Article by Derek Li
Derek: Compressport is a Swiss brand that really elevates sock (and increasingly apparel )design. I have been using their products for over 10 years now. Here, I test, review and compare a variety of their high performance socks and their Pro Short Sleeve Tee Shirt in tropical Singapore conditions.
Article by Jen Schmidt and Mike Postaski
Icebug Järv ($180)
Introduction
With the Järv RB9X, the Swedish company Icebug delivers an all season trail runner that augments their lineup of studded and non-studded winter-ready shoes. The Järv also boasts impressive sustainability credentials with over half recycled and bio-based materials.
Article by Mike Postaski
P.R. Gear Trail Gloves ($27.98)
Mike P: I picked these up at TRE from Golden Harper, original founder of Altra. His new company P.R. Gear focuses mainly on gear and equipment which promotes proper running form and alignment. The main products are the Running Harness and some insole-type inserts as well as some foot health/recovery tools.
Article by Renee Krusemark and Mike Postaski
Injinji Run Lightweight Crew ($16)
Mike P: You know I like a good toe sock paired with a nice, spacious toebox. Injini’s have been hit or miss for me over the years - a lot of the fabrics of their early models didn’t agree with me. They felt a bit scratchy or rough, and sometimes I could almost feel the texture of the material under my foot. I’ve even tried some of their “Run” line in the past (quarter length), which were ok, but I don’t really like a crew length sock.
I was happy to try out their new lightweight model - especially given that it’s crew length, which I prefer especially for trail running. I’m happy to report that the material does feel quite softer, and also I detect a bit of extra length in the toes, which is more comfortable. Curiously, I received size Medium samples, and I typically always wear large in Injinji. I’m a US 9.5-10 shoe size.
Article by Sam Winebaum
Topo Athletic Phantom 4 ($145)
Introduction
The Phantom is Topo’s best selling shoe. It is a daily trainer featuring Topo’s signature anatomical broad toe box, a soft and quite energetic Zip Foam EVA/TPU midsole foam and moderate (in these times of max and super max towers of foam) stack height of 35mm heel / 30mm forefoot.
Releasing May 2025, the Phantom adds 2mm more stack height of a slightly softer Zip Foam and a new outsole design while staying the same in weight at 9.2 oz / 260g in my US8.5 sample. The result is a pleasant softer riding but not mushy or energy sapping, wonderfully fitting (any foot shape should be happy here), option for moderate pace runs and fitness walking. Let’s get into the details in this initial review with a full multi tester review to come soon.
Article by Renee Kursemark
Tailwind High Carb Fuel ( April 2025)
Renee: High carb running is all the rage. I’m easily not fast or good enough to follow this trend to the extreme without having some serious GI issues while running. That said, it’s no secret that fueling with high carb intake during long efforts, even for us mid to back of pack runners, can be essential.
The High Carb Fuel is mixed for 90g of carb per serving with 60g from glucose and 30g from fructose. If you want easy measurement for mixes, the High Carb Fuel is a simple way to ensure 90g carbs per hour.
Rab Equipment Phantom Regenjacke und -hose
Artikel von Markus Zinkl
Einleitung
Willkommen zu meinem Testbericht der neuen Phantom Regenbekleidung von Rab. Ich habe bereits den Phantom Pull-On getestet und konnte nun auch die neue Phantom Regenjacke genauer unter die Lupe nehmen. Außerdem gibt es die passenden Phantom Regenhosen – die ich bisher allerdings noch nicht ausführlich getestet habe. In diesem Bericht erzähle ich dir, was an den technischen Details, dem Design und der Praxistauglichkeit zu beachten ist.
Artikel von Markus Zinkl
Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail (229,95 €)
Einleitung
Puma war bislang im Bereich der Traillaufschuhe nicht als starker Anbieter bekannt – doch der Deviate Elite Trail setzt hier ein deutliches Zeichen. Mit diesem Modell betritt Puma Neuland, denn es ist der erste Wettkampfschuh mit Carbonplatte, der eigens für den Trailbereich entwickelt wurde. Andere Hersteller hatten bereits mit den ersten Versionen ihrer Trailsschuhe mit Carbonplatte zu kämpfen, weshalb ich äußerst gespannt war, wie sich der Deviate Elite Trail in diesem hart umkämpften Segment schlagen würde. Diese Neuausrichtung und Innovation haben mich neugierig gemacht, und so startete mein Test, um die tatsächlichen Vorzüge und eventuellen Herausforderungen dieses Schuhs herauszufinden.
Pro:
Sehr leicht und atmungsaktiv
Gute Passform, besonders für schmale Füße
Starke Energierückgewinnung durch Carbonplatte
Exzellenter Grip auf festen Untergründen
Contra:
Wenig Schutz und Stabilität auf unebenem Terrain
Steife Carbonplatte kann das Laufgefühl auf technischen Trails beeinträchtigen
Zunge neigt etwas zu rutschen
Article par Jeremy MARIE
Débardeur Tracksmith Fieldhouse Tank (testé en taille M, 63€) et Short Fieldhouse (taille M, 70€).
Tracksmith est une jeune marque américaine, un peu à contre-courant de ce que l’on peut voir habituellement. A l’opposée des vêtements de running de style soit très “urbain”, soit très “outdoor”, elle propose une gamme d’inspiration plutôt vintage, qui dégage une sorte de charme très british si j’ose dire, qui rappelle l’image des tenues sportives des fac américaines.
Article by Mike Postaski
Evolution 7L Vest ($140)
Introduction
Instinct Trail running vests are a staple in the European trail running scene, but I’ve never seen one state-side. I have heard many good things though, and the RTR team raves reviews about their Reflex Belt here as well as their larger X-10 L vest here . I got a full demo from founder Sean Van Court at the 2024 The Running Event - he was very excited to explain how every single feature and detail of the vests were designed with funct ionality in mind.
The main focus of their vests are high capacity and accessible storage (especially up front) as well as comfortable and secure fit. They have a wide variety of capacity options from super lightweight short race options, to typical ultra-focused designs, up through larger multi-day or expedition/fastpacking type vest/packs.
I have been testing their Evolution 7L vest, which is in the middle of their range, and trail running and racing focused. I’d say for the distances that I focus on for training and racing, this 7L model is the most versatile option, offering range to go lighter and also enough capacity to handle longer stuff. The 10L model would also be suitable - it’s distinguished by a larger zipper pocket and capacity in the rear, likely better for colder races, where more layers are needed or other situations that require higher capacity.
Article by Michael Ellenberger
Craft Kype Pro ($300)
Craft has put forth a new entrant in the high-performance marathon racing scene with the Kype Pro, a shoe designed to deliver elite-level speed, responsiveness, and efficiency… at a price. Yes, with an eye-popping (though ultimately just-slightly-above-market) $300 price tag, this shoe is going to draw attention, though perhaps not to the same degree as the Adidas Evo 1 and its $500+ bill.
Fortunately, this supershoe loads in basically every feature around - including a nitrogen-infused Pebax midsole and a skeletal additive molded carbon fiber plate engineered by Arris Composites
Artikel von Markus Zinkl und Ingrid Zasa
ON Cloudsurfer 2 (170,00 €)
Markus:
Da die Meinung über den originalen Cloudsurfer im RTR Team überwiegend positiv war, war meine Neugier für den neuen ON Cloudsurfer 2 besonders groß. Ich wollte wissen, ob er den Ansprüchen eines regelmäßigen Läufers gerecht wird – sei es beim Tempo oder bei längeren Strecken. In den folgenden Kapiteln berichte ich detailliert aus meiner Perspektive über meine Erfahrungen mit diesem Schuh.
Ingrid: Nach meiner eher ernüchternden Erfahrung mit dem Cloudmonster 2 im letzten Jahr war ich besonders gespannt darauf, wie sich der Cloudsurfer 2 schlagen würde. Beide Modelle werden zwar als Daily Trainer beworben, richten sich jedoch an unterschiedliche Läufertypen. Umso mehr interessierte mich, ob der Cloudsurfer 2 meinen Anforderungen besser gerecht werden würde. Kleiner Spoiler: ja!
Article by Ryan Eiler and Sam Winebaum
Speedberry Trainer ($150)
Introduction
Ryan: Old school with a modern hint of Brooklyn funkiness—that’s the Speedberry Trainer to my eye. From both an aesthetic and performance standpoint, this shoe harks back to simpler times while subtly integrating modern design elements.
What stands out most, though, is the story behind it. Speedberry is a passion-driven, entrepreneurial effort, and regardless of how the shoe performs, you have to admire the courage it takes to plunge into the wildly complex and competitive world of performance footwear. What a daunting journey it must have been to arrive here and release this into the world.
The result? A lightweight, back-to-basics trainer that keeps things simple and focused on function. There are no unnecessary frills, just a breathable upper, a thoughtfully tuned supercritical foam midsole with a midfoot carbon shank, and a distinct personality. It’s the kind of shoe that feels effortless on foot and is in many ways a refreshing alternative to the max-stack, overly engineered trend that dominates the market today.
Artikel von Nico Wagner und Markus Zinkl
VJ Shoes Ultra 3 (189,00 €)
Einleitung
Markus:
Dies war mein erster VJ Laufschuh, den ich testen durfte, und die Vorfreude war riesig – vor allem, weil der VJ Ultra 2 vor zwei Jahren von meinen RTR-Kollegen schon so hoch gelobt wurde. Damals standen der super Grip, der hervorragende Lockdown und der großzügige Platz im Vorfuß im Vordergrund, die den Schuh zu einem vielseitigen Begleiter machten, auch in steinigem Gelände. Natürlich gab es auch ein paar kleinere Haken: Der Schuh war etwas schwerer als Version 1, fiel etwas klein aus und der Übergang unter dem Mittelfuß ließ beim Laufen nicht immer geschmeidig wirken. Ich war also gespannt, ob der Ultra 3 diese positiven Eigenschaften übernehmen und die kritischen Punkte verbessern konnte.
