Superblast 2 vs Mach X 2

The Asics Superblast 2 is the rare running shoe that does almost everything, and does it well. It is a super trainer, not a racer, with a towering, springy midsole and no carbon plate, yet it still has the bounce and turnover most runners chase on plated shoes. We rate it as one of the most versatile daily trainers you can buy. At 249g it is not light for a no-plate shoe, but you forget the weight once that big stack starts rolling you forward. Easy miles feel plush, long runs feel protected, and a tempo or a half marathon brings out a genuinely lively ride. The catch is the price: at an RRP of £200 it sits in race-shoe territory, so it asks a lot up front for a do-it-all trainer. If you want one premium shoe for most of your week, this is the one to beat. Those after pure daily value should look at the cheaper Asics Novablast 5.

The Mach X 2 is Hoka's do-it-all super trainer: a carbon-plated running shoe that is light enough to race a half in but cushioned enough to soak up your midweek miles. It sits a rung above the simpler Hoka Mach 7, adding a snappy plate and a bouncier foam so it can push into tempo and race territory. At 260g with a low 5mm drop, it wants you to run through the whole foot and roll off the toes. That plate gives you real pop when you lift the pace, yet the ride stays forgiving enough for a two-hour long run. In our view this is one of the more versatile daily-and-fast trainers going, and the sort of shoe that quietly becomes the one you reach for most. It is not cheap at £180, but as a single shoe that covers easy days, workouts and shorter races, it earns the spot.