Diadora’s Mythos Blushield Vigore V Serves Up a Sturdy, Stabilizing Ride
The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore V is a surprisingly smooth, premium stability running shoe designed for daily training.
Here are 6 pieces of cool running gear we’ve been wear-testing that we really love.
When it comes to running with sunglasses, they need to be simple and secure while keeping bright sun, wind, and bugs out of your eyes, but also allowing for optimal vision in variable light conditions. The Ombraz Refugio has all those things dialed in, but it’s their unique armless design that makes them special. Sunglasses with no sidearms? Yep, I thought that was odd at first, too … until I tried them. Now they’ve become my sunglasses of choice for trail running in sunny or partly cloudy conditions.
The Refugio shades secure to your head with an easily adjustable cord system that allows me to find the perfect not-to-tight, not-too-loose fit around my face. That design means there are no arms to break, and, of course, it also allows them to pack flat. The Refugio is available in two premium Zeiss lens tints, one for full-sun conditions and one for sunny and cloudy conditions. Furthermore, Ombraz sunglasses are all handmade in Italy and are carbon negative, thanks to the company’s commitment to planting 20 mangrove trees for every pair sold. Too good to be true? Nope, actually much better than expected. Innovation and performance is what cool running gear is all about. — Brian Metzler
When we’re out logging miles, especially in the heat, more often than not, we need water. Some are okay with carrying a bottle or wearing a vest, but others prefer to run hands-free and as light as possible. Enter the Humangear collapsible GoCup. Ideal for runs where there are fountains or bathrooms available along the way but, for obvious reasons, you’d prefer to drink from your own vessel. (It’s also great for trail races where a portable cup is on the mandatory gear list.) Available in four colors, these lightweight silicon cups collapse into a small compact disc that sits comfortably in a pocket in your shorts or running waist belt when you’re on the go. These handy gems are also BPA-free, PC-free, Phthalate-free so you can hydrate safely. Fill ‘er up! — Rebecca Trachsel
As far as training goes, what you wear impacts performance both mentally and physically. And for women, specifically, a sports bra can make or break your workout. Ultimately, the goal is to find your flow. It’s hard to flow if any of your layers are too tight or chafing. The team behind Branwyn Performance gets this and can all but guarantee you will not have these issues. Their sports bras are sustainably made with merino wool; a naturally moisture wicking fabric with fibers that move sweat away from your body. Translation: it doesn’t stink and you won’t either. The grooves in the fabric act as insulation so you stay warm when it’s cold and stay cool when it’s hot. Basically, there is not much this bra can’t do. Bottom line, support and comfort are essential for any sport. With the Branwyn sports bra, you are good to go. It’s a higher priced sports bra. And it is worth every penny.— Rebecca Trachsel
You’ve got your water problem solved with your new cup. But how can you also get your electrolytes if you’re not carrying a bottle? A couple sticks of Rev Electrolyte gum will solve that issue. Containing as much potassium and magnesium as most sports drinks, Rev gum is such a simple solution for electrolytes on the go. Pop a piece in before a long run or workout and carry a few extra to replenish along the way. The gum is sugar-free so it won’t conflict with your other sources of fuel like chews or gels. Try both flavors, watermelon lime or frost berry, equally delish and refreshing. Chew on this! — Rebecca Trachsel
I have to admit I only run with music occasionally, but when I do, it has to be seamlessly easy to carry and have good sound quality that still allows me to hear ambient noise. I only wish the new Suunto Wing 2 open-ear bone conduction headphones were available years ago! (I’m old enough to remember what a hassle it was to run with music from one of those yellow Sony Sports cassette players and, more recently, but still distant, a portable CD player. Haha, fortunately portable music has evolved.)
The Wing 2 just launched with a price tag that’s $20 less than the original model, improved sound quality and two new safety light modes. (We love cool running gear with shrinking price tags and improved features!) It’s sweat-proof and waterproof with standard battery life of up to 12 hours. It has a lightweight titanium and silicone frame that has stayed in place on my trail runs and tempo runs, but I’ve also found it to be versatile enough for taking meetings and and hands-free calls while driving. — Brian Metzler
For years, I have had a bit of a penchant for caffeine, sometimes to my own demise. I rely on it for a morning blast of energy, a late-afternoon pick-me-up, and as a long run rejuvenation aid. But I have ditched sugary energy drinks and small caffeinated shots for NZE Nootropic Energy Pouches, and I think it’s helped me run, think, and sleep better. NZE pouches are a clean alternative way to quickly boost energy and focus without sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Available in a variety of flavors, they have 50mg of caffeine and premium nootropics L-Theanine, Alpha GPC & L-Tyrosine, and are sweetened by Monk Fruit, Stevia, and Xylitol. For those who appreciate a boost of caffeine during long runs, ultra-distance trail races, or the middle of your afternoon, the pouches are an easy way to get a clean boost of energy and mental clarity. (And yes, under-the-lip sachet pouches are most commonly used as a smokeless alternative to deliver nicotine, but the NZE Energy and Focus Pouches contain no nicotine and, of course, we wouldn’t recommend them here if they did.) — Brian Metzler
Boston-area editor-at-large Rebecca Trachsel is a mom, a competitive age-group marathoner, a high school cross country and track coach, and music lover with a coffee problem. She’s still chasing big goals and having a blast along the way—especially when it means testing cool running gear.
Senior editor Brian Metzler has wear-tested a lot of cool running gear—including more than 2,500 running shoes—and is the author of “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes” (2019) and “Trail Running Illustrated” (2019). He has raced just about every distance from 100 meters to 100 miles, but he’s most eager to share stories about his experiences pack burro racing in Colorado.
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