Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 29

Kiprun KS900.2 Review | A Plush Ride For Casual Miles

Kiprun’s goal with the KS900.2: “redefine the concept of comfort.” And at first glance, it looks like they deliver: a towering stack of plush foam, a snug knit upper, and enough padding to rival your favorite couch.

But here’s the thing—while it looks like it should deliver a pillowy, effortless ride, the experience is more grounded. It’s undeniably soft and well-cushioned, but the weight and firmness take away some of the spring you might expect from a daily trainer. So, does the KS900 2 live ...

5 Best New Balance Walking Shoes for All Day

Looking for the best New Balance Walking shoes to keep your legs feeling good on the move? Look no farther because today I’m going to help you find just the right pair and make sure this is the right brand for you.

As a gear testing expert who cherishes the rhythm of a good walk and empathizes with the needs of those who rely on their feet all day long, I understand the significance of finding the perfect pair of walking shoes.

Your feet, the unsung heroes of your daily ventures, deserve comfor...

7 Best Running Shoes for Ankle Support

Not all runners require the same level of ankle support in running shoes. For individuals with specific biomechanical needs or a history of ankle-related issues, the right pair can be a game-changer. We’ll look at some of the best models and ensure it’s what you need for support.

The ankles, often likened to the foundation of a house, play a pivotal role in maintaining stability and balance during the repetitive motion of running. This is where the significance of ankle support running shoes co...

Brooks Levitate Review (Replacement Options)

This post is sponsored by Zappos, all opinions are my own.

Who wants to plunk down cash on a shoe that you’re unsure about. Especially if like me you tend to buy online because stores don’t carry your size or they happen to not have the model you’re curious about.

Enter Zappos.

Not only do they tend to have more comprehensive information on shoes than you’ll often find on the brand website, but fast, free-shipping and 365 return policy just makes it easy.

Running is hard, ordering fun gear shoul...

Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite Review | Stylish Lightweight Performance

When I heard the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite were on their way to me, I was super excited. For those who don’t know, this trail shoe was born out of a collaboration with Hoka and the uber-fashionable French running brand Satisfy. They had a limited edition release of the high end collab that sold out super quick. 

This latest version of the shoe was made for the average consumer at a typical price point, keeping the same fashion elements as the collab with some minor changes. It’s branded as a lif...

Lululemon Chargefeel 3 Review | Sticking the Gym Landing

The Lululemon Chargefeel 3 is listed as a hybrid training shoe for gym time, classes and some running. Obviously we needed to know just how much running and did it perform in the gym.

While the Lulu Beyondfeel running shoe can easily handle 6+ miles, for most folks the Chargefeel is going to feel too minimal. It’s a great shoe for those Hyrox classes where you’re mostly doing weights and plyo, but occasionally need to throw in a run around the block.

And where are my pickleball fans? This should...

7 Hill Running Workouts to Boost Your Speed and Endurance

While hill workouts and hills sprints sound interchangeable, they’re actually different things. Both are massively beneficial. Today we want to give you concrete ideas to get out and start building those powerful legs.

Want to get faster? Become more injury proof? Improve your stride?

I think you know what I’m going to say next: stop avoiding hills!

And no, you don’t need to live somewhere hilly with trails like Colorado (basically, I can’t avoid hills). The consistent variation, even if small,...

Norda 005 Review | Lightweight, Built to Last Race Day Shoe

Are you looking for a light, fast shoe for trail racing?  Look no further, the Norda 005 could be the perfect shoe for you and it will also go the distance on less technical ultra races you encounter and this shoe is built to last. 

Who is Norda?  They’re a small shoe company out of Montreal Canada, founded in 2020 that creates trail shoes that are built to last but also environmentally friendly. 

Their mission is “To get the best performance out of the world’s best materials while leaving the...

Understanding Red Light Therapy for Athletes

If you’ve ever dealt with a running injury, then I know what brought you here. Frustration. Looking for answers and trying to find something that will help your body get back to running! Red light therapy is a really robust topic so we’re going to break it down!

Red and near-infrared light therapy use a special spectrum to spur healing. The results of several studies suggest that this modality may ease the pain of arthritis and other chronic conditions. It may even speed healing after a tough le...

Lululemon Beyondfeel Review | Easy 3 Winner

Running shoe snobs have turned up their noses at a lot of brands attempting to create running shoes. But what we know is that the more accessible it feels, the more runners we get to embrace! So let’s talk about the Lululemon Beyondfeel running shoe.

I’ve been putting these shoes to the test on a variety of runs to find out just how they feel, are they durable and who is going to enjoy the most. I think some of you are going to be surprised!

Who Is It Good For?Who is Lululemon Beyondfeel a good...