Weight 276gEvaluation Nike introduced two performance shoes using its “caged” Zoom Air units – the Swift and the Spiridon last year. While the Swift was a pleasingly smooth and responsive shoe, the lighter Spiridon wasn’t quite so impressive, with a

Weight 367gSizes (m) 6-12, 13, 14 (w) 3-9Pros Improved motion control; better midfoot support; good valueCons Less durable upperEvaluation The 130 MC from Asics was a mid-priced, motion-control gem. It was effective, with a good ride and a good

The Illusion is the best cushioned shoe in the Brooks line – and it’s remarkably light, too. This update certainly isn’t dramatic – the midsole and outsole are essentially the same as the previous model – but its upper is a vast improvement. Using a

, little has changed, but the 705 is an improvement on previous models. The thick midsoles of the previous incarnations meant that the shoes weren’t particularly stable – and stability is vital in an off-roader. In a bid to address this, New Balance has

The first version of the Kantara was a lovely shoe: extremely stable, yet with a pillowy midsole. Wisely, Nike has tinkered little for version two. The main changes and improvements are in the forefoot. The Kantara’s upper fit has now been made

stability is much improved and the cushioning excellent for bigger runners. But the FSM is still heavier and lack the smooth heel-to-toe transition of foam-based shoes.Try it on if you liked Nike Shox D £120

The DS Trainer is updated every year, amd now enjoys Asics's Biomorphic Fit upper. That means that softer, stretchier mesh in two key points around the midfoot and forefoot to help prevent blisters and improve fit. Some testers loved last year

than normal trail shoes.It’s a niche market, dominated by a Bolton-based company called Walsh, but Felldancer, of Burnley, has updated its range. Felldancer says its fit and traction – both critical elements – have been improved, with thicker, sturdier

There are two camps in the trail running world. The first believe that a waterproof trail shoe is as much use as a wire-wool thong. What you need, they say, is a shoe with wide open mesh that lets water in quickly, and then lets it out just