In this year-end selection of footwear, we asked some of our testers for their favorite shoes and ranked their picks for every type of runner and runner.
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The best cushioned shoe
Brooks – Ghost Max 2 – £145.00
Taking the shape of the best-selling Ghost 16 and maximizing its cushioning, the Ghost Max 2 now features DNA Loft v3 cushioning, a nitrogen-infused material that makes the cushion softer, more bountiful, and more durable.
The GlideRoll geometry of the midsole provides a smooth landing and transition through the gait cycle with positive toe roll and a smooth ride all around. the versatility of the shoe.
Tester Alex said: “I loved the original Ghost, but stepping into these was a game changer in terms of cushioning. They’ve really pushed the shoe to the max.”
Brooks Ghost Max 2
Best support shoe
Saucony – Guide 17 – £135.00
With a major redesign for 2024, Saucony’s most popular shoe managed to reduce weight, increase cushioning, and still maintain great support. In fact, the Guide 17 was arguably the most effective control shoe this year, providing support and stability for a wide range of runners. :
“The shoes are much lighter than the previous model, but more springy and at the same time more stable,” said tester Lauren.
“I’ve been running in the Guide for a few years, but this update transforms the shoe and makes it a fun shoe to run in.”
The Guide 17 is also a competitively priced shoe that shows you can have great cushioning and control in a lightweight and well-priced package.
Saucony Guide 17:00
Best racing shoe
Metaspeed Sky Paris – £220.00
One of the most anticipated shoe releases of 2024, the Metaspeed Sky Paris did not disappoint and quickly became one of the most popular shoes on marathoner’s feet during the year.
Being lighter and softer than the previous model, the Metaspeed Sky felt fast and smooth out of the gun, with the FF Blast Turbo Plus foam being a breakthrough formula that elevated the shoe to the top of road runners’ wish lists.
“Being softer and lighter, the Metaspeed immediately felt comfortable and extremely responsive,” said our product editor Paul. for the marathon. They were great, probably the nicest shoe I’ve ever worn for race day.”
It’s worth noting that there’s also a Metaspeed Edge version of this shoe, with a slightly different curve than the Carbon Plate, Paul felt that the Edge performed better over shorter distances at a faster pace.
ASICS Metasped Sky Paris
The best “NEW” brand
Mountain to Coast – R1 – $160.00
Launching in 2024, Mount to Coast already has three road running models in their range, with a fourth shoe coming in early 2025. The brand is focusing a little more on extreme distances, but for those who don’t : kind of running, it just means the shoes are very durable thanks to their ZeroSag foam.
“As a new brand, I was really pleasantly surprised,” said tester John. the shoes are so comfortable and I didn’t want to take them off.”
With roomier toe boxes and customization that allows for more customization, the brand has been able to improve running shoes in a way that other brands haven’t up
Mountain to coast
Best trail shoe
ASICS – Metafujitrail – £220.00
With the running shoe sector of the market as wide and varied as road running models, and the terrain as varied as the British weather, we could easily make an argument for many shoes this year than the brother and makes it much easier to fast travel down the trail.
The MetaFujitrail combines light and responsive FF Turbo midsole foam with FF Blast Plus and a track-focused carbon plate to create the fastest-feeling off-road shoe we’ve ever tried.
Track runner Grace said: “The Metafujitrail is unlike any other shoe I’ve tried. It’s as light as a racer and just as responsive. On hard trails and gravel trails, you notice the carbon plate and the shoe just pops.”
OK, this isn’t a shoe for wild or even wetter or muddy trails, but on those door-to-trail winter trails where you’ll encounter a variety of conditions underfoot, the shoe excels and delivers high performance.
ASICS MetaFujitrail
The best “NEW” model
Diadora – Gara Carbon – £240.00
Although the Diadora brand has a long and famous athletic history, its running shoes have not been widely available in recent years.
The Gara Carbon road racing model features a full-length plate and combines it with proprietary Anima PBX foam (a supercritical foam to increase energy return). With Italian styling and performance to match the most exotic Italian supercar, the shoe looks as good as it gets. anything else on the starting line.We’ll see a lot more about Diadora in a little while.
Diadora Gara Carbon
» This article first appeared in the December issue of AW magazine, out now
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