Category Archives: Running

Jul 09 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

Feeling hot under the collar? New Reebok U-Form + allow you to give your shoes the hairdryer treatment

As any runner knows, breaking in new shoes can be a real pain. You may think you’ve got a well-fitted, comfy pair of shoes, but that first run in the rain or extreme heat can make you think again.

But all this could be about to change, thanks to a rather nifty idea from Reebok. They are introducing the U-Form +, featuring new, heatable, mouldable technology which makes this literally the hottest running shoe on the market, designed to shrink-to-fit using heat from your hairdryer.

Heat to fit – mould the Reebok U-Form + with an everyday hairdryer

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Jul 01 2013
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Around the web, Kit, Running, Shoes

Make mine a king-size – new UK-developed running shoes utilise state-of-the-art mattress technology

Following the unveiling of Adidas’ new Springblade range last week, it seems that spring-filled shoes are suddenly all the rage. But a new offering from Yorkshire is also introducing bouncing technology in their kit – although in a slightly less hi-tech fashion

Say hello to the Preston – not exactly the most snappy name, (makes us think of Wallace and Gromit or the Ordinary Boys) but with some seriously British ingenuity behind it.

Making the most of the fly-tippers worst enemy – the Preston has tiny mattress springs inside

Named after the University of Central Lancashire where the shoe was designed, the Preston features miniature mattress pocket springs in the soles – unsurprising as it is the brainchild of a Yorkshire-based mattress company (yes really), and a biomechanics professor, who hope their product will significantly reduce the risk of injury from running.

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Jun 27 2013
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Kit, Running, Shoes

Adidas bringing NFC technology to Boost trainer range

Coming to a shoe near you soon…

Not content with trying to make the mere act of running easier for all , Adidas is now giving your shoes the ability to decide on your next major purchase for you, all via the magic of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The company has announced that it will be adding a “lace jewel” with an embedded NFC chip to its Boost running shoes, enabling shoppers with an NFC phone to tap it for detailed product information and to see reviews.

The system uses NFC specialist Thinaire‘s platform and is now live in stores in New York and California. The NFC jewels are branded, decorative tags which are threaded onto the shoe’s lace. On-shelf placards in stores inform customers that they can tap the jewel with their NFC phone for further information and store assistants are also being equipped with NFC phones which they can use to register a customer’s purchase.

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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 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 21 2013
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Events/Races, Running

Nike’s “We Own The Night” event a resounding success

Runners stream through the start at the We Own The Night race in London’s Victoria Park (copyright Getty Images)

Nike’s “We Own The Night” women-only 10k run was held in London’s Victoria Park last Saturday, mixing together a great running location with a party atmosphere which will helpfully inspire many more women to take up running.

We’ve mentioned the event on here before, and it’s fantastic to see it was such a success. Runners joined celebrities including London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe to take part in the race through East London as the sun set.

Prior to the race, there was a fantastic party atmosphere, the factor which sets these runs apart from other daytime races, and something it’s clear to see will become part of many more events in the future. A multi-coloured route saw participants run to the sound of disco music, accompanied by smoke machines and glowsticks all the way round

Radcliffe stated, “It’s amazing to see such a young and inspiring group of women coming together to celebrate their newfound love of running. This has been a truly unique six-week training journey and I’m delighted to be here to celebrate with the girls on race day.”

Roll on the next event!

 

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 14 2013
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Apps, Around the web, Events/Races, Running

Around the web – this week’s recommended reading

Some midweek titbits to tantalise and hopefully inspire…

Nike Who? Runtastic Boasts 25 Million Mobile Users – We covered their partnership with Pebble last week, but Runtastic’s app seems to be going from strength to strength. The company has just announced its hit 25 million mobile users – as much as Nike+ (11 million as of February) and RunKeeper (14 million) combined. Its website, Runtastic.com, also has 10 million registered users. (Mashable)

How wearable tech Is changing running – A great feature on how wearable technology is transforming running, from simple pace trackers and heartbeat monitors to newer devices such as the Nike Fuelband, which is taking exercise into the 21st century. Stay tuned for much more on this area on TR.org soon…(Allvocies.com)

World’s oldest marathon man, 102, can’t imagine life without running shoes – And finally, an inspirational and brilliant interview from CNN with Fauja Singh, who hit the headlines after becoming the world’s first 100 year old marathon runner. Now retired, he talks to CNN about how he took up running in his late 80’s, and what tactics kept him going. (CNN)

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