Amanda Brooks's Blog, page 9

8 Best Road to Trail Running Shoes for Runners Who Go Everywhere

If you’ve ever found yourself needing to do a combo run, then you might be wondering how to pick the right shoes. We don’t want to wear down the lugs and yet maybe your daily shoes aren’t right. Let’s look at the best road to trail running shoes right now.

Road-to-trail running shoes are designed to provide the best of both worlds. They offer the cushioning and responsiveness needed for road running while delivering some grip and stability for trails. Nothing here would be a shoe for highly tec...

Lululemon Split Shift Review | Finally, a Lululemon Shoe Built for Real Runners

Our review of the new Lululmeon Split Shift running shoe, their attempt to really take some big strides forward with shoe technology.

Lululemon isn’t often a brand we think of for running shoes. But they found a foothold with the Lululmeon BeyondFeel for newer runners and the Lululemon Split Shift running shoe has left me pleasantly surprised for some longer miles!

Can a brand that is typically know for yoga apparel compare to some of the big running shoe brands? Maybe, especially when they use ...

10 Best Walking Shoes That Work From Morning Walks to All-Day Adventures

If you enjoy walking for all its benefits, then finding the best walking shoes needs to be on top of your list of priorities! Whether you’re a regular power walker or just starting out, having the right pair of walking shoes can make those feet enjoy it all the more.

Walking has many health benefits, but it’s incredibly important to buy walking shoes that fit you properly to avoid blisters, discomfort or other issues.

But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the perf...

10 Best Running Leggings with Pockets for Phone: Tried and Tested!

One of the things that makes people laugh is my confession of running around with an empty hydration pack largely because it provides an easy place to hold my phone. But I’ve now compiled a stockpile of running leggings with pockets for phone that I feel good using and recommending!

One of the things I love most is new running gear…I mean it gives me an excuse to go run the second that I open it and of course in this job I have the honor of testing out a lot of things.

When it came to this list...

From Heat Waves to Crisp Mornings: September Running Gear Roundup

September isn’t always as cool as we would like it to be, but there’s no denying that true fall weather is right around the corner.

It’s time to start transitioning from oppressive heat to cooler mornings, and we’ve tested some gear that is going to help you from late summer into fall,

If you’ve tried something we’ve featured, we’d love to hear your feedback. It helps us keep going and decide what to try out next.

Gorewear Everyday Track Pants

I was looking for a jogger that could keep up on adv...

Can Orthotics Actually Fix Runner’s Foot Pain? | Our Upstep Custom Orthotics Review

Foot pain can make even the best runs frustrating. A little extra focus on foot strength, combined with the right footwear choices, can go a long way toward relief. Let’s talk about how these two work together, specifically with custom orthotics over in-store insoles.Over the years, I’ve bought insoles at running stores, worn them for a little while, and then let them collect dust in the back of my closet.

Upstep custom orthotics are different. They’re designed specifically for what my body need...

Best Barefoot Shoes For Stronger Feet and Better Balance

We’re not big fans of running in barefoot shoes, but for lifting? Sign us up! We’ve rounded up the best barefoot shoes from running to lifting based on our testers feedback.All these new max cushioned running shoes are actually going to work against you in the gym.

They’re built to help propel you forward, layered with foam underfoot to soak up the impact mile after mile, and sometimes shaped with a rocker to help with that heel-to-toe transition. Perfect for running, but definitely not for lift...

Hoka Mach X3 Review | Finally Worth the Hype

Not to sound like a broken record from the last Mach X, but here we are again with a shoe that’s totally different. The Hoka Mach X3 has gone through another round of changes, so is this the one that finally hits that sweet spot? We sure hope so.I’ve always been a fan of the Hoka Mach and Mach X lineup. Unlike some of the classic Hokas that can feel a bit bulky, to me, the Machs have always struck a good balance. They’re light enough to pick up the pace, but versatile enough to handle those easi...

2026 Lululemon Seawheeze Race and Travel Planning Tips

2026 means the return of Lululemon’s incredible Seawheeze half marathon. Which means we had to dig out our  photos and tips to help you have the best weekend ever.Seawheeze is a coveted lottery and holy smokes it took me like 4 years to get in the first time around, so I feel like with the increase in participation it will be super hard now. I had an idea that this was a different experience, but not so much that I bothered to do much investigation or pre-planning on what to expect.

Even as a ve...

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 Review | A Leaner, Meaner, Marathon Racer

 The New Balance SuperComp Elite v5 is a solid update that strikes the difficult blend of speed and comfort, but features stark changes that could prove a bit divisive.

New Balance loves to make a splash with each version of the SuperComp Elite, and this release is no different!

The SCE v5 (because seriously, can the name be any longer?) is lighter, leaner, and considerably faster than previous versions. The shoe features the FuelCell foam that New Balance fans have come to love, a stiffer carb...