NEW RELEASE SHOES

Now’s the time to wear in some new shoes before spring races roll around

ADIDAS Ultraboost 22

£180 | adidas.com | Tester Tina

Designed by an all-women team, this first ever femalespecific trainer from Adidas gives you a 360-degree improvement on older models. The zone on the heel, right up to the Achilles tendon has been redeveloped to give a narrower fit, which the female foot needs. There’s also a shallower forefoot profile and lower instep area, and the refined outsole is designed to reduce overpronation. You have holes on the outsole in the rubber on the rear foot area to allow the Boost to move; as your foot lands, these holes open, allowing the midsole to expand and stretch into them, making your landing very soft. These felt supremely comfortable and responsive, and the flared heel support feels very soft against your ankle. And they look gorgeous, too!

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 testers include:

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

Laura McGoldrick From half marathon runner to keen trail runner, Laura took on her first ultra this summer.

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

Geri Perrier Wife and mum, travels the world for work, loves off-road running and discovering new trails.

Kate Sellers Digital assistant, yogi and lover of muddy trail running with her dog.

Holly Taylor Digital editor, podcaster and spin enthusiast; loves running for her mental health.

TRUEMOTION Solo

£135|truemotion.run/en|Tester Geri

The German shoe brand TrueMotion is a new company for us in the UK, and a very welcome one. The first thing you notice about the Solos is how lightweight they are – and the bright pink colour scheme! That said, it took me a while to get used to running in them as they’re not like anything I’ve run in before. TrueMotion’s patented U-Tech sits in both the heel and midfoot, providing cushioning and a stable base from which you can push off. It felt a bit weird to start with but I got used it fairly quickly. These are versatile everyday trainers; ideal on roads and even very light gravel paths, but I wouldn’t recommend them for off-road runs. The upper is breathable and wraps around the foot securely and the toe box has enough space to be comfortable. I also liked the flat elastic laces, the breathable mesh, and the 360-degree reflectivity.

LACOSTE Run Spin Ultra GTX

£130|lacoste.com|Tester Claire

If you’re looking for a shoe that’s perfect for mixed terrain, these are a great choice because they tick the boxes for both road and hardpacked terrain. Also great for running on gravel/shingle, the Goodyear specialised ‘sticky’ rubber outsole cushions the foot well from impact and ensures afirm grip on the surface. The shoes are lightweight, breathable and made with Gore-Tex water-resistant technology, which is helpful when running in colder, wet weather conditions. It’s a shame they don’t have deeper lugs on the outsole, as they provide little traction on mud but if you tend to avoid dirty paths, fields and trails, these are great.

SAUCONY VIZIPRO Ride 14

£125|saucony.com|Tester Laura F

Narrow-footed runners rejoice, for the Ride 14 is here to give you that snug fit you’ve been searching for: this shoe runs a little on the narrow side, particularly noticeable around the heel after a few miles. The upper has been updated from previous editions of the Ride and it now looks a lot sleeker; in fact, the Ride 14 is also part of Saucony’s VIZIPRO range, which is designed for high visibility on runs. It’s a comfortable shoe, although the sole is firmer than others I’ve tested recently. One complaint? When using the extra laces loops (even with narrower feet) there’s no lace left for double-knotting if that’s how you roll. Apart from that, both looks and feel get a thumbs-up from me.