Article by Sam Winebaum, Editor

New Balance Fresh Foam 880v10 ($130)


I take a first run on the cold and sunny New Hampshire Seacoast in the New Balance Fresh Foam 880v10 and share my initial impressions and shoe details. 

The 880v10 is a more traditional 10mm drop, non rockered, quite flexible, and high cushioned daily trainer, completely reworked and reimagined with state of the art materials (Fresh Foam X, Hypoknit upper, and outsole). 10.25 oz /290 g (US 9). Available now ($130) only at speciality run retail stores and NB.com.

Article by Sam Winebaum

Daehlie Winter Run Jacket ($150)


Introduction
I run in all kinds of winter weather from damp New England cold to Utah drier conditions. As a nordic skier for many years, and I will be brutally frank, run apparel companies lag nordic ski wear apparel companies in features and functionality for winter conditions and always have.

I have been a big fan of Norway based Daehile Sportswear having tested their AirNet merino wool base layers, wool training pants and run tights. This year I found their Training Wool T-Shirt ideal for just about any conditions from moderate heat to use as a base layer in winter (under the Winter Run) and when conditions required a long sleeve their Training Wool Half Zip merino layer as soft and comfortable as any I have tried. In fact every run in the jacket has had a Dahlie base layer of some kind

Daehlie was founded by Bjorn Daehlie and the attention to the highest performance shows in the founder and everything they make.
It was with great interest that Daehlie recently offered me their Winter Run Jacket.  Note the emphasis on Run...  It won the prize at the 2019 ISPO Sports Show in the Health and Fitness Running Apparel category

This super breathable jacket features two chest panels of Primaloft Gold with Cross Core technology insulation. Cross Core is a blend of Primaloft fibers and aerogel fibers which is a silica based insulation originally developed by NASA that is 95% air and the lightest solid material ever developed by man. It is highly insulating in very thin layers, wind resistant while also breathable and hydrophobic. The result is said here, when blended with Primaloft, to provide 52% more warmth for the same weight, be highly packable, soft, water resistant and an in a bonus made of 35% recycled content. 

So how does this super light insulation perform in a run jacket?

Pros: 
A thin light layer of Primaloft Cross Core with aerogel just where you need it over the core, the rest of the jacked being highly breathable material with strategic laser cut holes
Fitted but roomy enough for adequate layers
Subtle reflective hits on upper and lower chest, arms, and back
A stout zipper with an easy to find pull
Cons
Zipper is a bit hard to engage on initial zip up
Single rear pocket is good for gloves and hat but bounces to much for a phone (which will easily fit)
Mesh cuff is very stout and not particularly stretchy so it not easy to take jacket on or off and especially so over a watch.

See Reviewer Bios here

MSRP:  $140

Article by Sam Winebaum

Brooks Hyperion Elite ($250)


Stats
Weight: men's US9 6.8 oz / 193 g
Offset: 8mm
Releases February 27, 2020. $250,

The Hyperion Elite is Brooks' top new road racer. Light, stable, carbon plated It has a simple, effective, and roomy while well held  engineered stretch woven mesh upper. It features a DNA Zero midsole whose base material is EVA likely processed using a supercritical gas method,

I took them for a first run on the cold New Hampshire Seacoast and share the shoe details, first run impressions and comparisons to Next%, Skechers Speed Elite, and upcoming non plated Hyperion Tempo which is 0.5 oz heavier and considerably less expensive at $150 in the video below.

Article by Sam Winebaum

Skechers Performance Go Run Speed Elite Hyper ($190)
Stats
Weight: 5.8 oz /164 g men's US 9 (verified with size 9 sample
23mm heel / 19 mm forefoot,  4mm drop
Available Feb. 2020. $190.

Long awaited the Speed Elite is well cushioned with Skechers' Hyper Burst midsole foam, has a forefoot winglets H shaped propulsion and stability plate and is shod with Goodyear rubber. The upper is a semi-translucent mono mesh upper for maximum breathability and low moisture absorption.  I was sent a half size up from my normal 8.5, as whole sizes only for now,  and with thicker socks was secure but would go true to size in a next pair.

My first 5.3 mile run was along the New Hampshire Seacoast in rain, cold weather, and strong winds at about 8:04 pace in a moderate effort. I particularly noted a faster than normal cadence for this pace at 179 per minute which I attribute to the plate action and also felt (to be verified) that my ground contact time was shorter than normal, again I think due to the plate.
Full multi tester review soon!