Brooks has been doing some really compelling things this year from a footwear perspective, but they have always actually had a really stunning apparel line up. Many times apparel is the Forgotten area of many big shoe manufacturers, but Brooks really stepped it up a notch. we took a look at their new run visible collection which is focused on providing performance-oriented running apparel with an eye to staying highly visible.
Most brands just introduce elements of reflectivity across various portions of their offering. They throw a 3M logo on the front or maybe a small stripe on the back, but the Run visible collection from book Brooks is about rethinking the entire way we look at reflectivity. In the Pacific Northwest and for those other areas who have very dark Mornings in early evenings, being seen is more important than ever. With this new lineup, Brooks looked at how headlights interacted with Runners bodies and placed reflective elements at targeted points that would maximize visibility. Additionally, they used color paneling black and white coupled with some small elements of fluorescent yellow to achieve a solid looking and better-protecting kit.
Carbonite Hoodie
- Retails at $120.00 USD
- Available in both Men’s and Women’s designs
The Carbonite Hoodie at its core is a mid-weight running hoodie that is fitted through the midsection, but really roomy enough for anyone. It is a mix of recycled polyester and spandex it is designed to fit close to your body to allow for maximum insulation. It does feature a hood that stays out of the way during runs it also stays on the head well when in use. There are two large pockets on the front, our only complaint here is that they did not add any zippers or internal catches to these pockets which would have allowed you to store a phone for instance.
Front panel accents 
Rear back angled accents 
Elastic wrist cuff 
Collar blocking on arms
On the visibility side, Brooks has used 3M Scotchlite strips across the collar bones, the elbows, and the lower hip while also accenting the sleeve itself with yellow across the forearm and then in the neckline. For security and a better fit, the cuffs are designed to stay tight against your wrist, but they have also added internal thumb loops for an additional layer a fit.
Honestly, it’s something different than what you warned before and unlike a regular jacket, it is stealthy when running (quiet) and keeps you nice and toasty.
Carbonite 7″ 2 in 1 Short
- Retails at $75.00 USD
- Women’s version is a nice 4″ length
Their 7-inch short is really almost identical to their normal Just with a few additional features. It does feature a boxer briefs style lining which we found out actually runs a little loose. The shorts themselves are actually very flowy giving you plenty of movement. We would have loved to have seen these in a 5-inch for men, but seasonally the 7-inch makes sense.
Reflective leg accents 
Internal boxer length liner
The shorts are made of two types of polyester, a ripstop for the outer layer and then a sweat-wicking version for the liner. they have a today zippered pocket at the center of the back which is big enough for a phone coming but there is also a pocket in the leg of the liner on the right side which can also handle your phone. To handle the visibility come out there are strips of 3M Scotchlite across the front and rear of the leg at the bottom of the short. For the women, the strips are angled and start higher up the thigh.
The shorts are solid and well-performing and will feel a lot like what you have seen from Brooks prior.
Carbonite Socks & Accessories
- Retails at $18.00 USD
- Additional accessories include Gloves, Hats, and Arm Sleeves
They do make a number of accessories within this line up as well and we had a chance to test out the socks which come and go with white and black versions. They are a standard nylon and spandex mix and have full underfoot cushioning as well as compression through the arches. There are solid socks and the addition of the 3M Scotchlite to the ankle is just a nice benefit.
We did not run in the tights and jackets, but those have a great look as well and retail at $130 and $180 respectively. They are available in both male and female versions.
Overall Conclusion
Overall, the Run Visible collection from Brooks is just really well-thought-out more than anything. It also feels so targeted to what many of us runners feel who live in these darker areas as a necessity that oftentimes gets overlooked. The quality of the apparel is just as solid as always and it looks pretty cool to boot. The price tag is a little bit higher, so you are funding that innovation, and that’s probably our biggest drawback.
