Gel Nimbus 28 vs Aero Glide 3

The Gel Nimbus 28 is ASICS at its plushest: a max-cushion neutral daily training shoe built to soak up the miles and protect your legs, not to chase pace. This is the shoe you reach for on easy days, recovery jogs and long steady runs when comfort matters more than speed. At 278g it is on the heavier side, and with a tall 39.5mm heel and a moderate 5.2mm drop the ride is soft, planted and forgiving rather than quick. If you loved the Gel Nimbus 27, the 28 keeps the same brief and refines the feel. We rate it as one of the most dependable premium daily trainers for higher-mileage runners who want a cushioned running shoe that simply gets out of the way. It is not a do-everything shoe and it is not cheap, but for what it sets out to do it is very good.

The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is a road-focused, max-cushioned daily training shoe from a brand better known for trail. It is a soft, protective cruiser built for easy miles and long runs rather than chasing pace. At 275g it is not a light shoe, and the 8mm drop plus deep stack put comfort and leg protection first. What you get is a stable, planted ride that keeps your legs fresh when the run drags on past an hour. This is a versatile running shoe for the runner who wants one dependable trainer for the bulk of their week, not a race-day tool. If you already know Salomon from the trails, the road manners here will surprise you. It sits in a crowded max-cushion daily market, and the Aero Glide 4 has since arrived, so at RRP the 3 is best bought on a deal.