Cielo X1 2 vs Endorphin Elite 3

The Hoka Cielo X1 2 is the brand's flagship carbon racing shoe, and it does racing in a way that is unmistakably Hoka: big, plush and stable rather than razor-light. It is a road racer built around a winged carbon plate and a deep, soft midsole, so you get a tall, protective ride that holds up when your legs start to fatigue late in a marathon. At 228g it is one of the heavier super shoes on the market, noticeably more than something like the Nike Vaporfly 4, and at £275 it sits right at the top of the price ladder. What you are buying is comfort and stability at speed, not the snappiest, lightest tool in the category. We rate it as a long-distance racer for runners who want a carbon shoe that feels planted and forgiving underfoot, and who will happily trade a few grams for that security over 26.2 miles.

The Endorphin Elite 3 is Saucony's no-compromise carbon racing shoe, built for one job: chasing a personal best over the half and full marathon. This is a specialist marathon shoe, not a do-it-all trainer. You get a tall 40mm heel, a full-length carbon plate and Saucony's springy IncrediRUN foam, all wrapped up at a race weight of 210g. At £306 it sits right at the top of the market, alongside the Nike Alphafly 3 and the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. What you are paying for is peak return at speed. The slotted plate and high stack give a rolling, aggressive ride that wants to move. It is less versatile than Saucony's own Endorphin Pro 5, and it asks for a fair bit of leg strength to get the best from it. We rate it as one of the sharpest tools you can lace up on race day, so long as race day is what you want it for.