Buying the right running shoes for you is very important for getting the best results. This was the first shoe to feature Nike’s new midsole technology, React foam. This Adidas-Boost-bothering foam features a synthetic rubber compound that’s created by Nike’s clever chemical engineers to be light, responsive, durable and cushioned. What this means in practice is 20 per cent more mileage (that’s 600 miles instead of 500 if you were wondering) before your shoes need replacing, 13 per cent more energy return than any other Nike shoe and a midsole foam that’s 30 per cent lighter than Boost foam.

The adiZero Boston can work very well for runners looking for an introductory minimalist shoe – lighter than average, but with a fairly normal heel-toe drop. Some reviewers claimed the shoe is narrower than average (especially in the toebox) so if you have wider feet it may not work out for you. My feet are about average width and I didn’t experience any discomfort putting hundreds of miles on them. The shape of every shoe varies, especially between manufacturers, so it can be helpful to experiment with those that fit your foot best. I’m usually most comfortable in Adidas and ASICS but sometimes struggle to find Saucony’s and Nike’s that are comfortable.

Nike’s Pegasus line of shoes has long been a go-to option for runners seeking a versatile option for training and racing, and in 2018 the line saw the release of the best Pegasus yet: the Turbo. This shoe has a midsole made from a mix of two of Nike’s proprietary foams. One is the magically bouncy and lightweight ZoomX foam used in the world-record-setting Vaporfly 4% shoe, and the other is Nike’s durable React foam. The latter is pretty springy itself and ensures the Pegasus Turbo lasts a lot longer than the Vaporfly, a shoe best saved for races only (if you are lucky enough to have a pair). The result is a shoe that’s lightweight and fast enough to race in, but still comfortable and long-lasting so you can tackle all your training in it. Aside from the stripe down its middle, which is a bit much, the Zoom Pegasus Turbo is a nigh-on perfect all-rounder running shoe.

Brooks is primarily known for its big, bulky comfort models, like the super padded Glycerin 16. Even its speedy racing flats are full of plush padding and midsoles, like the PureFlow line. But we see a slight departure in the Brooks Hyperion, the new Top Pick for Lightweight Racing Flat. Putting this shoe on was an immediate trip back to the old track days. They seem a lot like racing spikes without the spikes. They’re incredibly light and the feel super fast. A pair of men’s 11 are just 14.5 ounces. As you can expect, when you’re in these kicks, you’ll be doing some serious pace work and generating a ton of heat. To make that an easier proposition, they are super breathable, keeping your feet cooler and drier. They also have a great BioMoGo DNA midsole that takes a good deal of shock out of the stride, but it’s lean enough not to interfere with your stride the way some of the highly cushioned midsoles in comfort models do.

Designed to make long-distance running easier, the MetaRide is structured to reduce movement in the ankle joint, where most of your running energy is expended. It does so with Asics’ new sole design, called GuideSole, which is a rocker-shaped sole that helps you roll forward smoothly through your stride. Layers of FlyteFoam Lyte and FlyteFoam Propel support your feet and provide good energy return, but the jury’s still out on how much these shoes can improve your distance running. See more info on https://info4runners.com/.