Christmas is over. You have gorged yourself on the finest food and drink until you could gorge no more. It’s time to pay the piper and make good on those promises made to yourself about getting fit in 2017.
Before all that can really begin though, you need to get kitted out for the healthy year ahead. Luckily, it’s the ideal time to do it, as every shop in the land is holding January sales, which now start on Boxing Day.
Top of the fitness shopping list for many is a pair of running shoes. Here are six excellent options you might be able to grab at a bargain price while sales last.
Adidas UltraBoost
These kicks are superbly comfortable, with a sole crammed full of Adidas’ Boost technology, which returns energy in abundance to propel you along your run. It helps that UltraBoost shoes are pretty easy on the eye, unlike many running shoes, so you can sport them anywhere. That means even if you give up on your fitness kick immediately, at least you can keep wearing them. £129.95, buy on adidas.co.uk (opens in new tab)
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An abundance of supportive cushioning and New Balance’s Fresh Foam sole means you run and run and run in these shoes without feeling the slightest discomfort. Well, aside from the discomfort intrinsic to running. £115, buy on newbalance.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Saucony Triumph ISO 3
One of Coach’s favourite shoes of 2016, Saucony’s Triumph ISO line is all about comfort over long distances, and the third iteration of the shoes is the best yet. Then there’s the Everun tech in the sole, which promises to return 83% of your energy as you bound around, making these a superb pick for those lining up a marathon in the spring. £135, buy on saucony.com (opens in new tab)
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Asics Dynaflyte
Despite oodles of FlyteFoam cushioning, this excellent running shoe still comes in under 300g, which is very light indeed for a long-distance trainer. Being so lightweight, yet cushioned, makes the Dynaflyte a fine pick for any runner, especially if it crops up in any post-Christmas sales. £130, buy on asics.com (opens in new tab)
Mizuno Wave Rider 20
Light, comfortable, and capable of handling as many miles as you’re prepared to run in them, these are the latest instalment in the popular Mizuno Wave Rider line. The Wave Rider 20 is the best yet, but if you manage to spot an earlier version at a great price in the sales you won’t go wrong. £114.99, buy on sweatshop.com (opens in new tab)
Nike LunarEpic Flyknit
Nike’s Flyknit upper makes for just about the most comfortable fit in the business, especially with the high rise on the LunarEpic. The cushioned sole makes for a run as smooth as butter and is designed to spread impact across your foot to help minimise the risk of injuries. £150, buy on nike.com (opens in new tab)
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Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.
