Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes has reviewed 80 shoes in the Next Pair catalog. Below: their verdict on each, with a source link to the full review on their own channel.
Daily training 25
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"a real gem of Puma's lineup" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes calls the Deviate Pure a standout of Puma's lineup — fast, light, fun, and comfortable enough for long runs, and more stable than the Adidas Evo Speed, if slightly less outright quick.
Best for: Interval sessions, tempo runs, and races up to around a half marathon; also fine for daily miles
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"responsive and quite bouncy ride" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes recommends the MagMax Nitro 2 for marathon-training long runs and heavier runners, citing its bouncy, stable, max-cushion ride, though he flags it as pricier than rivals like the Vomero Plus.
Best for: Marathon-training long runs and heavier runners wanting a cushioned, durable max-stack shoe
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"your feet just disappear underneath you" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: One of the standout shoes in the range — an extremely durable, fast, non-plated foam shoe well suited to marathon racing, let down only by a shallow toe box.
Best for: A non-plated marathon racer/long-run shoe for runners who don't want an aggressive carbon racing shoe
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"amazing for those long runs" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: One of the best long-run shoes on the market thanks to its soft FF Blast foam and great lockdown, though this version's outsole durability is a step down from the Superblast 2.
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"picking up the Mach 7 every day" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The reviewer sees the Mach 7 as better suited to faster training paces than the Clifton Pro and says it's the Hoka daily shoe he'd actually choose given its much lighter weight, despite the Pro offering more cushioning for longer runs.
Best for: Runners wanting a lighter, firmer Hoka option for faster daily runs, tempos, and threshold work.
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"it's bouncy and it's really good fun" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes describes the Neo Vista 3 as a fun, bouncy, marshmallow-soft max-stack shoe that's surprisingly stable thanks to its plate, best suited to recovery jogs and easy miles, with only minor gripes about bulk and lacing irritation.
Best for: Easy runs, long runs, and especially recovery jogs, including for heavier runners
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"it's light, it's fast, it's fun" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes praises the Deviate Pure Nitro as a light, fast, fun, and versatile plateless speed shoe with excellent PEBA-foam cushioning, grip, and stability at a good price point, though it runs narrow and isn't ideal for wider feet.
Best for: Tempo runs, interval sessions, and fast daily miles, for narrower feet
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"fun and engaging ride" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes praises the Endorphin Azura as an excellent value, do-it-all daily trainer with a fun, stable, rockered ride, docking points only for its bulky volume and a sliding tongue with no lace notch.
Best for: Versatile daily trainer that also handles long runs, easy days, recovery jogs, and the occasional shorter race
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"great turn of pace" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Improves on the OG Evo SL with better fit and lockdown via a gusseted tongue and woven upper, matching the original's speed but with slightly reduced breathability.
Best for: Runners who tried the regular Evo SL and had lockdown or tongue slippage issues
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"soft, bouncy, marshmallowy ride" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Version 3 is the best Neo Vista yet — an updated plate delivers more bounce and responsiveness while the dual-layer midsole remains plush and stable, and at £150 it offers significantly better value than pricier max-stack competitors like the Hoka Skyward X.
Best for: Heavier runners, high-mileage weeks, long runs, marathon and half-marathon pace; first plated shoe for runners who want softness and stability together.
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"always puts a smile on my face" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top ASICS pick; a unique max-stack plateless race shoe that is ultralight, responsive, durable, and fun to run in, ideal for runners who want fast races without a carbon plate.
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Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top Mizuno recommendation with a full review forthcoming.
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"really blew me away" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top Puma pick; a versatile plateless shoe that blew him away with its Nitro foam, amazing grip and stability, and ability to handle all paces and distances including marathon, at a great price point.
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"shoe that's just fun to run in" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Reviewer's top Saucony pick; a high-stack daily shoe that is fun to run in, allows easy miles and pace pickups, described as a good all-around versatile daily shoe.
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"not a bouncy shoe at all" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben considers the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro a genuine competitor to and personal improvement over the Adidas Evo SL, praising its versatility, stability, lightweight cushioning, and exceptional value at £130. He rates it as his preferred shoe for longer and steadier efforts, giving it the overall win over the Evo SL for his use cases.
Best for: Versatile daily use including intervals, tempo runs, long runs, and races up to marathon distance for neutral or narrow-footed runners
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"bang in the middle there" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The Ghost 18 is a safe, reliable daily trainer with a comfortable, balanced ride and excellent versatility across runner types, though its traditional lower-stack feel and slightly heavier weight may not appeal to those seeking more modern max-stack cushioning.
Best for: Easy, steady, and tempo runs for runners of all abilities who want a stable, dependable, comfortable daily shoe; particularly good for wider-footed runners given the four width options
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"loads of room in the toe box" — Ben Parkes
Best for: Runners wanting a comfortable, foot-shaped daily shoe with a roomy toe box.
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"Brooks really know how to make a comfortable daily shoe" — Ben Parkes
Best for: A reliable, versatile, stable daily trainer for wide-footed runners.
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"lightweight, fast, and fun" — Ben Parkes
Best for: Faster paces and shorter races up to the half marathon for wide-footed runners who don't want a plate.
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"lightweight and surprisingly nimble" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A lighter, bouncier and slightly roomier evolution of v1 that nails its brief as a plush long-run mileage monster, though the GBP 170 RRP is a touch high versus competitors.
Best for: Long runs, easy mileage and marathon training for neutral or heavier runners who want a soft, durable mileage monster.
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"very much in that Max stack category" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Easy recommendation — a high-cushion daily trainer at a bargain price (cheaper than V17) that excels for marathon-training mileage; not the right pick for 5K/10K speed.
Best for: Half-marathon and marathon training where most miles are at easy/long-run paces; runners who want one shoe to do most of their training and pair with carbon racers.
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Ben Parkes notes: Likely his favorite shoe of the year and the wholehearted top recommendation in this max-stack roundup — the lightest, most versatile option even if it's the most expensive and hardest to get hold of.
Best for: One-shoe-does-everything runners who want a lightweight, responsive trainer that races, trains and travels equally well.
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Ben Parkes notes: Unbeatable value daily trainer with premium Lightstrike Pro foam at the £100/$130 price point; staying in his rotation. Best for narrow-to-standard feet who want a traditional unplated ride.
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Ben Parkes notes: Unbeatable value daily trainer with premium Lightstrike Pro foam at the £100/$130 price point; staying in his rotation. Best for narrow-to-standard feet who want a traditional unplated ride.
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Ben Parkes notes: Unbeatable value daily trainer with premium Lightstrike Pro foam at the £100/$130 price point; staying in his rotation. Best for narrow-to-standard feet who want a traditional unplated ride.
Easy / recovery 16
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"definitely one of the most comfortable shoes out there" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: An ultra-comfortable, max-cushioned easy-day shoe that doubles as an all-day casual/walking shoe, at the cost of being heavy and pricey for what is now dated foam.
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"definitely the most comfortable shoe in the Dathlan kip run range" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A surprisingly excellent max-stack shoe that stands among the best in its class for comfort and value, making it a genuine gem in the Decathlon lineup that Ben plans to keep.
Best for: Long runs and easy recovery runs for any runner seeking max cushion comfort at a competitive price
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"very plush, very soft, very comfortable" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Reviewer enjoyed the Glycerin 23 as a solid, very plush and comfortable daily shoe, though Brooks wasn't featured as a main brand in the video.
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"softest, most plush max stack shoe out there" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top New Balance pick; the softest, most plush max-stack shoe available for easy and recovery runs, padded everywhere with a wide stable platform, though on the heavy side.
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"smooth and surprisingly fast for a shoe that is quite bulky" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top Nike pick; a comfortable, smooth max-stack daily shoe with great shock absorption and grip, praised for looking after legs on long runs, though slightly heavy and needs care in corners due to a high-soft-foam combination.
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"insanely comfortable shoe" — Ben Parkes
Best for: Easy and recovery jogs, all-day wear, and heavier runners or those with large feet.
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"really great padding" — Ben Parkes
Best for: A reliable, comfortable, soft long-distance cruiser built to last.
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"one of the very softest, squishiest, marshmallowy shoes" — Ben Parkes
Best for: The most plush, soft easy and recovery run shoe, plus all-day wear.
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"the sheer amount of versatility on offer" — Ben Parkes
Best for: Long runs and marathon-pace blocks, and a good option for heavier runners.
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"definitely one of the most overpriced shoes I've ever reviewed" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The Skyward X 2 is a stable max-stack recovery shoe that has shed weight and gained firmness over v1, but its steep price and lack of responsiveness make it very hard to recommend when better-value alternatives exist.
Best for: Heavier runners seeking a very stable max-stack shoe for easy and recovery paces
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"high stack, do-it-all daily" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A solid high-stack daily option that is firmer and more reactive than the MagMax 2, with better stability from its full outsole but a less plush long-run feel.
Best for: A high-stack do-it-all daily shoe for runners who are not racking up the longest long runs.
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"good allround daily shoe" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Nike are back with an easy-to-recommend max-stack daily that delivers Invincible 1/2-style fun with better heel lockdown and stability, though the 45mm stack is arguably more than needed.
Best for: Runners looking for the spiritual successor to the Nike Invincible 1/2 — a fun, plush, do-it-all daily shoe with enough versatility to race in.
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"really only suitable for jogging" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A wild, pillow-soft, ultra-bouncy max-stack jogging shoe that nails its niche brief but is extremely heavy, expensive and offers no versatility beyond easy and recovery runs.
Best for: Recovery and very easy jogging miles for runners who want maximum softness and bounce in a wild, novelty-feel shoe.
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Ben Parkes notes: Best max-cushion recovery shoe in the NB lineup — soft and stable but bulky and not built for speed.
Best for: Dedicated easy and recovery-day shoe; good for walkers and people on their feet all day.
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Ben Parkes notes: Stability fixed vs v2 and the cushioning is great, but lockdown issues kept Ben from running his usual mileage in it; he's awaiting v4.
Best for: Easy and recovery runs, second-of-the-day soft cushion
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Ben Parkes notes: A solid update that fixes the v2's lateral instability and keeps the soft, bouncy ZoomX ride, but the bulk and weight remain so v2 owners can stay put.
Best for: Easy and recovery runs, long runs, and fartleks for neutral runners who want max cushion
Speed work 15
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"quite nimble and nippy" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes finds the Deviate Nitro 4 a solid, beginner-friendly entry into plated shoes with a smooth, flexible plate feel, but prefers the cheaper, lighter, more fun Deviate Pure at the current price.
Best for: Runners trying a plated shoe for the first time, or wanting a nimble winter race/parkrun option
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"a really great combination of speed and stability" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A fast, stable, and beginner-friendly carbon trainer/racer that's firm underfoot and best reserved for faster running rather than easy miles.
Best for: Tempo and threshold sessions, and a good entry point into carbon-plated shoes for beginner/intermediate runners
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"so much more responsive to running" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The reviewer strongly prefers the Evo SL over the Clifton Pro for most running, citing its much lighter weight and more energetic, responsive ride, only conceding the Hoka's edge in stability and long runs over 2 hours.
Best for: Runners wanting a much lighter, more responsive daily/tempo shoe than the Clifton Pro, though the Hoka may be preferable for very long runs over 2 hours.
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"so much more responsive" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Parkes considers the pricier Evo SL a clearly superior shoe to the budget Pacer in almost every respect — lighter, more responsive, snappier at pace and better made — winning in every category except cornering stability, where the Pacer has the edge.
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"it's snappy and it's really quite fast" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes was pleasantly surprised by the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo, calling it a snappy, fast, and very stable max-stack non-plated racer-style shoe that's firm at first but breaks in around 30 miles — and at a bargain sale price, an absolute steal.
Best for: Fast running only — pair with a standard daily trainer for easy miles
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"fast, it's fun, and it's very lightweight" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The lightest and most breathable of the Evo SL range, fast and fun with great value especially at discounted prices, though it has a non-gusseted tongue and some stability concerns.
Best for: Runners wanting the lightest and most breathable option who are not overly concerned with stability; all distances up to half marathon
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"it's fun, it's fast, it holds the foot well" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben's favourite of the range, the Exo takes everything great about the original Evo SL and adds a more supportive exoskeleton upper that fixes the lockdown and stability issues, while remaining just as fast and fun.
Best for: Runners who want the most structured and stable Evo SL, or those who appreciate its dual life as a stylish casual shoe
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"so snappy and it's so fast" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The standout gem of the Kiprun range — a plateless speed shoe with responsive ATPU foam that rivals far more expensive options, earning a near-perfect score for its exceptional value and surprising performance.
Best for: Runners wanting a plateless speed shoe and occasional racer at outstanding value for money
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"best Evo SL that they've made so far" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top Adidas pick; the EXO version improves on the original with a more structured exoskeleton upper for better lockdown and stability while retaining the excellent full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole, though the top eyelet for heel-lock lacing has been removed and it runs slightly warmer.
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"snappy" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Reviewer's top Kiprun pick; a snappy, stable, lightweight plateless workout and race shoe at a competitive price point, though slightly firm and only available at Decathlon with fluctuating prices.
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"snappy and fast" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: An outstanding value speed shoe that punches well above its price, delivering impressive stability and responsiveness at a 45mm stack. Reviewer calls it one of the best value shoes ever tested and gives it an easy recommendation for tempo and race use.
Best for: Budget-conscious runners wanting a stable, snappy speed shoe for tempo runs and races from 5K to marathon.
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"good budget race day option" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A solid, versatile carbon-plated daily trainer with a good grip and wide enough use case range from easy jogging to 5K pace, though its lower stack limits it for longer runs over 90 minutes. Good value at £150 but not a standout bargain.
Best for: Runners wanting a versatile plated daily shoe for uptempo paces and budget race day use, particularly those training for 4+ hour marathons or 1:45+ half marathons.
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Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes calls this one of his best running shoes of 2024 that he is continuing to use through 2025; great value at £155 for tempo, long runs, and budget marathon racing.
Best for: Tempo work, longer training runs, and budget-friendly marathon/half-marathon racing
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"old school racing flat experience" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: An excellent old-school racing flat brought up to date with full-length Lightstrike Pro — best for 5K/10K speed work, not a do-it-all shoe. Good value at GBP 120.
Best for: Lightweight 5K/10K racing and speed sessions for runners who want ground feel and a traditional racing-flat experience without a plate.
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"a brilliant comfort and speed ratio" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A genuinely strong return to form: ~10% lighter, more responsive ZoomX/EVA midsole, comfortable, durable and competitively priced — easily one of the best value carbon-plated do-it-all shoes available.
Best for: Mid-packers wanting one do-it-all carbon-plated shoe at a competitive price — workouts, tempo, long runs and even race day, especially good for heavier runners who need protection.
Road racing 15
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"the lightest shoes I've ever run" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes calls the Deviate Elite 4 an unbelievably lightweight, user-friendly, and stable carbon racer — one of the lightest shoes he's run in — though the thinned outsole trades away some durability.
Best for: Race day up to half marathon for runners who want an ultra-light, stable carbon racer
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"a very wild ride" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes finds the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 a wild, bouncy, extremely fast racer best suited to 5K-10K efforts for strong midfoot/forefoot strikers, though its high price and unstable heel foam make it unsuitable for heel strikers or less experienced racers.
Best for: 5K-10K racing for strong, fit midfoot/forefoot strikers
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"extremely fast and very lightweight" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The reviewer's current marathon race shoe of choice — extremely fast, lightweight, and grippy, with good versatility across race distances up to the marathon.
Best for: Half marathon to marathon racing
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"extremely fast and very lightweight" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A very fast, lightweight racing shoe the reviewer uses for shorter race distances (5K/10K), while preferring the Edge for half marathon and marathon.
Best for: 5K and 10K racing
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"a little bit more versatile" — Ben Parkes
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"more energy return" — Ben Parkes
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"a lot stiffer and firmer" — Ben Parkes
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"one of the softest shoes" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A wild, fun, and highly comfortable super shoe with huge energy return that the reviewer sees as a strong half/marathon-pace racer, but the steep price and fast-wearing outsole make it hard to recommend outright over cheaper competitors.
Best for: Marathon and half-marathon racing or key sessions for both elite and everyday runners who prioritize comfort and bounce over outright speed.
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"very smooth and stable, however you choose to strike" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes' top Hoka pick; a smooth, stable, and accessible carbon racer suited to 3- to 5-hour marathon runners of all strike types, preferred over the more aggressive Cielo for its comfort and nice rocker geometry.
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"the only wide-fitting carbon plate shoe" — Ben Parkes
Best for: Wide-footed runners wanting a comfortable, stable carbon racer.
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"The lightest shoe I've ever tested in this category" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Ben Parkes considers the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 a fantastic, user-friendly race shoe — the lightest he has tested in this category — and plans to race in it, though the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo Edge still narrowly edges it out for pure speed.
Best for: Midpack marathon runners seeking a stable, comfortable, and lightweight race shoe without the aggressive geometry of top-tier super shoes
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Ben Parkes notes: Massively improved over v1 as a race shoe — completely reinvented as a road track-spike for short-distance racing. In the right hands at mile-to-5K distances, it could do amazing things.
Best for: Mile, 3K, 5K road races and short speed sessions for forefoot strikers with strong calves.
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"damn fast" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A radically lighter, lower-stack Vaporfly that is as fast as ever and excellent at 5K to half marathon, but no longer the obvious marathon pick for most runners due to firmer ride, narrower midfoot and rear-foot instability.
Best for: 5K, 10K and half marathon racing for lighter, midfoot/forefoot-striking runners; usable as a marathon shoe only by stronger or elite-leaning runners.
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Ben Parkes notes: Best-for-speed pick of the NB lineup; great entry-level all-out carbon racer for someone who hasn't run in a super shoe before.
Best for: Best all-out racing shoe in the NB lineup for half marathon and marathon distances.
Long run 7
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"fantastic buy" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: Reviewer's standout shoe from the Mount to Coast range; praised for durability and longevity making it ideal for long runs and ultras on tarmac, with a unique lacing system to reduce foot pressure.
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Ben Parkes notes: Ben describes it as an ultra-durable road ultra racer that should last around 1,000 miles — built for long days on tarmac, not 5k PBs.
Best for: Road ultra racing (Badwater 135, Comrades, Grand Union Canal) and high-mileage daily training for runners who want extreme durability over speed.
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Ben Parkes notes: Ben says Skechers are 'back in form' but he'd still pick a Brooks Glycerin Max over the Aero Burst because the Glycerin Max foam is a touch better — still a solid recovery-day shoe.
Best for: Easy runs, long recovery days, and heavier runners wanting a max-cushion, stable daily.
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Ben Parkes notes: The biggest, most extreme stack on the list — bulky but really fun, with a plate that lets it pick up the pace better than the other max-stack shoes; a fan favorite of his channel.
Best for: Heavier runners or runners who want max-stack cushion that scales up to half/marathon racing thanks to the plate.
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Ben Parkes notes: Despite a hefty ~13oz weight and a price he calls steep, Ben rates this as the best HOKA on the market right now and a top-tier long-run cruiser — bouncy, smooth, and comfortable, but pace-limited.
Best for: Heavier runners who want max-cushion long-run protection, marathon trainers logging easy/marathon-pace miles, and runners who prioritize comfort over speed.
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Ben Parkes notes: A fantastic long-run cruiser that loses some of v2's pop in exchange for stability — recommended at the US $180 price, but the UK £230 pricing makes it nearly impossible for Ben to recommend over a Vaporfly 3 or Endorphin Pro at the same number.
Best for: Mid-pack runners training for half/full marathons who want a comfortable, dependable, plated long-run trainer over an all-out lightweight racer.
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Ben Parkes notes: One of Ben's favourite shoes of the year — the most comfortable plated training/race shoe on the market for him; only knock is the price.
Best for: Mid-pack and back-of-pack marathoners who want comfort and a plate for long marathons; great entry-level carbon-plated shoe.
trail light 2
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"increased versatility that this shoe offers" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: The most versatile Evo SL variant for mixed terrain and winter conditions, with excellent grip and water resistance, though it runs warm in summer and is noticeably heavier.
Best for: Runners who do a lot of off-road running or want a winter road shoe that keeps feet dry in wet conditions
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"this shoe is extremely wide" — Ben Parkes
Ben Parkes notes: A fast, wide and stable carbon-plated trail racer with excellent Vibram Megagrip on smooth trails, but it is heavy, stiff on steep climbs, lacks lug depth for muddy conditions and is very hard to recommend at this price.
Best for: Fast, smooth, non-technical summer trail and ultra racing (think Western States, South Downs Way, Thames Path), or mixed-terrain park run-style efforts.