Atheltics Weekly

@RUNNINGMONTHLY
MAKE IT QUICK
With the World Championships marathon taking place and the big
Autumn races on the horizon, PAUL FREARY takes a look at the
latest road racing shoes that could help you to a great time
NEW BALANCE – 1400 v5: £85 (newbalance.co.uk)
A GREAT, all-round racing shoe, this model feels capable of tackling whichever distance
you choose. The 10mm heel drop gives it the feel of a shoe that you can quickly get
along with, but has a faster, racier side to it. The Revlite cushioning does a
great job and the lower profile feel in the forefoot gives a
responsive toe off. A blown rubber sole is placed
in key strike areas and uses various patterns
that provide a nice combination of durability
and traction.
We liked the stable feel it gave for
such a light shoe and the seamless mesh
upper that’s both highly breathable and has
a great, soft wrap-around fit on the foot.
ON – CLOUDRUSH: £120
(on-running.com)
THE unique ‘cloudtech’ elements give this shoe
a distinctive and adaptive feel, providing a
dynamic cushioning system that works with
the foot on impact.
The midsole has a drop of 5mm from heel
to toe, but many testers said it felt a little lower,
almost zero, giving a sensation that encouraged a
more forefoot and faster running style.
The upper has an inner sock construction with a series
of supportive straps added that take their design from the principles
of taping the feet. At 189g it’s light and for fans of the brand it’ll be a great
choice for racing.
NEW BALANCE – HANZA S: £120 (newbalance.co.uk)
BUILT to honour Japan’s rich running history, this shoe is built on a traditional road racing shoe last
that’s slim-fitting and feels fast the moment you pull the shoe on. Wrapping around the contours of
the foot beautifully, the shoe has a feel similar to that of a track spike and, with a low-profile
midsole and 4mm heel drop, it’s best suited to more efficient forefoot strikers.
The upper is a soft mesh, put together with a seamless design for
comfort with or without socks. The
cushioning is light and responsive
but ultimately is built for speed
and at fewer than 190g it delivers.
For those seeking a close-fitting,
classic-feeling racer, this is the shoe
and it’s the model that will be carrying
Callum Hawkins around the streets of
London this weekend.
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