Over the past couple of months I’ve been sent a few bits of running kit to try out. Here’s a round-up of a few pieces.
Music on the go
Sometimes, heading out for a run can feel like you’re a mobile branch of Dixons: phone, watch, iPod, heart rate monitor. The idea this TomTom music watch (£189) is to merge as many of those gadgets into one as possible. So the GPS watch has an inbuilt optical heart rate monitor (a light on the back of the watch that shines onto your skin – no chest strap) and allows you to load it up with music to listen to through wireless headphones.
TomTom loaned me one to try and it came loaded with some Ministry of Sound ‘running trax’. It wasn’t my first choice of music but by the time I got to the end of the road I had been transported back to the days when my only exercise was dancing in sweaty nightclubs and, without planning to run fast, I’d set a few Strava PBs.
The watch was simple to use (I liketo ignore the instructions and see how I get on and I managed to turn the music on and clock my run ok). It also comes with a daily activity tracker (something that is becoming increasingly standard) so if you want to keep it on after your run it will tell you how much you moved for the rest of the day.
New shoes!
I was sent the Asics Meta Run to try out a couple of months ago. I’ve not run in Asics before so was interested to try them. The shoes arrived with a host of information on the benefits of them. They’ve got a gel sole which felt kind of squishy and nice. Their ‘Fluidfit’ is supposed to make them fit like a glove – and they did. And they’re made with a material (Flytefoam) which is apparently makes them 55% lighter than regular running shoes – they did feel light.
But they also come with a £200 pricetag. This was the piece of information I couldn’t shake from my head as I ran round the park in them. I avoided puddles, gave dog poo a wider berth than usual and didn’t cut across the grass. £200 is a lot for a running shoe. I remember my first pair cost £80 and that seemed a lot of money 8 years ago. It still seems like a lot of money, but running shoes seem to start around there now and upwards of the £100 mark is becoming more ‘normal’. But £200? As nice as these shoes are (and there ARE nice) I couldn’t part with that for a pair. I guess I’m not he target market.
Hello Sailor!
My Ginger Orange asked me if they could send me a pair of their leggings. As a ginger person myself I had to choose this bold pair – the Dreamboat Duchess (£69). I love them and have been wearing them to the gym for weights sessions they’re a little too nice for running around in the mud so I’ve been keeping them for the gym and yoga and getting a few admiring glances. Or at least I hope that’s what they are.
Put a sock on it
I was sent these Injiji socks and was keen to take them on a run having seen quite a bit of chat about them on Twitter. What makes them different is that they’re more like gloves than socks with separate bits for each of your toes.
They take a bit of wriggling to get your toes in but once they are, you don’t notice this. I have a longer second toe than big toe and mine fitted in OK. I’m not sure how life-changing a pair of socks can be, and they probably won’t work for everyone, but they’re nice socks and they come in lots of fun designs. And I can report I had no blisters.
Interesting article. The Tom Tom watch sounds very interesting, I use a Fitbit, polar watch, iPhone and iPod all at the same time! Sometimes a bit crazy.
Personally love Asics shoes too. Got a first pair years ago then swapped them for another brand and decided to go back but never paid £200!
Mrsinlondon.co.uk
I love Asics but £200 is so expensive! Even with a running club discount or the parkrun discount code! I don’t mind spending a bit as I do think I wear them a lot of the time, so working out pounds per mile or something makes them cheaper, but still, that is a lot!
I love the look of those socks- I always have trouble with the nail on one of my little toes rubbing another- and I do keep them very short- so something like this looks better than plasters which get scrunched up as I run.
I’ve used the basic polar with the chest strap and never found it to be that accurate, really want to try the new Garmin everyone seems to have 🙂
who doesn’t love some bright leggings, I recently bought and reviewed some Nike compression tights and they are bright and defiantly get some looks
I’ve been saying they need to make a multipurpose watch with integrated music ever since I started running. I was beyond excited to finally see one be produced by tomtom. Love my watch and all of its tools!
Hi Laura, I’m about to bite the bullet and purchase my first ever running watch. I’ve signed up for my first ever marathon – the Brighton in 2017. I was thinking about getting the Garmin Forerunner 25 as it’s basic and will do what I need but I wanted to ask your advice on the benefits of a heart rate monitor; would this be worthwhile getting as an add on? Seeing that you can get the watches with inbuilt music has swayed my decision a bit too. Surely I’m getting a watch to avoid having to carry too much?! Maybe I should opt for one of these? Ahhh so much choice out there, especially for a running novice like me! Hope you don’t mind imparting your wisdom 🙂
Hello. I have had heart rate monitors with all my watches but never used them. Specifically the ones that are worn as a chest strap – you won’t use it because it’s just annoying. So I’d sat don’t worry about that. Really you want to know your distance and time, unless you’re on a HR specific training plan. Hope this helps.