The Suunto T6d is described by the manufacturer as a ‘sports laboratory on your wrist’ and it’s an apt description for a watch that is compatible with a variety of … Read more

After reviewing the Cita Bra earlier this month, I headed out with another recent addition to Arc’teryx’s trail running line. The new running legging, the Cita 3/4 tight, extends the brand’s focus on breathability for high intensity exercise. With this feature in mind I looked at the product’s general ability in handling a warm and heated environment – conditions at distance from Arc’teryx’s alpine heritage. Of course comfort would come into play as I assessed the material’s limits in the summer season.

The X-Hale TrailBlazes are a trail running specific sock found within Bridgedale’s recently developed ‘Fast and Light’ range. Designed with warm conditions and quick movement in mind, the TrailBlazes were just … Read more

The Columbia Mobex Sprint is a scaled down version of the original Mobex, a forerunner to Columbia’s trail running launch collection. If anything, the smaller nature of the Sprint has further … Read more

As a key product in Columbia’s trail running armoury, the Trail Pro Freezer Crew reflects the brand’s efforts to innovate and design for an emerging adventure activity. While many apparel and footwear brands jostle for recognition in trail running, Columbia have developed the Trail Pro to create a unique product with a simple effectiveness, mirrored by similar inroads on the backpack scene with the now legendary Mobex. Though more minamalist and sport-specific, the the Trail Pro garners similar support.

This year the Verbier Saint Bernard took place over the 3rd and 4th of July. Together ‘La Boucle’ and ‘La Traversée’ make up two of the major European trail running events of the summer season. With plenty of spectators and interesting brands supporting the event, race organisers have developed a discovery mini trail for kids during the trail festival in the center of Verbier.

Spending hours in the saddle or on the trail means at least one thing – a need for good preparation. Whether you’re cycling on flats or running up rocky trails, … Read more

Following research into the therapeutic benefits of beetroot juice in reducing high blood pressure, scientists then looked at the advantages of nitrates as a sports supplement. The William Harvey Institute has conducted research in the area to find out the effects of vascular contraction and dilation, while Exeter University Sports Science have been testing athletes changes to their their oxygen efficiency and stamina levels when taking the shot itself. Find out more about this research on the Beet It Research Page.

Convinced by Polar’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of sports instruments, I invested in a CS300 during the 2006 season to track my cycling training. Five years later, I now swear by the product, taking it out on rides on the mountain and on the road. It took three years and hundreds of hours of usage before my CS300 battery ran out, and Polar just three days to find and mail fresh replacement. As a example of how simple tech can enhance and simplify the training process, my experiences with the CS300 are almost entirely positive.

I’m moving towards the core with this review, away from the shell garments discussed in the earlier ‘old favourites’ blogs. The Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew is my favourite baselayer and in twenty years of running, mountaineering, climbing and cycling I’ve tried many alternatives, but none do everything a baselayer needs to do as well as the humble Lifa.

Aware of a growing trail running trend in adventure sports, Arc’teryx have diversified their collection of high quality performance products by expanding an established alpine collection to include active wear. … Read more

Any runner has got to love a brand that goes by the slogan of ‘Human Propulsion Laboratories’. Nathan Performance Gear, aware of the growth of running and multi-sports activities, design gear to aid … Read more

The Trail Runner II Half-Zip is Salomon’s latest addition to their extensive technical tops range. The innovative top claims to provide ‘maximum ventilation on hot days’ so I put it … Read more

In 2010, Columbia released their first trail running line that included the Ravenous trail shoe, a range of technical apparel and the robust Mobex back. The Mobex soon won acclaim … Read more

Since their formation in 1996, Skins have fronted the development of compression sports products. Now market leaders in this field, Skins set themselves apart from other undergarment competitors with their … Read more

The small Scottish town of Aviemore is nestled in the centre of the Cairngorms National Park, commanding a central location within the country’s wilder highland territory. It’s a veritable outdoors … Read more