Soon enough, we got enough of a thaw to take them out to the trail and gravel. I run 1.5 mile of concrete to get to my trails, and the Minimus just didn’t feel right on the road. It wasn’t one solid thing I could put my finger on, but they just aren’t suited to [...]
Whether you believe that Barefoot running is bunk or not, it appears that many of the major manufacturers believe that it is here to stay. The “less is more” philosophy has been coming on strong for quite some time now, and Merrell is one of several companies to embrace the trend by putting out several [...]
Continuing to deepen its roots in the trail running scene, La Sportiva continues its efforts with the Mountain Cup trail running series. I recently ran the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase on August 7th, 2010, a 16 mile trail race in Park City, UT. The race started out with about a 1/2 mile fire road to allow runners [...]
You may be wondering why in the heck a girl is reviewing men’s running shorts. Fair enough. Don’t worry, I have not forsaken by beloved running skirts in exchange for men’s shorts, but I have participated in the successful conclusion of my husband’s quest to find the ultimate running shorts—and I had to share so as [...]
If you are an old-school, purist runner who thinks minimalist track shorts are the only proper running attire, well…I disagree. I love running skirts. They are comfortable, feminine yet functional and look great on most body types. One of the many reasons I despised gym class was the unisex, elastic-waistband, puffy shorts that managed to [...]
If you’re even considering an ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) watch, you have something slightly wrong with you. By that I mean you really, really love pain too much. Something inside you not only wants to suffer through gut bending outdoor adventures, but wants to know how best to repeat and quantify said adventure; here at [...]
The guys at ActiveGearReview tested out the CTR Cruise by Merrell earlier this season. Now it’s time for a female take on the women’s version of the trail runner. The first time I put the Cruise on I thought, “Wow, this is a comfortable yet burly shoe!” After wearing the Cruise on a not so [...]
Sometimes you run across a piece of gear that you can’t stop talking about to your friends and anyone else that will listen (gear shop junkies included). We’ve been testing the OR Rumor Hoody for the past couple of months and are happy to report back that it might be simple in concept, but it’s a piece [...]
Here at Active Gear Review, we typically test out trail running shoes or road running shoes. The outdoor industry has begun to produce shoes to meet the needs of runners that want a hybrid shoe, a trainer that can be worn comfortably on road and trail. In 2009, Salomon released the XT Whisper, a women’s [...]
Spring weather calls for frequent layer changes to adapt to the ever-changing weather conditions. The Tiana Fleece by Salomon, helps make the transitional weather more tolerable thanks to actiTHERM technology. actiTherm allows for a warm technical layer without the bulk of a typical midlayer. The Tiana doesn’t weigh you down like a heavyweight fleece, rather, [...]
Trail running can be a fun alternative to road running, but having the right kicks can make or break your day. We’ve been running in the Columbia Ravenous trail running shoes on the rocky, rutty, muddy, slushy, uneven trails in and around Colorado. While we are used to the usual suspects in the trail running [...]
With the 876, New Balance continues to improve upon their already award winning line of versatile trail shoes. Supportive yet not bulky, the MT876 is the go to shoe for those looking for a great mix of speed, durability, and support. Definitely not a stability shoe by any stretch, the 876 seeks to provide just [...]
Running in the Pearl Izumi’s syncroFuel XC this winter, in preparation for the spring shoe review, was a real treat. The syncroFuel XC is a women’s specific trail shoe that is perfect for training runs and race day performance. The syncroFuel XC, which is new this year, weighs a mere 9.6 ounces (for size 8 [...]
We tested Thorlo’s Experia socks with CoolMax last year and we were excited to try out Thorlo’s latest addition, the Experia with merino and silk, which will be released next month. The Experia is a line of thin padding socks that are geared towards athletes that want light padding in the high pressure areas, but [...]
Pearl Izumi has an exciting 2010 planned. This spring, they will release the new Fuel line which will feature a road-focused shoe and the syncroFuel XC shown here, which will be trail-specific. The Fuel line is Pearl Izumi’s entrant into the performance stability category. Think of it as their answer to this category’s Goliath, the [...]
Supreme traction! This trail training/racing shoe from Salomon is made for your winter runs that probably should just wait until springtime. The Winter Contagrip outsole features spike-like lugs formed of a special compound meant to maximize traction on wet and slippery winter terrain, and they deliver in that department. At just 11 ounces, these shoes [...]
The Brooks Wanganui Softshell is the perfect jacket for cold weather running this season. The Wanganui is waterproof and windproof, sure to keep you sheltered from the elements and keep you dry and warm on the run. This jacket has a waffle like inner liner that is soft against the skin and adds warmth for [...]
If you are looking for a sports bra that provides support, comfort and modesty the Alexis Bra is a perfect fit. The Alexis was designed for smaller proportioned women that combines a supportive feel, breathable molded cups and ample moisture-wiking material ready for any physical challenge. The cup lining made of 80% nylon and 20% [...]
The Marmot Tempo Jacket utilizes Marmot’s M3 Softshell technology to produce a highly breathable, stretchy, water-resistant, and a lightweight barrier to the elements. The M3 softshell technology is Marmot’s lightest and most breathable softshell, making the Tempo jacket perfect for high intensity exercises, such as running. The Tempo jacket weighs a mere 15 ounces and [...]
The Brooks HVAC Long Sleeve Seamless is an essential piece to add to your fall and winter running wardrobe. Brooks utilized HVAC technology for this top, which responds to changes in your body temperature and provides complete thermoregulation. The HVAC LS also utilizes a seamless design to prevent chaffing and X-static silver fibers throughout the [...]
The Brooks Motion Vest has been updated for the 2009 Fall/Winter season. The Motion Vest remains semi-fitted, but now has a wider waistband and ribbed neck, while providing the same warmth and comfort of last years model. The Motion vest is the perfect layer for a cooler weather because it keeps your core warm and [...]
Columbia’s Mountain Tech Half Zip is made to be functional and quick drying for the ultimate in comfort and performance. The Mountain Tech Half Zip is a high-performance pullover that offers great moisture management and breathability. The Mountain Tech Half Zip uses Omni-Dry technology, which quickly wicks up moisture into the fabric and away from [...]
Columbia’s women’s Sweet Revolution Full Zip is an excellent example of where Columbia is heading with their new products. Columbia has incorporated Omni-Dry and Omni-Shade technology into this product. Omni-Dry is a moisture transferring technology that moves and disperses sweat away from the body for quick evaporation, keeping you dry during your workout. Omni-Shade is [...]
