Runderwear - superhero pants review

Being busy parent, the last thing on your mind might be which pants to throw on to exercise in.  But once the miles start to rack up you may start wondering what options there are which will ensure you don't get lacerated at the leg/crotch junction.  I mean seriously, why do all knicker manufacturers have frills along the seams which are equivalent to a cheese grater on a long run.  When I started out running longer distances in 2009, (London Marathon training which was my first ever event over 5K), I went through the agony of this pants discovery.  I have a memory of going to work with cycling shorts under my trousers to cover up the Sudocrem which was supposed to healing all the chaffage in order to enable the training plan to continue.  (Which it thankfully did, I completed my first ever marathon in 4hr25 mins.)  

Underwear specifically suitable for exercise isn't just something for crazy elite runners, anyone running regularly and sweating in their smalls should consider investing in some 'favourite' pants for the endeavour.  Many end up going without/commando/free-balling/free-buffing to avoid the scouring of their creases.

Last year I heard about the brand RUNDERWEAR through Facebook advertising and then a few friends rave reviews, so when I got talking to one of the co-owners at the London Marathon EXPO it was wonderful to wax lyrical about how to build a running brand   They sell British designed, men's and women's underwear which is; seamless, chafe free, anti-bacterial, moisture wicking and ethically sourced. The pants come in a variety of different styles and I have tried both the full brief, low rise hipster pants and crop top.  

I'm not used to pants that come up to my belly button so this took a little getting used to.  However I've been trialling them now for a month and I can 100% endorse that they are hugely comfortable to wear and unlike any other I have experienced.  They do not ride up or move (anywhere) and having inter changed them with a normal cotton pant (which moves around and stays damp) the moisture wicking properties are also excellent.  I have been converted to them for all my runs now!  The Crop Top is a fab low impact (not for running) option for the gym when you need to lie on your back for exercises and not be on any fastenings.  The wicking material on the bra also prevented any chaffage and the hot pink colour looked great peeping out from under tops.

I've never been superslim, I could blame having kids but the fact is I love food and wine far too much! Which the very reason that I did that aforementioned London Marathon in 2009 because I was fed up of being on Weight Watchers and I'd heard the weight just drops off you when you are marathon training!  

So posting a picture of myself in underwear in a blog may be a sign of me losing my mind BUT I have strong ethics, If i say i'm going to review something then I do it properly.  Here is a selfie snap of me pre-exercise wearing the Low Rise pant and crop top today, because my 4 year old isn't quite up to the photography task yet. 

Wearing Low Rise Pant £16, Low impact Crop Top £25, LINK TO BUY extra 10% off offer with newsletter subscription on their website currently. 

**Samples were provided to me to test for the purpose of this review.**

Double running buggy options in the UK

Now in many cases I like to think I live in a progressive nation, rule Britannia and all... 

However, as anyone who has twins or children with a close age gap will discover, there is a real lack of double running buggy options available.  In this day and age you would think that here in the U.K. we would get what's sold in the USA, or even Europe when it comes to buggies.  Sadly no.  So much so, that I started a petition last year to get manufacturer's to bring the models they had in Europe or the USA, here.  Since then Out 'n' About have launched their's.  (More info at the bottom of this piece)

Unfortunately it's more expensive to make buggies for the UK due to the extra strict fire retardant regulations which should be applied to anything that comes in the home.  I'm told we should blame the fire of London, if you believe that!

Britax who own the BOB have discontinued their running doubles (Duallie) in the U.K. in all variants (Ironman, Revolution and Sport Utility) and the ones still knocking about are pretty heavy and don't fit through doorways.  

I used to have a fixed front wheel BOB Sport Utility and it was pretty hard to lift to steer with a 4 yr old and 18 month old in.

From that I went to the THULE Chariot Cougar and then more recently their updated model, Thule Chariot Cross 2.  

This is a bike trailer which converts into a running buggy, stroller or even ski buggy, with the right attachments!  So in weight terms it's similar to the BOB doubles, but it is far easier to steer and push. It's a really smooth ride and perfect for older kids because the front completely closes over.  Raincover is included and seat’s individually recline slightly!  And no risking lost iPads, toys etc. But being a multi sport trailer, it's pricey.

However it's a hard wearing piece of kit and will last and last.  Because of this resale value is also strong.  Overall this type of double is my preference with my two girls, as it accommodates the eldest better.

In other countries Thule have a double Urban Glide and this is coming to the U.K. in April 2018!  This is a swivel front wheel double buggy which all the features for running that you would need.  Contact wendy@runningbuggies.com for more details.

The British company, Out 'n' About have a very popular (non running buggy). model called the 360 double which has many features of a running buggy EXCEPT the handbrake and the rear wheel being 16 inch. And obviously as it not designed for running with, any damage caused by running wouldn't be covered under warranty.

In 2016 they merged the design of their popular Single Nipper Sport v4 with their 360 double to create a light, fixed front wheel double running buggy.  It has 16 inch wheels all round to provide a smooth ride and can fit through doorways!

Like all the Out 'n' About buggies,  the Sport Double comes with a free rain cover so overall works out to be hundreds of pounds cheaper than the bike trailer option. It's very light (11.5kgs) which is always a benefit when pushing two kids and especially when steering a fixed front wheel, which needs lifting up.  It's folds in half so will fit in most car boots plus has a handbrake to slow you down if needed down hill.  At the moment it's sole colour option is in steel grey. 

It's a really fab double running buggy and great value.  

I (Wendy) started up Running Buggies .Com in 2015 in order to help parents find their perfect running buggy.  I'm always delighted to answer questions as I'm a Buggy nerd, and if you are looking for a community to ask questions then I also run the group THE ORIGINAL BUGGY RUNNERS on Facebook.  

Running Buggy Tyre Pressure...?

How do you know what pressure to pump your tyres up to and is it the same for all running buggies?

Often getting ready for a buggy run in our house goes something like this....

Where is the blanket? Where are those breadsticks? 'Ok Heidi, I know you are nearly ready for a sleep, I'm coming'.... must remember to pack the rain cover, it looks a little grey.  'Don't cry Heidi we are nearly ready to go'...... Just need to check the tyres....  hmmm they look a little low.  Cr@p another thing to do before we get out, need to pump them up... where's the pump and what pressure are this make supposed to be pumped to... eeeekkkk 'coming Heidi!!'

When your baby is ready to go out, especially for a nap, they need to get out NOW!

So here is a table of the recommended tyre pressure for all the running buggies we stock to save you some time. 

(As provided to us from the manufacturers.  But often this is also printed on the side of the tyre)

Our well used tyre pump!

• Out & About Nipper Sport - 30psi
• Phil & teds Sub 4 - 40psi
• Mountain Buggy Terrain - 20-22psi
• Thule Glide & Urban glide - 30psi

And invest in a decent pump like this one.

Happy Buggy Running!