We at ActiveGearReview like to think we’re among the heartiest of souls, but c’mon now, even we have gotten up on Saturday or Sunday, facing a 20-miler in the snow or ice-cold temps, and thought about just going back to bed. The only way to battle those wussy tendencies is with first-rate, cold-weather running gear. [...]
If you run in any sort of adverse or variable conditions, the Brooks Adrenaline GTX has got you covered. (If you are familiar with Brooks models, this shoe is basically the GORE-TEX® version of the Adrenaline ASR 8.) For me, Brooks’ claims that this shoe is for “ultimate protection from elements on and off the trail” [...]
You can tread on the trail like a Shaolin priest – (original Kung Fu TV? Anyone?) – whisper like a puma, but you can’t help drawing attention to yourself dressed in INKnBURN. If you have a take-no-prisoners approach to running, then INKnBURN is your apparel soul-mate. I was able to log some good mileage in [...]
I’ve been running in Salomon shoes on and off for many years. I typically find their regular trail shoes a little too firm for my running style, so I rotate with other brands for summer trail activities. However, winter in Colorado offers some great running in snow conditions. The downside, though, can be ice! [...]
When you hear the words ‘silver bullet’, do you think of vampire-slaying? Maybe thoughts of a light ‘beer’ that tastes only vaguely like beer? Brooks wants you to start thinking lightweight warmth when you hear those words, and putting their questionable naming aside, Brooks has a winner in the new Silver Bullet Jacket. The Silver [...]
For the trail runner that is looking for a plush ride on the trails while being able to stick to the trail surface, the La Sportiva Quantum is a must see. When I first received this shoe to test, I was very skeptical about the outsole and whether it would hold to the trail. It [...]
A water bottle is a water bottle. Right? Think the only differentiators are capacity and nozzle-type? Well, that certainly used to be the case. Product Architects decided they could improve your workout experience if they could preserve the cold temperature of your hydration. Meet the Polar Bottle. Much like a thermal cannister, a Polar [...]
Deciding what to wear when running on cool or cold-weather days is a challenge. Some garments might protect well from the cold and wind, but will not allow sufficient ventilation where you need it. The Brooks Infiniti Hybrid Wind Shirt is very well thought-out and well-constructed. Its namesake feature is a combination of a thicker, [...]
Just so that I don’t have to write this long title every time, let’s start with the name. Newton Running has chosen Latin names for their models (as would be appropriate for a company founded upon the principals of Sir Isaac), and refers to the shoes also in the English translation. The Newton Terra Momentus, [...]
I felt fortunate to be able to test a pair of LOWA S-Cruise GTX women’s trail shoes. Upon first removing the shoes from the box my initial thought was, “whoa, these are kind of heavy for a trail runner.” I wondered if they just felt heavy compared to my street shoes. I even asked my [...]
Over the last year, I have been noticing a new apparel personality on the trail scene. Much like Serena Williams shook up the conservative tennis apparel realm, INKnBURN is showing us that running apparel need not be limited to a logoed solid. And every time I have seen a hip set of duds in [...]
The Brooks EZ T is like that favorite old threadbare race T you have that’s worn out just right and super soft. Your significant other has tried to throw it out several times, but it’s so comfy you can’t bear to chuck it! The EZ T is made of a super soft, stretchy material with [...]
The new Double-Track trail shoe from The North Face could be the answer for those who liked the TNF Single-Track for neutral runners, but need a bit of pronation control. The Double-Track is intended to be a well-cushioned, versatile trainer that can smoothly transition from the road to the trail, and handle any aggressive terrain [...]
What’s coming down the pipeline? Julbo, that’s what. Sunglasses are difficult to test - more suited to individual tastes than just about anything we review, it’s hard to take an objective look at them. Just about anyone can look good in a running jacket or in a pair of boots (okay, not anyone – you know what I [...]
The Aero Square short – a performance piece for the rest of us. Lots of running companies out there make shorts in two categories – lightweight racing shorts, and baggy jogging shorts. Typically, the lightweight racing ones are split shorts with a small inseam and lots of tech. They’re cool, but if chafing’s a problem [...]
Make puma tracks – on the trail. Puma’s long been known for everything sports related – indeed, their slogan this year is to live the “sportslifestyle”. That’s all one word on purpose. It was only a matter of time, therefore, until Puma decided they needed to take their show on the road… or trail, rather. [...]
Run Happy – sans cold arms. I know I’m always happier when my arms aren’t cold. What I didn’t believe, however, is that these would do the trick. I’ll be the first to admit that I had previously thought that arm warmers were about the most gimmicky piece of gear you could buy. I’ve [...]
Puma’s Faas line of running shoes have made an impact on the running shoe industry for their style and have surprised some with solid performance, especially for those buying into minimal and natural running shoes. The Faas 400 is a new lightweight performance trainer with a great fitting, socklike upper and a flexible, lightweight midsole [...]
While running shoes get all the publicity because runners go through so many pairs a year, running shorts sometimes get overlooked. Being a long time runner, I have gone through my fair share of running shorts among other things. One thing I know is that when I find a pair of running shorts that I [...]
Get outside in the Sonic Glove. So let’s face it. The latest craze is barefoot running. Love it or hate it, it’s the “in” thing right now, and companies all over the globe are scrambling to put out shoes that fit the bill. Merrell is not one of those companies. Read that again – [...]
As the minimalist and barefoot movement look to stay for the time being, it was only time until Brooks came out with a shoe to meet the needs of the minimalist runner. The Brooks Pure Connect is the lightest shoe in the Brooks Pure Project line, Brooks’ minimalist line. When the barefoot and minimalist movement [...]
If running is your thing and you don’t want the colder wet weather distracting you from your running workouts, the North Face Better Than Naked Jacket is an excellent option to keep you off the treadmill and outside running. I’ve been testing this jacket in the mountains of Colorado to see how it holds up [...]
Biom – dare to be looked at. But don’t fall over. Ecco. Not the first name that comes to mind when the words “running company” are uttered. Yet any time a company puts a running shoe on the market for $195.00, you have to believe that they are attempting to make a play at becoming [...]
