Nike's LunaRacer shoes

Long-distance runners know they have a trade-off to make in the footwear department. Softer, well-cushioned trainers may help protect overstressed knees and ankles from injury, but all that extra support absorbs energy, making the runner work harder to cover the same distance.

This is where Nike's new LunaRacer shoes come in. Lightweight racing flats, they're designed for those athletes who don't want to sacrifice precious seconds for comfort.

The shoe's foam helps to distribute bodyweight evenly, while "flywire" filaments—which work a little like cables on a suspension bridge according to Nike—provide support where it's needed. The whole shoe weighs in at a fluffy-light 155g.

Nike is well known for blinding punters with science. These luminous green trainers will blind passers-by with style. But at £85, this is a serious plimsoll. The spongy foam-stuff was originally created by NASA, hence the "Lunar" branding. Go on, show the road you mean business.