SportsShoes Blog

Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Bishop’s Stortford Running Club was formed way back in February 1983.

Their aim was then, and still remains, to help each other achieve whatever goals and targets (great or small) that they set for themselves.

They take the approach of covering the needs of as many running abilities as possible.

The atmosphere at the Club is an informal one; however those members that wish to be competitive will find plenty waiting to take on the challenge!

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Lady Hydrator Long Sleeve Top

PRICE: £26.99

Reviewed by: Mary Amos, Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Excellent wicking and washing. Good shape.

Worst Points: None really!

Other Comments:

Expensive compared to other makes on the market

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Reviewed by: Fiona Sutherland, Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Nice feel and shape. Excellent wicking. Quick drying.

Worst Points: Hard to find but need more reflective strips

Other Comments:

Would prefer slightly thicker material in a long sleeve top.

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Reviewed by: Viv Law, Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Very good wicking. Easy to wash. Good shape

Worst Points: None

Other Comments:

Curved stripes made me look thinner!

Not sure about how good hi-viz.

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Item Tested and Reviewed:

Saucony Ignite Running Top

PRICE: £27.99

Reviewed by: Darren Risley, Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4.5

Best Points: Very comfortable in different temperatures.

Worst Points: Would be too warm in spring/summer

Other Comments:

Great top – like the reflective panels.

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Reviewed by: Peter Amos, Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Very comfortable. Nice feel. Effective wicking

Worst Points: Colour could be more exciting.

Other Comments:

A little expensive against some other makes

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Item Tested and Reviewed:

Saucony Primolite Running Top

PRICE: £32.99

Reviewed by: Pete Binks, Bishop’s Stortford Running Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Very good wicking in different temperatures. Easy to wash.

Worst Points: Baggy at waist. Colour and design a bit bland.

Other Comments:

Would buy it if shape was better

Cornwall Athletic Club

Cornwall Athletic Club has been running since 1984. They train all year round and have a strong Road Running section. In the winter Cross Country is the main form of competition, although the younger members take part in the increasingly popular Sportshall Athletic Meetings.

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See below for reviews:

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Lady Vizipro Optech L/S Sport top Size Medium

PRICE: £44.99

Reviewed by: Nikki West, Cornwall AC from Cornwall Athletic Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 5

Best Points: Really light and comfortable.

This was the best top I have found yet for moisture control- I could even wear it again, which is unheard of as I do sweat a lot and need to always wash sports clothes every time I wear them.

UV protection is a good feature, as is the flashing light on the sleeve

Worst Points: Not seam free, but it was fine for my 3 mile run. May well rub on a long run?

Other Comments:

The price at £44.99 is more than I would normally pay but I would be prepared to pay this as I feel that it would last longer than other running tops I’ve had, due to the moisture control.

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Lady Vizipro Optech L/S Sport top Size Medium

Reviewed by: Lesley Wright, Cornwall Athletic Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Really brightly coloured- highly visible to all others. Comfortable fit. Has zip at neck, so versatile.

Worst Points: Sleeves are quite tight- not easily pushed up when I warmed up enough to need them pushed up.

Small points:- light not easily switched on/ light not easily removed for washing.

Other Comments:

On the whole I did enjoy wearing the top

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Item Tested and reviewed:

Saucony Lady Vizipro Optech L/S Sport top Size Small

Reviewed by: Emma Stallard, Cornwall Athletic Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Technically, I found the material very good- warm yet very breathable.

The visibility is excellent, both in terms of the fluorescent colour and the reflective strips.

The pockets are useful and the zips are strong and feel like they will last.

Worst Points: The cut of the top was too square for me- making it feel too big to be a ‘Small’. It was therefore very baggy around the middle, which wasn’t flattering and could be annoying in the wind.

Technically the material is excellent, but the bobbly style makes it looks like a cleaning sponge!

Possibly a bit TOO bright to wear most of the time, but ideal for night running/foggy conditions.

Other Comments:

The flashing light would be better on the left sleeve- as that is the arm nearest the road, when running towards the traffic, but it’s a great feature.

Overall I would say technically it is brilliant, but style–wise for me it is not fitted enough around the waist and slightly too bright for everyday use.

Fantastic for cold weather running/ poor visibility, over a fitted top/crop top

I would probably buy this if the cut was more my style.

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Item Tested and Reviewed:

Saucony Ignite Optech Sport Top, Size Men’s Medium

PRICE: £44.99

Reviewed by:  Phil Bolt, Cornwall Athletic Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 3

Best Points: Flat seams reducing friction/rubbing.

LED sewn into the sleeve gives great visibility.

Good ventilation and wicking away moisture.

Useful Mp3 pocket.

Worst Points: Badly oversized- at least one size too big (ie. Medium could easily be a Large)

In a competitive market it could be a bit overpriced

Other Comments:

If you are after a high vis running top, then this is up there with the best, all be it fairly expensive.

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Item Tested and Reviewed:

Saucony Ignite Vizipro Optech Sport top Size Men’s Large

PRICE: £44.99

Reviewed by: Adrian Mutsaers, Cornwall Athletic Club

Star Rating (Out of 5): 4

Best Points: Superb wicking qualities. Soft comfortable material- no rubbing or chafing. Handy Mp3 pocket with outlet for headphones. Excellent idea to incorporate a flashing light/torch.

Worst Points: I am fairly large but quite short, therefore found the sleeves slightly too long.

Other Comments:

A bit pricey at £45- but you have to pay for quality and this felt like a quality sports top.

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