Clifton 10 vs Fresh Foam X 1080 15

The Clifton 10 is Hoka doubling down on comfort. This is a neutral daily training shoe built to make easy miles feel soft and forgiving, and it does that better than almost anything at the price. The big change over the Clifton 9 is the ride: the drop rises to 8mm and there is more foam underfoot, so you sink in a little more and the landing feels plusher and more protective. At 278g it is not the light, nimble Clifton of old. It has grown into a proper cushioned cruiser. We rate it as one of the safest picks for a runner who wants one dependable shoe for steady mileage, recovery days and the long run. If you value soft comfort and a smooth roll over speed and ground feel, this running shoe belongs on your shortlist. At £140 it is priced with the premium daily trainers, so judge it on the ride, not the badge.

The Fresh Foam X 1080v15 is New Balance at its most comfortable: a premium, max-cushioned daily training shoe built to soak up easy miles and long runs without ever feeling harsh. This is the brand's flagship cushioned trainer, and the pitch is simple. You get a big, soft slab of Fresh Foam X underfoot, a smooth heel-to-toe roll and a knit upper that feels more like a slipper than a race shoe. At 261g it is not light, and it is not trying to be. It is a neutral running shoe for runners who put comfort first and want one dependable pair for the bulk of their weekly mileage. We rate it as one of the best plush daily trainers you can buy right now, especially if your legs like a forgiving landing. It will not thrill you at pace, but for recovery days, steady runs and marathon training blocks it is hard to fault.