Winflo 11 vs Velocity Nitro 3

The Nike Winflo 11 is the brand's most affordable cushioned daily training shoe, and it plays that role well. At an RRP of £100 it sits below the Pegasus 42 as Nike's value neutral daily trainer, the running shoe you reach for when you want dependable everyday miles without spending big. It is not light at 290g, and it will not spring you along at pace. What it does is soak up easy runs, steady miles and the daily commute with a soft, forgiving feel underfoot and a tall 10mm drop that suits heel strikers. We rate it as an honest workhorse. If you are a newer runner building a base, or an experienced runner who wants a cheap, durable shoe to rack up the boring miles in, it earns its place. Ask it to run fast and the weight shows, but that was never the job.

The Velocity Nitro 3 is PUMA's do-it-all daily training shoe, and it is one of the better value picks in its class. This is a neutral road running shoe built to soak up your everyday miles, from easy recovery jogs to the odd tempo, without asking you to think about it. At 266g with a 10mm drop it sits in that reliable middle ground: cushioned enough to protect your legs over a long run, but light and lively enough that it does not feel like a chore when you pick up the pace. PUMA's Nitro foam gives it a bit more spring than you would expect at this price. There is no carbon plate and no gimmick here, and that is the point. If you want one honest, versatile trainer to carry the bulk of your training, the Velocity Nitro 3 earns its place. The step-up Deviate Nitro 3 adds a plate if you want more pop for faster days.