Under Armour Charged Bandit 2 Clif Bloks Energy Chews Skechers Gomeb Strada 2 Asics Gel Kayano 23

Another comfortable training shoe from Under Armour, the Heathered upper in the Charged Bandit 2 is light, breathable and has lots of stretch. There’s a seamless internal heel cup and the welded seams throughout provide lots of support and comfort. The Charged Cushioning midsole is firmer below the heel and softer below the forefoot to enhance the ride and performance.

The only downside with this stocking stuffer is they’re likely to get eaten before you even get out to a workout. These tasty chews provide quick energy during races or longer training sessions. Each Blok cube contains 33 calories, so it’s easy to keep track of your energy intake. Our favourite is the Mountain Berry, but there’s something about the Margarita flavour that seems so appealing, too.

You’ll get a lot more wear out of the Strada shoes than you’re used to getting in other Skechers shoes thanks to the durable Resagrip outsole and midsole. There’s lots of cushioning and support thanks to the moulded heel counter and Try-ply mesh system upper, but you still get that “performance” feel and breathability that we love about Skechers shoes.

Sadly some of us can remember when the first Gel-kayano came out. Now we’re up to the 23rd iteration of this supportive, yet still performance-oriented shoe. This version uses Asics’ Dynamic Duomax Support System which is designed to only engage the foot when it’s needed – a welcome addition for those who don’t need much pronation or supination support, but want the support and cushioning you’ll find in the Kayano. A new shape keeps the heel snug, but also provides improved toe spring – basically you’ll roll nicely off your toes.