Ah, the mighty sock. Some underestimate the power of a good sock, but the right sock can really make the difference between a good run and a great run. Here’s what to look for when shopping for running socks.

Fabric

First off, just say no to cotton. Cotton will absorb moisture instead of wicking it away from your skin, which can cause blisters when you’re running. Instead, reach for a pair made out of a synthetic fabric, like nylon or polyester, or try some merino wool socks.

The choice between synthetic fabric and wool is a matter of personal preference, so try out both types to see which you prefer. Don’t be afraid to try a pair of wool socks. The merino wool used by brands like SmartWool and Feetures! is nothing like the itchy sweater your mom used to make you wear on cold days. This wool is soft and sleek against the skin, and merino wool even has antimicrobial properties that help keep the foot funk at bay.

Height

Everybody seems to have a favorite sock style. Some people swear by their crew socks, while others won’t leave the house for a run in anything but no-shows. Finding the perfect cut for you has to do with how much coverage you want from your sock. Running socks are typically available in four lengths: low/no-show, quarter, crew and knee high. Many no-show socks have ankle tabs to help prevent blisters on the backs of your heels when you’re running. Taller socks are often a better choice for running in colder conditions. Try out a few styles to find the sock length that works best for you.

Cushioning

Socks also come in a range of cushioning thicknesses, from super thin socks that serve as a liner to thicker, heavily cushioned socks that give you plenty of underfoot padding. If you want a supremely thin sock, try the Feetures Elite Ultra Light No Show Socks or the Swiftwick Pulse Zero Socks. If you’d like to try a more cushioned sock, a few nice options are the Drymax Max Protection Socks, Thorlo Experia Socks and Balega Hidden Comfort Socks.

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When we think of groundbreaking running hydration products, it’s hard not to think of Salomon. Over the last several seasons, they’ve developed a name for themselves as one of the primary trailblazers of running hydration gear, and this spring isn’t any different. We’re pretty picky when it comes to our run gear around the RW offices, and the spring ’13 hydration lineup from Salomon gets a big thumbs up.

Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 12 & 5 Set Packs

The Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 12 Set Pack and 5 Set Pack are the crème de la crème of Salomon’s hydration pack line. With three size options in each pack for an almost-custom fit, you’re sure to find all-day comfort. The packs come equipped with zippered pockets and pouches to store essentials on a long run, and you can even stow a soft flask or two in the front pockets. Adjustable chest straps provide a snug fit that won’t chafe.

Salomon Sense Hydro S-Lab Set Gloves

Spiderman might be able to shoot webs from his wrists, but with the Salomon Sense Hydro S-Lab Set Gloves you’ll be able to shoot refreshing hydration out of your hand. Well, sort of. These gloves allow you to securely carry a soft flask of liquid while keeping your hand relaxed. Use it to stay hydrated, or squirt it over your head to help yourself cool down.

Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 2 Belt

If MacGyver wore a fanny pack, he’s snap on the Advanced Skin S-Lab 2 Belt. Seriously. This little number has four open stretch mesh pockets (two in the front and two in the back) to store Soft Flasks or other nutrition. Two zipper pockets provide secure storage for accessories, and one small side loop gives you a place to clip small accessories. The belt is adjustable and the mesh lining makes it incredibly comfortable on the run.

Salomon Soft Flasks

You want to carry liquid, but the incessant sloshing of bottles and typical flasks drives you crazy. Enter the Salomon Soft Flasks. A soft bite valve is easy on your teeth, and durable Thermoplastic Polyurethane construction makes these flasks trail-ready. Choose from 16 ounce, 8 ounce or 5 ounce sizes, and fill with liquid or gel for your hydration and fuel needs.

Salomon Skin Pro 3 Set Pack

When you want a sleek and simple hydration pack that will let you go fast, grab the Salomon Skin Pro 3 Set Pack. With a 1.5 liter bladder, you’ll have plenty of hydration, and the pack also gives you room to stash a thin jacket and a pair of arm warmers. Use the stretch mesh side pockets to stow nutrition on the run. Twin sternum straps provide a secure fit.

Salomon Hydro 45 Belt

The Salomon Hydro 45 Belt gives you space to carry hydration and nutrition without feeling weighed down. The unique triangular 20-ounce bottle is easy to grab for hydration on the go, and a small zippered pocket provides room to stow nutrition or other important items. The adjustable belt allows for a secure and comfortable fit.

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U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

It’s kinda hard to believe that we have the scoop on Stephen Colbert, but we’ve found a race that will raise the flag of any genuine America-lover. We’re talking, of course, about the Run to Win America.

This ain’t your ordinary 5K. No, the reputation of the entire state in which you live is at stake. See, the Run to Win America is pitting all 50 states against each other (so much for the “United” part of United States) to see which state is the “fastest.”

As it says on the Run to Win America website, this race is “an experience and event that captures what America was founded on and what has made America the greatest nation in the world.” Who knew you could capture all in a 3.1 mile run? But here’s one thing that we can all agree does make America great: a national fascination with overblown generalizations and unchecked hyperbole.

In all seriousness, America does have many things to be proud of as a nation, one of which is the enormous amount of charitable giving to other countries each year. So it makes sense that a portion of proceeds from the Run to Win America series will be donated to Project Hope Worldwide, an organization devoted to improving the lives of orphans in developing nations.

Races will be taking place in all 50 states (though Arizona, Texas and Kentucky have already been run). Seven more states will have races before April is through.

If you’re really red, white and blue enough, head over to runtowinamerica.com and register today.

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If you’re running on trails, it may be a good idea to invest in a pair of trail running shoes. Using your retired pair of road shoes doesn’t count (they are retired for a reason), even if you don’t mind getting them dirty. Trail shoes are built differently than road shoes to protect your feet and help you navigate varied terrain.

Finding a pair of trail shoes that suits your needs can make your offroad running experience that much better. Below, choose the type of trail running you’re doing and check out what you should look for in a trail shoe.

I run mostly roads, with a little bit of fire road thrown in the mix.

If your off-road running is limited to fire roads, in many cases you’ll be able to get away with running in your road trainers. But a shoe that can handle both roads and trails will offer you more traction and stability when you’re running on dirt. Several “trail-ified” versions of popular road models provide a bit more grip while still remaining fluid and flexible during road duty. As a couple of examples, look at the Asics GT 2000 Trail or the Brooks Adrenaline ASR 9.

I run fire roads and well-maintained trails.

You’re running on trails, but none of it is too technical. The type of trail shoe you should look for really depends on the running experience you’re seeking. If you want a more minimal shoe with a closer feel for the surfaces you’re running on, then check out the Brooks PureGrit 2 or the Altra Lone Peak.

If you want a traditional running shoe experience with plenty of protection from the ground and a more substantial upper, then lace up the Asics Gel Scout or Brooks Cascadia 8. Since your foot will encounter more ground angles over varied terrain and you are more likely to be up on your toes as you navigate trails, trail shoes typically have less pronation support than their road-specific counterparts. If you wear a max support road shoe, don’t fret if you can’t find a trail shoe with exactly as much support.

I run technical, uneven trails with mud, loose rocks and debris.

When you head out the door, your goal is to tackle the toughest trails you can find. You don’t shy away from hills or loose, rocky approaches. You need a shoe that can keep up with your adventure-seeking soul. In this category, you want to look for a trail shoe with intense lugs, and a secure fit. The lugs will help you mountain-goat your way through tricky terrain and the secure fit will help you feel more stable and confident in your shoes. For this type of running we like shoes such as the Salomon Speedcross 3 and Inov-8 Mudclaw 300.

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As a runner, you have goals. Dreams. Aspirations, even. We all do. Maybe you want to qualify for Boston, or run a PR in your next half. Maybe you want to find the dedication to stick to a run training plan and improve your health, or be an example for your kids. We can all use our goals and dreams to motivate us through training sessions from one day to the next.

Track athlete Nick Symmonds gave us a fresh way to look at running goals in an article he wrote for Flotrack: the running ‘bucket list’.

We think this is a creative way to remind yourself of your running goals and motivate yourself to get out the door and train every day. Near the beginning of his career, Nick crafted a bucket list for himself, jotting down the things he wanted to accomplish during his running career. He’s altered and tweaked his bucket list over the years, but continues to use it to push himself to new heights.

His article inspired us and made us think about our own running goals. What’s on your running bucket list?

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Mizuno Japanese Island Graphic

This spring’s Mizuno apparel line is paying homage to the brand’s Japanese heritage. The company has added a small, subtle graphic  representing the Japanese islands (shown at right) on most of its spring collection. The bottom image is a symbol for the god of war, to empower you as you head into your run. The kanji in the middle hexagon is the Japanese symbol for “run.” The Runbird above these symbols lets you rock your Mizuno pride.

Mizuno has also included elements of Ekiden racing style in some of their running shirts, such as the Mizuno Creation Singlet. During an Ekiden race (a long distance relay race that originated in Japan) each competitor hands off a sash, or tasuki, to their teammate when they finish their leg of the race. The contrast-color details on select Mizuno running shirts represent the sash worn by Ekiden competitors.

Ready to run with Mizuno? Take a look at a few of our favorites from the spring lineup:

Aero Singlet

The Mizuno Aero Singlet is lightweight, fast and ultra breathable. Sleeveless construction allows for optimal range of motion, and flatlock seamlines prevent chafing. Burnout mesh detail on the chest and back display the god of war symbol, to get you charged up for your next run.

Aero Split Short

Looking for a short that can keep up with you? Check out the Mizuno Aero Split Short. Featherweight fabric with perforations for enhanced breathability will help you stay cool as you heat things up. A half split provides full range of motion, and Mizuno Japanese heritage graphic lets you sport your Mizuno pride. Read more…

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The Saucony Cortana is a shoe that sits in its own class, blending a low profile, 4mm offset design with premium cushioning and posh features. For its third iteration, the Cortana undergoes a top-down redesign, featuring both a new upper and tooling, but the core concepts behind the shoe remain. Expect the Cortana 3 to offer a lightweight and cushioned ride that will keep your feet happy during high mileage training yet can easily keep up when picking up the pace.

What to Watch For

• Forefoot Overlays: FlexFilm has been added to the forefoot, providing a secure fit while maintaining low weight and a seamless interior.
• Increased Heel Support: A new Support Frame around the heel collar helps keep your foot locked in place.
• Slight Weight Decrease: Both the Men’s and Women’s models are expected to lose a few ticks off the scale, with claimed weights of 9.5 oz (Men’s 9) and 8.4 oz (Women’s 8).

MSRP
$150.00

Release Date
August 2013 Read more…

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Forefoot Zoom Air Unit

Air is to Nike what DNA is to Brooks, Gel is to Asics, Grid is to Saucony, and the Wave Plate is to Mizuno. When it was released in the 1979 (in the Tailwind), Air technology made Nike a powerhouse in running footwear. Since then, the company has introduced several updates to Air, with the goal of providing lightweight, long-lasting cushioning. The version currently used in many Nike running shoes is called Zoom Air.

So What Exactly Is Zoom Air?

Released in the late 90’s, Zoom Air went by a few names at first and some are still used as nicknames. One of these names is Tensile Air. All you engineers out there are probably scratching your collective heads over that one – how can a gas have a property associated with solids? We answered that riddle by chiseling out a Zoom Air unit from the midsole of a Nike Pegasus 29.

Cross Section of Heel Zoom Air Unit

What We Found

On the surface, a Zoom Air unit looks a lot like any other Air unit released by Nike over the years, except maybe a bit cloudier. That cloudy look actually is from a fabric piece glued inside the unit. These units are relatively lightweight for the volume they take up in the midsole. The Zoom Air unit is certainly not as pretty as its Air Max brother, which is probably one of the main reasons why Nike hides it away deep in the recesses of the midsole.

Attaching one side of the Zoom Air unit to the other is an army of thin fabric strings held in tension from the pressure inside. Like the cables on a suspension bridge, the strings appear to reinforce the exterior shell of the Air Unit. This allows the Air Unit to be pressurized to ideal levels without the worry of shape deformation over time.

The tension that holds the unit together permits the low profile that makes it possible to hide within a shoe but still offer seemingly endless cushioning. By lashing two ends of what is in essence a balloon, Nike has made Air tensile and a way to provide long lasting cushioning while remaining light. It’s actually a pretty accomplished piece of engineering.

Talk to Us: What shoe should we hack at next to see the technology inside?

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The Mirage 3 is a fast and flexible shoe for the mild overpronator.

You’re forgiven if you haven’t paid much attention to the Saucony Mirage. After all, the Kinvara series has received most of the limelight, and the first and second versions of the Mirage had a bit of a stiff, heavy feeling ride. That’s changed with version 3. A lightweight trainer with high mileage cushioning, the Saucony Mirage 3 is a great choice for the slight overpronator looking to run with efficient form.

Big Updates

• Brand New Tooling: A new midsole gives the shoe softer cushioning in the heel and a smoother transition through the forefoot.
• Seamless Upper: Welded overlays provide a snug fit while offering a seamless interior environment for reduced friction on the foot.
• Reduced Weight: We measured the Mirage 3 at 8.7 oz for a Men’s 9 and 7.7 oz in a Women’s 8, both close to an ounce lighter than their predecessors.

Road Test

Unlike Saucony’s highly successful Kinvara, the first couple versions of the Mirage weren’t quite a homerun. So the company decided to give the third version of this lightweight, minimum support trainer a complete top-down redesign. The result: a much more flexible and satisfying running shoe.

Utilizing heat-transferred film overlays, the upper provides a snug but flexible fit that conforms to the shape of the foot. Testers did find the fit slightly narrower than previous versions, but it was never constrictive or too tight. A seamless interior limits irritation and blistering for a comfortable run.

Where some runners found that previous editions of the Mirage were a bit clunky, softened heel cushioning in this update guides the foot forward, making for a very smooth transition. The forefoot remains fairly responsive, for a lively toe-off and an electrifying run.

Despite the changes to the Mirage in this update, the shoe holds true to its core design philosophy of providing a fast feel for runners who need a touch of pronation support.

Video Road Test
Tired of all these words? Check out our video review of the Mirage 3 to get the lowdown in less than 90 seconds.

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Not gonna lie, we’re kinda hyper about how good the new Saucony Virrata is. Justin Bieber has his Beliebers, and the Chicago Bulls have their Superfans, but here at Running Warehouse, we’ve got our own little club forming: the Virratamaniacs.

Turns out, Pete Larson over at Runblogger is a card-carrying member of the Virratamaniacs as well. In his Saucony Virrata running shoe review, he found many aspects to love about the shoe, including the well-cushioned platform and streamlined upper fit. He makes a lot of comparisons to the Kinvara 2, and we think that’s a fair comparison in many respects (though of course the platform of the Virrata is level and the Kinvara is and has been at a 4mm offset.

Not to pile on the Virrata resources, but our superfan scrapbook also includes:

• Our Own Saucony Virrata Review
• Our Video Road Test of the Saucony Virrata

We’ll keep the photos of our Virrata shrine to ourselves…for now. Have you put some miles on the Virrata? We’d love to hear how you like it!

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