Megablast 1 vs Mach X 2

The Asics Megablast is the brand's big, bouncy super trainer: a plateless max-stack running shoe that sits above the Superblast as the softer, taller, more cushioned option in the line. There is no carbon plate here, so the propulsion comes purely from a huge 46mm heel of FF Turbo Squared foam and the shape of the sole. That makes it a versatile do-everything trainer rather than a pure speed tool. It soaks up easy miles, holds a long run together, and still has enough energy return to lift into a steady tempo when you want it. At 230g it is not light for a trainer, and at £229 it is priced like a race shoe, so it asks a lot up front. But if you want one cushioned shoe that covers most of your week without a plate dictating the ride, the Megablast makes a strong case. We rate it as a premium daily-to-long-run trainer with real pop.

Heel rub is the first thing to know about the Mach X 2. Nearly every review mentions it: the heel collar is thin and unpadded, several testers got blisters in the first few runs, and another found it dug into the Achilles. Get past that and the ride is why people put up with it. It's a rockered, snappy super trainer that reviewers took from easy runs to track reps, and Believe in the Run graded its performance an A.

Doctors of Running were less convinced, finding it heavy for fast running and unstable for one of their testers. Hoka has since released the Mach X 3, which reviewers rate more highly, so the 2 makes most sense as a discounted buy. At £180 RRP it's hard to choose over its successor, but check the price table, because an older super trainer at a good discount is a different proposition.