Brooks Glycerin 14 Review

Brooks Glycerin 14 Review:

July 31st 2016
Trainer review by Ellie Michael
Brand: Brooks
Model: Glycerin 14
Weight: 260.80 grams
Midsole drop: 10mm
Surface: Road/track
Arch: Medium/high

Technology:

• Super DNA midsole provides 20% more adaptable cushioning than Bio MoGo DNA
• Ideal pressure zones disperse impact for an effortless ride
• 3D stretch print applies strategic mesh and structure for a perfect fit
• Comfortable saddle wraps the foot for a secure fit

I have been given the opportunity to trial a pair of trainers from the Brooks range. During my review I will give an honest and true opinion of my experience with the Glycerin 14, released on the 1st June 2016.

I’m a massive fan of trainers and have had a fair few pairs in my collection. I have experienced a pair of Brooks before (ghost 8) and wasn’t overly blown away by them, mostly because they didn’t have a lot of stability in them, and I didn’t feel that they provided much cushioning and could feel the ground with every stride, but I was still excited to try a different model. Let’s hope I have a more positive experience with Glycerin 14’s.

While I was waiting for them to arrive, I did some research on them and was impressed with the way they looked, from the colours to the mesh on the top, and when they arrived I wasn’t disappointed.

I was very excited to try them on. As soon as I did, I could feel that they felt different from my other trainers in many ways, including the comfort, sizing and the general overall feel of the trainer. The only negative point I would have is that they felt a little tight around the widest part of the foot (I didn’t feel this whilst running). With regards to sizing, I went ½ size up from my normal shoe size (normally a 6, so went up to a 6 ½). I feel that these are a perfect fit. The only thing left to do was try them on a run.
Even from putting the trainers on, I could feel the quality in them, even the laces had a nice feel to them, so I laced up and off I went, doing 1.5 miles.

I could certainly feel the cushioning of the soles on every stride, the soles even providing a little bounce. The mesh provided room for your foot to move but not so much that it was moving around in the trainer, and I also felt that the mesh helped my feet breathe so they didn’t sweat too much, but what I noticed most was the support that they provided. They felt like they provided more support for me than my other trainers, (I supernate quite a lot) and can always feel my feet turn when I land, but they didn’t do that with the these so felt it had a positive impact on my run. I also felt like they provided cushioning, which is important to me as I don’t want to feel the impact every time my feet hit the ground.

My feet barely moved in the trainer, providing the much needed support that I need and felt that this was the best pair of trainers that I had used in a long time (especially since becoming a serious runner)!!

This was the longest run that I have managed in these trainers, but this wasn’t about speed or distance, it was to understand how they work and how they feel but can’t wait to try them on a longer distance.

This is one of my quicker runs in recent months and I think the cushioning and support that I received from the trainer definitely helped.

I would highly recommend these trainers not just for people who need just a neutral shoe, but who require a little bit more support in their trainer, and I believe that these trainers will suit both short and long distance runners alike.

The trainers can be bought from most web based retailers and in stores, they also come in a wide range of colours. Prices range from £116.90 – £130.00 I would recommend a pair!

Please note, the Brooks Glycerin 14 are vegan friendly. There are no animal products or by-products used in any part of the shoe, including the glues

Brooks Neuro Review

Brand: Brooks

Model: Neuro

Weight: 9.3 oz (266.5 grams)

Fit: Medium

Midsole Drop: 6mm

Surface: Road/Track

Arch: Flat, Medium, High

Technology:

• Propulsion Pods, BioMoGo DNA encapsulated into blown rubber, provide adaptive cushioning and rapidly return energy
• Dual Toe Flex engages a foot’s natural balance for an efficient push-off
• Gearing Mechanism allows the heel and forefoot to move independently for a powerful push-off
• Rounded heel provides better alignment, minimising stress on joints
• Propulsion plates create a stable platform for powerful and aligned toe-offs
• Dynamic Hammock System wraps underfoot and tightens through the eyelets for a second-skin fit and improved foot alignment built for maximum energy return
• Mesh upper manages moisture to keep feet cool and dry

I will today give you an honest and open account of my time spent running with the Brooks Neuro released in 1st March 2016.

Having reviewed two pairs of Brooks already from the Ravenna range, a new style of trainer from Brooks came to light in the form of the Neuro. I like a good trainer like everyone else does, but this one really caught my attention and I was dying to get my hands on a pair, those suction like cups on the soles blew me away!!

A few days after ordering, my package arrived and I couldn’t get the box open quick enough. As I opened them up here is what I found:

I was absolutely blown away by the trainers, although I had some slight reservations over the design patterns on the mesh area. Here is a video account of my experience of the unboxing:

So these trainers are advertised as being designed for speed, and at 9.3 oz they are extremely light. I must admit its difficult to see how as the propulsion pods make them look really heavy, but when putting them on they felt incredibly light.

The trainer itself is made up of mesh, that felt extremely durable, I didn’t see there being any issues in regards the protection of my feet.

In regards the sizing, I took the test on Brooks’s website and went with size 11.5, which gave me plenty of room and avoided any potential tightness. In the Brooks Ravenna range I wore an 11, but half a size up in the Neuros is recommended. I put the trainers on and they were incredibly comfortable. The hammock system introduced in the lace area is a great idea, I’ve read a couple of negative comments about them and would challenge every single one of them as the trainers did feel like a second skin and this added element to the trainers is a really positive step in trainer design.

To get the trainers on and off is really easy to do, and the laces there’s no need to mess about with them just simply tie them up and your on your way.

As with all my reviews I like to go on a short quick run and a long steady run. So off I went on a 5k to test drive these funky new trainers.

My first kilometre was really enjoyable and I pushed the pace, feeling the full benefit of the propulsion pods, although I must say the trainers were pretty noisy and the pods were making a bit of a clunking noise as I hit the road. I hoped to put this down to being a new pair of trainers and the noise would subside as I broke them in. I faded a little bit in the middle of my run due to the intense summer heat but picked the pace back up during the last mile. All in all I really enjoyed the run. The trainers gave me a great energy return, and the support and cushioning that the trainer gave me was faultless.

The next day I felt really good so the recovery from the trainers gave me hope that they could last at longer distances, I thought it was now time to plan a longer run and see how the trainer would fair over a larger distance like 10km.

After a few days rest I was feeling ready to go again and excited about getting into the Neuros once more. As previously mentioned I would recommend again that if you like your trainers roomy, then go up at least a half size from your usual trainer for a more comfortable ride.

Lets be honest were having a pretty great summer so the sun was shining, the weather was perfect for running, off I embarked on a 10k. I took time out as I always do to record some videos from my run. They can be seen here:

The 10k was completed, I wasn’t aiming for a personal best it was a steady training run to get a better feel and understanding of the workings of the Brooks Neuro.

At the end of my run I took a little break and gave my last 1k a real test of speed and was really pleased with the results, which was a sub 7 minute pace for 1km.

To summarise the whole experience, I can find no fault in the trainer other than the design on the mesh, which has started to grow on me but did catch my eye at first. In my opinion, provided you make full use of the hammock system and go half a size up to your normal size, once the trainers are broken in after a few short runs, you will reap the benefit of them. The noise from the trainers on my second run had gone quieter and I put this down to them just being new, it wasn’t an issue in the end. I haven’t been able to test the trainers in severe weather conditions such as rain and snow, but the grip I felt on the road leads me to believe that this wouldn’t be a problem. The trainers stood the test of a 5k and 10k and I truly believe they can take you further which I intend to do at a later date.

I received the trainers on Thursday and have worn them a couple of days in-between runs to break them in, I have so far covered a distance of 15km’s over a period of 2 runs. I’ve been looking for a lighter trainer to replace other brands I have been using, and I think the Neuro fit the bill. I would highly recommend using them for shorter distances and can see some serious breakthroughs for people at this distance, especially at an event like park run.

The trainers can be bought from most web based retailers and in stores, they also come in a wide range of colours, which I couldn’t resist posting pictures of. Prices range from £66.00 – £115.00 I would highly recommend a pair!

Please note, the Brooks Neuro are vegan friendly. There are no animal products or by-products used in any part of the shoe, including the glues 👍

Hoka One One Clifton 2 Review

Brand: Hoka One One

Model: Clifton 2

Weight: 8.3 oz (235 grams)

Fit: Medium

Surface: Road

Category: Neutral

Technology:

• Ultra-Lightweight No Sew SpeedFrame Construction
• New Padded Tongue for Additional Comfort
• New 3mm Ortholite® Insole for Improved Fit
• Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry
• Flat-Waisted Geometry Provides Inherent StabilitFull-Length Compression Molded EVA Midsoley
• Full Ground Contact Design
• Strategic Rubber Placement Provides Durability

I will today give you an honest and open account of my time spent running with the  trainer Hoka One One Clifton 2.

I’ve had some positive experiences with other trainers, but in my collection, I was looking for a lighter pair that I could rely on for shorter distances. There have been masses of discussions in our Facebook community in RTD about the Hoka One One range, and I was very excited to take the plunge and try them out.

So the package arrived and I immediately unboxed the trainers much like a child at Christmas! I opened them up and heres what I found:

The trainers look amazing both in colour and design, here is a video account of my experience of the unboxing:

When examining the trainer the first thing I wanted to find out was how they were so light compared to others, when on the face of it they look really heavy. Lets be honest 235 grams for a running trainer is incredibly light. Straight away it’s clear where the weight is lost, the sole is made pretty much out of soft foam, as opposed to the hard rubber and plastic found on other brands. There are small parts of rubber which are the black parts at the front and bottom of the sole. I was concerned how this foam would hold me up on a run, but was excited to find out if it could.

The trainer itself is made up of a rubbery mesh type of material, which felt extremely durable, particularly around the toe area which was a more solid rubber. In my opinion this would offer great added protection to a runners toes.

So I slipped the trainers on, and immediately I felt tightness both in width and height. My foot didn’t feel comfortable at all which was a cause for concern. I took the trainers off loosened the laces completely so they were nice and loose. Tried them on again and they still felt tight but in a more secure way and not painful.

I tried sliding the trainers on and off a few times to better understand how they worked, and there was a vacuum like attachment from the trainer to the feet. That’s the best way I can explain it, I could get my foot in and out of the trainer with the laces still tied without problem, so I was hoping to rule out it being a sizing issue.

It was time to take them on a test drive, I was feeling really under the weather with a heavy cold and was struggling to breathe out of my nose. So I decided on a short 5km run around my usual route. I set off casually just to get a feel of the shoe, with most brands their weight can be around the 300 gram mark, and you can more often than not feel a pull and a weight from them. The Clifton 2 had no pull and it was almost like I wasn’t touching the road due to the foam sole.

I started to build some pace and got to the 3km mark and really started to feel the trainers helping me kick on, which was great because I was really struggling to breathe in the cold air with just my mouth in use. During the last 2 km’s I felt incredibly fresh with plenty of energy in the legs. So I was genuinely feeling a personal best may be on the cards, my 5km record has been standing since 19th October 2015 and is 22:20 secs.

During the closing stages the trainers felt great and my pace was kept throughout the run. I ended up with a time of 21:59 which I was over the moon with. Not only that, I secured personal bests in every other category 1k, 1 mile, 2 miles and the overall 5k. Now if this wasn’t something to be excited about considering my health then I don’t know what is!!

So the short run was a massive success, I thought it was now time to plan a longer run and see how the trainer would fair over a larger distance like 10km.

The following day I would normally wake up to some minor discomfort in the calfs and knees, but there was no sign of anything, it was almost as if I hadn’t run the night before.

I was more accustomed to the trainers when slipping them on the 2nd time round. I felt an instant improvement and they felt more comfortable. Tip for anyone purchasing these trainers is to loosen the laces when trying them on in a store or when receiving them from an online store. I would also recommend that if you like your trainers roomy, then go up at least a half size from your usual trainer for a more comfortable ride. I have compared the trainer to another leading brand, and you will see that there is a small but noticeable difference in length, but the width is pretty much the same. The toe area for me does not differ at all to other brands and is pretty much industry standard. I hope anyone reading this review will find this part particularly useful:

So the sun was shining, the weather was perfect for running, off I embarked on a 10k. I took time out as I always do to record some videos from my run. They can be seen here:

The 10k was completed, I wasn’t aiming for a personal best it was a steady training run to get a better feel and understanding of the workings of the Hoka One One Clifton 2. Throughout the run the cushioning felt great and it was a pleasure having them attached to my feet, I looked forward to a longstanding relationship with them in the future. The recovery after running is also great, and in answer to a question about overheating, there were no issues of that nature my feet felt cool throughout both runs.

To summarise the whole experience, I can find no fault in the trainer other than what I mentioned before about the width and height. In my opinion, provided you work the lace properly and go half a size up to your normal size, once the trainers are broken in after a few short runs, you will reap the benefit of them. I received the trainers on Monday and have worn them all day everyday since, I have so far covered a distance of 15km’s over a period of 2 runs. The Hoka One One Clifton 2, will now be the first pair of trainers I pull out to go running for sure. I would recommend using them for shorter distances, however I wouldn’t rule out running a half or full marathon in them, I intend to do so in the future.

The trainers can be bought from most web based retailers and in stores, they also come in a wide range of colours, which I couldn’t resist posting pictures of. Prices range from £79.95– £135.44. I would highly recommend a pair!

 

Fiona Sports Bra Review

Brand: Brooks
Model: Fiona sports bra

Okay ladies, this post is all for you! One piece of kit you just can’t scrimp on is your sports bra. Boobs, knockers, bangers- whatever it is you call your assets, it is essential that you keep them locked down (quite literally!), especially when you’re running. Having been blessed in that department, I have always been on the look out for the perfect sports bra so you can imagine my excitement when I was asked if I wanted to review the Brooks “Fiona” sports bra. I have high expectations of any sports bra- the holy grail is support, lightweight, non-chafing, non-restrictive, comfy, looks half way decent.. (the list is endless- see what I mean by high expectations!).

Recent studies at the University of Portsmouth show that your boobs can move as much as 3-8 inches from side to side to side and up and down in a sort-of figure of eight motion when you run. 3-8 inches- that’s an incredible amount. Multiply that by running many, many miles and the fact that 9.5 million ladies in the UK are not getting the correct support they need from their sports bra and that makes for a potentially huge problem! The main issue is that your breasts really do need looking after properly when doing vigorous exercise like running; they are actually quite delicate, held upright by ligaments that are put under a lot of strain by the movement and once damaged, will never recover. Long term this makes for an unsupported sagginess which, let’s face it, nobody wants!

The right sports bra is essential- it makes running a much more enjoyable experience since you’re no longer distracted by excessive movement, you don’t hurt, there’s no risk of black eyes as you pelt towards the finish line as you are are held in place, securely and comfortably.

First impressions of the Fiona sports bra were great. It was pink and navy (top) and whilst this may not sound appealing to some ladies, it makes a great change from other competitors who seem to think that just because you have larger boobs, you just want something plain and functional and tend to only offer white and black as colour options. Bustier woman also deserve funky colours and patterns that are usually reserved for those with smaller busts!

The bra fastens (middle) with a standard hook and eye closure which is padded for comfort and stops any rubbing. Unlike other sports bra, it isn’t racer back which is handy as I know a couple ladies who have really struggled getting on that particular style with one even pulling a muscle (I kid you not!). This is just typical bra: fasten, put on and go- no military operation or bizarre contortion required to get into it! It also has a wide elastic strap underneath the cups for support. This was great and didn’t compress my chest as I suspected in may do.

One of the great features of the bra are the front-adjustable Velcro straps (bottom). What does that mean I hear you ask? Typically most bras have are adjustable with the metal sliders which means you either need a friend who can help you adjust them if they aren’t right or just take a shot in the dark before you put it on and hope for the best. What’s great about this is that the straps are adjustable in the front of the bra and are Velcro so easily adjusted by yourself. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive when I saw the Velcro- how would that possible work and hold me in place but stay in place they did, even after a 14 mile run.

Once on, I did the standard sports bra tests: wiggle and bounce tests and running on the spot. So yes, I did stand there and jump up and down and I had a quick shimmy. The bra passed all with flying colours. I felt safe and secure, I didn’t feel like there was any excessive movement and I really did feel strapped down.

Beyond this, I threw a lot at this bra starting initially with a short interval session (after all, speed equals movement!), yoga, my standard long run on Sunday and even a T25 session midweek. On all occasions, the bra was comfortable to wear, if I’m honest, I forgot I had it on it was that comfy. It didn’t rub or chafe which other sports bras had in the past (especially on long runs), the material is incredible comfy and soft and offered a lot of support. This is probably due to the moulded cups which offered a long of stability even during high-intensity sessions.

On the downside, the elastic in the wide band under the bra did occasionally twist slightly in the material although I suspect that may be more of a matter of me not quite having the correct size. I’ve recently lost a lot of weight so clearly I need to get re-measured to make sure I’m in the correct size. As well as this, the bra doesn’t have a lot of material up front so if you were cold, everyone would know about it! And whilst it’s not a downside as such, it is important thing to remember is that the straps are Velcro so don’t wash your bra with fabric softener else you will ruin the fastenings!

Overall, I’m a huge fan of the Fiona bra- I am usually a Shock Absorber girl but after testing this out, I suspect I’m a convert! It really delivers on all fronts: style, fit, comfort with minimum movement and an incredible amount of support. Plus the price isn’t too shabby either. Hands down one of the comfiest sports bra I’ve worn.

Available from most online retailers or direct from Brooks (£21): http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb/fiona-sports-bra/350003.html

Facebook engagement https://m.facebook.com/groups/941293069245570?view=permalink&id=1033751776666365&ref=bookmarks

Brooks Ravenna 7 Review

Brand: Brooks

Model: Ravenna 7

Weight: 10.7 oz (303.3 grams)

Arch: Flat, Medium

Surface: Road/Track

Following on from my Ravenna 5 review, I went ahead and got hold of the latest offering in the Ravenna range and picked up the Ravenna 7. They are from the spring/summer 2016 range. First thoughts when I unboxed the shoe was the difference in the mesh around the foot and toe area. A softer more fabric like cushioning has been introduced. As soon as I slipped into the shoe I noticed the difference in feel and the improvement in comfort was instantly recognisable. The slight alteration in style has given the trainers a more natural look.

After examining the shoe, whilst the Ravenna 5 template is still there, the Ravenna 7 has a more comfortable and breathable feel to them. As with all Brooks trainers they come in a wide range of colours to suit a variety of tastes. I went with the grey, with yellow, white and black trim. First impressions of the trainer was just simply I couldn’t wait to get out and test them!

On Sunday 7th February, I laced up to take part in a 5 mile Grand Prix road race local to me. Before embarking on the 5 miles, I instantly found the trainer comfortable with great support. As I mentioned previously I am a 6 4″ runner, with a need for extra cushioning to support my large frame.

So i’m at the starting line with another 200+ runners, all laced up and ready to go. I started the race at a terrific pace, and could feel the full benefit of the extra cushioning from the extended segmented crash pad, which helped noticeably in absorbing and taking the strain of the gravelly terrain. There is a small weight difference of 0.5 ounces between the Ravenna 5 and 7’s, with the latter being heavier, which was unnoticeable.

In the more hilly and tougher terrain parts of the course, I could feel the diagonal rollbar guiding my body into it’s natural motion. At the flatter parts of the course, the trainer really allowed me to kick on and push my time moving me further up the field. Halfway around the loop of the course, there was a huge and I mean huge puddle! I had to go straight through soaking the trainers, after a few hundred metres the wetness subsided and the trainers went back to their natural state. I had to go through that same puddle three times, but it didn’t affect my overall performance, I actually quite enjoyed it!

At the end of the run I gave the last 500 metres a real sprint and thanks to the forefoot pods, the energy return from the trainers felt great allowing me to maintain my speed to the finish line. So the first outing in the Ravenna 7’s was a real success, at this point I can find no fault in either it’s design or performance. I planned to go on a longer run to see how the trainer would fair. As you can see from the picture below it was a muddy one! Trainers still look great though!

On 10th February, three days had passed since running Sunday, and the trainers support had really improved my post run recovery. I was feeling very fresh and ready for the run ahead. I took off on a ten mile run, on a flatter more road terrain across residential hilly areas. Much like the Grand Prix race, the trainer performed outstandingly. The updated adjustable saddle kept my midfoot secure. I felt all the benefits of the trainers cushioning and completed the ten miles feeling in great shape. Here are some pictures from my second run, which ended up muddier than expected!

Here are some video’s during and after my run:

Having upgraded to the latest model, whilst I was sad to retire my Ravenna 5’s, I must say that as a long distance runner, the Ravvena 7’s are everything the hype portrayed and they lived up to expectations. In my opinion, much like the Ravenna 5’s, they are built for longer distances. I think the most important thing to say is that you will find a massive difference in your post run recovery enabling you to go out further, and more often.

The trainers can be bought from most web based retailers and in stores. Prices range from £99.00– £115.00. I would highly recommend a pair!

Facebook engagement https://m.facebook.com/groups/941293069245570?view=permalink&id=1028766670498209&ref=bookmarks

Brooks Ravenna 5 Review

SHOE INFO

Brand: Brooks

Model: Ravenna 5

Weight: 10.3 oz (292 grams)

I purchased my first ever pair of Brooks recently and picked up the Ravenna 5. They are from the spring/summer 2014 range. A lot of members in our Facebook group Running The Distance speak highly of Brooks. As a brand I wasn’t familiar with, I wanted to test a more affordable pair first before looking at the high end prices.

First off, the trainers look pretty great and come in a wide range of colours to suit a variety of tastes. I went with the grey, with yellow, white and black trim. First impressions, I can’t fault the look other than for me, they looked a bit wide and chunky compared to my previous trainer of another brand.

On my 1st run, I laced up and instantly found them comfortable with excellent support for my large frame. As a 6 4″ runner, I felt the extra cushioning was needed due to niggling knee and calf pain. So off I went on a five mile run at a steady pace. At around two miles in there was slight discomfort in my right foot and ankle. As I had experienced this previously with other brands of new trainers I persevered and the discomfort subsided after another mile or two.

During the run the extra cushioning from the extended segmented crash pad noticeably helped absorb and take the strain of the roads and hilly parts of my route. At 10.3 oz in weight, they were over two ounces heavier than some other trainers I have. This took a bit of getting used to, and my pace was impacted slightly by the weight difference.

So the five mile was completed and apart from the discomfort in my ankle and foot, possibly from previous niggling injuries, the trainers felt great and I was very pleased with their first outing.

On 24th January, I took off on a ten mile run, this was the furthest I’d ever run before. As I’d been out several times previously, any issues that had arisen from the first run had passed and my feet had settled into the new trainers. The run overall went great and at no point during the run did I have knee or calf issues. I even went off road slightly but wouldn’t recommend that too often as you can see from the below photo they took a bit of a pounding from the mud!

Here’s a video from my run:

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the trainer and would certainly recommend them as a first pair of Brooks to anyone. I have noticed a huge improvement in my after run recovery and I’m aching far less days after a long run. In my opinion they are built for longer distances, you wouldn’t expect to be excelling at say a 5k. There more for 10k and over.

The trainers can be bought from most web based retailers and in stores. Prices range from £39.99 – £75.00, go grab yourself a pair!

Facebook engagement https://m.facebook.com/groups/941293069245570?view=permalink&id=1018206668220876&comment_id=1018210798220463&ref=m_notif&notif_t=group_comment&actorid=284205049