VJ Shoes Flow Multi Tester Review: 6 Comparisons

Article by Renee Krusemark, John Tribbia and Sam Winebaum

VJ Shoes Flow ($160/€169,00)

Introduction

Renee:The Flow is much different than my other VJ shoes: the MAXx2, Lightspeed, and Spark. Geared toward a variety of terrain, the Flow is less niche than those shoes. Meant for “every surface,” the Flow lists trails, gravel, and road under its terrain usage and features VJ trademark Butyl rubber outsole and an eTPU supercritical foam midsole as found in last year’s very well received MAXx2 (RTR Review) . 

One would think these hybrid-gravel shoes would be perfect for someone who runs mostly rural gravel roads, but this isn’t always the case. While I’m interested in the focus on “gravel” running shoes, I’m still hesitant to see their value as compared to road shoes. How does the Flow stack up? 

Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail Review: 4 Comparisons

Article by Jen Schmidt

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail ($230)

Introduction

The Deviate Nitro Elite Trail represents Puma entry into the carbon plated, supercritical foam cushioned trail super shoe race. 

At commendable weights of women’s 8.25 oz / 284g US 8, men’s 9.25 oz / 262g US9, with a substantial but not extreme 36mm heel / 30mm forefoot stack height it is powered by the same NITROFOAM Elite as in Puma’s Elite 3 marathon shoe and is shod in always excellent PumaGrip rubber, here the ATR flavor with 3mm lugs. 

Pros:

Energy rebound is superior to other trail supershoes - Jen

Very lightweight - Jen

Midsole is well-cushioned but energetic, not soft - Jen

Great stability despite the high 36 mm stack - Jen

Outsole is grippy even on muddy singletrack and wet rock - Jen

Handles surprisingly well on moderately technical trails - Jen

Cons:

Heel collar may take some breaking in or cause rubbing for some - Jen

Extra long laces don’t always stay put - Jen

Stats

Approx. Weight: women’s 8.25 oz / 284g US 8, men’s 9.25 oz / 262g US9

Sample Weights: 

   women's 8 oz / 225 g US 8.5 

Stack Height: 36 mm heel /  30 mm forefoot (6 mm  drop spec) 

Platform Width: 87 mm heel / 60 mm midfoot / 107 mm forefoot US W8.5

H2O Audio RIPT Ultra and Lite Sport Headphones Reviews: Offerings at both ends of the spectrum!

Article by Jeremy Marie

RIPT Ultra (249.99$/235€) RIPT Lite (99.99$/94€)

Available now

Pros

• Huge battery life (RIPT Ultra)

• Comfortable for hours

• Choice of ear cushion (Sweatproof silicon for sports and soft faux-leather for daily usage) (RIPT Ultra)

• 100% sweatproof

• Very good sound, clear, no exaggerated bass (RIPT Ultra)

• Tiny, solid and useful charging case, shows battery left  (RIPT Lite)

• Touch controls need a little practice but works well (RIPT Lite)

• Killer prices for the features/performances (RIPT Lite especially)

Cons

• RIPT Lite, as do other earbuds, might have lesser hold depending on your ears

• RIPT Lite ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) is a bit diminished by the open earbud design

• Touch controls work nicely, but be careful when repositioning the earbuds…

• RIPT Ultra is a bit heavy for very dynamic sports

• Voice prompts are too loud.

Introduction

H2O Audio is upping its game recently, with the release of the updated Tri 2 bone conduction headphones (RTR Review) and also releasing at the same time the RIPT Ultra over-ear headphones and the RIPT Lite earbuds, covering both ends of the spectrum. 

ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 Multi Tester Review: The Essentials Done Right! 4 Comparisons

Article by Courtney Kelly and Sam Winebaum

ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 ($140)

Introduction

Sam: The Cumulus, of all recent ASICS run shoes, has stayed truest to its roots: a more traditional, higher drop, moderate stack neutral daily trainer with, in the last few versions updates to somewhat more modern foams and increasingly refined and more comfortable uppers. Don’t come to the Cumulus looking for a jazzy ride or huge stack height but a versatile, reliable day in day out training partner.

Courtney: The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 maintains the successes of this tried and true daily trainer with a few updates that elevate it to the next level. With a new heel pull tab, engineered jacquard mesh upper, and thicker rubberized foam outsole, perhaps the key is don’t fix what is already great. Let’s find out if this is true with Cumulus.

Testbericht: Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 (German)

Artikel von Markus Zinkl

Puma - ForeverRun Nitro 2 (159,95 €)

Einleitung

Ich hatte das Glück, dass Puma mir den Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 zum Test zur Verfügung gestellt hat – mein erster Schuh aus der neuen Foreverrun-Linie. Da ich bislang noch keinen Vorgänger, den ForeverRun 1, ausprobieren konnte, war meine Vorfreude natürlich groß. Meine Kollegen haben bereits den ForeverRun 1 getestet. Sie waren fasziniert von dem innovativen Ansatz: Die Verwendung eines fortschrittlichen Nitro-Schaums und das moderne Knit-Obermaterial sorgten für ein neuartiges Dämpfungs- und Passformkonzept, das dem Schuh einen frischen, dynamischen Charakter verlieh. Allerdings wurde auch angemerkt, dass es im Bereich der Fersenstabilität und im Mittelfuß noch Verbesserungspotenzial gibt. Diese ehrliche Einschätzung und der Vergleich mit der ersten Generation haben meine Erwartungen an den ForeverRun Nitro 2 noch weiter gesteigert – ich war gespannt, wie Puma diese Ansätze weiterentwickelt und optimiert hat.

Tracksmith Eliot Racer 50 Mile Review: 4 Comparisons

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Tracksmith Eliot Racer ($280)

Pros:  

Lockdown (Michael)

Aesthetics (when new!) (Michael)

Cons:  

Midsole composition (Michael)

Squeaky! (Michael) 

Lack of pop/energy return (Michael)

Stats

Spec Weight: men's 7.7 oz / 218g US9

Sample Weight 7.8 oz / 221g US8.5

Stack Height: men’s  38 mm heel / 30.5  mm forefoot (7.5mm drop)

Platform Width: 76mm heel / 112 mm forefoot 

Available at Tracksmith stores March 14 and online here March 18, 2025

Introduction

I’ve been a longtime fan of Tracksmith. Their commitment to classic, understated running apparel is unmatched, and I own plenty of their pieces - many of which I wear with perhaps concerning regularity. Their advertising is so distinctly “real” that I get suckered into buying something nearly every time I go to their website. 

So when Tracksmith announced the Eliot Racer, I was immediately intrigued - and a little concerned. A Tracksmith racing shoe? That felt like a big leap, even given the Eliot Runner, but if any brand was going to do it with the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail as their clothing, I figured hey, it might just work.

Puma x Hyrox Deviate Nitro Elite 3 HYROX Multi Tester Review: 3 Comparisons

Article by Shannon Payne, Jana Herzgova, and Jeremy Marie

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 HYROX ($230)

Introduction

The Deviate Nitro Elite 3 HYROX is a co-branded version of Puma's top marathon shoe the Elite 3 intended for Hyrox competition. Hyrox is an indoor competition alternating eight 1km run with 8 different functional fitness challenges.

Our testers, all strong runners who also participate in functional fitness workouts and competitions, put the Elite 3 to the test and share their take.

Pros:

• Light, comfortable

• Very reactive Nitro Elite Foam and PWRPlate combination, making runs a treat

• PumaGrip delivers the goods

Cons:

• Too soft a foam for heavy lifting

• Stability impaired for Farmer’s Carry or weighted lunge

• Be careful during the run’s corners

Please find the testers full run/Hyrox bios at the end of the article after Comparisons.

ASICS GEL-Trabuco 13 Review

Article by Sam Winebaum

ASICS GEL-Trabuco 13 ($140)

Introduction

The Trabuco 13 is ASICS “big mountain” stability focused trail runner (and hiker/low top trekking shoe). It features a dense Flyte Foam Blast+ midsole, rear GEL unit, woven type rock plate and full coverage ASICS Grip outsole with varying height 4 and 5mm lugs. The upper is a soft mesh and is fully lined to prevent debris entry.

Somewhat of a throwback in an age of high stack,and super foams and often plated trail running shoes with low drops, at 34mm heel and 26 mm forefoot the Trabuco does not focus as much on speed as a reliable, protective and  stable ride in rough terrain or really anywhere. Yet it is also not a “heavy weight” coming in at a reasonable 10.35 / 293g in a US9 and fair $140 price.

No agile speedster it is a practical, inherently stable and protective shoe which shines at slower paces on any terrain.

Testbericht: Nike Pegasus 41 GTX – Die Definition eines Gravel-Schuhs (German)

Artikel von Nils Scharff

Nike Pegasus 41 GTX (160€)

Einleitung

Der Nike Pegasus war vor vielen Jahren der erste Laufschuh meiner “Laufkarriere”. Im damaligen 34. Modell habe ich meinen ersten Marathonversuch absolviert. Ich habe den Schuh gemocht, bin jedoch aufgrund von vermeintlichen Stabilitätsansprüchen in der Folge von diesem Modell abgekommen. 

Letzten Sommer habe ich dann seit langer Zeit meine Füße Mal wieder in einen Pegasus gesteckt und durfte gemeinsam mit meiner Testerkollegin Ingrid den Pegasus 41 unter die Lupe nehmen. Im Vergleich zu “meinem” alten Pegasus hat sich dieser Äonen weiterentwickelt: Das Obermaterial ist bequemer, die Mittelsohle höher, die Dämpfung weicher und reaktiver. Als Mittelsohlenschaum kam im Pegasus 41 erstmals ReactX zum Einsatz, zudem wurde die Stapelhöhe im Vergleich zum Vorgängermodell leicht erhöht.

Der nun hier getestete Pegasus 41 GTX nutzt dieselbe Mittelsohlenplattform aus ReactX, ergänzt diese jedoch durch eine Außensohle aus sog. Stormtread Material sowie um ein GORE-TEX Invisible Fit-Obermaterial für wasserdichten Schutz. Wie sich diese Änderungen auf das Trage- und Laufgefühl auswirken und ob der Pegasus 41 GTX dadurch zum perfekten Winterlaufschuh wird, werde ich im Verlauf dieses Tests erörtern.

Speedland RX:FPY Initial Review: 4 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum

Speedland RX:FPY ($299, including removable carbon plate)

IIntroduction

The RX:FPY is trail innovator Speedland’s first dedicated road shoe. It follows Speedland’s signature formula of a removable midsole to which a forked carbon plate (included here) can be attached and a BOA System “lacing” system, here a single L2 dial that can be micro adjusted without releasing the tension. 

Both foams (outer carrier and inner midsole) are supercritical bringing the weight to men’s  8.3 oz / 238g US US M 8.5 (with plate add 21g / 0.74 oz) for a  “super shoe grade" 40mm heel / 33mm forefoot stack height with a notably broad (and stable) 90mm heel platform with, more than the usual for super shoes, while the other platform dimensions are along the lines of supershoes.

Tifosi Optics Shumo and Vogel XC Sunglasses for Runners Multi Tester Review

Article by Jen Schmidt and Reed Breuer

Tifosi Shumo ($39.95) and Vogel XC  ($39.95)

Arksen Idun Jacket & Arksen Polaris Softshell Trousers Reviews

 Article by Matt Kolat

Arksen Idun Jacket  (£495) & Arksen Polaris Softshell Trousers (£275)

Introduction

If you’ve never heard of Arksen, worry not dear friends as I am here to get you acquainted! 

Arksen is a British brand specialising in design and build of marine and overground adventure vehicles. Yes, that is fancy speak for building ships, yachts and super cool jeeps. I mean it does not get much cooler than this unless maybe you’re building spaceships but that’s asking for much, isn’t it. 

I feel like my words won’t do Arksen justice and therefore I encourage everyone to have a peek at their stunning website describing all the above mentioned marvels of technology. The site is full of videos with National Geographic level production content, please find a link here

Calling themselves the “Emporium of Adventure” they soon will be curating expert led adventures and master classes as well. And as we all know there is no such thing as bad weather for an adventure, only a bad set of clothes. 

Enter Arksen Apparel.  To match their groundbreaking, technologically advanced vehicles Arksen decided to enter the gear market and sent me a couple of items to put through the paces in the Scottish Highlands, below are the results. 

Rab Equipment Protium 27L Day Pack Review

Article by Jeff Valliere

Rab Equipment Protium 27L Day Pack ($180)

Size M/L or L/XL

27 Liters / 1,650 cu in (also available in 20L, 25L, 30L, 33L and 35L)

27 L. Available now. $180

Introduction:  

The Protium 27 is a well thought out and versatile multi use day pack, featuring an adjustable Air Contour back system (for stability and comfort), versatile storage pockets, external carry options for poles/axe/tools, top notch quality construction/durability and built in (but removable pack cover).  With 27 liters of storage, it is just the right size for most day hikes, mountain adventures, snowshoeing, etc….

VJ Shoes Ultra 3 Review: Ultra Contender!

Article by Jérémy Marie

VJ Shoes Ultra 3 ( $190/€189)

Introduction

The Ultra 3 is the first model I've tested from the Finnish brand. l remembered their early models, such as the iRock, reputed to be the ultimate models for technical races, or even Spartan races, thanks to a very precise fit and the outstanding grip of their butyl soles. Over the years, their range has expanded to include more comfortable, more accessible models, designed for longer races and using a more energetic supercritical foam, such as the Maxx 2 (RTR Review) which was very well received by our team as moderate distances speed trail shoe.

Beoordeling: Puma ForeverRun NITRO 2 - 4 Vergelijkingen (Flemish/Dutch)

Article door Courtney Kelly , Sam Winebaum, Matt Kolat, Kurt Biesemans

Puma Forever Run NITRO 2 (€160, $150 USD)

Introduction

Courtney: De vernieuwde ForeverRun NITRO 2 heeft een nieuwe co-gegoten schuimlaag op een breed platform, wat de loper veelzijdige ondersteuning en stabiliteit biedt. Puma richt zich op een breder publiek door de schoen niet enkel voor overproneerders te ontwerpen. Hij kan ook gebruikt worden voor herstel- en trainingslopen voor degenen die extra ondersteuning in hun schoenen willen.

Sam: De ForeverRun NITRO 2 is Puma’s visie op matige pronatie controle, gericht op het vertragen van de pronatie via een breed hiel platform, een stevige plastic hiel clip en stevige blauwe inzetstukken in de buitenzool. Dit alles maakt deel uit van het overkoepelende “Run Guide”-systeem.

De belangrijkste veranderingen ten opzichte van versie 1 (RTR Review

) zijn een nieuwe aanpak van de dual-density NITRO-middenzool, die nu co-gegoten is in plaats van verlijmd. De blauwe centrale kern is zachter dan de witte foam.