Novablast 6 vs Neo Zen 1

The Novablast 6 is Asics at its most playful: a high-stack, bouncy daily training shoe built to make easy miles fun and steady miles feel effortless. At 249g with a big 41.5mm heel it sits in the upper reaches of the daily trainer class, closer to a max-cushion cruiser than a lean workhorse, yet the FF Blast Max midsole keeps it lively rather than dull. This is the do-everything running shoe for the runner who wants one pair for most of the week: warm-ups, recovery jogs, long runs and the odd relaxed tempo. It is not a race shoe and it is not a stability shoe, so if you overpronate heavily or want firm ground feel, look elsewhere. But as a cushioned, spirited daily trainer at a sensible price, we rate it highly. The Novablast 5 fans will feel right at home, with a touch more bounce underfoot.

The Mizuno Neo Zen 1 is a soft, springy daily training shoe that shows Mizuno moving on from its old firm reputation. This is a plush, bouncy road running shoe built for the everyday miles that make up most of your week, from easy recovery jogs to steady long runs. At 235g it is genuinely light for a cushioned daily trainer, so it never feels like a chore underfoot. It sits above the Wave Rider as the more premium, more energetic option in Mizuno's line, and at RRP 150 pounds it lands in the same bracket as the plush daily trainers from the big brands. We rate it as a versatile one-shoe answer for a runner who wants comfort without a heavy, dead feel. It is a neutral shoe with a natural 6mm drop, so it rewards a fairly efficient, grounded stride.