Not sure what Gear Friday is all about? Check out this post to get caught up!
What I’m Loving: Gore Running Mythos 2.0 Windstopper Soft Shell Light Lady Vest
Ok, I realize the name of this vest is a complete mouthful, but here’s the deal: I absolutely worship this vest!
I learned of Gore Running at OR a few years ago and since then, I’ve tested a handful of products. Thus far, the quality has been insanely impressive and I am happy with every single item. However, the Mythos vest has become a go-to favorite over the past seven months so I think it is worthy of inclusion in my gear roundup.
Simply put, this vest is fantastic for shoulder seasons: spring and fall. Now that the temps are starting to drop, I find myself staring at my running closet for a few minutes longer than usual. “It’s semi-chilly outside but the sun is shining, so I don’t want to wear winter gear. But, it’s too darn cold to wear my summer gear, so what do I choose?” Lately, it’s been low 50s when I run, and the Mythos vest has been clutch: I throw on some shorts, a short sleeve or light long sleeve shirt, and the vest. Perfect!
It’s made from soft shell material which means that it is easy against bare skin in the cold, but also quiet while running. Personally, I hate running in harsher fabrics that make the swish, swish sound. Kinda ruins the mental solitude, you know?! I also appreciate the Windstopper material because it performs as it promises. We get some vicious wind in Colorado and this vest truly blocks the gusty chills from my core. The vest flaunts a slim fit which I like, but if you prefer looser clothing, it might not be your favorite.
The one catch: the Mythos vest {and all of Gore Running products, for that matter} is pricey. According to their website, the vest retails for $120 which is a whole lot of cash for a vest. However, like I said earlier, I am incredibly impressed with the quality of Gore Running’s gear and have confidence that all of their pieces will last for the ages. If you’re looking to make an investment in article of running gear that you will have for a long time, the Mythos vest is a great option.
What I’m Liking: Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit
When I first received an email from JD Sports, a UK-based outfitter, I was a bit surprised. Why in the world was a British company offering to send me shoes?! Regardless, they were doing just that and I took a look at the array of shoes offered on their site. In the end, I chose a pair that I would never, ever purchase on my own: the Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit running shoes.
I don’t dislike Nike, but I’ve never been a fan of their brand for running-specific shoes. I think they make a great product in other categories. Knowing this, I went into this testing cycle viewing it as an experiment!
{Kind of like when I wore them to the Run Rabbit Run 100 miler to pace Heidi on my four mile section. I received some smirks from experienced ultrarunners who questioned my brand of footwear…I suspect I was the only runner on the mountain wearing Nikes!}
The Free Flyknit 4.0 fits right into my sweet spot: 6 mm drop with a sock-like upper. And on both those fronts, I was beyond happy. Y’all, the knit upper on these shoes is insanely comfortable! It wraps around your foot like a glove and just moves with your muscles. I did try running in them without socks, just to test it out, but that didn’t go so well. While I didn’t develop blisters, I had a fairly severe lineup of hot spots. I’m not sure I would advise that. The forefoot of the shoe opens up for a wider toe box which I love. Overall, I dare say that these are the most comfortable Nike shoes that I have ever worn.
However, there is a drawback: I’m still not sold on them as running shoes! At this point, I have roughly 40 miles on them and they still just don’t feel right while running. The sole is similar to other Nike Frees in that is comprised of indvidual pods. While this helped with flexibility and movement, it also meant that rocks and pebbles collected in the creases between pods like crazy! I couldn’t run down a sidewalk without *literally* feeling like I had a rock under my foot. Quite honestly, this drove me insane. I also question the durability as the outsole appears to be wearing down a bit faster than I would prefer.
In the end, I absolutely love these shoes—for cross training. I’ve taken them to CrossFit and while the stack height is too high for my taste, they worked great. I walk Tally in them all the time and I imagine they would be perfect shoes for exercise classes or gym machines like the elliptical. They’re seriously beyond comfortable, but you won’t convince me they are the best choice for running.
Disclosure: I received these items for free and with no promise of review or compensation. All opinions are my own.
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Sound off: have you tried either of these brands? Do you have a running shoe bias too?
3 Comments
I have to be honest, brand snobbery drives me crazy. No, Nike don’t make top of the range running shoes but every now and again, they get it spot on and people who roll their eyes because they’re not Hokas or Newtons are just being snobs! Some of my best ever running shoes were Nikes (the Vomero 6s) and I slap myself every time I think about how I didn’t stockpile them! They were perfect and the new versions are dog ugly and not as good!
Yep, never been a huge Nike fan for shoes in general but I do love the ‘sock’ concept. Those types are always so comfortable. But I agree, for running?? Don’t think they’d provide enough support for me. But I do love the color! And the vest…that looks and sounds rad. I was never a big vest fan until recently, but like you said, it’s the perfect item to keep your core warm and take the chill away.
I had to laugh because I only run in Nikes! So far they are the only brand I’ve found that makes a shoe for underpronators specifically, not just a neutral shoe. I’m also a big fan of vests for running. Mine is from Brooks, but it cuts the wind and is perfect for that in-between weather.