Energy Returns

Adidas – Pure Boost X

Adidas has taken its ultra-successful Pure Boost running shoe and created a version for women, the Pure Boost X. Like the previous Pure Boost models, it’s supported by a sole made from thousands of foam cells that give the shoe both a soft heel landing and a surprising spring back with every step you take, which makes running seem that little bit easier. What makes this a shoe for women is the unusual floating arch above the midsole, which caters to the female foot’s narrower heel and arch. The floating arch also makes you feel like the shoe hugs your foot tightly for a snug fit.

• Adidas says that since the Pure Boost X is targeted at women, a lot of thought has been put into creating a striking design.
• The floating arch is covered by a stretchy mesh, which wraps underneath the midfoot to make the foot look smaller while delivering a supportive sensation.

PUMA ignite – Ultimate

PUMA’s flagship running shoe is a favorite of many serious runners. How serious? How about the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt? Of course he’s a paid PUMA ambassador, but you don’t risk your reputation or your feet in a bad shoe. The PUMA Ignite Ultimate is PUMA’s top energy return shoe, the kind that’s cushioned and responsive enough to put in lots of training mileage. It comes with a breathable upper mesh plus flex grooves in the outsole for better energy return.

• With its powerful cushioning, the PUMA Ignite Ultimate will accommodate everyone, from midfoot runners to heel strikers.
• Its new three-layer mesh upper provides extra breathability and comfort.
• The midsole features IGNITE Foam, PUMA’s version of an energy-returning material.

Saucony EVERUN – Triumph ISO 2

An award-winning shoe, the Saucony Everun Triumph ISO 2 uses the Everun energy return foam in a slightly different way to other energy return shoes. It packs it thick in the midsole (where you’d expect it), but also in a separate thinner layer just under the sock liner. Saucony claims the energy boost is more immediate, yet the shoe retains a stability and firmness you don’t expect when there’s so much energy foam.

• Across the upper, Saucony’s ISOFIT technology combines an inner fit sleeve with a cradled overlay in the midfoot, for a lockdown fit.
• The outsole works with Saucony’s Everun cushioning to help disperse impact forces across a greater surface area, while also delivering added propulsion at toe-off.

ASICS – Gel Nimbus 18

One of the original cushioned shoes (Nimbus refers to a cloud), the Asics Gel-Nimbus is now in its 18th version, and it just keeps on getting better. A premium running shoe designed for the neutral runner, it now comes with a rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning system, with the heel gel pad set more at an angle so it’s closer to the foot and better attenuates shock during impact. This shoe cradles your foot with its Heel Clutching System and stretch upper.

• The upper gives you an adaptive, multi-directional stretch fit, cradling your foot to keep it stable while running.
• The Heel Clutching System is an exoskeletal heel counter that creates a more stable, supportive fit. You won’t be slipping out of this shoe easily!
• Newly added rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning systems absorb impact, with the heel cushion set at a shock-absorbing angle.