Irish Runner: Running Shoe Review

Posted on June 1, 2021 at 4:33 pm.

Expert and trustworthy advice can be difficult to come by, but when it comes to Killian Byrne of the Irish Runner magazine, it doesn’t come much better in the world of running.

That’s why we recently entrusted Killian with reviewing eight of our best-selling running shoes, from which he will share his experts tips and advice to help you before you buy.

He will be looking at the women’s Brooks Glycerin 19, adidas Ultraboost 21, ON Running Cloudswift, Hoka Mach 4, Under Armour Hovr Machina 2, women’s Asics Gel Cumulus 23, women’s Puma Velocity Nitro, Nike Pegasus Trail 2.

Here’s what he said.

Irish Runner on the Brooks Glycerin 19 (Women)

Fit & Comfort

The Glycerin 19 is the max cushioned shoe in the Brooks range and with the withdrawal of a number of lines in their stable, this trainer now stands out as the frontrunner in a neutral stability shoe. Formerly super comfortable but considerably ‘clunky’, this new version goes some way to fixing what many considered was a boxy and unresponsive design.

The tweaking of the DNA Loft foam has gone a long way to transforming the Glycerin 19 into a smooth and cushioned ride, almost ‘bouncy’. This moves the lycerin into a category that you’d be comfortable chasing your speedwork, but they feel light and comfortable enough to also throw on for long runs.

We felt these were a little tight in initial testing and a very firm heel and supported ankle actually might make you consider buying a size up before you head out on the road. When you’re buying, make sure you try these shoes when in your running socks and check with your retailer if they’ll accept a return if the fit isn’t quite right before making a final decision. Many will be happy to exchange within a specific timeframe.

If you’re a Ghost wearer then the Glycerin 19 might suit you too. You’ll get a soft, balanced stable run and it’s a shoe that might just suit you for that everyday work the summer will bring.

Technical

Slightly unremarkable when out of the box, the Glycerin 19 is a neutral, cushioned trainer with a 10mm drop. A double mesh upper can make things very plush and there is plenty of ventilation to offset any excess heat. The heel cup is super firm and padded giving a very secure fit. The ubiquitous Brooks DNA Loft foam that allows good cushioning but isn’t too soft to affect your run.

Conclusion

A shoe that is on the expensive side but worth it for the plush feel. We’d have some concerns about the longevity as wear and tear might take its toll sooner than hoped.

Irish Runner on the Adidas Ultraboost 21

Fit & Comfort

The Ultraboost is one of the most popular shoes in the Adidas range and it has jumped the fence to sit very comfortably between technical running shoe and fashionable trainer. But the Ultraboost 21 is working very hard with a complete redesign to make its way back to being a leading performance running shoe.

If it’s possible for a running shoe to look both clunky and fast then Adidas have made it. The Ultraboost aren’t light, and a simple 8k ‘out of the box’ run around the park wasn’t the best of experiences. The snug elastic-like upper allowed for too much movement for your reviewer to feel comfortable on fast corners and no matter how tight we tied the laces there was still plenty of reticence to ‘open up’ on any kind of technical running terrain.

If you’re an Ultraboost wearer you know how plush and comfortable these shoes are and a redesigned midsole foam provides great cushioning and energy return because there is 6% more boost ‘capsules’ and they all seem packed into the heel.

The tongue-less sock design means laces thread through a stiff plastic ‘cage’. This hugs the mid-food while anchoring things in place, but we felt this just serves to enhance the loose and roomy toe box. The runner’s ankle and heel are well boxed in with extra cushioning but things still seemed loose, and in fact, there was some uncomfortable chafing two or three runs into our testing. One real bonus we liked was what adidas call their ‘LEP’ – Linear Energy Push – or the sole of the shoe to you andI. This provided stiffness and grip that allowed real push off and energy return on each step.

Technical

A completely redesigned cushioned shoe with 10mm drop that comes in a little heavy at 340g. adidas LEP system allowing 15% increase in stiffness and the addition of 6% more Boost capsules allowing a greater energy return

Conclusion

The Ultraboost still doesn’t know if it’s a running shoe or fashion trainer. 2021 updates make it better for running, but the fact that it’s available in up to 16 different colours says a lot. If you run in long straight lines at a comfortable pace then the Ultraboost might be for you, but for most people there’ll be other shoes that will do what you want without the fear of worrying about what’s on your feet.

Irish Runner on the On Running Cloudswift

Fit & Comfort

Out of the box, all the On Running shoes impress on design, which continues to draw looks from those that aren’t used to the bouncy ‘tube’ design and the Cloudswift are no different. The denim/midnight colour design we trialled impressed even more and added a style to the shoe that is hard to beat in this reviewer’s eyes.

It is interesting though, that we opened this review with commentary on colour, style and looks, as outside of that the technical aspects of the Cloudswift are so understated as to be almost unnoticed outside of the still revolutionary ‘cloud’ design across the soles of the On Running range.

Let’s deal with that first.

We’ve reviewed On Running before at Irish Runner and while they’ve been comfortable, we still can’t get over the design of the sole that continues to gather the detritus of Ireland’s roads and parklands in the ridges. making the shoes grip much less effective. To their credit, On Running have addressed this and the issue is less of a concern today.

Thankfully, right?

On the flipside, the spring of the cloud design provides a smooth ride on hard surfaces and for a trainer that is the very opposite of plush this provides great comfort and a super energy return on each step. The design of the sole allows for both horizontal and vertical flex, allowing for multi-directional cushioning no matter how you run.

The double mesh layer is very soft but durable and while On Running recommend you look at a half size up when buying, we found it roomy. You know your feet better than anyone, if you think you need extra space in a running shoe then bear this in mind. The Mid-foot strap holding the lacing system is very firm and at times we felt the laces were ‘digging in’ – loosening them just made our foot slip a little more.

Technical

A 7mm drop with a very rocker like sole on a shoe that can’t really be designated as a ‘stability’ shoe. Luxury double mesh upper provides a lot of comfort and room.

Conclusion

The CloudTec sole design and lack of deep cushioning makes the foot, shoe and ground almost act as one unit. You feel every step on a good way and that makes for an enjoyable experience when out on the road, you are always in control.

Irish Runner on the Hoka Mach 4

Fit & Comfort

We are HOKA fans and were very happy to see a pair of the new Mach 4 come through the letterbox for testing. HOKA, despite their reputation for unusual design, make great shoes for different runners and the Mach4 didn’t do anything to dampen our enthusiasm for the brand.

Comfort, cushioning, stability, smooth – all words we associate with the brand and depending on the shoe, they’re all there in every design. With the Mach 4, we seem to have dialled back on the extreme cushioning to ensure that the run is a lot more responsive than previous versions of the trainer.

I’ve described HOKA shoes in the past as being great for long comfortable runs, but I’ll flip that on its head for the Mach 4s and call these for quick, responsive racing and training. There is more feel between runner and ground than you would expect, making for a very reactive run. The firm mesh upper doesn’t allow for any slip or elasticity meaning your foot stays in place in comfortable surroundings. The solid but wide heel cup allows plenty of room and whether you feel the high back is to protect the achilles or provide a pull tab when putting on your shoes it does both with aplomb.

Technical

The Hoka ProFly cushioning does its job very well, like the bowl of porridge for Goldilocks, it is just right, allowing comfort but enough feel for the runner to control the movement rather than constantly sinking into the foam.

Conclusion

Are these the best HOKA shoes ever?

Possibly.

HOKA themselves call the Mach 4 a ‘soft and lively up-tempo daily flyer’ and I couldn’t have put it better myself.

Irish Runner on the Under Armour Hovr Machina 2

Fit & Comfort

Many years ago Nike linked up with Apple and we were all wearing ‘footpods’ embedded in a little compartment hidden under the insole of our shoes. The idea died out with the emergence of the fitness ‘wearable’ and now we get all the metrics under the sun from a wristwatch.

But fast forward a few years and Under Armour have persisted with the technology, fine tuning things for it to be a real threat to the computer on our wrist. Straight out of the box I had to connect to my phone and update my trainers – a new experience for me I’ll admit! But it works. Connecting to the Under Armour owned ‘MyFitnessPal’, you will get all the running metrics you need broadcast from a chip in your shoes.

As a trainer, the Machina 2 is a comfortable ride. Solid energy return and cushioning form the UA Hovr foam allows for a responsive run and the now obligatory internal ‘plate’ gives enough spring to propel, without you actually feeling your stability affected like some other brands. The engineered mesh upper allows for plenty of breathability without things feeling too stretchy, but I really felt the overall design was unremarkable.

Technical

Technically, this shoe is all about the technology. The manufacture and design makes for a reasonable trainer but this shoe is all about connectivity. It shines.

Don’t want to bring your phone?

Then connect and upload when you get home. Bring your phone and the shoe will train you when out on the run with personalised coaching tips. According to UA, runners go 3% further and 7% faster using this technology.

Conclusion

It’s hard to see past the fact that UA have hung their hat on chip technology rather than faster shoe design. I’m certainly not naïve in thinking everyone cares about % drop and foam density, but it matters. For a beginner with no interest in these things, then an embedded chip might just swing your decision to these shoes.

Here’s the kicker.

If your shoes know all about how well you run, how far you run and where you run then Under Armour and Map My Run know it too. Be careful with your data.

Irish Runner on the Asics Gel Cumulus 23 (Women’s)

Fit & Comfort

‘Hello old friend, it’s good to see you again’ is what you’d say to these shoes if you could talk to them.

If there was a template for a dependable, middle of the road, everyday running shoe then the Asics Gel-Cumulus are it.

That’s not a bad thing.i

In fact, it’s probably the best recommendation you can get for a trainer because where some shoes excel in parts, they fall short in others. As a beginner or experienced runner that’s not what you want. You want a shoe that will bring you around the park for a walk or a run, one that will bring you on your couch to 5k or see you through your marathon plan or a shoe that will sit in the wardrobe while your motivation wanes, but be there ready and waiting when you find that mojo again.

Priced very competitively, the Gel-Cumulus have all the technology you can get with the might of Asics design team behind them.

The Cumulus are light enough and not too narrow but the mesh upper adds support in targeted areas and is firm without being constricting. If you feel you need a wide shoe for more room or have wide feet then try a half size up. You’ll not swim in the larger size but it will benefit your comfort.

Talking about comfort, the shoe really benefits from both the Asics FliteFoam and its Lite rubber improves durability. Every step is both cushioned and secure. The Gel cup in the heel works impeccably and with both male and female specific design the shoe works with the mechanics of all types of feet.

Technical

A stable and neutral runner with a low 7mm drop. But really this isn’t a shoe about the technology, it is about comfort, fit and just getting out running.

Conclusion

Theses trainers will do what you want when you want it without causing a fuss. They’ll easily get you to a marathon but are probably best suited to someone that enjoys their running and likes to go long one day but grabs 20mins on another.

They are probably the ‘best in class’ everyday running shoe.

Irish Runner on the Puma Velocity Nitro (Women’s)

Fit & Comfort

Puma have launched five new running-shoe styles this year, all with their new Nitro foam technology for increased comfort and running efficiency. I was really interested to try them; Puma used to be a very popular choice with runners but I haven’t seen them on a start line in years.

These are neutral, cushioned shoes and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were. They felt very cushy underfoot – like wearing slippers – but at the same time you can feel the road. Though they’re lighter, they have a similar feel to the Saucony ride – soft, but still responsive and bouncy.

The sizing is similar to other well-known brands, and the fit comfortable, with enough space in the toe box. I found I had to experiment with lacing to get the shoe to fit snugly around my ankle, but after that they felt good on the run. The knit upper has a silver puma leaping majestically across the big toe, which I liked, and a comfortably padded tongue that doesn’t slip out of place (thanks to an elastic link to the shoes’ sides).

Puma also design their male and female shoes on separate lasts for a more specific fit.

I haven’t tried them in the wet – thanks in part to our run of fine weather and in part because they are such a light colour that they’re unsuitable for rain and muck! But on paths and park trails the grip was good.

My only con was the colour: I trialled electro peach/silver, and while I loved their box-fresh, springtime look, they are just impossible to keep clean in Irish weather!

Technical

Neutral, cushioned and light with a 10mm drop

Conclusion

At €120 these are priced at the mid-range for road running shoes, which represents good value for money. I’ll definitely keep using these as neutral, everyday runners across a range of distances

Irish Runner on the Nike Pegasus Trail 2

Fit & Comfort

The Pegasus 2 is built to take on the best of what the trails have to offer.

We brought them to the Wicklow mountains to see how they performed.

These shoes are good to go out of the box, they are very comfortable, the React foam provides excellent cushioning and they feel like the type of shoe you would be happy in for long easy days out on moderate trails. There is room in the forefoot and the mesh upper is accommodating and the React foam provides plushness. On more rocky sections, I did find that I could still feel some rocks through the foam but for those who still like some ground feel in their cushioned shoes this is no bad thing.

It is a big shoe and on the heavier end of the scale weighing in at 343g for a size 10.

On rolling moderate hills, road sections and forest paths, this shoe is in its element. However, in my opinion, this is not a shoe for more technical mountain trails. I tried different lacing set ups, but I just could not find one that kept my foot feeling supported and secure.

Despite the plushness of the React foam and the flexibility of the upper material. I would describe the feeling on all surfaces as running ‘on’ the shoe as opposed to ‘in’ it.

The shoes performed well on a wide variety of surfaces and I only felt a little slippage on a wet rock section that challenges all shoes I have worn. The lugs are small enough that these shoes are also perfectly at home on tarmac roads. After 80+ km there is no visible signs of wear and the outsole looks to be very durable. I like the cushioning and comfort on easy to moderate trails, and I found the grip to be good on all but the wettest of rock.

Technical

With a 10mm drop this enters the territory of a ‘maximalist’ shoe. There is a full NikeReact foam midsole and a full rubber outsole with a lug design that resembles a mountain bike tyre tread.

Conclusion

If you already like Nike, their fit, and you run a mix of both road, parkland, trail, forest, or easy hills, this could be your shoe.

If you want a shoe capable of carrying you in comfort for anything from a short run up to a marathon or ultramarathon, then this is a shoe to check out.

Final Thoughts

There’s plenty of food for thought in Killian’s shoe reviews, after his extensive testing of each product.

Make sure to let us know if you found this helpful when you’re trying to pick a new running shoe.

You can shop Running right here.

Guide to finding the best smartwatch for women

Posted on April 13, 2021 at 4:01 pm.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Ladies, if you think a smartwatch is designed solely for exercising, then read on and we’ll prove you wrong.

In fact, modern features on smartwatches make them just as beneficial to your general health and wellbeing than for exercising alone.

The newest generation of smartwatches can give you all the technology you need or want, along with all the panache that will make you stand out from the crowd, with slim profiles for smaller wrists, sleek designs and bold colour palettes.

With that in mind, this blog will take the hassle out of buying and help you find the best smartwatch for women, whatever your lifestyle or goals.

Plus, as well as all the exercise-focused features covered in our best smartwatch for running blog, our recommended watches boast useful features like:

Menstrual tracking
Stress, heart rate and sleep monitoring
Breathing exercises
ECH sensors and skin temperature readers
Electrodermal activity sensors

Interested?

As you might have read in our ultimate guide to choosing the best smartwatch blog, Garmin and Fitbits are a bit like Facebook and Instagram, built for the same purpose but appeal to two very different people.

At Intersport Elverys, we believe that Fitbits might just be the best smartwatch for women, but hey, that’s just our opinion.

If you value it, here’s why:

Best smartwatch for women (overall): Fitbit Versa

The Fitbit Versa is elegant, beautiful and packed full of wellness and exercise features to suit every budget and every need.

It’s also available in a variety of colours with interchangeable bands to match whatever outfit you choose – so don’t worry about your style being cramped!

And with a multi-day battery life, you won’t be wasting loads of time searching the house top to bottom for the charger on a regular basis!

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the Versa; catering for your athlete with plenty of sports features, but really coming into its own with its wellness options:

Guided breathing sessions to help you find moments of calm throughout your busy day
Female health tracking to log periods, track your cycle and gauge ovulation
24/7 heart rate tracking
Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa Built In plus built in music experience
Interchangeable straps allowing you to find a colour that suits your outfit
Fitbit Pay, allowing quick and easy contactless payments

Best smartwatch for women (premium): Fitbit Sense

While the Fitbit Sense is the most expensive watch of the brand’s range, it offers the best options for both fitness tracking and health and wellbeing features.

Not only does it have an FDA-approved ECG sensor and blood oxygen reading, but the Sense can also measure electrodermal activity and skin temperature too – amazing!

Plus, it has a built-in GPS if you decide to go for a spontaneous run and it’s waterproof if you decide to venture for a dip.

There’s more too:

Stress management tools give a more holistic approach to your lifestyle
Your skin temperature sensors logs and tracks your results each night
Heart rate notifications to inform you when your heart rate is high or low
Sleep Stage and Sleep Score to give in-depth sleep analysis
Notifications for calls, texts, calendar events and apps
Voice assistant software and hands-free calling

Best smartwatch for women for value: Fitbit Inspire

While not packed with the top-tech like its big sisters, the Fitbit Inspire is still punching way above its weight in terms of what it offers.

As well as tracking steps, sleep and heart rate using the built in PurePulse sensor, it has accurate lifestyle features like menstrual and sleep tracking and a whopping 10-day battery life.

Plus, it has the neat little feature where it doesn’t have to be worn on your wrist and can be clipped onto your clothes instead.

What about these:

Menstrual health tracking
Guided breathing sessions for daily mindfulness sessions
Friendly reminders to get up and move throughout the day
Smartphone notifications
All day activity tracker, sleep score and swim tracker

Final thoughts

We hope you found this blog informative and goes to helping you pick the right smartwatch for you.

We’re also eager to hear your thoughts on what you think is the best smartwatch for women. So let us know if you’ve taken the plunge and purchased a smartwatch on Elverys.ie.

There’s a whole range of leading brands to choose from, and they’re almost guaranteed to change your life. So check them on the graphic below and find one that works for you.

The best smartwatch for running?

Posted on April 2, 2021 at 11:16 am.

Written by Ger Flanagan

Finding the best smartwatch for running will help you achieve that PB you’ve been aiming for all season. Or, it will help you get back on your fitness journey if you’ve fallen off the horse in recent months (don’t be worrying, it happens to us all!).

So, whether you’re that seasoned runner chasing those fine margins, or the person who enjoys a leisurely run just to clear the head, we hope this blog will help you and your fitness journey.

As discussed in our previous blog – our guide to finding the best smartwatch for you – Fibit and Garmin smartwatches cater for different people, with the latter being the preferred option for sportspeople.

If you’re wondering why, read on:

- - Highly accurate GPS monitors
  - Heart rate monitors that even work underwater
  - Water and swim resistant, if you want to cool down after a run
  - Lightweight
  - Long-lasting battery life
  - Access to lots of running data, like VO2 Max

Here’s the kicker:

Garmin smartwatches might not have the aesthetic appeal of their Fitbit counterparts, but that’s not what they’re trying to do. These are all about arming you with the right features, be it pre-run, during your run, or post-run.

We know that running can benefit your health in so many ways, but you might not have know that a smartwatch can benefit your running.

So here’s our picks.

The best smartwatch for running: Garmin Forerunner 45

Simple, elegant and affordable, the Garmin Forerunner can satisfy the beginners, bargain hunters and the more experienced runners.

For less than €200, you get a sleek design with all the frills and spills needed for your running, as well as some neat features to help off the track or trails.

Here’s the lowdown:

- - Built in GPS with optical heart rate from your wrist
  - Adaptive training plans, VO2 max as well as activity and sleep tracking
  - Body battery energy level monitoring, stress tracking, incident detection and music controls
  - Battery life that last up to seven days
  - Waterproof up to 50 metres and swim proof

In our humble opinion, the Forerunner is the best smartwatch for running, whatever your ability.

Best smartwatch for running (Elite): Garmin Venu

If you’re willing to splash the cash, then the Garmin Venu is for you.

It has a brilliant AMOLED display, impressive battery life and a full suite of fitness features that make it one of the best all-round fitness trackers on the market.

It is definitely venturing more into the smartwatch territory, as opposed to the fitness trackers, but it’s sleek style allows it to float under the radar but still pack a massive bunch in terms of features.

Here’s what it packs:

- - Stainless steel bezel with Corning Gorilla Glass protecting its AMOLED display
  - Quick release bands
  - Water resistant up to 50m and swim proof
  - Body Battery Energy Monitoring that tracks your energy levels throughout the day and finds the optimum time for your workouts
  - Pulse Ox Sensor gauges your blood oxygen Saturday during and the day and during your sleep
  - Stress, hydration and respiration tracking as well as advanced sleep monitoring
  - Built in sports apps, Garmin Coach, custom workouts, Garmin Pay and much more

Best smartwatch for running (novice): Garmin Vivofit

This everyday wear tracker proves that Garmin doesn’t just cater for serious athletes and offers a more affordable range which gives its users an everyday option instead.

While the Vivofit lacks some of the more high-tech features its more expensive cousins offer, it still has plenty of advantages such as solid activity tracking and an unbeatable battery life. It doesn’t, however, have a built in GPS, heart-rate sensor or touch screen, but it works perfectly with the Garmin Connect app.

It’s also a band-style tracker, meaning the strap isn’t interchangeable. But because it’s small and subtle, it won’t cramp the style of your shiny timepiece that you might also want to wear.

Here’s the story:

- - Coin cell battery that last up to a year
  - Water proof and swim proof
  - Enough memory to store four weeks of activity data
  - Can track time, date, steps, distance, calories burned, weekly intensity minutes and weather through Garmin Connect
  - Boasts a ‘Find My Phone’ option

Final Word

At Intersport Elverys, we stock a full range of smartwatches, some of which you can check out in the visual below.

While we focused on an athlete’s preference in this blog, there are so many more options available to you, so do you research.

If you’re out for a run this week, make sure to let us know your thoughts on the best smartwatches for running. And don’t forget to enjoy it too!

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Guide to finding the best smartwatch for you: Fitbit or Garmin?

Posted on March 25, 2021 at 4:57 pm.

Written by Intersport Elverys

Smartwatches are all the craze right now, however, deciding on the best smartwatch for you and your fitness journey isn’t always straightforward.

Thankfully, the Intersport Elverys team is here to help you choose the right smartwatch for your needs from our range of leading brands, such as Fitbit and Garmin.

We’ll try and answer all the initial questions you may have before you take the plunge and purchase a smartwatch, such as…

What is the best smartwatch for your sport?
what is the best smartwatch for lifestyle?
what is the best smartwatch for battery life?
what is the best smartwatch for your budget?

There are so many choices to pick from, so before you do, read on to find out some of the most important aspects you should consider before taking the plunge.

What do you want from your smartwatch?

While Fitbit and Garmin smartwatches are quite similar, there are some significant differences between the two.

So, what are they, you might be wondering:

if you’re a dedicated sports person or athlete and want a smartwatch that will give you large amounts of accurate data during your running, swimming or cycling workouts, then a Garmin smartwatch may be best for you.
However, if you’re a casual sportsperson, or someone with little interest in sport but is eager to try and live a better lifestyle with the help of technology to track your steps, heart rate or sleep, then a Fitbit might be the best smartwatch for you.
If you’re a woman looking to buy a smartwatch, our blog on finding the best smartwatch for women might be of interest

What is the best smartwatch for your sport?

As mentioned above, if you’re an athlete and you’re buying a smartwatch, it is important to factor in what data you want access to.

Because Fitbit and Garmin smartwatches can track a lot of data, which varies across their devices and ranges, delving into exactly what you want might save you a headache down the line. Our guide to finding the best smartwatch for running might help you save time too.

Here’s the deal:

Fitbit made their name with fitness tracking and it underpins all their devices, meaning every model will track your steps, monitor your heart rate 24/7, monitor your sleep and give you inactivity alerts throughout the day. Their sleep feature insights are excellent, too.

Garmin, of course, offers similar features, but when it comes to sports and sport tracking, they come into their own.

They primarily cover…

Running
Cycling
Swimming

That means Garmin’s are also water resistant in the pool and the sea, while more niche sports like skiing, climbing and hiking are also offered on the more premium models.

External heart rate monitor connectivity and a Body Battery monitor can come in handy for the right athlete too.

So do your research, because the last thing you want to do is go open-sea swimming with a smartwatch that is not swim resistant!

At Intersport Elverys, we’re committed to helping your fitness journey, whatever the sport. So consider reading our ultimate beginners guide to running if this year is when you intend on starting.

Which is the best smartwatch for battery life?

Imagine you’re out for a run, moving well and have your 5k or 10k PB in your sight, but then your battery runs out! Or, you’re a person who likes to track their steps, sleep or heart rate religiously, and right when you go to check your metrics, find your smartwatch battery died because you forgot to plug it in the night before.

These are just some of the reasons why researching what smartwatch has the best battery life to suit your needs is crucial before making a purchase.

Want to know the best part?

Garmin pride themselves on producing fitness trackers and smartwatches that deliver battery life that last up to a week, sometimes greater. Fitbit is not far behind and is closing the gap all the time.

But don’t forget, using power-hungry applications can drain the battery life of most smartwatches, and the more active you are, the faster it will drain.

So too do the ‘always on’ modes on your smartwatch display.

Fitbit and Garmin are constantly working to improve battery life and have developed some interesting power-saving modes and fast-charging features on their product ranges to help alleviate any concerns you may have.

Find the best smartwatch for your lifestyle

If you’ve read this far and are starting to think that a smartwatch might not be for you because you’re not a sportsperson or athlete, then fear not, we’ve got you covered.

That’s because Fitbit and Garmin watches extend way beyond usage in the gym or during exercise and can actually be really helpful in day-to-day activities.

The release of the Fitbit Versa and Sense allows its users to access cool features like:

push notifications
make payments
a wide variety of apps, watch faces and music players
compatible to other external music devices, such as Spotify

There are also some cool features available that might answer the question as to what is the best smartwatch for women, such as stress monitoring, guided breathing exercises and female health tracking, which allows the user to log periods, track their cycle and gauge ovulation.

For any females out there interested in purchasing a Fitbit or Garmin and taking a step into your fitness journey, our guide to finding the best leggings might provide you with further help.

What style smartwatch do you want?

If you’re thinking of investing in a smartwatch but already own a nice shiny wristwatch that you’re hesitant to depart ways with, then you should consider a band-style smartwatch.

Fear not:

Both Fitbit and Garmin offer trendy band-style fitness trackers such as the Inspire or the Vivofit.

These two smart watches are simple and elegant and will tick all the boxes for someone looking for simplicity, practicality and the best budget smartwatch. While they’re also available in a choice of colours, so they won’t cramp the style of your precious timepiece.

What is the best smartwatch for your budget?

Both Fitbit and Garmin produce smartwatches to suit all budgets.

So, whether you’re looking for the best budget smartwatch or the more premium models, both brands have smartwatches that tick those boxes.

It gets better:

While features and capabilities are obviously limited with the budget options, Fitbit and Garmin still offer very impressive value for money smartwatches.

Both the Fitbit Inspire and the Garmin Vivofit are available for under €100 and provide plenty of bang for your buck.

But if you want to splash out that bit more, the Garmin Venu and the Fitbit Sense, or similar premium models, go for over €300 and beyond. But remember, it’s all down to your needs. Sometimes the best smartwatch for you might not be the more expensive option. Or vice versa; you might need to spend that bit more to find the smartwatch that works for you.

FAQ’s

Are all smartwatches compatible with iPhone’s and Androids?

Most, if not all, Fitbit and Garmin smartwatches will work with both Android and iPhone devices and will offer core features, like being able to view notifications, check the time etc.

However, it is important to ensure that your phone is fully compatible with the smartwatch before you make a purchase, so you can find the best smartwatch for Android or the best smartwatch for iPhone.

Are all Fitbit & Garmin smartwatches water resistant?

Most Fitbit and Garmin watches offer water-resistance, meaning you can wear it in the shower or in the pool and not worry about destroying the electronics.

But not every smartwatch is swim-proof, meaning they aren’t suitable for long distance, open-sea swimming and it is usually recommended to avoid swimming to prevent long-term damage.

Final thoughts

We hope this guide has given you plenty of food-for-thought before you make your smartwatch purchase.

If it has, you can check out our diverse range of wearable technology that will make you stand out from the crowd, like the hugely popular Fitbit Inspire, Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Sense, as well as the Garmin Forerunner, Garmin Vivofit and the Garmin Vivosmart.

Happy training, folks!

FootBalance Insoles: All You Need To Know

Posted on September 18, 2020 at 12:04 pm.

Written by Intersport Elverys

At Intersport Elverys, we’re delighted to offer FootBalance – a professional foot analysis and custom insoles service.

FootBalance empowers you to move, so you can spend more time doing what you love.

Find out what stores provide Football Insoles and Measuring HERE.

Find out all you need to know about FootBalance below.

FootBalance: The Analysis – Click HERE

FootBalance: The Insoles – Click HERE

FootBalance: The Research – Click HERE

FootBalance: Quickfit Insoles – Click HERE

FootBalance: 100% Custom – Click HERE

Conclusion

We’ve also other FootBalance blogs for you to check out.

FootBalance for Football

FootBalance for Running

FootBalance for Everyday

To take a look at what we have to offer, check out the Intersport Elverys website HERE.

Or, check out our video below for more information on how FootBalance works.

FootBalance – The Analysis

Posted on September 18, 2020 at 10:03 am.

Written by Intersport Elverys

Solving Real Issues

More than 75% of us live with a foot misalignment.

Our mission is to improve health and wellbeing through personalised foot products and services.

Free Foot Analysis

Our free foot analysis service is a fast, computer aided assessment that will result in you knowing everything you need to know about your unique feet.

During the analysis, Intersport Elverys’ expert staff will analyse your arches, check the position of your feet and ankles and the effects they have on your total body alignment.

As part of your personalised foot analysis you will receive a recommendation and fitting service that delivers an unrivalled experience and is supported by Intersport Elverys staff members expert advice & guidance.

Footbalance: The Analysis

Your feet are the foundation of your body differing from anyone else’s and often differing from your left foot to your right foot.

Any imbalance from your feet up through the body may result in pain, discomfort or loss in performance stemming from this common misalignment.

More than 75% of the population suffers from misalignment such as overpronation or excessive supination.

Our FootBalance 100% custom insoles support your feet properly in a neutral position aiding a balanced stance and correct total body alignment, addressing a wide range of extremely common issues caused by foot misalignment.

The effects of our FootBalance 100% Custom Insoles can be felt throughout the body improving performance in your sport, reducing the risk of injury through total body alignment or just offering extra support and cushioning working in the office or chasing the kids around the house.

So let’s talk about your feet!

When you next visit one our stores be sure to have your feet analysed. You will find you have one of three common foot types.

You could you have the most common foot type, overpronation. This is when your foot rolls excessively inward, distributing weight unevenly across the foot.

Supination, the least common of the three foot types. This foot type vastly reduces the body’s natural shock absorbing capability. Highlighted by an external rotation, pushing the body’s weight along the outside of the foot.

Neutral foot type is where your foot and ankle maintain a straight line. Weight is distributed evenly across the forefoot and down through the heel. This is the ideal foot type but if foot health is not maintained has the potential to collapse into overpronation.

The medial arch, which starts from the heel and continues to the ball of the foot, tells us a lot about the foot.

It functions to distribute body weight and impact and is the body’s natural stock absorber. Think of it like a spring, once you put your foot on the ground the medial arch compresses and springs your foot into your next step.

Similar to different foot types your arches are unique to you and differ from person to person, foot to foot. We break it down into three categories: low arch, normal arch and high arch.

NORMAL ARCH

When your arch is normal your body suspension works naturally absorbing the impact of every step you take.

LOW ARCH

Low medial arches can how ever lead to poor shock absorption as your suspension to the body comes ineffective, resulting to discomfort and stress injuries in your muscles and joints.

HIGH ARCH

People with high medial arch tend to have a rigid foot structure and there also suffer from poor shock absorption, resulting to discomfort and stress injuries in muscles and joints.

BENEFITS OF CUSTOM INSOLES

FootBalance Custom Insoles support your unique arches for better position, increasing shock absorption and improving even weight distribution and there fore help to prevent injuries.

The insoles are dynamic and flex with your feet, helping to keep your feet and arches active, healthy and toned. They can also help to prevent your arches from falling further.

Our expert staff will identify your foot and arch type in-store using our FootBalance analysis system while FootBalance Custom Insoles are individually moulded to your unique feet to support them in a neutral position aiding a balanced stance and correct posture.

Find out more about FootBalance at Intersport Elverys HERE.