Balance's new Acteva midsole foam, so the cushioning is good despite its low profile. Few runners will find it their ideal marathon shoe, but for 5Ks and 10Ks, the quick, neutral runners out there should enjoy it.

stable too, with a two-thirds-length medial post, a good heel counter and a decent midfoot shank. The lightest, most efficient runners would find it a good half-marathon or even marathon shoe, but it’s also an ideal first racing shoe for short distances

felt much more natural for faster runners than slower ones. At 225g it’s not the lightest short-distance racing shoe around – very light runners would often be looking nearer 200g – but the Pro Plate makes a noticeable difference. It helps your running

mild overpronators. But with its fine level of cushioning – the rearfoot feels positively plush – it works well as a shoe for swift, efficient runners racing up to the half-marathon.

for speedwork and racing up to 10K or half-marathon; very light or fast runners even used it for everyday training.The 770 takes the low-profile midsole and outsole of the 730, and adds a half-length medial post (a firmer density of foam) for stability. It also

Weight 284gEvaluation The Wave Phantom is an excellent responsive lightweight racer. But its Wave-less predecessor was a great shoe, too – a supportive, cushioned marathon racer. And, essentially, the Phantom Classic is that shoe with a new upper

This model may still be available on clearance. But we've reviewed a newer version since we published this.Light, fast and smooth, the 320g Precision is a quick everyday trainer for efficient runners, or a marathon racer for others, and it’s one

Weight 164gEvaluation Nike says this is ‘great for all road-race distances up to the marathon for efficient runners’. At 164g, we’d probably change that to ‘up to 5K’ for all but elite runners. It actually has reasonably perky cushioning (though we

Weight 194gEvaluation The Ekiden is the shoe that Paula Radcliffe wore when she won the Flora London Marathon. Unless you’re as fast and efficient as Paula, though, you will probably have to restrict the Ekiden to shorter races.Like the Streak

. The Aello is no marathon shoe, but is great for anything up to 10K.