Atreyu is a homegrown, modest operation out of Texas that continues to earn its place alongside the heavyweights of the running industry. Their commitment to simple construction and design, in a world loaded with complex makes and models, is refreshing and has been well-received since the company’s launch a few years ago.
Their shoes look and feel different: clean, light, easygoing. While initially offering just their “base model,” their catalog has expanded into racing with a very respectable carbon-plated shoe called the Race Model and a fun and upbeat trail shoe called the Base Trail. I’ve run in everything they’ve put out so far and have loved all of it. They feel like the anti-Nike, anti-Adidas and are just fun to run in. Let’s see what their newest offering, the Daily Trainer 1.2, is all about. (Ben)
Pros: light, energetic, simple, price point (Ben)
Cons: likely not ample enough for marathon training, minimal support (Ben)
Most comparable shoes
Atreyu Base Model
Tracksmith Elliot Runner
On Cloudsurfer
Stats
Sample Weight: men's 9.3 oz / g (US9)
Stack Height: men’s 30 mm heel / 24 mm forefoot ( drop spec)
Der New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V8 ist ein vielseitiger Trailschuh, der nicht nur auf unwegsamem Gelände, sondern auch auf festem Untergrund eine gute Figur macht. In diesem Testbericht werde ich dir einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Eigenschaften des Hierro V8 geben. Der Hierro V8 ist eine überarbeitete Version des beliebten New Balance-Modells. Ursprünglich als geländegängige Trailschuhvariante des Straßenmodells 1080 konzipiert, vereint er die besten Eigenschaften beider Welten. Mit einer neuen Vibram Außensohle, einem komfortablen Obermaterial und nachhaltigen Materialien ist der Hierro V8 ein echter Allrounder. In diesem Testbericht werden wir uns genauer mit diesen Aspekten befassen und herausfinden, wie sich der New Balance Hierro V8 in der Praxis schlägt.
Strengths: Most versatile with a wide range of temperatures performance even as a “summer” weight fabric.
The Aero incorporates 37.5 tech which is truly temperature regulating. This natural minerals derived treatment not only absorbs and disperses your IR energy to cool but the billions of pores in its particles create more surface area for evaporation. In my testing I could clear feel both the well regulated temperatures and moisture evaporation. It also incorporates Ionic+ Botanical treatment to prevent microbe build up and thus odors.
The feel is easy on the skin with a touch of stand off fabric texture to prevent sticking
While clearly a summer tee, I have also worn it as a base layer in winter with no clammy cold feel when wet due to its slightly textured fabric and the 37.5 tech which I think may also make it more abrasion resistant than many performance tees.
The fit is generous without being sloppy fitting. I am true to my usual medium with my height 5’ 9” and weight 164 lbs.
Best Uses: Variable conditions from heat to cool, trail and road running
Strengths: lightest and airiest fabric, most reflective elements
This is the lightest and airiest option of the three. While I have not had the opportunity to run in high heat I am sure it will perform very well. The Contest has a very light knit construction
The fit is true to my usual medium size and is more generous than customary for Gorewear due to the extra light fabric.
The neck is bonded instead of stitched to reduce potential irritation.
There are reflective black out highlights and logos front and back for safety and some visual contrast.
The Contest is available as T, singlet, and long sleeve for both men and women.
Best Uses: road running, extreme heat where a loose, airy and non cling fit is essential,
I have been a big fan of the long sleeve Brighton which this past winter ended up as my favorite winter base layer for innumerable runs and nordic skis.
Very cool: no labels
The short sleeve version has the same 52% Wool, 28% Nylon, 20% Polyester blend, same seamless construction with the same fabric weight of 16.5 Micron, 145 gsm, so is moderately thin. It is made in the EU. After many many cold water washes of the long sleeve version I see no wear and no shrinkage and I expect the same here.
The fabric texture is somewhat “furry” which provides insulating and cooling/evaporative distance from the skin.
It also has ventilating holes in the stretch knit in a Tracksmith sash across the chest and at the upper back.
I have never had a clammy cold feel when a breeze hits the shirt even with no outer layer. While not as thin and airy as the others here, it handles warmer temperatures well enough and is the best option for variable cool windy conditions during your runs or hikes. The Merino content helps makes the Brighton odor resistant.
Called out as a “base layer” the fit is stretchy and the snuggest of the three here. I am true to my usual medium with my height 5’ 9” and weight 164 lbs.
Of note, are the longer arms than typical for a tee and are snug yet comfortable.
Many will choose to wear as intended as a base layer under a shell or other layer but it certainly can be worn as is. I often have worn it in the mid to lower 40”s F after warming up and taking my jacket off. I makes an excellent base layer under the Tracksmith Downpour jacket (Review soon) I am now testing, staying dry and comfortable even in somewhat warmer temperatures just under 50F in the rain..
Best Uses: running in cooler temperatures, as a base layer under a shell or other layers, hiking and travel.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 66 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. 2023 was Sam’s 51th year of running. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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I need to reveal my biases early here, and note that the previous versions of the Atreyu Base Model (version 1 and version 2) stand amongst my favorite trainers ever. In some form of dramatic irony, it is in the age that features plated, massive-stack, next-generation trainers that some of the cheapest, most stripped-down models stand out.
But seriously, I love the concept of the Base Trainer (carried over here to v3): a truly no-frills, simplified daily trainer. The outsole is the midsole. The upper is (nearly) free of any overlays or design. There’s no heel counter, no variable-density foams, definitely no plate. It comes (at time of writing, anyway) in black, or white.
Atreyu has made some changes to the new version here - the most noticeable (and most significant) is the upper, which bears a striking resemblance to that on the Daily Trainer (which also received a 1.2 update - I wish more brands followed suit), but lacks the rear heel counter (Achilles tendons, rejoice!). Add a tweaked tongue to improve fit, and a sneaky improvement - an improved sock liner - and you’ve got enough upgrades to warrant the v3 moniker.
In my v2 review, I wrote that “I don’t necessarily know that runners who were diametrically opposed to last year’s model will be swayed here, either.” While that sentiment remains true - v3 is more like v2 (and like v1) than it is different, this is the most widely-palatable of the three yet - and at $90, a shoe that I’d argue most runners should own.
The Sambob.biz Octa Hoodie is a product of a journey that began in 2021 in Logan, Utah. What started as a Covid hobby for Sam Roberts, a wildlife biologist and passionate backpacker, quickly turned into a thriving business.
Sam, who spent a significant amount of his work and leisure time outdoors, was always on the hunt for the ideal mid-layer. This led him to learn sewing in late 2020, and he immediately began crafting fleece tops. As his creations started to gain traction, first among friends and family, and then among strangers on Instagram, Sam decided to share his unique designs and comfortable layers with a wider audience. Thus, the Sambob brand was born.
I recently had the pleasure of trying out one of Sam’s creations, the Sambob.biz Octa Hoodie. This ultralight midlayer fleece hoodie uses the innovative Teijin Octa fabric, which is the main competitor right now the wildly popular Polartec Alpha fabric.
Durston Gear updated their vastly popular X-Mid 1 Pro tent for 2024. The Pro version was already an ultralight version of the normal X-Mid 1. Especially the now available DCF Floor version is now eveon more ultralight. So happy days for the ultralight hiking and fastpacking crowd. The 2024 X-Mid Pro 1 is now available in two versions. One with a 15D Sil/PEU nylon floor and one with a custom DCF floor. In this review I will compare the 2023 version with the 15D Sil/PEU nylon floor with the new 2024 DCF floor version. I used the 2023 version in most of my trips last year, including my thruhike of the Via Alpina in Switzerland. Both versions are still very similar, so for the detailed review of the 2023 tent see ithere. You can find a full list of the changes below. Afterwards, we will get more into the details. The question is, do the changes improve the X-Mid 1 Pro or not? Let’s find out.