Independent reviews
From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.
Fountain Pens
The Asvine V169 combines a vacuum filling system, metal overlay, and translucent acrylic barrel in an affordable package. Here's what works, and the one issue to watch.
Fountain Pens
A large translucent vacuum-filling fountain pen with a number 8 steel nib, included maintenance tools, and pricing well under $50. Here is what writing with it is actually like.
Running Shoes
After 10.57 trail miles with over 1,700 feet of climbing, the Atreyu Base Trail proved itself as a nimble, comfortable hybrid trail runner at an attractive price.
Running Shoes
Atreyu's Daily Trainer adds stack height and full rubber coverage to the brand's simple formula. Here's how it runs, and how it stacks up against the Asics GlideRide and New Balance Rebel v3.
Running Shoes
Early miles in the Atreyu Race Model reveal a softer, grippy carbon-plated race day shoe with a snug new upper and a versatile price that undercuts most of the super shoe market.
Fountain Pens
A piston-filled Aurora 88 limited edition in a striking blue-purple resin, with an in-house 18K gold nib, a bottle of ink in the box, and a price tag to weigh carefully.
Fountain Pens
A limited-edition Aurora 88 in an alabaster-inspired resin, with rose gold trim, an in-house 18k nib, and a complete gift package, plus one cap quirk worth knowing about.
Writing Instruments
A girthy aluminum bolt action ballpoint that converts even a self-confessed non-ballpoint person into an enthusiastic daily user.
Fountain Pens
A resin fountain pen with swirling amber, purple, and copper depth, a hand-assembled Schmidt nib, and a design unlike anything else on the market.
Fountain Pens
Benu's Beam Me Up pairs a space-themed, hand-painted barrel with the reliable Euphoria platform. Here is what works well and what to weigh up before buying.
Fountain Pens
A rich purple, ten-faceted fountain pen with a hand-painted barrel element that takes around five days to complete, paired with a generous Schmidt broad nib.
Fountain Pens
A limited edition of 100 resin fountain pens with hand-painted artwork inspired by The Little Prince, selling for $280 directly from Benu.
Fountain Pens
A textured acrylic resin fountain pen with raised roses and a skull cap band, available in three models at $163.
Fountain Pens
A limited-edition BENU fountain pen with meteorite powder, glow-in-the-dark accents, and a generous Schmidt nib, sold exclusively through Goldspot Pens.
Stationery
From Hobonichi to Traveler's Company, eight planner lines that cover daily, weekly, and monthly planning styles for 2022.
Running Shoes
Four racing shoes with distinct strengths for short-distance racing, from snappy plated super shoes to a nimble grip specialist.
Stationery
From budget-friendly Japanese classics to handcrafted wood and Swiss limited editions, seven ballpoint pens that earned their place in daily use.
Running Shoes
Road and trail running shoes at heavily reduced prices, including lightweight trail picks, daily trainers, and a carbon-plated race shoe.
Stationery
Four fountain pens that make an excellent starting point, including the Lamy Safari, Kaweco Sport, Pilot Metropolitan, and TWSBI Eco.
Stationery
Three affordable ballpoint pens that punch well above their price, with honest strengths and trade-offs for each.
Stationery
A ranked look at four affordable ballpoint pens under ¥2,000 that fit a suit jacket pocket, covering design, writing feel, and the trade-offs to know before buying.
Trail Running
We set a £275 budget to outfit a trail runner from head to torch, then spent a month testing everything. Here is what held up and what did not.
Running Shoes
Five carbon plated racing shoes with distinct personalities, from bouncy and firm to plush and forgiving, ranked for workouts and race day.
Running Shoes
Five standout carbon plated racers for marathon and 5K to 10K race day, with honest strengths and trade-offs for each.
Running Shoes
Three running shoes still widely available on clearance, covering easy days, tempo work, and race day, with real scores and trade-offs for each.
Running Shoes
A cushion-focused breakdown of twelve road and trail running shoes, with durometer readings, ride impressions, and buying advice heading into 2023.
Running Shoes
Five versatile daily trainers that tick the boxes for a running rotation, from plush recovery shoes to firmer, faster options.
Running Shoes
Nine of the best daily running shoes compared on stack, drop, weight and fit, with three standout picks for value, cushioning and versatility.
Running Shoes
Five daily trainers that can handle easy runs, long runs, and everything in between, each with its own clear strengths and trade-offs.
Running Shoes
Five daily trainers that earned a place in heavy rotation this year, from a max-stack do-it-all option to a balanced rocker that suits natural mechanics.