For those lucky runners who don’t need additional foot support, these neutral shoes could propel you towards that PB

NEUTRAL SHOES

Asics MetaRide

£225 | asics.com Tester Lauren

The MetaRide, as you might hope at this price point, offers a great fit with no rubbing or chafing, and cushioning in the midsole and heel to reduce impact. Guidesole technology will make waves in the long-distance running community: the curved sole shifts the body weight forward, propelling you on and making it easier to run further, although it can take a little getting used to. MetaRide has been scientifically proven, says Asics, to reduce energy loss at the ankle joint, where most energy is expended. In real life, the effect is that you should be able to run for longer. We love the styling – it’s a beautiful shoe, and that bright red FlyteFoam sole has added grip for traction, which means it works pretty well off road, too. This shoe with attitude does come with a drawback: it’s an investment pair, but one we think is worth the outlay.

How we test

Our kit is tested by real runners: passionate women with diverse running experiences, from dedicated marathoners to happy plodders. We wear the clothes, run in the shoes and use the tech on our usual runs to see if they go the distance. We then give each piece of kit our star rating. Prices are RRP and correct at time of printing.

Our team

Louise Breckon-Richards

Actress, writer and mum of two boys. Runs three times a week in north London.

Geri Perrier Wife and mum. Travels the world for work. Loves off-road running and discovering new trails.

Susan Bonnar Promotions and marketing manager, and mum of three. Discovered running in her mid-40s.

Tina Chantrey Mum of three, loves all distances and terrains, coaches running group, Shewhodaresruns.

Caroline Trowbridge Actress, children’s author, Reiki master and mum of two. Loves running for wellbeing.

Beccy Lord Dog walker Beccy loves to run for mindfulness, adventure and more than a little competition.

Hoka Clift on 5

£115 | hokaoneone.eu

Tester Tina

A stunning new colour is now available for the latest version of the Clifton 5 and the wrought-iron colourway, with flash of brilliant yellow, blue and red, certainly got other runners talking about this shoe. We’re happy to report the fit and ride felt as good as you would expect. You can’t fault the cushioning; the EVA midsole makes each step feel light and effortless. These are very breathable too, due to a slightly more open mesh upper. They remain incredibly lightweight and are an excellent choice for training on the road when you want to focus on speed but still want the security of some plush cushioning.

Altra Paradigm 4.0

£130 | altrafootwear.co.uk

Tester Susan

This is a great choice of shoe if you have wider feet. The signature FootShape Toe Box enables the toes to spread out naturally, keeping your feet comfortable if they expand on a long run. The midsole is very soft in both the forefoot and heel, providing a cushioned yet responsive feel. This shoe is cleverly designed, from the integrated StabiliPods which provide extra support alongside the unique GuideRail, to the Zero Drop platform which assists natural alignment by placing the heel and forefoot the same distance from the ground for a low-impact landing. This shoe provides perfect comfort. However, the upper initially feels quite stiff and a little tight on the sides for wider feet, so if you’re buying them online consider going up half a size on your normal fit.