Energy is the order of the day in this super-responsive shoe. It’s billed as having structured cushioning but, while you feel the benefit of the cushioning over the miles, it doesn’t feel dull, instead giving superb energy return. The support is reassuringly present but it’s on the less extreme side – you could probably run in this shoe if you’re a neutral runner, especially if your form slips as you get tired. It’s an extremely comfortable, lightweight shoe with great arch support, a secure and supportive heel cup, and the toebox houses a relatively wide foot (but not for the widest of feet).
Its midsole geometry makes it feel like it’s almost doing the running for you, propelling you forward. An absolute joy to run in. We recognise that "budget" might be a stretch of the definition for something that’s more than £100 but, relative to the general market, this shoe comes in at the cheaper end yet still has good technology and performance. It’s a neutral shoe that we found to be responsive and shock-absorbing, making it an enjoyable ride and ideal for daily running of reasonable distances. It’s light for a cushioned shoe and comfortable – the upper is roomy and flexible, which we like but you may not if you like your forefoot to be held down more.
Our only gripe is that the lacing comes up quite high without a padded tongue and we found it pushed into the front of our ankle, but we resolved it by not lacing up to the top eyelets. This is a versatile, lightweight and maximally cushioned neutral shoe, which we found very comfortable for steady distances. However, it’s also responsive and propulsive enough for speed training and racing, thanks to its carbon composite plate designed for “maximum energy transfer and optimised running efficiency”, and 6mm heel-to-toe drop.
Some people opt for two or more pairs of shoes for different types of training or racing but if, like most people, you can’t afford that, this is a great option for fulfilling various roles. It’s worth noting this shoe is on the narrow side, so won’t suit those with a wider foot. We’ve yet to test an iteration of this iconic shoe that didn’t impress us. New Balance has added more cushioning, resulting in a greater stack height but while some highly cushioned shoes can feel a bit too cushy and slightly deadened, not so for the 1080.
In fact, while it’s a shoe we’d choose for burning up the miles at a steady pace, we also find it just about responsive enough for shorter, faster runs and its slight rocker shape makes for a smooth roll-through. This shoe was also voted our Fitness and wellbeing editor’s favourite for road running. Read the full review here. The only issue we could find with this shoe is that if you overpronate at all or have a tendency to roll your ankles, this runner probably won’t provide you with what you need.
The fit is snug and feels great on the foot and ankle but you might want to consider opting for at least half a size up from your street shoe size. This is Altra’s best-selling road shoe and it’s about as comfortable as it’s possible for a shoe to be. If you’re a wide-footed runner and you’re used to many running shoes compressing the sides of your feet, you’ll sigh with relief as you slip your foot into this style.
It’s not just for wide feet, though – the toe box is designed to allow your toes to spread naturally as you run. The low stack (height from the ground) makes for great ground feel, if that’s what you like. It’s a neutral shoe and has a 0mm drop, so be sure to up your miles gradually if you haven’t run in shoes like this before. The cushioning runs along the shoe and it absorbs impact nicely with decent energy return. An extra thumbs up for the soft, plush heel collar, too. This isn’t a shoe for shaving off time in a race but it’s great for comfortable daily runs.
Ultra-cushioned with a lighter, softer, more resilient foam than its predecessors, this style remains a fairly heavy shoe. While not the speediest ride, it is a smooth one, aided by the extended heel geometry, with enough energy return not to feel too dull. We’d say this shoe would suit heavier runners who need max cushioning and come down hard on their shoes, especially heavy heel strikers, as its design and durability will hold up against that.
If looks matter to you, the bulky profile of the shoe might be a little off-putting. That said, you should really be thinking about function over form. The regular fit is fairly narrow but it does come in a wide fit option, too. This is a neutral shoe that comes down at the lower end of running-shoe cost. It has a decent amount of cushioning and it’s on the firmer side, so ideal if you don’t like a shoe that feels like you’re sinking into it.
The energy return isn’t as exciting, but it is there. We’d say it sits in the realm of a shoe for daily, shorter runs, rather than one you’d use for long-distance training or fast racing. It’s very comfortable, with a thickly padded tongue and heel cup, and the toebox accommodates a wide foot. It has a grippy outsole with relatively deep lugs for a road shoe, so we found it had good traction in wetter or softer conditions, and both outsole and upper feel durable.
