Sonicblast 2

Most runners should start with their usual ASICS size. Nothing in the design points to sizing up or down, but treat the toe box as standard rather than roomy. If you have wide feet, try it on or check whether a wide fit is listed before you buy. Because the stack is tall, take care with the lacing so your midfoot and heel feel secure, and leave about a thumb's width of space for long runs.

You can, especially if you want a forgiving shoe over 26.2 miles. The deep cushioning and Pebax plate give a bouncy, protective ride. But it is a super trainer, not a dedicated racer, so it won't feel as light or as snappy as a carbon race shoe such as the Metaspeed Sky Paris. We would treat it as your marathon training shoe, and a comfortable race-day option when comfort matters more than seconds.

It can work for a beginner who wants a cushioned, lively shoe, but it isn't the obvious first pick. The £170 RRP is high, the plate and tall stack give a stiffer, less natural feel, and it is neutral only. Newer runners who mainly run easy miles will usually be better served by a simpler, cheaper daily trainer. Once you are adding tempo runs and longer sessions, it starts to make a lot more sense.

Choose the Novablast 6 if you mostly run easy and steady miles and want to spend less. It is a straightforward daily trainer. The Sonicblast 2 adds a forked Pebax plate to its FF Turbo Squared and FF Blast Max midsole, so it rewards faster running and feels more propulsive at tempo and marathon pace. If your week includes regular workouts and long runs with pace work, the Sonicblast 2 earns its higher price. For easy mileage alone, the Novablast is better value.

It's too new for us to give a confident mileage figure, and we would rather not guess. As a general rule, high-stack super trainers with lively foams tend to lose some of their bounce before the outsole wears through, so keep an eye on how the ride feels rather than just the tread. Rotating it with a daily trainer, and saving it for workouts and long runs, will help it last longer.

No. It uses a forked Pebax plate rather than carbon. Pebax gives a more flexible, forgiving snap than a carbon plate, which is why it suits training days better than a stiff racer. You still get a propulsive feel as you roll through toe-off, but with less harshness on tired legs and at steadier paces. If you want full carbon stiffness, you are looking at a race shoe rather than a super trainer.