cushioning shoes around – it’s a little plusher than before, but retains its smooth and supportive ride and also has an improved fit.Try it on if you liked Asics Gel Cumulus (£60); Nike Air Pegasus 2002 (£60); Adidas Supernova Cushion (£70)

fractionally more positive and stable, and the slightly narrower profile gives a smoother heel-to-toe transition.In short The new Gel Cumulus keeps its instantly recognisable soft ride, with minor tweaks to the fit and responsiveness. It’s still a good

ASICSEuropa Boulevard, Westbrook, Warrington, Cheshire WA5 5YS; 01925 241041; www.asics.co.uk2005 MODELSCUSHIONEDGel Nimbus Gel Cumulus STABILITYKayano Gel GT-2100 Gel 1100 PERFORMANCEGel DS Trainer X Gel Landreth RACINGGel DS Racer Gel Kanji OFF

Weight 369gEvaluation The Kumo replaces the Preleus, which was the Asics shoe priced midway between the Cumulus and Nimbus. Essentially, the only important difference between the Kumo and the Preleus is in the midsole. The Kumo’s is made entirely

noticed little difference between the two.In short The Gel Preleus is a neutral shoe for runners who don’t need the firmer, more expensive responsiveness of the Gel Nimbus. It’s a safe, reliable cushioning shoe.Try it if you liked Asics Gel Cumulus (£60

Weight 330gEvaluation Mizuno sees the brand-new Wave Mustang as its closest rival to category favourites such as the Nike Air Pegasus and Asics Gel Cumulus. That means a no-frills, comfortably cushioned shoe that you enjoy pulling on every day

AdidasCalibrate (motion control) £75 Supernova Control (stability) £70 AsicsGel Cumulus (cushioned) £65 Gel Nimbus (cushioned) £85 Avia2050 (stability) £70 BrooksGel Glycerin (cushioned) £85 Racer ST (racing) £60 T3 Racer (racing) £50 Inov-8Mudroc

Weight 353gEvaluation The Nimbus is Asics’s top-end shoe for neutral runners, and it’s effectively a more durable bigger brother to the £60 Cumulus. That’s mainly because it uses a denser midsole material called SpEVA, which, along with durability

AdidasAdistar Competition (racing) £80 Climacool Rotterdam (performance) £65 Response Competition (racing) £55 AsicsGel Empire (stability) £95 Gel Evolution (motion control) £90 Gel Nimbus (cushioned) £90 Gel Cumulus (cushioned) £65 Gel Flash DS

. The firm started to address this last year with the excellent Glycerin, and continues with the Radius.Weighing in at just under 350g, it goes head-to-head with favourites like the Nike Air Pegasus and the Asics Gel Cumulus. It's slightly heavier than these