Fresh Foam X 1080 15 vs Velocity Nitro 5

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.

The Velocity Nitro 5 is Puma's do-it-all daily training shoe, and it stays one of the smartest value picks in the category. This is a versatile road running shoe built to handle the bulk of your week: easy miles, steady runs, the odd faster session, without asking you to think about it. At 230g with a 35mm heel and a moderate 8mm drop, it sits in the sweet spot between soft and springy, so it never feels sluggish underfoot. The Nitrofoam midsole gives you a lightly cushioned, energetic ride, and the full PumaGrip outsole is the quiet hero, gripping wet UK pavement like few daily trainers do. It is not a max-cushion cruiser and it is not a carbon racer. It is the honest, dependable trainer most runners actually need, and the price undercuts most rivals. If you want one shoe to log the miles in, this is an easy shortlist entry. The Velocity Nitro 4 walked so this one could run.