Great trainers don’t necessarily make great runners. But while all the technology in the world won’t turn an average jogger into a Gebrselassie or Radcliffe, the right running shoes can make the difference between completing your first marathon and giving up training because of aching feet.

There are three main types of trainer, and choosing the right one depends on your style of running or gait.

There is an easy way of getting an idea of what type of gait you have. The wet footprint test involves stepping barefoot in water, then walking naturally over a strip of paper towel. If your footprint shows no link (or just a narrow band) between the forefoot and heel, you either have high arches and/or your foot rolls out when you push off for each stride (called underpronation). In either case, your foot isn’t working well as a shock absorber, and you should choose a cushioned (also called neutral) shoe.

If your footprint is even, you have an efficient stride that will suit a neutral or stability shoe. Finally, a thick footprint means your foot is rolling in on each step (overpronation). In this case, look for a motion-control or stability shoe.

There are now many specialist sports shops that will do this test for you in more scientific ways. These range from being filmed on a treadmill to electronic pressure plates that you run over.

Always try before buying. It’s natural to have preferences for particular brands, as they tend to have a different feel – Adidas shoes are firm, while Nike models tend to be bouncy – but be open to suggestions. Tell the shop assistant how much running you’ll be doing and whether on or off roads. Think beyond first impressions, which are likely to be favourable, especially if your last pair is completely worn out.

Try not to allow looks and price to affect your decision. While you can buy running shoes from £25, spending a little more (say £50 to £60) will mean more technology and cushioning in the shoe to protect your feet from the impact of running.

You could spend up to £130, and if your perfect pair happens to cost that much, you might decide it’s worth it. At that end of the spectrum, you’ll get the latest technology: upper fabrics that help regulate the temperature of your feet; midsole devices that help you spring forward more effectively; and insoles that should never bring you out in blisters.

But expensive shoes aren’t necessarily better, as our tests show. These six shoes are some of the best on the market, and while none will bring you a new world record they’re all capable of carrying you from faltering resolutions to the finish line of a summer race. And don’t worry about wasting your money - some shops will let you bring shoes back if you’ve worn them only once on a treadmill, though check first.

Once you’ve invested in running shoes, make the most of them by wearing them properly. Be wary of bargain-bin towelling socks that bunch up and cause blisters. Dedicated running socks with no seams, plus padding where it’s needed, are essential.

Experiment with lacing to make your shoes as comfy as possible. You’ll need them to be snug, but lacing them too tight over the top can cause sharp pain after a couple of miles (if you can’t get this right, missing out one of the eyelets when lacing can relieve pressure).

No matter how attached you become to your shoes, replace them after about six months of heavy use, and certainly when they show signs of wear.

JARGON BUSTER

Medial post A dense piece of foam in the midsole that prevents overpronation

Midsole The section between the upper and outsole that contains most of the shock absorption and control features

Upper The fabric part that wraps over your foot, often with material around the midfoot to boost support

Research supplied by Runner’s World magazine. Reviews by Elizabeth Hufton. Prices include Vat

SPRING HEELS

Saucony ProGrid Triumph 5 – typically £85 or £77 from www.wiggle.co.uk

Bouncy cushioning for wide-footed runners

The cushioned Triumph is a tough-looking shoe, but don’t let that fool you. It’s one of the lightest we tested and feels bouncy to run in. Its sole is made from a foam designed to give better traction and spring, with deep flexible grooves that allow your foot to roll efficiently from heel to toe. Lighter runners who need some stability will get along with this model. It’s easy to be sceptical about shoe technology but the Triumph’s upgraded Arch Lock feature, a stiff wrap around the upper and midsole, can help your foot feel more secure. The only negative comments it drew were for its odd looks.

CROWD PLEASER

Asics GT-2130 – typically £85, or £65 from www.holdall.co.uk

Safe-bet stability model with plenty of padding

Asics is one of the most popular brands among regular runners, and this well-cushioned stability model is a good general purpose running shoe. Support comes from a medial post as well as Asics’ Space Trusstic system: a plastic arch-bridge with space for your foot to drop on impact, preventing excessive inward roll. This year’s version has improved midsole foam for extra cushioning, a lower heel collar to prevent rubbing, and a wider, breathable forefoot. You’ll feel secure and well protected in this shoe without losing your feel for the road. The few people who don’t get on with the 2130 usually find it a bit bulky.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Mizuno Wave Rider 11 – typically £75, or £60 from www.startfitness.co.uk

Snug neutral shoe with a fast feel

Buying on first impressions is usually a bad idea but the improved fit of the cushioned Wave Rider makes it hard not to like, from the initial try-on through to the final step. A wave plate in the heel and midfoot compresses on impact to give superb cushioning without adding bulk. Neutral runners will find it a fast shoe, giving a smooth, flexible ride that feels light and low to the ground. The Dynamotion Fit concept means that stretch panels in the side of the shoe reduce pressure on the heel. This results in a slipper-like feel and an easy-going run. However, the Wave Rider won’t be plush enough for high-arched runners.

FIRM BUT FAIR

Adidas Adistar Control 5 – typically £100 or £80 from www.sportsshoes.com

Firm support for style-conscious runners

If you’ve tried Adidas shoes before and struggled with their narrow, firm feel, you’re in for a pleasant surprise with this good-looking motion-control model. Over the past year, Adidas has introduced a wider last, giving a more accessible shape for most of us (though if you have really wide feet, look elsewhere). Adidas has also made the Control 5 feel more easy-going, from a custom-fitted, plush insole to improved motion-control technology. This uses Adidas’s updated 3D Formotion unit in the heel, comprising separate sections that absorb shock in any direction, helping to keep excessive pronation in check. It’s a little firm and heavy, but well worth considering.

STABLE MATE

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8 – typically £80 or £70 from www.peteblandsports.co.uk

Stable but fast shoe, good for high mileage

GTS stands for Go to Shoe, and for Adrenaline’s many followers, that’s precisely what this is. It’s a stable, reliable model that hits the middle ground between support and softness. This latest version is slightly better cushioned than the last, thanks to Brooks’ improved MoGo foam in the midsole and a reshaped design that allows your heel to sink slightly on striking the ground. It’s also noticeably breathable and light. The GTS 8 is a little on the stiff side, but the upside of that is you get a fast, durable ride. This shoe deserves to be better known, so if you’re looking for a sturdy long-distance training shoe, give it a go.

HOME COMFORT

New Balance 768 – typically £70 or £60 from www.milletsports.co.uk

Ethical, stable shoe with custom fit

If you’re concerned about how many miles your shoes have clocked up before you’ve even put them on, these have much to commend them. New Balance manufactures shoes in Cumbria and the literature states that they’re suitable for vegans. Fit is a strong point, with four different width fittings and a lacing system that secures your midfoot. The 768 is at the more modestly priced end of New Balance’s stability models, making it an affordable and sturdy trainer. For this update (of the 767), the medial post has been made less intrusive, giving a smoother more flexible ride, but it’s still on the clumpy side. However, it compensates with effective cushioning and good overall comfort.

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