I thought the skateboard would be #1 😂

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Haha that's hilarious, how did I not think of that! 🤦

water-proof knee socks for trail running. This was an REI product I bought online not realizing that they are basically made from neoprene. What I also hadn't considered was the fact that no water in also means no water out. After only 8 miles my feet were completely drenched with sweat and starting to blister. I salvaged these by cutting off the feet to use as socks for rowing. The tops I use as calf guards for poison oak.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Good you found some use for them in the end!! Very inventive

My best purchase was the subway ticket bought in 2019, that took me too my last outdoor basketball game, which injured my foot, which made me start running instead. Changed my life.

Running shoes are just so personal, I think. What works for one person, is a disaster for another. The Asics Novablast was a disaster for me, felt like I had on high heels. Was supposed to be 8mm drop, felt like double that.

Thanks for all your help advise and tips.

Love your humility and honesty, bro, which is why I keep watching you. Glad that the tough race has helped you know where to focus on now. Cheering you on with that. What about Sarah's race?

Have to say the Powerdot helped with my recovery from tendinitis and the tens feature has also been useful. I keep the pads in the fridge which almost doubles their lifespan. Don’t have hairy legs so that also helps 😂

Great video and insight. Thanks.

My best recent purchase has been the Adizero Adios Pro 3 ❤ These are my 1st carbon running shoes and had an amazing 11 miler in them yesterday in preparation for my 1st marathon in 2 weeks time 👌👍

My son did the marathon leg of Ironman Wales in the Bondi X. I guess they suit some folk and not others - absolutely loves them.

I love the Petzl Swift RL! I've run 3 (or 4? Lost track now) 100 mile trail races, and many many many late night/early morning runs with it! Plus so many people use Petzl lights with their proprietary battery that if yours dies in a race there's bound to be someone you can swap with!

That head torch is brilliant, best head torch and red bit at the back will save your life when running on a country road.

Thank you Ben!

Glad to know I’m not alone in spending money on bad running gear. It’s so frustrating sometimes

Loved the headline on this. I am pretty much a minimalist on running purchases. I know I've bought some shorts and tanks that have chafed me to no end. They were worthless for me. I'd argue some of the races I've paid for have also been poor purchases as well: poor organization or what not. Fortunately, I have more successful purchases than duds. I bought a FlipBelt after your suggestion and I love it. Thanks for all you do.

@whathehec

29 күн бұрын

What would be your top 3 purchases?

I love my NAO+ head torch. The light sensor mode is excellent for road running (prevents blinding oncoming cars), the full mode is great for trail running, and the spare batteries can be swapped in very easily.

For me it was gels--all of them. They didn’t fair well for me at all, too many bad blood sugar crashes no matter what I used so I switched to diol ketones and smart fuel strategies. I love that your cat helped you heal that broken ankle! Cats are the best! 🐱

@flyingpanhandle

9 ай бұрын

You should try a SuperSapien sensor. I got some on a trial for free. Could see how i was fueling, was able to try loads of different things. Maurten ended up being perfect. No crashes or hitting the wall again.

@99cya

22 күн бұрын

try Maurten. it works fantastic for me.

I was about to get the Kiprun to give them a try. Thanks to this review I got instead the NB rebel V 3 at 50% discount price lol.

I really got on and regularly use my bondi x. Use for recovery runs and also have done recently a 25k run in them absolutely no problem. Id say having wide feel its then your shoe.

I love this. A KZread video telling me not to buy stuff. I can just sit back and feel great that I never bought any of these... Except Nike invincible.. I agree with your view on those

Hydralyte sachets for a long run in Australian summer. The whole label/outside of the sachet packet disintegrated in my running vest because of the sweat and rain, leaving a heck of a mess and they were impossible to tear open. Always buying a tube of tablets from now on 😅😅😅

Worst purchase was a hand held mobile phone holder from adidas, was so bad It led me to my best purchase which was buying a tiny smart phone the size of a credit card I could fit in my shorts tiny key pocket.

I’ve had great experience with Nike Invincible 3. I imagine it’s more foot specific. Heel lock lacing worked for me and for long runs it’s been a blessing to minimise impact on an aging body.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Great to hear they are working well for someone!! Hopefully you’ll be able to get some big discounts soon and stock up!

@leedelfuego1854

9 ай бұрын

Same here, one of my favourite shoes I have owned.

@cuthomas4664

6 ай бұрын

Yes, you are right. These shoes don't fit him pretty well, that doesn't make it a bad pair of shoes, but a poor fitting buyer

Couldn’t relate to a video anymore ! I can’t believe the Nike invincible 3s have such good review, I also had the worse heel slip with them and when I used the lace locking hole it would then just hurt the top of my foot !

I just wish the hyperice vyper wasn’t so tiny. It’s hard to contort my body to dig into that little thing. My worst ever running gear purchase were the Hoka SuperSonics. Luckily I got to return them.

ooooo great video

Personally love the Normatec Go - also bought it from the US after a few calf injuries and have found it so convenient and refreshing - but definitely have to keep the power / strength low. The top settings (6 or 7) are brutal. Sorry to hear your experience was very different!

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Maybe it was user error. I can’t remember what power level I had it on.. probably the same as I use on the main unit, so 5 or 6. But it did hurt by calf good and proper!! Glad it’s working ok for you though!!

@TolunayOrkun

8 ай бұрын

@@BenParkes Probably it was too deep massage. When I got my massage gun, first thing I did was to do calf massage. I spent too much time and applied too much pressure and the next day I could barely walk. I think same thing has happened to you. Even from the same manufacturer, it is best to start from lower settings and increase intensity afterwards.

before i know much about running shoes ive got shoes that heal slip, laces randomly unties every kilometer, some got midsole as hard as a wood plank, some midsoles that compress within 3 runs, and shoes that have upper separated from midsole within a couple of runs.

I was waiting your UTMB video. It would be an amazing chance to inspire through what for you was a bad day. Many people are waiting for it. See you soon.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

I was pretty Ill and didn’t really film that much. But don’t worry, what I do have will make it into another video soon.

@escoacorrere

9 ай бұрын

Great to know! It will be amazing as usual and a really good opportunity to keep real and inspire. ❤

Feels like the UTMB entry fee should make that list...😂

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

ha, yes.. probably!

I have the powerdot and I do find it nice for recovery, though having hairy legs is annoying

I just bought Invincible 3 and sent them back within 30 minutes after the delivery. Really nice deal (-40%) and colorway (cool grey) but they felt like wearing flip flops. The problem lies within the heel and offers little to no lock-down. I bought Nimbus 25 instead.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Much better shoe! Glad you got a decent option in the end

I have two of the Pretzl Bindi. Its really light! And it does both red and white light. So I have one on the front and back.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

I’ve never heard someone doing that.. but clearly should work well. Very inventive!

Agree on normatec go, they caused me pain in sciatic nerve, was in crutches for a few days. Too much compression in nerves will wear away the Myolyn nerve sheath, causing inflammation and intense pain. Best recovery for that is rest and Benfotiamine in liquid form

Watching this with my son and he thinks the Normatec looks like Wallace and Gromit’s wrong trousers 🤣

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Haha. Very good!! 😂

Would you recommend buying the normatech boots? Seems like a very hefty price tag. Would be a great subject to make a video on how you like them and see if they are worth it

I had such a good experience with the Invincible 3. Definitely had a bit of a issue of the heel slip at the beginning but after you put few miles in it gets better. Obviously it's all personal but just wanted to give my experience

The thigh heating pad you have to put another layer under it like a towel and you can feel the heat at a relaxing temperature. I do this with my heating knee pad.

Great video! Glad I didn't see my running shoes on here 🤭

Good vid. thanks

250km+ on my invincible 3’s. They are my go to shoe for recovery/zone 2 work. I thoroughly enjoy them. I did buy a women’s pair (for the colour that was available) so they were a narrow pair of shoes for me, which probably prevented the heel slippage you mention.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Maybe that's the secret for narrower feet. Good hack if it worked for you William!

@ethanneutz2982

9 ай бұрын

The heel slippage goes away after about a week of running! I have had two pairs now and for some reason, when they are new, they have the slippage issues. Once you put some miles on them, the issues ceases. They’re a great shoe but I agree, the initial slipping can be a pain.

Are you still on track for Chicago? Getting close! Hope to see ya there!

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Yes. See you there!

My Nike Pegasus 39 is only decent for shorter runs, like 10k and under. It hurts my feet anything longer than that.

How beneficial do you find the compression boots to be, Ben?

I was totally surprised during my first run in the Invincible 3. It felt good but when I took it for a longer run (8 miles), I developed a calf strain. Thought it was just fatigue but it happened again in the same distance. So, I’ve ditched them and not surprised they ended up on your worst list…I did get the Gel Nimbus 25 and they fit like a glove and have been the best shoe purchase I’ve made this year (we’ll see if the Vaporfly 3 ends up in my best 2023 shoe purchase!)

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Yes, the gel nimbus is such a comfortable shoe!

Lol bondi x and invincible 3 i found to be awesome 🤣

My worse purchases were the last 2 ASICS Nimbus (24 and 25). Mostly the 25’s, so much praise and it was the first shoe in many years that I had hill blisters and, after less than 200kms in and already feels “flat”

I love my normatec 3 leg, use it post run and before bed. Works a treat

All this vibrating stuff is for "recovery"?🤨

Saucony Xodus ultra 2, after 200 km on trails they were really destroyed in the upper and also in the sole. I was really disappointed

So I’ve got the power dot and I think it’s amazing for recovery. I use it right after a long run or bike ride and it truly does help reduce soreness in your legs. Not sure I’d use it for building or maintaining muscles.

Invincible 1+ 2 were horrendous for myself, really bad hot spots and pain on the ball of my foot., invincible 3, only bought because of seeing it had changed, even after your initial review , which wasn’t great, they have been superb for me! 3rd time lucky 😂

3rd Lady at UTMB had Decathlon shoes

@321bigbang

9 ай бұрын

Evadict MT cushion 2 👍

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

They will have some good shoes in the range I’m sure!

Great vid, I'm always interested to see what are duds and what works for others. Any Nike shoes i have ever ran is caused an issue with anything with my knee to my feet to my back, so i'm never using a Nike shoe to run in.

@oliveuk

9 ай бұрын

it is the exact opposite for me ;-) If I have some mild injuries, I would immediately switch to my Nike Tempo and to be honest.... I only run in those now on a daily basis. I am fairly light though.

Zoom fly 3 was the worst running purchase I’ve had. It was heavy and super clunky, the plate in it didn’t actually produce any benefit without the nice foam. I think I got 20 miles out of mine over a few months of trying to use it for workouts and jogging a bit but it just never worked for me

I found the Adidas Adizero Boston 11s were absolutely incompatible with my foot shape - which I imagine is the root of the problem for lots of people who don’t like particular shoes! They caused intense arch pain almost immediately when walking or running any distance, dug into the sides of my feet in weird places, and they never really seemed to break in or stop being stiff. Eventually I had to abandon them after a lot less than 100 miles of use, which was gutting.

I love my NormaTech Go’s. I use them twice a day sitting at my desk. I hate that you didn’t like them. I have had calf issues for years so they have helped me a lot.

Hokas, Clifton 7 and 8s. I've tried them in different sizes in relation to my foot size but I just DO NOT find them comfortable to run in. Tried them with wide fit also but nope, just not for me unfortunately.

I think i just made my worst purchase the other day, still waiting for them to be delivered: Icebreaker fastray short running tights. I need tights to prevent chafing, but i really liked all the merino clothing i got recently, so i figured i might try out merino running tights as well. Except, there don't seem to be any for guys, let's see how uncomfortable that's going to be...

My worst purchase was the original Hoka Rincon. Still the only shoe I bought for full price. Everyone loved it so I thought how could I lose. Used it for 400 miles and hated 400 of them. To me they were like running on cardboard, no cushion at all. I still can’t fathom how so many people thought they were great. Put me off Hoka and not bought a pair since.

I purchased the kiprun kD900X second hand not used off e bay. Had no problems with them and for £70 are a great running shoe. Done over 80k and foam is feeling softer. For Mr average with a budget they make a good shoe.

I bought the Nathan Hyberbrite 2 pack LED lights. 1 red, 1 white. Red shuts off after about an hour even on a good battery. You don't know it shuts off on you if you presumably wear it on your back. Sure you can turn it back on and white doesn't have the problem, but it's better to not risk safety.

Great video. Glad to see I’m not alone. Worst shoe to date for me was the ASICS Glide Ride v1. Nothing about this shoe was a winner. Didn’t like it for slow runs or long runs. It just sits in my closet mocking me.

My biggest regret is the Apple Watch ultra. Fell for the marketing hook line and sinker. 3 months later I bought a Coros apex 2 pro and the Apple Watch was a 1300 dollar iPod. The fitness tracking from Apple is just straight poop hole

@jpod

9 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

@danabc322

9 ай бұрын

One of my favourite purchases was the Apple Watch ultra! I switched to it from a garmin and never looked back. Not having to take a phone or cards with me on a run was an absolute game changer for me. My worst purchase (and probably even more controversial than the watch) were the Brooks Glycerin 20s. They were my first real ‘good’ shoes but I found them to be slow and heavy, and I preferred my £30 adidas falcons though I did persevere with them for about 2 months before sending them back.

@thebullfighter6733

9 ай бұрын

@@danabc322 I typically don’t run with a phone anyways. If I’m doing a long or easy run I bring it for music. Apple fitness and workout management is just terrible. No aerobic endurance, aerobic power, anaerobic metrics. No ability to share or non manually upload workouts from my coach or from My phone. The HR data is terrible on the AWU. Constant spikes to over 170 HR while I’m running easy paces. I’ve worn the AWU coros and whoop as well as a heart strap and the AWU is always off. From a casual runners perspective. I can see the appeal. I train fairly seriously, Apple is not an option for me, when you see what you get from coros, from race predictors, to total fitness analytics and recovery which apple does none of, it’s a no contest that Apple is not the way to go. There’s also a reason why 0 pros use the watch also.

@jpod

9 ай бұрын

@@danabc322 I wear two watches Garmin Fenix 6 and series 8 Apple Watch for the LTE, not a fan of Apple health metrics beyond ECG which is quite good look silly but no longer carry a phone on my runs and never have battery issues 😬

@feezee82

9 ай бұрын

@@danabc322 Garmin watches have Garmin Pay. So you can pay with a Garmin watch just like an Apple Watch. And while it’s great that Apple Watch can connect to the internet without a phone, I don’t want to pay an extra 200€ or so a year for that privilege.

Where can I buy your shorts?

Random question but do you elite runners get chaffing on your inside thighs? I've done training runs and after some distances inside of my legs have rubbed together and are quite painful, so I wear shorts with lining, but sometimes would be great to run without those. Do you use lots of chaffing cream, vaseline, etc? Or just get used to it?

The decathlon kiprun kd900x is a great shoe for long training runs. The worst shoe is adidas Adios pro 2. Heel slippage and unstable.

My absolutely worst shoe was a Nike Pegasus 37. An absolute torture of a shoe...

@19JSC92

9 ай бұрын

Agreed. I forced 100 miles out of my pair before relegating them to a gym shoe, they were so firm and unresponsive!

@amrunning1301

9 ай бұрын

Agreed !

@simoniles5506

9 ай бұрын

I have not heard of a single non reviewer that enjoyed those death traps

@adamsoft7831

9 ай бұрын

It's funny. I really liked the 37s, but the 38s were unusable garbage to me.

@shanewilson199

9 ай бұрын

@@adamsoft7831used to roll my ankle… went to ASICS.

Asics Magic speed 3 did not work for me. I felt like they had padding or arch support at all and my ankle was about to roll with every stride.

I bought a patellar knee strap after injuring my knee a few years ago. I could barely walk with it on, and even an easy jog was agonisingly painful. Lucky it didn't cost too much!

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Ouch.. hopefully you're all recovered now!

i swear the invincible 3s have the worst heel slippage imaginable

Aren't these in your Amazon wishlist on your programs?

Worst running gear: Hoka Gaviota 3, heavy, caused cramp, slow, upper was so tight height Wise. For the same price as Novablasts at the time, I felt scammed.

Nike Zoom X. Heavy + hard = plantar fasciitis… Salomon running vest. The zips rusted / seized up within 2 months and is now useless. Best purchase, a couple of coaching sessions, running books and Garmin watch.

@TolunayOrkun

8 ай бұрын

What Nike Zoom X shoe are talking about? Zoom X is the foam. There are many shoes using that foam including top end Vaporfly and Alphafly. The foam itself is quite soft. Could it be ZoomFly 5?

@HS-fm9kv

8 ай бұрын

@@TolunayOrkun Those are the ones- yes

My worst purchases would be Adidas Prime X Strung And Adidas Adios Pro 2. The Prime X shoes just make no sense at all - they are rather uncomfortable, give you no feel for the ground, really heavy, but most importantly aren't fast at all compared to other super shoes. The Adios Pro 2 are just too extreme - the rocker is so aggressive it makes your toes point up, which makes my feet numb pretty quickly. The shoes are undoubtedly fast, but they are really uncomfortable, and at least I can't imagine wearing them for a duration of a marathon. But so that I don't look like an Adidas hater, one of the best shoes I've bought in recent years are Adidas Takumi Sen 8. These are really fast, quite comfortable, and durable. Really enjoy doing my speed sessions in them.

Where do you get your hats though? 👀

My absolute worst purchase was the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 shoes. Couldn't take them beyond 10km without them really hurting the soles of my feet, and found they caused so much Achilles soreness (could be the curved rocker design forcing my toes up unnaturally?). The aches and pains also mean I can't hit the same paces as other shoes for intervals either, so a complete waste of money. The only silver lining was they were 30% off rather than full price (but that's still a fair whack of money)

My biggest waste of money was purchasing a carbon version of Leki poles as both of the poles got stock after few Trail runs and hiking. Absolutely stuck, like they are glued together from the day of eternity! So disappointing! So embarrassing!

Are you interested in buying a bridge? In all seriousness mine is a pair of On Cloud runners. They tore my feet to shreds.

My worst running purchases were those recommended by youtube influencer who waxed lyrical about shoes and certain products but i absolutely hated those products as it never worked for me 😂😂😂😂

What hat is that? Looks very comfortable

The Normatec Go is actually good lol. I love them.

I love how different everyone finds everything in running - Invincible 3 get a lot of hate but I love them and get none of the reported issues and the Novablast 3 and Nimbus 25 got a lot of love but I absolutely hated them. In 2 minds about the power dot - but if I’m being honest I think you are right, they don’t really do anything. I don’t feel any better after using them and the pads are a pain in the ass.

@feezee82

9 ай бұрын

People have different shaped feet. Simple as that. For me, for example, none of HOKA shoes work - regular ones are far too narrow, wide ones are far too wide.

@leedelfuego1854

9 ай бұрын

@@feezee82 there’s a lot more to it that just foot shape I think. My hatred of the NB3 and Nimbus 25 had nothing to do with fit.

@sparkatela

9 ай бұрын

Same! I love my invincible 3’s! About 300mi on them, zero issues. Returned the Nimbus 25, they were very unkind to my feet to say the least.

@Ze-Germanzuk

9 ай бұрын

​@@leedelfuego1854I hated the Nimbus 25, but after about 50miles they became one of my favourite shoes and my daily workhorse. I hated the way they fit, I hated the feeling of the weird gel pad inside and they were too thick and hot. But over time the gel has spread, they seem to have really moulded to my feet and while they are still on the hot side I don't really notice anymore. Thought the same about the Saucony Guides, hated them for 30-40miles and then something just clicked.

@leedelfuego1854

9 ай бұрын

@@Ze-Germanzuk I really wanted to love them as found the upper so comfy but the absolutely hated the midsole - felt like I was running through sand and they were sucking the life outta me with each step. Couldn’t wait to get home and get them off which was a shame.

God damnit I brought the invincible 3 as my first pair of running shoes. Seems fine in store, never even know heel slip was a thing. Went on my first run and omg you were right. 😭😭😭

what about the SLab Salomon jacket? I tried the same one you use in a store and couldn't believe we couldn't adjust the tightening of the hood so I felt it would be impossible to run with the hood on on a rainy day even over a hat unlike my cheap Decathlon jacket. It is a freaking 300 quids!

@oliveuk

9 ай бұрын

ah and I bought some Craft shorts but got some horrible shafing on a half marathon. The seams on the inner legs is way too coarse and they didn't last manyy washing with taping falling apart unlike Lululemons racing shorts or Nikes.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

I quite like the jacket. Works ok for me! Could do with some hood adjustability, but it’s not bad enough to make it on this list!

What’s the Hoka shoe in the thumbnail?

I've a had the KD900x for over 500 miles and love them, that includes 3 marathons

I think you're being a bit harsh on the Bondi X. Clocked up 250 miles in mine. Great for long runs and HM. No heal slip and super comfortable. You do have to be careful with lacing up.

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

Just goes to show that reviewing shoes is hard.. what worked for some are a nightmare for others and vice versa! Great that you've found a shoe that's working for you!!

Cross-country combines all the worst aspects of road running and trail running and none of the good - what's not to like?!

I love my Hoka Bondi for recovery runs . Maybe they aren’t suited for your foot type.

Can u imagine listening to someone about heal slip when they don't use a runners knot

My worst was probably the original Prime X. Desperately wanted to love these but very unstable and for me, uncomfortable and gave me blisters. Pretty painful for such expensive shoes. Second worst was the Bondi 7. It’s heavy and lifeless, and not nearly squishy enough to be a good recovery shoe.

Adidas Takumi 8. Have to put bandage on my left foot!!! Allways.....

I've bought about 15 running vests over the years, none of them ever fit properly. Too small, too tight, too big, too wobbly. In the end, I kept 4, which were the least moving around. Happy end: in the meantime I'm a bit older, a bit slower, have eaten a bit more burgers, and suddenly I have 4 vests that fit perfectly. If only all the challenges of running could be solved so easily 😅

Brooks Ghost were my worst purchase, absolute agony despite getting them fitted, had to finish a ParkRun barefoot

i think buying geniune hiking boots to use for trail running, never again

Do you recommend any massage guns? they vary widely (wildly) in price and I've always wondered whether one of the cheaper ones might actually get the job done. Can a good old fashioned roller do the job just as well?

@TolunayOrkun

8 ай бұрын

There is really not much of a difference in function between them. Don't waste your money in a very expensive fancy one. Foam roller will work mostly but a massage gun will be able to apply massage where you need it the most and you can more easily adjust the intensity of the massage.

I noticed that you're not using the runner's knot. I'm curious what would happen if you did. Would your heel still slide?

@BenParkes

9 ай бұрын

On the invincible 3? The heal slip improved a little, but it didn’t go away completely. Still made it impossible for me to run in the shoe

I once did a half marathon in air Nike TNs and they gave me horrible pain in the middle of my foot haha I think I just binned them xD

Adidas Adizero prime x2 strung!! My feet are way too wide, I could not even put them on..sad, but I bought a superblast from the money I got for the adidas, and I’m loving them 🫶🏼