A recent poll on the Men’s Running website asked what variation of running trainer was the most preferred, coming out on top was the support running shoes.
So, in light of this new information, here are five of the best your hard-earned money can get you:
asics Gel-Nimbus 17 – £140
The asics Gel-Nimbus’s are designed to give you great cushioning, whether you run 7-minute or 12-minute miles. With their ‘FluidRide’ midsole, your feet will bounce off each stride into the next.
It boasts a whole other range of fancy names, which don’t really mean much to anyone, but essentially they are built for comfort and a smooth ride.
The only downside is the price, but you do know you’re getting great quality with asics.
http://www.asics.co.uk/Shop/Shoes/Running/Men/GEL-NIMBUS-17/p/0010236915.8501
Nike Air Zoom Odyssey – £130
This is actually one of Nike’s more recent releases, and where asics have gone for pure comfort, Nike have gone for speed.
Fans of Nike will know all about Zoom Air, but for those who don’t know, according to the makers it’s ‘the fastest, most responsive cushioning platform Nike has ever delivered and it can change how fast an athlete feels in an instant’.
It’s also got a pretty thick midsole for added stability, but much like the asics’, it retails high.
http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/air-zoom-odyssey-running-shoe/pid-10294396/pgid-10957887
Saucony Omni 13 – £77
Saucony have gone for a full ground-contact design, which provides full support from heel-strike to toe-off.
There is also a stable level of pronation control built in to the shoe, which should help with any runners that suffer from inward rolling from the ankle.
Weighing in at 317g, one may be forgiven for thinking that’s quite heavy, but in retrospective, for a stability shoe it’s quite light.
The other bonus of course, is the price.
adidas Supernova Sequence Boost – £74
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.
The other bonus, is that it’s the cheapest out of the five.
http://www.adidas.co.uk/supernova-sequence-boost-shoes/M29713.html
Mizuno Wave Paradox 2 – £ depends on retailer
According to Mizuno ‘maximum support just got more fun’.
Their ‘Wave’ technology used in the midsole is designed to provide both cushioning and stability, therefore dissipating any impact away from your feet.
Interestingly, they also have what is essentially a shock absorber at the back of the shoe. This was placed there to ‘minimise the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the foot during transition, creating the smoothest ride possible’.
No indication on price, the website makes it a little tricky to try and purchase the shoes.
http://www.mizuno.eu/gb/sports/running/footwear/47707/wave-paradox-2
