The level of responsiveness represents the shoe’s ability to transfer energy from your gait (stride), to the ground and back again, propelling you forward with every stride. The higher the responsiveness, the more energy the shoe is returning back to you with each stride.

The level of cushioning represents the shoe’s capacity to soften the impact of your landing, through a combination of midsole geometry, hardness and rebound. The higher the level of cushioning, the higher the level of shock absorption and reduced impact on your joints.

The level of support represents the shoe’s ability to guide your gait and distribute your weight evenly across the shoe on ground contact. The level of support required depends on your specific running gait. Runners with a neutral gait distribute weight evenly across their foot and require a neutral level of support, runners with overpronation roll their feet inwards and so require a higher level of support depending on how severe the overpronation is.