Independent reviews

Product Reviews and Buying Guides – 445 / 805

From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.

Li-Ning Feidian 9 Ultra running shoe shown in three-quarter view on concrete

Running Shoes

Li-Ning Feidian 9 Ultra Review: The Bounciest Enthusiast Trainer of 2026

A revisited look at one of 2026's most popular enthusiast running shoes: dual-foam midsole, carbon plate, and a wild, trampoline-like ride with clear trade-offs.

9/30/2026
Flat-lay of running shoes, open-ear headphones, earbuds and GPS watches on concrete

Running Gear

Loch Ness 10K Running Kit Test: Shoes, Headphones and Race Watches Put to the Test

Five pieces of running kit tested in real race conditions at the Loch Ness 10K, from the Hoka Mach 5 to the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch Ultra.

9/30/2026
Running shoes, GPS watches and half tights arranged on a concrete surface

Running Gear

Race-Day Gear Test: What We Learned Running the London Landmarks Half

Seven pieces of running gear put to the test over a twisty, windy half marathon through central London, from super shoes to GPS watches and race tights.

9/30/2026
Lululemon Beyondfeel daily running shoe on a matte concrete surface

Running Shoes

Lululemon Beyondfeel First Run Review: Firm Miles in Lululemon's First Men's Trainer

Lululemon's first men's running shoe promises max cushioning and effortless glide. Early miles suggest a firm, blocky ride that will divide opinion.

9/30/2026
Lululemon Blissfeel 2 women's running shoe on a pale concrete surface

Running Shoes

Lululemon Blissfeel 2 Review: A Firmer Everyday Running Shoe Built for Women

Lululemon's second running shoe gets a redesigned upper and improved fit, but it stays firmly in everyday trainer territory rather than max cushion comfort.

9/30/2026
Carbon-plated running shoes and two smartwatches arranged on concrete

Running Gear

Manchester Half Marathon: Race Kit Tested, From Race Shoes to Smartwatches

A half marathon debrief covering the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 race shoe and how the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 Jet Black handled race day tracking.

9/30/2026
Flat-lay of marathon running gear including shoes, GPS watches, chest strap, sensor pod, and earbuds

Running Gear

Marathon Race Day Gear Test: The Shoes, Watches, and Wearables We Took 26.2 Miles

Seven pieces of running kit tested over a full marathon, from carbon super shoes and dual-frequency sports watches to a sweat-sensing hydration wearable.

9/30/2026
Walnut wooden mechanical pencil with silver fittings on a concrete surface

Stationery

Marvelous Wood Buddy Mark 2: A Refined Second Generation Wooden Mechanical Pencil

The Buddy Mark 2 rebuilds the popular wooden mechanical pencil from the ground up with better balance, a new grip section, an included eraser, and a price that stays the same.

9/30/2026
Pair of lightweight crossover trail running shoes on a concrete surface

Trail Running Shoes

Merrell Morph Lite First Impressions: A £100 Crossover Trail Shoe That Punches Above Its Price

The Merrell Morph Lite blends road and trail running in a lightweight, recycled-friendly package. Here is how it performed alongside the Agility Peak 5 on a mixed 13-mile test run.

9/30/2026
Two carbon plate racing shoes side by side on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris vs Nike Alphafly 3: Which Carbon Racer Wins?

Two of the standout carbon racing shoes go head to head on weight, price, ride feel, fit and durability.

9/30/2026
Mizuno Neo Zen running shoe in three-quarter view on matte concrete

Running Shoes

Mizuno Neo Zen First Impressions: A Soft, Bouncy Daily Trainer Without a Plate

Early miles in the Mizuno Neo Zen reveal a marshmallow-soft, plateless daily trainer with real bounce, a roomy fit, and a few stability trade-offs worth knowing about.

9/30/2026
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 racing shoe on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 First Run Review: A Marathon Race Shoe With More Roll

First impressions of the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3, a bouncy carbon-infused race shoe redesigned for longer distance racing.

9/30/2026
Black and white Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro racing shoe with high-stack midsole on concrete

Running Shoes

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: First Run Review of Mizuno's New Super Shoe

A distinctive, lightweight carbon racing shoe with a dual-density midsole, wave plate and aggressive geometry that turned in a strong first workout.

9/30/2026
Elegant lacquered fountain pen with gold trim beside a hardcover novel

Fountain Pens

Montblanc Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days Classique: A Fountain Pen Review

A themed Meisterstück Classique inspired by Jules Verne's classic novel, with Coromandel lacquer, detailed engravings, and one glaring story mistake Montblanc should not have made.

9/30/2026
Collection of running shoes including racers, daily trainers and trail shoes on concrete floor

Running Shoes

Most Anticipated Running Shoes of 2025: 12 Rumoured and Confirmed Releases Worth Watching

From super shoes to daily cruisers and trail machines, here are the 2025 running shoe releases generating the most excitement, with a clear look at what may change.

9/30/2026
Four chunky max-cushion running shoes in a row on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

The Squashiest Max-Cushion Running Shoes: Four Marshmallow Trainers Compared

Four supremely soft daily trainers that can ease aching joints, support recovery runs, and get you out the door on the days your body says no.

9/30/2026
Lineup of premium running shoes on a concrete studio floor

Running Shoes

The Most Expensive Running Shoes Right Now: A Category-by-Category Price Breakdown

From a $198 daily trainer to $310 carbon-plated trail racers, here is what the priciest performance running shoes on the market cost and what justifies the price.

9/30/2026
Mount to Coast R1 road running shoe in three-quarter view on matte concrete

Running Shoes

Mount to Coast R1 First Run Review: A Road Ultra Shoe That Doubles as a Daily Trainer

The Mount to Coast R1 is built for long road ultras, with a midsole designed to stay consistent over hours of running. Here is how it performs on first contact.

9/30/2026
Five running shoes arranged in a row on a matte concrete surface

Running Shoes

Must-Have Running Shoes 2025: Five New Models Worth Watching

From road performance trainers to interchangeable-midsole trail shoes, these five upcoming releases cover the most interesting running shoe launches of the year.

9/30/2026
Two cushioned running shoes side by side on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

New Balance 1080 v14 vs Asics Gel Nimbus 27: Which Cushioned Daily Trainer Should You Buy?

Two big-hitting daily trainers go head to head. We compare stack, weight, fit, ride and durability to help you pick the right cushioned cruiser for your easy miles.

9/30/2026
New Balance 1080 v14 and ASICS Novablast 4 running shoes side by side on concrete

Running Shoes

New Balance 1080 v14 vs ASICS Novablast 4: Which Daily Trainer Wins?

Two of the most popular cushioned daily trainers compared on fit, ride, versatility, durability and value, with a clear verdict for different types of runners.

9/30/2026
Two New Balance daily trainers side by side on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

New Balance 1080 v14 vs Rebel v4: Which Daily Trainer Fits Your Running?

Two New Balance daily trainers with very different personalities: a plush mileage eater and a lighter, faster uptempo option. Here is how to choose.

9/30/2026
Two daily trainer running shoes side by side on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14 vs Saucony Ride 17: Which Daily Trainer Deserves Your Money?

Two of the most comfortable daily trainers go head to head. We compare cushioning, fit, stability, outsole grip, and value to help you pick the right one.

9/30/2026
Two New Balance 1080 running shoes side by side on a concrete surface

Running Shoes

New Balance 1080 v14 vs 1080 v13: Which Cushioned Daily Trainer Should You Buy?

The 1080 v14 brings back a touch of firmness and stability, while the v13 stays the softest of the line. Here is how the two compare for everyday training.

9/30/2026
Two New Balance stability running shoes side by side on concrete

Running Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 vs Fresh Foam X Vongo v6: Which Stability Trainer Deserves Your Miles?

Two Fresh Foam stability trainers with very different characters. Here is how they compare for daily miles, long runs, and easy recovery days.

9/30/2026
Deep blue stability running shoe with thick white midsole on concrete surface

Running Shoes

New Balance 860 V15 Review: A Max-Cushion Stability Redo That Lost Its Magic

The New Balance 860 V15 goes bigger and heavier than its cult-classic predecessor. We break down what changed, who it still works for, and why many runners may want to look elsewhere.

9/30/2026
New Balance Balos and Asics Superblast 2 running shoes side by side on concrete

Running Shoes

New Balance Balos vs Asics Superblast 2: Two Premium Plateless Super Trainers Compared

Two £200/$200 plateless super trainers, almost identical in weight, but very different in feel. Here is how the Balos and Superblast 2 stack up.

9/30/2026
New Balance Balos and Mizuno Neo Vista running shoes side by side on concrete

Running Shoes

New Balance Balos vs Mizuno Neo Vista: Two Super Trainers Compared

Two soft, bouncy super trainers with nearly identical goals but different prices, stacks, and ride characters. Here's how they stack up.

9/30/2026
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14 running shoe in three-quarter view on concrete

Running Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14 Review: A Firmer Take on a Fan Favorite

The 1080 v14 dials back the plushness of the v13 for a more resilient, stable ride. Here is what changes, who it suits, and whether you should upgrade.

9/30/2026
New Balance Fresh Foam Balos running shoe with thick white midsole and crimson upper on concrete

Running Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam Balos First Run Review: Soft, Bouncy, and Non-Plated

A hands-on first-run look at New Balance's non-plated PEBA daily trainer, including weight, stack specs, wet grip, and how it compares to rivals.

9/30/2026