GOT A NEW Year’s resolution to keep fit and get in shape for summer? Well, German discount supermarket Aldi can’t be faulted for helping you there.
We trialed some of their cycling and running kit and found it’s a lot, lot better than the basement prices would suggest.
You could be a bit of a brand snob and dare to never wear anything that comes from here but you’d be doing yourself – and your pocket, a massive favour by getting on down because in the words of Bruce Forsyth, ‘the price is right’….
Here’s why.
The cycling and running equipment the retailer giants stock doesn’t last long and with good reason too – it’s bloody good.
Though the ‘Special Buy’ offers we’re all familiar which might only cater for sports enthusiasts a few times a year, we’re pretty sure whenever you enter a store there will still be some kit lying around.
Generally, the stock is short-lived and gets snapped up very quickly, so if the offer is for a Thursday you’d better get there on the Thursday because by Saturday or Sunday (or next week) all that’ll remain is oversized or unwanted items.
That’s the first complaint we have with the apparel; the sizing is often the problem and it’s hardly surprising when the smallest size is medium.
Having said that, I’ve tested out a lot of Aldi equipment over the years and without hesitation I can say some of it is the best stuff I ever bought for running and cycling.
The sleeveless base layers are superb and have been my go-to cycling item for three years now.
It’s warm and fits tightly and for a tenner it represents one of the best value items I’ve ever bought, let alone for sport.
Interestingly, it’s the smaller items like this that Aldi do very well and after buying the base layer I followed it up with two pairs of winter and fingerless summer gloves – both of which I still have two years on and use every day of the week.
The running-specific gloves contain lycra and are a breathable stretch fabric while they are also lightweight and really comfortable. The latter (running gloves) allow you to use your phone too!
Top marks for these. The running neck-warmer is another item I initially found hard to fault.
This is designed to protect your neck from the elements when running or cycling in the winter. It can also be maneuvered into covering your ears and worn under a helmet.
It is very versatile and stretchy but it eventually became too stretchy after a few washes and doesn’t offer a whole pile now – though I did get a good hard winter out of it.
I waded a little deeper and bought the running shoes for under €25. What do you expect?
The best feature is the padded and removable insole and extra protection in the heel which makes running a pleasure, but like all shoes, they lose that ‘spring’ after a while.
And a short time in this case.
However, for the casual gym-goer like me and not the 75km a week pavement guy, they are outstanding.
Granted, the design isn’t hectic.
They have a breathable textile-mesh so your feet feel quite ‘free’ and this, I imagine, helped to prevent blisters – though the Aldi socks can take credit for this as well.
Inside the runner, there is a textile lining and padded collar and this makes them very comfortable for just walking around in – which is what they are mainly used for now.
In terms of heavy lifting in the gym – avoid.
It’s not all good, however and one area where Aldi fall down in is in the more complex items like bib shorts.
We’ve featured them here before and unfortunately the verdict hasn’t changed.
They are simply not designed by a cyclist because a) there’s too much padding up the back and b) the padding (or chamois as it’s known in cycling) is not dense enough.
This means after an hour of riding you have no cushion for your behind…and that’s not fun if you have a 100-miler planned for the weekend.
In short, anything for casual cycling or running from Aldi gets the thumbs up. For more serious athletes, it’s perhaps not what you’re looking for, though this percentage represents the absolute minority!
Pros: Cheap, smaller items are often as good as premium-priced items.
Cons: Sells out quickly, sizing is poor, quality can vary.
United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.