From a physical fitness standpoint, few things (if any) offer as many health benefits crammed into a single package as running. Running burns calories, increases endurance, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the heart… and the list goes on.
Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of running. When I was younger I ran about 3 miles a day, 4-5 days a week. Now that I’m a little older and my body needs a little more work to stay fit, I’ve actually upped my distance to the 5 mile mark. My wife, being the fantastic motivator she is, has also pushed me to compete in numerous half marathons and a few marathons with her. So when it comes to running, I would consider myself to be fairly well versed.
But as great as running is, the benefits do come at a price. Running is a relatively high impact exercise, and if you’re not careful, it can cause significant wear-and-tear on your body.
It’s a lesson I learned when I hit my 30’s.
When I was younger, I didn’t even think about running. I woke up, threw on whatever running shoes or cross trainers I had laying around, and went for a run. But as I got older, my body started giving me signs it was unhappy. Knee pain, in particular, started plaguing me, until eventually it got to the point I had to take days off to let my knees recover. I realized that I needed to start assessing my runs, and figure out exactly what was leading to the uncomfort I was experiencing in my knees.
At the suggestion of my wife, I went to a local shoe store that offered a free running analysis, and found that I over pronate slightly when I step (in other words, I strike more on the outside of my foot). Worse, however, was that my current running shoes were compounding the problem, as they favored those with under pronation (which placed even more strain on my outer leg).
The salesman recommended I switch to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12. I did, and the chronic knee pain I had been experiencing on my runs disappeared virtually overnight. I was so impressed with the analysis and the Brooks that I convinced my wife to have an analysis of her gait performed as well. She did, and subsequently picked up a pair of Brooks Ghost 5. You’ll here from her shortly, but in a nutshell, she says they’re the most comfortable running shoes she’s ever worn.
Here’s a look at both the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 and Brooks Ghost 5, why we love them, and why if you’re serious about running, Brooks needs to be at the top of your list.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 ($110, men’s and women’s)
The 12 in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 name isn’t just a random number, it’s the twelfth revision of Brooks’ popular Adrenaline series. Brooks has been creating the Adrenaline series for quite a while, and it’s clear when you’re wearing the Adrenaline GTS 12’s they know exactly what they’re doing. Simply put, the Adrenaline GTS 12’s are incredibly, incredibly comfortable.
How do they do it? It all begins in the sole.
Turn the Adrenaline GTS 12’s over, and the first thing you’ll notice in the heel area is what Brooks calls the caterpillar crash pad. It’s a segmented rubber pad that provides tremendous cushioning for heel strikers, but because it’s segmented, it still manages to offer a smooth transition into the midfoot.
Another vital piece of comfort that’s built into the sole is what Brooks calls DNA, located both in the heel and the forefoot. Getting geeky for a second, DNA is engineered from what’s called a non-Newtonian liquid, a special substance capable of transforming itself depending on what you need it to do. At slow speeds, like when you’re walking, DNA takes a break and provides maximum cushioning. But as your pace quickens, DNA goes to work and intelligently starts dispersing the pressure, resulting in a still comfortable but firmer sole. You need cushioning, but you need support as well.
And speaking of support, the Adrenaline GTS 12 offers plenty. One of the key ways it does so is with what Brooks calls a Progressive Diagonal roll bar, located in the midsole. According to Brooks, their tri-density PDRB midsoles are biomechanically engineered to allow for progressive pronation control and to create smoother transitions from the midstance phase into the propulsion phase. I don’t know how it works, but after learning of my over pronation and subsequently logging 100+ miles on my GTS 12’s, I can tell it works. Knee pain and shin pain are completely gone, and I’m feeling a comfort level when running I’ve never felt before. They’re just awesome.
Up top, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12’s note a super flexible, supremely breathable mesh upper that looks great. While not ideal in wet conditions, they’re fantastic for everything else thanks to their excellent cooling and moisture management properties.
From a fit standpoint, the core of the upper’s design is a lacing system with four stretch points. The idea is that regardless of your foot shape, the GTS 12’s can adapt to your foot and lock it in closer to the midsole. Another element of the Adrenaline’s that I love is that in the heel area, Brooks has added a split collar lining that significantly reduces friction (and in turn, reduces the chance of heel blisters). For me, all of this adds up to a fit that borders on perfection. They’re supportive, perfectly snug, and have ample room in the toe box.
Do I love my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12’s? Absolutely. Do I recommend them to everyone? No, because as I came to learn, you need to pick a shoe based on your specific gait. But for anyone that suffers from moderate pronation, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12’s are absolutely fantastic. They’ve completely eliminated all the unnecessary pain I’d been enduring by running with the wrong shoes, and I haven’t looked back since.
For those of you that either are neutral footed, have more pronation or under pronate, fret not. Brooks has a fantastic tool (which you can try here) that analyzes your gait from the comfort of your own computer. Take the test, and you’ll see precisely what shoes they recommend. Best of all, they have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if they get it wrong, you can trade them in for a different pair.
To learn more about the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12, head over to the official Brooks website for more details and ordering info. And if you’re unsure of sizing, be sure to check out the “What’s My Size” tool on the Adrenaline GTS 12’s product page, which is an incredibly accurate way to get the perfect size without trying on the shoes first.
Brooks Ghost 5 ($110, men’s and women’s)
Whereas I’m a proud owner of the Adrenaline GTS 12’s, my wife owns the Brooks Ghost 5 – an ideal fit for neutral gaits. Rather than attempt to review the shoe for her, I’ll let her take it from here.
I’ve tried countless pairs of running shoes from all different brands, and pretty much all of them end in blisters. It’s so bad I’ve actually accepted the fact that blisters are a requirement of running. Or so I thought. After witnessing my husband’s new love of running thanks to his Brooks, mixed with some gentle prodding on his part, he convinced me to try the running test as well. They told me I was a neutral gait, but that the blisters I was experiencing were due to my wider than normal feet (which, by the way, isn’t exactly something women like to hear).
They recommended the Brooks Ghost 5 in a wide fit. Like my husband, it was my first pair of Brooks, so I wasn’t sure of what to expect. But after my first run in them, I officially became a Brooks convert. For the first time in recent memory I’ve been able to run blister free. I really can’t say I how happy I am with them and how much better my feet feel.
Some of the things I love about the Brooks Ghost 5: number one, the comfort. For me, they offer the perfect level of comfort, especially during my longer runs. The caterpillar crash pad extends through the length of the shoe, so there’s a really nice level of cushioning and flexibility throughout my stride. There’s also Brooks DNA incorporated into the sole, which provides me more cushioning at slower speeds but gets firmer as my speed increases.
Another thing I love about the Ghost 5’s is the fit. They’re snug and supportive, but there’s plenty of room in the toebox for my feet, which is something that’s very difficult for me to find in a shoe.
Lastly, I love the look of the Ghost 5’s. I personally like the purple because of the bright colors, and was surprised at how much detail has been incorporated into the design. They look great – so great, in fact, that a few of my friends purchased pairs of their own, one of them for running and two of them for the style.
The Brooks Ghost 5 is really a great shoe if you’re a neutral runner, and if you’re prone to blisters, there’s a really good chance it will alleviate any problems you’re currently experiencing. I’m finally pain free when running, and because of this, I’m a Brooks convert. I recommend them to everyone I know, and I recommend them to you.
To learn more about the Brooks Ghost 5, head over to the official Brooks website for more details and ordering info. And to ensure the right size without ever leaving your computer, be sure to check out the “What’s My Size” tool on the Ghost 5’s product page.
Imagine, if you will, a perfect running trail that you have all to yourself, the sound of your footsteps echoing in perfect unison to the beat of your favorite tunes. But with temperatures jumping to 90+ degrees across the country this past week, it’s a fantasy that involves a certain level of discomfort, due to the unavoidable perspiration soaked t-shirt and shorts. Thankfully, North Face has a solution, and it involves running naked. Well, sort of.
Instead of running naked, North Face has what they call the Better Than Naked Running Collection, a super lightweight, ultra breathable collection aimed at making you forget you’re wearing anything. Several members of our staff picked up both men’s and women’s pieces from the collection, and with the recent surge in temps, we got a chance to test the North Face Better Than Naked running collection’s prowess in the wild. Here’s what we thought of each.
The North Face Men’s and Women’s Better Than Naked Short ($50-$55)
For any runner (and men in particular), finding the perfect running short is a vital component in maximizing your comfort during a long on the road/trail. From a coolness standpoint, you need a short that’s lightweight, breathable, and helps keep the temps down when things get hot; and from a comfort standpoint, having a short that offers support while running, without chaffing, is also a necessity. The North Face Better Than Naked Short excels in both areas, as it’s constructed from super-lightweight, breathable materials that still offers support (in the men’s short) to keep your valuables exactly where you want them. Another great feature is the lack of an inseam, meaning chaffing is non-existent.
On the road, they perform brilliantly. In blistering 90-degree heat, they perform as exactly as advertised, keeping you as cool as possible; offering the ideal level of support and compression (in the men’s short); and eliminating chaffing entirely. To be honest, running in just the short without a shirt, the areas covered by the short were actually cooler – a testament to their Better Than Naked namesake.
Some of the other features offered by The North Face Better Than Naked short include:
Overall, if you’re looking for the perfect summer running short that’s cool, super comfortable and still supportive, you can’t go wrong with the Better Than Naked short. You can learn more about The North Face Men’s and Women’s Better Than Naked Short or pick up a pair for yourself at The North Face website.
The North Face Men’s and Women’s Better Than Naked Crew ($50-$55)
Matching beautifully the form and function of the Better Than Naked short, The North Face also offers the Better Than Naked crew, a fantastic short-sleeve option for running in high heat. As with the Better Than Naked short, the crew is constructed from super-lightweight, super-breathable fabrics; while bonded stitchless seams have been utilized to eliminate chaffing potential.
It’s a construction that performs beautifully in high temperatures, as the Better Than Naked Crew does a fantastic job wicking away moisture and helping keep the temperature down. In testing the crew, we opted to run both with the crew and shirtless to compare body temps, and the time with the crew was without question the cooler option. Its ability to block the sun’s rays while minimizing moisture means you get the best of both worlds – sun protection and optimal cooling – while its stitchless seams and stretch side panels ensure the crew doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
Other features of The North Face Better Than Naked Crew include:
You can learn more about The North Face Men’s and Women’s Better Than Naked Crew or pick up your own at The North Face website.
The North Face Men’s and Women’s Better Than Naked Jacket ($129)
The last piece of The North Face Better Than Naked collection we love is the Better Than Naked jacket, the perfect option for early morning runs or when the weather gets a little unfriendly. Following the tradition of the other Better Than Naked pieces, the jacket uses super-lightweight, breathable and weather-resistant materials; while an integrated cooling system ensures that while the outside elements stay out, you stay cool on the inside. Helping achieve superb temperature regulation, vented mesh panels on the sides and neck keep air flowing, and a nylon ripstop body keeps your core warm without affecting your running movements.
For anyone living in climates that vary on a semi-regular basis, the Better Than Naked Jacket is the perfect compliment to the short and crew. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out on a run that starts out beautifully and suddenly the weather changes course, and the Better Than Naked jacket is the ideal solution to combat such weather shifts. It’s not hot, but it’s enough to keep out unwanted moisture and wind. And because its so breathable, you can put it on after you’ve already warmed up, and the cooling system does a fantastic job making sure you don’t overheat. Likewise, on early morning runs where it’s a little cool, you can start out in the jacket, and switch to only the crew once you get warmed up. It’s the perfect compliment to an already great warm weather running collection.
Other features of The North Face Better Than Naked jacket include:
You can learn more about The North Face Men’s and Women’s Better Than Naked Jacket or pick up your own at The North Face website.
As an avid runner, I’m always looking for new ways to improve my time spent outdoors, especially in terms of maximizing my fitness level. I’m running to get in shape, so my goal is to find the best way to get the most out of each stride I take. How exactly to do that is a question that will likely be asked from now until eternity, but one of the latest evolutions in the world of running is the concept of minimalism, with the fundamental question being how to best connect to the surface you’re running on.
It’s an idea that stems from analyzing the foot itself. The foot is an incredibly complex creature, comprised of 52 bones, 66 joints, 40 muscles, and hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons, and ligaments. Walk barefoot, and it’s immediately evident how complex the foot is, as your foot continuously sends signals to your brain informing it of slight variations in the terrain while simultaneously making micro adjustments to maximize your balance. The problem is, running shoes ignore this complexity, hiding the ability of your foot to feel the surface it’s on. Your balance is lessened, muscles that ordinarily would be working aren’t, and your foot strength doesn’t reach its full potential.
While you could run barefoot, making the transition after a life of wearing shoes would be a difficult one, to say the least. That’s where Vibram FiveFingers come into play. In 2006, Vibram came up with the idea of creating a shoe that brings you as close to possible as running barefoot, allowing the complexity of the foot to be utilized, but still offering protection from elements that otherwise could lead to injury. It’s an idea that’s been met with tremendous success, and after numerous evolutions in the Vibram FiveFingers lineup, I finally took the plunge, purchasing a pair of Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS shoes for myself. And while they do take some time getting used to, I have to say, I’m officially a convert of the minimal style of running.
Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS Overview
In looking at the Vibram FiveFingers Lineup, the Komodosport LS is the Vibram’s newest addition to the fitness line. They feature a stitch-free, seamless 2mm footbed designed to reduce friction while running, while the bottom is made up of the Vibram TC1 performance rubber outsole to provide both grip and foot protection. Comparing the traditional Komodosport to the Komodosport LS, the strongest selling point of the Komodosport LS is the addition of Vibram’s speed lacing system – a system that helps accommodate wider feet and higher insteps – as opposed to the original Komodosport’s velcro strap.
Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS Fit
Describing the fit of the Komodosport LS is comparable to the fit of a thin glove on your hand. The fit itself is exceptionally tailored, while the most notable attribute of Vibram FiveFingers are that they have individual toe pockets for each of your toes. Why does it matter? Just as gloves with individual finger pockets allow full function of your hands (as opposed to mittens that keep all your four fingers in a single area), Vibram FiveFingers allow full function of your feet, letting your toes move independently over terrain just as they would if you were barefoot. Coming from traditional running shoes, it’s a tight fit at first, but give them a little time, and they quite literally become an extension of your foot. Out of the box, they’re the most comfortable running shoes I’ve ever worn.
Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS Performance
As with any product, you never know if a company’s marketing pitch is going to deliver or if it’s just going to be hype, and Vibram’s pitch to give up traditional running shoes is a bold one. But I have to say, having used the Komodosport LS for the past couple months, Vibram’s pitch lives up to the hype. It’s a drastically different way to run, but it’s an awesome one.
Comfort wise, the Komodosport LS are incredibly comfortable, straight out of the box. From day one, I’ve had no blister issues, and no issues of any kind, for that matter. The inside is soft, and the shoes as a whole do a great job with moisture control. From a flexibility standpoint, the Komodosport LS are incredibly unrestrictive, allowing your foot to flex and move better than any shoes I’ve ever worn. And in terms of surface feel, the Vibram TC1 outsoles do a great providing traction and protection while still transmitting exceptionally well whatever it is you’re running on. In doing so, your foot can make the micro corrections it needs to maximize your balance, but your foot is still being protected the entire time. It’s really the perfect medium between running barefoot and running with shoes.
Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS Conclusion
Ultimately, despite the existence of almost too many different running shoes to count, I’m a believer that less is more. Vibram FiveFingers take the idea that the incredible complexity already present in your foot should be highlighted, not hidden, and they’ve created a way to bring the remarkable functionality of your foot into the running process. And it works. Running is not only more comfortable, you feel better while doing it. You have better balance, you feel more connected to the road, and I’ve found that even my running form has improved. Try them, and you’ll never look back.
Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS are available in both men’s and women’s varieties in a total of six colors (three men’s and three women’s), with an MSRP of $110. To learn more about the Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS or to order a pair, head over to the official Vibram FiveFingers website.