On this end-of-year collection of footwear, we’ve requested a few of our testers their favorite footwear and we’ve collated their selections into classes for each sort of run and runner
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Finest cushioned shoe
Brooks – Ghost Max 2 – £145.00
Taking a finest vendor within the form of the Ghost 16 and rising its cushioning to the max, the Ghost Max 2 now options DNA Loft v3 cushioning. This nitrogen-infused materials makes the cushioning softer, bouncier and extra sturdy.
The GlideRoll geometry of the midsole makes for a easy touchdown and transition by way of the gait cycle with a constructive toe-off and all-around easy experience. The foot sits inside the midsole, with small aspect partitions to cradle the rearfoot, which means there’s a contact of stability, which provides to the shoe’s versatility.
Tester Alex mentioned: “I preferred the unique Ghost, however getting into these was a recreation changer when it comes to cushioning. They actually have taken the shoe to the max!”
Brooks Ghost Max 2
Finest help shoe
Saucony – Information 17 – £135.00
With a significant make-over in 2024, Saucony’s hottest help shoe managed to scale back its weight, enhance its cushioning and nonetheless retain nice help. In actual fact, the Information 17 was most likely the simplest management shoe this 12 months, offering help and stability for a variety of runners.
“The footwear really feel a lot lighter than the earlier mannequin but springier and extra steady on the similar time!” mentioned tester Lauren.
“I’ve run within the Information for a number of years, however this replace transforms the shoe and makes it a enjoyable shoe to run in.”
The Information 17 is a competitively priced shoe, too, and demonstrates that you may have nice cushioning and management in a light-weight and well-priced package deal.
Saucony Information 17
Finest racing shoe
Metaspeed Sky Paris – £220.00
One of the crucial eagerly awaiting shoe launches of 2024, the Metaspeed Sky Paris didn’t disappoint and shortly turned one of the crucial recognisable footwear on the toes of marathoners in the course of the 12 months.
Being lighter and softer than the earlier mannequin, the Metaspeed Sky felt quick and easy from the gun, with the FF Blast Turbo Plus foam being the breakthrough formulation that catapulted the shoe to the highest of street runners’ want lists.
“Being softer and lighter, the Metaspeed immediately felt snug in addition to ultra-responsive,” mentioned our merchandise editor Paul. “I felt so assured within the shoe’s efficiency that I ran a half marathon in them straight from the field, put them away after which pulled them out once more for a marathon. They had been nice, most likely the nicest race day shoe I’ve ever worn.”
It’s value noting there’s additionally the Metaspeed Edge model accessible of this shoe. With a barely totally different curve to the carbon plate, Paul felt the Edge carried out higher over shorter distances at a quicker tempo.
ASICS Metaspped Sky Paris
Finest ‘NEW’ model
Mount to Coast – R1 – $160.00
Launching in 2024, Mount to Coast already has three road-running fashions of their vary, with a fourth path shoe to come back early in 2025. The model focuses a bit extra on ultra-distance working, however for people who don’t cowl that sort of mileage, it merely means the footwear are very sturdy because of their ZeroSag foam.
“As a brand new model, I used to be actually pleasantly stunned,” mentioned tester John. “The construct of the footwear is nice and the step-in consolation could be very welcoming. I can see the enchantment to extremely runners; the footwear are simply so snug and I didn’t need to take them off!”
With roomier toe bins and a match that enables for extra personalisation, the model has managed to additional refine the working shoe with concerns different manufacturers haven’t utilized. This makes for footwear that supply one thing a bit totally different and carry out past expectations.
Mount To Coast
Finest path shoe
ASICS – Metafujitrail – £220.00
With the path working shoe sector of the market being as extensive and assorted as street working fashions and terrain as assorted because the British climate, we may have simply made arguments to help many footwear this 12 months. The shoe we selected has taken inspiration from its road-going sibling and makes travelling quick on the path a lot simpler.
The MetaFujitrail combines gentle and responsive FF Turbo midsole foam with FF Blast Plus in addition to a trail-focused carbon plate to create the fastest-feeling off-road shoe we’ve ever tried.
Path runner Grace mentioned: “The Metafujitrail is not like every other path shoe I’ve tried. It’s as gentle as a street racer and simply as responsive. On agency trails and gravel paths, you discover the carbon plate and the shoe simply takes off!”
Okay, this isn’t a shoe for the fells and even wetter or muddy trails, however on these door-to-trail winter runs the place you’ll encounter assorted circumstances underfoot, the shoe excels and delivers a high-performance experience.
ASICS MetaFujitrail
Finest ‘NEW’ mannequin
Diadora – Gara Carbon – £240.00
Whereas the Diadora model has an extended and well-known sporting historical past, lately, its trainers haven’t been broadly accessible. 2024 noticed a return to type for the model and from what we noticed, they’ll be one to look at in 2025.
The Gara Carbon street racing mannequin encompasses a full-length plate and combines it with a proprietary foam, Anima PBX (a super-critical foam to extend power return). With Italian styling and supershoe efficiency to match essentially the most unique Italian supercar, the shoe seems and feels nearly as good as the rest on the beginning line. Given a bit time, we’ll be seeing way more of Diadora.
Diadora Gara Carbon
» This text first appeared within the December challenge of AW journal, which is out now
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