Trying Brooks Running Gear From Head to Toe, Literally

It’s time again for another Brooks Running review (remember, we’re a blog ambassador but our reviews are totally objective and our opinion)! Last month we reviewed the PureFlow 2, which we were IN LOVE with, and this month, we’re addressing your run from head to toe — literally!

First up, the Brooks Running Run Happy Visor. Obviously, we love the message. Hooray for running happy! And although we — confession — sometimes think that a visor looks a little dorky (unless you’re on on vacation on a boat, in which case, jealous!), this one is working for us. Available in fun colors and adjustable, it’s made of micro-denier moisture-transfer polyester, which pretty much means that it’ll keep your noggin cool and dry. Which we dig. Plus, the inherent benefits of wearing a visor while running are commendable: sun and eye protection, along with letting heat escape from the top of your head. And again, we dig the message. And at just $18, it’s kind of a steal.

Up next, goodies for your tootsies! We’re talking socks. Nice running socks. A three-pack of the Brooks Running Versatile Double Tab socks will set you back just $15, which is totally affordable. (We’ve paid that much for one or two technical pairs before.) And we’ve really enjoyed running in these socks! With extra padding at the front and back, mesh panels and moisture-transfer nylon, they keep your feet dry, comfortable — meaning less chance of blisters. With just a touch of arch compression to keep them in place while you run, there’s even a flat toe seam to reduce friction (and, again, blisters). We particularly like the Achilles tab — that area loves to chafe on us, but this totally helps!

So often running apparel is about the shoes or the shorts or the shirt, but these pieces remind us of how important things like the head and the toes are when it comes to running. Do you wear a hat or special socks when you run? —Jenn