Superblast 2 vs Neo Vista 1

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 Mizuno Neo Vista is a plated super trainer, a big-cushion running shoe with a plate inside that wants to do a bit of everything. It is Mizuno's answer to the do-it-all trainer that can handle easy miles on Monday and a tempo session on Thursday without you swapping shoes. At 265g it is not the lightest in the class, and the 8mm drop keeps it grounded and stable rather than tippy. What you get is a smooth, rolling ride with plenty of foam underfoot and just enough pop from the plate to make faster running feel worthwhile. It is not a carbon marathon racer and it does not pretend to be. Think of it as one shoe for a busy training week: comfortable enough for long runs, lively enough for strides and progression efforts. At an RRP of 180 pounds it sits at the premium end, so we rate it best for runners who want a single versatile trainer rather than a quiver. In our view it is one of Mizuno's most likeable road shoes in years.