The Craft Pacer 2 is one of those running shoes that quietly surprises you, even though the exterior is strikingly vibrant and attractive. I have found myself reaching for the Pacer 2 more often than I expected on days when I'm not reviewing other shoes.
It's lightweight, stable, and visually sharp, and a versatile option for anyone who wants a daily trainer that can also pick up the pace when needed.
It’s not without its quirks, but it offers a fun and responsive ride that suits my midfoot striking stride really well. Let’s break down how it stacks up.
Key specifications
- Price: $140 at craftsports.us
- Weight: 8.9oz (252g) for US Men’s 9
- Drop: 6mm (Heel: 37mm / Forefoot: 31mm)
- Upper: Two-layer engineered mesh (50% recycled), mapped for support and breathability
- Midsole: Px Foam™ for responsive, energetic cushioning
- Outsole: Rubber with exposed Px Foam
- Extra Attributes:
- Craft Endurance Fit®
- Contoured chassis for weight reduction
- Insole made with 30% recycled foam
Sizing and fit
The fit is true to size in my usual US Men’s 9. There’s good volume and width up front with a nicely accommodating toe box.
The collar walls are on the high side, so runners with low ankle bones might feel some initial rubbing during slower paced runs, or when walking around in them. When you move faster, this will become less noticeable.
The collars, heel counter and tongue are all well padded, heel lockdown is excellent, and the upper mesh is very breathable, helping regulate temperature internally when speed training.
Another thing to note is the lack of arch support in the insert, so if that's something you need, these may not be the best daily trainer for you.
Performance review
When I first laced these up, I noticed a subtle slappy sound during my strides, something that tends to happen with wide-based, newer midsoles that haven't broken in yet.
But after just a few minutes of running, that sound fades as the Px Foam softens up, and transitions smooth out nicely.
That Px Foam is the star of the show here.
It’s energetic, lightweight (20% lighter than traditional EVA), and gives just the right amount of bounce for daily miles or those midweek tempo runs.
Alastair Dixon
It’s not a plush ride but instead offers enough shock absorption without feeling dull or overly squishy. I find it fun to run in, especially when picking up the pace.
The wide platform underfoot plays a big role in making the shoe feel more stable, even on slightly uneven pavement or sharp turns; heavier runners are going to notice this more.
It’s not a structured stability shoe, but it does feel grounded and planted, which helps boost confidence when running at speed.
Alastair Dixon
At 8.9oz, they feel deceptively light, definitely lighter than some of my other daily trainers, and that nimbleness makes it easier to increase cadence during tempo runs.
The 6mm drop works well with my midfoot/forefoot strike, promoting a natural and smooth transition from landing to toe-off.
I wouldn’t reach for these on long runs though.
After about 10 miles, the lack of midfoot arch support started to become noticable, where a little bit of addition support would be welcomed.
For daily efforts and fast 10Ks, though, these are wonderfully dialled in.
Grip and durability-wise, the outsole is fine, but there’s quite a bit of exposed foam, so I’ll be keeping an eye on how quickly that wears down over time.
My verdict
If you're after a daily trainer that’s light on the foot, stable underfoot, and surprisingly fun to run in, at the reasonable price of $140, the Craft Pacer 2 is well worth a look.
It blurs the line between a daily trainer and a soft tempo shoe in a way that not many others manage to do this well.
The midsole takes a few runs to soften up, but once it does, you’re left with a smooth, responsive ride that makes midweek workouts more enjoyable.
I wouldn’t use it for long runs, and those needing more midfoot structure might want to look elsewhere but for up to 10 miles, it’s a confident, stylish option that I’ve really enjoyed having in the rotation.
If you have any questions about these running shoes, just ask me in the comments below and I'll be happy to help you out! Oh and if you haven't already, go subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more reviews like this one. -Alastair
