Whether it’s super foams, high stacks, or highly responsive options, there’s something here for everyone.
Brooks – Glycerin Flex – £165.00
Slightly different from Brooks, the Glycerin Flex combines the wonderfully soft yet responsive cushioning of the brand’s Glycerin models with a highly flexible design that aims to facilitate the foot’s preferred path of motion.
Deep grooves cut into the midsole create the FlexZone technology, making this shoe perhaps the most flexible on the market right now, yet it has a stable and highly efficient ride.
With soft cushioning at impact, a smooth heel-to-toe transition, and a burst of energy, the shoe has race-day drive as well as everyday comfort. It’s only February, but this is the shoe of the year so far.
Karhu – Master Run 2.0 – £150.00
Karhu may be a new name to many, but the brand is one of the most respected running shoe brands, dating back to 1916.
The Mestari is the brand’s most cushioned everyday trainer, designed for runners looking for a well-cushioned and responsive ride that goes mile after mile with great consistency.
At its core, the shoe uses AeroFoam, Karhu’s nitrogen-infused midsole foam, combined with the brand’s Fulcrum technology. The fulcrum is designed to guide the foot forward in a smooth and steady rotational motion. The result is a shoe that feels effortless to run in.
The Mestari is a very versatile shoe that is able to handle long daily kilometers as easily as shorter speeds and intervals. The ride is very well balanced and suits a wide variety of feet and runners. For reliability and flexibility, the Mestari Run 2.0 is certainly worth checking out this spring.
Enertor – Recovery Slider – £65.00
Enertor, perhaps best known as an insert brand, has released its new Recovery Slide, designed to help runners reduce soreness, ease fatigue and recover faster between workouts.
At its core is UltraSole, the brand’s new full-foot shock absorption technology that absorbs 50% of impact, reducing muscle and joint stress, helping tired feet bounce back faster.
The wide fit, subtle arch support, built-in overlay and slightly raised heel are designed to reduce pressure points and relieve stress on the calves and Achilles, providing comfort and relief after a long session.
The slide also features a durable rubber outsole that, while not specifically designed for outdoor use, makes the slides more durable and provides better traction on a variety of surfaces.
Skechers – Aero Burst – £140.00
This max-stack everyday trainer from Skechers offers masses of cushioning in a durable and ultra-responsive package.
Designed for everyday training, the shoe features the brand’s 42mm deep Hyper Burst Ice stud, their proprietary nitrogen-infused foam. In the midsole sits a carbon-infused H-plate, a uniquely shaped carbon plate that maximizes energy return with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The result is a high-quality cushioning and durable everyday trainer that simply soaks up the miles and puts a spring in your step.
Of course, the shoe also features the brand’s other technologies, such as the Goodyear rubber outsole and Archfit insole, but excellent cushioning is the standout feature of this well-valued everyday trainer.
Saucony – Ride 19 – £140.00
Lighter, softer and more responsive than ever, the new Ride 19 returns as one of the most valuable everyday trainers in the neutral cushioning category.
At the heart of the new model is a redesigned PWRRUN+ midsole foam that provides softer cushioning, increased energy return and a slightly wider platform for a more stable base. The overall geometry of the shoe’s midsole has been tweaked, as well as adding flex grooves and a unique outsole design. The shoe is as soft and responsive as it is stable and firm.
The upper is a lightweight, breathable and yet plush engineered mesh that hugs the foot for a perfect fit with soft cushioning in key areas for all day wear. The Ride 19 is a great value, versatile everyday trainer that puts a spring in every step.
361 – Meraki 7 – £130.00
The all-new Meraki 7 is redesigned from the ground up, making it a high-performance and great value everyday training shoe. The brand’s Engage and Primo midsole foams combine to provide a well-cushioned, stable and fun ride that surpasses the price tag.
High-performance foams in the midsoles give the shoe a smooth yet stable ride that matches any pace, with performance that absorbs impact and provides a gentle spring to every step.
The upper, like the rest of the shoe, offers a fit and feel that surpasses the price and is as good as anything else on the market. For those looking for a great value, responsive, everyday trainer, the Meraki is a great contender.
Hylo – AXIS – £140.00
The brand’s second model, the AXIS, takes the lessons learned from their first shoe, the IMPACT, and adds a touch of durability for a versatile ride that’s sure to please a wider audience.
A new, 50% bio-based midsole, the Hyperbolt+, uses a supercritical, nitrogen-infused foam along with some subtle midfoot support that enhances rearfoot stability without over-controlling and resulting in a smooth and stable ride. The familiar natural rubber outsole displaces water and provides great traction, adding durability at key contact points.
The one-piece knit upper uses bio-based materials again and offers a great fit with a structured design to match the performance of the shoe. This could very well be the best performance shoe on the market with such eco-credentials.
Nike – Structure Plus – £165.00
While the established Structure 26 has long been Nike’s go-to shoe, the Structure Plus adds ZoomX foam, the brand’s ultra-soft and responsive midsole material, to make it the softest construction ever.
Combining ZoomX and ReactX foams, this blend provides support and cushioning with an added foot support system, resulting in an incredibly springy shoe. The highly cushioned stack results in a slightly heavier model, and the 10mm drop is similar to a more traditional support shoe, but for fans of the Structure model, it’s the added cushioning that delivers a superior running sensation.
The upper is a familiar combination of breathable mesh and supportive elements incorporated into the laces to secure the foot and complete the shoe’s package.
Puma – Deviate NITRO Elite 4 – £210.00
Lighter, more responsive and more stable, Puma’s new Deviate NITRO Elite 4 returns as a more race-day running shoe for the brand’s masses.
While the Fast-R 3 was a big hit in the 2025, it remains a highly aggressive racing shoe that performs best for stable forefoot attackers who can maximize its geometry.
The Deviate resembles a more traditional race day shoe, but at just 170g and a new A-TPU midsole, it’s a speed demon in disguise. New foam enhances energy return, complemented by a sculpted plate that promotes a high-powered yet stable ride. 30g lighter than its predecessor, the weight saving is noticeable and the shoe just screams fast.
For many, this may be a “safe bet” for carbon-clad racers, being light and stable with an explosive feel when you put your foot down.
FITASY – Stride 3D Printed Sneakers – £220.00
FITASY is a US-based startup that has developed technology to make customized 3D printed shoes not only more affordable for everyday consumers, but also to support foot health and faster recovery for active people.
Fitasy’s first-of-its-kind scanning software allows anyone with a smartphone to capture an accurate 360° model of their feet, then receive 3D-printed shoes designed to the exact contours of their unique shape. The founding team consists of engineers from MIT, Caltec, Imperial College.
The goal of the shoe is to provide a solution to poorly fitting shoes that can contribute to poor foot mechanics. Triple-layer lattice construction helps reduce impact and aid recovery.
Made from a single recyclable material, the shoes are sustainable in design and end-of-life disposal is simplified compared to traditional shoes.
The 3D sneakers are available now, with a fully custom designed shoe coming soon.
HOKA – Cielo X1 3.0 – £250.00
Listening to feedback from HOKA’s elite athletes, the Cielo X1 3.0 reduces weight, improves cushioning and gains a more stable platform. Third time lucky, but this is the Hoka racing shoe we’ve been waiting for.
Now weighing just 217g, the 3.0 sits firmly in elite racing shoe territory. The PEBA midsole is now the brand’s most responsive foam, and paired with a durable carbon plate and redesigned midsole, the shoe remains stable, cushioned and highly propelled.
A new textile upper reduces weight and a dynamic vamp forefoot adapts to foot movement for a secure yet flexible fit. Asymmetric laces further improve fit and reduce pressure on the crotch over longer distances for added comfort.
