Welcome to the Men’s Running Awards 2017 – Shoe Product of the Year.
Over the past few months, a team of independent testers have been putting a number of nominated products through their paces. To find out what ranked as the best in each category, see the results below!
Neutral Shoe
A neutral shoe is generally suited to you if your level of pronation (the amount your feet roll inwards with every foot strike) falls within the normal range. Neutral shoes tend to offer a decent level of cushioning to absorb impact for heel-strikers.
Best in Category – ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 19
“STYLISH AND ROBUST, THESE ARE THE BEST SHOES I’VE EVER HAD” – STEVE AUGER
£150.00 || WWW.ASICS.COM/GB
Best Value – HOKA CLAYTON 2
“I’VE NEVER WORN HOKA BEFORE, BUT WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THESE TO ANYONE WHO PREFERS A GOOD AMOUNT OF CUSHIONING” – DAN THOMAS
€150.00 || WWW.HOKAONEONE.EU
Editor’s Choice – ON CLOUDFLOW
“ON HAS BEEN MY GO-TO SHOE BRAND FOR A YEAR OR SO; THE ‘CLOUD’ CUSHIONING SYSTEM PROVIDES THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF CUSHIONING AND RESPONSIVENESS” – ISAAC
£120.00 || WWW.ON-RUNNING.COM
Minimalist Shoe
A minimalist shoe is the ‘barely there’ option of running footwear. Ultra lightweight and with minimal cushioning, minimalist shoes usually have a zero (or very low) heel-toe drop (the difference in millimetres between the height of the heel and the forefoot). This type of shoe is best suited to runners who land on their mid or forefoot, and for those who want a ‘barefoot’ experience.
Best In Category & Best Value – SKECHERS GORUN 5
“SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT, COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE, AND THE QUICK-HEEL PULL MADE IT EASY TO PUT ON” – JAIME MENDOZA
£97.00 || WWW.SKECHERS.COM/EN-GB
Editor’s Choice – ON CLOUDFLASH
“AN INCREDIBLY LIGHT RACER WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CUSHIONING”- ISAAC
£160.00 || WWW.ON-RUNNING.COM
Support Shoe
A stability shoe is the perfect option for you if you’re prone to overpronation (the excessive rolling inwards of your feet after every footstrike). As the arch of your foot collapses to absorb the impact of running, it can pull the rest of your body out of alignment, which may eventually lead to ankle, shin, hip or lower back pain. Stability shoes help to protect against this, offering extra cushioning and support exactly where it’s needed.
Best in Category – SAUCONY GUIDE 10
“A GREAT SHOE. VERY COMFORTABLE AND CUSHIONED. HELPED ME ROUND TWO HALF MARATHONS AND SOME SHORTER DISTANCES” – PETE MEDLICOTT
£115.00 || WWW.SAUCONY.COM/UK
Best Value – SKECHERS GORUN FORZA 6
“MUCH BETTER THAN EXPECTED FROM LOOKING AT THEM – THE BULKY MIDSOLE WORKED VERY WELL FOR ME AS A MIDFOOT STRIKER: ENCOURAGING A MIDFOOT LANDING AND MAKING IT HARDER TO LAND ON THE HEEL. VERY IMPRESSIVE” – SAM LANGDON
£109.00 || WWW.SKECHERS.COM/EN-GB
Editor’s Choice – ASICS GEL-KAYANO 24
“AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO THE MUCH-LOVED GEL-KAYANO LINE, WITH AN IMPRESSIVELY LIGHT AND BREATHABLE UPPER NOT FOUND IN MOST STABILITY SHOES” – ISAAC
£150.00 || WWW.ASICS.COM/GB
Trail Shoe
Because of the uneven nature of trails, off-road shoes require specific features. Trail shoes tend to offer more grip than road shoes. They are often also waterproof, have less cushioning (so you can feel the terrain beneath your feet more easily), and the toe box may offer greater protection.
Best in category – MIZUNO WAVE DAICHI 2
“AN EXCELLENT ALL-TERRAIN SHOE. I FELT COMFORTABLE RUNNING UP AND DOWNHILL, EVEN IN REALLY BAD WEATHER” – ANDY MCGLYNN
£99.99 || WWW.MIZUNO.EU/EN
Editor’s Choice – SALOMON SENSE RIDE
“EVERYTHING YOU EXPECT FROM A SALOMON SHOE: COMFORTABLE, DURABLE AND GRIPPY AS ANYTHING” – ISAAC
£110.00 || WWW.SALOMON.COM/UK
Entry Level Shoe
Our criteria for a good entry-level shoe was that it had to be a great starting point for beginners, who might not be too fussed with all the technology and features, but who will notice and appreciate the difference a good shoe makes to their comfort and enjoyment of running. These great offerings for novice runners had it all…
Best in Category – ON CLOUDFLOW
“WOULD ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND AND BUY AGAIN. A GREAT SHOE FOR A VARIETY OF DISTANCES AND TERRAINS” – ROB GRIFFITHS
£120.00 || WWW.ON-RUNNING.COM
Best Value – KARRIMOR VELOX
“HUGELY IMPRESSIVE, GIVEN THE LOW PRICE. GREAT FOR MY 10K RUNCOMMUTE” – SIMON ROSS
£39.99 || WWW.KARRIMOR.COM
Editor’s Choice – SKECHERS GORUN RIDE 6
“A PLEASANTLY LIGHTWEIGHT, NEUTRAL SHOE THAT DOESN’T BREAK THE BANK” – ISAAC
£87.00 || WWW.SKECHERS.COM
Newcomer Shoe
In a market that is already teeming with options, it can be hard to stand out. However, these debut shoes have done just that, winning over our testing panel with their looks and innovation.
Best in Category – MIZUNO WAVE SKY
“COMFORTABLE, DYNAMIC AND BREATHABLE I’D RECOMMEND TO ANYONE” – NIGEL HERBERT
£144.99 || WWW.MIZUNO.EU/EN
Best Value – ADIDAS PUREBOOST DPR
“THE SOLE IS NICE AND BOUNCY. RUNNING’S A WHOLE LOT EASIER IN THESE!” – JAIME MENDOZA
£109.95 || WWW.ADIDAS.CO.UK
Editor’s Choice – 361° SENSATION 2
“A RESPONSIVE, WELLMADE WORKHORSE OF A SHOE THAT STANDS UP TO HIGH MILEAGE” – ISAAC
£109.00 || WWW.361EUROPE.COM
Best Update Shoe
Shoe brands are constantly innovating their products. Our award for the Best Update Shoe recognises the product that has seamlessly woven in some top new features to create a great.
Best in category & Best Value – ASICS DS TRAINER 22
“A QUALITY SHOE FOR ROAD OR TRACK RUNNING” – JASON DENTON
£120.00 || WWW.ASICS.COM/GB
Editor’s Choice – HOKA CLIFTON 4
“HOKA’S TRADEMARK CUSHIONING COMES INTO ITS OWN OVER LONG DISTANCES AND THE CLIFTON 4 COMBINES THAT PROTECTION WITH A FOOTHUGGING UPPER” – ISAAC
€130.00 || WWW.HOKAONEONE.EU