Adidas Takumi Sen 8
What’s the story?
The lightweight Takumi Sen 8 are among a new breed of trainers sitting somewhere between racing flats and high-stacked carbon super-shoes. They’re built for
5km and 10km races but pack enough underfoot protection to stretch up to half marathons and maybe beyond.
These race-ready shoes offer a techy triple: a high stack of extra-responsive Lightstrike Pro foam, Energyrods under each toe for smooth transitions (and extra propulsion) plus stripped-back, minimal Celermesh uppers, made with at least 50% recycled content.
Are they any good?
The Takumis are excellent all-out racers that serve up an exciting and agile ride. Lighter and a touch more stable than some of the most popular carbon-plate shoes, they’re lively and propulsive whether you’re punching out top-speed intervals on the track or pushing higher paces over a fast 5k.
For faster runners they might just have enough cushioning for half marathons, although for most aiming to tame those longer distances the Adizero Adios Pro 2 is a better option. That’s partly because the Takumis’ paper-thin, barely-there uppers have a foot-hugging racing fit with less structured support and very little of the heel padding that usually boosts comfort over longer mileages.
The lower heel-to-toe drop and smaller stack of midsole foam also offer less protection when your form gets ragged or you simply want to run slower – plus they come up very narrow. For some that will create a pleasingly secure locked-in race fit, but it won’t be the comfiest if you’ve got wider feet.
While some minimal race shoes can feel a bit flimsy, these are impressively solid: in our tests the midsole foam soaked up 50 miles with little sign of wear. A good covering of outsole rubber provides protection in all the key areas, while a section of strategically placed Continental rubber adds a stronger barrier where you need it most and enhances grip on tighter, faster turns. That makes these a great option from track to tarmac.
£170 / stuff.tv/sen8
Key specs
● 185g ● 33mm heel stack,
27mm toe stack ● TPU Energyrods
What’s the story?
The original Vaporfly was the shoe that changed running. And thankfully, the second-gen Vaporfly 2 follows closely in its footsteps. The classic super-shoe combination remains unchanged: a wedge of Nike’s punchy Zoomx midsole foam, that all-important foot-long carbon fibre plate for explosive push-offs and efficiency, plus lightweight uppers for reliable comfort.
Those uppers have changed from baggy Vaporweave to a more substantial fabric mesh, but the toe box is still roomy – and at 186g, the Vaporfly remains lighter than the Alphafly, making it more versatile.
Are they any good?
When it launched, Nike’s higher-stacked Alphafly Next% kicked things up a gear in the efficiency stakes, helping elites like Eliud Kipchoge smash records – including that epic sub-2hr marathon. But scan the start line of any major city road race and you’ll quickly see that the Vaporfly Next% are still a hugely popular choice for racing half and full marathons, and even 5km and 10km contests.
Studies have shown that the Alphafly offer better efficiency gains… but many runners rate the Vaporfly’s fit, comfort, ride – and price – above Nike’s less natural feeling Alphafly. And try as they might, other brands are still trying to match this model’s combination of cushioned protection, relative stability and explosive push-offs.
They tip you up onto your forefoot and make you want to speed away the moment you lace them up. If you’re looking for optimum comfort over a little extra speed, these are still one of the best carbon racers – definitely over the marathon distance, and arguably for shorter efforts too.
We’re big fans of the offset side lacing system that helps deliver good foot hold, while added padding to the tongue prevents unwanted lace pressure. The high stack of Zoomx foam also offers excellent protection when you’re running with good form over long distances, and there’s more stability here than you’ll get in narrower shoes.
£210 / stuff.tv/next2
Key specs
● 186g ● 40mm heel stack, 32mm toe stack ● Carbon plate
What’s the story?
A brilliantly versatile daily trainer, the Velocity Nitro is built to handle everything from casual 5km cardio workouts up to longer Sunday runs. These Pumas offer excellent step-in comfort thanks to a luxe combination of plush heel cushioning, a well-padded tongue and a foot-wrapping engineered mesh upper that balances support and flexibility.
Impact protection and good stability are assured by an 8mm-drop stack of nitrogen-infused EVA midsole foam underfoot. That’s capped off by a rubber outsole that provides fantastic grip and beefs up the durability.
Are they any good?
These perform a little more like traditional running shoes than some of the others on test, and it’s much more of a trainer than the other all-out speed-chasers. But the ride is still supreme. The soft EVA midsole foam is in its element on longer runs and slower recovery miles, but still has a surprising kick when you pick up the pace. Racing, training or just plodding for fun, it’s a surprisingly adaptable option, ideal for those runs when you’re quite not sure what shape you’re in – a good choice for racing a marathon when your training hasn’t quite gone to plan and the wheels might well come off 18 miles in.
If the Takumi, Vaporfly and Streakfly are stripped-back racing cars, this is more of a luxury cruiser – with loads of padding to cradle your feet in reliable comfort over the long haul, a flexible and supportive foot-wrapping upper, and plenty of underfoot impact protection from a nicely stacked midsole. Yes, it’s heavier as a result, but that all adds up to a shoe you really look forward to lacing up… and there’s just enough response and roll to keep it feeling relatively lively.
By the time you’re reading this the second-generation Velocity Nitro 2 will be on the shelves, but don’t write off the original: it’s a well-built, no-nonsense workhorse of a trainer with a winning combination of great cushioning, reliable comfort and durability. And if you can find a pair at a cut price, you’ll be bagging an even bigger bargain.
£70 / stuff.tv/nitro
Key specs
● 258g ● 32mm heel stack, 24mm toe stack ● No plate