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.
Sports Watches
A bigger battery, a built-in flashlight, and a new AMOLED display make the Suunto Vertical 2 a serious long-haul sports watch, with a few software rough edges to consider.
Fountain Pen Inks
Taccia Midori is a well-behaved, saturated true green fountain pen ink that stays green in every nib and paper combination we tested.
Art Supplies
We ordered over a hundred dollars of art supplies from Temu and put eight products through real use. Here is what earned its place and what did not.
Fountain Pens
A steel flex fountain pen from a UK maker focused on sustainability, with JoJo nib units, ebonite or plastic feed options, and a forgiving flex that suits newcomers.
Crafts
We spent a full weekend with the Extra Squeezy giant crochet kits to see if double-size Woobles are genuinely easier for beginners, or just a pricier novelty.
Craft Subscription Boxes
We bought both of This Month's Craft subscription boxes, the soap-making Creative Box and the wood-carving DIY Box, to see which one is worth the subscription.
Stationery
A long-term look at the Tombow TwinTone dual tip markers: 36 vibrant shades, a 0.8 mm bullet nib and a 0.3 mm fine nib, fast-drying ink, and a few trade-offs to know about.
Fountain Pens
A refreshed shortlist of five fountain pens, with one pick per brand, covering flex writing, everyday office use, and a surprising new favorite.
Fountain Pens
A compact, precision-machined pocket fountain pen with a triangular faceted design, Schmidt nib, and a full accessory package for EDC-minded writers.
Trail Running Shoes
Terraventure 5, Pursuit 3, and Ultraventure get updated uppers, softer midsoles, and a shared focus on comfort and traction for 2026.
Travel Backpacks
Three Tortuga travel backpacks, three very different personalities. We break down capacity, materials, organization, and carry comfort so you can pick the right one.
Running Gear
A high-end Puma trail shoe, a value running tee, a premium summit-series shirt, and an ultra-soft long sleeve, sorted by budget and use case.
Stationery
The olive TRAVELER'S notebook returns as a standard color, joined by a matching pen holder, two creative refills, and a repair kit.
Fountain Pens
An aluminum piston, faceted barrel, and special Onyx trim make the 580 ALR a step up from the Eco line, and a surprisingly light daily writer.
Fountain Pens
The TWSBI Eco Indigo Bronze pairs a green-leaning indigo acrylic with bronze trim for a premium look, and it's inked here with Endless Alchemy Molten Bronze for a matching writing set.
Running Shoes
The TYR Valkyrie Elite V2 is a major overhaul of the brand's carbon race shoe, with supercritical foam, a carbon power plate, and a remarkably light ride over 5K.
Fountain Pens
From the Platinum Prefounte to the Tachikawa Linemarker A.T Sketch, nine fountain pens that fly under the radar but earn a place in everyday writing.
Stationery
A six-color limited edition set of soft, dreamy summer shades that writes smoother than earlier uni-ball One releases, with only minor trade-offs to consider.
Stationery
Moldable corners, glow-in-the-dark bodies, triangular grips, and precision tips: a closer look at twelve erasers that go beyond the basic pink block.
Running Shoes
Five running shoes that slipped under the radar: solid daily trainers, a snappy super trainer, and a gravel-ready pick, many now available at lower prices.
Gift Guide
From a pocket-sized retro handheld to titanium knife scales and a magnetic cap, nine gift picks with real personality and practical daily use.
Everyday Carry
After three months of carrying The James Brand Ellis as an everyday carry knife, the Victorinox Compact earned its way back into the pocket. Here is how the two compare in real use.
Fountain Pens
Two new limited-edition Visconti Voyager Mariposa fountain pens inspired by butterfly wing colors, with vacuum power filling and 18k gold nibs.
Binoculars
Two capable Vortex birding binoculars compared, with honest notes on optics, weight, accessories, and where the extra money pays off.
Cycling Tech
Wahoo unifies its bike computer family on one platform, adding touchscreens, speakers, map layers, and a new USB-C radar light. Here is what changes and who each unit suits.
Stationery
A vintage-style hardcover dotted journal plus five washi tape rolls and sets that pair beautifully for decorating a new bullet journal.
Travel Gear
A side-by-side look at the Washi travel washing machine, the Scrubba UnTouched wash bag, and the Scrubba Mini, weighing weight, capacity, ease of use, and drying.
Fountain Pens
The Waterman Edson pairs an inlaid gold nib with a leak-resistant feed system and jewel-like design, making it one of the most underappreciated flagships in fountain pens.
Stationery
Scented pens, plantable pencils, LEGO gel pens, and a paper watch: six novelty stationery products put through real use, with honest verdicts on which are worth it.
Everyday Carry
From a waterproof techwear jacket to a flat steel water bottle, ten accessories that prove an all-white everyday carry can actually work.