Category Archives: Kit

Jun 27 2013
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Kit, Lust List, Running, Shoes

Move over Harrison, there’s a new Blade Runner in town – Adidas Springblade promises “indestructible” shoes that will provide epic energy returns

Check out the ridges on that…

Adidas have always been at the forefront of ground-breaking running technology, and its latest innovation is no different.

One of the obvious problems every runner faces is running out of energy – it’s just how our bodies are. Now Adidas aren’t saying they’ve managed to find the cure for fatigue (because that would be pretty damn special), but hot on the heels of their Energy Boost release a month back, they’re looking to make to make a decent stab at giving you that extra boost with their new Springblade shoes.

Promising to “unleash explosive energy”, the Springblade is the first running shoe with individually tuned blades which are engineered to help propel runners forward with what the company states is one of the most effective energy returns in the industry.

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Jun 20 2013
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Kit, Shoes

Could 3D printing be the next leap forward for shoe manufacturers?

3D printing technology could lead to the rise of individually-designed shoes

The Financial Times reported last week on how major shoe manufacturers, most notably Nike and Adidas, are embracing 3D printing technology in order to speed up the shoemaking process, using the technology to make multiple prototype versions at a previously impossible speed.

3D printing technology is becoming an increasingly hot topic in the technology spread, especially as its use becomes more widely used and reported, and the fact that such major companies are utilising it now should mean some interesting future developments – particularly given the bad press that the 3D printing industry has encountered following the hype over home-made guns in the U.S.

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Jun 16 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

Fashion designer Rick Owens announces collaboration with Adidas

Rick Owens will be designing a range of shoes for both men and women (Photo:Getty)

Not strictly a tech story – but an intriguing one nonetheless…prominent American fashion designer Rick Owens has announced that he is teaming up with Adidas to design a new line of running shoes.

The award-winning fashionista is creating a line which will include six styles for men and four for women. The shoes will stick to one silhouette, but be available in a range of fabrics and colours–think mostly black, grey, and white; with materials being a combination of leather, suede, nylon, and canvas.

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Jun 12 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

New online running store will pay for your old shoes

Kindrunner.com will reimburse you for your old shoes, and send them to those in need

 

A new online running shoe store has introduced a way for runners to save money on new shoes while also keeping their old pair out of landfill and helping people in need.

Billing itself as the first socially responsible ecommerce site for runners, Kindrunner.com pays for consumers to send in their old pair of running shoes with the purchase of a new pair. Along with free shipping, the shoe donation comes with a $10 credit toward a future purchase and the satisfaction of knowing your used shoes will end up on the feet of a person who otherwise would have gone without.

“Kindrunner.com’s mission is to change the way runners think about how they use and consume their shoes, while rewarding customers with our eco-centric approach,” says Kindrunner.com’s co-founder Michael Conforti.

The donated shoes will go to two nonprofit organizations, Sole4Souls and MORE Foundation Group, which deliver used shoes to poor communities around the world.

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May 18 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

Continental partnership with Adidas stops you from getting tyre-d….(sorry)

Tire manufacturer Continental has shed some light on an often-ignored facet of their business this week, revealing some in-depth details of the company’s partnership with Adidas.

Shoes such as the Adidas’ Adiprene Formotion were developed in association with Continential

The wonderfully-named Tire Review reports that, in addition to manufacturing commercial, consumer and off-road tires, the German manufacturer has supplied rubber compounds to Adidas for the past few years. These compounds are used to produce non-slip soles for more than 30 models of men and women’s running and trekking shoes, and provide “noticeably improved” grip on wet and dry surfaces.

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May 15 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes, Walking

Running out of steam? Barefoot shoes sales plummet in Q1 2013

Out of touch? Sales of shoes such as the Vibram Five Fingers fell for the first time this quarter

The latest data from industry watcher SportsOneSource has shown that sales of minimalist or ‘barefoot’ running shoes, such as the Vibram Five Fingers, has dropped by more than 10% in the first quarter of 2013.

A company spokesperson stated that, “minimalist/barefoot declined in the low teens and represented only about 4% of total running…It appears this fad is pretty much over”.

The figures, contained in the company’s quarterly report, are in contrast to many of SportsOneSource’s quarterly reports in the last few years, where the minimalist category had some of the highest growth, while sales in other footwear categories such as motion control and stability stagnated or fell.

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May 10 2013
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Kit, Shoes

ASICS announce a whole lot of “What’s Next”

ASICS US has this week introduced its new line of footwear, apparel and accessories, which it says is created specifically for the athletic training market. The company is promoting these new products with a new advertising campaign built around the concept of “Next”: the moment when, ‘an athlete pushes their limits to achieve their goal and immediately focuses on the next challenge’.

Until now, the brand has been a bit player in the training space, controlling less than 1% of the $1.7 billion category. The training line includes six footwear styles and two apparel collections. Each style of footwear is intended for a different type of activity, such as short interval workouts, dance, barefoot training and variable training, like Crossfit.

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Apr 30 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

Puma Mobium Elites look to provide purrrrfect performance

Miaow…

Have you ever watched your cat sprint around the house and leap wherever it wants? That agility is definitely something to envy, and it seems that the boys over at Puma certainly agree.

Launching a new-to-market category of performance running—“Adaptive Running”, the new Puma Mobium Elite is inspired by cats paws, which compress together during its propulsion phase and expand during stance phase to provide cushioning, PUMA Mobium Elite’s ‘Expansion Pods’ on the outsole of the shoe expand and contract with the foot.

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Apr 23 2013
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Apps, Kit

Runtastic’s new biking apps should be all you need to get back in the saddle

Time to get out on the road

Time to get out on the road!

Having trouble motivating yourself to get out – even in the new sunny weather? Got a new bike for Christmas that’s just been sitting collecting dust in your shed or hallway? Then the folks at Runtastic might just be the answer, especially if you’re up for a bit of biking.

The company has today announced the release of two new apps, alongside some new kit to accompany it in the shape of the Runtastic Bike Case, and the Runtastic Speed & Cadence Sensor. Launching for the first time on Android, and with new features on iOS, the Runtastic Road Bike and Mountain Bike apps are aiming to transform your smartphone into the best cycling computers on the market.

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Apr 08 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

Adidas sign up David Beckham to promote new climacool Revolution shoes

Adidas has signed up David Beckham to launch its newest climacool Revolution running shoe this week. The new shoes promise the coolest run yet, thanks to a “360 degree ventilation running experience”, that allows ventilation from the sides of the shoe, as well as from above, as in current climacool footwear.
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