Two weeks ago, I was offered an early bird trial of Blurb’s new Designer Photo Book Templates and now that I have the finished product my high school daughter created, I’d like to share how fun and easy it was to create this beautiful looking photo album! I have been a customer of Blurb since…
Author: Nicholas P, Chief Reviewer
Nicholas Pang is a competitive Northern California track & field athlete, runner, and Editor-in-Chief of the most comprehensive minimalist shoes and running accessories review site, Minimalist Running Shoes. He is also the author of 'The Minimalist Runner' and 'Wear Tested', books focusing on how to transition to barefoot-inspired minimal shoes and developing good running form. Nick is a member of the USA Track & Field organization.
Let your iPhone tell you how much you Move
Being a technologist and gadgets fanatic, I’m always on the lookout for fitness devices for self-quantifying – specifically, digital health. The recently launched Moves App from ProtoGeo plan to replace fitness wristbands and gadgets by simply carrying your smartphone. According to Sampo Karjalainen, Designer CEO of ProtoGeo, “Moves is an example of how smartphones are…
Puma Mobium Elite Review
The Puma Mobium Elite is a performance trainer that expands and contracts as the foot moves. Rooted in anatomy and inspired by nature, Puma Mobium Elite is the product of two years intense design and development based on how the foot moves – scroll down to see the Design & Development videos from Puma for…
Pentax Q10 Hybrid Camera Review
In my unending quest to find the perfect compact and portable camera, I recently stumbled upon the new Pentax Q10, the world’s smallest, lightest mirror-less interchangeable lens camera (ILC) system. The super-compact and ultra-lightweight Pentax Q10 is barely larger than a deck of cards and offers digital-SLR-quality photography for photographers of all levels. This is…
Merrell M-Connect Apparel Collection
The Merrell M-Connect apparel collection is a new line of performance apparel (running & fitness) from Merrell designed to follow the natural motion of your body. For Spring Merrell inspires outside athletes with new apparel that is sweat-worthy and packed with performance like wicking, reflectivity, mobility and adjustability to fit varying body types. Coupled this…
SKORA launches groundbreaking SS13 collection
SKORA is launching their SS13 collection with two all-new models featuring groundbreaking midsole & outsole technology and construction techniques plus fresh new colorways for FORM and BASE. The two new SS13 models, PHASE and CORE, are both built on the revolutionary new R02 unibody outsole platform, featuring IBR (Injection Blown Rubber) that provides the function…
Teva Sphere Speed & Trail Review
Teva defies convention by changing the shoe instead of the stride. The TevaSphere Speed & Trail collection is designed to meet the performance needs of the outdoor athlete with a first-of-its-kind spherical heel and pod-arch system delivering a more natural point of impact, efficient transition and superior stability on varied terrain. Teva spent more than…
Salomon Sense Mantra Review
The new Salomon Sense Mantra is a lightweight training shoe for midfoot strikers who want natural motion, protection and neutral cushioning for high mileage training. We reviewed the Salomon S-Lab Sense last year, a shoe that is designed specifically for ultra-runner Kilian Jornet. Our review of the follow-up, the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra, will be out soon….
MIO Global Alpha Heart Rate Watch Review
Don’t you hate wearing a chest heart rate monitor strap? Worst yet, you forget to put one on – a common occurrence for me! I have tested the Garmin Forerunner 610, Motorola ACTV, and Magellan GPS Switch with a chest strap but because I wear the Garmin watch as my everyday watch, I tend to…
What’s Your Running Gear?
What you wear on your run is just as important as choosing which shoe to wear. You want to focus on enjoying running injury free and not on the elements of the weather or terrain. Here is what I wear for non-technical trails in a ‘shout out‘ to some of my partners and supporters of…
Zero drop LEMs Boulder Boot – It’s here!
The LEMs (formerly STEM Footwear) Boulder Boot is here. Remember there’s limited stock! Weighing a mere 9.9oz (Mens size 43), the Boulder Boot is arguably the lightest boot in the world. The upper is made of water-resistant nylon and full-grain leather to keep away moisture. The whole boot is completely collapsible, great for stuffing into a…
Icebreaker Spring/Summer 2013 Running Collection is here!
The Spring-Summer 2013 running collection from Icebreaker are available in stores and online at icebreaker.com now. The merino-wool running apparel will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Once you go merino wool, you won’t go back to cotton or polyester… We’ve reviewed Icebreaker summer running apparel and also winter running…
Is 2013 the year of Quantified Self?
One of the biggest trend in the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2013) in Las Vegas is ‘connected health’ and fitness gadgets or in general, the broad digital health arena. Advancements in sensors and component miniaturization coupled with system integration of next generation mobile devices and software apps have driven the market for wearable devices….
Montrail FluidFlex
Trail running equipment specialist Montrail is continuing its minimalist direction with the Montrail FluidFlex (minimal, 4mm drop), part of the new Fluid line that also include the FluidFeel (neutral, 8mm drop) and the FluidBalance (stability, 10mm drop). With a 4mm offset (15 mm heel, 11 mm forefoot), articulated midsole and toothy microlug outsole, the FluidFlex…
adidas Energy Boost
Are EVA days numbered? Designed to help you run longer and more comfortably, adidas announces the revolutionary adidas Energy Boost, featuring game-changing cushioning technology, sought out for the past 30 years and in development for more than three years. Pre-order adidas Energy Boost now! The first-in-the-industry cushioning is made up of a material that contains thousands of…
Merrell Proterra Sport Multi-Hike Review
Merrell Proterra is a brand new multi-hike collection that innovates with an agile approach to a traditional hiking product. The design combines Merrell’s heritage performance with Merrell Barefoot experiences for fast, breathable and durable hiking shoes and boots. Proterra is built on a 4mm platform and has been demonstrated to improve a person’s stability through…
Adidas adipure Gazelle SS ’13
Adidas is refreshing the colorways of their best selling Adidas adipure Gazelle for Spring & Summer 2013. The adipure Gazelle still has the same 7mm drop, lightweight, super-flexible, minimal cushioning, and is designed for the runner that is ready to experience midfoot and forefoot running. New colors are Light Grey for men and Joy Pink…
Your Guide To Merrell M-Connect Collection
Transitioning with the latest Merrell Barefoot running shoes Merrell is launching their new M-Connect series of running shoes this month. It is a complete collection featuring running, training, and hiking shoes in addition to running apparel. This article will cover the road running shoes. We will have subsequent posts covering the new Proterra hiking shoes,…
Puma Mobium Elite – Sneak Peek
PUMA is today launching a new-to-market category of performance running, Adaptive Running, with the introduction of the Puma Mobium Elite shoe. Highlights: Mobium Elite’s Technology – Adapts to your foot’s expansion and contraction to encourage midfoot striking and efficiency Windlass Chassis – Changes in length, height and proportion along with your foot’s natural movement Mobium Band…
Photojojo Easy Macro Lens Band Review
I stumbled upon Photojojo out of frustration with having to carry so many cameras (digital SLR, multiple point-and-shoot, iPhone) and camera accessories (zoom lenses, wide angle lenses, tripod, monopod) with me when I attend races, track and cross country meets. Minimalism in photography equipment starts here! I wanted to minimize what I carry with just…
New Balance 2013 Cross Country shoes – Sneak Peek
New Balance is attacking cross country courses in 2013 with their most powerful line up of cross country shoes. Fierce. Stealth. Aggressive. I loved the 2012 NB XC900 spikeless (one of my top rated minimalist running shoe) but looking forward to testing the NB XC5000 on the tartan track for sprints! New Balance XC700 Designed…
NB Minimus 1010v2 Trail – Sneak Peek
New Balance is also adding to the Minimus collection with the new and improved Minimus 1010v2 trail.This updated edition continues to offer the perfect blend of minimal and traditional features with fit updates and innovative advancements. The 1010v2 continues to round out the Minimus collection for New Balance by acting as a gateway for runners looking for…
NB Minimus Ionix 3090v2 – Sneak Peek
New Balance is adding to the Minimus collection with the introduction of the edgy NB Minimus Ionix 3090v2. This update continues to push the envelope with vivid designs and superior technical features from the first edition but with key improvements. The inspiration for the original Minimus Ionix 3090v1 was the geometry of a molecule, the smallest…
New Balance Minimus Road & Trail v2 Updates
New Balance is launching updates to its existing Minimus style – the original Minimus Road (MR10/WR10) and Minimus Trail (MT10/WT10), which we wear tested and reviewed over two years ago. New Balance Minimus 10v2 Designed for the minimal road runner who requires the perfect balance of protection and proprioception, the Minimus 10v2 is the result…