Article by Sam Winebaum, Sally Reiley, Michael Ellenberger, Renee Krusemark, and Reed Breuer
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 ($140)’
Introduction
Sam: The Rebel is New Balance’s versatile speedy tempo to daily training runs option. Unplated with a PEBA blend midsole, a moderate stack height of 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot, and light weight it has been in its most recent versions a well cushioned, light yet stable speedy days option and for some a one shoe quiver.
Article by Kurt Biesemans
Inov-8 Trailfly Max ( £150 / $170 / €170)
Article by Peter Stuart and Sally Reiley
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 ($170)
Introduction:
Peter: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is, as you might have guessed, the 5th iteration of the Endorphin Speed. The original Endorphin Speed came out in 2020. It was about 0. 6 oz lighter and 10 bucks cheaper.
The drop stays consistent at 8mm and the stack height has increased very slightly from 35.5/27.5 to 36/28
The Speed 5 is still rocking PowerRun PB as the foam and still sports a winged nylon plate. The upper is a brand new engineered mesh and there is more rubber on the heel of the shoe along with some other changes on the outsole including a longitudinal groove that’s meant to enhance flexibility.
Overall the Endorphin Speed hasn’t changed that much over the years, but with this version the upper becomes more breathable and the ride seems to stay pretty consistent with earlier versions.
Article by Jeremy Marie
Compressport Ultrun Evo 10 Pack Review (180€/$190)
Jeremy: The Ultrun Evo 10 Pack is the latest Iteration of Compressport's most versatile hydration pack.
With a 10 capacity, it aims to cover almost every trail distance, from a short and fast 30km up to 100 miles ultra, as long as you carefully choose your equipment with this volume usually offered by many brands.
Article by Nico Wagner
Topo Athletic Aura ($170//180 €)
Introduction
With the Aura, Topo Athletics presents a new stability shoe with maximum cushioning. The anatomical toe box, in particular a Topo trademark, promises more space in the forefoot area compared to other stability shoes. Will the shoe deliver what Topo confidently announces - "Meet the stability shoe you've been waiting for"?
Article by Nico Wagner
Topo Athletic Aura (180 Euro)
Einleitung
Mit dem Aura präsentiert Topo Athletics einen neuen, maximal gedämpften Stabilitätsschuh. Besonders die anatomische Zehenbox, ein Markenzeichen von Topo, verspricht im Vergleich zu anderen Stabilitätsschuhen mehr Platz im Vorfußbereich. Ob der Schuh hält, was Topo selbstbewusst ankündigt - "Meet the stability shoe you’ve been waiting for"?
Article by Sam Winebaum
Tifosi Optics Sanctum XL ($39.95)
I admit to being somewhat of a sunglasses "snob" preferring large frame photochromic shades from the likes of Julbo and Smith. Why large and photochromic? I often run in changing light conditions at day's end and.. I wear my shades over prescription eyeglasses.
The Sanctum XL sure fits the bill with its very large frame and fits perfectly over my eyeglasses with no slip or bounce but how would shades costing 6x less than my usual perform and hold up? The answer is very well!
Article by Jeff Vallliere
Redshift Sports Shockstop Pro Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and Top Shelf Handlebar
Introduction:
Founded in 2013 by a team of mechanical engineers who are also avid cyclists, Redshift Sports aims to create new and innovative products that help to improve the ride comfort and versatility for all types of cycling, from road to gravel, mountain, tri, e-bike and urban. In the article I test the Redshift Sports Shockstop Pro Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and Top Shelf Low Flare Handlebar.
Artículo de Beto Hughes
Nike Vaporfly Next% 4 ($260 USD)
El Vaporfly más ligero hasta el momento Y con mayor sensación de suelo!!!
Pros:
Excelente retorno de energia.
Más sensación de suelo.
Extremadamente ligero.
Ajuste más seguro.
Transición más rápida y más natural.
Mayor control en ritmos suaves o más moderados.
Cons:
Menos agresivo que las versiones anteriores.
Un poco relajado en la talonera, podría ser más seguro.
Arco muy delgado lo cual puede ser inestable para algunos corredores.
5mm menos de mediasuela lo cual puede hacer que la placa se sienta más en distancias largas.
Artikel von Markus Zinkl, Nico Wagner
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 (170,00 €)
Einleitung
Na, bereit für den nächsten Trail? Wir haben uns den Topo Ultraventure 4 mal genauer angeschaut und auf Herz und Nieren – oder besser gesagt, auf Sohle und Mesh – geprüft. Hier kommt unser Eindruck!
Pro & Contra
Pro:
breite Zehenbox / gute Passform
komfortables und atmungsaktives Obermaterial
zuverlässige und komfortable Dämpfung
Stabilität
Contra:
wenig dynamisch
Außensohle nicht geeignet für technisches Gelände
Article by Reed Breuer and Mike Postaski
Hoka Mafate X ($225)
Introduction
PEBA foam layer. supercritical EVA outer carrier foam, forked carbon-fibre plate. Vibram MegaGrip, giant 49mm heel / 41mm forefoot stack height and broad platform, and Mafate lineage. These are all ingredients with great promise, but did Hoka get the recipe right?
Article par Jérémy Marie
Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail ( €230)
Introduction
Si Puma est parvenu à se faire une place parmi les meilleures chaussures de route, il lui manquait une gamme trail à l’avenant.
Et la marque attaque directement par le haut de gamme avec cette Deviate NITRO Elite Trail, une “supershoe” de trail avec la mousse supercritique Nitro Elite déjà appréciée sur route, une plaque carbone, une tige moderne et légère, le tout promettant de la performance sur les trails de moyenne à longue distance. Ajoutons à cela l’utilisation de la gomme PumaGrip ATR sur la semelle et des crampons polyvalents, et nous avons là une des trails les plus prometteuses de l’année.
Article by Matt Kolat
Montbell - Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka (£480 €560)
Introduction
Montbell is a legendary outdoor brand hailing from Japan, established in 1975. They are most famous, at least in my mind, because of their ultralight down products, which you will see later on in the review are as light as they possibly can get. Their design philosophy is ‘Light and Fast’ gear which can be used in unpredictable conditions which Japan is famous for. Coincidentally, I live in Scotland which is famous for being just as unpredictable - 4 seasons in one day are nothing out of the originary.
Please keep an eye on Montbell’s UK Instagram accounts @montbell_uk - they are just about to launch a UK based online store as well as in the near future open a brick and mortar store in Keswick! For those of us living outside the UK, Keswick is one of the main towns in the English Lake District, well worth a visit not just to scoop some excellent Montbell gear!
Please join me in the review of one of Montbell’s flagship down jackets - the Plasma 1000 which has been provided by our friends from Wisdom and Effort Distribution.
Article by Michael Ellenberger
Brad & Bob Q2 Mini Pro Massage Gun ($89.99)
As runners, it goes without saying that we are constantly battling tight muscles and nagging issues that threaten to derail our training (just check my running log on any given day). When Brad & Bob sent me their Q2 Mini Pro massage gun to test, I was admittedly skeptical - I’ve tested a lot of massage guns, and usually, the size of the device dictates its effectiveness to a high degree.
This thing is, well, mini! Could something this compact really make a difference? After several weeks of use, despite never having heard of this brand, I'm genuinely impressed.
