Mizuno Running, the quietly understated brand, goes about its business, well, quietly. Few may realise how big Mizuno is, even how many sports they are involved in and the respect they garner from those that know. A Brief History… Formed in Osaka, Japan in 1906 by the brothers Rihachi and Rizo. Life began as a retail store “Mizuno Brothers Ltd” before manufacturing began. Of all things, Baseball clothing that was easy to move in. The history of Mizuno is exactly the history of the pursuit to make something great. It was not until 1928 that the development of Track & … Continue reading
Carbon ‘Super’ Shoes. The latest and greatest in running technology. They are most definitely in demand. We see social media full of Elite Runners training and racing in them daily. Yet guidance on their use remains pretty scant and many do ask about getting the most from using carbon ‘super’ shoes. What Are Carbon Shoes? Carbon shoes are quite simply a shoe that has a carbon plate sandwiched into the mid-sole. It’s purpose is two fold. Firstly to provide stability in an increasing world of soft foams (cushioning). Secondly, and the real selling point, is that it helps to propel … Continue reading
Accelerate Community member and Accelerate Trail Runners run leader Graeme has been lucky enough to get his hands on a pair of the new Saucony Xodus Ultra. Now available from the Accelerate store, to find the specs of the shoe Click Here >>. Keep reading to hear how he got on. Spoiler alert, they are good! I’m not normally a reviewer and I won’t go into too many technical details. I’ll just concentrate on how they feel to run in. I normally wear the Scott Supertrac Ultra, so this was my main comparison. Straight out of the box My … Continue reading
If you have stepped onto the start line of a road race in the last few years you may have noticed the majority wearing brightly coloured, high stack height, cushioned shoes. This is the latest in a wave taking over the running world, Carbon fibre plated racing shoes. Gone are the days of lightweight minimal racing flats and in their place are highly cushioned, springy racers. Keep reading for a rundown and review of the different options available here at Accelerate. Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 The Softest Cushioning Specs Designed use: Road Racing from 5k – Marathon + distances Drop: … Continue reading
We are often asked for Trail to Road Running shoes. These can also be referred to as ‘hydrid’ shoes. We are talking about a shoe that has the combined properties of a shoe specifically designed for trail running (grip and traction) with the cushioning of a road shoe. Let’s be honest living in and around Sheffield this makes so much sense. The question: is a compromise a good idea and what should we be looking for? So What’s the Difference? Primarily, the difference between a specifically designed trail and a road shoe is the out-sole and how much harder wearing … Continue reading
Saucony’ s newest shoe has arrived at Accelerate Running Store, Team Accelerate athlete and technical sales expert Hugh, has given them a run for their money. His thoughts are found below. Both the men’s and women’s are available in-store and online from Accelerate. The men’s are available here and the women’s here. I received the new Saucony Kinvara 13 as a special surprise just over a month ago, let’s just say they do not disappoint. The timeless classic has received awell-deserved upgrade, with a lighter, better fit, and improved feel for the road. The new improved Kinvara 13 features a … Continue reading
Many a time a delivery arrives at Accelerate. We often have to order well in advance, six months or more, so opening a box can be ‘just like Christmas’. Fairly exciting. When it’s a new shoe the excitement definitely rises, as shoes are tried on and we jump onto the treadmill to find out ‘How they feel and run’. Comparing notes and thoughts, working out who they might suit and so on. It’s fun. Even better when they go onto our very own ‘Want List’. What’s even better is a long term test – when occasionally we are given a … Continue reading
OK, here’s the thing. Right now, within the running industry, there is much talk that running shoe design is becoming more and more dictated by the ‘next thing’ and not science. I recently asked the question: ‘What is becoming of the industry I so love?’ For me, having worked in the running industry since I was 16, having helped with shoe design and tested how many different shoes for magazines and the brands themselves, there is a feeling of disbelief in what I am seeing. Asking what research and science base is there to this ‘new shoe’ I am being … Continue reading
This coming February sees the arrival of the latest Saucony Kinvara. The Kinvara12 is set for a radical update yet remains true to its heritage. So what can we expect? Lightweight with an almost minimalist approach, yet with enough cushioning and support for everyday training, the Kinvara has always been popular. For some it have proved to more of a nifty and responsive racer for others a shoe for fast day training. A traditional shoe in so many ways, resisting the trend towards oversized and max-cushioned shoes. One of the most popular incarnations of the Kinvara from the last couple … Continue reading
Accelerate Scott Team member Harvey was lucky enough to get his hands on a new pair of the Scott Running Cruise. The newest member in Scotts range. Read on to hear all his thoughts on them. The Cruise is the latest addition to Scott’s road running line up. Using their latest Kinetic midsole, a single layered engineered mesh upper and their eRide technology which rolls you forward with every stride. It has resulted in an interesting shoe to run in… First Impressions So this is a strange one. Straight out the box they comfy and feel nice to walk around … Continue reading
Accelerate UK: Sheffield and the Peak's Largest dedicated Running Store Road Running, Fell and Trail, along with Adventure Racing are all covered in store. A wide choice of product is backed up with an unprecedented level of experience and running knowledge. At Accelerate we love our running, we would suggest it shows.