With all the hype surrounding this year’s London 2012 Olympics, it’s easy to forget that there’s also a major football tournament going on too this summer in the shape of the Euro 2012 cup.
Adidas, key sponsors and kit designers for Great Britain’s Team GB, would have more excuses than most if they were to forget the fact. But quite to the contrary, they’re putting out their retro-inspired Euro Cup Collection as part of the Adidas Originals line to mark this summer’s footie highlights.
The unofficial collection includes reworked old-skool designs of England, France, Germany and Poland kits, with the Poles hosting the tournament.
Track tops, windbreakers and jerseys for each nation round out the collection.
On the lookout for a new pair of basketball shoes, and still want to look the buisness on the court? Check out these limited edition trainers from Nike.
The Nike LeBron Elite 9 Varsity Maize launched over the weekend alongside the Air Jordan 4 Cav and Zoom KD IV Aunt Pearl, and come with a seriously eye-catching yellow upper. All eyes will be on your feet, not the ball as you weave around in these.
Elsewhere, the trainers sport Max and Zoom Air cushioning and Pro Combat-style padding, along with inset carbon fiber wings.
However, you’re going to have to move faster than Jordan himself if you want to bag yourself a pair. A limited edition, they’re not even available at Nike’s own online NikeStore.com shop. Instead, you’re going to have to head instore to grab a pair while stocks last. There will also be a scant few pairs over on the FootLocker web store.
Expect to pay around the $250 mark on import for these beauties, not including shipping. See them from all sides in the gallery above.
Sure, so we’re still in the doldrums of April showers, but the summer sunshine is surely just around the corner now, so it’s time to whack out your pasty forearms and dive into some short sleeve tops.
Comfy yet flexible enough to work in both formal and casual occasions, men’s staple the polo shirt is a must-have in any wardrobe. Leading the charge in the cut this summer are French brand The Kooples, whose new Sport range has a superb selection of polo shirts in all manner of styles and shades to suit practically all tastes.
From primary colours to pastels, short sleeves to long, ribbed colours to embroidered trims, The Kooples have probably the best range of polos from any brand this year we’ve seen so far, and are doing well to push their wares.
Indeed, their pumping plenty of cash into the marketing campaign for the range, enlisting ex-Manchester United madman and sometime-actor Eric Cantona and his wife Rachida (pictured top). As pretty much the most recognisable French sports personality on UK shores (aside perhaps from Thierry Henry and his va-va-voom) they’ve got the campaign pitched pretty much spot on in our opinion.
If we were to pick one stand-out item, we’d go for the red “Very light cotton pique polo” with white colour. We can see Cantona knocking a few past Peter Schmeichel on the training ground wearing that one!
Prices start at £80 and go up to £120 for long-sleeved polos.
British Gymnast Louis Smith (top) poses on a pommel horse as Adidas unveil the British Team Kit designed by Stella McCartney during a photocall at the Tower of London, London.
Forget going for gold. Team GB will be decked out in indigo as they take to the track and field for the London 2012 Olympic games.
Inspired by the Union Jack flag, the Olympic and Paralympic sportswear will feature predominately blue hues paired with red footwear as they compete across the summer.
Designed by Beatle offspring Stella McCartney in partnership with sponsors Adidas, over 900 British athletes will be kitted out with a total of approximately 175,000 items of clothing from the range during the games.
“All eyes will be on the British athletes when they take the stage at the Games,” said Adidas UK Marketing Director Nick Craggs.
“We wanted to ensure that they would be the best equipped team through a combination of leading technologies including PowerWEB and Climacool and a unified and striking team identity.”
So what’s the rough verdict on the kit? While the public seem a little sceptical on the actual “Britishness” of the clothing, it’s garnered unanimous praise from the athletes themselves.
“It is very blue and that is nice and subtle but, at the same time, it does what it needs to do,” BMX cyclist Shanaze Reade told BBC Sport.
“You can often blend in with French wearing red, white and blue but this is completely on its own and makes us feel very British. As females it is all about what it looks like and if you feel good it makes us perform even better.”
110 metre hurdler Will Sharman was equally chuffed, noting that the kit was functional as well as fashionable:
“It needs to be lightweight, which it is, it needs to be aerodynamic and it is. There is no flapping about so, from a performance perspective, it’s exactly what we were looking for. The colours are different but it’s definitely British. I get excited putting it on. It has the Olympic rings on and that gives you pride.”
So what do you think? Will you be sprinting down to your local sportswear dealer to get a piece of McCartney’s Olympic designs, or has one of the UK’s leading fashion designers missed out on a medal this year? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
Let’s face it; most of us amateur runners live in urban environments with limited access to unblemished cross country paths and tracks. That said, once we do manage to skip our way through the traffic and bypass the concrete highways, many of us like to get as close to cross country running as we can – even if a jog around the local park is stretching the term a little. Personally, I like to get onto the softer ground as soon as possible and having had to pull out of a recent 10K run after my knees took too much of a pounding on the London streets I was keen to try out the new K-Swiss Blade Max Trail trainers and quite literally put them through their paces.
The first thing that struck me about them was their solid base. I certainly felt confident looking at them that these would give me a more robust tread out on the wild pathways of Tooting Common. As I set off the sky was grey and there had been a fair amount of over night rain – water which as I would discover had left the ground soft and slippery. I was interested to see how the trainers would cope with these relatively treacherous conditions.
I took a deliberately difficult route that I would knew would take me across soggy fields, dangerous branches, hills and the obligatory inner city dog poo. I hit the soft wet ground first and have to say that my new footwear definitely gave me superior grip. Nobody likes running through wet mud but after a few paces I found that my confidence had grown and I no longer needed to run delicately as you do with standard running shoes, rather I was bouncing over the mushy ground. My only concern being what my wife would say when I returned home covered in mud. Next was a more cross country section through the trees. Many an ankle has been left sprained by stray roots popping out from hidden crevices but again the trainers stood up well and I felt comfortable that my knees and ankles were in safe hands (metaphorically speaking of course). Finally I headed down a shale pathway full of rocks that can often poke through less robust footwear, leaving you either off balance or with sore feet. Not a problem anymore as the solid sole made light work of the uncertain terrain.
I certainly give the K-Swiss Blade Max Trail a big thumbs up. Wherever you run, you’ll likely find yourself traversing across a range of different terrains, from concrete streets, to soggy marshes, or bumpy ground. The K-Swiss Blade Max Trail gives the right amount of protection combined with a soft running action. They’re not necessarily the quickest trainers out there but then that’s not what they’re designed for.
The NBA lockout may have been extended until November 30th, but that hasn’t stopped Nike from rolling out their new campaign “Basketball Never Stops’”
The ad features some of the finest players in the game including: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki and Amar’e Stoudemire, with cameos from Questlove, J. Cole and Duke’s Coach K. All focusing on their undying love, passion and dedication to the game of basketball.
With fans the most hurt by the lockout… the campaign plays on emotions and works as a bit of a PR job to protect the NBA’s public image. It will be interesting to see what happens if the entire season does go down the drain.
Last week a good friend posted a video explaining the benefit of Vibram Five Finger shoes, made entirely by fans. At first I was hugely cynical, after all they do look completely ridiculous. However, my friend is a bit of a fitness fanatic and I figured he probably had some good reasons for converting to “barefoot running.” With this in mind I began to do a little research and discovered there might actually be something to this whole Barefoot thing. Below I have put together a guide on how to get started. Personally I plan on picking up a pair to try it out for myself, but we would love to hear if any of you give it a try too.
Since the 1960s athletes have been competing in races barefooted and, with the recent increasing wave of interest in barefoot running, many people have raced to purchase minimalist shoes and jumped, quite literally, feet first into the sport. The reason being that with natural, ‘shoeless’ running, the lateral edge of the human forefoot is the part which strikes the ground with the most force. Running in padded shoes typically alters this as more emphasis is placed on the heel and the area towards the back of the foot – which has been claimed to cause more stress on the heel, knees and hips. Therefore many athletes became interested in the sport to strengthen the foot and help improve speed.
Although not strictly a shoe-less sport, there are various ways of tackling barefoot running; some runners wear specially adapted socks, some opt for running moccasins (like outdoor bedroom slippers) and some use minimalist shoes that resemble ordinary running shoes but are constructed from very thin, unpadded materials and have a flat sole with minimal tread. It isn’t, however, as simple as changing your running shoes.
It’s Not ‘Ready, Steady, Go’….
Going from padded, structured running shoes to minimalistic ones is quite a physical change for
your feet and not one which should be presumed easy or natural. It is essential that you train the foot and leg muscles gradually to run in such minimalistic shoes to help reduce injuries and lessen metatarsal stress. Due to the design of barefoot running shoes it is actually recommended that you alternate; training in barefoot shoes whilst running in your specialised running shoes. As Daniel E. Lieberman*, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University states, “If you’ve been a heel-striker all your life you have to transition slowly to build strength in your calf and foot muscles.”
Choosing Your Minimalist Shoes
The first consideration when choosing your first pair of minimalist running shoes is the thickness, or profile, of the sole and heel as you want your feet to immediately sense and communicate to your brain the type of terrain you are on, adapting to a natural running style. Avoid shoes which have a built up heel as these encourage you to over point your toes when running, which could lead to foot damage.
Secondly, think about the flexibility of the sole and check there is no arch support. Barefoot running is all about training your foot arch to naturally flatten so a stiff sole and arch support will only preventing the muscles from acting in this way. A good way to test this is by seeing if you can twist and bend the sole of the shoe with ease. Obviously it needs to protect the sole of your foot from the environment, but flexibility allows your foot to become more familiar with the ground.
Thirdly, remember that the lighter the shoe the better. If the shoes weight is distributed unevenly
(i.e. heavier at the toe or heel) it will cause a bias tendency in the way the foot moves with the shoe and go against its natural movement.
It is advisable to go for a mid-sole level to begin with. The Nike Free Run range has a helpful 10 point number scale which helps identify the thinness of the soles – for example models with a 3 in the name will be more flexible than those with a 10 (which is the thickness of an average running shoe), making the range a good starting point for first time minimalist shoe buyers. Alternatively, Saucony have the Kinvara or Mirage shoes which are also mid-point shoes.
For the more extreme, hardened barefoot runner, the Saucony Hattori shoe claims to be Saucony’s lightest general purpose running shoe ever, or try out the Vibram 5 Fingers shoe which was the first of its kind on the market and the shoe of choice for many barefoot runners. Sportsshoes.com has a large range of minimalist shoes and is a good place to compare models if you are unsure.
First Steps ‘Barefoot’
As is normal before any running, stretch your hamstrings and calf muscles. Lieberman also suggests that it is a good idea to massage the arches of your feet as this helps in the breaking down of scar tissue and healing.
To begin barefoot running, it is a good idea to try it first on a hard, smooth surface such as a tennis court or running track – rather than a bumpy street. Your feet will naturally adjust to moving on this surface by forefoot striking, rather than the heel striking we tend to do in padded running shoes.During your first barefoot run do not exceed more than a quarter of a mile as your foot muscles will tire more rapidly. Leave a ‘rest day’ between each training session and remember that training your feet to run in this way will take time so build up distances by no more that 10% each week. If at any point you experience pain, stop!
Due to the focus on footwear padding and support in today’s shoes our feet have adapted to these luxuries as ‘the norm’, making barefoot running almost an unnatural, new feeling for us. Our feet have evolved to run in specialist shoes, so it will take time for them to adjust to minimalist running and they will be in discomfort to begin with. Sore, tired muscles are normal, but bone, joint, or soft-tissue pain is a signal of injury and if any of these occur, stop running immediately and see your chiropodist.
It is important that you continue to wear your padded running shoes when running long distance
or partaking in any race whilst you train your feet to run barefoot. Only when you feel 100%
comfortable running barefoot and experience no discomfort at all can you start to run in minimalist shoes more often.
Running shoe specialist Saucony highlight that minimalism is isn’t an end, it’s actually a means – and many footwear retailers agree. Brett Bannister, MD of Sportsshoes.com, believes that, “Minimalist shoes can be built into your training regime to help strengthen your feet and leg muscles, but you still need to pick the right shoes and be careful to make the transition slowly.”
Minimalist shoes are very much an excellent training aid which can be incorporated into your
running routine to great effect, but not the be-all and end-all of your running routine. Going back to basics with barefoot running is an exhilarating experience and definitely one you should embrace – just remember to play it safe!
While training for my Triathalon one of the most useful pieces of kit had to be my goggles.
It might seem a bit strange, but when you are fighting your way through the water surrounded by what seems like hundreds of other swimmers… you want to be able to see where you are going.
I am in no way new to swimming, in fact throughout school I worked as a lifeguard. So it is probably fair to say I have spent a lot of time in the water and been through my fair share of googles. As they can really impact your experience and performance it is important to get a good pair. One of my favourites have to be the Kayenne by Aqua Sphere. Made for open water and pool swimmers, the wide-angle lenses are scratch/fog resistant and offer swimmers 180 degree peripheral vision. If you are planning on doing any swimming this summer make sure to check them out.
As many of you know I recently entered to take part in a triathlon…this was a massive deal for me seeing as cycling to work was about as much exercise as I was willing to do.
It’s been a few weeks now and I can officially say exercising isn’t actually as bad as I thought it was. Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way a fitness fanatic now, but have found it is definitely a great way to blow off some steam after a long day in the office.
Seeing as it is only July, there is plenty of time for you to give it a shot… maybe even sign up for a race. So to help you get started in the right direction I wanted to share the running tips the lovely experts at Sports Shoes gave me.
The Kit. Your old tennis trainers just won’t do I’m afraid. The important part of the kit is your running shoes. Ideally you should go to a running specialist to get your gait assessed. The specialists will be able to tell you what shoes are best for you so you avoid injury. Wearing the right clothing will make you more comfortable and help keep you drier and cooler. Find items that aren’t too tight or too baggy and opt for synthetic fibres which help draw moisture aware from the skin.
The Run. If you haven’t run for a while then make sure you start slowly with a mile or so, you might also want to run / walk at intervals. Gradually build up your mileage adding no more than 10% per week. If you’re running in a gym make sure you ask for guidance from staff at the gym.
Keep Hydrated. Hydration is key to your performance as a runner. Making sure that you take lots of water before, during and after your run will stop fatigue, cramping and heatstroke.
Shield Yourself From The Sun. Sunburn can occur after just ten minutes in the sun, even in the UK! While it can be hard to avoid the rays, especially if you’re committed to training, there are things you can do to protect yourself from the ill effects of too much sun: cover up well within loose clothing, sunglasses and a hat. Sunscreen, with both UVA and UVB protection and a factor no lower than 15, should be applied 30 minutes before going out and then generously and regularly throughout the day.
Company. Find a friend to run or train with or join a club – it makes it much more fun and even harder to quit! Investigate the most scenic routes in your area and organise running with friends. Or, if you prefer alone time, treat yourself to some new music on your iPod and save it especially for your training sessions. Finding ways to combine running with your favourite activities will mean you look forward to it all the more!
Weight Target. “I will be a size 10!” or “I’m running the London Marathon” – have a goal. Aim to be a certain size or weight, and put reminders around the house, especially on the fridge door. Summer is a great time for that extra fitness or weight loss push, but you aren’t going to shed stones in just a few days or become a long distance runner overnight. If you’re serious about your goal, build a training programme and stick to it for a good few months! Remember that eating healthily and getting regular exercise is the best way to lose weight and keep in mind other factors when assessing how well you’re doing- has your general mood improved? Are you more lively?
Distance Target. If weight isn’t an issue for you why not sign up for a race, even if it’s just a 5km fun run. Again, having a clear goal is so important, but a deadline makes it that bit clearer and important.
With the summer only a few weeks away, it is time to dig out your swim trunks and hit the closest lido.
However, if like us you need a new pair make sure to check out one of our favourite swim trunk brands, Orlebar Brown. The swim trunks come in a variety of lengths (including some very short shorts for those of you who want to show a little extra skin) as well as a great selection of vibrant colours and patterns. Shorts start at £125 and are available here.
Ashworth, yes the golf brand, is launching their first golf and lifestyle footwear collection on June 16th. The collection features four styles made for both “on-the-course” wear and “off-the-course” lifestyle.
Our favourites are the Cardiff and the Encinitas. The Cardiff is a golf shoe that looks more like something you could wear around the city. The shoe has great playability, wearability and a sure-footed spikeless sole unite with tumbled leathers and rich suede accents. It is available in navy, white and black colourways for $120. The Encinitas on the other hand has more of a loafer style and is again made with premium materials and fine craftsmanship. These shoes would work great paired with chinos or jeans. They are available in tan and black for $140.
Levi’s latest collection aimed at cyclists has been creating a lot of buzz this week and it is not hard to see why.
Their debut cycling line draws on their workwear heritage, while incorporating technical functionality. One of my favourite pieces from the collection is the Trucker Jacket, based on a 1967 design. It’s long cut with a slight drop tail flatters most body types and is perfect for cycling in. The jacket is well thought out and designed with the wearer in mind, from the angled front pockets for easy access, the extra fabric in the underarm for added mobility, to the lip on the cuff to partially cover hands while riding. Like all the pieces in the line, the jacket also features antimicrobial odor-protection and reflective accents for visibility.
Another key detail to point out is the Nanosphere Technology, which is used across the line. This application was developed in partnership with Swiss fabric brand Schoeller Technologies and makes materials water and dirt resistant, increasing the lifespan of the material.
In addition to the Trucker Jacket, Levi’s have also created the 511 Skinny Commuter pants (available in elasticized denim or khaki). What makes these pants unique is the loop built into the waistband for or carrying around your u-lock, and the reflective tape on the inner seam to provide increased safety at night. The reinforced crotch is also a nice touch that should save you from regular trips to the tailor.
If you are a cyclist in need of a new jacket or jeans definitely check out this collection.
Jeremy Scott has collaborated with Adidas Originals on the latest apparel and footwear series. Scott, always the controversial figure, has come up with a truly eccentric line with clear punk and military influences. The Outlandish garments include multi-colored trousers, tartan, a skeleton hoodie, shoe-print mac and a french fry tracksuit among other crazy prints. The line is expected to be released in mid Feb.
On October 8, Nike is to open its first store aimed specifically at running enthusiasts. Based in London’s Covent Garden, the Nike Running store promises to be the destination for every type of runner from the the fashion savvy to the the music lover to the cutting edge tech enthusiast who swears by Nike’s iPod app!
Nike Running specialists will be on hand to offer gait analysis and expert advice, helping runners find their perfect footwear and apparel. Weekly Run Clubs from the store will also enable runners of all levels to take to the streets of London and enjoy unique running experiences.
If the weather in the UK continues to get worse we’ll all be skiing into work. So you might be pleased to here about this pair of Gucci skiing goggles – perfect for showing off on the piste this winter or, er, even on the high street.
The unisex ski masks come in white and black with a distinct green-red-green Gucci web stretch headband. Other features include anti-fog lenses with Seal Ring technology, which ensures a thermal barrier and a clear visual field. Packaging includes a soft pouch and a sleek black box featuring the Gucci web. The new ski goggles retail for approx £120 and are available now at Gucci stores world wide, selected optical retailers, and at Gucci.com.
With all the hype surrounding this year’s London 2012 Olympics, it’s easy to forget that there’s also a major football tournament going on too this summer in the shape of the Euro 2012 cup.
From:What David Gandy Can Do For Your Style