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.

Test et Avis: VJ Shoes Ultra 3: une excellente chaussure d’ultra (French)

Article par Jérémy Marie

VJ Shoes Ultra 3 ( €189)

Introduction

C’est le premier modèle de la marque finlandaise que je teste, et j’avais gardé en tête uniquement leurs premiers modèles, comme la iRock, réputés pour être des modèles aboutis pour les courses techniques, voire les Spartan race, grâce à un fit très précis et l’accroche hors norme de leur semelle en butyl.

Leur gamme s'est pas mal étoffée au fil du temps, avec des modèles plus confortables, plus accessibles, destinés aux courses longues, utilisant une mousse plus conciliante comme la Maxx 2 (test RTR) ou la Lightspeed (test RTR), modèles très appréciés.

Présentée au TRE, la VJ Shoes Ultra 3 est le modèle le plus amorti de la marque, destiné à apporter du confort pour les course longue distance, en conservant les atouts habituels de la marque: garder de la précision, et proposer une accroche  parmi les meilleures du marché, le tout s’appuyant sur la mousse maison SuperFOAMance.

Salomon ADV Skin 5L 2025 Running Vest Review

Article by Sam Winebaum

Salomon ADV Skin 5L ($145)

Pros:

• Versatile: from the shortest runs with due to its storage the capacity for long runs and carry of layers
• Superb arrangement of storage: easy to access and adaptable to different size items
• Comfortable regardless of the load.
• Strong value at $145 with 2 flasks included.
• While rated 5L can easily and effectively carry far more

Cons

• None to date. That good!

Salomon pretty much invented the concept of the hydration vest, a close to the body clothing carry system for  fluids, run essentials and in larger capacities layers and shells. With the 2025 ADV Skin Set 5L and 12L also tested and reviewed by RTR, after many years of essentially similar vests they refine the concept top to bottom, inside and out while retaining the essence of a very light close fitting multi pocket carrying system for the trails (and roads). 

Knockaround Hang Time Campeones and Astro Climb Torrey Pines Sport Sunglasses Review

 Article by Beto Hughes and Ben David

Knockaround Hang Time Campeones ($55) and Astro Climb Torrey Pines Sport ($38) Sunglasses

Ben: The Astro Climb Torrey Pines Sport offered my first foray with Knockaround sunglasses. Founded by Adam ‘Ace’ Moyer twenty years ago, Knockaroud has grown significantly from its early days when he launched the brand out of a UC San Diego art studio. 

They are now the official eyewear of the PGA Tour and make, in addition to sunglasses, t-shirts, tank tops, towels and snow goggles. 

They’ve also collaborated with multiple professional sports teams as well as the Grateful Dead (which is a big win in my book). The brand is still based in San Diego, now with a massive following. I was excited to test out my first pair while Beto tested the Hang Time Campeones.

TYR CXT-Flow and Tyr L-2 Lifters Gym and Weight Lifting Shoes Reviews

Article by Matt Kolat

TYR CXT-Flow ($120 / £104) and Tyr L-2 Lifters - $225/£196

Introduction

TYR is an American brand focusing its products on three main areas: functional fitness, running and swimming. 

At the tail end of 2024, I  had the pleasure of testing the Valkyries Speedworks (RTR Review) which are TYRs speedy, carbon plated and  neutral running shoes. It was quite a unique proposition and I encourage you to give my review a read if you are in the market for shoes of the above description.

Apart from running I am also a very keen gym goer. As we age, and I am about to commence by 5th decade on earth, retaining muscle mass becomes more and more difficult. Lifting weights, especially those big compound movements like squats, deadlifts or bench press can be very stimulating for your body. That said, I believe lifting weights can be beneficial to runners regardless of their age. 

With the above in mind I was very excited to hear that TYR has released two new shoes: the CXT-Flow which is an all-round gym shoe suitable for anything from weight lifting to more dynamic functional movements and the L-2 Lifter which is a more focused proposition perfect for the ‘leg day’. Can a runner benefit from either of those shoes? How did they perform in general? Let’s find out in the article below.

SATISFY Running Winter 2025 Apparel Reviews: GhostFleece AD Hoodie and Gloves, & CoffeeThermal 8" Shorts

Article by Jeremy MARIE

Ghost Fleece AD Light Hoodie (200€), CoffeeThermal 8” shorts (220€), GhostFleece AD Gloves (90€)

We’ve previously reviewed kit from SATISFY, as well as lucky enough to chat with the brand’s founder, Brice Partouche. I encourage you to go back to this review and read the ethos behind SATISFY, as the they clearly stray from the usual roads and trails of running brands.

The sheer quality and performance were astounding, so was the styling, which helped a lot in swallowing the high cost, but as I’ve said at the time: to each his/her own.

Under Armour UA Infinite Elite 2 Multi Tester Review: 5 Comparisons

Article by Dominique and Sam Winebaum

Under Armour UA Infinite Elite 2 ($160)

Introduction

Sam: Named the Infinite Elite 2, one might expect a snappy big stack height trainer but that is not what we have here. Rather the  Elite 2 is a soft and bouncy riding, broad fitting and friendly trainer with comfort on its mind more than high performance. And that is OK! 

It is reasonable in weight at just over 10 oz US9 and sits on a broad platform at  what is now a “mini max” stack height of 36mm heel /  28mm forefoot with a solid  8mm drop to help it move along. 

Runs on tired legs, easy pace, long distances outings, walks,  broad higher volume feet and for all-day comfort. I can well see “elites” and the rest of us reaching for it. Let’s get into the details.

Testbericht: Adidas Eyewear Dunamis Pro Sonnebrille (German)

Artikel von Markus Zinkl

Adidas Eyewear Dunamis Pro Sonnenbrille (220,00 €)

Einleitung

Sportsonnenbrillen sind ein unverzichtbarer Bestandteil der Ausrüstung für Outdoor-Aktivitäten und sportliche Herausforderungen. Die Adidas Dunamis Pro baut auf dem Erfolg der bewährten Dunamis auf und überzeugt durch minimale, aber wirkungsvolle Optimierungen. In diesem Testbericht beleuchten wir die technischen Details und die Leistung der Dunamis Pro, die mit einer angepassten Linsenhöhe für noch besseren Schutz und Sichtkomfort sorgt.

Testbericht: Tracksmith Fieldhouse Shorts and Tee (German)

Artikel von Maren Müller

Fieldhouse Shorts (71 Euro /$55) & :Fieldhouse tee (71 Euro/$55) 

Einleitung

Tracksmith ist eine Marke, die für ihre hochwertige Laufbekleidung bekannt ist und sich durch die Kombination von klassischem Design mit moderner Funktionalität auszeichnet. Die Fieldhouse-Kollektion richtet sich speziell an Athleten, die neben dem Laufen auch andere Trainingsformen wie Kraft- und Konditionseinheiten absolvieren. Sowohl die Fieldhouse Shorts als auch das Fieldhouse Tee wurden entwickelt, um den Anforderungen intensiver Workouts gerecht zu werden und dabei einen zeitlosen Stil zu bewahren. Deshalb bin ich sehr gespannt das Tshirt und die Shorts im Gym zu testen. 

Inselberg Monic Trail Running Jacket, Gauss Pant, and Infima Jacket Reviews

 Article by Sam Winebaum and Matt Kolat

Introduction:

Inselberg is a New Zealand based brand focused on function above all else. Their name derives from the Germanic and translates as “island mountain”.

“An inselberg is a mountain that stands out from a plain, eroded and shaped over time to its rugged core. An inselberg is a singular formation—one mountain rising above the plain. This idea of "one" is central to everything we do. Every product is designed with one purpose, fulfilling a single function with precision and focus. Inselberg is more than a name; it’s a philosophy of clarity, durability, and purpose.”

Inselberg products are developed and tested in New Zealand, including by mountaineering and search and rescue teams as well in other extreme environments from Everst to Antarctica. As we found out in our testing, they take detailed care of every aspect of their apparel with disassembly after use to identify potential failure points and then multiple iterations to perfect, 

Not “flashy” in looks, they are among the highest performance, most carefully crafted run and trekking apparel I have experienced with a look that also easily takes them “off trail” into town as well.

I was amazed at the comfort, details, and functionality  of the Monic Trail Running Jacket and Gauss Pants I tested in Park City, UT. I have been wearing them almost continuously for running, hiking and around town. Matt tested the Infima Jacket in the wilds of Scotland.

Norda Run 005 Multi Tester Review: A Marvel! 8 Comparisons

Article by Mike Postaski, John Tribbia and Sam Winebaum

Norda Run 005 ($325)

Introduction

Mike P: I was fortunate to pick up one of the earliest test pairs of the 005 back at TRE in November.  So I’ve had the shoe for quite a while, and trust me, it’s been quite a challenge keeping my review thoughts under wraps!  It seems like the anticipation and curiosity about this shoe has been ever-growing since last summer. I’ve been able to test them across a variety of conditions, even taking them out for a decently rugged 20 mile race here in Idaho. 

Sam: At first glance, a very stylish “sneaker” that one could easily wear out on the town. Under the hood, a combination of the highest performance materials available today: Dyneema super strong and light mesh upper, 100% Anitel TPEE foam, and a new, and exclusive to Norda, Vibram MegaGrip Elite outsole all leading to an ultra light weight trail runner and more.

I had one run, a 5 miler on a dead flat hard granite dust rail trail, in Mike’s full size up from my normal Norda size pair before handing them off to Mike, I set a Strava segment PR on a segment I had done several times including in road super shoes.

I received a true to size pair a few days ago and, due to essentially closed trails here in Park City, took them for two all uphill road runs of 6 and 8 miles. 

Wow! Such a ultra light (7.87 oz/  223g with included racing insoles),  springy,  quick rebounding and rapid turnover ride. The first truly do anything, fly across any terrain super shoe? 

2025 Run Tops & Shorts Reviews: X-Bionic, Compressport, Subi, Soar and Usual Objections

Article by Sam Winebaum and Matt Kolat

In the article, we review shorts and tops from top end boutique run brands. From Switzerland: X-Bionic and Compressport, and from the UK:  Subi, Soar and Usual Objections