The Mafate are built like any other run shoe, with one main difference – an incredibly thick and soft midsole. The idea is to give a ‘full suspension’ experience to trail running by creating a highly-cushioned, rolling feel to assist fast downhills. The first wear of these is certainly an experience. You feel disconnected with […]
This latest version of the 860 is a no-nonsense stability shoe for mild to mid overpronators who are looking for a generous slab of cushioning. The initial feel is great thanks to the plush, sumptuous lining, high-quality upper materials and solid overall construction. The styling is fairly classic with technical features that, although hardly at […]
Inov-8 has always made innovative shoes that work naturally with the biomechanics of the foot and, with the continued focus on forefoot running, what better time to make the move from trail to road? The new range of shoes aims to transition you from a heel-cushioned shoe to a flat forefoot racer. The 255 is […]
Weird design aside, running in these shoes was a revelation. They gave us the confidence to do barefoot drills and from work without worrying about dog poo and broken glass. The new Speeds, in an odd retro way, look kind of cool but do they still perform? The sole offers a bit more protection, and, […]
This classic-looking race flat is the first time we’ve seen a Japanese-specific creation from the Asics shoe guru, Hitoshi Mimura, in Europe. It’s a simple affair, lacking the bells and whistles that we’ve come to expect from modern running super brands, but without any loss of quality or basic functionality. What remain are lightweight and […]
Running purists looking for a no-compromise race shoe and living in the belief that time lost in transition can be made up by all-out speed… your search is over. The T7, as donned by Chrissie Wellington, is lightning fast. This is a real racing thoroughbred with ‘look at me’ styling, a snappy response and a […]
K-Swiss has carved out a niche in the traithlon market over the last few years with its new range of shoes and high-profile signings. Our initial impression of its fastest racing flat was mixed. The bowling shoe aesthetic isn’t the best, but looking closer we were pleasantly surprised. The exceptionally low profile with small section […]
Very occasionally we’re treated to a product that break the mould of traditional footwear. Even rarer is when that shoe is tri-specific. This innovative model from Scott has a collapsible heal to save you valuable seconds in transition – it’s an excellent concept. This does away with the need for elastic laces and the sloppy […]
Highlights include HotFix technology to improve GPS signal; heart-rate facility, where you can set zones determined by your personal stats; and data transfer to Mac or PC via charging clip, which you can download to Garmin’s Training Centre for analysis, or map on software like Google Earth. So what’s different from the 110? In short, […]
Brooks have really upped their game in recent seasons and are now producing consistent, responsive and light shoes. The Ghost 3 is exactly that – a comfortable shoe from the second you put it on and one that goes about its business in an unobtrusive way. Some runners may find it too narrow or require […]
The company blurb from Adidas tells us that these shoes are neutral, but such is the support on offer, mild pronators would surely feel at home in these. They feel heavier than others on test as the shoe is clumpy in feel, but that’s not at the expense of performance. The Supernova Glide 2 are […]
The gold, silver and bronze scored by Mirinda Carfrae, Andreas Raelert and Julie Dibens at Ironman Hawaii 2010 confirmed K-Swiss’ position as a major player in the tri scene. The Californian brand hasn’t skimped on style, though, and the Keahou is certainly a handsome creation. More importantly, these shoes are comfortable on your feet, being […]
A year ago we gave the X-Talon 212 a glowing 90%, so expecting the 190 to be an improvement is a big ask. At 190g per shoe, the 190 is the lightest off-road racer in the world. It’s not just the racing red colour – put these shoes on and you can’t help but run […]
These are essentially a slightly less aggressive version of Oakley’s Jawbone glasses. They share the same Switchlock system for swapping lenses and roughly the same design, but are a little smaller and softer around the edges.It gives them a vaguely more feminine feel – although they’re not billed as women’s glasses and are just slightly […]
Year on year Puma seem to raise their bar when it comes to running shoes. The Vectana 2 is another improvement to their range for all those pronating feet out there. A selection of quality, occasionally sumptuous materials and a flawless construction will prove a match for many more premium or well-established brands, even without […]
Stripped down to the bare necessities, the 110 offers combined GPS and heart rate training without frills or complication. Size-wise, it’s incredibly compact, and GPS watches have certainly come a long way from the Star Trek-esque monstrosities of a few years ago. Out and about, it quickly locks onto its satellites and the reassuringly thin […]
Running at this time of year always presents a challenge in terms of kit decisions. Just because the sun is shining, the temperature can still be uncomfortably low, and rain isn’t normally too far away. Could a running top like the Supernova XT Half Zip be the answer? This mid layer provides good coverage, breathability […]
As a big fan of both SealSkinz’ waterproof yet breathable socks and cycling gloves, I was really excited by the prospect of a beanie. First impressions were good and I was particularly keen on the fantastically soft micro-fleece liner. Fit was good, but given it lacks the flexibility of a traditional non-waterproof beanie, others may […]
As with the majority of Gore’s products, the fabric in these Actiondry tights feels luxurious and befitting of the premium price. It’s also highly functional, with a mechanical push/pull system to ensure that any sweat ends up on the outer face rather than against the skin. This ensures that comfort is maintained when training at […]
The marketing and hype flying around the award-gobbling Newton shoes has so far left me – unlike thousands of others – feeling somewhat lukewarm, but I felt I needed to give this new model the impartial once over to see what the fuss was about. The Isaacs are aimed at runners who want to move […]
The Nike Sock Racer and the Newton Gravity are just two of the innovative run-related products to split the running community in recent times. And, with both a groundswell of support from the barefoot running community (including Born to Run author Chris McDougall) and the naysayers repulsed by that aesthetic assault, the Vibrams have joined […]
The Avia 2053 is an intriguing shoe: off the shelf you’d tell yourself they’re rigid and heavy just because of the way they look. But on your feet, you’re going to find that they’re amazingly light and rather spacious. Okay, they’re a little stiffer than some shoes on test but that’s because they’re unquestionably a […]
2009 winners of the 220 Award for Innovative Product of the Year, Newton Shoes are taking the world of triathlon by storm. Basically, their shoes encourage you to run up on your toes, working to the theory that runners who do so run more quickly. Of course, such bold thinking creates plenty of argument, but […]
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