Posts tagged trainers
Shoes: White Pumps for Spring and Summer
01 month ago
A pair of white Converse All Stars is a wardrobe staple. They are such a versatile shoe for spring and summer – go with every outfit, are very comfortable, great for men and women, ideal for home and holiday wear.
Agree?
If you don’t, but still want to have some gorgeous white pumps for this season, then there are alternatives.
These Superga white pumps are lovely with the patterned white upper. They are a lightweight canvas and look very feminine.
Keds are low profile and very light to wear – you don’t get a much simpler shape than these.
I love Vans and these white ones are fabulous. This was the first style that Vans sold when they started trading in 1966.
(Oh and don’t worry about the white and the British weather/dirty pavements – Converse come up nice and clean in the washing machine!)
Disclaimer: I have a partnership with Spartoo which involves me writing posts about shoes available from their online store. I have not been told what to write about and I have been no less honest as a result.
Review: Brooks Lady Adrenaline GTS 13 Running Shoes from SportsShoes.com
02 months ago
I mentioned in my post about my dream motorcycling holiday that I need to get myself fitter and stonger over the next year if I am to enjoy it as much as I want to. One way I am doing that is by running – well, jogging – again. I used to run quite a lot, I’ve completed a good number of 10k road races; but once I realised it had become a chore I put my running shoes away for a while and changed to other things. I know running works for me – it’s a great way to get outdoors and it soon ups my fitness level.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been getting back into it. I’m not at any great distance yet – this we’ve I’ve managed two 2.65 mile runs (and I was quite proud of myself for those!) – but this is me starting again having not run regularly for a long time, and not at all for months.
This has all been helped thanks to being sent a pair of trainers to review by SportsShoes.com. In fact I was allowed to choose. Which took a while. There are so many to choose from! So I started with the wet foot test…
To find out what type of runner you are you just need to do the simple wet test, and for this all you need is a bowl of water, a dark piece of paper (a brown or manila envelope is ideal) and your feet. Just dip the sole of your foot into the water, shake off any excess, then press your foot onto the paper/envelope as if you were walking over it. Match the imprint left behind to the symbols to find out what type of runner you are.
It was a bit of an odd thing to do (and it doesn’t replace proper gait analysis, which I have had done before) but according to my footprint I’m a mild to moderate overpronator which means my arch collapses through the gait cycle and my foot rolls inwards. Apparently this is completely normal (phew!) – 60-80% of runners overpronate. I therefore need a running shoe offering support features inside the shoe. Thankfully the trainers on SportsShoes.com are all categorised into the different types so I could simply select this type of shoe and it narrowed my selection to those which would be most appropriate for me.
After considering various brands and styles and colours I decided on a pair of black runners – the Brooks Lady Adrenaline GTS 13 running shoes – I’ve not got any black trainers and I quite like the idea of being a bit understated on my feet for a change.
The bit that makes these trainers good for the overpronator is the PDRB – a triple-density post on the medial side of the shoe for extra support and allow for progressive pronation control and to create a smoother transition through the stride. They also have excellent cushioning via the BIOMOGO midsole, reducing shock and providing a smooth take off and landing, which is ideal for running on concrete and tarmac which is less than forgiving. They’re flexible too, thanks to Omega Flex Grooves, and grippy thanks to the Omni Grooves in the forefoot. Basically these shoes offer support, cushioning, grip and spring.
One really nice touch on these trainers I’ve not come across before is the extra little bit for your laces to go through on the tongue. You can see it on the right of the photo below (problem with black trainers is it’s difficult to show all the detail nicely!) – it acts to stop the tongue from slipping round to the side while you run. It’s a really simple addition but it works a treat, these trainers stay put, the laces do their job, and they are as comfortable at the end of a run as at the beginning.
I chose my usual shoe size for these trainers and they fit a treat. When I first put them on I really noticed the support inside – they hold my feet snuggly and have a bit under the arch which stops my foot collapsing as I jog. I say I noticed it to start with as after wearing these trainers for a few miles I now don’t notice it in the same way. Rather I notice when I put on my other trainers on that they don’t have the same level of support, and I miss it – even though my old runners were designed for overpronation, they’re now old and could probably do with being shown the bin. That simple wet foot resulted in trainers that offer me a very smooth ride.
The mesh sections of these trainers are designed to help the shoe fit well on your feet as well as to keep your feet cool. So far I’ve only been jogging in very low temperatures (stupid weather), but I must say that I can really feel the air moving around and through the shoe, keeping my feet happy while jogging.
I’m very pleased with my choice. These trainers are comfortable, offer decent support and cushioning, and I think they look great. I might have only done relatively short distances in them so far but I hope to build that up over the next couple of months as I get fitter, and I have no doubt that these trainers will help me do that.
Disclaimer: I was sent these trainers to review. I have not been told what to say and have been no less honest as a result of receiving the product for free.
Shoes by Coca Cola?
22 months ago
When I was a teenager – 17 or 18 or so – I had a pair of Coca Cola jeans. No really. I loved them. They had a fabulously flattering shape, low on the waist, skinny through the thigh, opening out into an understated flare at the ankle. They had that Coca Cola logo thing on the pocket and a bit of red at the hem too. They fitted a treat. Then they didn’t. I kept them for ages in the hope I’d once again get back into them. Once I realised I had no hope I put them in a charity bag. It was a sad day. My favourite ever pair of jeans.
Why am I telling you this? I spotted some Coca Cola sandals on the Spartoo website and it brought memories of those jeans flooding back! Naturally I could happily wear a pair – I am sponsored by Coca Cola after all! But could you? Is it ok for drinks companies to make shoes?
And they’re not understated either…
…these espadrilles are in the brand’s bright red and include a massive Coca Cola logo on the back. And these wedge sandals don the brand equally as obviously.
How about these more vintage looking ballerina flats? Would you wear these?
I think of the styles currently online my favourite are these trainers. The most discrete of them all I actually really like the colour combination and they look comfortable too.
So would you?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Spartoo but I have not been told what to write about and I have been no less honest as a result.
Shoes: Wedge Trainers
04 months ago
I have been looking at the range of wedge high top trainers around at the moment for ages (and ages) – they’ve been around for a good while now now – wondering if I should. I am torn. I think I like the way they look. I like that they would give me some additional height and be comfortable. But I’m just not sure.
These three models from Ash are the ones I keep looking at. I like that the uppers are just like traditional old-fashioned trainers, with dark colours and velcro straps. I like that the wedge is hidden – the trainer is built up inside rather than having a seam or change of material along the line of the insole. The ones at the bottom are my favourite style, but I prefer the colours of the ones in the middle.
I tried some (a different brand) on in Office yesterday and thought they’re just not me. Maybe I should just stick with flat skate shoes like Vans and Etnies. Yes? No?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Spartoo but I have not been told what to write about and I have been no less honest as a result.
Review: Greeper Laces
04 months ago
A short while ago I tested and reviewed a pair of Salomon trainers that had a new-to-me lacing system which locked shut and didn’t budge, keeping the trainers securely on my feet without any worry.
Greeper Laces have a similar look about them, and come with the tagline “once applied, always tied”. They are replacement laces for sports and other shoes that will never come undone – perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to stop, bend down and re-tie laces at any time.
These standard oval laces (available in a range of nice bright colours so you can pick something that doesn’t clash with your shoes quite like mine!) sit in a ready-tied nice neat bow. To loosen them you pull the tab down towards your toes, to tighten them you pull the loops as you would a normal bow.
Unusually, you ‘install’ these laces upside down – that is, from the top of your trainers down to the bottom. You end up with two ends which you tie (the knot is under the plastic cover at the bottom) together, ending up with laces that can be done up really quickly and then stay like that until you choose to loosen them. Completely perfect for anyone competing in a triathlon where the transitions can be equally as important as performance in the three disciplines, they are designed for anyone who wants a locking lace system that uses traditional laces rather than elastic ones.
These do indeed work. The laces stay put. And despite the clashing blue and green I reckon they look great too.
Disclaimer: I was sent these laces to review. I have not been told what to say and have been no less honest as a result of receiving the product for free.
Review: Stuffits
14 months ago
The problem with our hobbies being walking, motorcycling and skiing is that we often end up with a line of boots by the back door drying or airing out. Stinky damp boots. Yuk!
I came across Stuffits at the end of last year and just had to try them out. The company was very kind and sent me a set for my boots and one for my helmet.
The shoe savers have very recently been launched in the UK. Here’s the marketing info…
- Dual-wick fabric combined with natural cedar inserts quickly and effectively protect shoes from moisture and odour
- Soft, lightweight, foot-shaped form fits easily into all types of shoes
- 100% natural cedar means no chemicals, sprays, or powders touch shoes or feet
- Convenient carry straps keeps dry and fresh-smelling shoes together wherever you go
- Reusable over and over again!
Since I had these they have pretty much lived in my hiking boots or snow boots (these seem to be the footwear I’ve used outdoors). The medium size fits perfectly – snug but without stretching – into my size 7 shoes.
I am impressed with the way the Stuffits not only help to dry out my shoes from the inside (which is the bit that takes the longest if they’ve got very wet) but also works to reduce any odour that might have developed after several hours walking. I also like the way the shoe Stuffits can be joined together using the strap, so I can put them in my boots and hang them up, again helping them to dry out and air.
I was even more impressed that when putting these into soaking wet shoes, after leaving them overnight my shoes were dry and there was no trace of any musty damp smell that often lingers, especially in trainers. These nice looking cedar filled shoe savers are my new friends after a long walk for sure!
As for the helmet one I can see where the name came from – Stuffits! I can ram it into my extra small Arai Condor just about (it fits into LincsGeek’s medium sized Caberg much easier), and while I wouldn’t store my helmet like that as I wouldn’t want to affect the shape of the foam interior (and therefore perhaps the fit), I am happy to leave it in there for a few hours to do its work. There is honestly nothing worse than a very sweaty motorcycle helmet, and I will absolutely be taking this simple accessory on the Graham Homes Memorial Ride later in the year.
I have found Stuffits true to their word. They help to dry out shoes and helmets, do their work on any odours, are easy to use and can be used many times over – a few months after receiving my samples they are still working just as well as they did when they arrived. A brilliant idea.
It was a shame I couldn’t fit these in my suitcase when we went skiing as we really could have done with both types while we were away!
Disclaimer: I was sent Stuffits to review. I have not been told what to say and have been no less honest as a result of receiving the product for free.
