Innovations in Running Gear: The Latest Tech to Enhance Your Run

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Over the years, there have been several innovative technologies and advancements in running gear allowing runners to get more out of their runs. These include:

  • Running watches

  • GPS monitors

  • Heart rate monitors

  • Inventive approaches to clothing

Innovative Running Shoes

Running shoes with carbon fibre plates embedded in the midsole are designed to provide increased energy return and enhanced running efficiency. Shoe manufacturers are always experimenting with new cushioning materials, such as highly responsive foams and gels, to improve comfort and reduce impact during running and handle the pressures and stresses running has on the ligaments, joints, and bones.

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2

The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2 is a marvel of engineering. Worn by Eliud Kipchoge during his record-breaking marathon, these Nike running gears are designed for speed and energy efficiency. The latest iteration includes added ZoomX foam under the forefoot and cushioned heel pods for enhanced energy return. A reworked chassis improves stability, making this an even better version of its predecessor. Ideal for long races, the Alphafly NEXT% 2 maximises PB chances.

Nike Invincible 3

The Nike Invincible 3 is a dream for runners who value comfort. This model focuses on cushioning, making it perfect for everyday use and especially for longer runs where comfort is key.

Adidas Adios Pro 3

The Adidas Adios Pro 3 aims to provide better energy return and more midsole foam than the competition. The shoe’s towering sole features three layers of Lightstrike Pro foam, bringing the stack height at the heel up to nearly 40mm. Carbon fibre Energyrods in the sole add snappy responsiveness, and the sharply rockered forefoot helps you keep these chunky kicks moving. Despite their size, they’re still very light, and the breezy mesh upper offers good breathability. The Adios Pro 3 represents the cutting edge of Adidas running shoe technology, and it’s a capable performer for longer races, including marathons.

UA Flow Velociti Elite

The UA Flow Velociti Elite is a marathon-specific collection of neutral and vibrantly-colored shoes. The Flow Velociti Elite is great for runners who need a balance of flexibility and cushioning in their racing shoes. Every stride taken with the Velociti Elite is amplified by a full-length carbon fibre plate sandwiched in a soft midsole foam that compresses and springs back for added lift. Together these components deliver explosive energy return.

Hoka Rocket X2

The Hoka Rocket X2 features a carbon-fibre plate, sandwiched between two layers of super-responsive foam, and an internal midfoot cage for a locked-down fit. This lightweight racer will notch multiple PBs with its definite propulsion and significant stack height. Despite the stack height (36mm heel and 31mm forefoot), lateral instability is offset by the wide footbed. Highly responsive and super speedy, Hoka’s carbon-plated credentials have lift-off.

Smart Running Watches

Coros Pace 3

The Coros Pace 3 is the best bang-for-your-buck running watch around. For just over £200, you get an improved heart rate sensor, 38 hours of continuous GPS (or 24 days of daily use), dual-frequency GPS, a plethora of advanced training features and feedback, and route mapping with turn-by-turn navigation.

Garmin Venu 3

The Garmin Venu 3 is more multi-purpose health and fitness than core running-specific, making it suited to those who do lots of different types of exercise. This watch boasts in-depth sleep tracking, scores your energy levels, and sends a health summary as soon as you wake up.

Polar Vantage V2 GPS Watch

The Polar Vantage V2 GPS Watch is a premium GPS smartwatch with an advanced wrist-based heart rate monitor, support for over 130 different sports, and full integration with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS. Built for your longest adventures and endurance races, the smartwatch comes with an extensive battery life that can last up to seven days with multiple battery-saving modes.

Innovative Accessories

Aftershokz Openmove Wireless Headphones

The Aftershokz Openmove Wireless Headphones deliver music or podcasts while maintaining awareness of your surroundings. Innovative bone-conducting technology delivers sound directly into your inner ears, bypassing your eardrums, so you'll still be able to hear the ambient sound around you. Feather-light, waterproof, and secure, these wireless headphones are perfect for all your workouts.

Apple AirPods Pro

The Apple AirPods Pro are a great solution for runners who like to get lost in the music. The Active Noise Cancellation lets you listen with no outside distractions, but if you need to be able to hear what's going on around you, there's also a Transparency Mode.

Theragun Elite Massage Gun

The Theragun Elite Massage Gun provides therapeutic muscle-pounding to kick-start your recovery after long runs. Connect to the app via Bluetooth to be guided through massage routines for running, cycling, and more. You can even use it to loosen up after a hard day at the computer.

Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor

The Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor proves comfortable even when worn for longer periods and is durable and waterproof in ways many of its competitors aren’t.

Innovative Clothing

Advances in fabric technology focused on creating moisture-wicking and breathable materials to keep runners dry and comfortable during their workouts. Compression clothing, such as socks, sleeves, and tights, designed to improve blood circulation, reduce muscle fatigue, and enhance overall performance, continued to be popular among runners.