Cielo X1 2 vs Endorphin Pro 5

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.

Most carbon racers ask for a steady foot. Saucony built the Endorphin Pro 5 for runners who find them a bit wobbly. It's a carbon racing shoe with a slotted plate and PWRRUN PB foam, and at a listed 206g it isn't among the lightest super shoes. In return you get a planted, guided ride. Reviewers rate it most highly between 5K and half marathon pace, and plenty of club runners will happily take it through a marathon. Fordy Runs sees it as a race shoe for everyday runners rather than elites. Believe in the Run was cooler: it found the shoe barely changed from the Endorphin Pro 4 and missing the pop of the best race shoes. The two views don't really clash. If you want Saucony's most aggressive racer, that's the Endorphin Elite 3. If you'd rather have a stable, hard-wearing race shoe you can also train in, the Pro 5 is one of the easier ones to get along with.