With On’s signature CloudTec technology, a full-length carbon speedboard and new Helion HP hyperfoam, it’s undeniably a very good looking shoe. The upper consists of a single woven structure with On’s classic minimalist styling. The upper is a single-layer mesh, designed to provide breathability, though the fabric is still robust, meaning it will cope with winter on the roads. The flywire cables integrated into the lacing system provide a non-slip fit and the padded tongue is super comfy. With its solid construction and a grippy outsole, this is also a seriously durable shoe that should see you through a lot of miles. If you’re new to running, it’s a good idea to visit a running shop to get a gait analysis. This looks at your running technique and the way in which your foot hits the ground, so you can find the right shoe for you and your gait. There are generally three main foot types: The Pegasus 40 includes two Zoom Air units – at the forefoot and heel – which helps to give that responsive, energised feel. While it’s certainly not one of the new generation of maximalist cushioned shoes, when you step in to the Pegasus, you do immediately feel that comfort hugging your foot securely in place. It has a really plush feel, and fits true to size. The hotly anticipated third iteration of On’s supershoe – in fact arguably its first true supershoe – has proved something of a marmite design, and whether you love or hate it will depend largely on how you feel about firmness in a shoe.

Your gait, weight, the types of terrain you typically run on and the temperature of the places you’re running in will all contribute to the level of wear and tear of your shoes. This is a shoe that offers a solid, stable and comfortably cushioned ride, and can take a lot of mileage and a lot of pounding on the tarmac. Sure, it may not feel quite nimble enough to be a speed-day shoe of choice, but it’s durability and comfort nevertheless make it a supremely reliable everyday training option. Featuring one of the softest foams out there, this trainer has had quite a substantial redesign. It’s part of the new generation of stable, neutral shoes with lots of cushioning, and is designed for everyday easy runs. It’s also a great choice for new or low-mileage runners.

2. Best Overall Track Spike: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp SD-X

This is a shoe that is definitely meant solely for race day, and at race pace – the more you put in, the greater the energy return and sense of propulsion you get out. The firmness means that at easy paces, though, you simply don’t feel the benefits of the carbon plate. The latest iteration features a new, lighter FuelCell midsole foam, along with the same carbon fibre plate and Energy Arc technology. The latter might sound like something from a Marvel film, but is essentially a ‘void’ through the centre of the midsole, which allows the carbon plate to flatten and rebound during take-off and landing, increasing energy return. The result is certainly a propulsive ride. There’s a new waffle outsole with improved traction, as well as a stretchy knit upper, which features a water-resistant liner to keep your toes dry.

If you were judging a shoe on looks alone, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Wave Rider 27 would feel a touch heavy or a little flat underfoot. But you’d be wrong, because this is a deceptively good and lightweight trainer you can use every day. To be exact, Puma was established in 1948, and the first shoe to release was the Atom a soccer shoe. Not long after, athletes started wearing Puma’s in key events. In 1952 runner Josef Barthel wore Puma while he won a Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500 m. In 1956, the formstripe was introduced and since then, has been a Puma trademark.This shoe has a sculpted midsole, curving inwards on the lateral side to provide more compression, and convex sculpting on the medial side, which provides a greater volume of foam. The stability tech is subtle, but effective. This means that the Gel-Kayano 30 is not just for overpronators. Traditionally, the Gel-Kayano has always been a workhorse stability shoe, but in 2023, the definition of stability has changed. Where once you had medial posts and stiff structure, the next generation of shoes strive to adapt, not constrain, delivering stability through their geometry.

Unlike in the first iteration, the midsole in the Magnify is now completely and solely made from Nitro foam, where previously it was combined with a stiffer EVA layer. This is part of Puma’s promise that all their performance shoes will now be made solely of supercritical Nitro foams. All this adds up to an even more comfortable ride, and one that’s more responsive underfoot. Overpronation: The most common pronation type among runners, overpronation refers to the excessive inward rolling of the foot as it hits the ground, transferring weight to the inner edge instead of the ball of the foot. Runner’s with this gait will suit stability running shoes best. There are no real grand departures from the Hoka norm with the upper of this shoe; the cushioning at the heel is soft enough to feel snug, the heel counter and laces provide a secure fit and the shoe fits true to size. The weight of the cushioning does mean they aren’t the lightest shoe – but they are fantastically comfortable. Our testers noted no hotspots at all, and had no reservations about reaching for these on their longest runs. They fit true to size, with plenty of room in the forefoot, a plush tongue and a precise lacing system allowing for a tailored fit. The original Magnify was a neutral daily training shoe with a responsive, cushioned and super-comfy ride – and the second iteration offers more of the same. Where there are tweaks, these are all to the good, making this a great shoe for seasoned runners and beginners alike.

Hold up!

On the run, the shoe feels supportive and nicely flexible. It hugs your foot without constricting and can handle changes in pace, too. While the shoe offers great bounce and comfort, it’s not a lightweight option, so it’s definitely a cruisy, easy day shoe, rather than a speedster. To reduce the colossal footprint of the global trainer industry, we support the idea of running every possible mile in the shoes you already own, revelling in every last run you can share. While these are shoes that are gentle on tired legs and great for recovery miles, they also respond well to an increase in pace, making them a great everyday trainer. Finally, On have updated the outsole to include grippy rubber pads to improve stability and durability in all conditions. Editor’s Note: We reviewed our shoe selections on 9 November 2023 in line with our most recent round of wear-testing for autumn/winter 2023.

With a shoe as popular as the Gel-Kayano, updating it is always a risk. But in this case, it’s one that pays off. Now on its 13th iteration, it’s clear why the shoe has stood the test of time. It’s highly versatile, responsive enough for interval sessions – albeit perhaps not for the most advanced – yet comfortable for long runs. In the 1940s Adolph and Rudolf Dassler had a falling out, Rudolf went on to create Puma (while his brother Adolph went on to create Adidas). Even though Puma was a new company, Rudolf knew a lot about athletic sneakers. Before Rudolf and Adolph Dassler (brothers) went their own ways, they owned Gebruder-Dassler Schuhfabrik a footwear company. Designed to provide ‘maximum performance on daily training runs’, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer V2 is peppier and more propulsive than your average training shoe, but without the elite energy return – though also the price tag – of a top-end racer.

The fit is true-to-size, though perhaps a touch on the narrow size in the toebox area. They feel very comfortable from the get-go, with a nice bit of padding on the tongue and in the heel. Ironically enough, it might be fans of old-school racing flats who will really enjoy these carbon plate shoes. And if your form is strong, you’re certainly going to feel the real benefit of the Cloudboom Echo 3s on race day.