EC 3D Compression Sock Review

Performance Compression Sock

EC3D is a Canadian  and Montreal based compression company who has been in the compression medical field for a bout 15 years. 

EC3D has few different options when it comes to compression socks. The Performance option was sent to me for review. Other options can be seen at EC3D website:   http://ec3dsports.com/products/

Fit: The socks was easy to slip on and the sock part was easy adjust. The sock has some added padding for extra cushioning but it does not feel bulky. The socks comes in Right/left specific socks to approve fit. I really feel the softness of these socks, it kind of feel like an extra skin. In the past I have had issues with compression socks not staying up for my longer runs. EC3D feels safe and they stay up. I have not experienced any chafing with EC3D socks. The socks are light woven and the socks have been keeping my feet and legs dry. The running I've been doing has been during NJ winter months and I can not comment on the breath ability but I feel that it should not be an issues to use these socks during hot summer months.

Compression

The compression part have EC3D Seamless Zoned Compression. Its medical gradient and have different zones and pads. The compression is firm and have kind of a soft touch to it. You can feel the different zones of Compression, specially over you front shins and Achilles. With these socks you have a nice soft firm compression that feels secure. The compressions has been tested during long runs up 20 miles, Intervals and tempo runs. During all runs they have stayed up and offered a nice compression.

Durability:

When it comes to durability, the big test comes to if they stay up during long runs after a few times in the washer. Ec3d pass this test great. i feel the same comfort and compression after a few washes. The sock keeps the same fit and form. 

Over All

EC3D is a new brand to me. The company has a wide variety of compression gear to offer for you, including shorts and arm sleeves. As compression I feel the company is up at the top, offering great quality and a nice secure fit. my biggest issues with compression sock is that they don't stay up. With EC3D this is not an issues and I don't have to worry about the them dropping down. 

Give Away: We have one pair of sock to give away. Simply send your sock size and calf size and answer the question: Who is the ambassador of EC3D?

Winner will be randomly selected and notified by email.

Send answer to: runningswede71 at gmail dot com

Disclaimer: The product was given to me for free and I haven’t been compensated in any other way by the company. The review is straight up based on my opinions on the product and it has not been controlled or affected by the company mentioned in any way.

Skechers GoRun Speed has arrived.....

At my place......Review as soon as I have pot some miles in these shoes.
Thanks to Kurt and Kathie at Skechers! Great support!

Skechers GoRun Speed Released

Finally the Skechers GoRun Speed has been released. At this point only the women's edition. The women editions come in two colors; Green and Pink/Green. At this point the men edition is still not in production according to Skechers. Buy your GoRun Speeds here:
http://www.skechers.com/style/13568/skechers-gorun-speed/grlm


Competitors got the opportunity to check out the Skechers GoRun Speed:


Here is Peter at runbloggers take and review:
http://www.runblogger.com/2013/02/skechers-gorun-speed-aka-gomeb-review.html

Pearl Izumi Trail EM N1

My take on the trail version: Published on Runningshoeguru Pearl Izumi EM N1 Trail

Pearl Izumi EM N1 Road review

I have posted several of post here on my blog about the upcoming Pearl Izumi  E:Motion project. Now some of the shoes has been released and I was quick to order a pair of EM N1 Road. Pearl Izumi has been researching and testing these shoes for over three years now and promotion videos and Timothy Olsen record breaking Western State 100 last summer caught my attention. I really liked the idea of the new dynamic off set and a smooth ride. In the past I have really like the Pearl Izumi Streak for its light weight and really nice road feeling. So when I got the shoes I was eager to test them. It was like Christmas eve here in NJ!

Pearl Izumi would like to describe the Dynamic offset like this:



Pearl Izumi Info
Our lightest road style, the Road N1 is designed for the runner seeking a light-as-a-feather, ultra-smooth running experience. Perfect for race day, our E:MOTION midsole promotes a smooth and quick running sensation with the liveliness you need for maximum speed.
 Dynamic Offset
1mm at initial contact to 4.5 mm at mid-stance.
Ride 
 Lightest weight dynamic offset-shaped E:MOTION midsole delivers a responsive, smooth ride with an ideal balance of cushioning and support.
Fit
 Seamless Upper creates a supple, glove-like fit.
Comfort
Moisture management spacer mesh keeps feet cool and dry.
Weight
8.2 oz / 232 g

 My Take:

First Impression
The N1 Road is a very good looking shoe for sure. I'm not sure about the neon green color option but the black and blue is very eye catching to me. when putting them on, I start to worry, the heel feels very insecure. I'm trying to adjust the laces but the secure feel is not there. Other things that catches my eyes is the waffled laces, these guys usually helps to secure the fir but not in this case. I was a bit worried.

 Upper
Pearl Izumi continues  to improve its seemless upper with a great result in the front part, how ever I find hard to secure the heel cup. The Heel cup is semi firm and its very thick pattered. Im trying to secure the heal by adjusting laces but the feeling over all is sloppy. I do not  get a secure snug fit around the heel. The mesh is very nice and soft the front of the shoe impresses me, snug but still gets the toes a chance to spread out. As mentioned above the shoes are equipped with waffled laces which improves the fit over all. In short: Nice upper but the heel slippage worries.

Midsole and Ouotsole
So Pearl Izumi is not talking about heel drop or stack heights, instead they are focusing on the Dynamic offset. But off course the heel drop has an impact, Runningwarehouse has measured the stack height and drop to: Stack Height: Heel (22mm), Forefoot (15mm), so a drop of 7mm. The ride promotes a nice midfoot strike but I do not experience any "game changing revolution" dynamic offset feeling......
The midsole EVA is very firm and offers surprisingly  flat affect to me. I'm used to PI Streak which have a nice energy return but I do not feel the same energy return using the N1. I had hopes for a nice smooth ride but the feeling is not there, its kind of feel dead! The outsole has blown rubber and has a full contact to the ground. When looking at the outsole it does not look like it would provide a good grip, but it actually does a nice job. In short: N1 offers a ride that is firm and flat, the energy return is missing. Outsole offers a nice grip and seems to be durable.

Summary
The N1 is suppose to be Pearl Izumi E:Motions racing option. When other brands releasing racing flats that come in under 7 oz, the N1 comes in over 8oz. The N1 has a thick EVA midsole that offers a flat affect ride with minimal road feeling to it and it does not gives you a "race day feeling" when putting them on. I like to feel fast on the race day and N1 does not offer that feeling. Pearl Izumi continues to offer a nice seamless upper but the heelcup could offer more. I experienced a none secure fit in the N1. Dynamic Offset is to me just a marketing campaign and  a way to catch runners attention. Stack Height and Heel drop is still there and that is what the most runners are looking for. I hope Pearl Izumi continues to improve their "other" shoes like Streak, as I feel the Streak is a much better option for the race day with a nice road feeling.

After I been experienced Pearl Izumis E:Motion Project it was like the Christmas Eve that never came. Maybe I had to high expectations? I realize its hard to design a whole new shoe line and it took Pearl Izumi over three years to design the E:Motion shoes. In my opinion E:Motion need further tweaks to get the nice smooth and road feeling right.

Polar RC3 GPS V.2

One of the reason why I got rid of my Polar RC3 GPS was because of the lack of reading altitude, a big no go in my opinion. Polar has now realized its mistake and released a new color with this update:

"Polar RC3 GPS shows altitude data it receives from the Global Positioning System (GPS). To show altitude at the beginning of a training session, the monitor needs to be connected to a minimum of 6 satellites. During training, the number of connected satellites can be fewer but if the number goes down to 0, RC3 GPS will again need the minimum of 6 satellites to re-establish altitude."

For those who bought the first edition an update is possible....For a Fee!!!! Come on Polar, face your mistake and do it right! Offer the update for free!!!

"My RC3 GPS doesn't have altitude. Can I get it upgraded?

You can upgrade your RC3 GPS with the altitude feature for a fee. Please contact Polar Central Service in your country for details."

 

Compression review and give aways....

RunningSwede is currently working on a compression sock/sleeve review. Several of brands has chose to participate in this really exciting test. Some of the brands has also sent me socks for give away, Stay tuned for more information and updates......Pheew it takes time to test apx ten pairs ........