Lidl Running Gear Review

I've been on the quest lately for some good running shoes to replace my favourite and most comfortable Saucony shoes which I love but are sadly getting pretty worn by now.
I bought them originally on MandMDirect and despite knowing nothing about running shoes at the time, I really hit pay dirt because they were perfect for me.
Unfortunately my two latest purchases haven't been as ideal, although probably great shoes for someone else. The problem with buying online, is, of course, that you can't try on, but with a little bit of care and research you can still get a decent purchase.

I just don't have the budget for a pair of latest season top brand running shoes - they are incredibly expensive and I definitely can't afford to pay out that kind of money just for runners.
Which is where MandMDirect comes in - it's a great place to find older season, good quality running or sports shoes. It definitely is worth your while checking out reviews of the shoe if possible - I use Amazon or Run Repeat. Run repeat has loads of detailed reviews and is really useful if you want to get a better idea of performance. You may not always be able to find the particular shoe you're checking out but you might find the latest model or a similar version.

So I bought recently some New Balance trail shoes - they are incredibly comfortable when you put them on and the fit is perfect, as well as grip on muddy terrain. However, I found the cushioning inadequate for my needs, although I may get used to them. I'm definitely going to try again but I was starting to feel tell tale twinges in my shins after a run wearing them. I had shin splints some years ago and I find that good support helps to avoid this.
My next purchase was the Adidas adizero boston boost. The cushioning was much better, definitely more secure, yet not too heavy. Unfortunately, the sizing of the shoe was very small and although I bought a 39 (6), my normal size, they felt a little bit pinched around the toes. I think a half size up and they would be perfect for me.  The grip wasn't perfect on muddy ground but that wouldn't be a major issue.
Fortunately, I've been able to pass them to my daughter, they fit her much better!

So when I saw running gear in Lidl, including shoes, I decided I'd give them a go. €20 is probably the best price you'll get for running shoes so it was worth a try!

First up, appearance - I really like the bright colours and design of the shoes, every bit as nice as bigger brand versions.




You can see from the second pic that the support is pretty good, they felt very comfortable from the moment I put them on. They are roomy, I felt that I might need to tighten the laces a little bit but they were good for me size-wise.
I like the  fact that they have reflective elements and are breathable.
The real test was an actual run - the first thing I noticed was that they feel considerably heavier initially than my other shoes. That's not necessarily a problem for me as I'm not running marathons or anything but certainly an important fact to consider. However, apart from that, the support was great - I had to adjust slightly because of the heaviness but I didn't feel any discomfort and they have good support around the ankles and in the arch area. The grip was perfect - the run seemed a little easier on flat ground but I think that tightening the laces would help with that as there was slightly more movement within the shoe than I would like.

My verdict? I think if you are a starter runner or considering taking up running, these are perfect for you. They are a good, supportive, well designed shoe that won't cause any problems. You will probably want to move on to something more sophisticated if you plan on running races, etc. because they are that bit heavy. I think they would also be ideal for walking, so comfortable and a good fit.

Whilst I was in Lidl, I also picked up some running leggings and a top - I have a bit of a sportswear addiction :) To be fair though, all my gear gets good use!

You can see the leggings below - I was initially drawn to them because of the design, I thought the colour was cool and the material really soft.





The sportswear generally just comes in small/medium/large/extra large. The medium is supposed to be size 14/16 but the fit can vary wildly - this is the size I normally pick although I would be 12/14 generally. The fit of these leggings was extremely snug, I had difficulty pulling them up until I undid the zips at the bottom but once I got them on and pulled them up fully, they were very comfy and a lovely soft material. The main problem appearance-wise, was the tightness of fit - I often go straight from run to grocery shopping at the weekend and it doesn't bother me that I'm wearing running gear but the camel toe effect of these would make me avoid any shopping without changing first! I'll spare you the detailed pics ;)
They have a double layer of material around the waistband which again contributes to the comfort but the waist fit is fairly loose and I found when I was running that there was a bit of a drag downwards because the leg fit was so tight. Not a major problem on a short run but it could get very irritating! Having said that, I'm 5 foot, 8 inches, so fairly tall and this might not be a problem at all for someone smaller.

I also bought a top which I thought was cute, this will be for indoors definitely, probably zumba class but I tried it on and it was a good fit and looked nice.



I regularly buy my fitness gear from Lidl and I love how it changes all the time, some of my favourite gym/running items are Lidl and I always like to see the new ranges.
Hope you liked my review, if you have any running shoes you'd like to recommend, do let me know!

Note, this is not a sponsored post, all items were bought and tested by myself.



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10 Comments
  • Emma White
    Emma White 9 March 2016 at 19:50

    oh never thought to look here and loving the colours all of mine are black so could do with a change

  • Jessica Powell
    Jessica Powell 9 March 2016 at 21:06

    That's fab value! I love the colour too, all my stuff is so boring in comparison. I don't go to Lidl much but I might have to pop in more often and see what they've got. x

  • Unknown
    Unknown 9 March 2016 at 22:10

    Looks great! We do shop in Lidle too and can get really good deals. And have noticed their sporty gears but have never really looked. From now on, I'll have a look too :) x

  • Ana De-Jesus
    Ana De-Jesus 9 March 2016 at 23:46

    I actually really love those trainers I love the colour clash of orange and fuchsia it reminds me of the 60's x

  • Joanna Victoria -x
    Joanna Victoria -x 10 March 2016 at 07:55

    Great caluecfor money never thought to look in lidl for bits.

  • Kara
    Kara 10 March 2016 at 13:03

    Lidl do some great bits don't they. I am not into running but their wet weather gear for kids is brilliant

  • Unknown
    Unknown 10 March 2016 at 21:17

    I can't wait to get back into running again once I'm not pregnant and in agony! I don't have a Lidl nearby sadly but I do love the look of those trainers!xx

  • Eat.Love.Live
    Eat.Love.Live 10 March 2016 at 23:50

    I never knew you could get this kind of range from Lidl. Thank you for sharing - off to have a browse now :) Kat x

  • A Moment With Franca
    A Moment With Franca 11 March 2016 at 10:54

    Wow this is very interesting. I never thought that you could get that quality of clothes from Lidl. We have one Lidl close but not just the corner if you know what I mean. But after reading this it could be worth it to go and have a look. I normally like to buy at George from Asda. They also surprise me with the quality of their products. Nice review, :-) x

  • Michelle
    Michelle 15 March 2016 at 21:24

    I had no idea Lidl did this type of stuff. Thanks for the tip as we have one close by. Might pop in for a look

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