– apart from a super fit and a good feel for the ground – is a new variation on the rippled plastic Wave plate that sits sandwiched into the midsole of Mizuno’s shoes for cushioning and stability. The Maverick’s Wave is rubberised on the lateral (outer

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

fit for a Saucony shoe.In short A good option for trail races or faster-paced off-road training, the Harrier scores well on grip and responsiveness. Unless you’re a heavy or unstable runner, it should be on your off-road shortlist.Try it if you liked

racer/trainers, and then a short-lived 180g racing shoe.Adidas came up with the outrageously-light mesh-soled 131g Mangostin in summer, and now Nike has produced something in between. Still crazy-light by any normal runner’s standards, the Air Streak

Weight 350gEvaluation The Legend is the replacement for the Wave Foundation, an excellent motion control shoe, but not one that attracted the same following as Mizuno’s superb stability and racing shoes. Hopefully the Legend will earn a larger

Weight 287gEvaluation This is a good season for New Balance shoes that appeal to lighter, faster runners. The 770 is a stability-enhanced version of the £50 730, which received high praise from our weartesters. Normal-weight runners used the 730

Weight 312g Evaluation Previous Reebok shoes that have used its one-piece Ultralyte midsole and outsole material have been by far the firm's best products. Shoes such as the Electrolyte and Fusion V were good racing shoes for the heavier runner

. It had a real running-shoe midsole, and a clever, highly adjustable strapping system that was particularly snug around the midfoot. You wouldn’t exactly race in it, but you could quite easily forget that you weren’t wearing a running shoe. Not so with its

change comes in the midsole: there’s simply less of it and the 832 looks much, much sleeker than the previous model. Don’t worry, though, the lower profile doesn’t mean the shoe loses its excellent cushioned ride. New Balance has actually shaved midsole

. With the 900, which offers stability and cushioning in a lightweight package, New Balance appears to be taking on Asics's DS-Trainer. That's great news for any runner looking for a stable shoe for racing and training.With its big two-density medial post, it