Beat your PB with these outstanding running shoes built to withstand the outside world.

“I run, therefore I am.” So muses Mr Haruki Murakami in his book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, paraphrasing Mr René Descartes’ famous “I think, therefore I am” maxim. We’re not going to go into the complexities of what going for a jog has to do with your metaphysical place in the world, but picking the right pair of running shoes does often demand an amount of thought and research that would put a 15th-century philosopher to shame. With this in mind, we’ve made it simple by picking some out to save you the trouble. Plus, now that it’s spring (as of today, officially), it’s the perfect time to pull on your kicks and run off into the sunset. See below for three pairs of sneakers that are solid investments that promise to put a spring in your step. You know, because it’s spring. Can you tell we’re excited?

adidas Sport’s kit is known for being eminently reliable, and these Alphabounce 2 mesh sneakers are exemplary of that. The fit, which is moulded to mirror the movement and shape of the foot, will support the Achilles heel, and the Forgedmesh uppers offer flexible comfort that make the sneakers feel like socks. Perfect for a jog on the treadmill or the street, they’re also a good shout for cross-training. Pair them with this HeatGear T-shirt from Under Armour. It’s made from the brand’s signature sweat-wicking fabric, which will help keep you cool next time you’re trying to beat your PB.

If you prefer to run in the great outdoors rather than stare at it through the window from the hamster wheel at the gym, now’s the perfect time to do so. To make the leap from the treadmill to the outside world, you could do worse than these Nike Air Zoom Terra Kigers. With Phylon midsoles to offer cushioning and studded rubber outsoles to grip wet surfaces, these forces of nature are especially designed to run on rocky, off-road trails. Wear them with these FALKE Ergonomic Sport System shorts, woven from a polyamide and elastane mix that dries exceptionally quickly and will keep skin cool and dry.

Nowadays, running sneakers are so varied and multifaceted that choosing the best pair can border on exhausting. If you want to make a solid investment in running shoes that will weather all elements of your workout, give Arc’teryx’s Norvan VT rubber and mesh sneakers a go. Road-tested by the brand’s own designers, the shoes come with Vibram soles with precise tread patterns, have Fixed Adaptive Fit Technology to keep your feet and ankles sturdy if you do decide to go off-road, and are lined with a special breathable Ortholite fabric, which will stop feet getting too sweaty. In other words, they’re a hardy choice – the bright red is a charming point of difference, too. Wear them with these compression leggings from 2XU, which are innovations in their own right. They promise to reduce upper-leg muscle fatigue and are finished with an antibacterial treatment to make sure they stay fresh.