Loop-lacing lockThis is a great way to create a secure, tight fit. Just put each lace end back into the same hole it just exited, leaving a small loop on the top side of the shoe; now thread each loose end through the loop on the opposite side

– as with Merrell, one pull secures the shoe – means that your foot always feels nicely supported. A perfect shoe for off-road racing.Contact www.salomonsports.com; 01256 479 555Teva X-1 £70Teva is best known for its sport sandals – including some designed

. It produces a comfortable, airy ride that feels a little like running in bare feet, but unless you really want the airiness and the triathlon-style lacing system, you’d be better off with a shoe called the Neftanga. That was Adidas’s flagship racer last year

but not for off-road stability.Saucony GRID Aura TR £59.99Weight 368gSizes (m) 6-11, 12 (w) 3.5-7.5Pros Fair traction; protective cushioningCons Poor lacing systemEvaluation If you recognise the GRID Aura, that’s because its midsole and outsole are virtually a

Weight 400gEvaluation Salomon’s shoes are a familiar sight at its two-day adventure races, and at longer raids. They have a strong emphasis on protection, and they’re packed with innovation: the kevlar lacing system designed to tighten the upper

's certainly one of the most stable performance shoes available. The post is helped by a low-profile heel and NB's N-Lock lacing system - the N on the side locks the arch in through the laces for a tighter fit. The midsole is made from the firm's new

strap, which integrates into the laces.

Stability Web in the midfoot, the 750 is one of the most supportive racers available. The shoe also utilises New Balance's N-Lock lacing system, so the upper can be pulled snugly around your midfoot for extra support. Of course, we aren't talking motion

Weight 288gEvaluation Its weight could place it in either category, but the performance-oriented Azura is more like a protective racing shoe than a lightweight trainer, because it sits low to the ground, with a fast, responsive feel and an emphasis

typically wide base, the new Stabil has an extremely broad fit in the upper. That makes the feel of the shoe slightly unbalanced. The loop lacing system doesn’t allow runners with moderate-width feet to pull the laces really close together; but on the other