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
A close look at the Maiora Alpha, a Naples-made fountain pen in striking spaghetti resin with gold-plated sterling silver trim, strong everyday practicality, and one noticeable quality-control caveat.
Fountain Pens
A close look at the popular Majohn Q1 eyedropper fountain pen: its Tombow Egg-inspired design, generous ink capacity, and the quality control issues that can make it a gamble.
Fountain Pens
A custom titanium fountain pen from a one-man workshop in Poland, with dimpled anodized surfaces, a Bock titanium nib, and thoughtful design details throughout.
Running Shoes
Nine running shoes tested through a full marathon training block, from max-cushion easy-day cruisers to carbon race-day rockets.
Running Shoes
A close comparison of two do-everything performance trainers, covering stack, plate design, ride character, and where each one fits in a running rotation.
Running Shoes
Four seriously cushioned running shoes go head to head: the Asics GEL Nimbus 25 against the Nike Invincible Run 2 Flyknit, New Balance SC Trainer, and Saucony Endorphin Shift 3.
Running Shoes
Four heavily cushioned trainers compared for daily mileage, racing and everything in between, with a clear ranking at the end.
Telescopes
The Maxitab Casa Green MC80 promises stargazing and birding in one package. Here is how it held up on distant waterfowl and the moon.
Fountain Pens
A hand-turned, numbered Italian fountain pen with a clever blind cap and comfortable posting, held back by a finicky broad nib on smooth papers.
Trail Running
The Merrell Agility Peak 5 pairs a soft FloatPro midsole with sticky Vibram Megagrip rubber and a 100% recycled upper, and it impressed straight out of the box.
Trail Running Shoes
Merrell's ultra-lightweight trail racer trades cushioning for ground feel and precision. Here's what the first run revealed about fit, grip, and comfort.
Running Shoes
The Mizuno Neo Vista 2 brings a dual-density midsole, a more accommodating knit upper, and a lighter feel to one of our favorite cushioned daily trainers.
Running Shoes
The Inspire 19 refines the series with a softer midsole and a smoother wave plate, while the 18 remains the pick for runners who want maximum stiffness and an unmistakable high drop.
Running Shoes
A durable, winter-friendly road shoe built with eco-minded materials, but the upper lockdown and $220 price hold it back.
Running Shoes
Mizuno's plated lightweight daily trainer gets a major update, with pro-inspired geometry, a lighter build, and a personality that rewards faster running.
Running Shoes
The Wave Rebellion Flash is a unique stability-focused racing shoe with flashes of brilliance at speed, plus three alternatives worth knowing before you buy.
Running Shoes
A lightweight tempo and racing shoe that trades plush cushioning for snap and stiffness, with a softer upper than its predecessor.
Running Shoes
A towering stack height, a sticky track-ready outsole, and a lean that punishes easy paces. Our first impressions of the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Beta.
Running Shoes
After 90 miles in the Wave Rebellion Pro, we break down its tall stack, carbon-infused plate, aggressive geometry, and the fit quirk to know before buying.
Running Shoes
The Wave Rider 26 trades the softer, more flexible ride of the Wave Rider 25 for a firmer, stiffer feel. Here is which one fits your running style.
Running Shoes
The Wave Rider 26 brings back the comfortable, secure fit of earlier models and tones down forefoot flex to ease pressure on the big toe joint.
Running Shoes
Mizuno's flagship neutral daily trainer dials back the clunkiness of the last version with a smoother ride and a comfortable, well-fitting upper.
Everyday Carry
Mod Grid brings a Gridfinity-style modular system to everyday carry, with swappable clips for pliers, Swiss Army knives, bits, and more.
Pen Reviews
A solid-block-metal bolt action ballpoint with refill versatility and a satisfying mechanism, at a price that asks you to really want it.
Writing Instruments
A machined metal mechanical pencil with a retractable mechanism, multiple lead sizes, and a genuinely complete accessory package. Here is what it gets right and where the price stings.
Fountain Pen Inks
Monarca Cenote is a saturated blue ink with red-purple sheen and shimmer, part of a new ink line from Mexico's largest fountain pen retailer.
Fountain Pens
After years of chasing the perfect modern flex writing experience, one long-dreamed-of fountain pen finally arrived. The results were more complicated than expected.
Fountain Pens
A close look at the Montblanc 146 LeGrand with the Calligraphy flex nib, including how it writes, how the feed keeps up, and whether the price is justified.
Fountain Pens
A close look at the Montblanc 149 with the calligraphy curved nib, an architect-grind 18k gold nib built for dramatic line variation in the right hands.
Fountain Pens
Two iconic flagship fountain pens face off across materials, nibs, filling systems, design, writing experience, and value to help you pick the right grail pen.