SportsShoes Blog

Dulwich Runner’s Club - Reviews of Sportsshoes.com running kit

We are a friendly road and XC running club based in Dulwich, south east London. We have approximately 250 members of all abilities who compete in road, XC, multi-terrain, fell and track races. New runners are always welcome, however fast or slow. Sadly we don’t have the resources to cater for younger runners (under 16). We’re based at the Edward Alleyn Club in Burbage Road and you’ll always find us there on Wednesday evenings. Wednesday at 7:00pm is our main training night but we hold track sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays (in summer). Find out more about us here: http://www.dulwichrunners.org.uk/

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

New Balance Short Sleeve Men’s Running T-Shirt

Reviewed by Jay

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points:

This top provides a very easy going running experience!  It is generously cut and provides a loose fitting top: perfect to let the early summer breeze in.  The material is 100% polyester with a medium thickness and mesh like construction. It feels comfortable and the material is stretchable. The stitching appears well constructed and I didn’t feel any friction points.  The style is very minimalist.  I tried on the black version which has a discreet New Balance logo on the neck and chest of the top.

Worst Points:

The material and mesh construction could be a bit too thick for summer running.  The top wouldn’t suit those who like their running tops to have a more fitted feel.  If you are looking for extras such as pockets, panelling, or dashes of colour or reflective material, then this is not the top for you!

Other Comments:

Overall an excellent minimalist loose fitting men’s running top for individuals who prefer a simple and relaxed style.

Reviewed by Peter

Star Rating (Out of 5): 5

Best Points:

Soft material, did not chafe, good fit and wicked well on a hot run

Worst Points:

None.

Other Comments:

Seems to have washed well with no shrinkage or change in performance.

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Ronhill short sleeve t-shirt

Ronhill Lady T-Shirt

Reviewed by Kim

Star Rating (Out of 5): 5

Best Points:

Very easy and comfortable to wear, good fit, very lightweight keeps you dry, no chaffing,  nice colours too

Worst Points:

None.

Other Comments:

I know all socks feel nice when new on, but these really do feel great.

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Pontypridd Running Club review of Sportsshoes running kit

Pontypridd Running Club

We are a small but thriving running club based in Pontypridd, with over 60 members from all parts of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr, Caerphilly and Bridgend. We are a friendly running club with runners of every ability, so anyone coming down for the first time should easily find someone to run with and no one gets left behind.  Some club members run only Club Training Nights, while some may be beginning to train more often in readiness for a marathon. Whether your aims is to improve your fitness and lose weight, improve your times, or if you just want to enjoy the social side of running, the Roadents are the club for you.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Nike Long Sleeve Top

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Excellent fit, The material was very responsive to the conditions.

Worst Points: No bad points

Other Comments: I wore the top on a 10 mile off road run in damp and drizzly conditions, the initial feel was good not to tight and not to loose. The top performed very well, it felt comfortable and responded well to the wet conditions.

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Adidas Ladies Tights

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4.5

Best Points: The stretch Material was very comfortable and was very responsive when doing a long run or short speed work.

Worst Points: I found the size was a little tight compared to other brands of the same size.

Other Comments: A fantastic look, the tights are very popular, I was amazed how many fellow runners were wearing them. After a number of washes the material was still like new. The pocket was handy.

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Men’s Asics sprinter tights

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Perfect feel, the material was responsive,

Worst Points: A little baggy.

Other Comments: I wore them during a number of speed sessions on the track from 100m to 1000m, they felt good, the rain came down and there was no real effect on the tights, the water did not cause any problem.

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Fairlands Valley Spartans Running Club

Fairlands Valley Spartans is primarily a road running club based in Stevenage, but our itinerary also includes track and off-road activities. We have around 200 members.  Originally formed in 1984, the club will next year be celebrating its 25th anniversary. Friendliness is very much a theme for the Spartans who try to support a wide range of members with a variety of abilities. We cater for everyone, from those wishing to just run with others for company to those training to compete in various races over a range of distances.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Nike 3/4 leggings

PRICE: £19.99

Reviewed by: Samantha Pretty

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Stretch material is comfortable and didn’t seem to stretch too much between washes. They fall just on the crease of the knee for comfort and are very soft.

Worst Points: The waist tie is inconvenient as has to be a knot and rubs, would be better on outside. They are baggy around the crotch area and therefore have to be puller quite high!

Other Comments: They look good, but i feel will pull (possibly on velcro) easily when wearing jackets or arm lights. They also seem the material that may become thin very easily.

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Reviewed by: Michelle Long

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: They stay up and around the waist.

Worst Points: Became very loose around the knee post run.

Other Comments:

Good overall, kept the sweat off of my legs.

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Nike Filament Dri-Fit Tight

PRICE: £11.99

Reviewed by: Sean Thompson

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4.5

Best Points: Comfortable, wick sweat away well, zipped heels

Worst Points: Scratchy/itchy labels

Other Comments: A really nice pair of tights, very comfortable once on and a good weight so as to keep the chill off without being too warm.  Have washed well and the zipped heels make them nice and easy to get off when you are tired.  The only slight negative is that I found the labels were a little scratchy/itchy.  Would definitely recommend.

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Pensby Runners

Pensby Runners are based in Wirral, Merseyside UK. They were started in October 1986 and are now are a well established running club with about 85 members.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Roger Black Running Hydration And Hi-Viz Gift Pack

PRICE: £14.99

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Reviewed by: Roy Fisher

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Comfortable and good value at web prices of £14.95

Worst Points: Mouthpiece technique was difficult to learn and then do whilst running fast. Too little room for other items when full of water.

Other Comments:

I rarely carry water except on long runs on hot days – I usually hydrate before the run. I nearly filled the bladder for my 9 mile trial run which at 2 litres was unnecessarily heavy and was less than half used. I tended to drink

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Reviewed by: Andy Morley

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Light and Comfortable, no noticeable taste tainting of product, which I thought I would notice, plenty of room in bag for extra product, i.e. gels etc.

Worst Points: It took a little while to get used to the mouthpiece. There was no easy storage on the outside of the pack, to enable you to “reach around’, on the run, for another product.

Other Comments:

I found initially that sucking the product through the mouthpiece, as opposed to squirting the product out of a bottle, a little difficult, especially on multi-terrain. Maybe the pack could come with a couple of different mouthpieces, so that you didn’t have to bite it all of the time. Overall I would use the pack for Marathon training where I would need extra fluids. It would also be very useful for cyclists.

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Reviewed by: John and Lesley Keyworth

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Good fit for female runner - doesn’t move too much when running. Definitely prefer it to running with a bum bag.

Worst Points: Water container appeared to leak from fastener at first then realised it needed another turn to secure it. Got it all sorted (without any instructions in package which would have been helpful!) but then found the tube difficult to draw water from.

Other Comments:

Was a good fit for a female but not so good for a larger male. Didn’t hold much once water bag was fitted, so not sure when John would use it. More than likely Les will benefit from this bit of kit. Looks good/light weight and we think it would be useful for a female runner who doesn’t need to carry any extra kit e.g. waterproofs, food etc

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Reviewed by: Andy Smith

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points:

Pack: Strong fabric, reflective materials, chest harness, simple and effective design – no frills etc. Good internal security pocket.

Reflective light: very effective.

Worst Points: Drinks bladder not very substantial. Small opening  - will be difficult to clean. A separate lining for drinks bladder would be beneficial to minimise it sloshing around. Waste buckle and strap would also help.

Other Comments:

Very good value – when compared to other makes e.g. camel back.

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Reviewed by: Adrian Mercer

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Comfortable but tendency to leak when laid flat

Worst Points: moves too much when running

Other Comments:

good for long slow running

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