Artikel von Maren Müller und Ingrid Zasa
Puma Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (229,98€)
Sunday, September 07, 2025
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Hoka Rocket X Trail Multi Tester Review: Hugely Fast, Fun and Light! 9 Comparisons
Article by Jen Schmidt, Sam Winebaum, Jeff Valliere, Adam Glueck, and Dom Layfield
Hoka Rocket X Trail ($250)
Thursday, September 04, 2025
Inselberg Gauss Jacket Review
Article by Matt Kolat
Inselberg Gauss Jacket - £170
Introduction.
Inselberg is a New Zealand based brand focused on making outdoor clothing that is equally functional as stylish. It strikes me as a brand aimed at younger audiences, only because the majority of their clothes are black/grey/beige. That said however, the owner, Jarlath assures me that once a year they do release clothes in more traditional, more “garish” colours, beloved by New Zealand’s Mountain Rescue and yours truly. My previous experience with Inselberg was very positive, please find Sam’s and mine multi-piece review here:
Fit.
My experience with Inselberg is that they offer two types of fit. I’ve previously reviewed their Infima jacket, which has a spacious fit, very similar to Patagonia. I’ve gotten a size Large and it fits me well but was on the looser end - but this can be beneficial when it comes to layering. The Gauss fits a half size smaller, closer to the way Montane products fit me.
What I liked.
What I liked about the jacket the most are the hand warmer pockets. They are located slightly higher than in a casual jacket which stops them from colliding with the hip belt of your pack.
The jacket is very breathable and water resistant (not water proof), the sleeves are precurved which stops the jacket from riding up. That prevents the jacket from riding up when raising arms, for instance when scrambling.
The fabrics used are very stretchy. I’ve used the Gauss as an outer layer with only a t-shirt on, during milder weather and also as a mid layer, under a hardshell on a windy and rainy hike. I was particularly impressed in the second scenario with how breathable the Gauss was and how easily it wicks my sweat.
What I did not like.
Honestly as usual, Inselberg prepared a top notch product. At a very strong push I could probably say that the jacket is pretty low on features. But given that this is a thin, late spring / summer / early autumn piece of kit one would not expect lots of bells and whistles.
The price of the jacket is on the higher end of the spectrum, at £170 it is firmly at the top of the spectrum in its category, but that’s a subjective matter dependant on individual circumstances.
Available now
Tester Profile
Maciej 'Matt' Kolat- 38 years old, hailing from Poland but pounding Scottish pavements and trails since 2007. Mainly runs shorter distances on pavement 5-10 km and reserves longer runs for beautiful Scottish Glens. Matt’s opinion sometimes may differ from other RTR testers as he is the slowest of the bunch (5k at 25:38). Matt also uses running as a way to stay healthy having shed 100 lbs so far (and counting).
Thanks for reading our review!
Shopping at our partners below is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have 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'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below! Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes
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BioLite Range 500 Headlamp Review
Article by John Tribbia
BioLite Range 500 Headlamp ($69.95)
As an avid early morning trail runner, a reliable
headlamp is crucial, and I've experienced how innovative design can
significantly improve essential gear. The BioLite Range 500 stands out in a crowded market by addressing common
issues such as slow charging and inconsistent power. Its remarkably compact
size and ultralight design are the highlights among other high quality
features.
Design
The Range 500 has a minimalist and what BioLite coins
as a bounce-free 3D SlimFit Construction. The head unit is a sleek 9mm
thick and is integrated directly into the moisture-wicking headband, making it
feel more like a piece of apparel than a piece of hardware. The entire unit
weighs only 2.6 oz (75 g), which I appreciate when I am an hour into a run.
Operating the headlamp is straightforward with its
two-button interface, allowing for quick mode changes. It also features a
useful lock mode to prevent accidental activation in your vest or bag. The IP67
waterproof rating means this headlamp is built to endure submersion, so rain or
a fall into a puddle isn’t an issue.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The slim profile and integrated battery pack create a
stable fit that stays put during high-intensity activities. I’ve worn it for my
typical 60-90 minute morning runs and have even taken it on longer 2+ hour
trail adventures without any discomfort or need for readjustment. It actually
feels more like a running headband than headlamp.
My main area for improvement would be to include a
removable top strap. Although the current design offers reasonable stability
for running and is marketed as “no-bounce”, a top strap would greatly enhance
security, especially during downhill running sections where extended periods of
looking down and faster paces can lead to excessive bouncing.
Light Output
With a peak output of 500 lumens and a beam distance
of 100 meters, the Range 500 provides ample light for navigating technical
terrain. The dimmable modes are a key feature, allowing for precise control
over brightness and battery consumption. The headlamp has a versatile range of
modes, including a white spot, white flood, and white strobe, as well as red
flood and red strobe options for preserving night vision.
The ability to switch between a focused beam for
spotting trail markers and a wide flood for peripheral vision is invaluable.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery life and charging speed are the Range 500’s most compelling features. The 1,634 mAh battery gives up to 6 hours of burn time on high and an impressive 200 hours on low.
But the real game-changer is the rapid-charging
technology. An 8-minute charge provides a full hour of light at full
brightness, which is a feature that has saved me when I've forgotten to charge
the headlamp overnight. A full recharge takes only 80 minutes via a USB-C
connection.
Summary
The BioLite Range 500 stands out as a high-quality headlamp, living up to its promise of being a lightweight and comfortable lighting solution. Its no-bounce design and rapid-charging feature make it an ideal choice for trail runners, hikers, and campers who prioritize reliability and convenience. While not the most powerful option available, its balanced features establish it as a dependable and essential piece of gear, securing its spot in my morning running gear.
Comparisons
Moonlight Mountain Gear Bright as Day 800
While the Bright as Day 800 offers a more powerful
800-lumen output, it comes at a significant cost in weight (248g vs. 75g) and
price ($199 vs. $69.95). The Moonlight is built like a tank with its aluminum
construction and is designed for the most extreme conditions. However, for most
users, the BioLite Range 500’s lighter weight, bounce-free comfort, and
convenient rapid-charging make it the more practical choice for daily use.
Available
now
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
Thanks for reading our review!
Shopping at our partners below is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have 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'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below! Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes
RUNNING WAREHOUSE US
EUROPE Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
AUSTRALIA Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
FLEET FEET
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
BACKCOUNTRY
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
ROADRUNNERSPORTS
Men's and Women's SHOP HERE
TOP4RUNNING EUROPE
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Use RTR code RTRTOP4 for 5% off all products, even sale products
SPORTSSHOES.COM UK/EU
Use our code RTR235 for 5% off all products
MARATHON SPORTS BOSTON
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
RoadTrailRun Official Store Custom Fractel Caps and Bucket Hats
Cap:$35 Bucket:$39
Free US Economy Shipping!
Limited Release! SHOP HERE
Please Like and Follow RoadTrailRun
WATCH OUR YOUTUBE REVIEWS ON THE ROADTRAILRUN CHANNEL
Find all RoadTrailRun reviews at our index page HERE
Google "roadtrailrun Shoe Name" and you can be quite sure to find just about any run shoe and all kinds of run and hike gear over the last 10 plus years
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