Novablast 5 vs Velocity Nitro 5

The Novablast 5 is Asics at its most fun: a bouncy, do-it-all daily training shoe that turns easy miles into something you actually look forward to. It sits in the high-stack daily trainer bracket, with an 8mm drop and a springy ride that rewards a relaxed cadence. At 135 pounds RRP and around 255g it is not the lightest in its class, but the energy you get back more than pays for the weight on everyday runs. This is a versatile running shoe rather than a one-trick pony. It will cover recovery jogs, steady long runs and the odd faster session without complaint, even if it is happiest cruising. If you want something firmer and more locked-down for tempo work, the Asics Superblast 2 is the pricier, sharper sibling. But for most runners after one shoe to carry the bulk of their training, the Novablast 5 is an easy shoe to recommend. We rate it as one of the most enjoyable daily trainers you can buy.

The Velocity Nitro 5 is Puma's do-it-all daily training shoe, and it stays one of the smartest value picks in the category. This is a versatile road running shoe built to handle the bulk of your week: easy miles, steady runs, the odd faster session, without asking you to think about it. At 230g with a 35mm heel and a moderate 8mm drop, it sits in the sweet spot between soft and springy, so it never feels sluggish underfoot. The Nitrofoam midsole gives you a lightly cushioned, energetic ride, and the full PumaGrip outsole is the quiet hero, gripping wet UK pavement like few daily trainers do. It is not a max-cushion cruiser and it is not a carbon racer. It is the honest, dependable trainer most runners actually need, and the price undercuts most rivals. If you want one shoe to log the miles in, this is an easy shortlist entry. The Velocity Nitro 4 walked so this one could run.