ESSENTIAL KIT

There’s no feeling like that new-shoe feeling

Saucony Guide 14

£125|saucony.com|Tester Laura

These shoes feel like they were made for my feet, and during the first shorter, faster runs I felt like I was on fire. There is ample room in this shoe but they still fitted snugly to the contours of my feet, offering support and cushioning in all the right places; exactly what’s required in a support shoe and exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Saucony Glide. The stability this shoe offers is fully complemented by the newly formulated foam PWRRUN cushioning that absorbs impact but gives bounce in each stride. The FORMFIT mesh upper is lightweight and permeable, allowing the feet to breathe and move naturally within the shoe without restriction. The big test came when I upped my distance and tried these shoes out on a longer run. I put my trust in the brand and I wasn’t disappointed. The Guide 14s are really good looking and the women’s range comes in four lovely colour designs which really stand out compared to the rest of my trainers. This shoe is incredible value for money; a real gem.

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.

POOR 

Disappointing, low-level performance

STANDARD

Provided basic levels of performance in function, fit and style

GOOD

Solid all-round performance: a good value, reliable piece of kit

GREAT

Performed above expectations and impressed with function and fit

BEST

Brilliant performance from highly technical, stylish kit

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’s taking on her first ultra this summer.

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

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

Claire Kelson Photographer and mum of two, enjoys mixing gym with miles on and off road.

Louise Breckon-Richards Actress, writer and mum of two boys, runs three times a week in north London.

Merrell Agility Peak 4

£120|sportshoes.com

Tester Emma

The Merrell Agility Peak 4 trail shoes are right up my street (or, should I say, trail). I love the neon pink and turquoise design so much that I was very tempted to just keep them in their box and gaze at them adoringly instead of putting them to the test. Specifically designed for those who want protection on the toughest trails, they come with a padded, protective toe cap, flex grooves in the midsole for enhanced ground connection and the Vibram MegaGrip which ensures the best combination of traction and durability on wet or dry surfaces. They have an integrated lacing system for a perfect fit and an external rear strap to lock in the heel. They’re lightweight, comfortable and this latest iteration has been updated with a thicker midsole for even better grip on rock. They have performed above my expectations.

Puma LVL-UP XT

£75|uk.puma.com

Tester Claire

A seriously stylish pair of kicks. Training shoes that are perfect for your daily gym workouts, they are relatively lightweight and super comfortable. The sculpted heel and the highly cushioned midsole really swallow impact and still provide excellent energy return for HIIT. The inside wall of the shoe is lined with a soft textile which gives a comfy surrounding to the foot and helps prevent chafing and blistering. The knitted fabric upper promotes ventilation and airflow around the foot keeping you cool and comfortable. I love the synthetic overlay that wraps the shoe and lacing structure; it really adds to the style and the overall support when the laces are adjusted. In conclusion, I was impressed with the appealing design and the budget-friendly price; a must-have for crosstraining workouts.

Salomon Sense Ride 4

£110|salomon.com

Tester Caroline

The Salomon Sense Ride does exactly that; they attune to you, seeming to sense your stride and giving excellent response. I found these shoes so easy to put on thanks to the combination of the soft mesh upper and the quick lacing system. I like to keep my laces very loose so I appreciated this feature, especially when I discovered you get a pocket to tuck away the toggle, preventing irritating flapping while running. Once in, your foot feels so snug and supported; this is due to Salomon’s Optivibe cushioning system which has more padding around the heel. I run a lot on a shingle beach as well as on muddy country trails and my feet felt protected on both terrains due to the Contagrip outsole. These shoes look fresh too, though the pretty aqua blue upper didn’t stay that colour for long.