Helly Hansen Fall 2023 Apparel Review: Diving In
INTRO TO HELLY HANSEN’S FALL 2023 APPAREL COLLECTION SAM: I’ve spent vast swaths of my life, including the past 10 years, working or living in Maryland’s bayside capital, Annapolis. The city is squeezed onto the end of a peninsula between two main tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and then run through by several creeks. Downtown is dominated by the historic State Capitol Building and the United States Naval Academy. This all makes Annapolis a boating town, the “Sailing Capital of the World,” if you will. I know the Nordic apparel brand Helly Hansen only through its presence here in Naptown. To me, it’s a sailing brand, ubiquitous on the brick and cobble streets of a town awash in sailing, history, and the United States Navy, and where they maintain a thriving storefront among the bars and tourist shops. I didn’t know they made running clothes, but I probably should have figured. MELISSA: I was unfamiliar with Helly Hansen prior to reviewing it. However, I’ve since started seeing HH logos everywhere. I guess it’s always been around, and I’ve yet to notice. Go figure. Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand that’s been around for a long time and is mostly known for offering a wide selection of ski, sailing, and outdoor apparel. Overall, I am really impressed with the apparel, so much so that I’m surprised I haven’t seen more of it in the trail running community. Let’s get right to it. ROAM WIND JACKET MELISSA: It didn’t take long for me to become a huge fan of this jacket. It’s lightweight and breathable yet provides ample protection from the elements. I also happen to love this earthy orange color- it’s perfect for fall running! I can appreciate some of the added details of pockets, elastic wrist cuffs, and fitted hood. Overall, this is a great windbreaker for a great price. PRICE: $100 LIFA ACTIVE SOLEN LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT SAM: My day job is in coffee. There, spent coffee grounds are a bottomless resource mainly destined for the trash, and it’s always nice to see them used in forward-thinking ways. Here, they’re added – HH uses the word “infused” – to the polyester weave as natural UPF 50+ sun protection. This shirt is cut loose through the chest and arms for a soft, relaxed fit that’s great for cruising in the mid-temps. I like that the LIFA Active Solen LS sits easily and doesn’t bind around the neck or under the arms, even when wearing a vest. PRICE: $80 TECH TRAIL T-SHIRT SAM: This technical tee has everything I’m looking for — it’s lightweight, fast-drying, comfortable, and flattering. Also, some added perks include UPF50+ material made with recycled coffee grounds — that’s pretty cool! MELISSA: Made of thinner fabric than the LIFA Active Solen LS, the Tech Trail T-shirt is better suited to hotter days under the sun, especially with the S.Cafe sun protection Melissa mentioned above, and that is also found in the LIFA Active Solen LS. A perforated breathable panel that spans the shoulders helps to prevent overheating, which is one of my personal pet peeves in tech shirts. This shirt is also cut loosely and a little long for coverage and comfort. PRICE: $60 TECH TRAIL SHORTS SAM: These unlined shorts are built from an airy 4-way stretch poly/spandex blend that feels ultra-light and comfy with plenty of room for motion. They have two unzippered hand pockets and a single zippered rear pocket in wallet position, not center mounted. None of these pockets are very useful for running, but these are great shorts for someone who wants the extended coverage of a longer inseam for hiking or walking with the light weight of a running short. PRICE: $85 BLAZE TRAIL LEGGINGS MELISSA: I was able to try these leggings for a few runs, and they proved to be a great fall/winter running option. They’re breathable, comfortable, and very flattering — so much so that I’ve received several compliments and inquiries about them. It appears that other Helly Hansen tight offerings include a built-in pocket in the waistband. If that’s the case, then they’ve traded the waistband pocket for zippered pockets along the thigh that are only large enough for a gel or car key. I wish that this would include waistband storage — it would be perfect for holding a phone and an extra gel or two. PRICE: $75
Adidas Eyewear Adventure Review: Feelin’ Bolder in Boulder
INTRODUCTION TO THE ADIDAS EYEWEAR COLLECTION TAYLOR: A decade ago… Has it really been that long? Ten years ago, I took a deep dive into the trail running world. I went from running competitively on the track to running free in the dirt. I traded fast 800s for FKTs on local peaks. One thing I lost in the transition, besides some turnover, was sunglasses. I used to wear some on nearly every run through college. Even with higher-end spectacles of the time, the sun protection wasn’t worth the toe catches and missteps. Because light was so variable on the trails, it was an easy choice for me — shed the shades for safety. Up until recently, that was my strong stance. Sunnies have seen very strong development over the last decade. Frames are lighter and better fitting, lenses have become an adjustable tool rather than a set shade, and overall quality has increased, yadda, yadda, yadda. One of the brands that’s changing my mind about my personal use of eyewear is Adidas, in partnership with Marcolin Eyewear. Recently, I was able to see how their industry expertise and sports experience come together to create high-performance shades. ONE SUNNY MORNING IN BOULDER… TAYLOR: On a warm fall day, a handful of running media folks and I met at a quaint, totally Colorado motel — The Adventure Lodge. By “Colorado,” I mean a spruced-up motel that hugs the side of a steep foothill, with extra lodging via tent platforms, all surrounded by trees and a river running through it. Oh, and a steep trail slipping out the backside of the property leading toward a wider network of trails. The day’s tasks were to test out some upcoming Adidas models of sunglasses and slam a burrito afterward. I partly jumped at the invite because of the fact that I’ve denied the use of sunglasses for trail running for so long. Free food and networking are nice, too, I suppose. At this point, I had found two other pairs of sunglasses (Dynafit Ultra and Sungod Ultra sunglasses) that actually work for my trade, and, based on what the event brief described, the Adidas SP0088 and SP0089 should fit the bill too. Upon arrival, the full-framed sunglasses were neatly set out but didn’t need to be displayed to be eye-catching. The design itself was noticeably sleek. Now, I’m no fashionista, but I reckon these are spiffy enough for casual wear as well. Maybe it’s been all the catcalls and media comments that help confirm this point, but I like to think I could have come to that conclusion myself too. Between the options available, I opted for the larger frameset for more visual coverage. Both are identical in other specs. Our small group hit the trails intentionally in the midmorning Colorado light to test in some of the hardest sunglasses conditions. Deep dark shadows, the sun shining through the trees in the peripheral, and bright light when in the open create a dynamic environment for the SP0088 and SP0089 to show off. ADIDAS SP0088 AND SP0089 TAYLOR: The cool kids refer to these sunglasses by their last names, so the 88s and 89s are the latest drops by Adidas, which releases between three and five new designs a year. Numbers simply denote when they were released. These will be available come Spring 2024 and take on their newest sport styling and latest technology to go with it. As I mentioned, I chose the 89s because of their slightly larger frame. All other specs are identical between the pairs. Our testing conditions were a bold move because any kinks in their design would show up. Honestly, even then, it was hard to find anything I didn’t like or that didn’t perform as noted. Fit is always the first stop with performance sunglasses. I was worried that the full-framed shield-like glasses would bounce around while on the run. After all, they are heavier than any of my frameless options. The bounce never came, though. Between an adaptable nose piece and slim straight arms, the Adidas SP0089s stayed put. Whether I ran on Betasso trails with rolling terrain and fast downhills or on the flat trails of Iowa with sweaty conditions, the story was the same. The view is where the SP0089 really surprised me. There are a couple of options to choose from with lenses: standard or photochromic. My pair was the photochromic that boasts adaptability to the amount of sunlight hitting the lenses. In shaded areas, cloudy days, or other low-light scenarios, the lenses will block around 8% of the light. To the eye, it’s nearly clear. When sunlight is more prominent, the SP0089 will block up to 18% of the light, which is equivalent to a moderate tint. It’s not a huge range, but it’s noticeable on the trails where you might dip in and out of tree coverage or clouds, making for varied lighting conditions. On my first run, I had to pull my shades down to make sure they were actually working. They were! The lenses transitioned smoothly enough that I couldn’t even perceive the change. All that I knew was that my view was consistent. The photochromic lens is by far the way to go for a trail-running-friendly pair of sunnies. Cold days were my next target test condition. Here in the mountains, we’ve been getting down to the 20s and teens in the mornings. Remember those high-end sunglasses that I ditched 10 years back? One of their best features was custom ventilated lenses, something I know I don’t want to be without. Well, the Adidas SP0089s have a different take on how this might take place. Instead of the lenses themselves being ventilated, the frames are. Nine holes near the bridge of the nose help egress heat like a roof vent does in a home. Since that’s the direction heat wants to go anyway, why not work with it? This worked better than I thought it would. The only time I had a bit of
Asics Novablast 4 Review: Time to Choose Favorites
INTRO TO THE ASICS NOVABLAST 4 THOMAS: As a parent, I know I shouldn’t play favorites. The truth is, I have no favorite child regarding the overall amount of love. However, based on behavior, I may like one of my boys more at any given hour, fully dependent on which one verbally acknowledges that I’m the best dad in the world. It’s hard to be unbiased with some shoes as well. After all, our team was an early adopter of the Asics Novablast since we first saw it at The Running Event in 2019. It almost feels like our child, even if that adoption paperwork was never fully finalized. Since then, the Novablast has improved with every iteration. Without spoiling too much, the Novablast 4 is the best yet. The updates are minimal but the ones that are there make this version of the shoe better than the last version. Last year, I ran more miles in the Novablast 3 than any other trainer. I loved the shoe. This version takes it to the next level. The price point, style, and performance of the Novablast are hard to beat. Let’s break down the new tweaks that make the Novablast 4 an improvement over the three. MEAGHAN: I’ll never forget the first time we saw the Novablast: we were in Austin, TX at The Running Event (TRE) in 2019 and it felt like a real outlier in the Asics lineup. Was this a running shoe? A gym shoe? Asics didn’t seem sold on either, but we knew. This was the running shoe we’d been waiting for. And now here we are, wearing the fourth iteration of what might be our favorite daily trainer from the brand. The Novablast 4 stays true to its origins, but the small updates feel quite substantial. The mesh upper has been replaced with a softer, woven fabric and additional stretch has been added to the tongue wing construction. The midsole is now designed with Flytefoam Blast+ Eco, which is Asics lightest and most responsive foam (according to the company), made from 20% bio-based materials. A new outsole formulation (Ahar Lo) is made from a lower density rubber, which means it’s softer, but still durable, and has some real grip. The 8 mm drop remains, but there’s an additional 0.5mm of foam beneath the foot, landing this at 41.5 mm in the heel and 33.5 mm in the forefoot for men and 1 millimeter lower all around for women. Does this so-called “trampoline effect” of a midsole hold true out on the roads? Let’s dive in. Woven upper Flytefoam Blast+ Eco midsole ROBBE: As Thomas and Meaghan said, we’ve pretty much been here since the Novablast was a dwarf star, before it really exploded into the shoe universe. The shoe has always been right outside my “favorite shoe” zone; at times it was too squishy and unstable, at times the upper was lacking, at times it felt bouncy but not propulsive. I get why others have loved this shoe to death, and while I always enjoyed the shoe, it wasn’t my favorite one out there. Once the Superblast came out, it was game over– that was and still is one of my favorite running shoes of the last couple years. But it also costs $200. The Novablast always had good value for its $140 price point, offering a bit more magic than the shoes below it, while carving out a niche below the trendy super trainers in the $160 price range. It was also a lightweight shoe that could pretty much do anything, from tempo workouts to long runs. I didn’t think the Novablast 4 would change my mind too much; turns out I was wrong. Botanical design details WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT THE ASICS NOVABLAST 4 THOMAS: Asics uses a one-piece woven upper with a softer feel than the previous model. The winged construction tongue is thin and padded. The collar and heel counter is generously puffy. I float between a size 10 and 10.5 in Asics. I went with the size 10, and it fits perfectly. Asics will tell you this upper is more breathable than the Novablast 3, but I didn’t notice much difference. The FlyteFoam Blast+ Eco midsole is a new formula for this year, which uses 20% bio content in the midsole for sustainability purposes. Asics will tell you it is their lightest, most responsive version yet. It feels protective and energetic. I ran 28 miles in the Novablast 4 before writing the review; my longest distance in the shoe was 12 miles. Over those miles, I found the shoe to be firm enough to be responsive and soft enough to pamper your feet and legs. Basically, the cushioning hit the sweet spot. There is plenty of cushioning with the over-the-legal-limit stack height. Consumers complained about the rubber outsole on the Novablast 3. Asics listened, and the Novablast 4 has Ahar Lo rubber on the outsole. This rubber is lower-density and softer while still being durable. I didn’t have an issue with the previous outsole. However, this one is noticeably tackier. With a price point of $140, the Novablast 4 is a shoe that should have your attention– it can cover most of your running needs. The shoe is light on the foot at 9.5 ounces / 269 grams. Ahar Lo outsole rubber is an improvement MEAGHAN: Of course I’ll start with aesthetics and say that the sandy/tan/beige/ Kim Kardashian colorway is quite lovely. But the step-in feel of this shoe is equally as nice. The new woven upper is softer than the previous version and overall feels a bit more plush. The stretchy tongue is minimal in design with almost no padding at all, but it provides a nice, soft lock-down. While there is only a half millimeter of extra foam underfoot, it feels like there’s more. Maybe it’s the new formulation of the midsole or the Ahar Lo outsole, or a combination of the two, but I just get a bouncier, livelier feeling ride in this version. From some
Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack Review: What Are We Packin?
INTRO TO THE OUTDOOR VITALS SKYLINE 30 FASTPACK ALEX: The Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack is a thoughtfully designed, versatile pack that combines durability, functionality, and comfort, making it an excellent choice for adventures ranging from day hikes to multi-day fastpack adventures through the backcountry. With a 30-liter capacity, it strikes a perfect balance between providing ample storage space and remaining lightweight. The company behind it, Outdoor Vitals, is known for its commitment to producing high-quality outdoor gear that stands up to the demands of the wilderness. With a mission to help people connect more deeply to the outdoors, they are committed to a patient process that involves in-depth research and thorough testing of the gear they develop. If you haven’t yet, check them out. I took the Skyline 30 out on long days in the Crestone Mountains in Colorado. I love the feeling of having everything I need for a long day in the mountains in my pack. Correction: I don’t love being aware that I have everything in my pack — I like to pack it all in and forget about it. The Skyline 30’s vest-like fit kept my gear close to my body and allowed me to do just that. TAYLOR: I’m far from a hipster, but I appreciate uniqueness. Anything small-batch or craft is right up my alley. It’s even better when practicality and function are the most forward design principles. For all of these very reasons, the little-known Outdoor Vitals is one that pulls me in every single time. Everything the team creates is top-shelf quality. Off the top of my head, highlights include the lightweight ball of warmth Ventus hoodie, the adaptable Tern Ultralight Merino Tee, the wind-slaying Vario jacket, and the Tushar Rain Jacket with pit zips… it’s seriously good stuff. Now that I think of it, I have more Outdoor Vitals gear at the ready than any other brand right now. Outdoor Vitals was born from a classic storyline. It’s the “I’m not satisfied with any of the gear I have, so I’m going to create my own stuff and sell it because this is what people actually need” type of story. When the company started, it was all about the backpacking scene, and still mostly is. And that’s the reason why most runners out there still don’t know the brand at all. Fast forward a few years, and the owner of the company stumbled onto the trail running scene and got hooked. Outdoor Vitals’ ultralight mentality is a natural crossover to the trail running scene. It shouldn’t be a surprise that we’re now seeing some very run-specific gear trickling out onto their website. Using their massive depth of outdoor gear knowledge and newfound stoke for running, the Skyline 30 Fastpack was born. It’s a prime example of what Outdoor Vitals is ready to do in the space. Let’s get to some specifics. WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THE OUTDOOR VITALS SKYLINE 30 FASTPACK ALEX: The purpose and design of the Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 are tailored to meet the needs of those looking to spend long days or multiple days out on the trail. Its 30-liter capacity strikes a perfect balance between ample storage space and weight. The black-and-white design and aesthetic of the pack are so good. It’s clean and simple. I love white packs and white shoes. Well, I love them until I wear them in the mud once, and there’s no evidence that the shoe started out a beautiful clean white color. Sometimes I wonder why companies even bother — kinda like white underwear. Why? I digress. The pack looks really good. Even better, the 100D Robic nylon diamond ripstop is super durable and water resistant with a WP rating of 15000 mm HH. The pack immediately scored points when I saw that it had exterior pockets… well-designed ones, at that. Ever since I owned my first Ultimate Direction Fastpack and experienced the beauty of well-functioning external stretch pockets, I cannot use a pack without them. Wet clothes? Wet tent? Stuff it in the stretch pocket. Stinky socks? White underwear because you were feeling bold on day one? Stretch pocket. Snacks, water filter, headlamp, gloves, and any other items you want quick access to on the move? Stretch pocket. I’ve nearly doubled the carrying capacity of packs by really stretching that stretch pocket. It’s a wonderful design that, once experienced, will change your life. The great thing about this stretch pocket, in particular, is that it’s made of a durable Challenge Ultra stretch mesh material that won’t get snagged on branches or scraped up when you’re squeezing between rocks or falling on your ass and riding scree down a steep slope. Seamlessly built into the design of those wonderful external stretch pockets is a pass-through bottom pocket that works perfectly for stowing trekking poles. The side stretch pockets both accommodate 1L bottles and are also perfect for your water filter, extra food, gloves, or headlamp. There’s even a zippered compartment in the mesh to keep your phone and wallet secure. The second feature I look for in a pack is well-designed front pockets, and the front of the Skyline 30 is awesome. There are bottle pockets that fit two 500ml soft flasks, and each strap has three smaller stretch pockets. This is hard to explain, so look at the photos. The first is for soft flasks and is secured/adjustable via a retention loop and shock cord tension closure. The middle is secured with a zipper and includes a lanyard clip. The lower pocket is perfect for items that you need quick access to and is also secured/adjustable with a retention loop and shock cord tension closure. The shoulder harness has dual adjustable sternum straps that you can move vertically and adjust for tension. It’s made of perforated foam that allows the pack to breathe effectively and is protected by a ripstop mesh. The back is equipped with EVA foam with large cutouts that effectively vent the back of the pack and allow airflow
Kodiak Peak Oatmeal Cookie Recipe: Simple Snack for Runners
POCKET OATMEAL Generally speaking, oatmeal isn’t the best snack to transport. It has the tendency to get real soupy, and whenever we try and put it in our pockets, it ends up going down our pant legs, making quite the mess. Turns out, it’s not as transportable as Napoleon Dynamite’s tots. However, it also turns out that with a few ingredients and an oven, you can have pocket oatmeal in no time. We’re talking about turning regular ol’ oatmeal into oatmeal cookies. But not just any oatmeal– we’re talking about Kodiak Peak Oatmeal, specifically designed to meet the needs of endurance athletes. Kodiak is sponsoring both The Drop and Fuel for the Sole podcasts this October and we’ve been enjoying their Peak Oatmeal, which comes in three really great flavors. However, as avid snack lovers in the middle of marathon training, we wondered if we could use the oatmeal to make a great “with-morning-coffee” or mid-afternoon snack. One that can be transported via pocket. So we ripped open a few packets of the Maple and Brown Sugar oatmeal and did some experimentation. The end result? A delicious, healthy, and protein-packed treat to keep those fuel stores topped off during peak training periods. This is what you can do with your oatmeal HOW TO MAKE KODIAK PEAK OATMEAL COOKIES SERVINGS INGREDIENTS FOR BAKING Kodiak Peak Oatmeal packets INSTRUCTIONS Mix it all up. This is what they look like before they hit the oven. That’s it! You’ve got a delicious snack. NUTRITION FACTS Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 250kcal | 10g Protein | 9g Fat | 34g Carbs Nutritional values should be considered approximations. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Our Favorite Roark Apparel for Fall 2023
AUTUMN IS DESCENDING If you’re some place other than the simulations of San Diego or Miami, you know the feeling of fall. Far off in the distance for so long, then coming into view as August rolls into December. Even though it serves as a precursor to the hard days of winter, there’s few things more comforting than the nostalgia-tinged hues of golden leaves and the crisp morning air that fills the lungs on an autumn long run. It’s a Tracksmith catalog come to life. As a California-based brand, you’d think Roark has no idea how to fit our feels. And you’d be wrong. Because Roark offers a wide array of apparel made for dudes of any season. We haven’t tried all of it, but we have worn some of it enough to fall in love. Here’s our favorite pieces for the upcoming season. OUR FAVORITE ROARK GEAR FOR FALL SUPERB RUNNING SHORT Baja Shorts 5″ ($66) Truth be told, the Roark Run Amok Alta 5″ short was never my favorite, though I loved the compression-lined Bommer short (which is on this list further down). I always hoped Roark would try another short that’s lighter with a more secure waistband. They listened to my thoughts and delivered with the all-new Baja Short (Jesse Ventura is all-in on this one). With a polyester spandex blend and DWR water resistant finish, it feels like a race short in a training day package. The cut is just right with an angled scallop side seam and it comes with a gel stash pocket and a back cell pocket with water resistant lining. This is one of our favorites right now, no doubt. HEAVY METAL RUNNING Black Sabbath Mathis Raglin ($75) Roark has done some solid collaborations in the past, whether that’s with running brands like Ciele or rock gods like Motorhead. So we’re not super surprised to see a Black Sabbath drop, though good luck finding that from any other run apparel brand. This limited edition set features a handful of items, but we’re going to highlight the Mathlis Raglan because we’ve worn it in the past. We can confirm it’s super comfortable and the Drirelease knit fabric is perfect for those fall temps when you can get away with a quick-drying cotton. Wear it running or don’t, either way it looks and feels great. TRAVEL IN COMFORT Layover 2.0 Pant ($95) We run a lot, and in a lot of places. That means we’re traveling a lot as well. It’s hard to find the perfect travel pant but the Layover 2.0 might be close. With zippered hand pockets and an internal stash sleeve meant for travel docs, it’s convenient for everything on the go. A dual back pocket with separated snap closure and stash is perfect for quick cell phone and wallet access. And the back waistband features a vented mesh for breathability. If you do pick it up, we recommend sizing down– the pant runs a bit large and only has a drawstring, so sizing needs to be spot on. Also, if you want more room, spring for the relaxed fit. COZY BY THE CAMPFIRE Nordsman Flannel ($99) One of the staple pieces in the Roark lineup, the Nordsman is old-school cool, the kind of outerwear that you’ll have for more than a few falls. With classic patches on the elbows and a just-right polyester/wool blend, this long sleeve is perfect for those post-long run hangs at the local brewery (or cider farm). COMPRESSION-LINED COMFORT Black Sabbath Bommer Shorts ($99) The Bommer is such a good running short, for a variety of reasons. An anti-microbial liner with a thigh cell phone pocket. Perforated 4-way stretch. Magnetic slash front pockets. Backside zip stash pockets. And just the right length. This one is even better with an amazing purple and black colorway and Black Sabbath branding on the front thighs. Grab this one quick before it sells out. CASUAL WEST COAST COOL Kookeoke Club Long Sleeve Tee ($49) We’re not even going to try and pitch this as running apparel. It’s just a long sleeve premium tee that looks cool as hell. With a custom dyed pigment wash and a premium fit, this shirt breaks in the more you wear and wash it. Plus, the design is just rad, which is what we care about the most.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 Review: Ride The Lightning
INTRODUCTION TO THE ADIDAS ADIOS PRO EVO 1 THOMAS: This is less of an intro and more of a disclaimer. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is a shoe built for one purpose: to get an athlete from the start of a marathon to the finish line in the most efficient way possible. And when I say “athlete,” I mean elite athletes, like Tigist Assefa, who just smashed the women’s world record at the Berlin Marathon by over two minutes. It’s a pretty shoe Choose your sock color wisely Pace is a sensitive topic for runners. Some people are more self-conscious of running pace than body image and/or weight. Anyone who uses Strava knows this. However, unless you’re a professional runner or aiming to be one, your individual pace shouldn’t matter to anyone but yourself. Nobody reading this post is the fastest runner in the world. Even if you’re as fast as Tigist Assefa today (you’re not), someone faster will come along, someday. If you’ve ever seen our own personal race results, you know we have no place in pace shaming. We do what we can with what we’ve been given, and that’s that. But every once in awhile, a shoe comes along, and suddenly pace does matter. It’s not a matter of gatekeeping, it’s just a matter of the purpose of a tool designed for racing at the highest level of sport. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is that shoe. While a total of 1,042 shoes will be released into the wild this fall over the course of two drops (good luck procuring one), the shoe is essentially a prototype. In many ways, it’s not even a real running shoe. It’s an almost unbelievable 5.1 oz (145 g) for a US M10.5, it has a midsole with all the durability of a Styrofoam cup, and it costs a staggering $500. Translucent fine mesh upper Limited to 501 pairs for each release In short, it’s not meant for you. Or me. It’s a single-use shoe meant for Adidas-sponsored marathon runners looking to break world records in the lightest marathon shoe ever created. I mean, they even include a disclaimer card with the shoes that essentially tells the owner it’s not meant for anyone who runs slower than a 3:30 marathon, and that’s probably them just playing nice. Really, it’s somewhat surprising that this shoe was even released to the public, because it didn’t have to be. (There’s a popular misconception that the World Athletics guidelines force brands to do a wide release for any race day shoe to be legal, which is actually not true since the rule was amended. Hence, Kipchoge running in the Nike Alphafly Next% 3 in Berlin.) Nevertheless, if we get a chance to try a shoe, we’ll certainly give our best shot at reviewing it. Which is what I did. Here’s my review. WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THE ADIDAS ADIOS PRO EVO 1 THOMAS: The first thing I should mention is that this shoe almost doesn’t exist in real life. It is mind bogglingly light. Picking the shoe box up for the first time, it felt empty. Holding the Evo 1 is surreal. It almost feels like a prank, like holding a hologram. It brings to mind Frodo, when he received a Mithril vest from Bilbo. I think he said: “Damn! this shit is super light!” He didn’t say that, but the shoe does feel magical, especially when you get it on the foot. While all the typical parts of a shoe technically exist, every detail is reimagined, squeezing out any unnecessary grams. Everything has been stripped down to where only the essential parts remain, much like a performance race car. The fine mesh upper is gossamer-thin and translucent. The shoe appears white. However, it’s more like a polar bear’s coat. The shoe will essentially turn the color of your socks that day. The tongue is just a flap of the same mesh as the upper with a small, foam pillow strip to protect the arch from lace bite. There are welded lace eyelets, and the toe cap is basically tape. The most complicated construction on the upper is the heel counter, which is mostly the same as the Adios Pro 3, something Adidas athletes asked to keep when testing out the shoe. 39 mm midsole stack in heel Next up is the midsole. One of our Instagram followers mentioned that the midsole looks like a Magic Eraser, and since then, I can’t get it out of my head. The Lightstrike Pro midsole is only Lightstrike Pro in name; it’s different from the versions found in the Takumi Sen or Adios Pro in that it’s made from a non-compression foam. There’s debate as to whether it’s TPE or a blend of TPE and EVA, but no one really knows because Adidas won’t divulge. Either way, it’s pretty great. Again, Adidas didn’t budge when asked exactly how the midsole is made in a “non-compressed” way that’s also not injection molded, but it appears that the foam was just blown up into a big block, then pieces from that block were cut out and sandwiched between the same EnergyRods found in the Adios Pro 3. If you look closely, you can even see some irregularities in the cuts of the foam. Point being, if a foam is blown up without sitting inside a mold, it will naturally have more air in the foam, giving the shoe more bounce. Ah, but there’s a tradeoff for everything. Bigger air bubbles means faster compression, which will inevitably reduce the longevity and resiliency of the midsole. So while the foam doesn’t feel revolutionary, the lighter weight is noticeable. Again, the carbon fiber EnergyRods are sandwiched in between the two layers of midsole. The geometry of the rods is slightly modified from the Adios Pro 3, as the rocker geometry in the Evo 1 has been moved back from the toe for a more aggressive feel, with the pivot
5 Running Brands to Know for Fall 2023
A NEW BREED OF RUNNING APPAREL It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we love run culture. We remember the days of all-neon block colors, subpar performance fabrics, and zero style. But we’ve been lucky enough to see the full bloom of the sport and its personality as its taken off over the last half decade. While brands like Tracksmith, Janji, and Path Projects spearheaded the trend of outside-the-box run apparel, many others have since taken up the torch in an attempt to put their own personal stamp on the run scene. We’ve seen some of our favorite pieces come from newer brands like Bandit, Roark Run Amok, Saysky, and Ciele. Praise Endurance Praise Endurance Portland short In fact, there’s so many run brands making their debut that it’s often hard to highlight each of them. That’s why we wanted to gather up some stuff that we’ve been checking out and bring it to new eyes, so you can see what’s coming in the run world and whether or not that fits your own personal style. Some of them are more established (AllWrld), while others are just a couple of people looking to create high-quality gear that’s fully made in America (Miler Running). Check them out and see what fits your style. ITALIAN RUN APPAREL CASCADA Before Cascada reached out to us, I’ll be honest– I never heard of them. Which is a shame because they make some really nice gear, which is designed and rigorously field tested in the lakes, woods, and mountains of Northern Italy (Trentino). The branding is very outdoorsy (in a good way) and has similar vibes as Roark Run Amok, another favorite of ours. The apparel is pretty standard run apparel, offering everything from long sleeve shirts to shorts and windbreakers. For off the run, there are some really nice button downs and flannels that are perfect fall. My personal favorite piece is their made-in-Italy Wolf Running Short ($77), featuring 4-way stretch fabric and a 5” inseam that’s cut perfectly. It’s one of the more comfortable running shorts I’ve worn in recent memory, and I found myself wanting to wear it for a majority of my runs. They’re also pretty deep in the cycling scene, so if you dabble in the two-wheel world, then you should definitely check out those kits as well, from jerseys to bib shorts. Our Cascada Picks Cascada Howling Button Up$96 (on sale) Cascada Wolf Running Shorts$77 MADE IN NEW YORK CITY MILER RUNNING Technically we’ve highlighted Miler Running before (and recently had the founder as a guest on the podcast). But they’ve recently debuted some new items in their lineup, so we thought we should re-up. Designed and manufactured in New York City, Miler takes a designer approach to run apparel, which is apparent straight away. No bold logos, just a simple sublimated name plate on each piece of gear. Quiet luxury is so hot right now, and Miler is making sure the torch stays lit for the running world. All of the brand’s apparel is made of high-quality fabrics sourced from European and Japanese mills, and uses the latest technology and construction techniques to provide comfortable and durable performance gear. Flat lock seams, four-way Italian stretch knit, and pockets in all the right places. Our Miler Running Picks Miler Running Base Tight$125 Miler Running Work Running LS Tee$110 CANADIAN COOLNESS PRAISE ENDURANCE Apparently, all the cool kids are in Canada these days. Ciele, Norda, and now, Praise Endurance, create the holy trinity of run brands coming from our northern neighbor. Praise is all about community, recognizing that everyone in the production process plays a vital part. From the designers to the textile workers to the Praise ambassadors– everyone is a part of the Praise fam. That’s all well and good, but how’s the gear? Pretty great. We’ve been wearing and testing the Praise Endurance men’s and women’s apparel over the past few weeks, and have really come to enjoy running in it. One of our favorite pieces on the men’s side is the Portland 2-in-1 Short ($96), featuring a soft and light stretch outer shell layered over a soft inner tight. The Tucson Anorak ($154) is also pretty rad. On the women’s side, the Osaka short ($76) is a technical eas-on short with adjusted side pockets and is complemented perfectly by the Montana stretch sports crop top ($67) made in a shape soft knit. Praise Endurance Osaka Shorts We also love the way that Praise organizes its offerings, split between city, trail, and track running, as well as different fabric types. Then there’s apres-sport, which is just a cool way to say lifestyle clothing. Are we cool? Probably not, but putting on some Praise definitely moves us forward in our journey. Our Praise Endurance Picks Praise Endurance Portland Shorts$96 Praise Endurance Montana Crop$67 HOUSTON COLLECTIVE NJÖRD Okay, you may think you’re seeing the same thing twice, but you’re not. Njord has a similar design aesthetic to the aforementioned Miler Running, but at a lower price point (the gear isn’t made in New York City). Njörd (named after the Norse god of the sea) started as a Houston crew designed to bring runners together with a mission to aid underserved communities. The apparel is inspired by their Scandinavian and Taiwanese heritage and is engineered to last a lifetime of performance. They’re advocates of doing good with their dollars and donate a portion of all proceeds to non-profit partners. They produce in limited quantities to avoid leftover waste. And while the product is produced overseas (it’s designed in Texas), Njörd partners with factories under the bluesign standard, which ensures the responsible use of resources and minimizes the impact on the environment while safeguarding human health. Anyway, on to the gear. Right now, Njord only has four pieces of apparel (again, aligning with their commitment to creating less waste): a t-shirt, singlet, shorts, and hat. Our favorite piece is the Kaffe Singlet ($55) made of lightweight recycled polyester and is constructed with flatlock stitching and bias-bound seams. It has enough room through the chest and shoulders but tapers down, allowing for good range of motion. And we
Coros Pace 3 Review: Upgrades Galore
INTRODUCTION TO THE COROS PACE 3 MEAGHAN: I was chatting with a friend the other day about the intimate relationship we have with our GPS watches. I mean, these things go everywhere with us. They’re there for the PRs, the DNFs, great workouts, bad workouts, and everything in between. Without them, we’d be lost — literally. So when the opportunity to test the new Coros Pace 3 arrived, I was excited but a little hesitant. Would all the new updates (new-generation GPS, touchscreen, updated heart rate sensor, and so on) be worth ditching the memories attached to my wrist for the past two years? Let’s take a deep dive. RYAN: Like Meg, I have a close relationship with my GPS watch. I switch phones frequently (it comes with the territory of my day job), so I just never got into the ecosystem-specific land of smartwatches. I couldn’t spend money on an Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy Watch only to change my smartphone operating system the next week. With that in mind, I jumped into the world of GPS watches with the Coros Pace 2. Man, that was a great watch. It was feather-light, easy to navigate, and, perhaps most importantly, reasonably priced. It was a $200 option in this sport of running that’s never as affordable as we make it out to be. However, just like I have the chance to try out different phones, I have the chance to test out GPS watches from other brands at the same time. As such, I took an extended vacation from Coros while I figured out which watch was best for my needs. Now, I’m back. Like Meg, I was drawn to the Coros Pace 3 for a combination of its updated features and my own history with the series. I wanted to see just how many upgrades the company could pack into a tiny, still light, and still low-priced package. Would the Coros Pace 3 offer enough to keep a place on my wrist? Let’s find out. WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THE COROS PACE 3 MEAGHAN: Originally, I was slated to test the Coros Apex 2, but as soon as I picked up the Pace 3, I knew this was the better option for me. This thing is LIGHT, I’m talking 30 g, which I don’t even really understand. You’ll definitely forget this thing is even on your wrist. I was most eager to test out the next-generation GPS. The satellite accessibility now includes the five major satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, Beidou, QZSS) with dual frequency for the most accurate signal possible. This is the same accessibility as in the higher-tier watches like the Apex 2 Pro and Vertix, and it only took one run for me to realize this was a serious upgrade. Typically running through Baltimore, I’d hit areas where the GPS would go a bit haywire, and my map would come back with some questionable lines. The Pace 3 didn’t falter at all, which is easily seen on my more recent Strava maps. Although battery life wasn’t a huge concern of mine, it’s really nice to know that I can run for 38 hours without ever charging it. That’s like… a month’s worth of running. Pretty, pretty good. I’ve also never been into heart rate training, but I do like to see data around big efforts. The new HR sensor is designed with a five-LED/four-photodetector unit that puts it on par with the Apex 2 and gives me a better understanding of what easy pace really is. RYAN: I mean, Meg nailed the main points of the Coros Pace 3. This thing is freakin’ light, but it doesn’t cut corners when it comes to tracking or battery life. In fact, the Pace 3 actually houses a slightly larger battery than its predecessor, thus the four extra days of smartwatch mode juice. After a long time away from Coros, I forgot just how nice it is to navigate with a single button and a rotating crown. There are times when I’ll be running with a Garmin on my wrist and start to fumble with the five buttons dotted around the case, but never with Coros. It’s a breeze to press and hold the crown in order to unlock the watch, and then it’s extremely responsive with twists up and down. If you’re not about the twist and shout, Coros’ new touchscreen is a nice addition, too. It’s only active during workouts by default, but you can toggle it to always-on from the settings menu in case you’d rather be able to swipe all day long. Meg also pointed out the revamped heart rate monitor, which is a massive change. The Pace 2 had a teeny, tiny little sensor that barely had room for its LEDs and photodetectors, but the new sensor takes up practically the entire back of the case. It’s the same one that you’ll find on the Coros Heart Rate Monitor, and it uses green lasers to keep a read on your pulse. I had no issues with the accuracy during my runs with the Pace 3, and the readout typically matched my data from other GPS watches when comparing head to head. WHAT WE DON’T LIKE ABOUT THE COROS PACE 3 MEAGHAN: Give me an accurate GPS and the ability to program workouts and I’m pretty happy with a GPS watch. I have no complaints on the Pace 3. RYAN: In general, I agree with Meg. There’s not much to complain about when it comes to the Coros Pace 3, especially when you consider that this watch is only $229. However, there are a few things that I’ll point out just in case this is your first GPS watch. For starters, 24 days of battery life in watch mode and 38 hours in GPS mode is the best-case scenario. In reality, you probably won’t hit either mark, especially if you have the touchscreen set to always-on. This isn’t really a bad thing — the Pace 3 still smokes the battery life you get from
Mudroom Backpacks Review: Keep Your Shoes Separate
INTRODUCTION TO MUDROOM BACKPACKS JARRETT: If you haven’t checked out our guide on traveling for a marathon (or any race), then you may have missed the number one rule of run traveling: never, ever, pack your race day shoes in a checked bag. The worst thing you could imagine after 12 weeks of grueling training is losing your race day shoes and having to find another pair, in your size, in a foreign city. Which is why the Mudroom backpack should be an essential item for any traveling runner. Mudroom backpacks were created by a runner who had destination events in mind. Aside from losing your luggage, how many times have you traveled for vacation, a race, or even to visit family and opted to tie your shoes around your backpack because they were dirty and you didn’t want to shove them in? They dangle and hit your body with every step you take. It’s gross, you look super weird (even weirder than you already look as a runner), and if you put them inside a bag, you’re giving a free pass for that sweat stank to invade everything. Mudroom is here to change all that. Keep your shoes separate Room for your laptop and/or tablet MUDROOM QUARTABLE 18L BACKPACK JARRETT: The standout feature that makes Mudroom unique is that its backpacks have two vertical compartments on each side of the bag, which you can store your shoes in. They make it so your dirty shoes are safely packed away and won’t get anything important inside your bag dirty. Before, I’d reuse the single-use plastic bags from the grocery store, but those have been getting banned, and I’m now running low. Each compartment is large enough to fit a US M15 shoe, and Mudroom included a US M14 just to show how much room there is. I won’t lie; I tried it on and instantly felt like a tiny human being. I was able to fit a pair of shoes in each compartment as long as I oriented it as if it were in a shoe box, but that ended up taking up a lot of the space inside if you needed to pack clothing and other items. The bag also has a ton of other features and compartments. Inside, there’s a padded laptop sleeve as well as a smaller tablet sleeve. The front has two zippered pockets, and the sides of the bag contain stretch mesh pockets for water bottles. There’s a hydration hook to hold a reservoir and access at the top for you to stick the hose through, as well as loops on the shoulder straps to hold it in place. Mudroom even claims that the bag can fit under an airplane seat, so count that as your personal item and don’t worry about that extra checked bag fee (shoutout to Southwest for flying bags for free). The build quality of my Mudroom backpack is very nice. It feels like a strong bag and has all the thought-out compartments and details for just about any runner’s needs. My only qualm is that the shoes can end up taking up a decent amount of space, especially if you stuff a pair on each side. Otherwise, this bag solves a problem we runners have. If you’re a big traveler and love to run while away, do yourself a favor and check out Mudroom. PRICE: $105 (use code believeintherun to save $20)