For this end-of-year review, we asked our testers to tell us their favourite footwear of the year in various categories
After quizzing our shoe testing team, here are their top six choices for every type of runner.
Best marathon racing shoe – Nike Vaporfly 3 – £234.95
For this choice, there was a clear winner and it’s been worn by more World Marathon Major top three finishers than any other (16 from 36 podium places in the 2023 WMM races), so in this choice, we let them decide.
The original ‘super shoe’ is still the most popular and the Vaporfly 3 added a little more of that great ZoomX cushioning while keeping within the World Athletics’ limits. It achieved this by reducing the thickness of the outsole.
The carbon plate remained unchanged, but it really didn’t need changing.
The Vaporfly 3 is light, responsive and very fast.
For the ultimate marathon race-day performer, the Vaporfly remains the No.1 choice!
Nike Vaporfly 3
Best ‘super trainer’ – Saucony Kinvara Pro – £200.00
After super-racers, 2023 saw the rise of the super-trainer – lightweight carbon-plated training shoes perfect for faster-paced training runs.
Our product editor, Paul chose this model and said: “I loved the deep stack of cushioning the Kinvara Pro provides which, combined with the plate makes it a great shoe for those tempo runs and longer efforts.”
He added: “I ran all my Sunday, long runs is this shoe in the build-up to the Berlin Marathon and it feels as good when running steady as it does when pushing the pace. It has training shoe cushioning with racing shoe performance.”
Saucony Kinvara Pro
Best control shoe – Saucony Guide 16 – £129.99
Another pick for a Saucony model, Mel, a marathon runner recording two personal bests in 2023 says: “For everyday training, the Saucony Guide 16 was a great discovery for me in 2023. I like the security the stability post brings, but the shoe is so light and feels easy to run in. The rocker shape in the forefoot really feels like it’s helping my feet roll down the road and it’s a godsend on those longer runs.”
The Saucony Guide 16 manages to provide a good level of support without adding any weight or bulk to the overall package. Its subtle forefoot geometry complements the responsive midsole and makes for an efficient transition on to the forefoot and into toe-off making for an effortless ride.
Saucony Guide 16
Best neutral cushioned trainer – New Balance…
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