On Monday evening, the Kinisi Run Hub team headed to the coast to join Portishead Running Club for their weekly 5k group run — and we couldn't have asked for a better setting.
Starting and finishing at the stunning Portishead Marina, the 5k loop took us around the Marina, along the coastline and through the nature reserve, providing some brilliant views along the way.
We were also joined by Carlos from Hylo, who brought along two of the brand's road running shoes for members to put through their paces: the Hylo Impact 2 and Hylo Axis.
It was another fantastic opportunity to get out of the shop, meet more of our local running community and give runners the chance to experience different shoes where it matters most — out on a run.
An Evening with Portishead Running Club
Monday evening saw us join Portishead Running Club for their weekly "Happy Mondays" 5k group run.
With the run starting and finishing alongside the boats at Portishead Marina, it was certainly one of the more scenic demo runs we've been lucky enough to attend!
The route incorporated the Marina, coastline and nearby nature reserve, giving us a mixture of brilliant views and a great setting for an evening 5k.
As always with these events, though, the best part was meeting the runners themselves.
Demo evenings give us the chance to chat to runners outside of the shop, learn a little more about their training and hear their feedback after experiencing a completely different pair of shoes.
And on Monday, there were two very different Hylo models available to try.
Discovering Hylo
For anyone unfamiliar with Hylo, the British brand is taking an interesting approach to modern running footwear.
Its current road running range includes two distinct options: the Impact 2, a versatile neutral everyday trainer, and the Axis, a highly cushioned supportive running shoe.
Having both available on Monday meant we could offer members two very different experiences depending on what they wanted from their demo pair.
And with Carlos from Hylo joining us for the evening, runners also had the opportunity to speak directly with the brand and learn more about the thinking and technology behind the shoes.
Hylo Impact 2
The Hylo Impact 2 is the brand's neutral everyday running shoe.
It's designed around versatility, combining balanced cushioning with a lightweight, energetic feel that makes it suitable for a wide variety of everyday road miles.
At the heart of the Impact 2 is Hylo's HyperBolt+ cushioning, which uses nitrogen-injected foam to create a responsive and comfortable ride.
For runners looking for a neutral daily trainer that can comfortably handle regular mileage while still feeling lively underfoot, the Impact 2 offers a really interesting alternative to some of the more established names in the running shoe world.
Hylo Axis
Sitting alongside the Impact 2 is the Hylo Axis — but this time with additional support.
The Axis is Hylo's daily support running shoe, designed for runners who benefit from some additional guidance while still wanting plenty of cushioning underneath the foot.
Rather than relying on a traditional rigid stability element, Hylo uses its PureGlide SP technology, combining a broader platform, sculpted guidance and slightly denser foam to create structural stability.
The result is designed to provide subtle guidance rather than an overly corrective feeling.
The Axis also uses Hylo's HyperBolt+ nitrogen-injected midsole foam, providing plenty of cushioning alongside that additional support.
This made Monday's demo particularly useful because runners could experience two different approaches within the same brand — the neutral, versatile Impact 2 and the more supportive, highly cushioned Axis.
Two Shoes, Two Different Experiences
One of the reasons we love hosting shoe demos is that specifications only tell you so much.
You can read about foam compounds, support technologies and shoe geometry, but ultimately the most important thing is how a shoe feels when you actually run in it.
Having both the Impact 2 and Axis available gave Portishead Running Club members the opportunity to experience those differences for themselves.
Some runners naturally gravitated towards the lighter, versatile feel of the Impact 2, while others were interested in experiencing the additional guidance and cushioning of the Axis.
There isn't one running shoe that's right for everybody — and events like this are a great way to demonstrate exactly that.
Why We Love Demo Runs
At Kinisi Run Hub, helping runners find the right footwear isn't about telling everyone they need the same type of shoe.
It's about understanding the individual runner, how they move, what they're training for and — importantly — what actually feels good when they run.
That's a big part of what we do during our Movement Analysis appointments in the shop, and demo events allow us to take some of that philosophy out into the local running community.
They also give runners the opportunity to try something they might never normally pick up.
Hylo is still a relatively young name compared with many of the brands that have dominated running footwear for decades, so having Carlos there to introduce the brand and answer questions made the evening even more valuable.
A Brilliant Evening in Portishead
A huge thank you to everyone at Portishead Running Club for welcoming us along on Monday evening.
We had a fantastic time joining the 5k, meeting members and enjoying what has to be one of the most picturesque running routes we've visited.
We'd also like to say a big thank you to Carlos and Hylo for coming along and giving members the opportunity to experience both the Impact 2 and Axis.
Great company, plenty of running shoes and a 5k around Portishead Marina on a Monday evening — not a bad way to start the week!
Want to Try Hylo?
If you missed Monday's demo, you can still come and discover Hylo at Kinisi Run Hub.
We stock both the Hylo Impact 2 and Hylo Axis, giving us options for runners looking for either a versatile neutral everyday trainer or a highly cushioned shoe with additional guidance.
If you're not sure which shoe is right for you, book a Movement Analysis appointment and our team can look at how you move, talk through your running, goals and current footwear, and help you compare the most suitable options.
Want Kinisi at Your Running Club?
We love getting out into the local running community and working with clubs across Bristol and the surrounding area.
From shoe demo runs and workshops to talks and special events, these evenings give runners the chance to try something new while giving us the opportunity to meet more of the brilliant clubs that make up our local running community.
If you'd like Kinisi Run Hub to visit your club for a future event, get in touch with the team — we'd love to hear from you.