Spring/Summer Shoe Guide 2012

Spring is well and truly here, along with the kind of beautiful weather that just calls out for new running shoes. Our Spring/Summer 2012 Shoe Guide includes a bumper crop of 34 new shoes, as well as reviews and technical information on each.

The RW Shoe Lab tested the shoes for heel and forefoot cushioning, and flexibility - Runner's World is still the only publication in the world to test shoes this way. Every shoe in this guide has also been put through its paces by RW staffers along with our national pool of wear testers.

Once you've found the shoe for you, visit our online store at runnersworldstore.co.uk. You'll find all the latest shoes as well as running apparel, accessories, gadgets and more.

To access full reviews for all the shoes listed (as well as hundreds of expert articles and detailed training schedules), subscribe online now.

Neutral Cushioned | Stability | Performance | Minimalist

NEUTRAL CUSHIONED

Recommended for runners who need maximum midsole cushioning and minimum medial support. These shoes are best for biomechanically efficient runners (with minimum pronation) and midfoot or forefoot strikers with high or normal arches.

Adidas Supernova Glide 4

Saucony Powergrid Triumph 9

Scott T2C

New Balance 1080V2

Asics Gel-Radience 5

Puma Faas 800

Skechers Gorun

Adidas Adistar Ride 4

K-Swiss Blade Max Glide

Pearl Izumi Kissaki

Mizuno Wave Rider 15

STABILITY

Recommended for runners who are mild to moderate overpronators and who generally have low to normal arches. These runners tend to need a shoe with a combination of good support and midsole cushioning.

Asics GT 2170

Asics Gel 1170

Asics Gel Kayano 18

Adidas Response Stability 4

Brooks Ravenna 3

Brooks Vapor 10

Saucony Progrid Guide 5

Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

Nike Lunar Eclipse+ 2

New Balance 860V2

Saucony Progrid Hurricane 14

K-Swiss Blade Max Stable

Brooks Trance 11

PERFORMANCE

Recommended either for racing or, if you’re biomechanically efficient, for training. They have varying degrees of support and cushioning, but they’re generally lighter (most weigh around 250-300g) and fit like a glove.

Nike Zoom Elite+ 5

Mizuno Wave Musha 4

Adidas Adizero Adios 2

MINIMALIST

Recommended for biomechanically efficient runners who want maximum responsiveness and a stripped-down shoe while retaining an element of cushioning. These are seen as the mid point between neutral cushioned and performance shoes in terms of weight, cushioning and general ‘heft’.

Brooks Pure Cadence

Brooks Pure Flow

Brooks Pure Connect

Asics Gel-Excel 33

Under Armour Charge RC