After Born to Run and the barefoot revolution, the pendulum has swung the other way, with an increasing amount of runners looking for shoes with some serious cushioning. These maximal shoes were looked at initially as something of a niche concern, but their properties – maximum cushioning; supreme comfort – are now proving popular with a wide range of runners. Experts remain divided as to whether this is a healthy development, but with pros and amateurs swearing by the shoes, it’s clear that the maximal market is here to stay. We rounded up seven supersized models worthy of consideration.
HOKA STINSON LITE, 312G RRP: £114 – 7/10
Durability, cushioning and comfort are ever-present qualities across the Hoka range, and the Stinson Lite
is no exception. Built to last, the outsole is constructed with hi-abrasion, lightweight rubber, which aims to maximise cushioning, without compromising ground feel. Unfortunately, the significant stack height is even greater than in other recent releases like the Conquest 2, which definitely reduces proprioception and responsiveness. That being said, the thin, mesh-laden upper gives all the breathability you could need, although the speed-lace system seems to be an ironic name, as difficulties arise when trying to get the tension right. Ultimately, it’s a shoe that will stand up well to high mileage, but the more lightweight Hoka Clifton would be a wiser investment.
hokaoneone.com
ALTRA ONE2, 214G RRP: £100 – 8/10
OK, so this shoe looks more suited to 10-pin bowling than 10K running. Once you get past the aesthetics, however, the One2 is a great lightweight option for a variety of distances. Heavy-footed runners could turn to it for a quick 5K, while more efficient types could use it for a marathon. Like all of Altra’s shoes, its zero-drop makes it more suited to mid/forefoot strikers, and those with particularly narrow feet may find the spacious toe box a little on the roomy side. The rest of us, however, shouldn’t hesitate to add it to our collections.
altrafootwear.co.uk
ADIDAS SUPERNOVA BOOST SEQUENCE 7, 310G RRP: £105 – 8/10
The cushioned sibling of the heavily promoted Ultra Boost, the Sequence 7 offers the same energy-returning boost midsole. Perfect for overpronators, the rigid structure and considerable 8mm drop of the shoe ensures a stable ride, while the breathable mesh upper comes in to its own during hot-weather runs. One slight criticism is that it’s a bit on the heavy side, but if you’re recovering from injury, or simply looking to log some steady miles, you’ll find few better options.
adidas.co.uk
MERRELL ALL OUT PEAK, 283G RRP: £100 – 6/10
‘Monster grip’ and added cushioning are the hallmarks of Merrell’s bid to market the All Out Peak as the ideal maximal shoe for testing trails. It’s hard to disagree; the outsole’s 6mm lugs and Vibram Megagrip technology means the shoe makes light work of any terrain. It is, though, a bulky design, which greatly limits agility and ground feel. While it’s a shoe that will stand up well on the mountains, it’s less suited to the more conventional, comparatively moderate trails that make up almost the entirety of the UK.
merrell.com
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 17, 253G RRP: £135 – 7/10
Much like Velvet toilet paper, Asics latest release is soft, soft, soft. Putting it on is like wrapping your foot in a cloud of cotton, thanks to the single-piece mesh upper and double-layered midsole foam. There’s no doubt that this is a shoe for recovery runs and long-distance plods; going fast is out of the question. The softness of every element of the shoe, right down to the rubber pads on the outsole, absorbs all impact, making each foot strike and transition a laboured process. There’s no comfier shoe on the market, but performance suffers.
asics.co.uk
BROOKS TRANSCEND 2, 345G RRP: £150 – 6/10
The Transcend 2 falls into the ‘minimax’ category (minimum drop, maximum cushioning) currently dominated by Hoka. Stiff as a board and topping the scales at 345g, it’s not a shoe designed for speed. However, its hefty price tag does come with some intriguing technology. ‘Guide rails’ – firmer foam on the edge of the midsole – act to keep the foot stable. Comfortable and cushioned, the Transcend 2 will appeal to those returning from injury or looking for a plush ride on easy runs, rather than anyone looking to boost their performance. brooksrunning.co.uk
PEARL IZUMI E:MOTION ROAD M3 RRP: £82 – 6/10
Pearl Izumi is well known for its upmarket cycling apparel, but in the running market it’s been something of an enigma: producing good shoes, disappearing, then coming back to the market with something bigger and better. In the case of the E:Motion Road M3, it’s definitely bigger but we’re not so sure about the latter. It’s certainly a comfy shoe with a midsole that provides enough zip to power you through your stride. But, despite the manufacturer’s protests to the contrary, it’s too bulky to deliver the light and lively sensation the shoe promises.
pearlizumi.co.uk
