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.
Art Supplies
A Ukrainian marker brand with 400 colors per line, canvas wallet sets, refills, and brush nibs that hold their point. Here is what to know before buying.
Flashlights
High output, high CRI, a genuinely customizable UI, and hidden color modes make the Skilhunt EC300 one of the more interesting 21700 flashlights around.
Flashlights
A pocket-sized EDC flashlight with 750 lumens, magnetic charging, dual fuel support, and a genuinely sophisticated user interface.
Flashlights
Three head-to-head matchups across keychain, AA, and 18650 EDC flashlights show how closely Skilhunt now challenges Olight in every size class.
Everyday Carry
A curated look at compact everyday carry gear, from a MagnaCut fixed blade and a Victorinox Manager to titanium pry tools, utility knives, card tools, and keychain flashlights.
Smart Home
Motorized blind and curtain control, smart light switches, a rolling TV, and a corner lamp: five practical upgrades for a new home.
Smartwatches
We measured five popular sports and smartwatches against their officially listed thickness and weight specs, and the gap is bigger than you might expect.
Optics
We took the So Grease 12x50 binoculars into the field for a full birding session, from wetland rails to backyard songbirds, to see where they shine and where they fall short.
Flashlights & Lanterns
A dense aluminum camping lantern with a swappable 21700 battery, USB-C reverse charging, red light, and a surprisingly refined user interface.
Flashlights
The Sofirn SC31T and SC32 both hit 2,000 lumens at a budget-friendly price, and each one brings a genuinely smart user interface to everyday carry.
Running Shoes
Four soft daily trainers go head to head on stack, foam feel, durability and value to help you pick the right one for easy miles and uptempo days.
Multi-Tools
The Leatherman Skeletool has dominated the compact multi-tool space for years. The new SOG Flash MT finally offers a serious alternative with magnetic bit storage and true needle-nose pliers.
Multi-Tools
At 4.2 ounces and just over three inches long, the SOG PowerPint packs pliers, blades, a genuinely usable file, and a hex bit driver into a genuinely pocketable package.
EDC Multi-Tools
After years of daily use, one compact multi-tool fell short where it counts, while a slimmer full-size alternative took its place in the pocket.
Multi-Tools
Outstanding scissors, a longer blade than most rivals, and a pocket clip make the SOG Snippet a rare keychain multi-tool that earns a recommendation.
Multi-Tools
The SOG Sync One Travel skips the blade and keeps a surprisingly strong plier head, scissors, and more in a package thin enough for a watch pocket.
Everyday Carry
A titanium bolt action marker that upgrades the everyday Sharpie experience, with a clever clip mechanism and a rollerball conversion on the way.
Pens & Writing Instruments
A titanium bolt-action marker that upgrades the everyday Sharpie experience, with a clever clip design and a much-improved mechanism over the original.
Sleep Tech
Tiny, comfortable sleep buds with active noise cancellation, a huge sound library, and battery life that genuinely lasts the night.
Apps
Spark is a free art app that blends doodling, prompts, and community collaboration. Here is what it does well and who it is really for.
Wallets
Handmade in the USA from full grain vegetable tan leather, this dual-card bifold holds up to 12 cards plus cash while staying surprisingly slim.
Trail Running Shoes
The Speedland x Saysky RX Sky brings a Boa and Velcro closure, a removable carbon plate, and deep AT PU cushioning. Here is how it performed on a first 8.4-mile test run.
Trail Running Shoes
A high-performance trail shoe with an ATPU midsole, a removable carbon plate, and an unusual BOA-and-Velcro fit system. Tested over mixed road-to-trail miles.
Flashlights
One of the most compact 21700 flashlights around, with type-C charging, IP68 waterproofing, a dual-mode interface, and reverse charging for your phone.
Running Shoes
From $275 super shoes to disappearing outsoles, seven running shoes and design trends that genuinely worry runners heading into 2024.
Deals
A curated rundown of standout Black Friday deals across sports watches, drones, action cameras, smart trainers and cycling accessories.
Race Travel
Guaranteed bibs, well-located hotels, organized race-day logistics and post-race parties: what a marathon tour package actually includes, based on four international trips.
Knives
A closer look at two standout Paramilitary 2 variants: a full Salt-series build with a MagnaCut blade, and a Cruwear exclusive with exceptional all-round steel performance.
Gravel Components
A long day in the mountains with SRAM's gravel-focused RED XPLR groupset, the new Zipp 45mm wheelset, and Goodyear XPLR tires.
Fountain Pens
A close look at S.T. Dupont's limited edition fountain pen celebrating 1776, from its layered urushi lacquer barrel to a lively 14k gold nib.