Gel Kayano 31 vs Arahi 9

The Gel Kayano 31 is Asics at its most dependable: a premium stability running shoe built to soak up the miles and keep your stride honest when fatigue sets in. This is the shoe a lot of runners reach for when they want support without feeling strapped into a brace. The guidance built into the midsole works with you rather than against you, so the ride feels smooth and planted rather than corrective. At 310g it is a properly substantial daily trainer, so it is not the shoe for chasing splits, and the 10mm drop suits runners who land towards the heel. We rate it as one of the most polished stability daily trainers you can buy, and the cushioning has the kind of long run comfort that earns its place in your rotation. If you want a lighter, cheaper Asics with similar support, the GT-2000 14 is the value pick. At £170 the Kayano asks for a premium, so it has to be the support shoe you train in most weeks to justify it.

The Arahi 9 is Hoka's lightweight take on a stability running shoe, and it is one of the easiest shoes in the category to just get on and run in. Instead of a firm medial post, it uses a J-Frame in the midsole that quietly guides your foot and reins in overpronation without ever feeling like a corrective brace. At 270g with a 39mm heel stack, it is genuinely light for a support trainer, so it never drags on daily miles the way old-school stability shoes could. We rate it as a do-it-all daily training shoe for runners who want a little help staying aligned but do not want to give up a smooth, cushioned ride. It sits in the sweet spot between a plush neutral trainer and a heavy motion-control shoe. If you like the guided feel of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 but want something lighter underfoot, this is the shoe to try.