UA Charged Reckless
RRP: £70
Arguably Under Armour’s most impressive running shoe to date, the Charged Reckless fits like a dream and, at £70, feels like a bit of a steal.
The midsole offers a decent amount of cushioning in the heel, but it doesn’t detract from the lightweight feel of the shoe.
Breathability is ensured with the knitted upper, which wraps around the foot nicely, and there’s plenty of room in the toe box to allow toes to splay naturally.
One slight gripe is that the tongue is a little flimsy and moves around a bit, but it’s a small criticism for an otherwise top neutral trainer.
Buy now from Amazon
underarmour.co.uk
Asics Nitrofuze
RRP: £65
The Nitrofuze isn’t going to set your running world alight, but it is both lightweight and durable enough to cope with a range of distances and intensities.
The toe box is a little tight, so forefoot runners may want to think twice, but the upper in general is very comfy, with open mesh material providing a good amount of breathability.
The midsole consists of Asics’ High Abrasion Rubber, which provides cushioning and durability, but does feel a little cumbersome when you’re trying to pick up the pace.
Buy now from Amazon
asics.com/gb
Pearl Izumi EM Road N 0 V2
RRP: £79.99
OK, so it’s almost £80, but in today’s world that’s still a relative bargain. This light offering from Pearl Izumi is a minimalist runner’s dream.
At just 170g, it’s the ideal choice for shorter races and speedy tempo runs. But if you slow down a little, you’ll notice some welcomed, light cushioning, too. It’s only minimal, though, and doesn’t affect the shoe’s flexibility or responsiveness.
Durability may be an issue, as the upper material doesn’t feel particularly hard-wearing, but there’s no doubt this a quality shoe that won’t break the bank.
Buy now from Amazon
pearlizumi.co.uk
Kalenji Kiprun Trail XT6 Waterproof
RRP: £54.99
If there’s one thing guaranteed to grab a trail runner’s attention, it’s a set of seriously impressive lugs. Five millimetres thick and clearly built with slick mud in mind, the XT6 majors in grip.
The rest of the design – with a relatively narrow fit, 10mm drop and moderate cushioning – is less extreme and closer to what you’d expect from a neutral shoe in this price range.
The lace storage pocket is a nice touch, though. Nothing groundbreaking, but a good option for the muddy trail runner who cares more about a bargain buy than a brand.
decathlon.co.uk
Saucony Excursion TR10
RRP: £76
Durability and traction are what the Excursion TR10 excels in. The outsole – made from XT-600 carbon rubber – makes light work of any terrain, while the knit mesh upper is built to last, but is also impressively breathable.
However, much like its predecessor, the TR9, the shoe is undoubtedly stiff and heavy, meaning it’s more suited to long-distance plods than anything particularly quick.
That said, if you’re after a hard-wearing, no-nonsense trail shoe, you could do a lot worse than the tank-like TR10.
saucony.co.uk
