We take a look at the best running shoes released in the past month
Candidates for the podium: It’s that time of year when new brands can come up against the big players with new and exciting products. Here we take a look at the latest and greatest in the world of footwear and decide where your next shoe purchase could be.
All of these reviews are independent and unbiased views and are based on actual miles driven in these shoes. This section contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission when you follow these links.
Unstoppable – Halley Light – approx. 80.00 pounds
Most people have not heard of this brand before, being a new manufacturer based in Thailand.
However, the Far East is home to many of the largest shoe factories, so they’ve clearly picked up a few pointers. This shoe is their carbon coated racing model and it’s as good as any other shoe on the market. If you consider the price, the shoe is excellent value for money.
Stop the hall light
The shoe features a full-length plate as well as a supercritical, nitrogen-infused midsole for the now-familiar, highly responsive feel. The fit is quite slim and reminiscent of the racers of the pre-supershoe era, but from the word go it feels fast and lively. Even with £20 shipping to the UK, the shoe has to be one of the best value racers out there.
ASICS – Superblast 2 Paris – £200.00
Part of the shoe collection formerly known as the Paris, the Superblast 2 builds on the success of the original and updates it with the same FF Turbo+ foam used in the premium racing shoe, the Metaspeed Sky.
Here we have a non-legal 45mm cushioning stack, so the shoe is aimed at faster paced everyday training. It’s still a relatively light model at 250g, which is amazing for a shoe with such a deep boot. The new model is lighter, softer and now more responsive than its predecessor and feels almost like a new model rather than an update.
ASICS Superblast 2
There are also improvements to the upper, with a newly developed woven design, as well as an outsole that provides better traction and durability. This can be a go-to shoe for many runners’ weekly workouts, offering a good balance of cushioning for easy runs and a responsive yet lightweight feel for your faster efforts.
Get the ASICS Superblast 2 here
ALTRA – Vanish Carbon 2 – £220.00
Updated with more cushioning, the Vanish Carbon 2 features a full-length carbon fiber plate and nearly 10% more midsole foam for a true supershoe experience. The midsole is a new Altra EGO PRO foam that is over 30% lighter, allowing the stack height to be increased from 33mm to 36mm. The foam feels softer and more flexible thanks to the new flex grooves, so the shoe feels extremely responsive with the forefoot.
Altra Vanish Carbon
The shoe remains zero drop for a balanced ride and allows for a natural run in a racing shoe with a plate that helps add that ultra-responsive toe. The contoured upper part of the foot allows the foot to spread naturally, and this also promotes a balanced and efficient gait.
Fans of zero-drop shoes will find this model to be the fastest, and those unfamiliar with the feel of such shoes may find this shoe to be an ideal introduction to the brand. Running at a faster pace naturally means the foot hits the ground a little further forward, making zero-drop models instantly feel more welcoming.
ON – Cloudboom Strike – £270.00
Shoe ON fans have been waiting for, this is the shoe that has been seen on the stages of several major city marathons and triathlons over the past six months. We have yet to try it out as we went to press, but it promises to be the softest racing shoe from the brand while also being the shoe that offers the most efficient level of energy return.
On Cloudboom Strike
The innovative design features an intermediate insert and a revolutionary new “buns board”. CloudTec elements are present, but now there’s more of a nod to the brand’s previous cushioning technology, with Helion Hyperfoam providing the midsole lining at 39.5mm in diameter. The upper is a translucent mesh that wraps around the inner cage for shaping and support. The shoe looks impressive and promises to be a top performer as we have already seen. Go around in the summer.
New Balance – Fresh Foam X 1080v13 – £160.00
New Balance says if they could only make one shoe, the 1080 would be it. It is one of their most versatile models and certainly their best. The cushioning with the deep Fresh Foam X midsole is unbeatable and the shoe is one of the softest and softest-feeling models on the market. This ‘Grey Day’ reimagining of the 1080 once again delivers premium performance in a style that pays homage to the new sneaker culture, taking athletic styles to the streets.
New Balance 1080v13
The YouTube short film explores the brand’s running heritage, as well as its popularity in fashion cultures, and shows how this model, as well as other running styles, are now crossing over into subcultures. All that said, the 1080v13 provides unmatched cushioning for everyday road miles.
Find the New Balance 1080v13 here
Saucony – Hurricane 24 – £165.00
The storm name returns, now the 24thth generation and again provides a premium combination of cushioning and stability. As with many models, this update sees the use of the midfoot foam previously used in the ‘fast’ shoe, the PWRRUN PB. This takes care of cushioning and also provides a lively, almost springy feel. Sitting alongside a layer of PWRRUN foam for stability, the combination is a smooth riding and stable shoe that is among the best feeling supportive shoes on the market.
Saucony Hurricane 24
Stability comes from the shoe’s geometry, midsole combination, and higher cushioning sidewalls, which give the shoe a super-high stacking look. The stack is “only” 37mm, but provides more than enough cushioning for even the most demanding runners.
If you’re looking for a supportive, everyday trainer with a soft and lively ride, the Hurricane might just be the shoe for you.
Puma – Deviate NITRO Elite 3 – £195.00
Taking on a more aggressive design, the Nitro Elite 3 remains a light and fast race day option. The carbon fiber PWRPLATE stretches sharply in the forefoot and maximizes energy transfer from foot to foot. Built into NITROFOAM ELITE, this creates a soft and springy ride with a powerful ride for your next step. It’s a shoe that only wants to go fast, so race day and breaks are only here to maximize feel.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
The new upper features four-way traction so the foot locks down well for control, while the Pumagrip outsole returns seamless traction in all conditions. For one of the soft cushioned racing shoes that still provides an aggressive, toe-like toe, Puma offers.
Buy the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 here
Nike – Air Zoom Pegasus 41 – £129.99
Your relationship with Pegasus is like no other, or so says Nike. They add: “It’s loyal, reliable and always there.” Let’s face it, this is true. Pegasus has been around for quite some time. Over 40 years and now we have 41!St generation model. Although the shoe has changed significantly from the original, it still remains the brand’s most popular running shoe and number one in terms of sales.
Nike Pegasus 41
This version sees a combination of Zoom Air encased in ReactX foam. The shoe has a well-balanced ride and feels like it deals well with impact, but it still has one foot firmly planted in the past. This is not a super shoe with a deep pile of cushion, in fact it is almost inferior in today’s market. This is good and makes the shoe feel great on the road a bit more and works well for tempo sessions.
The familiar waffle outsole pattern is as good as ever, and this excellent traction makes this a versatile shoe for any surface. It’s the classic we all know, updated with a reassuringly familiar feel.
