Escalante 4 vs Kinvara 16

The Altra Escalante 4 is a lightweight zero-drop running shoe built for runners who want their feet to do the work rather than the shoe. At 240g with a completely flat 0mm drop and Altra's signature wide FootShape toe box, it sits between a natural-feel daily trainer and a lightweight uptempo option. This is not a max-cushion cruiser and it is not a plated racer. It is a firm, flexible, ground-connected ride that rewards a midfoot or forefoot strike and lets your toes splay naturally. We rate it as one of the more accessible zero-drop road shoes on the market, and the knit upper gives it a sock-like, everyday feel that many runners live in. If you already run in low or zero-drop shoes, or you are working towards a more natural gait, the Escalante 4 is an easy shoe to recommend. If you are used to a raised heel and plush foam, know that the £130 asking price buys feel and simplicity, not softness.

The Kinvara 16 is Saucony's long-running lightweight running shoe, and version 16 keeps the plot: a low, fast, honest daily trainer for runners who want to feel the road. At 207g with a 4.5mm drop it sits closer to the ground than most cushioned trainers, so it rewards a quick, midfoot-leaning stride. This is not a max-stack marshmallow and it never pretends to be. It is a neutral, uptempo shoe that shines on strides, tempo efforts, park runs and shorter faster miles, and it can handle steady daily running if you like a firmer, connected feel. If you want a plush recovery slipper or a marathon cruiser, look elsewhere. If you want a versatile lightweight trainer that makes easy runs feel a touch quicker, the Kinvara 16 earns its place. We rate it as one of the better value fast trainers in its class. The step up in pace is where it comes alive.