Neo Vista 1 vs Pegasus Premium 1

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.

The Pegasus Premium is Nike's biggest, boldest daily running shoe: a maximalist super trainer that stacks a full-length visible Air Zoom unit between two layers of foam for a bounce you can feel from the first stride. This is not the plain Pegasus with a fancy badge. It sits a tier above, closer in spirit to a plush cushioned trainer you save for the runs you want to enjoy. At 42.8mm in the heel with a 10mm drop it is tall and heavily cushioned, and at 308g it is a genuinely hefty shoe, so this is about protection and fun rather than speed. In our view it shines on easy miles, long runs and recovery days, where the springy Air unit rewards a relaxed rhythm. If you want one shoe that makes junk miles feel special, the Pegasus Premium delivers. The catch is the price, at £190 it is premium in cost as well as name, and the Pegasus 42 does the everyday job for a lot less.