RoadTrailRun Test Team's 2021 Best of TRAIL Running..So Far! Shoes, Apparel, Tech, Gear, and More!

15 of us on the RTR Test Team from the US, France, Germany, and Mexico were surveyed for our favorite road trail shoes in multiple trail shoe categories in what has been a great year for run gear so far.  

Note that not all shoes and gear were tested by all contributors and in some cases we had more samples of a particular product than for others.

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Reviewer full bios are here as the team represents a wide range of paces, ages, and trail and terrain run focus. Best of Road 2021.. so far HERE

What is your favorite daily cruiser Trail Shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	Nike Pegasus Trail 3 (Review soon) - stacked with soft, plush cushion, a relaxed, yet plenty secure upper, runs lighter than its weight implies, thus far is the pinnacle of comfort and ideal for long distance cruising.
Beto Hughes	New Balance Hierro V6  Soft, Great Traction and can go on any terrain.
Peter Stuart	Hoka  EVO SpeedGoat (RTR Review). Just bulldozes over rocks without being heavy.
Nils Scharff	The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2 (RTR Review) was the first Topo shoe I've ever worn and took me totally by surprise! Superb fit, stable, great outsole, can handle any type of terrain - from road to technical trails - and is surprisingly light! It's not as massively cushioned as some other trail shoes out there but it gives you plenty of protection while maintaining a good amount of ground feel.
Marcel Krebs	Saucony Endorphin Trail (RTR Review) - very comfortable even on concrete; pushes you forward because of SpeedRoll geometry
Jeremy Marie	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar (RTR Review). Fit and forget upper, softish and responsive cushioning, do-it-all grip, a nice rocker that keeps you rolling and rolling effortlessly on easy trails...Unbeatable.
Jeff Beck	Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300 (RTR Review). Yeah, it's a little on the heavy side, but I love everything about the shoe. One of those shoes where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts, but the sum of its parts is off the charts good.
Jacob Brady	Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 (RTR Review). "Daily cruiser" suits this shoe well. It is capable over all terrain while having a good balance of ground feel/natural ride and protection. It is very comfortable and secure.
Shannon Payne	The original Salomon Sense Ultra of 2017. Does this count for 2021? It’s flexible, light, protective, responsive, and I am still somehow squeezing life out of it after a few years (to be fair though I have a lot of shoes in my rotation and don’t run in them everyday). Contagrip is apparently indestructible.
Mike Postaski	Hoka Challenger ATR 6 (RTR Review) - Solid all around shoe, nothing flashy - it has a nice even ride without being too stiff. Versatile on most trails, and even good for some easy road miles.
Bryan Lim	Asics Fujitrabuco Lyte. Lightweight with enough protection and technically capable lugs. The ride is nimble and outsole is fantastic.
John Tribbia	The North Face Flight Vectiv (RTR Review). The Flight Vectiv is, above all, a very comfortable shoe. The seamless Matryx knit is snug, soft, and causes no irritation. I found the shoe performs well in a variety of terrain and at a variety of paces.
Adam Glueck	Skechers Razor Trail (RTR Review): It's light and fast, but not as minimal as the pulsar, lots of fun.
Cheng Chen	Craft CTM Ultra Carbon (RTR Review) - the medium profile lugs are perfect for light trail work.
Sam Winebaum	Salomon UltraGlide (RTR Review): If cruising on more mellow to quite technical trails is in the cards this softer, more responsive and friendly Salomon is the one.

What is your Favorite Technical Trail Shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	VJ Ultra (RTR Review) - The Ultra has it all, light weight, best grip available, security, stability, this shoe is confidence inspiring for ripping technical trails.
Beto Hughes	Topo MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review), really versatile shoe on any terrain, great traction.
Peter Stuart	Innov-8 Terra-Ultra G270 (RTR Review). Good n' grippy.
Nils Scharff	The Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review) hasn't been on my radar at all until my US colleagues started to rave about it. It was one of two shoes I took with me for my vacation in the Alps and while running and hiking on technical, alpine terrain it took my heart by storm! It is comfortable and protective enough to go any distance - thanks to a great rock shield and the amazing DNA Loft 2 midsole. At the same time the latter ensures a dynamic ride when picking up the pace. The shoe is very secure and precise and therefore can handle any technically. Oh and the outsole is flawless as well - even without a Vibram branding on it. Take a note, Nike!
Marcel Krebs	Still Inov-8 TerraUltra G 270 even though a 2020 model
Jeremy Marie	I'd be tempted to say the Salomon Cross/Pro, but I miss some kilometers in them to make up my mind. So as of today, I'll stick with my old 500kms Sense 7 SG that are still up & running nicely, even if their midsole suffers in comparison to more  modern ones.
Jeff Beck	Saucony Peregrine 11 (RTR Review). It's upper has great hold, it's outsole has incredible traction, and it's midsole and plate give just enough protection.
Jacob Brady	VJ Ultra (RTR Review). Top-notch foothold and traction. Solid protection over rough terrain.
Renee Krusemark	The Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra (RTR Review) and TNF Flight Vectiv (RTR Review) are both fast, long-distance shoes that are good for technical trail and buffed surfaces. Both felt slightly narrow in the midfoot for me, although I was able to run 17 and 20 miles with them without issue. Runners-up to the Topo MTN Racer 2.
Shannon Payne	Nike Terra Kiger 7 (RTR Review). It has a glove like fit, an outsole that somehow feels very protective despite being quite a lightweight shoe. Feels very nimble.
Mike Postaski	Terraultra G 270 - A holdover from last year perhaps, but I haven't found anything that tops it on technical (and shorter distance) trails.
John Tribbia	La Sportiva Cyklon (RTR Review). If you are looking to add a shoe that is ideal when moving efficiently through technical mountain terrain over medium to long distances with a crossover feel between a boot and a trail runner, the Cyklon is a top choice. The shoe is light, comfortable, and supportive.
Adam Glueck	Saucony Xodus 11 (RTR Review), it's got a really solid rock plate and responsive TPU beaded foam, so it works great in the mountains
Sam Winebaum	VJ Ultra. Simple, light, effective, well cushioned, with unbeatable grip. Very close 2nd the Cascadia 16 but its weight is felt in comparison to the VJ.

What is your Favorite Easy Day trail shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	Topo MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review), - A wide toe box, secure fit, cushion, stability, protection and traction, it is a logical pick for easy days, yet it is still competent at quicker speeds.
Beto Hughes	New Balance Hierro V6, Fresh Foam X really helps to take care of the legs.
Peter Stuart	Hoka  EVO SpeedGoat. Just a nice cruiser..especially on rocky terrain.
Nils Scharff	That's a toss up between the Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review) and the Topo Ultraventure 2 (RTR Review). You can't go wrong with either of those. The Brooks can handle the gnarly terrain better than the Topo. But as my home trails are a little more mellow I go with the Topo in this category.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon UltraGlide (RTR Review) - very versatile, bouncy midsole & good grip
Jeremy Marie	For easy days? The S/Lab Pulsar! Thanks to its rocker profile and very forgiving cushioning, it allows to just cruise at easy pace with a nice protection.
Jeff Beck	Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review). They've got the fit dialed in where it's comfortable without being relaxed, with a great toebox, incredible midsole, and solid outsole.
Jacob Brady	Saucony Endorphin Trail (RTR Review). Ultimate protection, comfort, smooth riding, easy to keep turning over my legs.
Shannon Payne	Hoka Challenger (RTR Review). It’s a beefcake of a shoe but you can kinda just slog along and run over anything without much thought.
Mike Postaski	Hoka Challenger ATR 6 - same as above. Also looking to test the Altra Superior 5's. I've been using my 4.0's a lot lately to build up foot strength, and finding that easier days are a good spot to do that.
Bryan Lim	Asics Fujitrabuco Lyte. As above.
John Tribbia	The North Face Flight Vectiv). The Flight Vectiv carbon footplate gives a little added pep to tired legs.
Adam Glueck	Saucony Endorphin Trail: Good energy return, rocker, and a lot of stack. Although it's heavy, that isn't a problem going easy
Cheng Chen	Nike Zoom X Invincible - the midsole allows for trail-like recovery on the legs.
Sam Winebaum	Saucony Endorphin Trail  (RTR Review): Plows through anything with total underfoot protection and stability with a feel and flow  that remains lively, a secure upper and an easy to find roll at slower (and faster) paces

What is your Favorite Short and Fast trail shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	Hoka Zinal or the VJ Ultra, depending on terrain.  Zinal for less technical trails, with light weight and snappy response, though with less tread and protection than the VJ Ultra.
Beto Hughes	Topo MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review), fast, comfortable and great traction.
Peter Stuart	Skechers GoRun Razor TRL (RTR Review). Not super protective, but extremely nimble.
Nils Scharff	For technical terrain the Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review) can go fast - besides being a little too heavy for that category. A little lighter is the Topo MTN Racer 2 which is going to be my fast day shoe on the more nimble trails around my house. It's just smooth and energetic with great groundfeel.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar (RTR Review) - perfect combination of low weight, perfect foothold and good grip
Jeremy Marie	On fast days? The Pulsar! Once you push them a little bit, their soft cushioning begins to morph into a responsive ride that still provides contact with the terrain, and their light rocker profile do not alter the gait too much. It just gives a little help to push harder.
Jeff Beck	Same as the technical shoe, the Peregrine 11 (RTR Review).
Renee Krusemark	The Skechers Razor Trail is extremely light weight, and the Hyberburst midsole is comfortable and responsive. I used the Razor Trail for speed work and long runs (20 miles). For me, it can be a do-it-all trail shoe as long the surface is dry and not too technical.
Shannon Payne	Nike Terra Kiger 7 (RTR Review) and Hoka Torrent 2 (RTR Review). Lightweight, fast, yet protective.
Mike Postaski	Terra Ultra G 270 (RTR Review) - Low to the ground, responsive, good grip, and very secure fit - everything you need for fast trails.
Bryan Lim	Asics Fujitrabuco Lyte. As above.
John Tribbia	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar. Great on steep uphills and rolling terrain, efficient on road (dirt or pavement), excellent across chossy footing with solid grip to those surfaces, and (as long as your legs are happy enough and you are not a heel striker) an absolute beast on the downhill. In other words, the Pulsar will take you over a mix of challenging and fun terrain, quickly and comfortably.
Adam Glueck	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar (RTR Review): It's the lightest racing shoe I own and still is bouncy and responsive. Perfect upper and amazing engineering.
Sam Winebaum	Tough call. If mixed up and down and even some roads, Hoka Zinal (RTR Review) for its lightweight and stable heel. If more pure uphill with more moderate smooth dowhills  Terrex Speed Ultra (RTR Review) with its nice front flex. If technical terrain and short then TerraUltra G270

What is your Favorite race day trail shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	Hoka Zinal or the VJ Ultra, depending on terrain.  Zinal for less technical trails, with light weight and snappy response, though with less tread and protection than the VJ Ultra.  For longer races or with substantial fast and long downhills, the Hoka Mafate Speed 3 as it is very fast feeling and has maximal cushioning.
Beto Hughes	Topo MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review), Breathable, Great lockdown, Great traction, Good lugs for any terrain, Great weight for a race day shoe.
Peter Stuart	Hoka One One Torrent 2  (RTR Review). Super fun to run in through anything. Comfortable for longer miles, but nimble and quick when you need them to be.
Nils Scharff	Again: Technical at any distance or for races above 30k (no matter if technical or not) - Brooks Cascadia 16  (RTR Review). Non technical below 30K - Topo MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review). Albeit a bit heavy, the Saucony Endorphin Trail  (RTR Review) can also be a great option for not too technical ultra distances.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar  (RTR Review) - perfect combination of low weight, perfect foothold and good grip
Jeremy Marie	On race day? Yeah you have it..the Pulsar! Even if I still had not race this year, I've done some "race simulation" runs, and save from very specific conditions (ice or mud) or long races (ultra), I'll choose the pulsar in the blink of an eye, for all the reasons I've described earlier. Protective enough, friendly when you're tired or calming things down, and such an enjoyable ride when you push up the pace.
Jeff Beck	I tend to favor longer slower races, so it'd be the Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300  (RTR Review). Incredible protection, love the outsole, really enjoy having that shoe on my foot as much as possible.
Jacob Brady	Depends on terrain. For highly technical terrain, the VJ Ultra  (RTR Review) is the best I've ever tested having 10/10 traction, secure foothold, ample cushion and protection, and is lightweight given the stack and performance. However, for smoother trail the Skechers Razor TRL is a marvel, being by far the lightest trail shoe I've ever tested, propulsive, smooth, and effortlessly fast, almost like a plated racer. Traction and foothold are not up to rugged terrain, but for dirt, grass, and less twisty races it is unrivaled.
Renee Krusemark	From a 5K to a 50K, the Skechers Razor TRL  (RTR Review) is my choice on dry, non-technical surfaces. Although probably best for shorter distances, with a relatively fresh pair, I am comfortable taking the shoes to the 50k distance (I did with my Razor+ and they are, essentially, the same shoe). The Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra  (RTR Review) would be a better choice for more technical surfaces, and a better choice for the longer distances (ultra distances). The Speed Terrex felt a bit narrow in the midfoot for me, but I was able to run 17 miles in them without any issue.
Shannon Payne	Hoka Torrent 2 (RTR Review) and Nike Terra Kiger 7 (RTR Review)
Mike Postaski	VJ Ultra  (RTR Review) - For the races that I prefer- ultra distance, semi-technical+, VJ's are my pick. I've raced 108K and a trail marathon so far in them, and am planning to use them for more upcoming races.
John Tribbia	Salomon Pulsar. (same comment as above)
Adam Glueck	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar  (RTR Review): Same reason as above, it's lighter than all my road super shoes, still responsive and bouncy.
Cheng Chen	Craft CTM Ultra Carbon (RTR Review) - it's one of the few carbon plated shoes that is trail ready, especially with its bottom-heavy midsole design.
Sam Winebaum	Hoka Zinal  (RTR Review) for more moderate racing terrain (such as western single track), Topo MTN Racer 2  (RTR Review)for more technical longer races say 25K to 40K. Endorphin Trail for long and only moderately technical 25K-50K. No 100 milers for me but Inov 8 TrailFly G 300 as I will be slow and need to be steady and protected.

What is your Favorite long-distance trail shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	A toss up between the Pegasus 3, the Kiger 7 or the Cascadia 16.  All 3 shoes offer a very well rounded package of comfort, cushion and all around competency.
Beto Hughes	New Balance Hierro V6 (Really comfortable, soft midsole for the long run, and great traction.
Peter Stuart	Hoka One One Torrent 2 (RTR Review). Raced 30k in them and enjoyed every step.
Nils Scharff	I go with the Saucony Endorphin Trail (RTR Review) here. While being too heavy and a bit warm for sure, it offers great traction (especially in muddy conditions), superb protection and a highly energetic ride. I applaud Saucony for their effort to bring a super foam into their trail lineup and especially for keeping the shoe as stable as it is besides it's massive stack height.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon UltraGlide (RTR Review) - very versatile, bouncy midsole & good grip
Jeremy Marie	On long runs? The Puls....No,not again! This time I'll choose the Saucony Xodus 11 (RTR Review). Flexible, very protective, lots of cushioning, and a very predictable ride that does not mute the terrain too much. Add in a breathable upper, and you have a safe bet for long runs, no matter the intensity.
Jeff Beck	Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300 (RTR Review) for the many reasons listed above.
Renee Krusemark	For easier surfaces, the Skechers Razor TRL  (RTR Review), good up to a 50k for me on a fresh pair. . For longer distances, the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra (RTR Review) or TNF Flight Vectiv (RTR Review), all three would be for fast or race environments.
Shannon Payne	Hoka Challenger ATR (RTR Review)
Mike Postaski	Hoka Speedgoat 4 (RTR Review) - Still my default 100M race shoe. Total foot protection, as of now that's the main factor over 100 rocky/technical miles. Looking forward to trying out the Topo Mountain Racer 2 though.
Adam Glueck	Saucony Xodus 11 (RTR Review): Although it's not quite as cushioned as the endorphin trail, being lower to the ground makes it more stable and dependable and puts less strain on the shins and calves.
Sam Winebaum	With Jeff Beck. If I am going long, like more than a day, rugged technical or even trekking the deep forgiving cushion, great stability and unbeatable grip of TrailFly G300 (RTR Review) will help get me there. Honorable mention here Cascadia 16.

What is your Favorite Door to Trail trail shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	If you are running to non technical trails, the Craft CTM Ultra (RTR Review) is a dream on the road, light, responsive, well vented and cruises non technical trails (i.e. fire road level smooth).  If headed to more technical trails, I would pick the Topo MT Racer 2, as it runs smoothly on the road, yet can handle any trail without issue.
Beto Hughes	Topo MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review), this shoe can do it all.
Peter Stuart	Skechers Razor TRL (RTR Review)  Feels like a road shoe with some extra grip.
Nils Scharff	Both shoes I've worn from Topo Athletic are great door to trail options. The Nike Terra Kiger 7 (RTR Review) might be as well, but I just haven't run enough miles in them to tell for sure. As I think the MTN Racer 2 roles along a bit smoother with it's subtle rocker, it wins this category for me.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon Sense Ride 4 (RTR Review), Sense Ride 3 if you have a wide forefoot
Jeremy Marie	Mmhh...Yup...the Pulsar (! Almost equally effective on roads that it is on the trails. The outsole works great on roads, and the combination of the geometry and the midsole makes for a great ride that many dedicated road-running shoe can envy.
Jeff Beck	Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review). The outsole isn't too overbuilt, it runs smoothly on the road, and is so much fun to run on the dirt. If it wasn't for the Inov-8 the Cascadia would be my answer for a few more of these questions.
Jacob Brady	Hoka One One Mach 3 and 4 (RTR Review). When I do door to trail or road/trail linking, I'm about 50/50 split on road and trail and most of the sections are not technical for long enough that I don't mind having to occasionally use a bit of caution for the benefit of a smooth ride on road. I liked the Mach 3 and 4 for road/trail combination runs because of the ride. It is not overly flexible or soft and is consistent and stable. The rubberized foam outsoles of both versions grip surprisingly well on trail in dry conditions and are not hazardous in wet.
Shannon Payne	Hoka Challenger ATR (RTR Review). Feels great on the roads and makes a smooth transition to the trails.
Mike Postaski	Honestly I don't give too much consideration to this category. Reason being - I'm about 1/2 mile away from trails so I don't have any occasion to be switching back and forth.
John Tribbia	Skechers Go Run Razor TRL. The Razor TRL is very lightweight with a very comfortable upper that provides an enveloping fit. It is bouncy, smooth, and has a consistent ride.
Adam Glueck	Saucony Xodus 11 (RTR Review): Feels good on the roads as well as the trails with responsive foam.
Cheng Chen	Nike Pegasus 38 Womens (RTR Review)  - the women's version specifically has a soft heel and lower pressured forefoot Zoom unit that makes the ride very easy and nice for both road and trail.
Sam Winebaum	Salomon UltraGlide (RTR Review). Lively responsive softer (than usual trail shoe) midsole, enough traction and upper support for just about any trail yet not too much “luggage” and decent weight. Definitely leans more trail than road but not too far.

What is your absolute favorite trail shoe of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere	VJ Ultra (RTR Review) - This was a huge surprise for me and is my favorite because it has everything I look for in a trail shoe and then some.  Traction is the best I have ever tested, it is stable, secure, very responsive, well protected (under foot and the upper), comfortable and well cushioned enough that I can run in them all day and not feel beat up in the least.  As an added bonus, they are super light on the scale for all that they offer and even lighter on the foot.  The very best shoe that very few people are aware of, and hopefully that changes soon!
Beto Hughes	Topp MTN Racer 2 (RTR Review) Really performs on whatever terrain you go, great toebox, great lockdown, great traction, breathable, and very responsive when picking up the pace.
Peter Stuart	Hoka Torrent 2 (RTR Review) . Best all-around trail shoe for my purposes.
Nils Scharff	Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review) - without a doubt! This shoe doesn't have any flaws. If Brooks could somehow save a few more grams it would be almost perfect! The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2 is my honorable mention as it doesn't do anything wrong either. It actually has that minor weight benefit compared to the Cascadia, it just doesn't have the wow factor of the Brooks.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar (RTR Review) - perfect combination of low weight, perfect foothold and good grip
Jeremy Marie	The choice is as simple here as it was difficult for the road shoe. The Pulsar is by far my favorite trail shoe of 2021 so far. Fun, soft, responsive, comfortable, feather-light...This shoe is a hit.
Jeff Beck	Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300 (RTR Review). I skipped the G270 that everyone raved about, but now I get it. Graphene is no joke, the midsole is just thick enough to give that all day comfort, and the toebox has plenty of room. Biggest gripe is the name and how clunky it is, but on the foot it's truly awesome.
Jacob Brady	Probably the VJ Ultra (RTR Review) as it's the most performant technical trail and shorter (sub-ultra) mountain racing shoe I've ever tested, so it is great to have in my quiver. It has an impressive combination of traction, foothold, protection, and low weight.
Renee Krusemark	The Skechers Razor Trail (RTR Review) is lightweight and good for a variety of distances. The shoes are not my top pick for a technical surface. The Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra (RTR Review)  is close to being perfect, if the midfoot was not narrow for my foot. Of note, I did not run with the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar or the Hoka Zinal, both of which sound like great shoes.
Shannon Payne	Hoka Torrent 2 (RTR Review). Gives me everything I like about the Kiger, with a more accommodating toe box and just a tad more shoe underfoot.
Mike Postaski	VJ Ultra - see above. The most versatile and capable shoe for any long trail run or race up to 100K.
Adam Glueck	Salomon S/Lab Pulsar: It's so so light and responsive, there's nothing else like it.
Cheng Chen	Craft CTM Ultra Carbon (RTR Review) - while a little heavier than other carbon plated shoes, the tougher outsole and light upper works well to create a trail-ready tempo trainer and racer.
Sam Winebaum	So far in 2021 the Hoka Zinal (RTR Review) has won my heart. So light, snappy and just about any terrain versatile with a barely there upper that just works and with more than adequate traction and protection for the vast majority of my shorter trail and door to trail runs on every surface.  The innovative Endorphin Trail and Trail Fly G 300 win the tech, big cushion and traction awards so far this year while the Salomon UltraGlide has, in a big surprise as Salomon are known for firm and snug, the most fun to run trail midsole foam (same as the Pulsar’s BTW on a much wider rear platform), a decently roomy upper, and has the friendliest and most energetic ride.

What is your favorite accessory of 2021 and why? (Packs, lights, poles, recovery and injury aids, etc)

Jeff Valliere	Salomon Sense Pro 10 vest (RTR Review)- light and clothing like, with improved pockets over previous versions (two front zippered and a back zippered pocket), it goes essentially unnoticed. I wear it if I just want to carry a phone and car key, or for a full day in the mountains, super versatile and functional.
Beto Hughes	Naked Sports HC Vest (RTR Review) is an amazing zero bounce vest, super light and very comfortable. Also the Naked Running Belt can carry anything and still zero bounce, my go-tos for any distance.
Peter Stuart	The Salomon Advanced Skin 5 Set vest (RTR Review). I tried a few different packs this year and the Advanced skin kept the bottles most accessible for me and, more importantly, chafed the least of the ones I tried.
Ivan Luca Corda	Orbiloc Safety Light. Easy to use, high quality, long visibility (5km), waterproof, great color options and lots of accessories for attachment.
Alex Filitti	SuperSapiens glucose monitoring sensor. I think it's the future of nutrition: great nutrition already exists but endurance athletes need to understand how to use it for their specific needs.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Addaday BioZoom Edge percussive massage gun. It's helped me loosen my muscles in no time pre and post-workout.
Marcel Krebs	Salomon Adv Skin 5 vest - perfect fit, light & comfortable
Jeremy Marie	Probably the products from Endur'activ. It is a small french firm that produces local, organic energetic products that can also be used for children snacks. Ive use them on races since 2015 and they prove to be effective, tasteful, and moreover, simple, with few ingredients. The packaging is handled by handicapped workers, is recyclable...It's like simple home-made products.
Jeff Beck	CalfPro. I backed it on Indiegogo a couple years ago and it finally showed up - and it is incredible. Really leverages your foot to get an incredible calf stretch. I brought mine in to show my physical therapist, and he freaked out how effective it was at stretching the lower leg.
Sally Reiley	GoFit Ultra Power Loop resistance bands are great for strengthening lower body muscles and targeting weaknesses that result in injuries. I have been using to strengthen my glutes to address an upper hamstring injury (caused by overcompensation by the hammies).
Shannon Payne	Correct Toes (RTR Review) as they have aided in PT exercises and the science behind the biomechanics of feet that function properly and how that affects the whole body fascinates me.
Mike Postaski	Salomon Sense Pro 10 Set vest (RTR Review) - They took the S/LAB Ultra vest, added in some features from the Advanced Skin packs, and created their best vest yet.
Adam Glueck	Salomon Aigle 10 Running vest, lets me carry water on my runs
Cheng Chen	I began experimenting with scraping tools for muscular recovery. They work well!
Sam Winebaum	Salomon Race Vests. I have the S/Lab Sense 5L and just got the Sense Pro 10L. Great arrangement of pockets and lots and lots of them, more clothing than pack yet secure and mostly bounce free. I have said before, and say it again if you film on the go or want a grip on your phone (to your shorts and in hand) get an OtterBox case with built in PopSockets holder and optional tripod,

What is your favorite tech of 2021 and why?

Jeff Valliere   

The Garmin Fenix 6S Pro is still holding strong, but for new in 2021, the Suunto 9 Peak is a big jump for Suunto, very thin and light, with great battery life and elegant form factor.
Beto Hughes	Coros Pace 2 (RTR Review) offers a lot for the price.
Peter Stuart	Trusty old Garmin 945 (RTR Review), but man I wish they'd get the music interface smoother.
Nils Scharff	I finally replaced my good old Garmin Forerunner 935 after 4,5 years. The barometer has been broken, the HRM lost some accuracy. With the Forerunner 945 LTE Garmin released my dream watch. I actually don't use any of it's LTE features. But Garmin updated all of the internals (new generation of HRM and GPS chipset) and therefore the watch performs phenomenally so far. It's clearly more accurate than my old 935, while offering the same battery life - and all of that in a smaller package, which looks far more modern (less bezel). And I'm really into some of the new (for me) features. The sleep tracking algorithms seem to be improved by a huge margin. I haven't used the daily workout suggestions, but I can see doing that - especially if you aren't the person who wants to plan each and every run beforehand. Having maps on my watch was really useful during my hiking trips in the alps. The watch now monitors acclimatisation to heat and elevation. And last but not least I now have a VO2max calculation for trail running!
Marcel Krebs	Still my Garmin Fenix 6 Pro (RTR Review)
Jeremy Marie	My favorite 2021 running tech is my favorite 2019 running tech: The Suunto S9 Baro (RTR Review). After almost one year with a Fenix 6, I've gone back to the sheer simplicity and efficiency of Suunto watch, and what a relief this has been. It just works, no-fuss, where the Fenix is, for me, just way too cumbersome. Sure it has a features list that is something like 10 times longer but...it's just not for me. And I like how Suunto capitalize on the existing hardware and pushes software improvements to the existing watches.
Jeff Beck	Still the Hypervolt. Continue to use it almost every day, and while the battery doesn't last as long, it still only needs to get charged once a week or so.
Mike Postaski	Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar. I used to plan for charging my watch during long races, now I have 36-ish hours of battery life. Topo maps are a also game changer for me.
Adam Glueck	Apple AirPods Pro, the best wireless earbuds for running and everyday life. Wonderful Noise cancellation and great transparency mode
Cheng Chen	Stryd - I continue to use Stryd to accurately track my training. Power is a very useful feature for race-pace work and race-day pacing.
Sam Winebaum	Garmin Forerunner 55 (RTR Review). Just about every essential run feature, great legibility, accuracy of both GPS and wrist heart rate. It’s about as light in weight and small in size as any watch out there. It has full smartwatch features and access to the extensive Garmin ecosystem and all for just $200.  For great looks Suunto 9 Peak (RTR Review) the most stunningly classy sports smart watch yet for me with Titanium at the weight of plastics, great battery life but so so legibility.  Finally, if you have bad eyesight (like me) or just want a better view on the go and just want the key basics of a run/swim/bike tri focused smart watch with the ultimate in data field and screen arrangement the Wahoo ELMNT Rival (Review soon) lets you see more (or less or both simultaneously) and more clearly in one view than any other watch.

Best of Road Running 2021.. so far HERE

Some tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes others were personal purchases. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content
The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

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