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 […]
A running-specific product, the Nathan uses an interesting vest-type system to distribute the weight of the contents more evenly across your back, chest and shoulders than the usual rucksack design. Developed specifically for some nutcase called ‘Mud and Guts Miller’ who runs ultra-distance races in extreme heat, the Nathan has a 2L bladder and a […]
Polar pretty much started the whole cardiac strap revolution. No surprise then that the soft strap ‘Wearlink’ coded HR belt is extremely comfortable and consistently in contact. The zip-tied head unit is easy to attach on flat or round bars or stems, and the bridge attachment makes fork fitting easy. Display and operation are easy […]
There are several sets of glasses here with the benefit of interchangeable lenses to cater for all conditions. That’s all very well as long as the changes can be done easily, but the fact is that switching from dark to light or vice versa with the Ventoux is a bit of a wrestling match. We […]
The Ventix have a similar classic bike appeal to the Brikos, but without the compromise, and better ventilation to keep them fog-free on a run. The upper frame closely skims the face, with the hinges set slightly back to minimise any peripheral interference. Unlike many similar frames there’s no obstruction during aero riding, nor is […]
This competes with the ProGrid Guide for the title of ‘most versatile training shoe we’ve tested to date’. The ForMotion system used in tandem with adiPRENE cushioning means that you get a mix of cushioning and stabilising when your foot hits the ground; the heel partially decoupling to reduce impact and shearing forces. It feels […]
It may sound obvious to say that a neutral shoe is all about cushioning, but the 1062 focuses mainly on this, and not on any of the foot-steering features that you’ll find on other shoes at the same price point. Not surprisingly, both the heel and forefoot are well padded, so if your main concern […]
This is a lightweight shoe for neutral runners. Lighter runners can use it for training, while others could use it for racing or faster training. The fit and feel are good, with a surprisingly well-cushioned ride, given the weight. The cushioning is firm-to-springy, compared with the softer Nike Victory or lower-profile Puma Infinitus, but this […]
Avia wouldn’t be the first running brand to roll off my tongue, but I quickly felt at home in this shoe. It’s lighter than it looks; gives an easy, soft landing on heel strike; and still has some guidance through to toe-off. The subtle support through the heel and midfoot would suit mild over-pronators or […]
Reebok have played it safe with this shoe. As such it’s quietly effective, but won’t knock your socks off. The cushioning’s fairly firm with a little bit of spring to it, so it’s a good choice for those at the heavier end of the scale or for lighter runners who prefer a firmer shoe. It’s […]
This shoe could fall into the lightweight category, but has enough cushioning for lighter runners to use it every day. The fit and feel of the upper is more like that of a track spike, with a relatively low-profile midsole and great forefoot responsiveness. You can certainly run fast in it, so it’s surprising that […]
The strength of the Saucony Guide is that it suits a wide spectrum of runners. The cushioning rides well for runners of a wide range of weights, the transition from heel to forefoot is fine and it has no problems coping with forefoot strike. The fit is true, with an upper that holds your foot […]
Asic’s 2000 series has been hugely popular among over-pronators for many years, while the Kayano has received many plaudits as Asics’ flagship shoe. The 3000 sits between the two and is well worth a look. It’s less responsive than the 2130, but offers more support and cushioning. It also has less protection than the £115 […]
This shoe offers a good mix of features. It has midfoot support for over-pronators and guides your foot nicely. There’s cushioning throughout the shoe, and the heel and forefoot are well padded, yet the shoe remains quite responsive. It sits at the lighter end of the training shoe spectrum so it’s best for faster running. […]
The Zoom Victory Plus from run shoe giants Nike incorporates two new technologies: lightweight Lunar Foam responsive cushioning and Flywire, which is essentially threads of strong cabling in the upper shoe that ‘locks’ the foot in place without the need for heavy overlays. The resulting light weight provides a smooth ride and is perfect for […]
Describe a set of ‘classic’ cycling glasses and you’d probably come close to describing this set from Briko. The Nitrospeeds are extremely lightweight, with unobstructed peripheral vision from the minimal frame, which also permits good ventilation without too much eye-watering even at high speeds. They grab on tightly with their rubberised side arms and bridge, […]
The Rydons utilise an optical hinge and metallic arms to provide a very solid-feeling frame. The long rubber earpieces are comfortable and can be easily manipulated to customise the fit. The Rydons also benefit from being compatible with Rudy Project’s Rx insert system, enabling the use of their removable frame with prescription lenses. This works […]
The Haviks may not be the sexiest glasses but they do provide a strong and functional bike-specific option. They fit tightly and securely onto your head and face, providing complete coverage on the bike on even the most bone-shaking of surfaces. The lens extends upwards to the point where you can’t see the frame and […]
The Bronx come with three lens options, including a detachable frame for those wishing to add a prescription. There’s also a head-strap that helps keep the glasses in place during more intense runs. Without the strap, these glasses didn’t feel as secure as some of the others, but they never fell off. The three lenses […]
Adidas market the Evil Eye in their bike-specific range, but when on a ride you feel rather unprotected due to the narrow frame design. This is most obvious when riding on drops or in the aero position: you end up looking over the top of the glasses or at the top of the frame. However, […]
Donning Oakley’s Flak Jacket, you immediately notice the clarity and crispness of the lens and the comfortable fit. Proprietary technologies, such as the impressive hydrophobic lens coating and HDO optics, put these glasses at the high end of the scale. However, cycling-specific they are not. The actual lens is quite small and doesn’t form a […]
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