REEBOK FLOATRIDE FLEXWEAVE

PRICE: R2 499
WEIGHT: 243 grams (M), 218 grams (W)

Reebok is using a Pebax-based foam, which is far lighter than the standard EVA that’s been used in running shoes for decades; but it also delivers excellent cushioning and off-the-charts bounce.

That foam is Reebok’s answer to adidas’ Boost midsole. Since Boost was launched in 2013, every shoemaker has been working on its own version for delivering ‘high energy return’ (technically, the foam reduces the amount of energy you lose with each step).

The Pebax that makes up Reebok’s version, Floatride, has more commonly been used as a hard but flexible plastic component – think the Wave plate in Mizuno shoes. Pebax is lighter, more flexible and more impact-resistant than other plastics, and when it’s blown into a foam, those properties remain, meaning the material compresses more and rebounds with more force than typical midsole foams.

What it means for runners is a fun (and fast) shoe. We first experienced this foam in the Reebok Floatride Run, a training shoe that had a magical ability to turn easy jogs into tempo runs. We quickly realised Reebok was onto something special with this foam, and it has continued to improve on the formula with the Floatride Flexweave.

But thanks to that foam, it’s also a shoe that remains comfortable if you want to rock it at a more leisurely pace.

Reebok has also developed the Flexweave upper, which is built to allow greater freedom of motion. Testers raved about this highly breathable upper, which supports your foot over the midsole without any seams or overlays to cause irritation during long runs. The thin material and lightly-padded collar and tongue help keep weight in check, but also won’t get weighed down if you’re trying to dash through rain-slicked roads. – Jeff Dengate

GET IT NOW: reebok.co.za

SKECHERS GORUN FORZA 3

PRICE: R1 749
WEIGHT: 264 grams (M), 210 grams (W)

This is the shoe for long-haul durability. The Forza 3 features a full-length rubber outsole and an updated post, giving runners plenty of stability for a lightweight shoe.

Our wear-testers specifically pointed out how well this shoe held up over longer distances, up to a half marathon (which is not the case for all lightweight shoes), and on a variety of terrains. The latest Forza is about 28 grams lighter thanks to a new midsole foam, which our wear-testers felt provided better overall cushioning.

A key update comes in the form of a dense foam support post, which now runs into the forefoot (instead of ending midfoot) to offer a smoother ride. – The Editors of Runner’s World

GET IT NOW: Skechers (Melrose Arch, Johannesburg), 011 020 0865

NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM BEACON

PRICE: R1 800
WEIGHT: 212 grams (M), 179 grams (W)

The Beacon is light and fast, yet soft enough for high mileage. One tester wore it for both long runs of 40km-plus and 400m speedwork, and was impressed in each scenario. Assessments like that bring to mind the original Hoka One One Clifton, which was astonishingly light and fast for the amount of cushioning it offered.

It’s easy to see why the comparison is made, given the thick foam sole. New Balance used a durable midsole compound called Fresh Foam Ground Contact, which can withstand road abrasions. By exposing this to the pavement, New Balance could eliminate a lot of rubber that would otherwise be needed for durability.

The result is an exceptionally lightweight shoe that’s incredibly smooth and quiet – and fast. – Danielle Zickl

GET IT NOW: newbalance.co.za

MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 22 (COMRADES SPECIAL EDITION)

PRICE: from R1 999
WEIGHT: 286 grams (M), 235 grams (W)

The Wave Rider has long been Mizuno’s go-to, do-it-all shoe that serves runners well on everything from long runs to up-tempo workouts. A lot of that stems from the responsive feeling a Mizuno shoe typically delivers. Some might say such shoes feel firm; either way, when you want to go fast, this shoe allows you to roll.

Long-time Rider wearers will instantly recognise the fit and the smooth underfoot sensation. (One tester said this shoe is like having a beer with an old friend.) But like version 21, this Rider is a whole lot softer than past versions – especially in the heel.

To achieve this level of cushioning Mizuno uses two different foams in the Rider’s midsole, with the softest one under the heel, closest to the road, to smooth your landing on the pavement. The firmer layer, closer to the foot, is also noticeably soft but feels speedy, too.

Mizuno has also stuck with the Wave plate. It delivers a rigid underfoot feel, say our testers, but helps provide extra snap and leads to faster turnover at quicker speeds.

The biggest difference is the full-length engineered-mesh upper. The single piece of mesh reduces excess stitching to reduce the risk of irritation and improve fit. Plus it delivers the kind of support for which you’d otherwise need overlays.

While the fit is exceptional, with a roomy toebox praised by our female testers, we found the fabric to be hot during our summer testing period.

With the extra softness comes some extra heft. The shoe has an extraordinarily thick heel, nearly on par with what you’ll find in shoes from Hoka One One. Even so, testers weren’t bothered by it, saying the shoe resisted feeling clunky.

“It provides good cushioning; and even though it is high off the ground, it didn’t feel that way,” said one tester. “The overall ride was very good.”

Directly under the heel is Mizuno’s U4icX compound, a super-soft layer that reduces impact when you strike heel first. The rest of the midsole is comprised of U4ic, a slightly firmer but still soft performance foam.

The heel is made up of a durable carbon rubber, while the forefoot gets a softer, lighter blown rubber. Combined with extra grooves in the rubber, the shoe is smoother and more flexible as you progress to toe-off. – Jeff Dengate

GET IT NOW: sportsmanswarehouse.co.za

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