Best Race-Day, Carbon & Trail Shoes Tested

Here's our verdict on a dozen brand-new shoes that we dirtied in our quest to uncover what's really inside the box.

Throughout the summer the RUN Mag team has been banging out miles in a bunch of the latest shoes to hit the market. Our mission is to save you the time, money and pain of potentially buying a shoe that is wrong for you.

There will be a few here that may work for your particular foot shape, running habits, speed, goals and gait, so we suggest that you touch and feel a few options in store before making your final decision. Our deep dive will hopefully narrow your search so you can check online to see which stores carry the brands and models you most like the sound of.

We have tried to avoid unnecessary tech jargon where possible and rather describe how these innovations felt on our feet. The big trend in new releases remains cushioning — minimalism has given way to maximalism, or really a bit of both: minimal jarring on fragile joints requires maximum stable cushioning at minimal weight with maximum response and minimum impact on the environment. Each shoe uses a different blend of shapes, materials, uppers, outsole rubbers and plates to find its own balance of comfort, purpose and value.

Here's our verdict on seven of the season's fastest and toughest releases. Here's what earned a place on race day.

UNDER ARMOUR VELOCITI ELITE 3 — Lightweight carbon racer built for speed RRP R4 999 | underarmour.co.za

235g (size 45), Pebax midsole with full-length carbon plate, 39mm heel / 31mm forefoot. Light and responsive rather than plush; comes alive as pace increases.

Verdict: Clearly built for race day — the shoe to reach for when the goal is running hard and chasing a time. — Justin Howes

PEAK UP30 4.0 — Budget-friendly carbon-plated shoe that will go the distance

RRP R2 299 | peaksports.co.za

222g (size 45), 34mm heel / 28mm forefoot, 6mm drop. Firm, responsive foam with standout stability for a carbon racer — confident enough to shave 15 seconds off a PB interval pace in testing. Grip and lace design are minor gripes.

Verdict: A very stable racing shoe that gives the confidence to go full tilt on almost any road surface — great budget entry into carbon racing. — Zach van Coller

DIADORA GARA CARBON 3 — A controlled and subtle carbon racer RRP R5 999 | diadorasouthafrica.co.za

188g (size 41), secure lockdown and a stable heel cup — comfortable and controlled rather than aggressive or bouncy, with bounce arriving more as pace increases.

Verdict: A good option for those who want carbon benefits without the "wow, this is fast" intensity — not the pick for chasing an outright PB, but strong for in-between efforts. — Jess Hayes-Hill

PUMA DEVIATE NITRO 4 — A lively performance trainer that rewards faster running RRP R3 999 | za.puma.com

260g (size 45), Nitro foam with a carbon-infused plate, 39mm heel / 29mm forefoot, 10mm drop. Confident and stable for a plated shoe, with real personality once the pace lifts.

Verdict: The one to pick when the run calls for a bit more speed — comfortable at steady paces, shines once tempo picks up. — Justin Howes

ADIDAS TERREX AGRAVIC SPEED ULTRA 2 — High-performance trail super-shoe for fast days in the mountains RRP R4 299 | adidas.co.za

Spotted on elite feet at UTMB. Weighs 274g (10.5) with a pronounced rocker, 44mm rear / 36mm forefoot stack, aggressive lugs and a narrow, nimble fit. Lightstrike Pro foam and Energy Rods make it playful over long distances, but it demands speed and technical-trail confidence.

Verdict: Super cool, exciting and worth the money if you value speed and race suitable terrain. — Paul Ingpen