RUNNING TECH Brooks

In the winter, safety and visibility are fundamental for runners. Th is year, Brooks has developed smart technology to enable us to run safely whenever we want, so we wanted to find out more

Words: Esther Newman

MORE THAN A LOGO Reflective branding and subtle stripes are not enough to make sure you’r e seen

Running in winter is a whole other ball game, especially in terms of our kit. We need cosy kit to keep blue fingers at bay, and we need to make sure we’re visible and safe from commuting drivers on those early morning runs. Being visible is also a consideration for those of us who feel uneasy about heading out when there are fewer people around.

Earlier this year, pre-lockdown, we were invited to the launch of Brooks’ winter running collection and, while that wasn’t the main focus of the event - the assembled gasps were reserved for the astonishing Hyperion Elite - a handful of us were more diverted by a short film of an athlete running at night. In the film it’s dusk, and we can make out a path and some trees. In the near distance, we can see the runner coming towards us. Th ere RUNNING TECH | Brooks are high-visibility patches on his torso, his elbows, wrists and legs. As he approaches, we are told that when we first spotted him he was 600 feet away. He runs closer and closer. Nothing surprising to see here. It’s only when he’s just 200 feet away, and in the glow of a streetlamp, that you can see he’s not alone, he’s running with a companion. But that second runner was completely invisible until that point.

It was a bit of a wakeup call for me - I’m one of those runners who happily thought that the reflectivity flash on my shoes, or on the back of my top was enough to get me seen. Turns out, it’s not.

Visible running

Th is year, Brooks has launched its Run Visible collection. Th is is a small running collection that includes both apparel and shoes - high-vis versions of known and loved Brooks classics: the Ghost, the Glycerin and the Levitate. Th e range comprises key pieces for both men and women, including warm and cold weather items that are designed to work together as an outfit.