Adidas Ultra Boost, 300g
RRP: £130
Talk about hype. The Adidas Ultra Boost has been hailed by its makers as the “best ever running shoe”. This, says Adidas, is down to the fact that it has 20% more Boost than its predecessor, the Energy Boost, making for a shoe that’s comfortable but responsive. It certainly looks the part and, thanks to the new knitted upper and absence of a tongue, it also fits like a glove. It certainly doesn’t come cheap and forefoot/midfoot strikers may find the shoe’s sizeable heel not to their liking, but if you’re looking for a stylish trainer for some smooth, long miles, the Adidas Ultra Boost almost lives up to the hype.
adidas.co.uk
New Balance Fresh Foam Zante, 212g
RRP: £95
Easy on the eye, with comfort to boot, the Fresh Foam Zante is a neutral-shoe lover’s dream. Fresh foam technology cushions the foot, without restricting movement or speed. A thick, structured upper lends itself to stability, but does come at the cost of flexibility, although that’s a minor concern for an otherwise impressive design. New Balance’s latest release is a rare blend of comfort, style and performance – acting as a lightweight racing shoe for PB-getters, while doubling up as a durable and supportive option.
newbalance.co.uk
Nike Lunar Tempo, 197g
RRP: £100
Incredibly lightweight and responsive, the Lunar Tempo will appeal to those looking to race around the course. Redesigned Lunarlon foam is lighter than previous versions. This improves ground-feel and the all-important speed factor but some may find it compromises stability. As a result, the plus three-hour marathon runner may find them a bit uncomfortable after prolonged time on the road. Nonetheless, if it’s a quick shoe that you’re after, Nike’s typically stylish release is a good option.
nike.com
Inov-8 F-Lite 195, 195g
RRP: £100
The efficient, light-footed runner would do well to add these to his arsenal. As with most inov-8 shoes, there’s the offer of a precision or standard fit, the latter giving you ample room for the toes to splay on longer runs. The outsole is thin and flexible and, combined with the 3mm drop, they really do encourage that mid-to-forefoot strike. A slightly flabby tongue means you may want to lace up tighter than normal to prevent them coming loose, but otherwise this is a paired-back shoe showing that simple really is best.
inov-8.com
Asics 33-DFA, 230g
RRP: £90
Lightweight, with a 4mm drop for a natural running style. DFA stands for Deep Fluid Axis, which is founded on deep flexgroves for improved flexibility. AMPLI foam technology in the midsole enhances bounce back, giving the shoe a smoothness that’s absent in some of the more cushioned designs. Also, AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber) is used on critical areas of the outsole, adding the sort of durability you’ll need when cranking up the pre-race mileage. This is a shoe for those comfortable with their running style and perhaps looking to push on to faster times. While it might be a bit unsupportive for beginners, seasoned runners will love the shoe’s intuitive feel.
asics.co.uk
Brooks Glycerin 12, 258g
RRP: £130
Brooks says this shoe was inspired by the clouds and “designed to feel like running in a meadow toward the one you love”. Having never done that, we can’t really verify whether that’s true. But this shoe does feel like wrapping your foot in cotton wool – it’s extremely comfortable. It has 20% more cushioning with the new Super DNA midsole, while the outsole is designed to disperse pressure more evenly from the heel to the forefoot. It definitely felt like a smooth ride. Now, like Freddie Mercury, we need to find somebody to love.
brooksrunning.co.uk
HOKA Clifton, 218g
RRP: £89
HOKA, the brand that made its name with its supersize midsole, has toned down the craziness and produced a neutral road shoe that’s, well, pretty darn good. Don’t be fooled by the look: this shoe is super light. It’s also pretty responsive, with a rocker-type device that encourages a more natural transition from heel to toe. The upper is quite roomy so those with narrower feet will have to pull the laces tighter. To create a shoe this cushioned yet so lightweight either involves trickery or efficiency. Either way, we’re sold.
hokaoneone.com
