Ombraz Teton Armless Sunglasses Review

Article by Markus Zinkl

Ombraz Teton ($160.00)

Introduction

Ombraz, a Washington-based eyewear company, has carved a niche in the market by focusing on simplicity and style. Their innovative armless design, which arose from a founder’s experience of breaking his sunglasses and improvising with string, launched successfully through an Indiegogo campaign. Ombraz emphasizes durability, functionality, and a unique aesthetic in their products.

Pros

• Unparalleled hold for any activity

• Unbreakable design

• Carl Zeiss lenses

• Comfortable fit and stylish form factor

• Lifetime guarantee

• 20 trees planted per pair bought

• Additional side shields available

• 100% UV protection

• Available with prescription lenses through Lens & Frame Co.

Cons

• Cord design can create tangles with helmets and is not easy to take on and off

• Lenses are not interchangeable

Saucony Hurricane 24 Review: 3 Comparisons

Article by Allison Valliere

Saucony Hurricane 24 ($160)

Pros: 

Cushion, comfort, stability, protection, breathability, durable outsole

Cons: 

Lacking response/agility, big, broad on the ground and built up

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex Review: Tour du Queyras Trek Tested!

Article by Dominique Winebaum

 Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex ($180)

Doing research for a friend who was looking for a pair of light hiking boots, I came across the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, and opted to test them on our 8 day trek on the Tour du Queyras, the GR 58 in France. 

It is an 80 mile course with significant elevation gain (25,345 ft) and loss (/25,180 ft), in the Queyras Natural Park located in the Hautes-Alpes department near the Italian border, and south of Briançon.  

ASICS Superblast 2 Review: 4 Comparisons

Article by Michael Ellenberger and Sally Reiley

ASICS Superblast 2 ($200)

Pros:

• Bouncy and responsive ride: new foams including top end FF TURBO PLUS: Michael

• Improved upper for better lockdown and comfort: Michael

• More durable outsole with improved grip: Michael

• Highly cushioned - love the max-stack of  45 mm heel /  37 mm forefoot for all sorts of runs: Michael

Cons:

• May be too firm for some runners (especially those who loved the v1 for its softness): Michael

• Somewhat pricey at $200: Michael

Introduction

Michael: The original ASICS Superblast (“v1”) was an absolute fan favorite among runners for its energetic ride and plush cushioning and very light weight. It was one of the first “super trainers” and a plateless one at that to hit the market, and (speaking without any scientific basis) one of the most popular - it’s certainly the max-stack trainer I see most commonly in the wild. 

The ASICS Superblast 2 takes those winning qualities and elevates them - it’s not revolution, but it’s definitely evolution, and while I don’t think those with a backstock of v1 need to long for the latest and greatest, there are enough upgrades here to make the newest model worthwhile (even at the relatively hefty $200 price point).

New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos Initial Video Review

Video by Sam Winebaum

New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos ($200)

In the video below,  I detail the Balos and take it for an initial 10K run commenting on Fit and Ride. I also compare to the adidas Supernova Prima and 361 Eleos which are of similar construction and materials as well as New Balance's More v4 and 1080 v13

Fresh Foam Balos Initial Video Review (21:57)

The Balos has a soft PEBA /EVA blend midsole stacked big (38.5mm heel / 32.5 mm forefoot) and light at 8.6 oz / 243g US 8.5 sampl

It has a very pronounced rocker and thick firm black heel rubber to keep the softness from bottoming out and moving forward in key rear and front wear areas. The rest of the midsole is an outsole grade EVA.

The upper is a soft pliable and very supportive mono mesh backed inside with a grid of underlays. 

Balos has a lightly padded stretch knit tongue with gusset and plush rear collars

$200. Available August 2024. 

Full written multi tester review soon.

Shopping at our partners below is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun

NEW BALANCE

Men's & Women's SHOP HERE

Thule Urban Glide 3 Review

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Thule Urban Glide 3 ($650)

Michael: If two people love each other very much, and also love running… well, long story short, there comes a time when you’re looking for a running stroller! Thule was kind enough to send me the Urban Glide 3 - a stroller which I had already been eyeing myself - and my wife and I have put it through its paces (at least, relatively speaking - I plan on adding a follow-on review after a summer and fall of mileage) and I’m happy to say - even with relatively preliminary testing (about 50 miles onboard, across a couple different terrains) - this thing rules the road.

Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 Multi Tester Review: 8 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum, Mike Postaski and Jeff Valliere

Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 ($160)

Pros:

Increased stack height and broader platform truly makes Xodus ultra worthy: Sam, Mike P, Jeff V

Highly cushioned and protective forefoot with a touch of easy going flexible rock plate impulse Sam, Mike P, Jeff V

Versatile from trail running to trekking  with a pack to door to trall: Sam, Jeff V

Light, breathable, very quick drying, comfortable upper with plenty of well held space: Sam, Jeff V

Cons:

With more stack height comes a gain in weight to 10.5 oz /298g US9: Sam, Mike P, Jeff V

Due to increased stack height, platform width and weight somewhat less agile than prior: Sam

Somewhat firm at the lower interior heel Mike P

Still a bit too tapered up front for me Mike P

Upper somehow lets dry dust and dirt filter through Mike P

Introduction

Sam: With “Ultra” in the name the first two editions of the Xodus Ultra were ultra trail capable. With the 3d edition we are certainly ultra capable as we see 3.5mm more  stack height to arrive at 36mm heel /30 mm forefoot along with an increase in platform width. The increase in stack height and platform width does lead to an increase in weight of 36g / 1.27 oz which does give pause.

ASICS Noosa Tri 16 Review- The Perfect Middle Ground: 4 Comparisons

Article by Ben David and Sam Winebaum

ASICS Noosa Tri 16 ($135)

Introduction

Ben: In a run shoe era of carbon-plated super foam trainers and racers sometimes it is a good idea to go back to the future, to those uptempo do-it-all all simple construction trainers, a category I really enjoy to run. The Noosa Tri 16 is such a shoe!

The colorful Noosa Tri 16 is just such a shoe. No plate, no super foam but a very light weight of 7.5 oz / 213g  (US9) with a very decent stack height of 34.5mm heel / 29.5 mm forefoot of Flytefoam Blast +, ASICS GuideSole rocker geometry and some snappy flex to help propel and a reasonable $135 price.

The Noosa Tri 16 is bright and bold as were many of its predecessors. No plate. No mega stack. Just a light, peppy daily trainer with wild colorways and lots of energy return. Everything about this shoe is refreshing and easy, from the loud laces to the crayon-like colorway to the smooth and simple ride. Let’s dive in.

Testbericht: HOKA Skyward X - Laufen wie auf Wolken (German)

Artikel von Marcel Krebs 

HOKA Skyward X (225 EUR)

Einleitung

Nachdem ich Anfang des Jahres mit dem Cielo X1 bereits einen hervorragenden Wettkampfschuh aus dem Hause HOKA testen konnte (Testbericht hier), habe ich den letzten Wochen mit dem Skyward X ein Modell testen dürfen, das den Cielo X 1 auf dem Papier perfekt als dazugehörigen Trainingsschuh ergänzt. Inwieweit sich dieser Eindruck im Praxistest auch tatsächlich bestätigt hat und bei welchen Einheiten der HOKA Skyward X seine Stärken am besten ausspielen kann, erfahrt ihr in den nachfolgenden Abschnitten.

Ultraleicht Isomatten Vergleich: Therm-A-Rest, Nemo, Flextail Gear und Rab (German)

Artikel von Markus Zinkl

Einführung

Bei ultraleichten Isomatten ist das Gleichgewicht zwischen Gewicht, Wärme, Komfort und Packbarkeit entscheidend. Hier ist ein detaillierter Vergleich von fünf beliebten Modellen: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT, Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, Nemo Tensor Insulated, Flextail Gear Zero Mattress R05 und Rab Ultrasphere 1.5.

adidas Supernova Prima Multi Tester Review: 7 Comparisons

Article by Matt Kolat and Sam Winebaum

 

adidas Supernova Prima ($170, !70EUR)

Pros:

• Deep, dense yet very forgiving and reactive supercritical foam cushioning (Sam)

• Pace and run type versatile daily miles near max cushion trainer (Sam)

• Easy rebounding toe off due to full Dreamstrike Plus at flex point (Sam)

• Stable for a neutral shoe without overdoing stability elements (Matt/Sam)

• Beautiful styling (Matt)

• Feels fast for a daily trainer (Matt/Sam)

• Very comfortable, secure and padded upper (Matt/Sam)

Cons:

• Hot upper (Matt)

• Longevity might be limited for heel strikers (Matt)

• Relatively heavy for a mostly supercritical foam shoe: due to upper? (Matt/Sam)

Nike Pegasus 41 Review: 6 Comparisons

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Nike Pegasus 41 ($140)

Introduction

Michael: A few years ago, I compared the annual Pegasus launch to Nike’s iPhone unveiling - largely because it’s inevitable, but also because it’s a chance for each brand to showcase its latest tech in its long-running product. If that holds true, then this year’s Pegasus 41 may well be the iPhone X review - a significant break in past design (which had held largely constant for the past few generations) and a look into the direction the Pegasus line is going moving forward.

And, well… it’s good. Speaking as a non-tech-reviewer (but stubbornly insistent Apple user), the iPhone X was probably a more foundational change, but the Pegasus’s change over to ReactX (hooray!) paired with dual Air Zoom units is undoubtedly a new and enjoyable ride. I was also pleased to see a 4mm increase in stack height, which functions to add a little more cushion and help eliminate the shoe from bottoming out. 

But, with so many good trainers on the market (seriously - after many years focusing on racing shoes, I think this is the year of the trainer!), how does Nike’s classic Pegasus stack up?

Testbericht: Rab Veil 2 Laufweste (German)

Artikel von Marcel Krebs und Markus Zinkl

Veil 2 Laufweste (€139.95)

Einleitung

Die Rab Veil 2 Trailrunning Rucksackweste verspricht ein Höchstmaß an Leichtigkeit, Atmungsaktivität und Bewegungsfreiheit für Trailrunner, die kurze Distanzen bevorzugen. Als Teil der neuen Veil Serie von Rab bietet sie eine innovative Kombination aus strapazierfähigem Ripstop-Material, multidirektionalem Mono Mesh und praktischen Aufbewahrungsmöglichkeiten. Dieser Testbericht wirft einen genauen Blick darauf, wie sich die Veil 2 in den Bereichen Ausstattung, Passform und Performance schlägt, und gibt eine Einschätzung darüber, ob sie den hohen Erwartungen gerecht wird. Die Veil Serie von Laufwesten markiert  Rab's Einstieg in das Trailrunning-Segment, und die Veil 2 ist das kleinste Modell dieser neuen Linie. Wir möchten in diesem Test herausfinden, wie sich diese Neuentwicklung im Vergleich zu etablierten Konkurrenten schlägt und ob sie bereits nach dem ersten Versuch von Rab überzeugen kann.

Testbericht: Puma Velocity Nitro 3 - Hier gibt es nur einen einzigen Nachteil! 5 Vergleiche

Nils Scarff

Puma Velocity Nitro 3 (130€)

Einleitung

Seit Puma in 2021 seine Nitro-Laufschuhfamilie initiert hat, spielen die Bayern auf einmal ganz oben mit in der Laufschuhwelt. Die Produkte waren von Anfang an gut durchdacht, das Portfolio aufeinander abgestimmt. Und nicht zuletzt das Nitro-Mittelsohlenmaterial sowie die herausragenden Außensohlen aus dem eigens entwickelten Pumagrip Material machten sich sehr schnell sehr viele Freunde unter den Läufer:innnen. 

Der Velocity war dabei von Anfang an der typische Dailytrainer und im Vergleich zu seinen Geschwistern fast schon langweilig: Eine klassische Geometrie mit Flex und ohne großen Rocker, 10mm Sprengung, mittelstark gedämpft. Doch auch ohne große Standout-Features konnte der Velocity schon von der ersten Minute an überzeugen und war von jetzt auf gleich ein ernstzunehmender Konkurrent für die Pegasus dieser Welt. 

Saucony Peregrine 14 Multi Tester Review: 4 Comparisons

Article by Renee Krusemark, Jeff Valliere, Allison Valliere

Saucony Peregrine 14 ($140)

Renee: The Peregrine is a staple in the Saucony trail shoe lineup. The newest version launched in early 2024 with a somewhat quiet release. We didn’t receive review samples until June. Saucony focused on other trail shoes during our visit with them during 2023’s The Running Event (namely the new Xodus Ultra and Ride TR). The updates to the Peregrine 14 from v13 sound minimal and cosmetic, but after some miles I found to have a clear preference for one version over the other. 

Pros:

Versatile use/terrain and distance: Renee/Jeff/Allison

Well priced: Renee/Jeff/Allison

Secure fit: Renee/Jeff/Allison

Comfort/cushion: Jeff/Allison

Traction: Jeff/Allison/Renee

Cons:

“Softer” midsole feels less cushioned/protective than v13: Renee

Would be nice to have a more sticky rubber:  Jeff/Allison