Jeff Dengate
Runner-in-Chief
Jan 6, 2025 Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
The 8 Best Wireless Headphones to Keep You Motivated
We tested the leading models to find the earbuds that sound great, stay put, and don’t quit when they get wet.
What to Expect When Running the Boston Marathon
Jeff and Aly give you a guided tour of the Boston Marathon course, from the start in Hopkinton to the finish line on Boylston Street.
You Keep the Change, I’ll Take the Hardware
Dec 30, 2024.
Do You Know Your Heart Rate Zones? On What Types of Runs You Should Pay Attention?
Mar 6, 2025.
The Benefits to Running Longer Than Your Race Distance
Feb 7, 2025.
The 10 Best Running Shoes for Men
Make sure they feel good on your feet and fit. Other than that, there aren’t many gender-specific considerations.
Why It's (Sometimes) Okay to Skip a Meal Before Running
There is a time and place for fasted running. Make sure you know when it's a good idea and when it's not.
The 8 Best Treadmills, According to Our Testing
They’re smarter than ever, giving you plenty of training options if you prefer to move your winter running indoors.
The 9 Best Massage Guns For Workout Recovery
Feb 3, 2025.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Review: The Original Marathon Super Shoe Gets a Big Makeover
Thinner and lighter than ever, this new Vaporfly is better suited for shorter road races.
The 12 Best Running Shoes of 2025
Road, trail, racing, and more—these are the shoes our writers and editors love.
Race Day Is So Much Better When We All Train Together
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Aly shares the experiences of runners who trained with us for the Disney Princess Half Marathon.
Is the Adidas Adizero Evo SL the Shoe of the Year?
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff tells Aly all about Adidas’ new trainer and what makes it so great.
Hack Your Long Run: Jump Into a Race to Make It a Workout
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about what they do on long run days to add quality into otherwise slow miles.
In Defense of Wearing Socks on Your Hands
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk with news editor Theo Kahler after he wrote about wearing socks on his hands instead of gloves.
The 8 Best Open-Ear Headphones for Running
We logged hundreds of miles to find which deliver the best sound, fit, and durability.
The 6 Best Running Watches for Tracking Every Adventure
Small but mighty, these watches can map your routes, track your pace, and show you a bigger picture of your health and recovery.
Snot Rockets, Anxiety, and More Things to Know About Running in Groups
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about ways to have a fun experience at your next group run.
Reasons Why We Love Slow, Easy Runs
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about how we keep our easy days easy, so we can run fast on our hard workouts.
A Fool-Proof Way to Keep Your Hands Warm
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about the perfect combination of gloves and mittens to keep your hands toasty on frozen winter runs.
What We Learned by Having to Take a Month off From Running
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk the importance of a break from running—voluntarily, rather than because of injury.
What Is the Most You’ve Spent on Running Gear or Race Entry?
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about how expensive the sport is—and how you can save some cash.
Stop Trying to Improve the Safety Pin. It’s Perfect As Is.
Apr 4, 2025.
Running Shoes Are Almost Never the Cause of an Injury
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about what to look for to know when it’s time to replace your running shoes
The 14 Best Advanced Treadmills for Runners
These rock-solid machines deliver high-quality training and interactive coaching.
Beginners: Learn the Importance of Warmups and Training Plans
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about common mistakes new runners make and how to avoid them.
The 5 Best Folding Treadmills Strike the Balance Between Features and Portability
In our testing, some did it better than others, without making us feel like we were compromising too much.
Get a Behind-The-Scenes Look At What Goes on in the RW Shoe Lab
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly show you what we do inside the Shoe Lab, thanks to our partners at On.
The Best New Shoes You Can Buy Now
Our wear testers logged thousands of miles in the season’s best shoes to help you pick the right pair.
Here’s What Makes the Brooks Glycerin Max So Much Fun
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly share the details of the newest Brooks max-cushioned trainer and why you, too, may love it.
Discussing the Pros and Cons of Destination Half Marathons
In this episode of “The Amazing Runner’s World Show,” Jeff and Aly talk about the SuperHalfs Series and why racing half-marathons can be more fun than the full distance.
Cyber Monday Shokz OpenRun Pro Deal 2024: The Best Running Headphones Are Back to Their Lowest Price Ever
This discount (31% off) matches what we saw during Prime Day.