This light (259g), responsive shoe is speedy and track-spike like, and will be best suited for sprint triathlons or short, sharp workouts. The track-spike feel makes the Avi-Bolt minimalistic (although there are lighter shoes) and, as a result, you’ll get a real feel for the road. Our test team was impressed with the snug fit […]
This attack on the lower-priced end of the market by Adidas is a roaring success. The mud-conquering Kanadia is excellent value for money for anyone looking to venture off the beaten track for the first time. They have an aggressive outsole that can cope with most terrains, a generous slab of cushioning and minimal weight. […]
The Scorpion is a new design from Bloc and incorporates harder-edged sculpturing for a streamlined look; perhaps a bit large for women’s faces but ideal for chaps’. They’re ideal for tri training or racing; super-light yet grippy, you’ll hardly notice they’re there. They don’t move an inch, even when you’re head-down, stretching your hamstrings. But […]
These caused some positive murmurings from our support crew thanks to the flexible forefoot. Trail shoes can often be a little too sturdy for those of us looking for a bit of pace, but the cut of these shoes and their responsiveness, thanks to a dual-density midsole, is very good. The aggressive outsole is also […]
This is a very cushioned shoe – ‘plush’ is the word Brooks use – so it was no surprise to find it was a pleasure to run in from the first wear. And even better was the fact that the quicker you run, the better they perform. But note: these are for lighter runners looking […]
The ‘Green Monstrosity’, as this top soon became known, is another of Nike’s iconic Dri-FIT range, which will no doubt become a staple part of many a triathlete’s wardrobe in some shape or form. The quick-wicking fabric (a polyester, in this case, that can wick moisture away from the body), combined with a flat-seam construction […]
The Training Lite is designed for running (or indeed cycling) in changeable weather conditions by being easy to strip off and stow away as necessary. As you might expect from Orca, this is well-made and comprises a lightweight fabric that has a water-resistant coating and a quality feel, right down to the neat, unzipped pocket […]
This was a new brand for our testing team so there was understandable excitement about taking the shoes out for a stride. Basically, the technology suggests the shoe can recycle your own energy, which in turn results in less stress and faster recovery thanks to the inclusion of what can only be described as a […]
These socks have a conventional look and feel to them. More importantly, they’re comfortable – an essential in any piece of clothing. While they’re not left- and right-foot specific, they fit well with no slipping, bunching or rubbing at the toes. The material is thick enough to offer padding, with thinner and more breathable material […]
It’s not clear if this is a sock made of breathable mesh with lots of padded pieces, or vice versa. The bottom of each sock enjoys good padding that spreads up across the top of the toes, up the back of the heel and to the side of the ball of the foot (they’re also […]
The Falke RU3 is a good sock for training, with padding along the bottom and up the heel. As reflected in many run socks these days, this cushioning also extends across the toes. However, on the RU3 it goes much further back to cover the top of most of the forefoot. The heel padding also […]
These are a very thin and minimal sock that most of us would reserve purely for racing in. The material running along the bottom of each sock, across the toes and up the heel is thin – the material running along the top is even thinner. So to say these socks are cool and breathable […]
It’s easy to see why X-Socks are becoming more popular. The left- and right-specific socks have padding at the forefoot, at the heel and across the toes, which of course all adds up to extra comfort, but the pads are not so thick as to hamper the fit of your shoes. The socks grip well […]
The Fastwitch has a very light, fast feel to it from the highly flexible outsole and midsole through to the snug and highly breathable upper. The shoe shows it’s possible to build a minimal racer to give overpronators some support while maintaining all the properties needed for fast running. The ride is soft so some […]
The Makani has a similar weight and target audience to Asics’s DS Trainer. Those who suffer with sore Achilles heels in lighter shoes that have a lower profile midsole will welcome the Makani’s claims that it has more depth to the midsole at the heel. The cushioning is good in the heel but feels too […]
This shoe has good protection for its weight (approx 200g). The upper and layout of the lacing allow you to secure a good fit and feel your foot is locked in position for fast running. The Hyper Speed 2 is primarily suited for shorter race distances but it packs a surprising amount of cushioning and […]
At £45 it’s hard to fault the Brooks T5 Racer. It’s certainly a light one (at less than 200g) and the fit is adequate – perhaps not as adjustable as we would like to see but it raised no issues. There’s never going to be a stack of cushioning at this weight, but the ride […]
The Elite is a lightweight offering rather than an out-and-out racer. It has good guidance and support for overpronators with a softer strike zone at the heel, flex grooves, medial post and midfoot shank, which work well to guide your foot without giving harshness to the ride. ‘Crash pads’ offer adequate cushioning whether you’re landing […]
The Type A is an out-and-out racing shoe. Starting with the upper, it has a degree of stretch in the materials, allowing for a snug fit without feeling restrictive. And given the weight of the shoe – just under 200g – the cushioning is fairly effective with a soft feel. Of course, as the shoe […]
It’s easy to see why the Precision has so many fans. It’s a lightweight shoe rather than a racer. The midsole depth is close to that of a standard training shoe, making it easier on your Achilles tendons than a lower-profile midsole. But the weight is kept down and it’s easy to raise the pace […]
Buying racers really is a case of horses for courses. The Racer ST 3 caters for the runner who has given up hope that there’s a racer to suit him. It offers good support for overpronators and a firmer ride, making it suited to heavier runners. But it also has something to offer lighter runners, […]
Here we are at the minimal end of the scale. These weigh in at around 170g so, if you’re worried about protection, look elsewhere. These shoes are all about converting every scrap of fitness into speed. The midsole is low profile and very flexible at the forefoot, and the upper fits like a glove. Adidas’ […]
The DS Trainer straddles that line between racer and lightweight. It offers cushioning and support while feeling as responsive as some pure racers. While this isn’t as substantial as on some shoes, you do get a springy feeling from heel to toe-off from the Gel and Solyte midsole. Good midfoot stability and guidance for overpronators […]
The Octane XC contains a 2L bladder in a semi-insulated sac with waist belt and horizontal chest strap. Shaped to fit the curve of your back, it’s highly adjustable and comfortable with virtually no bounce when full. Storage-wise it has a phone-type zip pocket in the upper back, generous stash pockets in the waist belt […]
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