T3 - UK (2020-06)

HI-TECH

RUNNING

SHOES

WATCH OUT

20 T3 JUNE 2020

Horizon

Fitness

IT’S ALL RUN AND GAMES

The new Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 running watch is here with

memory-in-pixel screen and solar charging

The market for fitness wearables is getting

bigger every year, making it more appealing

to traditional watch companies like Casio to

enter. Casio is far from a newcomer to digital

watches, but we were yet to see a full-blown

fitness watch from them, up until recently.

The new Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 (£379,

g-shock.co.uk) is one of the most intriguing

running watches we’ve seen in a while,

taking a different approach to the likes of

Garmin and Polar.

The new G-Shock is shock-resistant,

water-rated to 200 metres, and has a very

decent GPS chip that uses multiple satellite

systems (GPS/GLONASS/QZSS). The watch

also houses a range of sensors, including an

optical heart rate sensor, a magnetic sensor

(compass), a pressure sensor (altimeter) and

an acceleration sensor (pedometer). There is

also a temperature sensor in there.

It can also give you a VO2 max estimate,

evaluate training status and fitness level and

measure training load as well as recovery

time. And this running watch has a memory,

too, although not for storing music: the

G-Shock can store up to 100 runs in its

training log, also up to 140 lap records per

run and metrics like elapsed time, distance,

pace, calories burned, heart rate, maximum

heart rate, aerobic training effect, anaerobic

training effect, and so on.

It uses a peculiar memory-in-pixel (MIP)

LCD screen. The high-definition

monochrome display is an interesting choice

and something that will most likely set the

Casio apart from its competition. There are

plenty of data screens on the watch itself

and even more data to pore over in the

upcoming Casio app.

All the included tech does come at a cost:

the watch is a bit on the heavy side,

weighing approximately 110 grams. The

Casio is also rather bulky too, although it

being the member of the G-Shock family, we

can’t say this feature was unexpected.

As for battery life, the G-Shock can track

14 hours worth of exercising with the GPS on

and will last in ‘time mode’ for about 12

months. Using the USB charger, the watch

charges up from 0 to 100 in two and a half

hours, but there is also a solar-charging

system that “harnesses the power of any

light source for reliable watch operation with

minimal impact to the environment”.

ADIDAS ADIZERO PRO

The latest iteration of the

Adizero franchise brings

the whole new Lightstrike

cushioning system to the

table as well as an integrated

Carbitex carbon-plate,

embedded in the midsole.

The DSP outsole, combined

with the Continental rubber

compound, provides traction,

flexibility and durability.

£159.95, adidas.co.uk

ASICS METARACER

Asics’ most advanced long-

distance racing shoe yet, the

Metaracer uses an updated

version of Guidesole, the

super-responsive sole system,

aided by a carbon plate for

improved responsiveness.

The Flytefoam midsole is

lightweight and makes

landings softer and running

more responsive.

£180, asics.com

NEW BALANCE

FUELCELL TC

The New Balance FuelCell

TC follows the tried-and-

tested formula of carbon-

enhanced road running

shoes: increased stack height,

a full-length internal carbon

fibre plate and a tight-fitting

breathable upper. The suede

collar around the ankle

reduces chafing.

£180, sportsshoes.com

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