Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 11

10 Best Running Hydration Packs and Vests Right Now

When it comes to running hydration there are plenty of options for carrying water, including my personal favorite the running hydration pack. Over the last 13+ years, we’ve tested an insane number of options AND gotten feedback from runners like you. Whether you’re hitting the trails or racing hard on marathon, having the right hydration pack can make all the difference.

From ultra-lightweight vests designed for minimalists to high-capacity packs for long trail days, we’ve narrowed it down to he...

Topo Vista Review | Great Cushion and Grip, But There’s a Catch

With its max stack height and trail-ready sole, the Topo Vista is designed help you endure and persist during high-mileage, technical days and mountain traverses. Our review of this ultra and trail shoe!
These might not be your fastest footwear, but the thick cushion will keep you moving. Additionally, their foot-shaped profile allows the toes to spread (or swell) comfortably in the spacious toebox while the narrower heel reduces foot movement.

Who Is It Good For?Who is the  Topo Vista a good f...

Inspired by Faith Kipyegon? How to Run a Faster Mile Right Now

After Faith Kipyegon’s incredible attempt to break the 4 minute mile, we’ve got a feeling the mile is about to have a serious moment in the running community. If you’re wondering what it takes to run a faster mile, here are some tips whether you want to race the clock or just see what you’re capable of.

image from @mamainthefastlane

I’ve already talked about how to run a mile without stopping, so we’re going to skip over that here. This time, we’re talking about what to do if you want to run fas...

Brooks Hyperion Max 3 Review | Divided Minds On This Supertrainer

Brooks made some updates to the Hyperion Max 3, but do the changes actually make it a better max cushioned super trainer, or did they miss the mark? I’ve been putting in the miles both on the treadmill and out on the roads to find out.
If you’ve run in previous versions of the Hyperion Max, you’ll spot the differences right away. But of course, looks can only tell you so much. What really matters is how the shoe fits, feels, and performs when the miles start adding up.

Originally launched in 202...

Saucony Hurricane 25 Review | Heavier Runners Snag This ASAP

I slipped on the Saucony Hurricane 25 and immediately felt the stability and plush cushioning. The updated foam is soft yet responsive, and the fit is secure without being tight. Great first impression for easy miles or recovery days.

When I first opened the box I actually said, “whoa, that is one chonky shoe!” which made me really excited and a little bit nervous. I personally love a good cushion, but sometimes too much can be just that, too much. However, the dual-compound midsole combining PW...

Why the Forme Sports Bra Isn’t Worth $300 and What Is

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour had everyone talking in 2024, and so did the Forme Sports Bra she reportedly trained in. With a price tag close to $300, we had to find out if it really lived up to the hype.

After putting it to the test, here’s the truth…. You can definitely find better support for a whole lot less.

They sent it to us free to try out, but that’s still our final call.

I’ve tried a lot of sports bras, maybe almost as many as the running shoes in my closet (and that’s saying something!). I...

Running Against Traffic Is A Rule You Should (Almost) Never Break

Have you ever wondered why people run against traffic? Are they on the wrong side of the street? Are there actual laws around where to run? This is hugely important information that we want to make sure every runner knows for safety.

Running Against Traffic

Let’s start with the biggest and most important one right off the bat!

It’s actually against the law in many places to run with traffic, and for good reason.

It not only allows you to react quicker if a vehicle is coming too close. And the b...

Teva Aventrail: Why Running in Sandals Isn’t Actually Crazy

After 20 years of running, Teva had me truly testing something new by running in sandals last year in the original Aventrail. They’ve now also released the R2T for road to trail and this led us all to ask a lot of questions, like why would you run in sandals?It turns out the answer is surprisingly easy if you ask professional ultrarunner, Mike Wardian: It’s fun!

Granted he also thinks some of the wildest most out there races I’ve ever heard about are fun, but I have to agree. So if you’ve been c...

Injury Prevention Myths We Need to Put to Bed with a Physical Therapist

When it comes to running injuries, there’s a lot of advice floating around, some of it helpful, some of it… not so much. The tricky part? It’s easy to get caught up in outdated or just plain wrong info that ends up doing more harm than good. So it’s time that we squashed some of these injury prevent myths.

photo from @trainsmartrunstrong

That’s why we brought in someone who really knows their stuff. On a recent episode of the Tread Lightly Running podcast, we chatted with Dr. Victoria Seckley, a...

7 Fastest Marathon Courses In The United States

What are the fastest marathon courses in the US? We look at number of Boston Qualifiers, weather and finishers o find out!

If you’re in the mood for running a personal best time or finally hitting a qualifying time for a big race like Boston or London, you might be on the hunt for the fastest courses in the U.S.

In which case, we’ve got you covered. Just remember there are limits now on the net downhill courses!

We have removed all of the Revel races because while they are fast, they no longer c...