While low on technical features, this is a capable trainer that represents excellent value for money. It's well constructed but surprisingly light, with a solid sole unit that provides a decent bounce during running and plenty of grip during the stop-start movements of pursuits such as racquet sports.

There is good support and padding around the heel and ankle areas, where mesh panels ensure that your perspiration has somewhere to filter out. The lack of decent arch support from the insole might trouble some, but overall it provides a very comfortable fit.

Technically this is an impressive shoe. The Air system throughout the sole unit offers a comfortable ride no matter what the activity and they're very light. They have excellent ventilation, with small pores right across the upper cooling the feet.

In use they were very comfortable, with an outsole that provided good grip, especially in stop-start sports. But the ankle and heel support was somewhat lacking and judging by the styling and cost, this is seemingly being marketed as a fashion rather than a functional trainer, and there are better value options around.

A lightweight shoe featuring Asics' impressive Gel system, this has good cushioning which makes it a good choice for supinators - those whose feet roll inwards on contact. The grippy sole works just as well on gravel, grass or treadmill.

The upper is mainly breathable mesh, so the feet are kept cool. The sole unit is very flexible and seems to channel energy into forward motion. But this is really an out-and-out running shoe and therefore not as versatile and slightly less sturdy than the New Balance model.

Looks quite hefty but is thankfully lighter than it appears. The toe box feels quite tight around the front of the foot and the synthetic leather upper and absence of any ventilation or breathability made this a very hot shoe during exercise.

However, the shoe is tough and durable and while not ideal if you do a lot of running, it would be fine if you play more tennis, say, with a bit of running on the side. The sole unit features a 'shock spring' system that gives a good 'bounce' effect after the foot strike, so would suit those with heavier frames.

An accomplished and well-constructed all-rounder. It has a buttressed section between the forefoot and heel areas to stabilise the foot during motion. On the treadmill they came into their own, with the 'stability web' making each foot strike feel very sure.

The sole provided excellent levels of absorption, while the padded tongue made them comfortable in use, too. There's lots of support and padding around the ankle and heel and the sole unit is wide and relatively low-profile, making this shoe also suitable for sports with lots of lateral movement such as tennis.

Very light and a good fit around the foot. A mesh upper meant the foot felt ventilated and stayed quite fresh. There's excellent cushioning in the forefoot - when walking you can feel the air pocket inside softening the impact of each foot strike. There is plenty of stability in the heel thanks to a good sturdy heel cup.

The shoe offers a good combination of stability and cushioning while running and the sole is grippy. The only doubt is that the heel unit is quite high - you might worry about turning an ankle if doing a sport involving a lot of lateral movement.