Ultraboost 23 vs Fresh Foam X 1080 15

The Ultraboost 23 is adidas at its most comfortable: a plush, heavy daily running shoe that leans as much into all-day wear as it does into your easy miles. This is not a shoe built to chase pace. At 310g it is one of the heaviest trainers you will run in, and you feel every gram when you try to push. What you get in return is a deeply soft, springy Boost midsole, a hard-wearing Continental rubber outsole with proper grip, and a knit upper that hugs like a slipper. In our view it makes most sense as a cushioned daily training shoe for shorter easy runs, recovery days and walking, where comfort and durability matter more than speed. The 10mm drop suits heel strikers well. The catch is the price: at an RRP of £180 it asks a lot for what is, at heart, a heavy cushioned cruiser. Watch for a discount and it becomes far easier to recommend. If you want something lighter and quicker from adidas, the Supernova Rise 3 is the more natural daily runner.

The Fresh Foam X 1080v15 is New Balance at its most comfortable: a premium, max-cushioned daily training shoe built to soak up easy miles and long runs without ever feeling harsh. This is the brand's flagship cushioned trainer, and the pitch is simple. You get a big, soft slab of Fresh Foam X underfoot, a smooth heel-to-toe roll and a knit upper that feels more like a slipper than a race shoe. At 261g it is not light, and it is not trying to be. It is a neutral running shoe for runners who put comfort first and want one dependable pair for the bulk of their weekly mileage. We rate it as one of the best plush daily trainers you can buy right now, especially if your legs like a forgiving landing. It will not thrill you at pace, but for recovery days, steady runs and marathon training blocks it is hard to fault.