Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Brooks Spring Apparel Review



I have reviewed several shoes from Brooks in the past year.  I have been very pleased with the quality and functionality of the shoes.  Brooks is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.  Brooks’ motto is to “Run Happy” but they also try to “Live Green.”  Here are my past reviews:

Glycerin 13 (Runner’s World’s Best Update Award for 2015)
Launch 3 (The best shoe I have ever run in)

I have an old pair of brooks shorts that have had for years and because I chose the wrong size, I never really liked them too much.  I was really excited to test out some of their apparel that fit properly. 

Men’s Streaker Short Sleeve Shirt

Let’s start by saying that not all shirts are created equally.  Some shirts are extremely light and airy while others are thicker.  Some shorts are made to cool you down and some simply have moisture wicking fabrics.  Let’s start by looking at some of the features in the Streaker shirt.

The Streaker is a fitted shirt and acts like a second skin.  It starts with a Drilayer Steady Fabric that is designed with thermoregulation in mind.  The material wicks away moisture and keeps your body at a temperature that will keep you performing at your best.  Brooks uses a chafe-free seamless construction as well for a more comfortable experience.  You can use the Streaker on its own or as a base layer. 

While I first felt like the Streaker was a little heavier than some other shirts I have tested, I soon realized that it didn’t matter at all.  I ran a long tempo run in rather warm temperatures.  The cooling technology worked very well and when I was done, the shirt was absolutely drenched in sweat.  Not only did I stay cool, but I felt dry as well.  That is amazing considering that I could wring the sweat out of my shirt (sorry, I know that’s gross). 

The Streaker not only felt awesome, but looks great as well.  My only complaint is that it’s a little pricey at $62, although if you want a really good shirt, the price might not matter.  The durability is exceptional and should last for quite a while.

Pros:
Extremely comfortable
Fitted shirt for a second skin feel
Looks awesome (several color options)
Chafe-free seamless construction
90 Day Trial at Brooks.com (Free Returns)

Cons:
A little on the price side at $62

Men’s Sherpa 7’ 2-in-1 Running Shorts

If you are looking for a great short with plenty of storage options, the Men’s Sherpa 7” 2-in-1 Running Shorts are a great choice.  They are a semi fitted, mid-rise short with a 7” inseam (which for me is a few inches above my knees.  I find that this is a good length, not too long and not too short.

The Sherpa shorts come with a lightweight, stretch-woven fabric outer material and an internal mesh boxer brief.  I really liked the inner brief because I don’t have to wear compression shorts too, like I have done for years.  While these shorts might cost a little more, you save money on not needing to buy the compression shorts separately.

The elastic waistband has a stretchy drawcord, which makes sure your shorts stay secure.  There are two storage pockets at each hip for easy access to your gels, keys, or other small items.  There is a “covert pocket” on the inner brief, which you can’t see because it is covered by the outer layer of your shorts.  It fits my Samsung Galaxy S6 with its case and holds it securely.  There is also a sweat-resistant zippered pocket at the center of the back.

The Sherpa shorts are one of my favorite shorts because of how comfortable they are and the storage capabilities.  They look really good and keep you dry.  Again, my only complaint is that it is a little pricey at $64, but again, these shorts exceeded my expectations and is worth the money.  The durability is exceptional and should last for quite a while as well.

Pros:
Extremely comfortable
Tons of storage
Looks awesome (several color options)
Perfect 7” inseam length
Durable materials
90 Day Trial at Brooks.com (Free Returns)

Cons:
A little on the price side at $64

Brooks Social Media Links

While I have been impressed with Brooks shoes, their clothing is just as impressive. The Streaker Short Sleeve Shirt and Sherpa 7” 2-in-1 Shorts feel great, help keep you cool, and look awesome.  While the price point for each item is a little more than some other apparel I have tested, the quality and comfort more than make up for it.  You can get the Streaker Shirt for $62 and the Sherpa Shorts for $64 on the Brooks website.  You can also find them at your local retailer (click here for locations). Go to your local running store give them a try.  I would love to hear what you think. 

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

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