Springtime means warm rains, green grass and a fresh generation of new running shoes and updated favorites from which we can choose. This is part one of a two-part review, focusing on the classic running shoe companies and some of their latest stuff. Next month, we’ll look at some of the newer companies breaking into the running shoe market.

If there’s one trend that is especially clear these days, it’s a focus on fit and comfort. Companies are tweaking the technologies of uppers to wrap around a spectrum of foot widths. Also in the comfort department, you’ll see the use of fabrics in certain all-weather models that not only keep water out, but also allow for perspiration and heat to escape. A final trend that we have much to be thankful for is the continuing evolution of the lightweight trainer. By using new and better materials and technologies, designers can pack plenty of protection in shoes that feel as light as racing flats. The result is a performance shoe that can be used for training (and for racing) by neutral-footed runners.

1| adidas Supernova Cushion 7 - $90

If you’ve enjoyed running in the Supernova before but yearned for a more accommodating fit, your wish has been answered with the 2008 update. The new last is wider through the arch, a revision adidas believes will open up the shoe for use by a larger profile of runners. Like the title suggests, the Supernova Cushion 7 is soft, with plenty of cushioning both in the rearfoot and forefoot sections of the shoe. A torsion bar gives the shoe a bolt of midfoot arch protection. The Supernova is an especially good shoe for pounding away on concrete.
www.adidas.com

2| Brooks Defyance - $90

The new Defyance serves as a high-end performance trainer, and Brooks has tuned this model to the needs of runners and triathletes with minimum stability needs. Weighing in at 11.3 ounces for men and curve-lasted, this is an extremely responsive, snappy shoe. Perhaps the most notable feature of all is the snug fit — it feels like a racing shoe, but in fact has the cushioning that will protect you through long road runs.
www.brooksrunning.com

3| Avia Avi-Lite II - $100

Avia is pushing the envelope of their brand, claiming new territory in the performance shoe category. If you think of Avia only as the shoe the podiatrist ordered, think again. While cantilever technology still plays a role in shock absorption and stability, the updated Avi-Lite II is made with lightweight materials and responsive, compression-molded EVA foam, making for a shoe sleek enough for racing.
www.avia.com

4| Pearl Izumi Streak - $110

Razored down to fewer than nine ounces, the silky fitting Streak provides a surprising amount of cushioning. A second surprise is how well the cushioning holds up given the lightweight nature of the shoe. Pearl Izumi has achieved this by adding a secondary cushioning material to the forefoot (called SKYDEX), a material more resistant to breakdown than typical EVA foam. Ideal for tempo and speed training as well as for racing.
www.pearlizumi.com

5| Saucony Fastwitch - $85

Weighing in at 7.3 ounces in the men’s version and 6.2 ounces in the women’s, the Fastwitch was built with the competitive athlete in mind. A dual-density midsole and medial post add several degrees of support. But this shoe is mostly about speed and responsiveness.
www.saucony.com

6| New Balance 1011 - $120

Certain shoes in this review are destined for the track, Fartlek training or quick-paced tempo work. The 1011, however, is meant for the daily grind of base mileage and long runs. Built on a straight, wide last, the 1011 is heavily built up from the midfoot, along the arch to the rearfoot, helping the floppy-footed runner sustain control. But this isn’t a brick: The shoe retains a flexible, cushioned ride and the upper has been crafted to snug up nicely.
www.newbalance.com

7| Newton Gravity - $175

The company who brought you simulated barefoot running now offers a shoe supporting neutral and high-arched foot types in the Newton Gravity. At the heart of the Gravity is the blend of Newton technologies that encourage a milder impact on the road and, by virtue of accentuating a natural footstrike, less chance of injury and more efficiency in your running. Our testers love the shoe but advise taking some time to adjust to the design.
www.newtonrunning.com

8| Diadora Mythos Star - $100

This beefy road trainer is comprised of a firm but thorough layer of EVA cushioning bolstered by Double Action II inserts in the fore and rearfoot. Built on a slightly curved last, the Mythos Star is braced with a midfoot shank for torsional rigidity. A solid workhorse for the bulk of your over-distance training.
www.diadoraamerica.com

9| Asics Gel Nimbus 9 - $120

The Gel Nimbus has experienced a long ride in the Asics line. A flagship cushioning shoe with gel enhancements throughout, Asics has tailored the technology of the upper to accommodate different widths of feet with the same snug fit. The heel has borrowed some of the technology used in the Gel Kinsei to further dissipate shock upon landing. In general, Asics continues to flood the market with a mouthwatering assortment of shoes. The Nimbus serves the cushioning-freak sect, but now also serves a larger audience thanks to the supportive platform that is suitable for a range of runners from underpronators (or supinators) to moderate overpronators.
www.asics.com

10| Brooks Switch - $80

A terrific buy at $80, the Switch packs Hydroflow cushioning both front and rear, a diagonal roll bar and a tough HPR-plus outsole.
www.brooksrunning.com

11| Asics Gel-DS Trainer 13 - $100

The two flex grooves in the forefoot of the DS Trainer are symbolic of the design intent of this popular lightweight trainer: speed. This will be pretty obvious to you the first time you try them on in the running shoe store. They’re the kind of shoes in which you just want to start sprinting. But there’s a lot going on in the 13th edition of the shoes. Most notable are improvements in the construction around the toe-box, allowing for a roomier fit and less chance of abrasion. Asics has also set the lacing system in line with the curve of the shoe, enhancing the racing-flat-like feel. The midsole is comprised of a two-density foam and gel inserts fore and rear. A good pick for fast training and fast racing.
www.asics.com

12| Nike Air Structure Triax+ GTX 10 - $110

In creating their running version of a Humvee, Nike has partnered with GORE-Tex to create the Nike Air Structure Triax+ GTX. Imagine taking the Structure Triax — one of the best stability trainers on the market — and then bolstering it with waterproof (and breathable) GORE-Tex lining. Water can’t get in, but perspiration can get out. The shoes are also Nike-Plus compatible, meaning you can use an iPod Nano to track your pace and mileage while you listen to your favorite tunes. If you haven’t tried the Nike-Plus technology yet, the most addictive thing about it is uploading your workouts to the Nike training site. The Structure Triax is a tried-and-true stability trainer with air cushioning units under the forefoot and also the heel, and a footbridge and arch-bridge to help cradle and control the twisting forces of an overpronating foot.
www.nikerunning.com

13| Reebok Premier Minocqua - $90

This hardy soul of a shoe is built on the foundation of DMX foam cushioning and empowered by a transition bridge to smooth out the heel-to-toe transition. The PlayDry breathable lining performs moisture management duties so you can take the Minocqua anywhere and everywhere.
www.reebok.com