880 15 vs FuelCell Propel 5

The New Balance 880 v15 is the definition of a dependable neutral daily trainer: a road running shoe built to soak up steady miles rather than chase them. It sits in New Balance's line as the sensible, plush workhorse below the pricier Fresh Foam X 1080, and that is exactly its job. You get a tall, well-cushioned platform and a roomy, forgiving fit that suits easy runs, long runs and the daily grind of marathon training. It is a soft, protective ride first and foremost. At 286g it is on the heavier side, so this is not the shoe you reach for when you want to run fast, and there is no plate or standout tech giving you free energy at pace. What you get instead is comfort you can trust and an outsole that keeps going. For runners who want one reliable trainer to log the bulk of their week, we rate it as a safe, comfortable buy, if not an exciting one.

The FuelCell Propel 5 is New Balance at its most sensible: an affordable neutral daily running shoe built to soak up easy miles without emptying your wallet. At around £120 it sits at the value end of the daily trainer market, and it plays that role honestly. The FuelCell foam gives you a firm, stable, dependable ride rather than a soft bouncy one, so this is a shoe for logging steady mileage, easing into a training habit, or keeping your knees happy on recovery days. At 280g it is on the heavier side for a modern daily trainer, and it is not going to make you feel fast. That is fine. If you want more pop for tempo days, New Balance's own FuelCell Rebel 5 is the livelier sibling, and the Nike Pegasus 42 is the obvious workhorse rival. But as a first proper running shoe or a rugged easy-day option, the Propel 5 earns its keep.