Articles by Donald Buraglio

Gloves seem to be the linchpin item for winter running—if your fingers are comfortable, it’s easier to tolerate cold-related discomfort elsewhere. We’ve tested some great gloves for maintaining or even extending your winter mileage this season.

Running tights seem get most of the attention in winter gear reviews, but there’s a subsection of runners who don’t like the look, fit or feel. For those folks, looser fitting running pants are a great alternative to provide the same insulation and performance qualities of tights, without the snug fit. Here are a few we’ve tested so far this winter.

Over the past year, Craft has focused a significant amount of effort on creating versatile, high-performance running shoes that are equally suitable for roads and trails.

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.

Shokz headphones routinely sit atop our list of favorites for functionality and sound quality, and the original OpenRun Pro has been our longstanding go-to for training and racing in recent years. The updated OpenRun Pro 2 improves upon the original model in sound quality, functionality and battery life.

With subtle improvements and nothing diminished, the Topo Ultraventure 4 keeps a good product rolling, and remains a compelling option for big-mileage training blocks as well as ultra distance races.

We’ve tested the following wool long sleeve tops that are designed to keep you warm and regulate your body temperature when moving through cold days ahead.

As Garmin likes to do, the company launched multiple new premium GPS products concurrently at the end of August 2024. The models that seemingly gained the most attention are long-awaited updates to the Fenix series, available in either AMOLED or MIP display options.

Summer is on its way out, but that doesn’t mean our taste buds can’t enjoy the flavors of the season. With these nutrition products in your training routine, it’ll be possible to enjoy summer all year long.

We’ve tested a variety of poles over the first half of this year, ranging from lightweight racing models to robust daily trainers, as well as some hybrid styles that do equally well in both circumstances. 

In the heat of summer, we’re always looking for apparel that is lightweight, fits well, wicks moisture and offers adequate ventilation. Now that we’ve entered the hottest months of the year, we’ve got our top picks when it comes to running in the heat and loving it. 

As the days get brighter and your miles get longer, eye protection becomes a key part of your training kit, particularly if your summer adventures lead you to higher elevations. All of the models we’ve tested are durable for long term use, while offering quality protection for your eyes while out on the trail.

NNormal, the brand founded by Kilian Jornet and footwear company Camper in 2022, has finally had a full production and feedback cycle for its shoe development process. The most extensive changes are centered around the midsole, but the Tomir 2.0 includes updates from top to bottom.

In our 2023 headphones review, we emphasized the use of open-ear headphones to preserve awareness of the surrounding environment while you’re rocking down the trail or road. Since then, a number of open-ear headphones have come out on the market, and we’ve tested them in a variety of conditions including running, indoor workouts and more.

The team at UltraRunning reviewed the following socks to find out which will keep your feet cool and comfortable while building up your mileage.

The CTM Ultra 3 is part of Craft’s specific line of hybrid running shoes which deliver similar ride quality and performance on road or trail. Their goal is to combine the best attributes of road and trail running footwear in products that provide stability, durability and traction along with a comfortable ride on varied terrain.

The new Soulstride Ultra builds upon the previous Soulstride Trail and Soulstride Flow models and is built specifically with long trail days or extended periods of high mileage. We’ve tested our pair for about 200 total miles, including a few 20+ mile efforts, and it will be in our short rotation for ultra races as a midpack runner.

Wool seems to be the ideal fabric for runners when it comes to keeping warm, drying quickly and resisting odor, so we figured our undergarments should include some wool as well. We tested a handful of underwear options, and the following have become our top picks when running and staying active this winter.

As the running industry’s largest annual trade show, The Running Event (TRE) functions as a yearly check-in on the state of the running world. It’s also a barometer of trends that are developing, and an early peek at products that will be released in the year ahead. Alongside improvements to many tried-and-true shoe models, there were a lot of new offerings for us to take in for our preview of shoes coming in 2024.

‘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 (or your) efforts at getting out the door during the winter months and a little cozy recovery in between.

The only thing missing from Topo’s road lineup was a true max-cushion trainer, and that gap is now resolved with the new Atmos. It features the largest midsole volume and stack heights Topo has ever created, combined with the fit and comfort that is consistent across the company’s lineup.

A good wool base layer can be used day after day, on its own or under a shell, and consistently provides comfort and thermoregulation in a variety of conditions without accumulating odor. Here are some various styles and thicknesses to get you through cold training days.

Speedland’s fourth model, the GS:PGH, is inspired by Speedland athlete Cameron Hanes. As with the GS:TAM, the GS:PGH is a maximally cushioned trail shoe built for comfort and durability over ultra-distance training days and races.

Altra has broken its zero-drop mold with the launch of the new AltraFWD Experience road shoe, described as a “low-drop” model with a 4mm differential from heel to toe. This model doesn’t replace anything in the lineup from Altra, who will continue to carry their entire line of zero-drop shoes moving forward.

This year, Garmin released Pro versions of both the Fenix 7 and Epix lines on the same day. Since we reviewed the Fenix 7X watch last year, this time we tested the Epix Pro in part to see if we could identify any major differentiation between the model lines.

Long summer days demand clothing that is comfortable over long distances and helps manage heat and humidity. We’ve tested a variety of options to keep you moving and performing your best when the sun shines bright, and the trails heat up.

For anyone who is contemplating the Leadville 100 but is uncertain of the terrain and altitude, the Silver Rush 50 is a much lower-pressure environment, providing a perfect test lab for anyone who wants to find out how their body, gear and nutritional strategies will perform under the stress of big miles and high altitude.

Topo has made extensive efforts in sustainable material sourcing and manufacturing over the years, and this spring they incorporated several of their best process practices with the new Ultraventure 3 Eco. The shoe has an identical spec weight, geometry, fit and feel as the regular Ultraventure 3 and thankfully, it also has an identical price tag.

Sometimes there’s nothing that helps the miles pass more quickly and comfortably than listening to your favorite music or podcasts. We’ve spent several months testing a handful of headphone options best suited for ultrarunners. All of the products use wireless conduction, eliminating the hassle of plugs and cords, and allowing complete freedom of movement.

This year’s update to the Petzl NAO headlamp has significant improvements in increased brightness and decreased weight, along with Petzl’s exceptional Reactive Lighting technology. The result is Petzl’s top-of-the-line option for fast movement over long distances across all kinds of terrain. If that wasn’t enough incentive to consider this model, Petzl also dropped the MSRP by $30 from the previous version.

There are days when you want to travel light, and others which require you to carry a ton of gear. We’ve tested a range of vests this spring that are suitable for running around your local park, exploring for multiple...

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2 MSRP: $135 10.4 oz M 8.3 oz W Heel/forefoot heights: 30/25 mm Best for long comfortable miles, distances up to 100M on mild to modera...

As critical as a good bra is for comfort and function during a long run, it can also be exceedingly difficult to find just the right style without all the bounce. Our testers have put a new crop of spring tops through...

Without a doubt, it’s been a difficult year. Fortunately, many of us have been able to maintain some sort of running and training routines to keep us sane. Here are some gift ideas to keep your favorite runner happy an...

BioLite HeadLamp 750BioLite entered the headlamp category as a means of supporting its humanitarian mission to provide energy resources for impoverished families in Africa and Southeast Asia. Their first two models, the...

Nike Pegasus Trail 2TMSRP: $13011.7 oz M / 9.5 oz WHeel/forefoot (mm): 30/21Best for: High mileage training in cool conditions; 100-milers 
on moderate terrainNike made significant overhauls to its entire Trail lineup ov...

How do you know what gear you’ll need to run 100 miles? Experience helps, but course terrain varies and weather can change at the drop of a hat. That said, we put together a complete list of our favorite pieces of gear f...

Lightweight, moisture-wicking apparel has been a longtime staple of summer running. We’ve noticed an increased comfort factor that many of these high-performance fabrics now offer. Sunny weather is here, and it’s time to...

CamelBak ZephyrCamelBak partnered with YiOu Wang in the development of this pack that she wore during her win at last fall’s The North Face Endurance Challenge 50-mile Championship. The Zephyr is a gender-specific pack t...

HOKA One One Speedgoat 4MSRP: $145Weight (oz): 10.8oz M/9.2oz WHeel/forefoot heights (mm): 32/28 M, 30/26 WBest for: Mountain scree, rugged 100-milers, challenging technical terrainSpeedgoats are a perennial favorite of...

The benefits of merino wool are well established. The fabric is naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, odor resistant and maintains its insulating properties, even when wet. When merino is combined with modern synthetic...

Our editorial team has been busy testing a wide range of gear from Santa’s workshop to bring you these special gift ideas for your favorite ultrarunner this holiday season.https://ultrarunning.com/grit/One of our favorit...

Winter presents different challenges in different parts of the country – and in many cases, a variable of challenges on the same day. The following jackets will provide protection, based on your particular needs.Patagoni...

HOKA EVO Mafate 2MSRP: $17010.3 oz M / 8.9 oz FHeel/forefoot (mm): 33/29 M, 31/27 FBest for: High mileage training and long-distance racing on all terrainOur favorite “ready for anything” shoe this season was worn at bot...

In our last review, we described a number of sleep systems for spending the night in the backcountry. This month we’re looking at all the additional gear you should take along for fastpacking trips, as well as a couple o...

As days get longer and nights are warmer, many of us extend our adventures to multi-day outings, travelling fast and light to maximize distance while minimizing the cargo load. Our next two gear reviews focus on equipmen...

For summer trail running, good things come in light, breathable, moisture-wicking packages. Here are some great choices for staying cool on the trail when the weather gets hot. rabbitRabbit introduced a full line of new...

The big advancements in hydration packs this year are geared towards women, with several major companies highlighting packs specifically built for the female body. Accordingly, our review is focused on female-specific mo...

Altra Superior 4.0MSRP: $110Weight (oz): 7.9 men’s, 6.3 women’sHeel/forefoot heights (mm): 21/21Best for: Moving fast and light without compromising protection; tempo runs or races up to 50KOne of the lowest profile shoe...

The topic of wearing compression apparel during activity can be somewhat polarizing in the endurance community. While some runners swear by it, the hard evidence for performance gains is generally anecdotal. However, the...

Historically, people have journeyed to the mountains surrounding Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in search of gold; many others go there in search of powder. Those of us gathered at the base of Mount Werner on a hot Septemb...

FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTSEnergy waffles are practically mainstream now, with many races offering them right alongside gels and blocks at aid stations. One company starting to get noticed is Untapped, a Vermont-based family bu...

Heading into the winter, most of the updates in the headlamp category are happening at the compact end of the spectrum. Although they are small, many of these are strong enough to be standalone lamps for the majority of...

For this round of fall shoe reviews UltraRunning’sGear Review team coordinated with The Treadmill running store in Carmel, CA. Multiple testers wore each shoe for approximately 100 miles before feedback was submitted. Th...

Fall means different things in different parts of the country. In warm climates, it’s a slight lowering of the thermostat from “uncomfortably warm” to “comfortably cool.” In more extreme areas, it can bring increased rai...

The age of fully integrated GPS watches with optical heart-rate equipped activity trackers has arrived. Runners now have more performance metrics and physiological data available at their wrist than ever before. Here are...

When the sun heats up, lightweight and breathable fabrics can keep you comfortable and prevent you from overheating. We’ve tested an assortment of summer running options for both men and women that help you stay cool und...

Two distinct trends are evident in this spring’s crop of hydration vests. First is a movement toward minimalism using lightweight construction and stripping down superfluous features to improve comfort and increase speed...

When we presented our first all-wool apparel review a few years ago, the fabric was still establishing a foothold among dedicated trail runners. Since then, wool has exploded in popularity, and a number of new players ha...