Running Blog

The easy miles can tell you as much about a running shoe as the faster sessions. Some pairs feel great for an hour but less convincing at the end of a long run. Others become favourites after a few hundred kilometres. The Pro:Direct Running Blog gets into those details, covering running shoe reviews, buying guides, training advice, new releases and stories from the road, track and trails. From your first 5K to another marathon training block, there's always something new to learn about running.

Running Shoe Reviews and Comparisons

A running shoe's specifications only tell part of the story. Our running shoe reviews look at how different models fit, feel and perform, from the cushioning beneath your feet to how securely the upper holds your foot when the pace changes. We cover comfort, stability, responsiveness, grip and durability, with practical judgement on where each shoe belongs in a running rotation.

Explore running shoe reviews and comparisons from Nike, adidas, ASICS, HOKA, New Balance, Saucony, On, PUMA, Mizuno, Brooks, Altra and more. We look at everything from dependable daily trainers and max-cushioned running shoes to carbon-plated racers, trail shoes and faster training options. Where we've tested a shoe, we'll tell you how it ran, what worked and where we'd choose something else.

Running Shoe Buying Guides and Advice

Finding the best running shoes starts with understanding the kind of running you do. A comfortable daily trainer needs different qualities from a marathon racing shoe, while a muddy trail demands grip that your usual road shoes might struggle to provide.

Our running shoe buying guides help narrow the choice. Learn how running shoes should fit, compare neutral and stability running shoes, find options for wide feet and understand the differences between cushioning foams, heel-to-toe drops, rocker geometry and carbon plates. We also cover the best running shoes for beginners, 5K and marathon racing, tempo sessions, trail running and regular training.

Whether you're buying your first proper pair or working out where another shoe fits into your rotation, our guides explain the technology in terms of what you'll actually feel on the run. Explore the full range of running shoes alongside our advice.

New Running Shoes, Releases and First Looks

Running shoe technology moves quickly, particularly when it comes to midsole foams, carbon plates and the increasingly specialised designs found at the front of major races. We follow the latest running shoe releases from Nike, adidas, ASICS, HOKA, New Balance, Saucony, On and the wider running market.

From new daily trainers and updated stability shoes to marathon super shoes, trail running releases and track spikes, we look at what's changed between generations, where each model sits within a brand's range and which runners might be interested. There's room for the history behind established favourites too, including the shoe families that have shaped how people train and race.

Running Training Plans, Race Preparation and Advice

Training for a 5K looks different from building towards a marathon, but both become easier to manage when you understand why each session is in your week. Our running training guides cover pacing, easy runs, intervals, tempo sessions, long runs and strength work, with practical advice for different experience levels.

Explore 5K training tips, half marathon training plans, marathon preparation and ways to approach race day with a little more confidence. We also look at running form, recovery, fuelling, hydration and the common problems runners encounter when training gets harder.

Whether you're chasing a parkrun PB, preparing for your first half marathon or trying to make your weekly mileage more consistent, there's advice to help you get more from your running.

Running Gear, Clothing and Technology

The right kit becomes particularly noticeable when the weather changes or the miles start adding up. A jacket that's comfortable at the start of a run can feel too warm once you're moving, while the wrong socks can make a long session unnecessarily uncomfortable.

Our running gear guides cover running jackets, shorts, tights, base layers, socks and seasonal clothing, alongside hydration vests, running watches and race-day accessories. We compare GPS watches from Garmin, COROS, Suunto and other running brands, explain clothing technologies and look at the equipment worth carrying for road, trail and longer-distance running.

From winter running layers and reflective gear to summer essentials and marathon kit lists, we focus on what makes sense for the conditions and distance.

Running Events, Athletes and Running Culture

There's plenty happening beyond the shoe wall. From Saturday morning parkruns and local club sessions to major city marathons, track championships, trail races and ultras, we follow the people and events that make running what it is.

Find race-day stories, athlete interviews, training experiences and coverage from across the running community, including Pro:Direct Running Club (PDRC). We get into the preparation, the kit choices, the difficult miles and the moments that make getting to a finish line worthwhile.

Whether it's a first race, a hard-earned PB or a day on the trails that didn't quite go to plan, the stories behind the running deserve their place alongside the shoes.