NEW RELEASE SHOES

Putting your next trainers through their paces

|| They are built for speed, but the increased cushioning in the sole means that I found them equally good for longer sessions when I needed comfort as much as pace||

BEST IN TEST New Release Shoes

Brooks Hyperion Max

£160|brooksrunning.com|Tester Esther

The fit

The Hyperion Max fit well – the upper and shape of them is similar to the Tempo, which I’m very used to (and, full disclosure, am a big fan of).

The comfort

They are similar in feel to the Tempo in the upper, but underfoot, the stack is higher, so you’re better cushioned. As soon as you take off, you’re aware of that wedge taken out of the back of the heel – unlike the Tempo – amove that gives a rocker feeling.

Who is this shoe for?

Neutral runners who sit somewhere between cushioned comfort, and elite carbon racers. If you run on roads and non-technical tracks, this could be an everyday shoe. If you do a variety of terrains and distances, this could well be your faster training partner, and an ideal go-to for racing.

On the run

My Tempos have seen me through significant mileage, but I’ve always been aware that they’re not the most durable shoe: The Max feel immediately more resilient, both in the outsole and in the weightier upper. They are similarly built for speed, but the increased cushioning in the sole means that I found them equally good for longer sessions when I needed comfort as much as pace. They’re snappy to run in, they’re blissfully comfortable and they’re made for those of us who are putting some serious miles in, but aren’t built for carbon plates.

Should you buy them?

If you’ve been frightened off the carbon plated lot, but want something with a bit more energy return than the usual, then the Max are definitely worth a punt.

Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 Flyknit

£169.95|nike.com|Tester Rachel I

The fit

The first thing you notice about the Invincible 3 is the width. They are nice and roomy for a wider-than-average foot, and great for longer runs when your feet swell, but I would say they do come up a bit longer too, so try your normal size rather than sizing up by default.

The comfort

Immediately comfy; it’s like having two mega marshmallows strapped to your soles. I feel like my feet and toes are splayed in a natural way when wearing these, rather than constrained; they’re a neutral shoe, with minimal support on the arch.

What they’re for

These shoes are for running fast. I got dropped off outside the train station with four minutes until my train left and I managed to leg it down the stairs through the length of the underpass and up the other side, get on my train and still have a minute to spare. I know that’s not ‘proper’ running but honestly, these have serious PB potential.