How to Choose Running Shoes Based on Your Favorite Halloween Candy

All kids know the feeling of diving into your plastic pumpkin or oversized pillowcase to devour your hard-earned Halloween loot. For adult runners, it’s akin to the feeling of opening up the box that houses a brand-new pair of running shoes. The main difference is your parents can’t swoop in and take the goodies for themselves under the guise of “health.”
If you’re looking for a new pair of running shoes in time for spooky season, find your favorite Halloween candy on this list along with its running shoe counterpart.
Editor’s note: This article is purely for entertainment purposes. You should not choose running shoes based on your favorite Halloween candy! Instead, head over to your local Fleet Feet for an expert, one-on-one outfitting.
1. Lifesaver Gummies: HOKA Clifton 9

The HOKA Clifton 9 is soft and squishy, just like these popular gummy candies. Plus, they’re a “lifesaver” for your joints, thanks to ample midsole foam underfoot and a curved rocker shape that helps you transition easily from heel to toe.
With a wide variety of colorful options to bring out your inner child, the HOKA Clifton 9 is easy to enjoy.
2. Snickers: ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25

Snickers-lovers don’t shy away from indulgence, and neither do fans of the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 25. With one of the softest midsoles and highest stack heights, the Nimbus 25 is built for runners who simply demand more from their daily trainers.
The Nimbus 25 is rich with ingredients that give it its premium status, like soft, bouncy FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole foam and internal PUREGEL cushioning technology.
3. Hershey’s Kiss: Brooks Ghost 15

Just as simple as they are delicious, the Hershey’s Kiss is perhaps one of the most iconic candies. It’s a simple, classic treat that can be enjoyed by just about anyone. It’s also versatile enough to be used in different desserts.
In the same vein, the Brooks Ghost 15 (and all previous iterations of the Ghost), is loved by a variety of runners thanks to its moderate cushioning and accommodating fit. It’s not too soft, but not too firm. It’s not too cushioned, but it has enough DNA Loft v2 foam underfoot to create a smooth, sweet ride. It can be used for easy efforts, long runs and even some speedwork.
4. Peanut M&M’s: Altra FWD Experience

M&M’s, the little button-shaped candy chocolates, have been around since 1941. They became so popular that Mars began experimenting with different fillings, the first being peanuts in 1954.
While Altra hasn’t been around for as long as M&M’s, they, too, have quickly found success as a brand and are now offering a departure from their strictly zero-drop lineup—the Altra FWD Experience, the brand’s first shoe featuring a heel-to-toe offset. Whether you appreciate the extra MMS (millimeters) in the FWD Experience or not, there are plenty of models to choose from within Altra’s lineup.
5. Jolly Rancher: Karhu Synchron 2.0

Jolly Rancher candies are extra enjoyable because of how long they last. You can pop one in your mouth and enjoy the fruity, delicious flavor for several minutes before it starts to dissolve. And with an indefinite shelf life, it’s safe to say these candies are durable.
The durability of the Karhu Synchron 2.0 was one of the first things reviewers mentioned about the shoe. While the Synchron’s shelf life isn’t indefinite, a full-contact rubber outsole ensures the shoes will last longer than shoes with exposed midsole foam.
Plus, both Jolly Ranchers and the Karhu Synchron 2.0 are made with liquid-based centers. Jolly Ranchers are made with a sugary syrup that’s boiled and then cooled to a solid, and the Synchron 2.0 is made with a much less cavity-inducing liquid-based midsole foam.
6. Blow Pop: Mizuno Wave Rider 27

How long does it take to get to the center of a Blow Pop? While we may not know the exact answer to that question, we do know that a Blow Pop, with its hard exterior and chewy bubblegum center, is the perfect candy for those who like both soft and firm elements.
The Mizuno Wave Rider 27 is a great shoe for Blow Pop enthusiasts, thanks to a stiff Wave Plate surrounded by soft, cushy ENERZY foam.
7. Sour Patch Kids: New Balance SC Elite v3

Sour Patch Kids are sweet, chewy and delicious…but don’t forget about that sour kick at the end of each bite!
When you slide into a pair of the New Balance SC Elite v3, don’t be fooled by the ultra-soft FuelCell cushioning underfoot…it packs a punch that’ll have you running faster than even the most intense sugar rush.
8. Three Musketeers: Saucony Kinvara 14

On the outside, a Three Musketeers bar looks like any other chocolate bar. It might even be mistaken for the Snickers bar we previously mentioned…but instead of a rich, indulgent filling, it’s filled with light, frothy nougat goodness.
If you love to feel light on your feet, the Saucony Kinvara 14 may be the shoe for you. It’s one of the lightest trainers we’ve tested all year, offering just enough cushion to keep things comfortable without weighing you down.
9. Toblerone Bar: On Cloudmonster

These funky looking chocolate bars are shaped like the Swiss mountains they were created in…and they aren’t the only popular Swiss product with a distinct appearance.
The Swiss running brand On quickly gained popularity for their unique underfoot pods, which they call their CloudTec cushioning system. The On Cloudmonster, released in 2022, is now a bestselling model and continues to delight runners with its innovative midsole design and sleek aesthetic.
10. Ferrero Rocher: Diadora Equipe Atomo

Unless you’re trick-or-treating in a super ritzy area, you probably won’t be getting any of these chocolates in your goody bag. Ferrero Rocher chocolates look and taste premium, and their Italian heritage certainly adds to their luxurious vibe.
The Diadora Equipe Atomo was the first performance running shoe to be made in Italy in over 30 years when it launched at the end of 2021, and it evoked similar feelings of luxury with its thick, responsive midsole and soft, plush upper. The only thing it’s missing is the shiny gold wrapper.