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.
Trail Running Shoes
Altra's Mont Blanc Speed fixes the fit problems of the Mont Blanc Carbon with a structured heel cradle, dual-compound midsole, and Vibram MegaGrip rubber. Here is how it performed over eight miles of mixed trail.
Running Shoes
Altra's latest carbon racer gets new supercritical foam, a 4mm drop and a more approachable ride. A strong trainer-racer that falls short of the top race-day shoes.
Running Shoes
A first run in the Anta C2027 carbon plated racer, put head to head with the Nike Vaporfly 2 on wet Cornish roads to see how the two compare on fit, cushioning and pace.
Smartwatches
Early hands-on with the Apple Watch Series 12: new health sensing, readiness scores, tougher screen protection, and the same price as the Series 11.
Trail Running
A practical look at the shoes, waterproofs, lighting, race vest and poles lined up for a brutal 100-mile winter coastal ultra, and why each piece earned its place.
Stationery
Two B5 dotted journals with near-identical 160 GSM paper, compared on page count, margins, extras, and everyday durability.
Everyday Carry
The slim Cordura Boulder Wallet can carry a surprising amount of EDC gear. Here are seven items that turn it into a full pocket organizer.
Art Supplies
From Polish crayons and Czech rainbow pencils to Swiss gouache and Japanese gansai watercolor, a world tour of art supplies that break the usual routine.
Art Supplies
A close look at how the Arteza 126 set expands on the original 72, with deeper blues, richer greens, punchy reds and much better dark-value colors.
Art Supplies
Two 60-piece acrylic marker sets with brush tips, vivid coverage, and very different color personalities. Here is how the A and B sets compare.
Art Supplies
We filled a full sketchbook spread with the 24-color Artx S TAP acrylic marker set to see how its top-valve design, brush nibs, and coverage hold up in real drawing sessions.
Fountain Pens
A handmade German fountain pen carved entirely from natural wood, with a quarter-turn cap, a 14k gold Schmidt nib, and a personality unlike anything else on the desk.
Running Shoes
The new ASICS Gel Cumulus 28 combines FF Blast Max foam and Gel technology in a light neutral daily trainer, but sizing runs a little small.
Running Shoes
The Gel Nimbus 28 sheds 49g, adopts a knit upper, and firms up the ride. We check whether the changes keep it competitive in a crowded max-cushion market.
Running Shoes
ASICS returns to the GlideRide name with a taller, softer GlideRide Max. We break down how it rides, how it compares to the Nimbus 26 and GlideRide 3, and two strong alternatives from Puma and Saucony.
Running Shoes
A lighter, more comfortable take on the stability daily trainer, with softer FF Blast Max foam and a guidance system you barely notice.
Running Shoes
A 45mm all-ATPU daily trainer that leans bouncy and quick rather than soft, ideally suited to long runs with faster miles mixed in.
Running Shoes
Two ASICS super shoes at the same price with very different rides. Here is how the Edge Plus and Edge Paris compare on weight, stack, foam feel, stability, and fit.
Running Shoes
A 100-mile look at the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris, with three serious marathon racing alternatives: the Nike Alphafly 3, Puma Fast R2, and the Metaspeed Sky Plus.
Running Shoes
An ultra-lightweight racing shoe built around a lively ATPU midsole, compared against the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 and 2 and the Puma Fast-R 3.
Running Shoes
A 100-mile look at the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, plus two alternatives worth considering: the Metaspeed Ray and the Nike Alphafly 3.
Running Shoes
The Asics Noosa Tri 14 delivers a light, snappy ride, a sockless-friendly interior, and quick-change triathlon features at a very competitive price.
Running Shoes
With a much softer FF Blast Max midsole, a more structured upper, and a £135 price tag, the Novablast 5 earns a near-perfect 11.6/12 score as a daily running shoe.
Running Shoes
Four popular daily trainers compared on cushioning, fit, grip and value to help you pick the right one.
Running Shoes
Two updated ASICS daily trainers go head-to-head: the bouncier Novablast 6 against the plush GEL-Nimbus 28. Here's how they compare on cushioning, energy, fit, and value.
Running Shoes
From the Novablast daily trainer to the Metaspeed racers, a practical look at the ASICS summer 2026 lineup and how the shoes fit together.
Running Shoes
The Sonic Blast layers FF Turbo Squared foam over FF Blast Max with a 3/4-length Pebax plate. We look at how it runs, who it suits, and how it stacks up against the Novablast 5, Magic Speed 4, Hyperion Max 3, and Hoka Mach X 2.
Running Shoes
The Asics Sonic Blast is a max-stack pebax-plated tempo shoe with impressive stability, but its firm ride and niche positioning make it a tricky recommendation at £170.
Running Shoes
A side-by-side look at two of ASICS' most loved max-cushion trainers, covering the foam upgrade, fit changes, and traction improvements.
Running Shoes
A closer look at ASICS's updated super trainer, plus how it stacks up against the Megablast, Nike Vomero Plus and Puma MagMax 2.