Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 £100 EDITOR’S
CHOICE
Brooks Ghost 8 £110 One of the reasons this shoe won our top gong is that, apart from the superb technical capabilities, several testers noted how much they simply ‘enjoyed the shoe’. All the component parts – the superb cushioning, flexible upper, snug fit, good weight and breathability – came together to provide a Heel cushioning shoe that’s just fun to run in. One of the Firm Soft biggest innovations would be quite easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it: the upper Forefoot cushioning has been re-engineered to be thicker and Firm Soft more supportive in some areas and less constrictive in others, limiting rubbing hot Flexibility spots. Runners heavy and light praised the responsiveness and feel, and despite the Less More 12mm heel drop and the extension of the crash pad along the length of the shoe, the Weight 309g (M), 241g (W) Ghost was fast and flexible enough to be Height 35mm (heel), 23mm (forefoot) used as a multipurpose shoe. Bottom Line Stabled, cushioned, comfy
Opinions on this one depended on whether the tester was a lighter or heavier runner. Although it has been designed as a mass-appeal shoe that’s speedy but stable, our feedback showed that smaller, lighter runners found it just a little too boxy and wide in the forefoot for their liking, while heavier runners loved the mix of low weight, responsiveness and cushioning, which they didn’t think was possible for people of their build. Updates to the latest version include blown rubber in the outsole for a softer ride (although two testers noticed some degeneration after 100 miles), the mesh has been widened for greater ventilation and some overlays have been removed to cut down on weight. Bottom line Lightweight cushioning, a great race-day option for heavier runners
Heel cushioning Firm
Soft Forefoot cushioning
Tester’s take Name Mel Whittaker Age 41 Height 5ft 4in Weight 9st 8lb Weekly mileage 20 Occupation Account manager
096 RUNNER’S WORLD 10/15
‘The Brooks Ghost 8s could literally be popped on and off you went – there was no breakingin period and no blisters. The cushioning was fantastic; a little on the firm side but with no jarring on your knees.’
Firm
Soft Flexibility
Less
More
Weight 258g (M), 207g (W) Height 32mm (heel), 23mm (forefoot)
@runnersworlduk