Best Running Shoes For 2019 (Part 18)

40. Hoka One One Arahi 3
Price: £ 115
Weight: 270 g (M), 221 g (W)
Heel / Toe Drop: 7 mm (M), 7 mm (B)

It was such a good shoe that it was narrowly lost to the Saucony Triumph ISO 5 for the Editor’s Choice Award. As so often, testers who were new to Hoka were amazed that the chunky look was not the same as a cumbersome ride. It’s a stability shoe for light overpronators (if you’re a runner who needs a solid mullion, these aren’t the shoes and sneakers for you), similar to the Saucony Ride or Brooks Ravenna.

Hoka managed to maintain the support while introducing a new upper, slightly removing the midsole and also redesigning the midfoot rocker, the characteristic shoe shape that allows you to tip on your toes faster. And – the cherry on the cake – more than one tester commented on the chic look – not an easy task for a brand that until recently put aesthetics at the bottom of the priority list.

41. Asics Metarun
Price: £ 210
Weight: 300 g (M), 252 g (W)
Heel / Toe Drop: 9.5 mm (M), 13 mm (B)

If you want to launch the most expensive shoe in the mass market, you have to make sure it justifies the hype and price. Although the first iteration of the Metarun promised a lot, it felt like walking in rubber boots. This is much better, but still does not meet the Ultra Premium qualifications. The brand claims to offer premium solutions for cushioning, durability, traction, energy return, shock absorption, torsion control and breathability.

The RW laboratory found that the shoe is moderately cushioned in both the heel and forefoot, is flexible on average, and offers adequate energy return. Our testers enjoyed the solidity, reassurance, pluses, and longevity, but couldn’t figure out where the extra hundred pounds came from on the MSRP.