DISTANCE V

£134.99 www.newtonrunning.co.uk

Newton pride themselves on their P.O.P technology, which are basically a set of lugs on the sole that are supposed to provide a ‘trampoline-like’ cushioning system that promotes a midfoot strike. The 280g Distance V is made with P.O.P 1, the most prominent lugs Newton offer, and the drop is just 2mm. We can see how this would promote a midfoot strike, as the lugs force you to land further forward, but there’s too much gap between them and the rest of the shoe, making it difficult to get your toes to hit the ground at the front of your stride. Changing from a traditional flat into these feels extremely strange, and it took us a good five miles before we stopped noticing the lugs. At £135 we’d seriously recommend trying before you buy if you think these are for you.