Waist-mounted fluid carrying systems have been around for decades, but the standard design has been revolutionized over the past couple of years. Runners no longer hassle with hard-sided bottles that take up space, hard-to-access cargo compartments and uncontrollable bouncing that causes chafing and discomfort.
Articles by Donald Buraglio
The original TNF (The North Face) Altamesa 500 was released in 2023 as the brand sought to combine the most innovative design element of its time (supercritical foam midsole compounds) with the most popular use category (hybrid road to trail). The second version of the shoe was just released this spring.
When a shoe’s name reveals exactly what it’s built for, you know what to expect. In the case of the HOKA Zinal, its namesake is Switzerland’s famous Sierre-Zinal 31k mountain race, and the shoe was designed specifically for fast and agile movement over relatively short (by ultra standards) distances on steep and technical terrain.
Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to toss the old workout socks from your drawer and treat yourself to some new models for long trail days. We’ve tested the following socks that provide sustained comfort for higher mileage and harder efforts.
The Arc’teryx Sylan 2, which is something of a fusion between the original Sylan and the Pro version, includes top to bottom updates driven primarily by athlete feedback, with the intention of better supporting agility and stability for long distances on technical terrain.
Shokz has quickly evolved in this specific category of headphones over the past few years.
Last fall, Tracksmith expanded their Eliot shoe lineup to include the Eliot Range, specifically designed for off-road use and built with fall cross-country weather in mind. Continuing with that thought, when cross-country season is over and the weather gets harsh and frigid, that’s where the new Eliot NDO comes in.
Taller male runners often have difficulty finding running pants that work for them, as many companies offer only one inseam length that is built with more average body sizes in mind. This winter, we tested four brands of running pants with spec inseam lengths of at least 31” that are solid options for runners over 6 feet tall.
The Ghost Trail is intended as an entry level trail shoe for runners accustomed to the fit and feel of road shoes.
During our trip to The Running Event (TRE), we checked in with a few established brands that have firmly secured a foothold in the market, as well as plenty of iconic brands, to get a sneak peek of what shoes we’ll be seeing on the trails in 2026.
‘Tis the season of giving, and one of our favorite traditions is rounding up a collection of new and favorite items the UR staff have recently tested, to present gift ideas for you, our readers, or the ultrarunners on your shopping list.
‘Tis the season of giving, and one of our favorite traditions is rounding up a collection of new and favorite items the UR staff have recently tested, to present gift ideas for you, our readers, or the ultrarunners on y...
One area where Shokz continues to innovate and elevate is the overall sound quality on their devices, and that is especially apparent on the OpenFit 2 models.
We’ve tested a number of wool running shirts this fall that simultaneously meet our performance needs and keep us warm on the trail.
Norda recently released the 001A, which is essentially a mash-up of the workhorse 001 model and the race-ready 005.
HOKA Rocket X Trail If you’re unclear on what specific objective this shoe is designed to conquer, turn it upside down: there you’ll find cougar tracks and hoofprints, homages to the Western States 100 course that simult...
Saucony’s Xodus Ultra 4 sports an updated upper and modified midsole composition, but the key update is the addition of a full-coverage Vibram Megagrip outsole. The shoe has a more rugged and durable overall feel, while retaining the Saucony penchant for a sleek fit and enjoyable overall ride quality.
Peak bagging has a particular set of gear needs to help ensure success, which we break down with the items we tested this summer.
Tracksmith has dabbled in trail running apparel in the past, but the Eliot Range is their first dedicated shoe for that purpose. It’s designed to move fast over relatively mellow ground surfaces, with a lightweight build and sleek construction that lends itself toward racing.
Shokz headphones are great for trail use thanks to their combination of comfort, functionality and sound quality, and their OpenSwim Pro model provides a compelling option for runners who routinely explore the land as well as water.
There is something of a demarcation line among endurance athletes when it comes to sports watches. Some like the robust, expedition-style watch that says, “I do epic sh*t.” Others prefer a sleeker, more understated device that blends well with everyday apparel but can still handle extreme activity. In Garmin’s ecosystem, the former crowd is served by Fenix and Enduro series watches, while the latter gravitates towards the Forerunner series.
This is an all-purpose, all-conditions shoe that provides a comfortable and responsive ride on a wide variety of terrain. We might call it a “workhorse,” but there’s also a bit of thoroughbred in the High Country, as it feels equally suitable for 50k races or 100-mile adventures.
We spent the summer testing three varieties of folding trail poles (about 5,600 miles away from Austria) in the Sierra Nevadas and coastal California mountain ranges: one is intended for high-level skyracing, one is for all-purpose training and racing and the third is for general trekking and lower intensity/longer duration use.
It’s not too much of an exaggeration to say that the successful completion of a 100-mile event is dependent almost as much on your gear as it is on your training. Lacking key resources at critical times can easily impact...
The paradox of summer trail running is that we like lighter and cooler fabrics, yet our performance demands increase. Here are several products we tested that meet these dual purposes effectively and maintain comfort over extended time on the trails.
The Mafate X introduces a number of new elements – most notably a carbon plate, which HOKA designates with the X – but the regular Mafate line will continue this fall with the Mafate 5, and drops the Speed from its name.
Summer trail days increase the importance of eye protection from dust, glare and eye strain. Good trail running glasses have lightweight construction, comfortable fit and durable but flexible frame construction so they can be stuffed into a pack without the risk of breaking. We tested the following models this spring, all of which meet those criteria and more.
Looking for the right combination of hydration and storage space to help you cover the distance and accomplish your goals this year? We spent time this spring testing an assortment of products that are up to the task to get you through the summer months and beyond.
The Canadian brand Norda’s dual commitment to high performance and sustainability has resulted in some truly impressive footwear that delivers outstanding performance while being made responsibly. Their newest model, the 005, is being billed as the lightest, fastest and most stable trail running super shoe on the market.
The newest version of Topo’s MTN Racer maintains most of what fans love, with a minor adjustment in the upper fit and the introduction of a new insole that enhances both comfort and performance elements.
Longer days and higher mileage increase the demands of your running socks. The following socks are all great options for keeping your feet cool and comfortable while building up the training miles.
Spring running has arrived and so have new running shoes. With everything from updates, to classic models and exciting new brands, we’ve put some miles on both road and trail shoes that are sure to boost your training du...
As winter turns into spring, it’s a great time to consider a multi-purpose lightweight jacket. We tested a number of options that provide varying degrees of weather protection, all of which stow nicely into a pack when not in use.
Positioned in the expansive middle ground between BioLite’s minimalist and maximum brightness headlamp models, the Dash 450 also offers an expansive array of uses and a high comfort level that makes it easy to wear for long durations. It’s a solid update for a model that is built for everyday training, as well as a capable accompaniment to a waist-mounted lamp for all-nighters.
Runners come in all shapes and sizes, and so do holiday gifts. Whether you’re looking for gift options that are large or small, extravagant or affordable, we have some suggestions that have been tested by the staff at UR...
When it comes to pacing and crewing a runner during an ultramarathon, the hours are long and the elements can be extreme. It’s important to know which pieces of gear will be needed when getting your runner through the ni...
Building up training mileage and preparing for races means getting the right hydration system dialed in. We’ve tested an assortment of hydration vests and liquid nutrition products to help you gear up for the race season...
Salomon Genesis MSRP: $150 9.4 oz M 8.5 oz W Heel/forefoot heights: 34/26 mm Best for versatility: of use from short fas...
‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry… while hopefully not completely abandoning ultra training. Here are our favorites for food, hydration, gear and apparel to stuff an ultrarunner’s stocking while supporting their...
One of the most rewarding roles in our sport is serving as a crew member or pacer for someone pursuing the massive goal of running an ultramarathon. Working in such a capacity has some great advantages. Crew members get...
Nike Ultrafly Trail —Best New Model MSRP: $250 Weight (oz): 10.5 men’s / 8.8 women’s Heel/forefoot midsole heights (mm): 38/30 Best for: Fast training days, chasing FKTs, 50M to...
HOKA Challenger 7 The newest iteration in this series drops the “ATR” from its name but retains its all-terrain functionality. It also drops about a half ounce of weight from the prev...
One of the trickiest challenges in becoming a dedicated ultrarunner is finding gear that you can depend on and also works well. If you find yourself spending too much time fussing with gear tha...
During the holiday season, ultrarunners love to get cozy and relax … but we don’t want to completely abandon our training, either. Here is our annual list of gifts for that special ultrarunner in your life (or, for yours...
When it comes to lighting, sometimes you need to go big while other times it makes more sense to stay small. Larger lamps are great for the dead of night and longer efforts, while smaller ligh...
Saucony Endorphin Edge MSRP: $2009.0 oz M; 7.3 oz WHeel/forefoot heights: 36/30 mmBest for tempo or speed training on trails, race distances up to 100M If you...
The ability to equip yourself for one or two nights on the trail opens up enormous possibilities for adventures, such as massive loops or epic point-to point journeys that aren’t possible if you need to re...
Good summer apparel isn’t simply just lightweight. Fabrics need performance elements to keep you comfortable in high heat and extreme humidity. Luckily, we’ve tested a number of options to keep you cool for long miles un...
You don’t always need a huge pack to go a long way. Our spring batch of hydration vests are minimalist enough to use as race day options on courses with aid station support. They also have sufficient fluid and storage...
HOKA Tecton X Top Pick - Best New Model MSRP: $200 Weight (oz): 8.5 men’s / 6.9 women’s Heel/forefoot heights (mm): 33/29 men’s, 31/27 women’s Best for: High-volume training on mild to mod...
Early spring mixes the promise of warmer days with the harshness of cold and stormy weather – sometimes all on the same run. The right kind of jacket is an important aide for venturing into a variety of spring conditi...
It’s that time of year. Whether it’s for the ultrarunner in your life or a gift for yourself, the team at UltraRunning has once again pulled together their favorite gear for the holiday (and racing) season. FOOD & SU...
Run commuting is one of those things that everyone says they would like to do, but relatively few of us actually do it. However, the advantages are enormous. It’s a consistent and relatively easy way to build base mil...
Even with a perfect gear setup, run commuting requires an advanced level of planning and logistical considerations compared to your regular weekly mileage. Here are some tips to help your transition to run commuting g...
Smartphone apps can be a trail lover’s best friend. They can help you discover new areas to explore, plan specific routes, assist you with navigation, provide additional measures of safety and enrich your overall enjoyme...
Good summer apparel isn’t simply lightweight. The fabric needs performance elements to keep you comfortable in high heat and humidity. That’s why we’ve tested a number of options to k...