Spring is here, and with it is new gear that our editors are loving. Here’s a sample:
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New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo
"When it comes to stability shoes, this one is a modern marvel. Many shoes that offer medial side support typically have a medial post—a wedge of firmer foam that helps slow the rate of a foot's pronation. Some innovative new shoes in this genre have gone away from that, including this one. Instead of a medial post, the Vongo has a one-piece Fresh Foam midsole with a engineered mesh, snug-fitting bootie construction, molded sock liner and a perforated midfoot wrap for structured stability. It's the innovative Fresh Foam midsole design that offers reliable (and subtle) stability, protective cushioning and a bit of responsive pop. It's ridiculously plush and comfortable. It's also fairly high off the ground (25mm in the heel, 21mm in the forefoot) but it doesn't feel overwhelming or so thick that it entirely eliminates a feel for the ground. I've run up to 18 miles in this shoe and so far in 2016 it's been one of my favorites." — Brian Metzler, editor-in-chief ($130, newbalance.com)
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Saucony Speed of Lite Pack
"I drive to a lot of my runs and usually need to pack extra clothes in case I get caught off-guard by weather or need something dry to change into afterward. The Speed of Lite pack has been my go-to of late. It’s super light and has plenty of room for an extra set of clothes or two and a large towel, not to mention extra storage for snacks, wipes and whatever else I need to bring with me. The deep side mesh pockets are perfect for a water bottle or even for lugging a pair of shoes on the outside of your bag." —Mario Fraioli, senior editor ($58, saucony.com)
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Injinji Run Lighweight No Show Socks
"I love it when my toes have freedom to splay—they seem to resent each other and don’t like to be bunched together. While I was hesitant toward joining the toe-sock revolution, I’m glad I did. I find the Run Lightweight No Show socks to be comfy and cozy, yet able to withstand plenty of miles without leaving my feet hot and sweaty. I typically don’t get blisters on my toes unless I’m running a couple hours straight, but I’ll be in toe socks for long runs going forward to help prevent them. These are great." — Ryan Wood, web editor ($12, injinji.com)
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Nike Lunar Epic Flyknit
"Nike did a crazy thing by adding a knit ankle collar to a running shoe, something the Swoosh has been putting on its soccer shoes for a couple years. The crazy part, though, is what it does to the fit and feel of the shoe. The upper can be worn a bit looser -- there are laces on this shoe, but they're not actually essential—because the ankle collar really keeps your foot locked down, with no heel slippage or excessive movement, even at speed. This design also negates the need for a tongue, which is nice. The midsole is lightweight and flexible but a bit firmer than one might expect—in a good way, especially at toe-off. Lightweight (8.3 ounces) and with a comfy, relaxed fit, these shoes seem ideal for a surprisingly wide variety of runs; most anything run just under top speed. Also, it looks much better when actually worn than it does in photos." —Adam Elder, managing editor ($175, nike.com)
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Addaday Marble Massager
"This massager may not look like much, but it gets the job done when I need to quickly work out a cramped muscle or sore spot. It fits in the palm of my hand with ergonomic hand grips that allow me to add firmer pressure on a specific area. The marbles are magnetic, which give it a smooth feel when rolling on my quads, hamstrings, glutes, and sometimes for relieving
neck/shoulder pain from sitting at a desk all day. I keep this at my work desk, but it's small enough to store in my purse and an ideal massager to
take on trips instead of a bulky stick or 'travel-size' foam roller." —Emily Polachek, associate editor ($27, addaday.com)
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The post Gear We Love: April 2016 appeared first on Competitor.com.