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Asics Gel Blur33 2.0 Men's Running Shoe

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With a new upper designed to move more freely with your foot, the Asics Gel Blur33 2.0 furthers its mission of being flexible and nimble.
(View Men’s Gel Blur33 2.0 and Women’s Gel Blur33 2.0)

Big Updates

• MONO-SOCK Upper: The upper is now constructed with a stretch mesh that holds the shoe on the foot with a slipper-like feel.
• External Cage: Material surrounding the MONO-SOCK wraps the midfoot for a secure and comfortable fit.
• Carryover Mid/Outsole: No changes were made to the looks or functionality of the Blur33’s platform.

Road Test

Less than a year after the original Blur33 was launched, the Blur33 2.0 hits the market with a redesigned upper. Just some new style and new colors, right? Not according to our testers, who found the change in the upper to create a shoe that feels very different from its predecessor.

No changes were made to the midsole, cushioning tech or outsole. That means you still get a responsive ride that’s on the firmer side for an Asics shoe. Heel strikers will continue to find a good amount of rear Gel cushioning to ease their landing, combined with a springy forefoot. Testers that prefer a midfoot strike found the platform to be firm overall with a nice amount of energy return at liftoff.

The new and noteworthy update is the upper. The Blur33 2.0’s stretch mesh upper fits very differently from the fit of the original shoe. Gone is the close, hug-your-foot feel. In its place, you get a more traditional fit and an upper material that stretches a bit so your foot can do its thing.

Testers found just the right amount of wiggle room up front, but had to do some work to get the lacing tightened up just right in the midfoot to feel secure without being scrunched in. What testers really wanted was a narrower heel or the ability to adjust the heel fit with an additional eyelet on the heel collar. But attention runners with a wide heel: this shoe should be on your list. The Blur33 2.0 is a solid choice for runners who want the benefit of Asics’ core technologies along with a more stripped-down feel compared to traditional running shoes.

Runners Say

“The only update is to the upper, but the transition feels smoother than I remember in the original Blur. I’d choose this over the Cumulus for a firmer ride.” – Daniel

“Up until the midfoot, this shoe fits me almost perfectly. But the laces were a little difficult for me to adjust and I had too much room in the heel.” – Matt

Matt Running Shoes asics 33, Asics Gel Blur33, asics gel blur33 2.0

Brooks D'lite Mesh and Micro Mesh Tank Giveaway

Summer sexiness is at your fingertips in the Brooks D’lite Mesh and Micro Mesh Tanks as temps rise. Slip into the Brooks D’lite Mesh Tank and flaunt a glimpse of your sports bra through the soft, semi-sheer fabric. The D’lite Micro Mesh Tank offers even more “sheer” pleasure, making a fun, feisty statement when layered over a sports bra or a D’lite Mesh Tank. These beauties provide superior ventilation to keep you running all summer long.

Added bonus? We’re giving away one of each to 5 lucky winners. This contest is now closed. Congrats to Janelle in Michigan, Kali in Ohio, Stephanie in Oklahoma, Lisa in California and Taulsa in Virginia – winners of our Brooks D’Lite Tank Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered and stay tuned for more great giveaways!

Matt Running Apparel brooks d'lite, brooks d'lite mesh tank, brooks d'lite micro mesh tank

Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb in 1966 (photo credit: BAA.org)

46 years ago today, Roberta Gibb became the first woman to race in and complete the Boston Marathon. Gibb’s story is one of determination and liberation. See, the Boston Marathon didn’t open officially to women until 1972. So what was Gibb doing when she ran in back in 1966?

Blazing a trail. At the time, race organizers didn’t believe that a woman could run a marathon without risking death or serious injury. (Back in the 60’s, people also didn’t believe in hydrating during longer runs. Times change.) But Gibb proved them wrong and opened minds to what women athletes really can accomplish. She finished in 3:21, better than well over half of the field that year.

Gibb ran the Boston Marathon “unofficially” for the next two years. In 1967, Katherine Switzer also ran the race, prompting the famous photos of Jock Semple, Boston Marathon race director at the time, trying to pull her from the course (learn more and see the pics here).

For more info on Bobbie Gibb and her epic 1966 run, read Gibb’s firsthand account of the experience, along with her inspiring take on how running can change lives.

Matt Running Sport 1966 boston marathon, bobbi gibb, first woman boston marathon, roberta gibb

Brooks Glycerin 10 Men's and Women's Running Shoes

And you thought the Glycerin 9 had some style… The new Glycerin 10 is a fresh design that bumps up the plush. This latest version is all about enhanced flexibility and cushioning. And if you ever forget the name of the shoe you’re running in, just look down at your pinkie toe and all will become clear.

Launch Date

June 2012

MSRP

$140.00

What to Watch For

• More Cushion: Brooks added more cushioning on the lateral side of the shoe for a softer landing.
• Revised Arch Bridge: The midfoot arch bridge that extended all the way across the shoe in the Glycerin 9 now only extends about halfway across on the medial side. This helps the shoe hug your foot while creating a smoother transition.

Men’s Colors at Launch

• Red/Black/Silver Brooks Glycerin 10
• Lime/Black/White Brooks Glycerin 10

Women’s Colors at Launch

• Pink/Anthracite/Silver Brooks Glycerin 10
• Blue/Silver/White Brooks Glycerin 10

Matt Running Shoes Brooks Glycerin, brooks glycerin 10, Brooks Running Shoes

New Balance MR1400 Men's Running Shoe

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With more squish than you’d expect in a racing flat, the New Balance 1400 is a great option for training and race day.
(View Men’s MR1440 and Women’s WR1400)

Big Features

• Lightweight Upper: Open mesh covers the upper, which also features no-sew overlays.
• Midsole Cushioning: The RevLite midsole foam delivers responsive cushioning without the added weight of additional cushioning technology.
• Grippy Outsole: The blown rubber outsole provides durable grip and gives some added cushioning.

Road Test

When it arrived on the scene in summer 2011, the New Balance 1400 offered bold looks and colors. Now, with every manufacturer stepping up the hues, it might get lost in the loudness. But our testers found the 1400 to be a versatile, lightweight shoe that can easily do double duty on training and race days.

The upper of the 1400 is just what our testers expected in a racing shoe. Pliable, open mesh gives the shoe a breathable feel from heel to toe. The overlays on the mid and forefoot are welded on, providing a nice amount of structure without any detectable seams or hotspots. As you can see, there’s not much room in the toe box, both in terms of height and width. None of our testers felt scrunched in, partly because the shoe runs about 1/4 a size long. We don’t recommend sizing down because testers felt they needed the extra room for a comfortable toe box fit.

The platform of this shoe is what really impresses. Testers found that they could heel strike in total comfort, given the cushioned feel in the rearfoot. Some testers preferred to midfoot strike in this shoe, with a landing that feels a bit firmer. The transition to toe-off is seamless, whether you land on your heel or midfoot. Overall, the 1400 favors softness over responsiveness compared to other racing flats.

Runners Say

“Soft and smooth transition when I heel strike, and a very comfortable ride when midfoot striking as well.” -Lauren

“The midfoot fit is mixed for me. I feel very locked in place but had the thin tongue bunching up on the sides every time I slipped on the shoe.” – Matt

“I haven’t run in a flat with more heel cushioning than the 1400. Would be a nice choice for someone who wants the comfort of their training shoe on race day.” – Daniel

Matt Running Shoes new balance 1400, new balance mr1400, new balance racing flats, new balance wr1400

Nike Free 3.0 v4 Men's Running Shoe

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Now lowered to a 4mm drop, the Nike Free 3.0 v4 lets your foot do its thing with an upper that hugs close but still gives you room to flex.
(View Men’s Free 3.0 v4 and Women’s Free 3.0 v4)

Big Updates

• New Upper Tech: A seamless, ultra-thin upper material called NanoPly covers most of the stretch mesh upper, providing additional structure in key areas.
• More Flex: Even though the v4 has tighter gaps between the siping of its platform, it improves on the flexibility of the prior Free 3.0 with the addition of a Transtarsal Flex Groove that runs the length of the shoe.
• Lower Drop: Nike lowered the heel-to-toe drop of the Free 3.0 v4 by raising up the forefoot stack height by 3mm.

Road Test

The Free 3.0 v4 continues in the tradition of the Free series to provide outstanding flexibility that lets your foot move naturally. But don’t confuse this with a near-barefoot shoe – all of our testers reported feeling fairly separated from the ground in this Nike. That’s a benefit if you want to save your feet from the grit, grime and other hazards the roads have to offer.

The flatter platform of the Free 3.0 v4 helps mid and forefoot strikers get into their groove a little better, but since Nike did not lower the heel stack height, testers found the shoe to work just as well as prior models for heel strikers. No matter how they landed, testers appreciated the very linear progression to toe-off.

The more streamlined look of the Free 3.0 v4 carries through to the fit of the upper. The shoe doesn’t give your foot a whole lot of wiggle room. The snug fit contrasts a bit from the Free 3.0 v3, which had a more stretchy upper material that felt close but never constricting. Testers liked the look of the NanoPly overlay, but for the most part wished for a bit less structure, particularly in the forefoot at the base of the laces. The shoe also feels more anchored in place in the heel than the prior version. Overall, the fit is a good match for runners with narrow, low-volume feet.

Runners Say

“Amazingly lightweight and pretty responsive for a mid or forefoot strike.” – Lindsay

“It’s definitely not a barefoot experience, but the degree of flexibility and softness is hard to beat.” – Matt

“Imagine a sock with padding on the bottom and you have the Free 3.0 v4. The NanoPly allows varying degrees of flexibility and structure in the upper.” – Jonathan

Matt Running Shoes Nike Free 3.0, nike free 3.0 v4, nike free shoes

Radcliffe at the London Finish Line, 2003 Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

Nine years ago today, English runner Paula Radcliffe set the world record for the fastest women’s marathon at the London Marathon. Her time of 2:15:25 was nearly two minutes faster than her previous world record time set in the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2002.

Radcliffe’s record time has been on the books longer than any other since Ingrid Kristiansen’s 2:21:06, set back in April 21, 1985. Kristiansen’s record held for almost exactly 13 years. How many more years until we see a new Women’s marathon record? Hard to say. Many people think that the rule change last Fall by the IAAF may make it harder for women to set world record times. The IAAF now requires that a time must be set in an all-female competition for it to be a “world record,” rather than “world best.”

The IAAF rule change put an asterisk on Radcliffe’s fastest time and made her time in Chicago the “world record” according to the IAAF record books. It also means women now can’t have male pacers if they want to take a stab at breaking the world record. Many runners are excited about the current crop of top female runners from around the world, and just maybe one of these pros will be able to break through to a new record time. Even so, huge congrats to Paula Radcliffe for her world-record pace.

Matt Running Sport fastest women's marathon, iaaf women's marathon rule, paula radcliffe, paula radcliffe london marathon

Asics Gel Fuji Racer Men's Trail Running Shoe

The Gel Fuji Racer has been a big success for Asics since its February launch, both in terms of sales and also in helping the brand establish some cred in the stripped-down trail shoe category. We did a full video review of the Fuji Racer, and also covered it in a sneak peek and product review.

Our friends at the website IRunFar.com just completed a review of the Fuji Racer too (check it out here). Their longer-term test shows the shoe holding up well after over 200 miles of rock hopping and slush busting. We’re encouraged to hear such great feedback about this shoe and if you own a pair, we’d love to hear your experience here or on our Fuji Racer comment page.

Matt Running Shoes asics gel fuji racer, asics trail running shoes

Nike Air Pegasus+ 29 Women's Running Shoes

Not too many shoes last through 29 versions. The latest Pegasus is a testament to the comfortable, crowd-pleasing fit and ride the Pegasus series has offered over the years. A fresh design from heel to toe, the Air Pegasus+ 29 sports a few innovative features that look to keep it on the top of the list for neutral runners who want a reliable daily training companion.

Launch Date

July 2012

MSRP

$100.00

What to Watch For

• Engineered Mesh Upper: A lightweight, breathable material that minimizes the need for overlays, this mesh has differing weave patterns to give the upper added support where needed.
• Controlled Cushioning: 10mm of Zoom Air in the heel is encased in Cushlon carrier foam, which has been notched laterally in the rearfoot for better compression. Fine grooves in the rubber outsole further improve the shoe’s cushioned feel.
• Lighter Weight: The Men’s Pegasus 29 is estimated to come in at 10.0 oz, while the Women’s model should tip the scale around 8.4 oz. That’s about a half ounce lighter in the Men’s and a full ounce lighter in the Women’s.

Men’s Colors at Launch

• Volt/Black Nike Air Pegasus 29
• Grey/Volt Nike Air Pegasus 29

Women’s Colors at Launch

• Blue/White Nike Air Pegasus 29
• Grey/Blue Nike Air Pegasus 29

Nike Air Pegasus+ 29 Men's Running Shoe

Matt Running Shoes nike air pegasus, nike air pegasus 29

Nike LunarEclipse+ 2 Men's Shoe (Exhaust Flame Not Included)

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Think a support shoe has to feel stiff? Nope. Nike LunarEclipse 2 is proof that you can have a soft ride and a good dose of pronation control.
(View Men’s LunarEclipse 2 and Women’s LunarEclipse 2)

Big Updates

• Lighter Weight: About a half ounce lighter in both Men’s and Women’s versions, the LunarEclipse’s weight reduction comes from a lighter upper.
• Dynamic Fit Upper: Supportive bands wrap the midfoot and can be adjusted through tightening of the laces to provide a custom fit and increased arch support.

Road Test

A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon hides completely in the earth’s shadow. A Nike LunarEclipse happens when the major athletics company tailors its Lunarlon platform for runners needing moderate pronation control. See the connection? Yeah, neither do we. But it’s a cool name.

The LunarEclipse 2 occupies the same portion of the shoe universe as its predecessor. That means it’s still a max feature, moderate support ride. The special design of the Lunarlon material is meant to keep your foot from cratering inward, and from our testers’ experience, the shoe performs as advertised. In our opinion, it’s the most stable feeling Lunar shoe. The firmer Lunarlon foam is somewhat noticeable in the midfoot, but the shoe maintains a nicely cushioned feel in the forefoot as well.

A new and widely appreciated feature of the LunarEclipse 2 is the Dynamic Fit system, which replaces the Flywire from the original model. Our testers liked how well the system worked to customize the fit and keep them anchored in the shoe without an overly tight fit. The heel is on the narrow side and the toebox is on the shallow side, so with the laces cinched down the upper of the latest LunarEclipse offers a very race-oriented feel.

Though it uses Lunar technology, the LunarEclipse 2 is a star performer in Nike’s support shoe lineup (sorry, we couldn’t resist throwing in one more pun).

Runners Say

“Another Nike shoe that really benefits from the upgrade to Dynamic Fit technology. The upper is very adjustable and moves with your foot throughout your gait.” – Matt

“Substantial cushioned feel in the heel. Pretty amazing fit in the upper, though I found the LunarEclipse’s mesh in the toebox to be a bit crinkly.” – Lauren

“Tough transition in this shoe for me. The landing is soft, the midfoot is firm, but then you go back to a soft forefoot. I’d like more responsiveness on toe-off.” – Daniel

Matt Running Shoes nike lunareclipse 2, Nike LunarEclipse+, Nike Running Shoes