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. The updated Velociti features a cushioned Flow midsole that tends towards the firmer end of the scale– but this is a shoe that definitely gives a little as you wear it in. Our team continually road-test the best new models as and when they're released. We assess shoes for their performance across every area runners need to consider: fit, feel, cushioning, responsiveness, comfort, grip, breathability and overall ride.

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. 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. This is a shoe that offers a solid, stable and comfortably cushioned ride, and can take a lot of mileage and a lot of pounding on the tarmac. Sure, it may not feel quite nimble enough to be a speed-day shoe of choice, but it’s durability and comfort nevertheless make it a supremely reliable everyday training option. 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. 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.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%. 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. Overpronation: The most common pronation type among runners, overpronation refers to the excessive inward rolling of the foot as it hits the ground, transferring weight to the inner edge instead of the ball of the foot. Runner’s with this gait will suit stability running shoes best.

The ride is smooth, stable and springy, with enough cushioning to keep you comfortable on easy runs and longer efforts. The latest update of an already popular shoe also has That design does force you into the midfoot landing zone (landing anywhere else in this shoe is just, well, not going to happen) but that actually feels really good at pace. The transition onto your toes is super-peppy, but no more aggressive than other supershoes. Puma has made some fantastic running shoes over the past few years but its yet to really nail the classic stability shoe – until now. However, unlike, say, the classic Asics Gel-Kayano, this is a modern stability shoe that delivers not by inserting medial posts but by tweaks in the construction itself. 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. 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.

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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. 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. If you were judging a shoe on looks alone, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Wave Rider 27 would feel a touch heavy or a little flat underfoot. But you’d be wrong, because this is a deceptively good and lightweight trainer you can use every day. 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. 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 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, 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. 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. Neutral: Runners with a normal range of pronation – the natural inward rolling of the foot when it hits the ground. Runners with this gait will prefer a neutral shoe.

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.

Unlike in the first iteration, the midsole in the Magnify is now completely and solely made from Nitro foam, where previously it was combined with a stiffer EVA layer. This is part of Puma’s promise that all their performance shoes will now be made solely of supercritical Nitro foams. All this adds up to an even more comfortable ride, and one that’s more responsive underfoot. 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. 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 original Magnify was a neutral daily training shoe with a responsive, cushioned and super-comfy ride – and the second iteration offers more of the same. Where there are tweaks, these are all to the good, making this a great shoe for seasoned runners and beginners alike.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. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a daily workhorse, or a high-mileage runner seeking consistent performance with a bit of cushioning, the 880 really is a shoe that can work for everyone. If you’re new to running, it’s a good idea to visit a running shop to get a gait analysis. This looks at your running technique and the way in which your foot hits the ground, so you can find the right shoe for you and your gait. There are generally three main foot types: 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? 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’.