We look at the latest training shoes capable of handling high-volume weekly miles
This piece contains affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase via the link.
Diadora – Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 – £190.00
Diadora’s premium daily training shoe offers stability and cushioning in a package designed to soak up mile after mile on the roads. The Blushield cushioning technology runs the entire length of the shoe and thanks to its asymmetric design controls excessive pronation in a natural and smooth riding manner.
It’s a soft and responsive ride that manages to offer the fit of premium-level comfort models whilst still being very stable.
Of course, Italian design and flare are present in an aesthetic that echoes classic pre-millennium looks combined with modern materials for a stylish but functional daily trainer.
Diadora Vigore 3
Altra – FWD VIA – £145.00
With a 4mm drop, the FWD VIA now provides a perfect introduction towards zero-drop shoes for those runners considering a more balanced ride option. Of course, the shoe is just as useable to any athlete and a lower drop helps encourage a more mid-forefoot gait.
Cushioning isn’t sacrificed and with a 37mm stack in the heel, the shoe offers a soft and responsive max-cushioned ride thanks to the new nitrogen-infused Altra EGO FLO midsole. The rocker geometry compliments the drop and cushioning and makes the FWD VIA a smooth and efficient riding model that’s as easy to tackle easy runs in as it is faster, with more up-tempo efforts.
Altra’s foot-shaped toe-box provides a familiar fit and as usual, helps the toe spread for a natural and well-balanced push-off.
If you’ve been holding off trying an Altra shoe, this model might just be the perfect one to step into to experience the fit and ride the brand provides.
Altra FWD VIA
HOKA – Bondi 9 – £160.00
Updating the famous deep stack of cushioning to a supercritical foam midsole has transformed the new Bondi into a daily training model that offers premium cushioning in the most responsive ride to date.
The stack has been increased a couple of millimetres, but it’s the new foam which gives the shoe an ultra-soft, smooth and very balanced ride.
The upper gets a refresh too, with a reworked ankle collar and new, knitted upper that gives a plush and accommodating fit.
Durability should also see improvements in the long term thanks to the new midsole as well as a revised sole pattern with more rubber coverage throughout.
HOKA Bondi 9
Brooks – Glycerin GTS 22 – £165.00
Already a very popular, premium daily trainer, the new Glycerin GTS implements the brand’s latest iteration of nitrogen-infused foam to provide cushioning that now not only offers exceptionally good impact protection, but a highly responsive toe-off when picking up the pace.
The DNA-tuned midsole used different sizes of cells in the foam to create cushioning that is light, springy and durable.
Support comes from the familiar GuideRails implemented into the shoe’s geometry and here, when combined with the new foam they work effectively at controlling pronation and keeping the foot very stable.
The upper is a plush, very well-designed and constructed unit, with neat padding around the tongue and ankle collar that works well with the shoe to echo its premium fit, feel and performance.
Brooks Glycerin 22
Saucony – Ride 18 – £130.00
Not only do we see small improvements to the latest version of the Ride from Saucony, but they have reduced the price here in the UK to offer even better value.
A reformulated PWRRUN+ midsole foam cushioning sees a lighter, softer and slightly more responsive ride, but users of the previous model are unlike to notice the changes and can easily transition into the updated shoe.
Elsewhere, there are again just slight changes to the outsole pattern and upper design, but fortunately, they retain the same overall fit and feel making the shoe as good as before and even better value.
Saucony Ride 18
361 – Phoenix – £140.00
Blending stability and responsive cushioning into a new midsole design, the Phoenix provides lightweight support for the best ride yet from the brand.
The shoe’s geometry contributes to the overall stability and helps control the foot in an unintrusive manner that’s effective and at the same time encourages a fast toe-off.
The engineered mesh upper is plush and welcoming and elevates the overall fit, feel and aesthetic of the shoe, giving it a modern look and appeal that should complement its high performance.
361 Phoenix
Puma – ForeverRun NITRO 2 – £140.00
With an updated nitrogen-injected midsole surrounded by second-density foam, the ForeverRun provides a highly cushioned and supportive ride. The cushioning is on par with many premium models, so it holds up very well at this price point.
The softer ‘core’ of cushioning allows the foot to sink into the shoe and this, along with the broader base creates enough stability to keep most runners supported and under control. It’s a soft, smooth and responsive ride.
The ForeverRun NITRO 2 might be a little lost in Puma’s ever-growing range of great running shoes, but it’s certainly worth seeking out for those requiring great support and cushioning for daily miles. In this category, it’s one of the best around right now!
Puma Forever Run 2
Mizuno – Neo Zen – £130.00
Light, spring and fast feeling, the Neo Zen is an engaging daily trainer with one of the most lively and responsive feels on the market right now.
The supercritical TPU midsole foam is nitrogen-infused and the bounciest feeling midsole to date from Mizuno, giving the shoe a sensation of near-effortless running!
The knitted upper sits just a little higher at the ankle but fits very well and thanks to a natural degree of built-in stretch, it accommodates most foot shapes with ease.
This is a shoe that needs to be experienced to really appreciate the way it runs and most will find it such fun that it will naturally find a way into their daily training shoe collection!
Mizuno Neo Zen
New Balance – Fresh Foam X 880v15 – £140.00
The latest update to the brand’s popular 880 daily training shoe model sees improvements to the cushioning in terms of it being a little higher and a little broader in the base to add stability.
The shoe is a neutral cushioned model, but an improved geometry to the midsole means the slightly softer and more cushioned ride remains stable mile after mile.
The 880 is as smooth riding and accomplished as ever and retains all the familiar ingredients that have made it one of the most popular models in the neutral training category.
For everyday training and a shoe you can rely on, it’s a great choice.
New Balance 880v15
» Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here