The pronation control, provided by the Hollow Tech support frame, is excellent. It’s essentially a lighter and less intrusive version of a medial post. There’s also a sturdy heel counter to provide more stability. The shoe fits true to size with a roomy toebox. Though it’s certainly not a speeds hoe, it’s surprisingly lightweight, with reasonable firmness. Our testers commented that it felt light and nimble, with just as much comfort from the first mile to the last of even a long run. This is a close-fitting shoe – there’s plenty of room in the toebox, but it’s designed to fit your foot snugly and there’s not a lot in the way of padding. The minimal shoe has a light upper, which gives it an incredibly breathable feel. But while it’s certainly neutral, Further weight savings come from that new midsole and a redesigned mesh upper. This also, along with additional padding around the heel and collar, provides more structure, increasing comfort over those longer miles.

To be exact, Puma was established in 1948, and the first shoe to release was the Atom a soccer shoe. Not long after, athletes started wearing Puma’s in key events. In 1952 runner Josef Barthel wore Puma while he won a Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500 m. In 1956, the formstripe was introduced and since then, has been a Puma trademark. With none of the bells and whistles that supershoes now promise, what you get is a seamless ride with great grip and traction from the outsole on any surface. This is a good all-rounder for those who value simplicity – and want one shoe to do everything. Building a shoe rotation can help to mitigate this because if you’re running in the same pair of shoes every day, the midsole foam doesn’t have time to fully decompress before its next use. So giving your shoes time to recover between sessions allows the midsole to decompress, helping you to get more miles out of it. How do I know my foot type for running shoes? If you're bored of the same old shoe designs, look no further. The Velociti 3’s flat-knit upper definitely has a unique look, which promises ‘dynamics tretch and compression’ as well as breathability. Does it deliver? Well, how dynamic you feel might differ day to day, but it offers a super-comfy fit.This shoe has a sculpted midsole, curving inwards on the lateral side to provide more compression, and convex sculpting on the medial side, which provides a greater volume of foam. The stability tech is subtle, but effective. This means that the Gel-Kayano 30 is not just for overpronators.

Now on its 13th iteration, it’s clear why the shoe has stood the test of time. It’s highly versatile, responsive enough for interval sessions – albeit perhaps not for the most advanced – yet comfortable for long runs. This is a shoe that is definitely meant solely for race day, and at race pace – the more you put in, the greater the energy return and sense of propulsion you get out. The firmness means that at easy paces, though, you simply don’t feel the benefits of the carbon plate. The latest iteration features a new, lighter FuelCell midsole foam, along with the same carbon fibre plate and Energy Arc technology. The latter might sound like something from a Marvel film, but is essentially a ‘void’ through the centre of the midsole, which allows the carbon plate to flatten and rebound during take-off and landing, increasing energy return. The result is certainly a propulsive ride.

7. Best for Short Road Races: Asics Metaspeed Sky

With On’s signature CloudTec technology, a full-length carbon speedboard and new Helion HP hyperfoam, it’s undeniably a very good looking shoe. The upper consists of a single woven structure with On’s classic minimalist styling. While the shoe offers great bounce and comfort, it’s not a lightweight option, so it’s definitely a cruisy, easy day shoe, rather than a speedster.

Your gait, weight, the types of terrain you typically run on and the temperature of the places you’re running in will all contribute to the level of wear and tear of your shoes.

Puma History

The fourth iteration has an all-new midsole, made with the new ReactX foam – which, according to Nike, gives you 13% more energy return compared with the standard Nike React foam –and also reduces the carbon footprint of the midsole by at least 43%. Traditionally, the Gel-Kayano has always been a workhorse stability shoe, but in 2023, the definition of stability has changed. Where once you had medial posts and stiff structure, the next generation of shoes strive to adapt, not constrain, delivering stability through their geometry. Until On finally run out of Cloud-related puns, they’ll no doubt continue to make the best looking shoes around – and the CloudStratus are no exception. They also have the classic On immediate pull-on comfort – though if anything they are a little roomier than most On shoes, particularly in the forefoot. This is great for wider footed runners, but equally, the excellent lacing system means you can adjust for a good fit whatever your foot shape. Editor’s Note: We reviewed our shoe selections on 9 November 2023 in line with our most recent round of wear-testing for autumn/winter 2023.

Over the years, Puma has taken their models to the next level. In 1991 Puma designed what is called a disc system. The Puma did not have any laces, but a adjustable fit. In 1996 Puma released the “Cell” which it is said to be the first foam free midsole. From then on, Puma has incorporated them into new models. The Kinvara combines medium cushioning with a good amount of stiffness, wrapped up in a really lightweight shoe. Our testers commented that the Kinvara 14 was well-balanced, nimble and agile, though some did find it a little narrow, so it’s certainly not for wide-footed runners. The hotly anticipated third iteration of On’s supershoe – in fact arguably its first true supershoe – has proved something of a marmite design, and whether you love or hate it will depend largely on how you feel about firmness in a shoe. The upper is a single-layer mesh, designed to provide breathability, though the fabric is still robust, meaning it will cope with winter on the roads. The flywire cables integrated into the lacing system provide a non-slip fit and the padded tongue is super comfy. With its solid construction and a grippy outsole, this is also a seriously durable shoe that should see you through a lot of miles. The weight of the cushioning does mean they aren’t the lightest shoe – but they are fantastically comfortable. Our testers noted no hotspots at all, and had no reservations about reaching for these on their longest runs. They fit true to size, with plenty of room in the forefoot, a plush tongue and a precise lacing system allowing for a tailored fit.On the run, the shoe feels supportive and nicely flexible. It hugs your foot without constricting and can handle changes in pace, too. That being said, the same running shoe won't suit every runner or every run. There are plenty of factors to consider when it comes to finding the right pair: your unique biomechanics, your weight, the surface(s) you run on, the shape of your feet and your preferred ‘feel’. The fit is true-to-size, though perhaps a touch on the narrow size in the toebox area. They feel very comfortable from the get-go, with a nice bit of padding on the tongue and in the heel. Ironically enough, it might be fans of old-school racing flats who will really enjoy these carbon plate shoes. And if your form is strong, you’re certainly going to feel the real benefit of the Cloudboom Echo 3s on race day. Featuring one of the softest foams out there, this trainer has had quite a substantial redesign. It’s part of the new generation of stable, neutral shoes with lots of cushioning, and is designed for everyday easy runs. It’s also a great choice for new or low-mileage runners. There are no real grand departures from the Hoka norm with the upper of this shoe; the cushioning at the heel is soft enough to feel snug, the heel counter and laces provide a secure fit and the shoe fits true to size.