Kit
What I run in. And why.
These are the shoes in my rotation right now, with the km straight from my Strava. Each pair has a job. Easy days, long runs and sessions all need something a little different.
- Easy daysNike Vomero Plus, ASICS Megablast
- Long runsPUMA Deviate Pure NITRO
- SessionsPUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
Nike Vomero Plus
1,019km, 2 pairs
How I use them
My most used easy shoe this year, now on my second pair. Most of my 9 to 16km easy runs go in these, plus warm ups and cool downs, and I ran a 32km long run in them in September.
Big, soft and comfortable. A shoe for piling up easy km, not for going fast.
Good forEasy runs, recovery days and steady long runs for neutral runners.
Not forFast sessions, or runners who need a lot of stability.
ASICS Megablast
1,883km, 2 pairs
How I use them
My lunchtime easy run shoe, and the pair I take on holiday. One pair is past 1,000km and still going. I've also used them for steadier runs, including a 24km run at around 4:03/km.
Light for how much cushioning they have, and happy to pick up the pace when you want to.
Good forDaily training, long runs and steady efforts. One shoe that covers a lot.
Not forWide feet, as the forefoot is snug, or anyone after a stable shoe.
PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO
391km since June
How I use them
My long run shoe this block. Most of my 20 to 30km runs since the summer have been in these, along with a 19km run at 3:55/km this month.
Light, lively and no plate. Good value, and good for long runs that finish with some faster km.
Good forLong runs, daily training and steady runs. A plateless option for racing too.
Not forRunners who like a firm feel for short, fast reps.
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4
212km
How I use them
My main session shoe. Reps like 8 x 3 minutes and 4 x 6 minutes, track 400s and 1000s, a 17km session averaging 3:44/km, and a 26km run at 3:24/km this month.
Light, snappy and fast at session pace, and cheaper than most carbon shoes.
Good forIntervals, tempo runs and races from 5K to marathon.
Not forEasy runs. Testers also found the stiff plate less suited to forefoot strikers.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
155km
How I use them
My shoe for longer tempo sessions, like 14km at 3:43/km and 16km at 3:46/km in September.
A proper racing shoe that feels stable enough to train in. Bouncy up front and steady at the heel.
Good forTempo runs, marathon pace work and racing 5K to marathon.
Not forEasy days, or runners who need a roomy fit.
Rotation history
I update this page every month from my Strava. Here's what I was running in before, so you can see how the rotation changes through a training block.
October 2026
- Easy days: Nike Vomero Plus (1,019km, 2 pairs), ASICS Megablast (1,883km, 2 pairs)
- Long runs: PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO (391km)
- Sessions: PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 (212km), ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo (155km)
Km are from my Strava as of October 2026. Specs are for a men's US 9 and come from published reviews by Doctors of Running and Road Trail Run, so check the brand's site for the latest numbers. The right shoe depends on your feet and your running, so try before you buy if you can.
Not sure what you should run in?
Shoe advice is part of 1:1 coaching. Tell me what you run in now and I'll help you build a rotation that fits your training.