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Our pick of this year’s speediest shoes

One for trail racers. The heel drop is 6mm and the sticky outsole lugs are 8mm deep, so you can put the hammer down on tough terrain without worrying about coming a cropper. £160, adidas.co.uk These contain both the supremely bouncy Boost cushioning and grippy Continental rubber. A torsioncontrol device in the midfoot gives stability at high speed, and the stunningly low 128g weight means you should fly in these babies . £115, altrafootwear.co.uk Altra is known for its zerodrop shoes and this featherlight (128g) model is best kept for accomplished track racers and road speedsters for whom the best shoe is one that feels like it isn’t there at all. £120, newbalance.co.uk This is a good shout for distances from 10K up to half marathon. The midsole cushioning is both robust and bouncy, the upper is a snug fit with minimal seams and the high toe spring means you can push off with a vengeance on each step. £100, saucony.co.uk This is as close as you are going to get these days to a proper old-school racing flat. The 4mm heel drop and 167g weight mean this is perfect for those looking for a race-day shoe for distances up to 10 miles. £90, brooksrunning.co.uk This replaced the T7 racer as Brooks’ fastest shoe. The 10mm heel drop will appeal to those who don’t like low-slung models, as will the cushioning, and the low weight (184g), responsiveness and slim fit will help you hit top speed at anything from short track work to half marathons.