My Running Shoe Rotation — May 2026
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Updated: May 2026 | Reading time: ~8 minutes
I'm Andy Hood, a trail and ultra runner, cancer survivor, and men's wellness advocate based in North Devon, find out more at runningwestwardho.co.uk.
One of the questions I get asked most often is: what am I running in, and why? After years of testing shoes across road and trail, including two completions of the Tour du Mont Blanc and races like the Arc of Attrition, I've developed a pretty clear sense of what works for what. So here's my full rotation as it stands right now.
A quick disclaimer before we get into it: this isn't a detailed shoe review. There are plenty of excellent resources out there for that (links at the bottom). What this is, is a straightforward rundown of what's currently in my rotation, why each shoe has earned its place, and what type of running I use it for. Nothing more, nothing less.
A quick note before we dive in: there's no one-size-fits-all answer here. Training covers a lot of ground, easy days, long runs, hill repeats, tempo sessions, intervals, and technical trail, and that variety demands different footwear. If you're building your own rotation, the best starting point is always a visit to a local running specialist for a gait analysis.
I've added a list of running stores, local to me in Devon and Cornwall at the end of the article.
Running Shoe Rotation 2026
Road and trail, here is my current rotation, what's good and what's about to be retired. Lace up and and let's look at my running shoe rotation 2026.
Road Shoes
My current road rotation has six shoes, each earning its place for a specific type of run.
Current mileage: ~350 miles
There's a lot of hype around this shoe. It's good, I enjoy running in it, but I wouldn't call it fantastic, just genuinely good. Many runners rave about using it for tempo efforts and intervals, but it hasn't worked that way for me. I use it as an easy day and long run shoe, where that squishy, energy-returning foam really shines.
Fit is true to size at my UK 9.5, though the toe box runs slightly wide, I notice a little slack material on top on longer runs.
Best for: Easy runs, shorter long runs Pros: Comfortable, responsive, forgiving underfoot Cons: Not a fast shoe, at least not for me
Current mileage: ~130 miles
This came into the rotation with high expectations, the Superblast 2 was one of my favourite shoes of recent years, with over 1,200km logged. The version 3 is softer, sitting between the Megablast and the firmer SB2. I initially targeted it for tempo efforts but it didn't feel as quick as its predecessor, so it's shifted into long run territory instead.
Best for: Easy runs, longer long runs Pros: Responsive, more punch than the Megablast, stable platform Cons: Lost some of the firmness that made the SB2 special
Current mileage: ~125 miles (second pair)
I ran the first pair to around 500 miles before a suspected achilles issue put them on ice. I bought a second pair, possibly unwisely, and I'm still not certain whether the shoe is the culprit or something else. When they're working, the Novablast is an excellent all-day shoe: soft, responsive, and a snug fit around the foot. The jury's still out; I may give this pair another go soon.
Best for: Easy and recovery runs Pros: Soft, comfortable, great at soaking up easy miles Cons: Possible link to achilles niggles (unconfirmed)
Current mileage: ~50 miles
This was brought in specifically to fill the speed gap the Superblast 3 couldn't cover. A carbon-plated shoe weighing around 240g, it's built for intervals and longer tempo runs. The aggressive geometry propels the foot forward naturally, I'm a mid/forefoot striker and this suits my gait well. I'm tempted to use it for a half marathon training effort to see how it holds up over race-type distance.
Best for: Intervals, tempo runs Pros: Incredibly light, stable, genuinely fast Cons: Early days, still building mileage data
Current mileage: ~100 miles
A reliable workhorse I've run through many versions of. It's also my wife's shoe of choice for distances up to 16 miles. I ran the 2024 London to Brighton 100K in a previous pair of Clifton 9s, and the first half of the 2023 edition in the Clifton 8, so the track record speaks for itself. These days it's reserved for wet, muddy days on the local Devon lanes where its darker colourway is more practical than my other options.
If you're looking for a do-everything easy shoe that's happy across a wide range of paces and conditions, the Clifton remains one of the safest recommendations in running.
Best for: Easy runs, wet/muddy conditions, high mileage Pros: Proven durability, comfortable across all easy paces Cons: Largely superseded in my rotation by the Asics options
Current mileage: ~80 miles
My dedicated hill repeats shoe. The Mach 5 was brilliantly light; the 6 added a touch more midsole cushioning but kept that lightness. Because these are only used for hill rep sessions, the mileage ticks up slowly. Picked up for around £70 in the bargain bin at Club La Santa, not my preferred colourway, but at that price it would have been wrong to leave them behind.
Best for: Hill repeats, shorter faster efforts Pros: Light, responsive, great value at the price paid Cons: Not the most versatile — a single-use shoe in my rotation
Trail Shoes
Trail ultras are where I feel most at home. I've twice completed the Tour du Mont Blanc, a 160+km route with around 10,000m of climbing, and raced events like the Arc of Attrition. The demands of technical mountain terrain are very different from road, and the shoe choice reflects that.
Current mileage: ~120 miles
This is shoe obsession at its finest, I could happily keep a pair on my office shelf just to look at. I found out about it through Loyd Purvis at the Run4Adventure YouTube channel, which is well worth following if you're into trail and ultra content.
I raced the 2026 Arc of Attrition in the EX330 and it performed beautifully. The cushioned midsole absorbs rough ground without losing ground feel or connection, the lacing system locks the foot down securely, and the Vibram Megagrip lug depth is exceptional. In conditions where other runners were losing their footing, the EX330 just kept biting. I'll be taking these to Chamonix later this year.
Best for: Technical trail, ultras, wet and muddy conditions Pros: Outstanding grip, secure fit, cushioned but connected feel Cons: It's a new shoe, time will tell on durability
Current mileage: ~210 miles
Until the EX330 arrived, this was my go-to trail shoe across multiple versions. It's a genuine workhorse, nothing wrong with it, it simply does its job reliably. But I've barely reached for it since the Kailas came along. It will probably be retired from the rotation soon, which says more about how good the competition has become than any fault with the shoe itself.
Best for: General trail running Pros: Reliable, proven, waterproof GTX upper Cons: No longer the standout option it once was
Current mileage: ~300 miles
Fast, light, plated, with a Vibram Megagrip outsole. I ran the Tour du Mont Blanc in this shoe in 2025 and enjoyed every single mile. It's less cushioned than the EX330 but arguably more stable on technical descents, I trust it completely on steep, rocky ground. I'll take it to Chamonix alongside the EX330 and rotate between the two depending on the terrain.
At ~300 miles, it's probably got 100–150 miles left before I start looking for a replacement.
Best for: Fast trail, ultras, technical descents Pros: Light, fast, excellent grip, highly stable Cons: Approaching end of useful life, watch this space for a replacement review
Running Shoe Stores in Devon & Cornwall
Finding the right shoe is much easier with expert help in person. If you're based in the South West, here are the specialist running stores worth knowing about. Always worth calling ahead before making a long journey, independent stores occasionally change their hours or ownership. Devon is home for me so let me share some of the stores in Devon and Cornwall.
Runners Need — Exeter (Bishops Retail Park) Unit 2, Bishops Retail Park, Sidmouth Road, EX2 7JH The largest running shoe selection in the entire Runners Need estate, located near junction 30 of the M5 with free parking. Free in-store gait analysis available with shoe purchase.
Runners Need — Exeter (Darts Farm) Darts Farm Shopping Village, Topsham, EX3 0QH A second Runners Need location in the Exeter area, at the well-known Darts Farm retail and food village just outside the city.
Runners Need — Plymouth Unit 7, 25 Old Town Street, Drakes Circus, PL1 1DA Inside the Cotswold Outdoor store at Drakes Circus Shopping Centre, with gait analysis and a wide range of road and trail footwear.
Runners Need — Truro 29 Back Quay, Off Lemon Quay, TR1 2LL Located in the heart of Truro next to the Hall for Cornwall, inside Cotswold Outdoor. Stocks Hoka, New Balance, Scarpa and more, with in-store gait analysis.
Cornwall Running Store — Wadebridge Unit 6, Bess Park Road, Wadebridge, PL27 6HB Cornwall's only Asics Ichiban dedicated running store, offering gait analysis, trail shoes, running clothing and triathlon kit.
Whirlwind Sports — Truro, Helston & Penzance Multiple Cornwall locations including 29a River Street, Truro A long-established Cornish sports retailer with dedicated running departments across three stores. Authorised On Running retailer, knowledgeable staff and a solid range covering road and trail.
Fitness for Sport — Plymouth Plymouth City Centre Independent Plymouth sports retailer with over 30 years of experience, stocking Brooks, Mizuno and Inov8, with professional fitting advice.
HPT Sport — Bude 30 The Strand, Bude, EX23 8RA A long-standing run and fitness specialist serving the Devon and Cornwall border area. The store is currently changing ownership — call ahead on 01288 359222 to confirm current status before visiting.
Up & Running UK's largest independent running retailer, offering free gait analysis and a strong selection of shoes and kit. No current store in Devon or Cornwall, but worth checking the website for the nearest location and their strong online offering.
The Run Lab — Cornwall Not a shoe retail store, but worth including for any runner dealing with injury or recurring niggles. A physio-led 3D gait analysis service using motion-capture cameras and force plates, run by specialist physiotherapists. If you're chasing a persistent problem, this is where to go before spending money on new shoes.
Final Thoughts
Building a rotation isn't about collecting shoes, it's about having the right tool for each type of run. Easy days need cushioning and forgiveness; speed sessions need something light and responsive; trails need grip and stability suited to the terrain.
If you're starting to think about your own rotation, here are a few resources worth bookmarking:
Run4Adventure (YouTube) — excellent trail and ultra shoe coverage
Doctors of Running — detailed biomechanical shoe reviews
Running Shoes Guru — broad database of road and trail comparisons
Up & Running — UK specialist with in-store gait analysis
Run Northwest — UK running specialist
The rotation will keep evolving, shoes get retired, new ones get tested, and occasionally something comes along that genuinely changes how you run. I'll keep updating this as things change. If you've got questions, thoughts, or shoes you think I should try, drop them in the comments or come find me on socials.
Running means everything to me, and that's rooted in something bigger than the miles. I'm Andy Hood, cancer survivor, men's wellness advocate, founder of Check Ya Balls, and proud Runna ambassador. A cancer diagnosis in 2021 could have taken the running shoes away for good, but it did the opposite, it gave every mile a purpose. Since lacing back up I've raised over £27,000 for cancer charities, completed the Tour du Mont Blanc twice, designed my own charity ultras, and made it my mission to talk openly about men's health. If this post helps even one person find a shoe that keeps them moving, that's a win. For the full story, head over to runningwestwardho.co.uk.
Happy running.
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