MILEAGE RUN SHOES

The days are getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean your mileage has to drop off. Jack Sexty tests 10 pairs of mile-munching road shoes to see you through winter

With colder temperatures around the corner, now’s a savvy time to buy some running shoes that can chomp through the miles to see you through your off-season training runs. Some brands recommend their racing flats are replaced after as little as 300 miles, while most shoes with a more robust build and cushioning can last nearly double that as a conservative estimate.

Some runners are best off using the same shoe for training and racing, as the benefits of a lighter shoe are little use if they’re going to injure you on race day because you haven’t used them enough. As 220 coach Spencer Smith says: “Training shoes are usually very light nowadays anyway, and you could cause yourself a lot of hassle by switching to racing flats for races when you’re not used to them. Although every runner is different it’s often best to stick with what you know. If you do want to use a lighter shoe for race day, make sure you’re at least doing some tempo or track sessions in them to get used to the different sensations.”

Hence the name of the test, most of these shoes are made for high mileage and therefore offer plenty of cushioning and stability tech features throughout the 10 test pairs (all weights given are for a UK size 10.5). Different shoes are right for the needs of different runners, so our scores also factor in build quality, value and mass appeal. As always, we’d suggest trying before you buy and getting a gait analysis at a running shop.