Gel Kayano 31 vs Wave Inspire 22

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 Wave Inspire 22 is Mizuno's dependable stability trainer, a road running shoe built to keep you upright and comfortable over the miles rather than to chase a fast time. It sits in the moderate support camp: enough guidance to steady a mild overpronator, but calm enough that neutral runners who like a planted, structured ride can wear it happily. At 280g with a 7.6mm drop and 36.6mm of heel stack, it is a proper everyday workhorse, not a plated speed shoe. The Mizuno Wave guidance under the arch gives it that signature stable-but-not-clinical feel the line is known for. We rate it as one of the more honest daily stability shoes on the market: no gimmicks, no wall of hype, just a shoe that turns up for easy runs, steady miles and long training days. If you want a supportive daily trainer you can trust for a marathon build, it belongs on your shortlist. Compare it against the Wave Inspire 21 if you can still find last year's model on offer.