Running shoes are like cars ‒ they all get you there in the end, but some offer a much smoother ride. I’m not a particularly good runner, and often stop for a cigarette halfway through a marathon. I’ve also never had particularly good shoes; there’s been a pair of Sauconys, but they didn’t seem to last all that long; some flimsy Nikes, and then a pair of Asics. It’s this last brand that is clearly the most popular among runners in South Africa, as can be seen by glancing roadwards at any running event. One brand you almost never see is Under Armour, which only relatively recently got into the running shoe business.

The company sent me a pair of its new HOVR Infinite (R2499) shoes on the understanding I’d put them through their paces. And I’ve certainly learned a lot, such as I’m not running quite as far as I thought. Like the song says, every step you take, I’ll be watching you…