Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 Multi Tester Review: 5 Comparisons

Article by Peter Stuart and Sally Reiley 

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 ($170)

Introduction:

Peter: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is, as you might have guessed, the 5th iteration of the Endorphin Speed. The original Endorphin Speed came out in 2020. It was about 0. 6 oz lighter and 10 bucks cheaper. 

The drop stays consistent at 8mm and the stack height has increased very slightly from 35.5/27.5 to 36/28

The Speed 5 is still rocking PowerRun PB as the foam and still sports a winged nylon plate. The upper is a brand new engineered mesh and there is more rubber on the heel of the shoe along with some other changes on the outsole including a longitudinal groove that’s meant to enhance flexibility. 

Overall the Endorphin Speed hasn’t changed that much over the years, but with this version the upper becomes more breathable and the ride seems to stay pretty consistent with earlier versions. 

Compressport Ultrun Evo 10 Pack Review

 Article by Jeremy Marie

Compressport Ultrun Evo 10 Pack Review (180€/$190)

Introduction

Jeremy: The Ultrun Evo 10 Pack is the latest Iteration of Compressport's most versatile hydration pack.

With a 10 capacity, it aims to cover almost every trail distance, from a short and fast 30km up to 100 miles ultra, as long as you carefully choose your equipment with this volume usually offered by many brands.

Topo Athletic Aura Review: 2 Comparisons

Article by Nico Wagner

Topo Athletic Aura ($170//180 €)

Introduction

With the Aura, Topo Athletics presents a new stability shoe with maximum cushioning. The anatomical toe box, in particular a Topo trademark, promises more space in the forefoot area compared to other stability shoes. Will the shoe deliver what Topo confidently announces - "Meet the stability shoe you've been waiting for"?

Testbericht: Topo Athletic Aura - 2 Vergleiche (German)

Article by Nico Wagner

Topo Athletic Aura (180 Euro)

Einleitung

Mit dem Aura präsentiert Topo Athletics einen neuen, maximal gedämpften Stabilitätsschuh. Besonders die anatomische Zehenbox, ein Markenzeichen von Topo, verspricht im Vergleich zu anderen Stabilitätsschuhen mehr Platz im Vorfußbereich. Ob der Schuh hält, was Topo selbstbewusst ankündigt - "Meet the stability shoe you’ve been waiting for"?

Tifosi Optics Sanctum XL Sports Sunglasses Review

Article by Sam Winebaum

Tifosi Optics Sanctum XL ($39.95)

I admit to being somewhat of a sunglasses "snob" preferring large frame photochromic shades from the likes of Julbo and Smith. Why large and photochromic? I often run in changing light conditions at day's end and.. I wear my shades over prescription eyeglasses. 

The Sanctum XL sure fits the bill with its very large frame and fits perfectly over my eyeglasses with no slip or bounce but how would shades costing 6x less than my usual perform and hold up? The answer is very well!

Redshift Sports Shockstop Pro Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and Top Shelf Low Flare Handlebar Reviews

Article by Jeff Vallliere

Redshift Sports Shockstop Pro Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and Top Shelf Handlebar

Introduction:  

Founded in 2013 by a team of mechanical engineers who are also avid cyclists, Redshift Sports aims to create new and innovative products that help to improve the ride comfort and versatility for all types of cycling, from road to gravel, mountain, tri, e-bike and urban. In the article I test the Redshift Sports Shockstop Pro Suspension Seatpost and Stem, and Top Shelf Low Flare Handlebar. 

Reseña: Nike Vaporfly 4 Completa (Spanish)

Artículo de Beto Hughes

Nike Vaporfly Next% 4 ($260 USD)

El Vaporfly más ligero hasta el momento Y con mayor sensación de suelo!!!

Pros:

• Excelente retorno de energia.

• Más sensación de suelo.

• Extremadamente ligero.

• Ajuste más seguro.

• Transición más rápida y más natural.

• Mayor control en ritmos suaves o más moderados.

Cons:

• Menos agresivo que las versiones anteriores.

• Un poco relajado en la talonera, podría ser más seguro.

• Arco muy delgado lo cual puede ser inestable para algunos corredores.

• 5mm menos de mediasuela lo cual puede hacer que la placa se sienta más en distancias largas.

Testbericht: Topo Ultraventure 4-5 Vergleiche

Artikel von Markus Zinkl, Nico Wagner

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 (170,00 €)

Einleitung

Na, bereit für den nächsten Trail? Wir haben uns den Topo Ultraventure 4 mal genauer angeschaut und auf Herz und Nieren – oder besser gesagt, auf Sohle und Mesh – geprüft. Hier kommt unser Eindruck!

Pro & Contra

Pro:

• breite Zehenbox / gute Passform

• komfortables und atmungsaktives Obermaterial

• zuverlässige und komfortable Dämpfung

• Stabilität

Contra:

• wenig dynamisch

• Außensohle nicht geeignet für technisches Gelände

Hoka Mafate X Multi Tester Review: Attention Grabbing! Needle Moving? 6 Comparisons

Article by Reed Breuer and Mike Postaski 

Hoka Mafate X ($225)

Introduction

PEBA foam layer. supercritical EVA outer carrier foam, forked carbon-fibre plate. Vibram MegaGrip, giant 49mm heel / 41mm forefoot stack height and broad platform, and  Mafate lineage. These are all ingredients with great promise, but did Hoka get the recipe right? 

Test des Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail (French)

Article par Jérémy Marie

Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail ( €230)

Introduction

Si Puma est parvenu à se faire une place parmi les meilleures chaussures de route, il lui manquait une gamme trail à l’avenant.

Et la marque attaque directement par le haut de gamme avec cette Deviate NITRO Elite Trail, une “supershoe” de trail avec la mousse supercritique Nitro Elite déjà appréciée sur route, une plaque carbone, une tige moderne et légère, le tout promettant de la performance sur les trails de moyenne à longue distance. Ajoutons à cela l’utilisation de la gomme PumaGrip ATR sur la semelle et des crampons polyvalents, et nous avons là une des trails les plus prometteuses de l’année.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Review

Article by Matt Kolat 

Montbell - Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka (£480 €560)

Introduction

Montbell is a legendary outdoor brand hailing from Japan, established in 1975. They are most famous, at least in my mind, because of their ultralight down products, which you will see later on in the review are as light as they possibly can get. Their design philosophy is ‘Light and Fast’ gear which can be used in unpredictable conditions which Japan is famous for. Coincidentally, I live in Scotland which is famous for being just as unpredictable - 4 seasons in one day are nothing out of the originary. 

Please keep an eye on Montbell’s UK Instagram accounts @montbell_uk - they are just about to launch a UK based online store as well as in the near future open a brick and mortar store in Keswick! For those of us living outside the UK, Keswick is one of the main towns in the English Lake District, well worth a visit not just to scoop some excellent Montbell gear!

Please join me in the review of one of Montbell’s flagship down jackets - the Plasma 1000 which has been provided by our friends from Wisdom and Effort Distribution. 

Brad & Bob Q2 Mini Pro Massage Gun: Just the right punch in a pocket-sized package

Article by Michael Ellenberger 

Brad & Bob Q2 Mini Pro Massage Gun  ($89.99)

As runners, it goes without saying that we are constantly battling tight muscles and nagging issues that threaten to derail our training (just check my running log on any given day). When Brad & Bob sent me their Q2 Mini Pro massage gun to test, I was admittedly skeptical - I’ve tested a lot of massage guns, and usually, the size of the device dictates its effectiveness to a high degree. 

This thing is, well, mini! Could something this compact really make a difference? After several weeks of use, despite never having heard of this brand, I'm genuinely impressed.

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 Multi Tester Review: 4 Comparisons

 Article by Markus Zinkl and Nils Scharff

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 (180,00 €)

Introduction 

Today we're talking about a shoe that looks pretty impressive on paper: the fourth edition of the Asics Trabuco Max. Thick sole, maximum comfort - that's what Asics promises. My colleague Nils and I strapped the shoe to our feet to find out what's what. We will share our thoughts and experiences with you here. Here is my first detailed impression after a few kilometers on the trails at home.

Testbericht: ASICS Trabuco Max 4: 4 Vergleiche (German)

Artikel von Markus Zinkl, Nils Scharff

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 (180,00 €)

Einleitung

Heute geht's um einen Schuh, der auf dem Papier schon mal ordentlich was hermacht: den Asics Trabuco Max in seiner vierten Auflage. Dicke Sohle, maximaler Komfort – das verspricht Asics. Mein Kollege Nils und ich haben uns den Schuh an die Füße geschnallt, um herauszufinden, was dran ist. Wir werden hier unsere gemeinsamen Gedanken und Erfahrungen mit euch teilen. Hier kommt mein erster ausführlicher Eindruck nach einigen Kilometern auf den heimischen Trails.

Saucony Triumph 23 Review: Soft and Fun to Run, Done Right! 5 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum 

Saucony Triumph 23 ($160)

Introduction

The Triumph is Saucony’s more easy going, plush and softer traditional geometry daily road trainer. 

For its 23d edition, the most significant change is a big drop in weight of 1.32 oz / 38g in my US8.5 to 9.3 oz / 263g which puts it squarely at a weight I find suitable for a daily trainer. 

The 37mm heel, 27mm forefoot and 10mm drop does not change; I think a good thing given the soft and energetic PWRRUN Pb foam that continues from the 22 in a new softer, lighter and more energetic blend of EVA and PEBA in supercritical expanded pellets form.

The outsole gets more strategic rubber coverage, most notably less mid foot coverage, also a good thing as the 23 is nicely flexible with the new outsole also contributing to the weight drop.

The upper is a relatively simple, quite dense engineered mesh that provides very solid support throughout.

Light(er) weight, energetic ride, and solid upper lead to a fun bouncy yet at the same time supportive riding trainer. Let's get into the details!