Amazon has already been running some early Black Friday deals, so there have been plenty of early opportunities to get some kit on the cheap. You can expect the big deals action to continue over the weekend, up until Cyber Monday.

It’s worth remembering that Amazon offers a lot of exercise and fitness kit on its online shelves, including dumbbells and resistance bands, sports watches and fitness trackers, and even treadmills and exercise bikes.

Amazon UK is going to be one of the best places to grab a fitness product Black Friday deal, and you won’t have to hunt around for the best ones, because we’ll have them all here in one place to make sure you don’t miss out.

Here are some of the best Amazon UK Black Friday deals we’ve found

• Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein – save 20% (now £22.51)
• Warrior Whey Protein – save 16% (now £10.05)
• Nature’s Aid Vitamin E 1000iu – save 60% (now £5.76)
• Amfit Nutrition Protein Bars – save 19% (now £12.33)
• SiS Go Running Gels 5 x 60ml – save 24% (now £5.35)
• Surreal High Protein Cereal Variety Pack – save 15% (now £24)
• Eisenlink 4-36kg Adjustable Dumbbell – save 15% (now £203.91)
• Mobvoi Home Treadmill Pro – save 27% (now £218.49)
• Yaheetech 3-Tier Dumbbell Rack – save 19% (now £53.29)
• Google Fitbit Charge 6 – save 29% (now £99.99)
• Garmin Forerunner 255 – save 30% (now £202.89)
• Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor – save 23% (now £58.99)
• Athlyt 9kg Neoprene Dumbbell Set – save 27% (now £32.92)
• ArcticFit LED Running Vest – save 15% (now £29.74)
• Braingain 40kg Adjustable Dumbbells – save 15% (now £339)

NUTRITION DEALS

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey

20% off

Was £28; now £22.51

With 24g high quality protein per serving, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard was already aptly named. Now there’s 20% off, bringing each serving well below £1, making it supreme value too.

Warrior Whey Protein

16% off

Was £11.99; now £5.76

Warrior may not be a nutrition brand you’re familiar with, but with 36g whey protein per 50p serving, we don’t think it will stay that way for long.

Nature’s Aid Vitamin E 1000iu

Save 60%

Was £14.45; now £5.76

With 60% slashed off these 1000iu Vitamin E soft gel capsules, there’s no reason why you can’t get your essential vitamins and minerals this winter.

Amfit Nutrition Protein Bars

Save 19%

Was £15.27; now £12.33

At £1 a bar, this box of 12 x 60g protein bars in cookies and cream flavor is not only exceptional value for money, its also a great way to get your post-workout protein – and it’s a delicious snack too.

SiS Go Running Gels 5 x 60ml

24% off

Was £7.00; now £5.35

We’re big fans of these Science in Sport variety packs. Each 60ml gel delivers 22g of carbs and is low in sugar, and now for Black Friday you can pick them up for around £1 each.

Surreal High Protein Cereal Variety Pack

Save 15%

Was £24; now £20.40

Surreal cereals are a great way to pack in your day’s protein by breakfast. This variety pack has cocoa, frosted, cinnamon and peanut butter flavors, and not only is it reduced by 15% for Black Friday, you can knock an extra 10% off with a subscribe and save option.

FITNESS EQUIPMENT DEALS

Eisenlink 4-36kg Adjustable Dumbbell

Save 15%

Was £239.99; now £203.91

This sleek and stylish adjustable dumbbell gives you a wide 4-36kg weight range in 2kg increments. Changing weights is quick and easy and we love the wide textured handle grip too. There’s also a 4-20kg set at almost half the price.

Mobvoi Home Treadmill Pro

Save 27%

Was £299; now £218.49

For just over £200 you can now get yourself a fully featured smart wearable-compatible treadmill, courtesy of Mobvoi. The Pro model features a compact yet robust foldable design with a carbon steel frame and has a top running speed of 12km/h.

Yaheetech 3-Tier Dumbbell Rack

Save 19%

Was £65.99; now £53.29

If you’ve got an extensive dumbbell collection cluttering up your floor, you (and your significant other) will no doubt appreciate the convenience of a dumbbell rack. This three-tier option is super-sturdy and will accommodate all but the biggest collection of free weights.

FITNESS TECH DEALS

Google Fitbit Charge 6

Save 29%

Was £139.99; now £99.99

Thanks to Black Friday you can now get a Google Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker plus six months premium membership for under £100. Available in coral, obsidian or porcelain, the Charge 6 is the ideal way to track your progress towards your fitness goals.

Garmin Forerunner 255

Save 30%

Was £289.99; now £202.89

Garmin’s Forerunner range is tailor-made for anyone who takes their running seriously. The Forerunner 255 has all the tracking features and recovery insights you could need – and for Black Friday it’s just over £200.

Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor

Save 23%

Was £73.50; now £58.99

In our test to find the best heart rate monitors, the Polar H10 came out on top in terms of accuracy. And for Cyber Week you can now pick up this reliable tracker for under £60. We’d buy one in a heart beat.

Athlyt 9kg Neoprene Dumbbell Set

Save 27%

Was £44.99; now £32.92

There are lower weights on offer but we think these 9kg Athlyt neoprene dumbbells offer the best bang for your buck. If your just getting into strength training these are a good starter weight, and they won’t damage your floors either.

ArcticFit LED Running Vest

Save 15%

Was £34.99; now £29.74

Already something of a steal, this hi-viz run vest is now superb value at under £30. It features build-in LEDs, a phone holder and a 500ml soft water bottle – everything you need to take your running further.

Braingain 40kg Adjustable Dumbbells

Save 15%

Was £399; now £339

If your strength gains are growing faster than your bank balance, you’ll want free weights that cover a wide range but don’t cost a fortune. That’s exactly what you get with this pair of Braingain adjustable dumbbells – 17 different weights from 5kg to 40kg, enough to suit most people’s training needs.

Do you need an Amazon Prime membership for Black Friday deals? 

While Amazon Prime members receive early access to certain deals and exclusive discounts, having a Prime membership isn’t required to access Black Friday deals on Amazon. 

Non-Prime members can still enjoy substantial discounts during the Black Friday period. However, for those seeking extra perks like expedited shipping and early access to ‘Lightning Deals’, an Amazon Prime membership can prove beneficial, especially during the holiday shopping season. If you’re not already a member, it’s probably not worth buying a Prime membership just to access early Black Friday deals, unless you know for sure the price is outweighed by the savings.

Related content:

• How to avoid shopping scams on Black Friday
• How to get the best Black Friday deals
• Best sports watches for the gym

The post Best Amazon UK Black Friday deals for fitness products appeared first on Men's Fitness.

At a time when running shoes are getting stacked high with big, bouncy foams for a more lively running time, the Saucony Kinvara 15 is a throwback to a time before max cushioned running shoes were really on the scene.

The Kinvara is all about keeping you closer to the ground. It cuts back on cushioning, while still giving you enough protection and the kind of responsive feeling underfoot that make them a good fit when you want to go faster.

After the last few Kinvara instalments toyed with the formula of a shoe that’s been on runners’ feet for well over ten years, Saucony now looks keen to go back to its roots with the Kinvara 15. This is one for your up-tempo efforts, so that’s exactly how I used it to see what it’s made of.

Saucony Kinvara 15 features and fit

The Saucony Kinvara 15 (buy now) veers on the minimal and unfussy in terms of design. Though I can’t say I was exactly won over by the garish luminous yellow colorway they turned up in. Even the color options are a bit of a throwback.

The first thing I noticed is how light they are to slip on, with my UK size 8 weighing in at just 192g. That’s not far off the weight of pricier carbon plate racing shoes like the excellent ASICS Metaspeed line. That lighter build is partly down to its thin, single-layer mesh upper. It’s pleasingly flexible and well ventilated. The tongue is gusseted, with some light padding letting it sit snug on the top of the foot and extending to the heel collar.

Inside lies one of Saucony’s PWRRUN sock liners that offers a welcome plush feel when you slip them on. Beneath that lies Saucony’s PWWRUN cushioning technology, the same EVA-based cushioning technology that featured in the Kinvara 14. That means it doesn’t get Saucony’s newer PWWRUNPB cushioning that’s found on the speed-focused Endorphin Pro and Speed. Those use a PEBA-based setup that’s lighter and bouncier than the Kinvara 15’s EVA cushioning. That sits in a shoe with a 4mm drop, indicating that it’s not putting mounds of cushioning between you and the ground. That stack of cushioning has also been reduced from the Kinvara 14 both at the front and the heel.

Keeping you steady and nimble on your feet is an rigid EVA-based outsole. That adds to the overall flexible feel of the Kinvara 15 and ensures it offers good traction. There’s extra rubber reserved for one section of the heel to boost that grip while keeping the overall weight down.

Saucony Kinvara 15 performance

I haven’t run in a Kinvara for a few generations now. So throwing on the 15 was certainly a departure from the more cushioned options I’d typically turn to for up-tempo running days. The first thing Saucony gets right for me is that it’s just a very easy one to slip on and get running. I didn’t have to play around unnecessarily with the tongue and lacing to get things locked down. And the narrow profile suited my skinny feet, though it might cause problems for those with wider ones. It’s quite a snug-fitting shoe, particularly in the middle, but overall it was a pleasure to whip the Kinvara 15 on.

My first run with them was a tempo 5-mile run in the rain. That gave me a good idea of how well that outsole performed and it held up absolutely fine. There’s not heaps of rubber and I’m not seeing any signs of major wear. While I don’t think it’s going to be a huge mileage-consuming shoe, it also doesn’t feel light on protection. The decision not to overload the outsole with rubber adds to the noticeably flexible and agile feeling you get once you get moving at quicker paces.

While Saucony’s PWRRUN is one of its older cushioning technologies, the Kinvara proves that, in the right surroundings, it can still shine. When I picked the pace up, this shoe came alive. Your feet fully engage with that firmer foam, which gives it a nicely aggressive feel. You need to put the work in to get the best out of the Kinvara.

Ideal distance

I kept my first few runs short and sharp mainly because that’s where the Kinvara felt most at home. That low profile gives it a naturally more stable feel than a lot of higher stacked shoes built for faster runs. This definitely has an old school feel about how it goes about its business. It felt great for speed workouts outside and on the treadmill and shined for a session on the track too.

When it was time to increase the running distance and break into just below my faster running pace that’s where I began to crave the bigger, bouncier and lighter cushioning from Saucony’s Endorphin shoes, which can still roll your through fast and efficiently all while giving you that welcome added level of protection and comfort when legs start to tire. This is definitely a shoe I’d be grabbing for shorter sessions rather than a long Sunday marathon training run.

Given the direction that most faster shoes are going, Saucony’s Kinvara 15 is something of a throwback. Not just to a time when lower-stacked shoes were what most people ran in, but also to the feel of what made the Kinvara a Kinvara and that’s going to please loyal fans.

If you like the idea of a shoe that’s well suited to quicker sessions with a firmer feel, then the Kinvara 15 will be a good fit. It’s pretty reasonably priced when compared to most of the competition too.

Saucony Kinvara 15 technical specs

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The post Saucony Kinvara 15: my choice for up-tempo training sessions appeared first on Men's Fitness.

Brooks is a running brand that certainly has one area of the running shoe market pretty well sewn up. You go Brooks if you want a no-nonsense option that puts comfort and protection over everything else.

Where it lags behind the competition is when it’s time to increase the speed. It might have one of the quickest British track runners wearing its shoes, but as far as getting the masses in them, Brooks has got some work to do.

The Hyperion Max 2 is a shoe that wants to be on your feet when you want to go faster. It’s just doing things a little differently to most of the competition. Brooks has made some changes from the Hyperion Max 2’s predecessor. But do they make the Max 2 one of the best running shoes for picking up the pace in? I’ve been lacing it up to find out.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 features

To make the Hyperion Max 2 a better fit for faster days than its predecessor, Brooks surrounds your feet with a thin mesh upper that wraps close and snug and gives you that reassuringly secure fit and pleasingly low-profile look.

The laces and skinny tongue help to keep the overall weight of the shoe down, though it has jumped from the OG Max. My UK size 8 weighed in at 256g, so while it still isn’t a heavy customer to go through the gears, it’s a shame it’s put on a bit of extra bulk.

Below that upper now lies a bigger stack of Brooks’ DNA Flash v2 cushioning technology. It’s an upgrade in bounciness from the first version that appeared in the Hyperion Max. It’s not the latest v3 version or the softer, plusher DNA Tuned foam nestled inside the new Glycerin Max, however. It’s a 6mm drop shoe, which should make it well suited to runners who land on the middle or front of their foot. 

There’s more bouncy albeit firmer foam compared to the competition, with Brooks adding 4mm at the heel and 6mm at the forefoot. A nylon Speedvault plate has also been added to give some of the pop and propulsion promised by the Speedvault+ carbon-based plate used in Brooks’ pricier and more marathon-friendly Hyperion Elite 4. That’s matched up with its RapidRoll rocker that’s all about getting you turning your feet over faster.

That new plate is visible from the outsole where the rubber keeping you well grounded is mainly focused at the front of the shoe, with areas to protect further back as well.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 performance

Having spent time in the Hyperion Max I knew it was one that worked best for up-tempo runs. But it simply didn’t stand out from other shoes that did the same thing. With the Max 2, Brooks has taken its up-tempo trainer and racer in the right direction. 

On my first run, the move to the newer version of its DNA Flash cushioning technology clearly paid off. Even if it doesn’t give you that same lively, bouncy feeling underfoot that similar shoes like Saucony Endorphin Speed, Hoka Mach 6 or Asics Magic Speed give you. You’re getting a more conservative level of bounce here. But with that rocker and added plate also in place, there’s plenty of pop when you speed things up. It came to life on a track session where everything that’s packed into the Max 2 clicked into gear.

For a shoe of this kind it’s also a very stable one. If you’re wary of a wilder-feeling training partner, the Max 2 will appeal. That more stable feeling is welcome when you need to slow things down during runs as well. It’s not the kind of shoe I’d turn to for easy running days. But when I did need to ease up slightly it wasn’t an awkward customer.

I appreciated the added level of cushioning, both at the front and at the heel. That combination makes the Max 2 far more comfortable to use for big 10-mile runs. The outsole here is great too. It’s not full of rubber down below, but there’s more than enough to soak up regular runouts and also gripped well during a rainier run.

Conclusion

The Hyperion Max 2 is still one for faster running days and is now a more memorable shoe than the first Max. Is it the standout one to cater for a mixture of runs? Not necessarily, but it’s more in line with the competition and it’s by far my favourite new Brooks running shoe. 

If you prefer a firmer albeit still energetic and lively shoe for your training, then there’s a lot to like. Brooks now has a great-looking, no-nonsense training shoe for faster runners and hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

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The post Brooks Hyperion Max 2: I’m liking this livelier version appeared first on Men's Fitness.

Shokz are a popular choice for a lot of runners. While they might not muster audiophile-grade sound, they aim to strike a balance between doing justice to your running playlists while keeping you aware of what’s going on around you. The OpenRun Pro 2 sits in the premium category of Shokz’ headphone collection. It promises to give you the best sound from a design that should be suitable for everything from intervals to longer runs. So out on the tarmac and the trails, are these Shokz up there with the best running headphones?

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 design

Shokz brings two open-ear audio technologies together to offer a boost in sound over the original OpenRun Pro. A better battery aims to make the new OpenRun Pro 2 go longer when you go longer too. Shokz doesn’t make sweeping changes compared to the Pro, though – and in fairness it didn’t need to. They’re not as discreet to wear as something like the Jabra Elite 8 Active, but they do tick the key boxes regarding what most people want from a pair of running headphones. They’ve stayed put and don’t jump around, even on faster runs; they didn’t feel heavy to wear on longer, hour-plus runs; and they have a great set of controls to adjust the volume or skip a track on the fly.

Like the OpenRun Pro, you can grab them in either standard or mini sizes depending on how much you want them to hug around your head, and they offer the same IP55 sweatproof design. That means they’re well equipped to handle splashes of water, whether that’s from beads of sweat or a light rain shower.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 sound quality

If you like the idea of running headphones that prioritize power and bass but still keeps you in tune with your surroundings and don’t entirely block out traffic, you’ll like the OpenRun Pro 2. It’s not giving you exceptionally detailed, clear or sparkling sound, but the combination of Shokz’ 10th generation bone conduction technology and air conduction from its OpenFit range still produces a very enjoyable sound that didn’t falter handling my drum and bass-heavy playlists during faster runs or the more relaxed sounds of a podcast on easy and recovery run days.

There’s also more room to tinker with the sound compared to the OpenRun Pro when you pair the OpenRun Pro 2 to the Shokz companion smartphone app. There you’ll find EQ modes to boost the treble or kick things up a notch in the bass department for more up-tempo running playlists. If you’re not satisfied by the prebuilt EQ modes, you can also make your own.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 battery life

Shokz says the OpenRun Pro 2 can muster 12 hours of battery life, so they should have plenty in the locker to make it through a good few marathons. Getting that impressively long battery life does depend on how loud you like to listen to your sounds, though. Go near to the maximum volume and battery life is actually going to be closer to 10 hours. Fortunately, you do have a handy fast-charge mode that’s quicker than the fast charge mode on the OpenRun Pro and gets you 2.5 hours of listening time from just 5 minutes of charging. Plus, it now uses the kind of USB-C charging cable most phones use, making it a lot easier than before to power up.

How we test running headphones

Mike Sawh is an experienced runner and product tester. He tested these running headphones over a range of distances and terrains. He based his overall score for each set of headphones primarily on sound quality, but also on fit and running suitability, weight, versatility and value.

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The post Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: I enjoyed running in these unshakable Shokz appeared first on Men's Fitness.

Reflo says its sportswear is for all athletes. Whether you’ve got a handicap like a pro golfer or you just need something to throw on for a gym session, it’s got you covered. It’s producing its apparel firmly with a sustainable hat on, using fabrics that use no oil, sends it out inside of packaging that’s easy to recycle and will plant a tree every time you buy something from its growing range.

While perhaps best known for its golf line, the Reflo Hudson T-shirt is part of its running collection that you can pull on for some treadmill time as well as a strength and conditioning session. It uses up-cycled coffee beans to make sure sweat doesn’t stick around to battle the whiff of a tough workout.

What’s it like to wear the Reflo Hudson

The Hudson isn’t a compression-style top, so doesn’t hug close to the body. Instead it strikes a good balance between something that’s spacious to help keep air flowing, while making sure opting for your typical t-shirt size gets you the right kind of fit for runs and general gym sessions. The drop stitch panels help to ensure sweat doesn’t give you that clinging feel and does dry quickly if you’re planning to keep it on after that workout time is done.

Design features of the Reflo Hudson

It’s not a t-shirt that screams ‘runner’, which gives it that welcome versatility given it’s not the cheapest running t-shirt you can pick up. The very relaxed, recycled polyester fabric feels soft to touch with Reflo positioning the seam lines to do a sterling job of making it a good fit for all body types. Whether you’re a bit further down the line of your fitness journey or just starting out, it offers a flattering fit without ever feeling overly baggy.

Reflo offers the Hudson in five different colors and keeps that overall look pretty basic with its logo the only redeeming feature, making it ideal for those that prefer a more understated look. That polyester fabric is the 4-way stretch kind that meant it didn’t get in the way of swinging my arms during runs, powering through more explosive moves or doing that in a much slower fashion when lifting.

Sizing goes from small up to XXL, so there should be a size that should work for most, though I’d say given the naturally roomy nature of the fit and fabric used, you could go down a size if you prefer something with a slightly more hugging fit. I was happy though with how a medium sat on my slender frame.

How we tested this top

Mike used the Reflo Hudson T-shirt for outdoor and treadmill runs, across a range of speeds and intensities, as well as donning it for strength training and non-running cardio-based workouts like indoor cycling and rowing.

The post I rate the Reflo Hudson as a comfy, eco-friendly fitness top appeared first on Men's Fitness.

The Ghost Max sees Brooks updating its popular Ghost model. This time the company has packed it with a much bigger stack of cushioning though. That’ll help make it the kind of best running shoe you can wear to effortlessly eat up those long training runs while keeping your legs protected.

Like the Ghost, the Ghost Max comes in different width options. However, it’s just the two compared to the three available on the Ghost 15. I’ve spent time running in the latest Ghost and the Brooks Glycerin 20. These are two shoes that the Ghost Max shares a lot of design traits with. They each have a similar feel where fit and performance is concerned.

Brooks Ghost Max features

I found the standard fit version worked well on my narrow feet, though those with wider feet might appreciate having something more accommodating. There’s good space up front in the toe box and I didn’t experience any sort of issues like heel slippage. What I did find is that you need to tug on the spongy laces to get a good lockdown over the padded tongue. Other than that, this is a classic fit Brooks shoe that feels comfortable, secure and supportive in the right places.

The main difference compared to the Ghost 15 is that noticeably higher stack of Brook’s DNA Loft v2 cushioning. It’s the same cushioning tech that’s packed into the Ghost 15; there’s just more of it.

The Brooks Ghost Max has a 6mm drop while the EVA-based midsole is spread across a large base. That creates a stable platform as well as one that offers protection over extended periods. To inject some life into the Ghost Max’s ride, Brooks also includes its GlideRoll Rocker for smoother heel-to-toe transitions.

Brooks Ghost Max cushioning

I wouldn’t say you necessarily sink into that huge serving of DNA Loft v2 cushioning. But it does feel a little dull and it’s not as bouncy as the DNA Loft V3 cushioning you’ll find in Brooks’ great Glycerin 20. Thankfully that rocker technology does lift the Max’s cruiser credentials, even if the foam matched up with it isn’t the liveliest.

I’ve done plenty of easy 5km runs and hour-plus runs in the Brooks Ghost Max. I’ve also attempted more up-tempo runs, but found easing off and sticking to more mellow paces is where it works best. In return you get something that feels smooth, controlled and  consistent. When I tried to pick the pace up, there just wasn’t enough pop there. My UK size 8 weighed 288g, so shaving a few grams off would’ve helped it handle more up-tempo running time.

Something that does impress is the outsole grip. There’s plenty of rubber at the forefoot and the heel to bolster the areas that are going to take most of the pounding. I’ve mainly stuck to using it on roads and pavements. Even with muddy, wet autumn leaves to tackle, the Max has had no problems handling slippier terrain. Ultimately, this feels like an outsole that’s going to hold strong for regular long runs all year round.

Should you buy the Brooks Ghost Max?

If you like the idea of a Brooks Ghost with an easier ride that can still bank the miles, the Brooks Ghost Max will be right up your street. Hardcore Ghost fans that fear change will likely find the Max’s bigger stack of cushioning too much change. But this feels like where the Ghost series needs to go next. Now it just needs a livelier midsole foam to really take things up a notch.

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The post Brooks Ghost Max: Our Pick For Easy Training Miles appeared first on Men's Fitness.

It’s clear that Samsung wants the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra to be its answer to Apple’s Watch Ultra 2. So a smartwatch that can accurately track your runs, rides, swims, triathlons and everything in between. All while playing the role of your phone, letting you check in with your WhatsApp messages and taking control of your workout playlists on Spotify. On paper that sounds great. But has Samsung done enough to put it up there with the best running watches?

Unlike the excellent Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is made for those with Android phones in their pockets. But like Apple’s Ultra, it doesn’t quite match the big battery numbers you’ll get from similar albeit more expensive watches from Garmin, Polar and Suunto. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra display and navigation

Samsung’s Ultra features a 1.5-inch, 480 x 480 resolution Super AMOLED display. So already you’re getting one of the highest quality screens you’ll find on a smartwatch. So far so good.

It’s colourful, bright and offers an always-on mode to keep the screen on 24/7 just like a regular watch. While the casing is square, the screen inside is a round one and offers up to 3,000 nits brightness, which is the same level of brightness offered on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. It definitely shines brightly, even at night.

The case is a 47mm-sized one, so that’s a similar size to AMOLED rivals like the Garmin Epix Pro. There’s only one model on offer, which uses titanium as opposed to stainless steel. It’s 60.5g weight makes it more manageable and comfortable to wear day and night. My Watch Ultra was matched up with one of Samsung’s Marine bands, which is reminiscent of the Ocean band offered for the Apple Watch Ultra. It’s a sturdy silicone band with some flex that uses a traditional watch buckle to make sure it stays put and rounds out a pretty smart-looking smartwatch.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra controls

Along with that big AMOLED touchscreen to swipe and tap on, Samsung includes three physical buttons, all on the right side of the case. The two at the top and the bottom are pretty standard-looking smartwatch buttons. The one in between is a crown-style button that also doubles up as Samsung’s Quick Action button. So when you give it a press, it will quickly get you to the workout tracking screen or can turn on the onboard torch. Holding it down for five seconds also enables the siren mode to emit an 86-decibel sound to raise the alarm if you get lost. 

Samsung’s software, which is a mix of Google’s Wear OS and Samsung’s own interface laid on top, is easy to get to grips with. It’s backed up by Samsung’s new 5 core, 3nm processor, which keeps everything running nice and slick.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra features and battery 

In terms of features, you’ve got pretty much everything you’d expect to find on a sports watch from Garmin, Polar or Suunto. It’s built for rugged use having passed military standard testing for things like performing at extreme temperatures and holding up after knocks and vibrations. It’s also safe to be submerged in water up to 100 metres to match the waterproofing of most other premium sports watches. 

There’s available sports profiles including core modes like running, cycling and swimming (pool and open water). It also has a dedicated mode for coaching runners with focused sessions on building speed and stamina. There’s a multisport mode to track events like triathlons and duathlons too. Post-workout, it can dish out VO2 Max and sweat loss estimates, as well as heart rate data, and includes Energy Scores. Those aim to tell you when to train or take a rest day. Pure training insights lag a bit behind Garmin and Apple, however.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra GPS

It matches a lot of other AMOLED-packing watches by including dual-frequency GPS. That improves the accuracy of tracking your outdoor movements compared to single-frequency GPS technology used in older sports watches and smartwatches. It accuracy boost should be most noticeable when near tall buildings or densely populated areas. In practice, when I used the Saucony London 10k, which takes place in the heart of London, to compare it to the reliable Apple Watch Ultra 2, Samsung overreported the 10k distance while the Apple Watch was much closer.

I also took it for some trail running on a recent trip to Chamonix against the Garmin Epix Pro. Digging into the GPS traces I found that Apple and Garmin’s watches tracked routes more reliably. It didn’t work out too great for me when I took it open water swimming as well where it failed to register any distance data against a Garmin Forerunner 965.

Things didn’t get much better with the optical heart rate monitor performance. Samsung includes its BioActive sensor, which is capable of tracking heart rate (optical and ECG), blood pressure, blood oxygen and your body composition. You can’t pair external heart rate monitors to the Watch Ultra, which is a shame because when I used it against a heart rate monitor chest straps from Garmin and Wahoo, average and maximum heart rate readings were typically higher, including during that 10k race test.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra navigation

If you’re planning to go for a hike or head out for a trail run with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung does include some navigation features. These let you upload routes to the watch and get turn-by-turn directions, including when you need to get back home. While the directions are easy to follow from that big AMOLED screen, there isn’t the level of mapping detail or additional mapping modes that you’ll get from AMOLED watches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Garmin Epix Pro and Suunto Race among others.

In terms of smartwatch features, you’ve got plenty here to tap into. You’ve got notifications now bolstered with Samsung’s AI-powered suggested replies for messages. You’ve got 32GB of storage to store music you own or from music streaming services like Spotify and there’s LTE connectivity, which means it can operate without your phone. It’s a great smartwatch and is definitely one of the biggest reasons to strap it on.

Battery life, much like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, isn’t on a par with AMOLED sports watches like the Garmin Forerunner 965, Garmin Epix Pro, Polar Vantage V3 and Suunto Race. For day-to-day use, it lasted just up to 2 days for me. When using it in its top GPS accuracy mode, the battery drop was pretty inconsistent. On some hour runs it was as much as 10%; on others it was significantly less. Samsung does include a dedicated power-saving mode, which reduces the accuracy of GPS and heart rate tracking to push you to 48 hours. 

Verdict

Bottom line, if you want a smartwatch to last a week before you need to grab a charger, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra won’t be your first choice. Likewise, if GPS accuracy is paramount there are better choices out there. As Samsung’s first true attempt at a dedicated running and outdoor smartwatch, there’s still some work still to be done to place the Galaxy Watch Ultra among the very best running watches. Still, if your after smartwatch features first and foremost, the Galaxy Watch Ultra more than holds its own.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra technical specs

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The Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris is a running shoe that’s built for speed. It’s made for runners who want a shoe that’s supremely light, bouncy and comes to life whatever distance you’re running.

Like previous iterations of the Metaspeed Edge, the Edge Paris sits alongside the Metaspeed Sky as a shoe made specifically for the one of the two main running styles that runners fall into when picking up the pace. The Edge is for ‘cadence runners’ who increase the frequency of their steps when they pick up the pace.

Like Nike and Adidas racing shoes, you’re going to have to pay big for the Edge Paris, so are they worth it? I’ve been wearing the Edge Paris for faster runs and some racing action to find out if it has the edge on the competition.

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris features and fit

The Edge Paris is a shoe designed to disappear on your feet. Its predecessor the Edge+ (green shoe, below middle) weighed in at just over 200g, and the Edge Paris drops to 179g in my UK size 8. That makes it one of the lightest top-tier racing shoes out there, only beaten by ASICS’ other racing shoe, the Metaspeed Sky Paris. 

Asics shaves that weight from all areas. It starts at the upper, which moves from version 1.0 to 2.0 of its Motion Wrap material. It’s an engineered mesh upper made half from recycled materials, that’s almost paper-like to touch and manages to both feel roomy and secure. In my size 8, I felt the fit was very good throughout. Though it might be a touch long in the toes for some. That wasn’t a problem during my runs, but it might be a reason for some to go half a size down from usual.

User experience

Those weight reductions continue through to the lacing and skinny tongue. As a combination they take some playing around with to get into the optimal position. But once you nail it, it does stay put. There is some gentle padding around the heel collar to keep things comfortable. I certainly didn’t feel any rubbing around my Achilles.

Below the lightweight upper lies a level of cushioning that matches the Metaspeed Sky in height and includes ASICS’ latest foam. It’s now FF Blast Turbo+, a PEBA-based foam that’s pretty sprightly. It’s why other racing shoes opt for similar foams. That’s combined with a carbon plate to add propulsion to that bounce and create a more efficient running experience. I found it helped keep my legs fresher, particularly over longer distances. The carbon plate design is a scooped one and sits inside a curved sole design to help runners conserve more energy with each step. Hence its suitability for the cadence-style runners ASICS says the Edge Paris is designed for.

At the outsole, Asics focused on keeping rubber coverage to a minimum, with mainly the front and outside areas taking care of the gripping duties. A sizable chunk at the centre of the outsole exposes the now lighter, bouncier foam.

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris performance

I’ve run and raced in the Metaspeed Edge+ and in previous Metaspeed Sky shoes. While I consider myself a cadence runner, which should mean the Edge should be more suited to my running style, I’ve actually ended up getting on with the Sky more and ran my fastest marathon in it.

I’ve reserved using the Edge Paris for runs at my 5k, 10k, marathon and half marathon race paces. I also took them for a speedy Parkrun outing. On all of those quicker runs I really felt that bounce from the FF Blast Turbo+. I also enjoyed the aggressive rocker sensation that gets your feet quickly turning over. On shorter, sharper runs it reminded me of running in the Nike Vaporfly 3 and that’s definitely a good thing. It’s got that snappy and responsive feel you should feel from a racing shoe.

I found that the previous Edge was more comfortable at anywhere from 5k to half marathon distances, with the scope to go further if you prefer the slightly firmer overall feeling you get compared to the Metaspeed Sky. I still found that on longer runs at my marathon and half marathon paces, the Edge definitely benefits from more of ASICS’ foam, though I’d still prefer the softer edge of the same foam and the flatter carbon plate you do get on the Metaspeed Sky Paris.

Stability and outsole

This is a shoe that wants you to stay speedy, so when you ease off it feels slightly less stable. I found that especially when I tired during longer runs and my running form fell off. On the flip side, my legs didn’t feel beaten up the day after harder sessions in the Edge Paris.

What will get beaten up if you choose to do all your running in them is the outsole. ASICS’ latest foam seems to offer better resilience than previous foams, especially at the heel where most of the exposed foam lies. It’s still one I’d reserve for racing and runs in a training block when you’re running at your target race pace. While there’s not a huge amount of rubber there, the gripping is good for roads and pavements. Just don’t go wandering on trails with them as you’ll quickly regret it.

The Metaspeed Edge Paris is a superb shoe to run quickly in and has all the qualities of a standout modern racing shoe. It’s a great fit to run longer in, though the problem the Edge Paris has is that there’s also the Sky Paris. The slightly softer edge the Sky Paris carries over long distances without losing its speedy edge makes it the ASICS racing shoe to go for most whatever your running style may be.

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris technical specs

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Saucony’s product line features some of the best running shoes, including comfort kings like the Saucony Ride and Triumph all the way up to speedsters like the Endorphin Elite and Endorphin Pro 4. The Hurricane 24 isn’t one you’re necessarily going to want to race in; instead it’s more one you’ll want to throw on when the legs feel beaten up from a tough training day and you still need to keep things moving.

It’s also one for runners who need that extra support with Saucony adding stability in different places to help guide your feet in the right direction. It matches those supportive elements with a big stack of cushioning to offer plenty of protection and comfort.

While training for the Saucony London 10k, I laced up the Hurricane 24 for my easy running days to see if this would be a running shoe to sweep me off my feet.

Saucony Hurricane 24 features and fit

The Saucony Hurricane 24 (buy now) comes in regular and wide fit options to make sure it’s a good fit for most feet, though the general broadness of the shoe, even in my regular fit version, meant it offered ample room. My typical UK size 8 fitted very well overall, with good space up front in the toes and no issues to report further back in the middle or heel.

Saucony wraps your feet up in a pretty plush-feeling engineered mesh that sits snugly from heel to toe. In the middle of the shoe you’ll find some pretty standard lacing and a not overly padded tongue that contributes to that satisfyingly comfortable feel.

Inside the Hurricane lies an Ortholite insole that’s a little on the squishy side and is sat on two different cushioning technologies. There’s Saucony’s PWRRUNPB foam, which is also found on its speed-focused Endorphin range and is made from PEBA to provide some bounce. There’s also PWRRUN, a cushioning technology made from EVA, which is there to temper that bounce and bolster the durability credentials of the Hurricane 24.

That’s housed in a shoe design that delivers its stability elements from different areas. The dual-cushioning system sits over a wide base while using sidewalls to guide your feet to help make sure they aren’t rolling inwards. 

Underneath you’ll find an outsole with a good amount of rubber throughout, with a focus on the lateral areas to increase stability and ensure it’s up to the task of covering big running mileage.

At 316g / 11.1oz, it’s one of Saucony’s heaviest shoes, though thankfully – as I discovered – it doesn’t run as heavy as it looks.

Saucony Hurricane 24 performance

I’m a runner who doesn’t require a stability-focused shoe, though there’s now a trend of stability shoes offering support in a less rigid way, making them more friendly to neutral runners. That’s how I view the Hurricane; this isn’t off limits to runners who require less support.

While it was evident from the first run the Hurricane 24 wasn’t built for PB chasing, I did find a place for it in my Saucony London 10k training for more relaxed sessions and runs where speed wasn’t a concern.

While I’ve had mixed experiences with similar stability running shoes, like the much-loved Asics Gel-Kayano, I found the Hurricane a less awkward customer to get along with. Although my first run was memorable for the wrong reasons, with the cushioning feeling a bit blocky and overly firm for me, after that things softened up and I began to appreciate how enjoyable it is to run in the Hurricane.

Firstly, it handles its weight very well, which I admit was a big concern for me. Unlike many running shoes that put a big stack of cushioning between you and the ground, the Hurricane runs lighter than it looks. Having that stack of cushioning spread across a noticeably wide base seems to help hugely on that front. When I tried some faster tempo runs, that broadness was as much an issue as the weight. Though that’s not what this shoe is really built for.

Saucony Hurricane 24 comfort

It’s all about comfort and protection. Once that cushioning had softened up, I could fully appreciate those qualities. Whatever the length of run, the Hurricane feels plush from the insole to that soft layer of PWRRUNPB foam. There’s some moderate bounce that’s tempered by the frame of firm PWRRUN foam spread across the Hurricane’s wide base to keep things controlled and stable. The combination of the two foams works well and creates a fluid running experience. There’s a gentle rocker to inject enough life in the ride to make you want to spend more time in it. 

The outsole grip easily handled roads and pavements and even coped well with some off-road running in woods on hard but uneven ground. There’s a relatively small area in the middle of the outsole that’s exposed to more wear, but aside from that there’s enough rubber here to convince you it’s going to be able to handle plenty of running time.

I really didn’t think I’d get on with the Saucony Hurricane 24, and bar that first run it was the ideal shoe to throw on when my legs were tired or I just wanted something supremely comfortable. That’s what the Hurricane delivers in abundance. The stability-focused design shouldn’t be off-putting for runners who don’t need that level of support. This is a comfortable shoe – full stop. And one I think every runner will be able to appreciate for easy recovery or down-tempo runs of any length.

Saucony Hurricane 24 technical specs

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The Adidas Supernova Prima is a shoe to turn to when you need miles in your legs and want something that prioritizes comfort, support and protection over something you’d step up to a start line with to race in. It’s one of the best running shoes on the market right now.

Joining the Supernova Rise and the Supernova Solution, the Prima comes packing in more of Adidas’ new DreamStrike+ cushioning technology. According to JT Newcomb, Global Category Director for Running Footwear at Adidas, DreamStrike+ is built for the “everyday runner”. It uses the same material found in the Lightstrike Pro cushioning included in Adidas’ speed-focused shoes. “We’ve tuned it to be slightly more dense and a little bit more supportive”, Newcomb told me. “That’s to meet the needs of everyday runners who need the combination of comfort and support and not just the lightest, fastest materials.”

The Prima does cost more than other shoes in the Supernova range, putting it up against cushioned daily trainer shoes like the New Balance 1080 v13, Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 and the Nike Invincible 3. So it’s going to have to be pretty special to stand out from the competitive cushioned crowd. I’ve been lacing up to find out if the Prima is in fact the perfect daily training partner.

Adidas Supernova Prima features and fit 

The Prima sits in Adidas’ Supernova range, which Adidas has dubbed its line for ‘everyday runners’, making it one that’s easy to slip on and off with minimal fuss.

It does come in just a regular fit option, which in my typical UK men’s size 8 has been fine on my skinny feet. There’s a typical mesh upper that holds the foot well at the middle and heel, with no issues of rub to report. There’s also generous padding at both the heel and the tongue and good room up front in the toes to spread out on longer runs.

Below that lies Adidas’ latest DreamStrike+ cushioning, which uses the PEBA material found in the Lightstrike cushioning packed into its racing-focused Adizero line. It’s a foam that prioritizes comfort and cushioning over all-out speed, however. Adidas has added more DreamStrike+ than was featured in the Supernova Rise and the Solution, particularly up front to give it a more protective profile.

PEBA foam can be pretty bouncy, so to counter that the Prima includes support rods that are wider than the ones used to do the same thing on the Supernova Rise to stop that PEBA feeling too excitable or unstable. Adidas also uses a new Lighttraxxion outsole design, which doesn’t cover the entirety of the shoe, focusing on the key areas where Adidas believes you’ll be landing your feet most in the Prima.

Adidas Supernova Prima performance

Adidas says the Supernova Prima is built for long runs and base runs, so the ones where you’re building your base running fitness. So I spent the majority of my 50km in the Prima doing those types of runs. I stuck to pavements and roads with some treadmill time thrown in too, plus a sandy beach run to see how they handle different running terrain.

I’ve already run plenty in the Supernova Rise, which sits below the Prima in price and has less of Adidas’ new DreamStrike+ foam. That shoe was a solid one, well designed for easy, moderate and slightly more up-tempo runs. The Prima feels fit for the same type of efforts, though the added foam does make it one I felt more comfortable going longer with, compared to the Rise.

That extra foam is more noticeable up front and means there’s a more consistent spread of cushioning so that bouncy feel of DreamStrike+ is felt more consistently too. It makes for a more balanced running experience overall and adding more DreamStrike+ is definitely a good move here. One negative is that it does lead to a slight jump in weight from the other Supernova shoes, and slightly lessens its credentials for up-tempo running. Easy to moderate paces is where the Prima feels most at home.

Cushioning and comfort

While that cushioning feels comfortable and protective, with some welcome bounce, how it felt across runs seemed to vary for me. At times it felt really lively and others a touch dull compared to some other foams. That was particularly the case on longer runs when I was hoping the DreamStrike+ would feel a little more dreamy when my legs started to tire.

What Adidas has done with the outsole on this shoe reflects its decision to make the Prima well suited for midfoot to forefoot strikers. I’m a heel striker, so typically my foot lands further back. What I’ve seen in that area of the outsole where there’s less coverage is already some signs of wear. That could be down to straying away from pavements for a couple of runs, but it’s not the kind of wear I’d expect to see after 50km of running. The grip has felt fine in dry conditions, so I’m reserving judgement on how it handles wetter ones, though Adidas’ outsoles do generally impress on that front.

Overall, the Prima does feel like an elevated version of Adidas’ previous Supernova shoes, where having more of its new foam is positive. I’ve enjoyed running in the Prima more than I have in the Rise and it feels like Adidas has a good alternative here to other big cushioned daily training shoes that are made for soaking up a lot of time on your feet. It doesn’t necessarily better the competition, but it’s one you’d class as solid and dependable with just enough midsole magic to make it one you’d want to step out regularly in.

Adidas Supernova Prima technical specs

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