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

Twenty of us on the RTR Test Team from the US, France, Germany, Singapore, Denmark, Angola and Mexico were surveyed for our favorite road running shoes in multiple categories from daily training, to long run training, to short and long racing, to tempo in what has been a great year for run gear so far. 

We also pick our favorite apparel, tech and more along with the biggest surprises, overall shoes of the year so far  and who we see as brands in the lead in what is a hyper competitive market loaded with innovative fun and fast shoes and gear.

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 run focus. 

Best of Trail follows shortly.

	What is your Favorite Daily Trainer of 2021 so far and why?
Beto Hughes	New Balance More V3 (RTR Review), soft, bouncy and responsive.
Johannes Klein	Altra Rivera (RTR Review)- versatile, lightweight, natural ride, great shoe for Altra / zero drop novices
Peter Stuart	New Balance FuelCell Rebel V2 (RTR Review) because it is soft and super fun to run in. Always seem to want to put it on. The Skechers Max Road 5 is making a play for daily trainer though...
Nils Scharff	I've not run in so many daily trainers this year. But from the few I have, the New Balance 1080v11 (RTR Review) stood out to me the most. The v10 has been one of my favourites last year and the v11 improved especially in regards to lateral (upper) stability and lockdown. The stretchy upper is one of the most comfortable you can put on your feet and the midsole just hits the right blend between soft and firm. In addition the shoe weighs ~20-30g less than comparable models, which makes it more comfortable to wear especially on longer runs.
Ivan Luca Corda	New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2. It's a light, cushioned, bouncy and fun ride. Nice with the forefoot flex for that ground contact feel and to strengthen feet.
Alex Filitti	Hoka Mach 4 (RTR Review) because the ride is smooth yet not boring. Perfect for my recovery and easy paces.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Puma Deviate Nitro (RTR Review). A joy to run in, with a great nitrogen infused midsole. It also lasts at least 500 miles.
Marcel Krebs	Saucony Triumph 19 (RTR Review) - comfortable, perfect fit & good energy return
Jeremy Marie	Difficult one, as a daily trainer should handle many different paces and duration...I'll put the Mizuno Wave Shadow 4 here. Cushioning for 90-120min runs, comfortable at endurance paces, pics up the pace quite well, and the Enerzy midsole offers a nice blend of responsiveness and softness. It's not the comfiest shoe of 2021, not the quickest, but...a really good jack of all trades
Jeff Beck	Brooks Aurora-BL (RTR Review), for truly unparalleled bounce. Looks are polarizing, midsole flex is polarizing, but I enjoy both.
Derek Li	Adidas Boston 10 (RTR Review). It’s like a Saucony Ride 14, plus that added carbon effect.I haven’t been blown away by any particular trainer thus far in 2021. It really came down to Rebel 2 vs Boston 10 for me and while Rebel 2 is by far the bouncier ride, Boston has a little better cushioning, outsole grip and durability and seems a little more assistive for those days when my legs are sapped.
Jacob Brady	Brooks Revel 5 (RTR Review). Everything I need from a do-it-all shoe. The ride is smooth, cushioned, quick moving, and versatile. It performs well for easy runs and walking around as well as speed workouts and light trail. It has a comfortable, accommodating fit and feel that is not dramatic in any way on the run. I like the ride more than many of my plated shoes.
Sally Reiley	New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel 2 (RTR Review) for sure! Light, quick, comfortable, and affordable. Best suited for the shorter daily runs, but works at every pace. Nike Invincible deserves a mention here.
Renee Krusemark	The New Balance Rebel 2 is not necessarily a daily trainer, but the shoe is so great, it works for anything. I've worn it for runs ranging from 3 miles to 17 miles, using it for speed work and easy days, on snow, pavement, and dirt/gravel country roads.
Shannon Payne	Brooks Launch 8 (RTR Review): super versatile, just the right amount of shoe, still super responsive but slightly softer than the 7.
Bryan Lim	Mizuno Wave Rider 25 (RTR Review). It is a traditional trainer with all the 'modern' features you would expect - lightweight, cushioned but responsive midsole, sleek design, agile.
John Tribbia	Mizuno Wave Inspire 17 (RTR Review). The shoe brings a two dimensional versatility with the ENERZY midsole and the geometry by softening the heel strike and improving the transition into the midfoot. With the update to a TPU wave plate and the integration of the two types of foam, the Inspire 17 feels comfortably cushioned for those daily uptempo paces or the slower and more casual cruises.
Adam Glueck	New Balance Rebel 2: Technically it's not a daily trainer, but it's so fun and bouncy
Cheng Chen	New Balance Rebel v2 - the shoe works well across recovery to sub-threshold paces.
Sam Winebaum	Mizuno Wave Rider 25 (RTR Review). For me a daily trainer has to be a reliable pick no matter the run and as if it was pretty much my only run shoe for everything (luckily I have many. It doesn’t have to be the most exciting but this fine update with Enerzy for some added fun rebound has a very effective any pace geometry, enough stability and a comfortable fit. Honorable mentions to Novablast 2 now more stable and still bouncy lively for those regular and faster training miles.

	What is your Favorite Tempo Shoe of 2021 so far and why?
Beto Hughes	New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v2, Light, Soft, Responsive and Durable.
Johannes Klein	Saucony Kinvara 12 (RTR Review) - lightweight, natural ride, superb lockdown, very breathable
Peter Stuart	The Skechers Speed Freek (Review soon) has been making it out for speed workouts lately. Very fun, fast and forgiving. More stable than some other high stack plated shoes.
Nils Scharff	This has to be the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 (RTR Review). While pretty much unchanged from last year, it's still one of the best shoes around.
Ivan Luca Corda	Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. It's versatile and great for all kind of tempo runs. An efficient and snappy roll from heel to toe. An almost effortless sensation at those faster cruise paces.
Alex Filitti	Saucony Freedom 4 (RTR Review). Perfect balance between the energy return, some groundfeel and a lower stack than some maximalist tempo shoes.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 (RTR Review). It's still that snappy shoe, with a slightly better upper. A minor update to the original, and that one was already excellent.
Marcel Krebs	Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - light, springy and good cushioning
Jeremy Marie	I'll choose the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm (RTR Review). Salomon's new midsole foam offers firmness without harshness, the R-Camber profile (kind of a rocker) is really effective at propelling forward, and the shoes are still flexible to let your feet work a little bit and not being cut off the road. The upper is a work of art, paper-thin and unstructured...but I like this like that.
Jeff Beck	Saucony Endorphin Speed Icon. It performs among the best of 2021, and looks like something out of 1980. Like the old Porsches that aftermarket companies fill with modern powertrain and suspension.
Derek Li	ASICS Metaspeed Edge (RTR Review). It won’t be my first choice for a full marathon, but I’ve loved using it for longer repeats and tempo efforts. Very efficient and snappy feel, very light on your feet, and just enough bounce and softness to take the edge off the ground.
Jacob Brady	Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% (RTR Review). Not a 2021 release but despite testing many newer shoes and running a different shoe most days of the week, I keep coming back to the Tempo NEXT% when I run to run fast over a longer block (3+ miles) and have it feel easy. It is such a smooth riding shoe that as long as I'm decently fresh, allows me to run to sustain fast paces as well as a plated racer while feeling less aggressive.
Sally Reiley	Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, a great longer run shoe but a fun ride with an easy forward rocker (SpeedRoll) and a tremendous rebound.
Renee Krusemark	The New Balance Rebel 2 is lightweight shoe with a midsole that can be soft when needed and responsive when needed. Overwhelming the Rebel 2 is my favorite shoe for tempo runs (6-9 miles), race-pace mid distance runs (10-13 miles), and speed intervals (anything from 100 meter repeats to 1 mile repeats). I've ran with it on a variety of surfaces.
Shannon Payne	Saucony Kinvara 12 (RTR Review). Killer update with an improved fit over the 11, great ride, and improved wear.
Bryan Lim	Asics GlideRide 2 (RTR Review). Despite being heavy, it is a well balanced shoe with a dialed in fit and offers supreme comfort in the upper. The metarocker and plastic plate combination works well but takes time to adjust to due to the severity of its design, but once used to it, works a dream.
Adam Glueck	New Balance Rebel 2: Same foam as the RC Elite 2, really fun, light, and bouncy, sublime upper
Adam Glueck	New Balance Rebel 2: Same foam as the RC Elite 2, really fun, light, and bouncy, sublime upper
Cheng Chen	Nike Tempo NEXT% - it's perfect companion to the Alphafly.
Sam Winebaum	Hoka Rincon 3 (RTR Review). A tough call but between my finalists of  Endorphin Speed 2, Rebel v2, Tempo Next, and Hoka Rincon 3.The simple, highly refined, very light and super well cushioned Rincon at a very reasonable $115  is in the lead although the more effective and highly mechanical Tempo Next still is the beast for the tough stuff.

	What is your Favorite Long Run Shoe 2021 so far and why?
Beto Hughes	Saucony Triumph 19 (RTR Review), Great lockdown, heavy but light on the run, bouncy and responsive, easy on the legs.
Johannes Klein	Skechers GoRun Ride 9 (RTR Review) - simple yet comfortable upper, great lockdown and fit, lively midsole, effective rocker and smooth transition
Peter Stuart	It's between the Hoka Mach 4 and the New Balance Rebel V2. Both provide comfort over long miles.
Nils Scharff	The adidas Adizero Boston 10 is a completely different beast from it's predecessors. And while that might be a disappointment for some, it is a delight for me. It's highly cushioned, has a smooth rocker and ride, good vibration dampening, great fit & lockdown and a best in class outsole. I think the Boston 10 is going to be my big milage shoe for the next marathon block and therefore replaces my beloved Saucony Endorphin Shift - what an honour!
Ivan Luca Corda	Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. Used it for a 100k race in june. I don't like very soft or firm shoes for those longest runs. For me, the Endorphin Speed got that perfectly balanced level of cushion. Also the rocker with the flexible nylon plate insert makes for an easy transition.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Atreyu The Artist (RTR Review). It's close to the Adios Pro in underfoot feel, with a more relaxed upper for training and it costs half the price. A no-brainer.
Marcel Krebs	Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 (RTR Review) - very stable & comfortable with SpeedRoll which pushes you forward
Jeremy Marie	The Saucony Triumph 19. It offers such a comfortable step-in and cushioning, without any mushiness. The cushioning stays consistent in the longer runs, and it is just dense enough not to sink into it.
Jeff Beck	Skechers Performance Max Road 5 (RTR Review), for making every step fun, but now with a bit of control. I've wanted to like this shoe for two years, now I can.
Derek Li	New Balance RC Elite 2 (RTR Review). Even though it’s a racing shoe, it is just so incredibly soft, cushioned and smooth that you just feel incredibly fresh even after 20+ miles. If you are focused on long distance road running and can only have one shoe, this is the do-it-all shoe for you.
Sally Reiley	New Balance Fuel Cell RC Elite 2. Yes, might also be a marathon racing shoe, but I love it at all paces and enjoy the soft but responsive bounce.
Renee Krusemark	For easy long runs, there are great choices in 2021. The New Balance 880 v11  (RTR Review) works for me on easy long runs on country roads despite being a road shoe with a 10mm drop. The 880 has good ground feel, and for whatever reason, I run well with it. If I ran more pavement, the Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 and ASICS Novablast 2 (RTR Review) would be top choices. For those needing a wide toe box, the Topo Phantom 2 is worth a look.
Shannon Payne	Hoka Rincon: you get *most* of the forgiving cushioning of the Clifton, at an even lighter weight.
Bryan Lim	As above - Asics GlideRide 2, and for the same reasons.
Adam Glueck	NB RC Elite 2: Unlike my other carbon plated racers, this one feels good at pretty much all paces, and it's very cushioned and stable.
Cheng Chen	Nike Tempo NEXT% - my long runs typically involve tempo workouts, hence the shoes.
Sam Winebaum	Craft CTM Ultra (RTR Review): super light and at the legal limits for stack height it has a lively ride from an EVA carrier midsole with a central PEBA core for lively rebound. It also is very stable, has lots of friendly drop and stable cushion to go with its long run worthy upper and weighs barely over 9 oz.

	What is your Favorite Short and Fast Shoe (Race or Intervals) of 2021 so far and why?
Beto Hughes	New Balance Rebel V2, really fast versatile shoe
Johannes Klein	Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - propulsive qualities (rocker, plate, foam), minimalistic upper
Peter Stuart	I still love the Razor Elite (RTR Review) from Skechers for really fast stuff. The ASICS Magic Speed is nice too.
Nils Scharff	The Puma Liberate Nitro (RTR Review) was a big surprise for me. Its flexible, low to the ground, but highly energetic midsole is one of a kind. The fit works pretty well for me and last but not least it's a bargain for the 110€ pricetag! I ran within 5 seconds of my 10k PR "by accident" during my first run in the Liberate. And while having a bit of a blister issue during longer runs in it, this doesn't bother me at all for the fast and short stuff.
Ivan Luca Corda	Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 (RTR Review). A snappy, efficient roll though my gate cycle. Despite the stack height it's among the firmer but still responsive 'super shoes'. The very rigid carbon plate works great for me at those fastest paces with a quick leg turnover.
Alex Filitti	Adidas Adios 6 (RTR Review). A great iteration especially for my gait cycle and forefoot strike pattern.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Skechers Speed Freek. I just got this one in and it's everything a Hyperburst shoe aspires to. Very light, race day fit and incredible turnover.
Marcel Krebs	Asics MetaSpeed Sky (RTR Review): Very light and springy because of the plate while still enough midsole material under forefoot
Jeremy Marie	I think it's a close one between the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm (RTR Review) for short and long intervals, and the old-fashioned Adios 5. Yep, I'm that old-fashioned, but the adios offers a nice lockdown with lots of room for the toes, the blend of Lightstrike and Boost works well, and it's still a very responsive, direct racer like your father's ones. It's a kind of childhood sweetheart... Yet the Phantasm offers the same speed in a lighter package, with more protection, a better fit, works better for longer runs...I'll choose the Phantasm
Jeff Beck	Same as tempo shoe, Saucony Endorphin Speed Icon. It is a little firmer than the NB/Nike/adidas super shoes I've tested, so for fast and short it's where I'd lean.
Derek Li	New Balance Rebel 2 (RTR Review). Even though this is a soft and bouncy shoe, the lower stack make it very responsive and easy to turn over for hard efforts. It offers an excellent balance of cushioning and responsiveness in that respect. I really like it for sub 3-min duration intervals. (Note that for short races I would prefer a pre-2021 shoe such as  the Skechers Speed Elite Hyper)
Jacob Brady	For training, Saucony Endorphin Speed. With its flexible nylon plate, the Endo Speed is in between a plated racer and a plateless shoe. Is is quick, snappy and propulsive. It maintains a more natural feel due to lower rigidity, so I prefer it for training and save the aggressive stiff plate shoes for racing. I have liked both shorter road and track interval workouts (200s to 1600s) in the Endo Speed.
Renee Krusemark	For interval and speed work, the New Balance Rebel 2 is my favorite. Now that I have about 300 miles on my pair, I might race with it for a 5K (the midsole feels more like a racing flat at this point), but for anything longer than that in a race environment, I'd choose my Nike%.
Shannon Payne	Kinvara 12 for all of the previously mentioned reasons.
Bryan Lim	361 Flame (RTR Review). Definitely a surprise here but the relatively firm ride is something I value in a short and fast shoe for shorter distances. Whilst not a fan of the overall design and needing time to adjust to the fit/upper, it is a shoe that eventually worked and works well for me.
Adam Glueck	Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 (RTR Review): I like wearing this on the track and I'd pick it for a road 5km. The carbon plate, even if harsher than the RC elite 2, is very responsive.
Cheng Chen	Nike Vaporfly NEXT% 2 - the shoe really comes alive at paces around 6:00 or under.
Sam Winebaum	Can't beat the old school, high drop, thinner agile forefoot riding,, supercritical foam Puma Nitro Liberate (RTR Review) in this category. Less than 7 oz, lively foam, flex, plenty of cushion (one can easily daily train in it) and a copious outsole. The more opinionated and carbon plated adios Pro 1 comes close as does the stable firm and fast 361 Flame all for under 10K races and intervals.

	What is your Favorite Long Race Shoe of 2021 and why?
Beto Hughes	New Balance Fuelcell RC Elite V2 (RTR Review), Super soft, Bouncy, Breathable, Aggressive plate and Fast.
Johannes Klein	Saucony Kinvara 12 (RTR Review) - stable platform, reliable cushioning, superb fit
Peter Stuart	New Balance RC Elite 2 Cushion and spring with a nice quick turnover.
Nils Scharff	This has to be the ASICS Metaspeed Sky! (RTR Review) It's the first shoe on the market that's actually on par with Nike for me. It looks freaking hot and really meets my preferences with it's slightly lower drop. Additionally the Metaspeed Sky was on my feet while I ran my first sub-3-hour marathon - that alone is enough to love it.
Ivan Luca Corda	For the Marathon I still prefer the Nike Vaporfly Next%. Great cushion/bounce ratio at marathon pace. For Half's I'm leaning towards the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 for a snappier ride with the carbon infused rods and very aggressive rocker up front.
Alex Filitti	New Balance RC Elite v2 (. Stable, comfortable and consistent throughout a long run. Plus it's rather lightweight despite the high stack.
Joost de Raeymaeker	New Balance FuelCell Elite RC 2 ( Soft, incredibly bouncy, relaxed upper. It ticks all the boxes.
Marcel Krebs	Asics MetaSpeed Sky: Very light and springy because of the plate while still enough midsole material under forefoot (up to marathon distance)
Jeremy Marie	The Craft CTM Ultra (RTR Review). Comfortable, responsive, still flexible, an upper that disappears on the foot...
Jeff Beck	NB RC Elite 2. It's got everything, lots of cushioning, an energetic ride, a great upper. Zero fault kind of shoe.
Derek Li	Very tough call here. ASICS Metaspeed Sky vs NB RC Elite 2 vs Adidas Adios Pro 2. For me personally, the RC Elite 2 suits my running style the best and has the most natural transition. I think a forefoot loader would prefer the Metaspeed Sky, while a pure mid-foot striker would like the Adios Pro 2 best. That said, I “feel” the fastest in the Metaspeed Sky! It just really loads my calves so much that I’m afraid to use it for a full marathon.
Jacob Brady	New Balance FuelCell RC Elite v2. The RC Elite v2 is something special, the next success in plated racer since the original NEXT% for me (noting that I haven't run the Alphafly). Modern New Balance road shoes tend to work well for me with their lightweight, soft, bouncy foams and dialed fit. The RC Elite v2 is an achievement in a high stack plated racer being very forgiving and easy to run, even at training paces. It is the best example of an effortlessly fast, easy to run, modern racer.
Sally Reiley	ASICS Metaspeed Sky! Fits comfortably and so much fun to run in, has a very unique soft but responsive ride, most similar to my beloved Nike Vaporfly Next %. Very easy on the legs, definitely a contender for racing a marathon.
Renee Krusemark	I have not run in most of the new carbon-plated shoes this year.I choose the Nike Vaporfly Next% for races at the half and full marathon distance.
Shannon Payne	Still the Kinvara 12...
Bryan Lim	Asics MetaSpeed Sky. Revolutionary ride with ample protection. Essentially a more stable version of the Vaporfly Next%.
Adam Glueck	NB RC Elite 2: There's nothing I have like it in terms of protection and energy return. While I've run in a lot of fast shoes, nothing else is this comfortable and bouncy.
Cheng Chen	Nike Alphafly NEXT% - I systematically trained myself to fully maximize returns from this platform and it paid off!.
Sam Winebaum	Haven't done a long one yet this year but suspect the friendly forgiving RC Elite 2 will be the one and for shorter too. Close 2nd in the 2021 shoes and leaning more half for me than full  likely will be the adios Pro 2 on its slightly wider, slightly softer platform.

	What is your Absolute Favorite road shoe of 2021 and why?
Beto Hughes	New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v2 (RTR Review) Versatile, Fast, Soft, Bouncy, Breathable, great lockdown, Responsive and can go the distance and be race ready too.
Johannes Klein	Altra Rivera (RTR Review)  - new arrivals aren't always this well put together, but this one is an absolute winner. A lightweight, versatile shoe with a smooth transition at all paces with enough cushioning to go the distance.
Peter Stuart	New Balance Fuelcell  Rebel V2
Nils Scharff	You have to love the shoe in which you ran your marathon PB, right? Therefore my favourite road shoe (so far) is the ASICS Metaspeed Sky (RTR Review) . It's just something else!
Ivan Luca Corda	The New Balance Rebel v2. Despite not being great for the fastest or slowest runs it's just amazing at anything in between. It's my favourite go-to shoe for of those daily runs simply because it's the most pleasant and fun ride.
Alex Filitti	New Balance RC Elite v2 (RTR Review) . It just works so well for my running style. The fit is great too and the upper, heel, volume are spot on. Plus the colorways are nice.
Joost de Raeymaeker	New Balance FuelCell Elite RC 2. For the same reasons I chose it as my favorite Long Race Shoe. It's got everything in the right amount for me.
Marcel Krebs	Saucony Triumph 19 (RTR Review)  - very comfortable and broad range of use cases.
Jeremy Marie	I'm tempted to choose the Craft CTM, because I really did not see it coming from this brand, but at the end of the day, the S/Lab Phantasm (RTR Review) works best in more situations for me (save from long tempo runs). You lose quite a lot of protection vs the Craft, but the weight saving is substantial, the grip is not even close, and the Salomon shoe is just faster and transitions best during the stride.
Jeff Beck	Skechers Performance GoRun Ride 9 (RTR Review) . The performance it gives vs the cost vs the weight makes this the shoe that should finally put Skechers Performance past the stigma of being "just a Skechers shoe".
Derek Li	New Balance RC Elite 2. No question. The best long run shoe, best long distance racer, and isn’t half bad for recovery runs too. Simple no-frills upper that lets you dial in the fit with ease, stable heel, and soft, smooth transition.
Jacob Brady	Brooks Revel 5 (RTR Review) . Regardless of what type of run (workout, casual, long run, light trail) I choose the Revel for, it performs well. It has led me to appreciate less complex and less dramatic midsoles. Whenever I can't decide what shoe to wear, I pick the Revel and always have an enjoyable run.
Sally Reiley	New Balance Fuel Cell RC Elite 2. I love everything about this shoe, especially the soft ride combo with carbon plate propulsion. If I could take only one pair of running shoes on a trip, this would be my choice, for training runs as well as a race. Versatile, comfortable, ego-boosting, fun, and very cool-looking to boot!
Renee Krusemark	The New Balance FuelCell  Rebel 2 might be my favorite road shoe ever. Period. Dear New Balance, please make a trail version!
Shannon Payne	Tie between the Launch 8 (RTR Review) and Rincon (RTR Review) . Both provide ample cushioning, are responsive, equally forgiving underfoot, have a solid lifespan, are just the right amount of shoe, and provide all of those benefits in a lightweight package.
Bryan Lim	Asics MetaSpeed Sky and Mizuno WaveRider 25 (RTR Review) . Can't put a hair between the two but also not a fair comparison in that they serve two very different purposes. I can imagine only having the two in my rotation and be satisfied that they will cover all my training needs.
Adam Glueck	NB RC Elite 2: All the same reasons as above, and it's purple!
Cheng Chen	Nike ZoomX Invincible (RTR Review)  - the shoe is revolutionary in that it equalizes recovery for those who don't have consistent trail access. Running on roads can now be as easy on the legs as running on trails.
Sam Winebaum	RC Elite 2 (RTR Review)  is  the ideal package of very dynamic yet forgiving cushion and lots of it, an effective but not too aggressive carbon plate and overall geometry. For sure you can also train in it at a variety of paces. It has a durable outsole and is topped off with a great upper that trains as well as it races.

	What is your favorite apparel of 2021 and why?
Beto Hughes	Tracksmith and the latest line up of singlets, like the OTQ Race Singlet. Always looking good and in style.
Peter Stuart	Really enjoying the Tracksmith Strata shorts. They are super lightweight and comfortable in the Texas humidity.
Nils Scharff	The rabbit EZ tank is made of the softest fabric I've ever experienced on a running shirt. It's not a race day singlet, but one for many comfortable training miles. The rabbit FKT shorts 5" are very comfortable as well, additionally pretty light and with lots of storage options. They replace my beloved TNF Better than naked shorts, which are no longer available. I'm all in on Injinji socks. They are comfortable, good looking, high quality. Trail, Run, Ultra - you name the product line - they are all great. I usually wear quarters, but even the no show socks are high enough at the achilles to securely protect against blisters.
Ivan Luca Corda	Nike Trail Crew Socks. Nicely structured and a bit more padding all around for a better hold in those shoes with more of a roomy fit.
Alex Filitti	Craft Pro Hypervent T-shirt (RTR Review). Simple but works well and the quality speaks for itself.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Tracksmith lined Reggie half tight. An absolute no-brainer. It's simply the best half-tight available at the moment.
Jeremy Marie	Just this once, I've been really really reasonable this year for my running equipment and mainly relied on my old stuff. I'm still fond of the Salomon S/Lab modular shorts, the 6". The Craft Hypervent Tees are probably my favorite new piece of kit this year. Elegant design, soft to the skin, effective odour management - which is something I value as I usually let some running tees at work for running during the lunch break, and use them many days (I'm lazy and do not want to bring too much stuff while commuting).
Jeff Beck	I'm still loyal to my TASC Performance bamboo t-shirts. Great for warm runs and also as base layers when things get chilly. Big fan.
Sally Reiley	Vuori Performance Jogger! My go-to WFH outfit, these "sweats" have an easy relaxed yet slim fit and are made of the softest ever "DreamKnit" fabric that feels like a dream and washes like one too. Perfect for post-run time and anytime. As for running? Tracksmith everything, especially the singlets. Love the retro vibe and top quality workmanship of all their gear. Expensive but so worth it!
Renee Krusemark
Shannon Payne	Rabbit. Great fit, quality, materials, and a very Runner-centric company. Vuori is a close second but almost feels too fancy to run in...
Mike Postaski	Gore Ultimate 2-in-1 shorts (RTR Review) - Super comfortable, no chafing, tight but not constricting inner tight. Lots of waistband storage for ultra races, with no bounce.
Bryan Lim	Lululemon Surge 4" Lined. An oldie but a classic that will not go out of date. Ample storage (rear waist pocket, phone pocket in thigh lining, t-shirt strap for summer conditions when you want to run topless!), lightweight and versatile enough for everyday runs, trail runs and even capable of performing on race day. Fractel Clouds Edition Cap. Functional form that meets stunning design. Provides ample visibility in low light conditions. Secure fit.
Adam Glueck	Odlo Reflect 360 Jacket, it's light, comfortable, bright, and fashionable
Cheng Chen	Tracksmith - after reviewing TS gear earlier this year, I'm all in and bought myself more. Their Allston racing tights are phenomal with a giant pocket for gels.
Sam Winebaum	Odlo Chill-Tec T for its all conditions light and no stick feel and roomy fit. Salomon S/Lab Sense 6" shorts (RTR Review) for their super light weight and tons of storage The yet more heavily pocketed and compressive Gore Wear Ultimate (RTR Review) gets close but it's now summer and while super comfortable I prefer lighter. I keep gravitating to Stance and Darn Tough, winter and summer for their fit and durability and on my head in the sum almost every day the Salomon Bob Bucket hat from a few years ago.

	What is your favorite accessory of 2021 and why? (Packs, lights, poles, recovery and injury aids, etc)
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?
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!
Ivan Luca Corda	RunScribe Pods. Comprehensive gait analysis platform. By far the most advanced 'consumer' tool for measuring data relating to running economy.
Alex Filitti	Coros Pace 2. Yeah I know it's a 2020 watch but still. Price, functions, weight...hard to beat!
Joost de Raeymaeker	RunScribe. I've had one in the past and have been testing the Plus this year. While the metrics might be overwhelming, for any data geek, this is going to be a tool that can help analyze shoes, injuries and more.
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.

	What is your favorite Brand of 2021 and why?
Beto Hughes	New Balance, The latest shoes really work for most people and the shoes are effective and really checks all the boxes.
Peter Stuart	For the trail stuff I feel like Hoka is knocking it out of the park. For the road it's gotta be New Balance.
Nils Scharff	ASICS hasn't had any misses in my 2021 so far and with the Metaspeed Sky maybe the best road racing shoe which has been released this year. Additionally they really step up on the sustainability side of things, which I really, really like. Other than that I want to mention Topo Athletic which is a relatively unknown brand over here in Europe and totally deserves time in more spotlight! Both of the shoes I've run from them are pretty great and from what I've read from my fellow reviewers those two models are no exception.
Ivan Luca Corda	Asics. The company has taken a big step in the right direction by focusing on innovation, new materials and a wider range for different type of runners.
Alex Filitti	Asics. The research and innovation behind the MetaSpeed shoes and the scientific approach are great. They raised the bar and that's also nice for competition.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Tracksmith. I love the way they've been supporting independent athletes/coaches through their programs.
Marcel Krebs	too close to call at the moment - Saucony consolidating at a high level; same holds true for Salomon; Puma and Asics with promising comebacks so far
Jeremy Marie	Salomon. I'm usually taxed as a fanboy by some friends of mine, but...hey, they have an extensive line of products, top-notch apparel pieces, top-notch shoes that proves they can shatter their habits to propose tremendous breakthroughs (the Pulsar is miles away from their successful Sense line...).
Jeff Beck	Skechers Performance. The GoRun Ride 9, the Max Road 5, and the Razor Excess are all on the short list for shoe of the year, and that's nothing short of incredible.
Shannon Payne	Rabbit!
Mike Postaski	Patagonia (by default) - just because I wear their Strider shorts for 98% of my runs, as well as their lightweight trail shirts.
Adam Glueck	New Balance, the Fuel Cell foam in the RC elite 2 and Rebel 2 is amazing, and watching track and field I've seen that it seems to be doing great in their new spikes as well.
Cheng Chen	Tracksmith - it's what serious runners wear to seriously show off.
Sam Winebaum	Puma for seemingly out of nowhere launching a full, all new, performance running line with each model excellently executed with state of the art materials and design and at fair pricing. New Balance is close second for its two superb FuelCell powered trainer racers Rebel v2 and RC Elite 2. Honorable mentions: Adidas for completely and finally totally revamping their adizero line, finally.. and Craft best known as an apparel company for delivering 2 state of the art max cushion shoes sitting between road and trail.

	What is your overall Shoe of the Year so far?
Beto Hughes	New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V2 (RTR Review)
Peter Stuart	New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel V2
Nils Scharff	Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review)
Ivan Luca Corda	New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2
Alex Filitti	New Balance RC Elite v2 (RTR Review)
Joost de Raeymaeker	New Balance FuelCell Elite RC 2.
Marcel Krebs	Saucony Triumph 19 (RTR Review)
Jeremy Marie	The Salomon Pulsar (RTR Review) by quite a large margin. It works for almost everything you'd wanted to on the trails (save from very long runs) and can also double as a really effective road-running shoe.
Jeff Beck	Brooks Aurora-BL (RTR Review). Never saw Brooks going so far outside the norm, and they did, and they did it well. That's awesome, and I can't wait to see what else DNA Loft v3 ends up in (please say Glycerin 20...)
Derek Li	New Balance RC Elite 2.
Jacob Brady	Brooks Revel 5 (RTR Review).  I really like it for all run types from workouts to easy days and everything in between. It has shown me the benefits of a simpler construction shoe in the age of complex, high-stack shoes.
Sally Reiley	New Balance FuelCell RC Elite 2
Renee Krusemark	The New Balance FuelCell Rebel 2.
Shannon Payne	Kinvara 12 (RTR Review)
Bryan Lim	Asics MetaSpeed Sky (RTR Review)
Adam Glueck	NB RC Elite 2 it's fast, fun, stable, and gloriously purple
Cheng Chen	As with the year before: Nike Alpha Fly NEXT%
Sam Winebaum	I always have a soft spot for racers in this category  and the RC Elite 2 (RTR Review), real races to come, may supplant my all time favorite racer the OG OG baby blue Vaporfly 4%

	Anything else that really has been fine for you in 2021
Beto Hughes	Evolution of plated shoes since 2020
Peter Stuart	It's been a fun year to get off the road and start getting into trail running for me.
Joost de Raeymaeker	Looking forward to racing again.
Marcel Krebs	Icebug Xperience in Sweden - wonderful landscape and wonderful people!
Jeremy Marie	Well...I'm figuring out (or confirming) that I really love running, riding, training even without any race to prepare for.
Jeff Beck	Injury recovery and big picture overhaul. My Achilles issues apparently stem from muscle imbalances around the hips, adductors/abductors, and how my legs rotate at the hip. So while the pain manifests around my ankles, that really isn't where the problem lies. I think that's incredible, and frustrating, all at once.
Sally Reiley	Challenging year so far with full-time work, Covid restrictions, injury, and no racing... yet. Training for in-person Boston Marathon in October, and hoping to resume the USATF Master racing circuit with Greater Lowell Road Runners soon. Too much same old same old daily running with no variety of routes, totally my fault, but limited hours in the day until now. Grounded from running recently with a tendonitis injury, I rediscovered a love of cycling!
Shannon Payne	LMNT hydration, Rabbit apparel, my favorite running hill in the American River Canyon: K2, my favorite strava cycling segment in NorCal: Yankee Jim’s Road.
Adam Glueck	mRNA vaccines are pretty epic
Cheng Chen	- New Half PB: 1:21 - New 5k PB: 18:25 - Launch of Oakland County Track Club (OCTC) - OCTC: countless team podiums including all-podium positions at local 5k's and 2nd place at regional Greater Oakland Relay invitational race.
Sam Winebaum	Seconding Adam mRNA!, masks off, life resumed although running never paused it was key to getting through the last year plus. It was great to get back to Park City for the first time since Sept 2020 in June. My months-long sea level hip and hamstring issues went away in 3 days as I hit the smooth rolling trails. The roads and trails there, were as always, amazing! Participating in my first Ragnar, the Trail Colorado was super fun with not only of course the running but the teamwork, camaraderie and the New Holland beer!

Reviewer full bios are here as the team represents a wide range of paces, ages, and run focus. 

Best of Trail follows shortly. 

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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