion trainers. The broader platform creates a stable base that avoids the squishy, jelly-like sensation some high-stack shoes can develop.
The shoe feels just as good several miles into a run as it did during the first few strides. The gentle rocker encourages an efficient stride and keeps me from settling back on my heels, but it never felt like it forces the pace. Instead, it simply makes cruising at an easy effort feel… easy.
SHOP THE TRACKSMITH ELIOT RYDER
Final Score – 4.5/5
Tracksmith delivers exactly the kind of running shoe you’d expect from the brand—sleek, refined, and with just enough New England prep to turn heads this summer.
The surprise is that this high-stack trainer never looks like it’s riding on a monster truck-sized slab of foam—just like the brand’s racing shoe. Despite its streamlined appearance, it delivers all the comfort and cushioning you’d expect from the category. And it solves my continual travel conundrum of needing to pack more than one pair of shoes if I plan on keeping up with runs while out of town.
At $220, the Ryder sits squarely among other premium max-cushion trainers. But its versatility helps justify the price. If you’re someone who travels often and wants one shoe that can handle the airport, the coffee shop, a morning run, and an evening out, the Ryder makes a compelling case as the only pair you’ll need to pack.
SHOP THE TRACKSMITH ELIOT RYDER
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Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.