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)
New Balance 1080v13 Review: Put Your Hands in the Air
INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW BALANCE 1080V13 MEAGHAN: It’s been a rollercoaster ride of emotions with the New Balance 1080. The flagship daily trainer/workhorse in the New Balance lineup, the shoe has seen its ebbs and flows over the last few years. Version 10? Amazing. Version 11? Horrible. Version 12? Ehhhhh. I kept my hopes high for lucky number 13, but honestly had no expectations. Would this new upper and midsole formulation get us back on the up and up? Or would our stomachs drop as we fell into another dip? Get your ticket and jump on the ride, and let’s see where this ends up. THOMAS: Picture my hands up in the air as I ride the coaster with Meaghan cause I would agree that the 1080 experience has had its ups and downs. The good news is, the v13 has us excited to take a ride. New Balance 1080v13, men’s release colorway CHAD: Prior to joining Believe in the Run, my only New Balance running shoe experience was the 860v12, one of New Balance’s stability offerings. Since then, I’ve run in the More v4, the RC Elite v2, the SC Trainer v2, and the Vongo v6 (which I have in the testing rotation). Each shoe has been an absolute hit for me in its individual category, and my experiences have turned me into a certified New Balance fan. So when I found out that I’d be testing the 1080v13, three words came to mind: Oh hell yeah! Having run in the max-cush Fresh Foam shoe in the More v4 and the Fresh Foam stability shoe in the 860, I was excited to try out the shoe that New Balance considers to be one of its most versatile daily trainers. The 1080v13 features a mid-to-high stack height in a reasonably weighted package, at 9.24 oz. for a US M9 (7.27 oz. for a US W7). Padded heel tab CARYN: In a previous review, I quaintly described how for the better part of a decade, I wore exactly one style of running shoe. After joining a training group and taking a job in specialty run, my eyes were opened (quite literally, in the stock room) to the plethora of options that were not my beloved Gel-Kayano. This was the precipice of the max cushion, carbon-plated revolution– think Chicago Marathon starting line 2018, neon Vaporfly 4% erry’where. Seeing as I opted to run that marathon in a pair of Brooks Adrenaline because they were lighter than my Kayano (again, I’ll let you mull that one over for a minute), I clearly wasn’t sold. With the dawn of the 4%, stack heights crept up slowly, and then explosively. It wasn’t until a shipment of the 1080v10 arrived at our store that I felt drawn to the cush. The 1080v10 had this fabulous combination of New Balance’s Fresh Foam X, which was soft yet somehow still a touch responsive, and a supportive knit upper that hugged your foot in the best way. The 1080v10 was my gateway into the max cushion universe, and remains in my top five favorite daily trainers of all time (yeah, I said it). I went so much as to continue buying it on eBay for years, because future iterations just didn’t come close to replicating the magic of version 10. Versions 11 and 12 both lacked structure to me, with the sizing way off and the upper sagging in various places. When Version 13 showed up on my doorstep earlier this summer, I couldn’t help but hope it would be a true return to the 1080 glory days. WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THE NEW BALANCE 1080V13 MEAGHAN: If you ran in the previous model of this shoe, you know the knit upper left a lot to be desired. On step-in, it was clear this was no longer the case. The completely new mesh upper is structured and highly padded around the tongue and collar for a comfortable, locked down fit. It’s stretchy, but not so much that your foot slides around, as it did in the previous version. Beneath the foot also feels like a huge upgrade. The new formulation of Fresh Foam X is soft yet bouncy and responsive. It felt good on step-in and even better out on the roads. With 35 mm of stack underfoot this shoe doesn’t make it into the max cush category, but it felt like plenty of shoe. My W7.5 came in at 8 oz/240g which falls right into the middle range for daily trainers. THOMAS: The 1080 is the one shoe in the New Balance lineup that is designed to work well for the widest variety of runners. The shoe delivers a premium neutral daily trainer fit and feel. The Fresh Foam X is so plush I wonder why you would need the New Balance max cush More v4. If you like the good sweet cush, this is a daily trainer for you. The 1080 v13 smoothes out the road but still gives you a little zing. This is not one of those cushioned shoes that sacrifices pop for squish. I’m not saying the 1080v13 is super responsive, but it is not a foot pillow. My size 10.5 weighs a middle of the road 10.2 oz/289g. The upper is a massive improvement over the previous model. The standard D width fits my narrow foot almost perfectly and runs true to size. There is zero puckering at the bottom of the U-throat. I had no hot spots, rubbing, or heel lift. New York City Marathon details on tongue CHAD: I usually always say that comfort is key when it comes to running shoes, and New Balance always seems to listen to me. The step-in feel and comfort of the 1080v13 is top notch, both in the upper and underfoot. The upper provides a solid lockdown while also having adequate room for high volume feet. Underfoot while walking around, the cushioning and bounce of the Fresh Foam X midsole is noticeable and much appreciated. I could see this being a shoe I would wear casually or on a
Patagonia Running: Our Picks for Fall 2023
GET OUT Patagonia is synonymous with sustainability and quality in the outdoor industry. From their 1% for the Planet pledge to their Fair Trade Certified manufacturing facilities, they’re always on the cutting edge of ethical outdoor apparel. They stand by their products and offer gear repairs and a Worn Wear store for gently used items. You get it– they talk the talk and walk the walk. While Patagonia is the quintessential gorpcore vibe, campy through and through, runners should know that their performance run gear is just as solid as their outdoor goods. So we’re here to walk you through our favorite Patagonia pieces for running. From shorts to joggers to hydration vests and duffel bags, this is gear that will stay with you for many miles to come. OUR FAVORITE PATAGONIA RUNNING GEAR FOR FALL ROAD OR TRAIL Strider Pro 5″ Shorts ($85) We get in a lot of shorts to review at Believe in the Run, because they’re basically the only thing that’s a requirement for every runner. And I’ll be honest, a lot of brands just throw in the towel when it comes to shorts, or, alternatively– overthink and over engineer them. The Strider Pro 5” shorts strike a perfect balance between simplicity and good design. A quick-drying recycled polyester made from 90% ocean plastic is incredibly lightweight and comfortable with a slight stretch for movement. Four envelope pockets provide plenty of storage for gels, while a center back pocket can hold more. The brief liner is comfortable and the whole thing comes together to make one of the best running shorts out there, rivaling my all-time favorite short, The North Face Better Than Naked (rest in peace). OUTERWEAR Houdini Air ($179) When you talk about lightweight running shells, there are few that have the same legendary status as the Patagonia Houdini, a packable and simple shell that provides an extra layer of warmth and protection when needed. That’s great and all, but we’re here to talk about the elevated version of that jacket, the Houdini Air. This shell adds extra weather protection with a DWR finish to keep out light rain (it’s not fully waterproof), while blocking out the wind and keeping in the warmth. We love it because it packs down to basically nothing and looks great, and is technically superior to every other wind shell out there. As such, it’s a great travel companion because it has immense versatility, from running to climbing to exploring to throwing on when the in-flight A/C is too cold. Additional features include low-light visibility, and adjustable hood, and, like all Patagonia products, is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. HEADWEAR Duckbill Cap ($35) Another icon in the trail running/outdoor scene, the Duckbill cap is the standard for short-brim caps. With full perforations on the sides and top, it’s as breathable as a cap you can get. It’s ultra comfortable thanks to the soft, quick-wicking sweatband and the foldable design is perfect for on-the-go. It’s really one of the best running caps that money can buy and beats all the imitators out there. COLD WEATHER GEAR Capilene Midweight Baselayer ($79) Cooler temps are coming, and a good base layer is always a key essential in any runner’s wardrobe. The Capilene midweight works great in that 25F-40F range, as the 100% recycled, hollo-core yarns trap warm air, while wicking moisture away from the body and drying fast. It’s also incredibly comfortable, so can work well as a casual long sleeve or base layer for all your winter activities, whether that’s hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, or more. We also appreciate the small details like the thumb loops for keeping the sleeves down on the hands, as well as a slight stretch that allows for a good range of motion on the run. TRAIL RUNNING Slope Runner Endurance Vest ($159) I ran with this vest throughout the summer and I love that it’s simple and straightforward, with just the right amount of details to keep you comfortable on the run. Hydration vests are oftentimes overbuilt, but this one is stripped down to just the essentials and that’s a good thing. Patagonia says it fits like a shirt and they’re not wrong. Though the vest is minimal, it offers a surprising amount of storage in the form of a large back compartment that’s bladder-compatible, as well as a smaller zipper pocket. The large pocket also has a side zipper so you can pull stuff out while on the go. It comes with two HydraPak soft flasks that are basically my favorite soft flasks and used on a weekly basis. Bungee-style sternum straps are the only weakness in my opinion, I question their durability and felt like there was some bounce when loaded up, in part due to their flexible design. Overall, a pretty great vest. OUTERWEAR Airshed Pro Pullover ($139) If you’re wearing the Airshed for running, it’s probably pretty cold outside. And everyone knows that the worst parts of winter running are the windy days, and that wind shells can sometimes get too hot, but the Airshed bridges the divide. The core area is made from a water-repellent, ultra lightweight Pertex body fabric that’s both stretchy and windproof. So while the pullover is a bit more substantial than your average running top and sits somewhere between a base layer and a light jacket, it does a great job of settling into that in-between area of winter run layers and accomplishing more than one goal at once. Bonus points for the Capilene sleeves– long enough to cover the hands– and fitted hood (no winter cap needed here). BOTTOMS Terrebone Joggers ($99) If you’re not at the “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” phase of your running journey yet, but still want to get outside when it’s below freezing, then the Terrebone Joggers can be a nice companion. Or, just wear them casually, that works too. The slim cut adheres to the standard jogger silhouette and the 100% recycled polyester stretch ripstop is super
Coros Pace 3 First Look: Upgrades in All the Right Places
COROS PACE 3: BACKGROUND & INTRO Back in 2020, Coros released the Pace 2, a small-but-mighty watch that ended up landing our Best In Gear award for best GPS watch of the year. It kind of came out of nowhere– while the original Apex and Vertix were both solid, the first Pace came before all of those, before Coros had even made a ripple in the running world. To be honest, I’m not even sure it was a GPS watch. But the Pace 2– now that was a gem. After reviewing it, I actually thought the watch was priced too low for all its features. No, it didn’t have all the bells and whistles of a Garmin– no music, no maps, no wireless crapabilities. But it had everything a runner needed: crazy battery life, track mode, precision accuracy, and easily built workouts, all in a featherweight package. At $200, the bang easily equaled the buck. That was three years ago. Since then, we’ve seen a ton of software updates and features across the Coros line, as well as new updates to the the Apex and Vertix lines. So what’s new with the Coros Pace 3? Let’s find out. Emma Bates’ nails are on point WHAT’S NEW IN THE COROS PACE 3 ➤ Next-Generation GPS The satellite accessibility is upgraded in this newest version, which can now access 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-tiered watches like the Apex and Vertix. ➤ Battery Life We thought the battery life in the original was already incredible, yet it’s somehow improved in the Pace 3, now with 38 hours of life in full GPS mode. Good luck finding your charger when you only use it every three weeks. Improved GPS and battery life ➤ Touchscreen & Onboard Storage New to the Pace 3 is a touch screen, which is surprisingly useful at times though I usually forget it’s there because I’m so used to using the push crown dial. Additionally, you can now use Bluetooth headphones to connect and listen to music stored directly to the watch. This is a unique feature that other watches in the Pace price tier don’t have (i.e. Garmin Forerunner 55). ➤ New Activity Modes Finally, Coros adds hiking, trail running, skiing, XC skiing, and snowboarding to its activity modes. It was always extremely puzzling to me that the watch was clearly targeted towards runners and had bread crumb navigation but lacked trail running and hiking modes, literally two of the most common activities for runners. You probably won’t run Mags this fast, but you can pretend by setting your watch to metric ➤ Price Increase Yes, the newest version has a price bump, but as I said earlier, I always thought the Pace 2 was priced low. Couple that with inflation and the $229 price tag is more than fair. ➤ Size and weight Somehow, the size is smaller (.6 mm thinner) than the Pace 2 and the weight is essentially the same (1 gram more in the Pace 3). I was fully expecting it to be bigger and heavier, so I was pretty surprised to see it’s pretty much the same. Optional always-on MIP display OUR THOUGHTS The Pace 3 hits all the right notes in terms of upgrades. Obviously it’s not going to be packed with premium features, those elements are reserved for the more higher-priced models. But it’s a big deal that Coros was able to bump up the battery life by nearly 30%, upgrade the GPS chipset, add some offline storage and a touchscreen, and still keep it incredibly lightweight. If you’ve worn the Pace 2, you know how small and lightweight that watch is– it almost feels like a toy. I actually don’t understand how they could make the Pace 3 smaller, with more features. It’s quite impressive. All of this for $229. Choose between nylon or silicone strap One other note– after a teaser reel was posted to the Coros Instagram account, some commenters were speculating the display had been upgraded to an always-on AMOLED. That’s incorrect, and there’s just no way you can get 38 hours of battery with an AMOLED. It’s still a Memory-in-Pixel display; however, it does have an always-on option for extra brightness. We’re testing the watch right now to measure the accuracy and battery, and so far, everything is holding up to the claims in the Coros pitch deck. More testing will come, but for now, we think Coros has another winner on their hands. If you’re looking for a simple and sleek GPS watch with good design and the simplest user interface out there, then you can’t do much better than the Pace 3. At launch, the watch will come in four variations: black with silicone strap, black with nylon strap, white with silicone strap, and white with nylon strap. Additionally, a red Pace 3 Track model will be available for purchase in October. The Coros Pace 3 is available now for $229.
Janji Run Apparel: Our Picks for Fall 2023
FALLING WATER We’re in the thick of fall right now, which means it’s shoulder season, which means it’s basically winter, especially when the sun decides to hide. And while there’s plenty of fall fashion for runners, one of our favorite brands for this time of year is Janji. Born and bred in New England, Janji knows what it takes to run comfortably in the cold. They also have a keen eye for current color palettes and have refined the functionality of their gear over the last decade. In short, you’ve come along at a good time because they’re really hitting their stride right now. Plus, they still stick to their core company values, offering a 5-year guarantee on their gear while donating 2% of every purchase to clean water projects around the globe. They’re basically the indie version of Patagonia… for now. Whether you’re looking for protection from the elements (Rainrunner 2.0) or a cozy outer layer (Waffleloft LS) or the perfect pants for travel (Transit Tech Pant), there’s something in here to take your running to the next level. See what we’ve been loving from Janji for fall 2023. Logo on the Rainrunner 2.0 Rainrunner 2.0 packs into its own pocket OUR FAVORITE JANJI RUNNING GEAR FOR FALL OUTER OR BASE LAYER Waffleloft Long Sleeve ($88) While Nike has a stranglehold on the waffle name when it comes to shoes, it’s a free range world when it comes to waffle thermals. The all-new Waffleloft from Janji is ultra cozy, made from a heavyweight waffle knit (78% recycled polyester) that can be used as a base or outer layer, depending on the temps. It’s also just a really nice shirt for when you want to feel most comfortable (which is really all the time, right?). The integrated thumb slits are a nice touch as well. OUTERWEAR Rainrunner Pack Jacket 2.0 ($198) Personally, I think running rain jackets are pointless outside of ultrarunning (either get wet or get hot), but I’m a huge fan of them for any other life endeavor. The first version of this jacket won our gear of the year a few times over. The new version is somehow even better, made from a lightweight ripstop and 360-degree core ventilation, which is honestly necessary in a running rain jacket. The waterproof rating is 20K, which pretty much means it’s better than any rain jacket out there that isn’t straight PVC. Two hand pockets with a mesh sleeve are essential for carrying and securing gels or phone, plus, it packs down into a self-stowing pocket with an integrated elastic carry strap. Also, the scuba hood with bungee toggles actually keeps wind and rain out. It’s clear that Janji thought out every detail with the Rainrunner 2.0– it’s made exceptionally well and should be a core piece in any runner’s wardrobe. Plus, the new colorways are great. BASE LAYER Repeat Merino Long Sleeve ($88) If you don’t already know, merino is the magic that keeps us running through the winter. It’s extremely odor-resistant, it wicks moisture, and it keeps you warm in any condition. And while the Rover Merino is only 48% merino (compared to 52% in Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer or 90% in Artilect Flatiron Base Layer), it still manages to do the job right. It’s also made from Responsible Wool Standard-certified merino which ensures traceable, non-mulesed wool and best practices are met from farm through production. So if you’re looking for that perfect layer from 35F-55F temperature range, this is the one. ATHLEISURE Transit Tech Pant ($94) While it’s not new, it is one of my most-worn pieces of apparel over the last year. Yes, it can be a running pant if you’re early enough in your running career to still feel shameful wearing full-on tights. But better than that, it’s just a great pair of pants for everyday activities and travel. The Transit Tech Pant is lightweight, quick-drying, and offers just the right amount of flex to stay comfortable in any situation. Bonus points for the dual zip hand pockets and hip drop pocket, perfect for stowing a wallet or phone on the go. BASE LAYER Rover Merino Hoodie ($128) Much like the Merino Long Sleeve above, the Rover hoodie is also made of merino (though it’s only 38% of the material). However, the micro French terry fabric is plush and comfortable while the Spandex allows for a great range of motion while on the go. The scuba hood helps keep wind and cold out, and the integrated thumb slits allow for extra coverage on the hands. It basically covers all the bases from head to, well… waist. LONG RUN LEGGINGS Trail Tight ($98) If you’re looking for warmth in storage all in one package, then you’re looking for the Trail Tight. Made of a breathable 4-way stretch, these tights allow for full range of motion while still offering enough compression to keep you warm over the long run. But the most notable aspect of these tights are the deep side pockets that can easily accommodate a phone or nutrition without bounce. You can pretty much carry anything you want for as long as you want. Which is exactly what you need for you winter marathon training or ultra distances on the trail. HAND WARMTH Vortex Windblock Gloves ($42) A good glove is hard to find– it’s either too thin, or the fingers get cold, or it’s just poorly made. The Vortex goes cancel culture on all those things. With a stowable mitten shell made of PU-coated riptstop, these gloves allow for adjustable warmth and comfort, while offering protection from the wind and elements. But the real bonus is that the mitten comes with a thumb cut-out– a feature often missing from convertible mittens. When we tell you Janji thinks of everything that runners need, this is what we’re talking about. TRAVEL Multipass Sling Bag ($56) Look, we’ve told you a million times over the last 5 years that you need to get this bag. Not sure what else we can
Meg’s Bagel Recipe for Runners (Or Anyone, Really)
WHAT POST LONG-RUN DREAMS ARE MADE OF Back in 2020 when we were all binge watching The Great British Baking show and attempting to make sourdough starter, I learned how to make bagels. Most of my months are spent marathon training with long runs on weekends, so I have a pretty good idea of what I love to eat after 10-20 miles on the road. And I can assure you– nothing beats a round wheel of dough warm out of the oven with egg and cheese in between its slices. It only took one Sunday morning to realize we were never going back to the local bagel shop. These were too good and left the house smelling like a delicious bread bakery. The best part? They’re so easy, even an early morning runner can do it. This is what your life can look like. The entire recipe can be executed with stuff you probably already have in your pantry. And while I wasn’t working with Brooklyn water, I learned that Baltimore water is a pretty good substitute. Whatever you have coming out of your sink faucet will work just as well. All that to say, the final product of this bagel recipe is what I think about for the majority of my long run. The reward is worth the work. Of course, I reference this fueling option quite often on both The Drop and Fuel for the Sole podcasts, so after several hundred DMs requesting the recipe, I’ve finally put it up here. This should go without saying, but as with any recipe that you want to turn out right– don’t skip any steps! It’s worth the extra time. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE MEG’S BAGELS SERVINGS INGREDIENTS For Boiling For Baking Kneading the dough INSTRUCTIONS The house of the rising dough Doughy bagel balls This is what they should look like before dropping into the bath Bath bombs This is what they should look like before dropping into the bath Et voila! Finished bagels!
Pros and Cons of Heart Rate Training For Runners
WHAT IS MAF TRAINING? Many times, heart rate training is synonymous with MAF training, but there are several components that separate the two. MAF stands for Maximum Aerobic Function: our ability to burn body fat for nearly unlimited energy. A key focus of MAF training is to maximize natural fat-burning, which directly improves your health and fitness. Improving your fat burning abilities can be done in a variety of ways, such as training at the right intensity, monitoring nutrition intake in a healthy and sustainable way, and managing stress levels. While most training methods focus on variation of workouts in concert with nutrition and proper fueling, the MAF method starts at the foundation of fitness, focusing on the importance of developing your aerobic base fitness first. This is accomplished through low heart rate training, and only moves onto higher intensity running once a baseline aerobic fitness is established. In doing so, athletes are able to get faster without the common wear, tear and injury that plagues most runners. Over time, the goal is to run faster at the same (or lower) heart rate, both in training and racing. PRO: BENEFITS OF LOW HEART RATE TRAINING There are many benefits to lowering your training intensity (otherwise, why would we do it?). Here are the core benefits: ➤ IMPROVED ENDURANCE By training at a low heart rate, your body becomes more efficient at using oxygen to produce energy, leading to improved endurance over time. Training at a low heart rate increases the number of your mitochondria (part of a cell that makes energy) and improves their efficiency. The more mitochondria you have, the more energy you can create from fat burning. This means you can run faster at the same (or lower) heart rate. ➤ IMPROVED FAT BURNING Low heart rate training teaches your body to burn more fat for fuel, which can improve overall health, resulting in weight loss and improved race times. Since you have a nearly unlimited supply of fat, aerobically fit athletes who pace themselves well can still have energy left at the end of their race, at a time when many runners are forced to slow down significantly. ➤ LOWER CHANCE OF INJURY You are able to train consistently at higher training volume, with limited training stress on your body. Training at a lower intensity reduces the stress on the body’s joints, muscles, and tendons, reducing the risk of injury. ➤ FASTER RECOVERY When you finish a low heart rate run, you should feel like you could do that run again. Low heart rate training can help the body recover more quickly after intense workouts, leading to improved performance over time. ➤ INCREASED MENTAL CLARITY Training at a low heart rate can be a meditative and relaxing experience, leading to improved mood, mental clarity, and reduced stress. CON: FRUSTRATION IN STARTING OUT To say starting out MAF training is a humbling and frustrating experience would be an understatement. In the early stages of MAF training, I had to slow down significantly in my running pace to keep my heart rate below 150. For anyone with an active Strava account, you know the pain is real. And by slowing down, I mean walking. Yes, walking. Before MAF training, I would often run at 6:30-7:00 min/mile (4:02 to 4:21 min/km) pace. When I began MAF training, I was a bit shocked when I realized that running below a 150 heart rate meant slowing down– a lot. Instead of a sub-3 hour marathon pace, I was now running 8:30 min/mile (5:17 min/km) on the road, and up to 14 min/mile (6:13 to 8:42 min/km) or slower on trails with hills. For some runners 8:30 min/mile (5:17 mi /km) on the road is a fast pace; however, it felt much slower than I was used to. I clearly remember one of my first runs on the bike path in Long Beach, Calif. As I was running by the ocean trying to keep my hear rate below 150, I was getting passed by several runners. At one point a woman well into her 60’s ran by me. This was something I previously would not have allowed to happen. It was a real hit to the ego and no doubt I was screaming on the inside: “I swear, I can run faster than this!” KEY TAKEAWAY: Intensity discipline in training means to overcome your ego and your short term joy of training hard, to think longer term. Holding back is a big part of this initial journey with MAF low heart rate training. CON: TIME ON FEET AND TAKING WALK BREAKS On my first trail run with some hills, I had to walk all the hills to stay within my MAF zone. I was not used to walking and found it frustrating at first. It was a true blow to my ego. In those first few weeks of MAF training, I changed my mindset about training data. I stopped caring about my running pace and distance covered and started focusing on my heart rate and time on feet. All of a sudden, it didn’t matter anymore if I ran 5 miles or 8 miles, all I cared about was how much time I would spend in my MAF training zone. Pace became irrelevant in those early stages and I changed my watch settings to only show my Heart Rate and workout duration. KEY TAKEAWAY: Reframe your mindset. Instead of focusing on paces and speed, focus on time on feet and accomplishing goals within the MAF framework. TURNING FRUSTRATIONS INTO JOY Something fascinating happens once you get rid of your ego and stop caring about getting passed by other runners, or posting slow times on Strava. At some point you can turn your frustrations of slow running / walking into joy. This happens for some athletes sooner than for others. Some athletes never get there. After a few weeks of training at a lower intensity, I noticed many benefits and positive adaptations. For example: KEY TAKEAWAYS: MAF training requires sacrifice in