Spanish brand JOMA hits the road with a new range of models for runners.
Founded in 1965 by Portillo de Toledo with the vision of creating an innovative sports brand, Joma has become an international player in the sports industry.
Having established the brand in football and athletics, it flourished with the Spanish national football team wearing the brand and winning the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Also, Fermin Cacho won gold in the men’s 1500m with Joma spikes on his feet.
At the 2016 Rio Games, 18 national federations wore Joma, and in Paris 2024, 15% of athletes wore the brand.
The brand’s latest range of running shoes focuses on speed and performance with carbon plates and branded FLY REACTIVE: The midsole foam is the focus of their technology.
R.5000 – £180.00
Designed as a lightweight, racing shoe Rs.5000 aimed at runners who want speed without sacrificing comfort, a balance that is often difficult to achieve.
The shoe is sleek, low profile and clearly built for performance. The upper uses a lightweight engineered mesh that feels breathable and race day focused. It hugs the foot securely without feeling restricted, which is especially noticeable during faster efforts where foot movement can become an issue in less structured designs. Blocking is impressive for a shoe in this category, and the tongue and lacing system do a good job of distributing pressure evenly.
one of the special features of Rs.5000 is its middle layer. Joma has incorporated a responsive foam compound that leans more towards firmness than softness. This is not a maximum pillow, soft cruiser. it’s a shoe that promotes faster turnover and efficiency. The ride feels snappy with a noticeable power return that becomes more apparent as you pick up speed.
While it may not have the super-soft bounce associated with some super shoes, it makes up for it with a grounded, more stable feel that many runners will actually prefer, especially in longer races where control is key.
There’s also a carbon plate integrated into the midsection designed to boost downforce. While it’s not as aggressively stiff as some carbon-clad rivals, it offers a subtle forward roll that helps guide your stride. This makes the shoe versatile, fast enough for race day, but not so extreme that it becomes uncomfortable for tempo runs or longer training sessions.
For runners who find full carbon shoes too stiff or unstable, the Rs.5000 offers a more affordable alternative.
The outsole is another area where the shoe performs reliably. Joma has used a durable rubber compound that provides good traction in various road conditions. Whether running on dry pavement or slightly damp surfaces, traction remains consistent.
Where the shoe really shines is its versatility. While clearly designed with racing in mind, especially distances from 5km to half marathons, it adapts well to a range of faster workouts. Intervals, tempo runs, and even long steady pace runs feel natural in this shoe. It occupies a middle ground between a pure racing flat and a super shoe.
Considering its price and versatility, the shoe is very competitive and offers great value in the category.
R1000 – £160.00
Where the R.5000 positions itself as a more race-focused shoe, it Rs.1000 takes a slightly different approach, combining speed-oriented technology with a more forgiving, versatile ride. The result is a shoe that fits into the increasingly popular category of super trainers; race-capable, but designed for a much wider range of running demands.
Here, the upper part feels more accommodating and less aggressive race strain. The mesh is flexible and breathable, with a softer construction that prioritizes comfort over race-day blocking. This makes it more forgiving over longer distances and during daily workouts.
Underfoot is where the real character is Rs.1000 arises. The midsole uses Joma’s Fly Reactive foam combined with a carbon plate, but in a less aggressive manner. The shoe provides a smoother, more natural transition through the gait cycle.
The cushion itself is more generous than at R.5000. There’s a clear focus on cushioning and comfort, especially in the heel, allowing the shoe to handle longer efforts with ease. It’s a well-balanced ride, responsive enough for faster paces but protective enough for steady running.
On the road, the shoe feels dynamic without being demanding. It encourages speed when you push it, but stays comfortable when you slack off. It’s equally suitable for steady miles, tempo efforts, or lining up for a race, especially in the 10K to half marathon range, though it can stretch to the marathon for many runners, especially those who don’t want the look and feel of a more aggressive shoe.
Learn more about JOMA here
