Under Armour has become my preferred brand of running shoes. The Charged Assert 8s meet all my criteria: they’re comfortable, relatively lightweight, durable, and very reasonably priced. I have long been a fan of the brand’s athletic wear, polos, and quarter-zips, so I was pleased to see that Under Armour has the same level of attention to detail and quality in their shoes.

I went through several pairs of Nikes after I got out of the military, but I didn’t feel like they were good enough in any one department (specifically their durability) to justify their price. I’ve never had a pair of Nike running shoes naturally wear out. The uppers have always had holes form before the soles lost their cushioning.

I’ve ran two marathons in my current pair of Charged Assert 8 shoes and put countless more casual miles on them running our trails and out on country roads. I also wear them every time I go to the gym to lift weights. Before these, I had a pair of Charged Escape 3s that I was also very happy with.

I’ve had some minimalist running shoes that were certainly lighter and felt “faster”, but my current pair of Charged Assert 8s are the most comfortable running shoes I have ever owned. You usually sacrifice added weight in exchange for increased comfort, but this compromise seems minimal with these. The Charged Assert 8s, along with my prior pair of Under Armour shoes, are the first running shoes that I haven’t felt needed to add arch supports or change out the stock insoles considering that I weigh 250 pounds — the typical running shoe is engineered for someone weighing significantly less.

I wear a size 12 and found these shoes to fit true to size. They feel just a bit wider (especially at the front of the shoe) than some other brands I’ve had in the past, but they still fit comfortably and I’ve grown accustomed to them.

I do equal parts trail and road running, so my shoes get a little dirtier than they would if I exclusively ran on pavement. I’ve put these shoes through the washing machine several times and they have held up great. There is a small U-shaped foam insert in the heel padding that sometimes comes out when you wash them, but it wasn’t much work to re-install it.

Most runners step up to lighter shoes with more advanced technology at a significantly higher price point once they become more competitive, but I highly recommend these shoes to any guy who is just getting into running all the way to the intermediate-level.

I became a believer in these gels after running my first marathon. They provide a physical as well as a psychological boost when you need a little bit of motivation and refreshment to keep moving toward the finish line.

Amazon is the place to get your Gatorade gels. I’ve only seen the chewable gels – which aren’t as effective in my experience – in grocery stores. Any supplement, cycling, or running store should carry Endurance gel, however you’re going to pay a premium at these places.

I notice an energy boost as well as enhanced mental focus about 10 minutes after consuming these when running marathons. There are 20 grams of carbohydrates per pack as well as moderate amounts of sodium and potassium to help replenish your electrolytes as you sweat. While the gel has a smooth mouth feel, it’s best to drink some water soon after to help rinse out your mouth and aid with rapid absorption into your bloodstream.

There are some varieties (not the ones included in this variety pack) of Endurance gel that contain caffeine. I take advantage of these at the route stations during marathons, but I wouldn’t use these for routine training.

The Endurance packs are small enough to throw one in each pocket to take with you when you run or cycle longer distances. I find that one provides just the right energy boost for running up to 10 miles or cycling up to 20 miles if you’re well-hydrated.

This variety pack comes with three packs each of mango, vanilla, blackberry, and apple pear. Gatorade makes several other flavors that you may be able to find on Amazon or at a supplement store. All of the flavors that come in this pack taste pretty good, with blackberry being my favorite. If you’re wondering why they included mango and not chocolate in this variety pack, you will know the first (and probably only) time you try to swallow it.