Glideride Max 2 vs More 5

The Glideride Max 2 is Asics at its most protective: a max-cushion road running shoe with a big 46mm heel and an aggressive rocker built to roll you through easy miles when your legs have nothing left to give. At 261g it is not light for the class, and it never pretends to be a speed tool. What it does is soak up impact and keep you moving with minimal effort, which is exactly what you want on a recovery day or the back half of a long run. The 6mm drop and tall stack put you high off the ground, so the ride feels smooth and floaty rather than snappy. At £225 it sits at the premium end of the daily-trainer market, and you are paying for maximum protection over versatility. We rate it as a specialist. If you run high mileage and want one shoe to guard your joints, this earns its place. If you want a do-everything trainer, look lower down the range or at the Superblast 3.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 is a max-cushion running shoe built for one job: soaking up the miles with as much soft, protective foam under your feet as New Balance can sensibly stack. This is not a speed shoe. At 309g it is a proper heavyweight, and the payoff is a tall, plush platform that keeps your legs fresh on easy days and long runs. With a low 4mm drop and a rockered shape, it rolls you forward smoothly once you settle into an easy rhythm. We rate it as one of the more genuinely comfortable daily training shoes on the market, and a strong pick if your priority is cushioning and leg protection over pace. If you want a plush max-cushion trainer for high-mileage weeks and recovery running, the More v5 is squarely aimed at you. Just go in knowing it trades away lightness and pop to get there. The lighter Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is the more versatile stablemate if you want a bit more range.