Running

If you want to run faster, it definitely helps if you know what it feels like to run faster. The Airshield was designed with that fact in mind, as it allows runners to train without experiencing any air resistance.

For the first time, scientists have discovered that hippos get significant airtime when they're at full-trot, able to lift their huge barrel-shaped girth off the ground for around 15% of their stride. It's totally unique for mammals their size.

Many runners don't like the way hydration packs bounce with every step, nor do they like holding onto water bottles. Vessel Athletics' Hydroshirt offers what might be a better alternative, in that it incorporates its own snugged-down water bladder.

One of the most outlandish Kickstarters of 2023 is still working to empower superhuman outdoor adventurers. The Hypershell Omega exoskeleton was a $1 million Kickstarter success last year, and Hypershell is preparing to show its latest at CES 2024.

While we've seen a number of quadruped "robotic dogs" lately, they all require control motors to maintain their running gait. An experimental new one, however, keeps running on its own once it's been set in motion.

Smart shades have not had the best run (sorry, not sorry, Google Glass), but there have been aspects of the tech that have shown potential when the focus has been on functionality over fad. It's what the creators of Minimis Glass have made a priority.

With its all-new Aerogami running jacket, Nike experiments with a more intuitive, seamless form of ventilation. The jacket's vents automatically open when the runner sweats, providing cooling that doesn't require slowing down or yanking on zippers.

Heated insoles generally rely on batteries to warm icy toes. Solecooler has a different idea, getting its power straight from the source: the feet. Its insoles harness basic stepping motions to generate heating and cooling.

A new study from researchers in Japan offers the first direct investigation into the effects of caffeine on 100-meter sprint running. The findings revealed athletes who dose up on caffeine can run significantly faster sprint times.

For a few years now, Inov-8 has been focusing in on graphene for its trail running shoes. Now it mixes a little nitrogen into the formula. The nitrogen-injected foam adds a light, soft ride and a response so reactive it almost feels like cheating.

New research from scientist at Anglia Ruskin University suggests that more stable communities of gut bacteria can boost performance among endurance runners, and also indicates that diet may play a pivotal role.

With the launch of the Pacer Pro, Polar is aiming to give dedicated runners all the tech needed to plan, track and analyze their training sessions in a lightweight, wrist-worn package that benefits from powerful processing and long battery life.