We bring you the most essential shoes for ambitious athletes looking to set a PB in the coming months.
Puma – Deviate Nitro 4 – £150.00
Lighter than its predecessor, the Nitro 4 retains the key features that make it a great high-tempo model. Nitrofoam cushioning and carbon composite PWRPLATE give the shoe a smooth ride and high performance feel in a package that allows for regular use.
Nitrogen-infused midsole perfectly blends speed and durability, giving the shoe a stretchy bounce but more durability. This model will easily outperform conventional racing models, making it a versatile “fast trainer”. The carbon composite plate performs like a race day shoe but with a slightly less aggressive feel, again making the shoe capable of regular use.
The upper is a snug fit, breathable mesh, and of course the shoe is rounded off with a PUMAGRIP rubber outsole for superior traction in all conditions.
New Balance – Fresh Foam X 860 v15 – £150.00
Known for long-term reliability, the 860 returns in its 15thth repeat and it’s the lightest and smoothest ride to date.
The Fresh Foam X midsole is now the most guaranteed unit in the brand’s lineup and is soft yet stable with a flat toe and controlled response. It’s also a very stable shoe, with stable alignment and a slightly firmer shoe interface, making it a model that can dynamically adjust to control pronation in a wide variety of runners.
The shoe will feel so familiar to existing users that they can jump straight into the updated model, while newcomers to the style will find it soft, stable and comfortable. It’s a solid everyday trainer with support, but an overriding sense of luxurious comfort that makes logging the miles a joy.
Brooks – Glycerin GTS 23 – £165.00
Updated with a bit more front stack, the latest Glycerin GTS feels redesigned in the cushioning department. The DNA Poisoned, nitrogen-infused midsole has an extra few millimeters of foam in the forefoot, resulting in a plush ride for the shoe.
The midsole features larger cells in the heel for soft cushioning at impact, while smaller cells are used in the forefoot for a more flexible and responsive ride. Along with the brand’s familiar GuideRail Technology System (GTS), the shoe is balanced, supportive and a great shoe for logging daily miles.
The triple jacquard mesh upper has a nice, stretchy quality and hugs the foot well, in keeping with its overall premium fit and feel. For the everyday trainer who excels in both cushioning and support, the Glycerin GTS is an excellent choice.
Saucony – Endorphin Speed 5 – £180.00
Taking design inspiration from Saucony’s racing shoes, the Speed fuses racing and training in this model. PWRRUN PB foam is soft and super foamy and combines with a semi-enclosed nylon plate to produce carbon racing-like propulsion.
Most runners should find the slightly more aggressive nature of the speed more favorable than a carbon-clad shoe, and for many the ride is just as fun, but more usable in a daily trainer.
The rubber sole extends over a larger area than a racing shoe and again makes the shoe more versatile and durable. If you’re looking for a light, fast and versatile model that can withstand regular use, the Speed 5 is worth considering.
Saucony – Guide 19 – £140.00
Updated with a softer blend of the brand’s PWRRUN foam midsole, the new Guide 19 continues to provide a stable, balanced ride for anyone who demands a little more control. The deep cushioning stack and its Centrepath technology gently and efficiently guide the foot through the gait cycle with a very smooth and natural feel.
The overall geometry of the shoe, which is slightly straighter towards the medial side of the shoe and the lateral walls of the foot, all contribute to the stability of the shoe, making it one of the most effective control shoes on the market.
The soft, mesh upper is very comfortable and has a generous fit that’s slightly roomier than the competition. That said, it does a good job of securing any type of foot. The extended rubber outsole on this new model adds to the durability, making this a great value support category shoe.
Adidas – Hyperboost Edge – £170.00
The return of Boost comes in the highest pack yet, and with the adidas Hyperboost Edge, the brand moves into competitive super trainer territory. This is not a race day shoe. it’s built for high mileage, great cushioning and a smooth, enjoyable ride.
At the heart of the shoe is the new Hyperboost Pro midsole, a bead-based foam that fuses adidas’ Lightstrike Pro with its signature Boost cushioning. It provides a lighter, more responsive feel while maintaining the plush protection expected of a maximum cushioning everyday trainer.
Only the numbers stand out. With a 45mm heel stack and nearly 39mm forefoot, this is a seriously tall shoe. The result is a highly cushioned platform that easily absorbs impact and keeps feet fresher over longer distances.
Despite the size, the weight is kept at 255g, which strikes a balance between cushioning and speed. The Lighttraxion sole provides grip underfoot without bulk, with strategic rubber placement that helps maintain a smoother-than-expected, slightly more flexible ride.
The standout is the walk. Hyperboost Pro foam provides noticeable bounce, especially at moderate pace, with smooth heel-to-toe transitions that promote a relaxed, rolling stride. Where it excels on longer runs is where the cushioning really comes into its own, rewarding smooth patience over aggression.
Scott – Kinabalu Ultra – £140.00
As its name suggests, the Kinabalu Ultra is designed for long-distance runners who demand versatility and all-day comfort from their shoes. The midsole is Kinetic Nitrogen foam, which is lighter, more durable and more responsive for superior running performance.
The brand’s ultra-flexible outsole is a semi-radius design for versatile grip to inspire confidence on technical and twisty trails at speed. The Matryx upper is known for its strength, durability and adaptability and is perfect for this type of shoe.
For high performance and protection, Scott provides a great package of features that excel off-road.
VJ – FZN Tempo – £170.00
Another shoe from the Fuzion brand, the Tempo focuses on just that: fast running on a variety of surfaces. Weighing just 240g, it’s light and responsive, feeling fast from the moment you pull it on.
Nitrogen-infused supercritical foam adds bounce and energy return, combined with a full-length, branched rocker plate. While the plate protects against rough terrain, it also adds a little extra oomph to every step, going on firmer tracks and trails on its own.
The lightweight engineered mesh upper uses the VJ Fitlock arch support system for a secure fit and is soft and breathable, adding to the road shoe’s comfort and flexibility to maintain the shoe’s fast feel.
For faster-paced trail training and racing, the Tempo performs brilliantly, feeling light and nimble on any terrain.
RAD – Synth – £120.00
The brand’s second running model, the Synth, is a lightweight, versatile everyday trainer that’s designed to disappear on foot, yet offers superior cushioning and a responsive ride.
The cushioning comes from supercritical SwellFoam, TPEE and bio-based EVA material with a deep, 38mm tread that weighs just 232g. The result is a smooth, effortless ride with a great, springy feel that responds at any speed.
A simple, engineered mesh upper wraps the foot well and provides a snug fit that neatly cradles the foot in a slightly over-cushioned design. Traction is also excellent, making this a very good value model that’s great for everyday training at any pace.
Reebok – Floatzig Double – £131.00
Returning to the running market, Reebok brings us a double pile version of their Zig cushioning model for maximum feel and a super plush ride.
Designed for both energy return and maximum impact protection, the Zig cushioning system is super flexible and remarkably light for such a high cushion model. It’s also a very stable shoe thanks to the two-layer construction of the midsole.
The engineered mesh upper hugs the foot well and is neat and very well made, providing a supportive, locked-in feel. The full coverage rubber sole also means the shoe should be very durable. Overall, the shoe has a nice, bouncy feel, making it a fun, everyday trainer.
