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 Tech Deals
A curated Black Friday roundup of sports tech deals that are actually worth taking, from Garmin and Apple watches to Wahoo trainers, DJI drones, and GoPro action cameras.
Stationery
The Staedtler 770 drafting pencil is back as an updated revival made in Japan. Here is how the 0.3mm and 0.5mm versions actually feel to write with.
Stationery
A hands-on comparison of the limited-edition Staedtler 925 77 Hexagonal and the long-standing favorite Pentel GraphGear 1000, covering grip, balance, writing feel, and daily practicality.
Stationery
The Staedtler REG 925 85 mechanical pencil is back after more than a decade, with smoother regulation, a rattled-free knock cap, and the same futuristic charm that made the original a cult favorite.
Stationery
The REG Limited Matte Black wraps the beloved regulator pencil in a rubber-like all-black finish, with limited-edition details and the same adjustable lead advance as the standard model.
Travel Gear
Two durable reusable food bags compared for one-bag travel: standing upright, sealing, cleanability, capacity, and long-term durability.
Stationery
Two curated stationery bundles built around distinct aesthetics, covering gel pens, erasable ink, planner stickers, notebooks, and desk accessories.
Stationery
A curated set of planners, pens, stamps, and markers arranged into three practical bundles to help you stay consistent all year.
Stationery
Five stationery purchases that fell short this year, from hard-to-find B5 journals to a gradient pen set that didn't live up to its promise.
Stationery
From the Kaweco Special Mini Pencil to the revived Staedtler 925 85, nine pencils, pens, and erasers that earned a place in this two-month stationery haul.
Stationery
From a Pomodoro timer to lacquered wooden pens, a rounded-up look at eight stationery items that stood out at the end of 2025.
Everyday Carry
A hand-picked everyday carry selection with a steampunk feel, focused on brass, copper and leather gear you will genuinely use.
Art Supplies
Homemade iridescent watercolor, an art supply mystery box, a dice game for art block, a truly tiny sketchbook, pencil cap protectors, and a 220-pencil set with drawers.
Art Supplies
A nostalgic four-color ballpoint pen built around cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. Great concept and color-mixing guidance, but the build and ink flow fall short of the idea.
Stationery
A lightweight, low-center-of-gravity mechanical pencil with an auto lead-advance mechanism, direct lead loading, and a price under 2,000 yen.
Running Gear
Stock insoles are flat and flimsy. Here is how Superfeet insoles add stability, shock absorption, and comfort for runners who want to train harder and longer.
Sports Watches
At $349 with a stainless steel case, dual-frequency GPS and a much-improved heart rate sensor, the Suunto Race S is one of the best-priced endurance watches available today.
Running Watches
Brighter AMOLED, offline maps, better heart rate accuracy and slicker software make the Suunto Run 2 a strong package, but the price jump changes the picture.
Optics
ED glass, IPX7 waterproofing, and a pocketable build make the SV202 8x32 an easy pick for birders who want a lightweight pair under $200.
Stationery
The Ake from the Kirameki series pairs an ultra-thin stainless barrel with layers of traditional urushi lacquer, four swappable nib options, and a truly one-of-a-kind finish.
Stationery
A hand-lacquered wooden ballpoint pen from the relaunched Takuzuki brand, built with traditional urushi techniques and a precision stainless steel tip.
Trail Running Shoes
The second version of The North Face's door-to-trail shoe trims serious weight while keeping the cushioned, comfort-first feel that made the original popular.
Crafts & Hobbies
A crochet advent calendar with a gorgeous toy workshop theme, four full-sized characters, and a mix of charming mini makes. Here is what is inside and what to know before buying.
Coloring Books
A gorgeous but demanding adult coloring book that teaches real color and lighting skills, with a few caveats worth knowing before you buy.
Art Supplies
We put three of the most hyped viral art supplies to the test: a 100-count watercolor set, rainbow colored pencils, and extra fine acrylic paint markers.
Travel Bags
A front-opening 32L travel backpack that blends classic design with the practical, durable build Tom Bihn is known for. Tested as a carry-on on flights and weekend trips.
Stationery
The Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Tip shines in black, but the colored packs fall short against the Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pens. Here is how the two compare.
Art Supplies
A thin stick eraser built for precision work: how it performs on graphite and charcoal, and why it earns a permanent place in an art kit.
Travel Accessories
Three packing cubes in 3L, 8L, and 10L sizes, designed to fit the Tomtoc Navigator 28L and 40L travel backpacks. Here is how they perform on real trips.
Running Shoes
From the Asics Novablast 5 to the Adidas Adizero SL2, seven daily trainers we put real miles into during 2024, with honest strengths and trade-offs for each.