Sneaker Watch | Nike Free Trainer 3.0

Some people get very excited about the technology behind trainers. The materials, techniques, and devices used in their construction.

That's cool.

Part of me wishes I could understand more about intricacies of trainer design. Who knows, perhaps I will, one day.

For now, I'll appreciate their look and take the slightly conservative approach that if a brand's product has worked for me in the past, it'll work for me in the future. A limited outlook, I know, but one that hasn't seen me too far wrong.

I'm the proud owner of two pairs of Nikes (that's right, two whole pairs!) - one, a pair of black Nike Free 5.0; the other, a pair of Nike Free Trainer 5.0 that Nike were kind enough to give me for attending an NFL training session at Wembley, for Buckets and Spades.

I'm always looking to add to that meagre collection, as Nike are a brand who get their trainers right.

A strange thing to say, but there is never a press release I receive from Nike and wince at - a lot of other brands, who do produce some great stuff, regularly produce a dud.

These Nike Free Trainer 3.0 are exactly what I mean. Click the link and admire.

Read the tech specs if you like, but I'm already wearing these (in my head) to the gym, for a run, or on the walk to the climbing wall. So good, so Nike.

Pictures: Nike.

Like Nike? Like Running? Check this piece on running shoes and this one on running in London.

Running Gear | Asics GT-3000 2

This Christmas I was recommended the book Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall. As the Kindle app icon whirled through the download, I started thinking of that age-old debate as to whether or not running is actually good for you.

While there's no argument that running doesn't aid your cardiovascular capacity, while burning calorie after calorie, the damage that can be caused by the high impact nature of running is frequently cited as a reason not to run.

As strange as it sounds, I enjoy running too much to care. My knees still work, and after a run, I don't ache anymore than after football, rowing, climbing, or the gym, so I'll carry on for now.

Perhaps it's my trainers that help.

I was always told never to skimp on decent running shoes.

Okay, the person who said that was trying to sell me a pair. He does a lot of running though, so I trust his judgement. Besides, running definitely is a high impact activity, there's no escaping that. Shoes that cushion, support, and don't peel your toenails off can only be a good thing.

Everyone I speak to has their own preference for running shoes, discovered either through trial and error or via a gait analysis. This preference usually extends to a brand, as well as a style. For me, that's Asics and in particular the GT-3000 range (formerly the GT-3030 range).

I won't go into the technical details of how, why, or what makes this trainer my favourite - mainly, as I don't understand them. Instead, I'll point you in the direction of this piece from Runner's Forum and simply say that these are the most comfortable running shoes I've ever worn, supporting my feet for every mile I've run in the last year, and still feeling as good as new.

Pictures: Asics website.

Like running? Check out my piece on running in London or my adventures at Tough Mudder 2014.