When we put together a pool of reviewers, we want people who adventure big but also live normal lives—because that’s our true audience (very few readers are running 100-mile races or summiting Everest). Enter lead watch tester Meg Healy. There’s no one better suited to deliver real-world reviews of a watch that can track all of your workouts while integrating into your 9-5. As a runner, dancer, cyclist, and world traveler, she’s as active as you can get without being sponsored, but she also lives in the real world as a mom, PTA volunteer, and soccer coach.

Healy has tested a batch of watches for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř over the past several years and says that the , at the moment, is her clear favorite. She’s now lived with it on her wrist nearly 24/7 for six months and found that, for her, the watch strikes the perfect balance of training coach and everyday companion.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Suunto Race

Testing Stats

• Test Locations:
  • New Mexico and Brazil
• Six months of continuous testing in a wide variety of activities:
  • 450+ miles of running and hiking with more than 40,000 feet of elevation gain
  • 100+ hours of yoga
  • 60+ hours of martial arts training
  • Hours of rollerblading, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, horseback riding, swimming, and more

Suunto Race Training Tracking Performance

Healy said the Race became her favorite workout companion for a number of reasons. First, the watch, which works with all the major satellite systems—GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU, and on both L1 and L5 GPS frequencies—grabs a GPS signal faster than any watch she’s tested. That was important for Healy who’s always busy and wants her workout to start as soon as possible.

“As you can imagine, people like me who like to run don’t like to wait,” she said. “It’s a pain to be waiting around on your doorstep, or at a trailhead in the wilderness of the Brazilian jungle before you can head out. But I never had that problem with the Race.”

She also loved the watch’s ability to track a wide range of activities. With other watches, Healy couldn’t always find the appropriate activity tracker for what she was doing, given her interests are as diverse as horseback riding, yoga, and martial arts. But the Race, which tracks nearly 100 activities, never left her hanging. Plus, on a day when she might do three or four different workouts, or a month where she does eight or 10 different activities, the watch kept up and, via the Suunto app, succinctly reported her overall fitness and provided useful feedback.

“I loved seeing that no matter what I was doing, there was clearly a time during my day when I felt best and had the best pace, no matter what,” she said.

Most of the time Healy knew where she was going on her runs, but she still appreciated the Race’s ability to download offline topo maps specific to where she was adventuring. Using the app, you can set a route that the watch will follow on screen and offer turn-by-turn instructions. If you get lost, the watch will point you back to wherever you started.

The battery on the Race is so good that Healy pretty much forgot about it. She estimates that she only charged it once every 10 days. According to official stats, Suunto says the watch will last up to 26 days if just used as a regular watch and give you up to 40 hours of continuous use with every tracking metric turned on. Or you can go for five days in “Tour” mode in which the GPS is tracking with lower accuracy.

Healy wore the watch at all times (except for the rare occasions when it was charging). She used the watch to track her sleep and said integrating that data into her overall fitness picture proved to be useful, helping her identify which days she was ready for a bigger and more taxing workout. (She did, however, say that the sleep tracking was not as accurate as some other watches she’s used, noting that the data occasionally said she was awake during times when she knew she was asleep.)

The only other problem Healy ran into with the watch was when she tried to track her blood oxygen. It’s not a metric she regularly monitors, but her dad had to check his for medical reasons so she decided to try the feature on the Race. Too often, however, an error code popped up saying it couldn’t provide any info.

Suunto Race Everyday Performance

Healy is 5 foot, 5 inches tall, and fit, so the 1.43-inch high-definition AMOLED screen sat a little big on her wrist (she might be more comfortable with the “S” version that has a smaller face). Nonetheless, she was glad to have all that real estate to display useful stats she’d check while working out. And over time she got used to the size and said it never got in the way when she was moving.

At night, Healy, who is light sensitive, liked that the watch could be set accordingly. When she raised her wrist to look at the screen, just a dim display of the time appeared rather than the full, bright screen. She also enjoyed using the watch as an alarm so that she didn’t have to sleep with her phone next to her bed, and found the flashlight feature helpful to navigate around the house in the dark.

Healy had nothing but praise for the watch’s durability. After months of using the watch hard without a care, she said it still looked almost new. “After looking this thing over I can’t see a single scratch on the face or a single mark on the body,” she said. One minor complaint: Healy prefers lighter colors, so she wished the titanium version she tested came in a white instead of just a metallic or purple colorway. Suunto does, however, offer a number of bright wristbands to liven things up.

Finally, she appreciated the Suunto Race’s price point. The titanium version Healy tested costs $549, significantly less than the $839 you’ll pay for the titanium and solar-charging top-of-the-line Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar or other comparable watches. For that extra money, the Vertical gets you a better battery life (up to 85 hours of continuous GPS use with solar recharging) and it’s made in Finland instead of China. Those differences are important, and will matter to some folks, but for many other everyday users, including Healy, they’re not worth the extra $300.

“The Race was everything I needed and it’s been an incredible training partner no matter where I’ve been,” Healy said.

See our full guide to the best sports watches we’ve tested.

The post The Best Sports Watch for Everyday, Do-Everything Athletes appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

When we started tallying up how many miles our group covered while testing watches, we ended somewhere around 4,000 miles. That’s like running and cycling from New York to San Francisco, then turning around and making it back to Nebraska. Throughout all those miles, a diverse group of testers—from everyday moms and dads to former Olympic Trials athletes—obsessed over the features of a big batch of watches to find the very best.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best for Runners:
• Best for Weekend Warriors:
• Best for Small Wrists:
• Best for Everyday Use:
• Best for a Budget:
• How to Choose a Sports Watch
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Overall

Garmin Enduro 3

Weight: 2.2 oz with elastic nylon strap
Face Diameter: 51 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Big but light
⊕ Phenomenal battery life
⊕ Feature rich
⊕ Strap is the most comfortable on the market
⊗ Pricey

After months of running and skiing, the Garmin Enduro 3 rose to the top of the test group and is possibly the best sports watch we’ve ever tested, thanks to the feature-rich setup and a huge 51-millimeter screen.

The screen isn’t AMOLED, but while bright AMOLED screens beam workout info at you in ultra high-def, over years of testing we’ve come to love non-AMOLED screens both for their less-glaring brightness and because they have a much smaller energy draw and allow for mind-boggling battery life.

Case in point: The Enduro 3 allows for up to 36 days of smartwatch use (where you’re just using the watch for notifications and other non-workout features) and up to 120 hours of GPS use. Throw in some solar charging and the watch will keep ticking for a reported 90 days of general smartwatch use (up from 46 days for the Enduro 2), and a staggering 320 hours (that’s 13+ days) of GPS tracking. One tester said he went over a month between charges (longer during the abundant summer sun) with 24/7 daily use and about an hour of activity tracking per day.

In addition to tracking nearly every sport or exercise imaginable (as diverse as wakesurfing and rugby), the Enduro 3 also comes with plenty of space for downloaded maps plus turn-by-turn directions so backcountry skiers or trail runners will never get lost. I have several hundred songs downloaded, which has helped me stay motivated on long, grueling road runs. Plus, the elastic nylon strap is the most comfortable we’ve ever used; not once did testers get a rash and they raved that the adjustability created the perfect fit.

A 10 percent reduction in weight between the Enduro 2 and Enduro 3—or about seven grams—does not seem like a lot. But damn if I didn’t notice that it was the lightest 51-millimeter watch I’ve ever worn, which made a big difference, even if just mentally, when covering a lot of miles.

Like other top-end Garmin watches, the Enduro 3 comes with an ultra-bright flashlight that was equally helpful when peeing at night as it was one evening when I had to navigate a dark section of trail and didn’t have a headlamp.

Garmin’s software interface is not as good as Apple’s—and likely never will be—but it’s way better than what we’ve seen from other competitors. Tester Jonathan Beverly found the mobile app’s daily dashboard that tracked both fitness progress and training readiness to be intuitive, accurate, and valuable. “Whenever I ignored its recommendations to rest, I’d pay for it on subsequent days,” he said.

Best for Runners

Coros Pace Pro

Weight: 1.7 oz with silicone band, 1.3 oz with nylon band
Face Diameter: 33 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Small but mighty
⊕ The screen is beautiful
⊕ Fairly priced
⊕ Ultra-quick GPS location
⊗ Wake time isn’t immediate with arm rise

Back in college, Jesse Armijo ran the USA Olympic Marathon Trials. More recently he had a streak of winning the Duke City Half Marathon four times in a row. He’s currently training for the Black Canyon 100k Ultra in Arizona, and he organizes a youth running club for kids in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In other words, he’s a talented and dedicated runner and was the perfect tester for the Pace Pro, which bills itself as the smart choice for serious athletes (especially those who pound the pavement or trails).

Jesse put hundreds of running miles on the watch and found that it was an excellent training partner during every one of them. It picked up a GPS signal almost as soon as he stepped out of his house so that he could get up and go, and he liked the small 1.3-inch face that gave him all the info he needed—in a bright, beautiful AMOLED display— without looking ostentatious (he’s a humble guy).

In high-quality GPS mode, the watch lasts up to 38 hours, which Jesse said was more than plenty, even for an athlete of his caliber who’s often out training 10 or 20 hours per week. He found the software reasonably easy to navigate and liked built-in features like the effort-pace screen. This feature allowed him to see an adjusted pace that factored in hills and compared how hard he was working to his historical performances with similar conditions and terrain.

Jesse is a new dad, so affordability is important, and at just half the price of the Enduro 3, the Pace Pro is something he’s happy to invest in. Our only niggle: Jesse wished the watch lit up its screen more quickly when he raised his wrist.

Best for Weekend Warriors

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Weight: 2.2 oz
Face Diameter: 49 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ The best interface on the market
⊕ Intuitive lifestyle functions
⊗ Lousy battery life

Category manager Jakob Schiller is not as hardcore an athlete as the other testers in this year’s group and found that the Ultra 2 was perfect for a weekend warrior like him. He loved how the watch integrated into his everyday life, allowing him to quickly answer texts with Siri, easily control his AirPods, and answer a call on the watch just by double-tapping his pointer finger and thumb. But he was also impressed with the bright screen, detailed stats for every activity from skiing to swimming, and the well-designed watch faces that presented data and info in smart, easy-to-read displays. “The watch faces that launched with the Ultra 2 are not only a pleasure to look at but are also damn good at presenting both everyday and workout information—plus they’re easily customizable,” he said.

This version of the Ultra is also carbon-neutral, and Apple is sharing the environmentally-friendly manufacturing technology it developed to help other companies build better products. Jakob, like everyone else, was disappointed, however, with the 36-hour battery life (with regular use, up to 72 hours in low power mode) but says he’s rarely away from a charger for that long, so it isn’t a deal-breaker.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY AMAZFIT
Amazfit T-Rex 3 ($279.99)

With 170+ built-in workout modes and AI-generated personalized training plans, the T-Rex 3 smartwatch from Amazfit is the perfect partner for the gym, pool, road, or trail. Track reps, sets, and rest time in strength training mode, and easily see all your workout data and sleep recovery information on the big, bright face. Plus, stay focused on your workout by fully controlling your watch with your voice and sending speech-to-text messages. With more than 3 weeks of battery life and a rugged body, the T-Rex 3 is always ready to go.

Best for Small Wrists

Suunto Race S Titanium Courtney

Weight: 1.87 oz with silicone band
Face Diameter: 33.5 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Versatile functionality
⊕ Tough as nails
⊕ Perfect for small wrists
⊗ Heart rate takes time to settle in

We’ll be honest: Wearing a pro-model watch from Courtney Dauwalter is its own form of motivation. Just like wearing a pair of Jordans and being inspired by the GOAT himself, wearing Dauwalter’s watch always gave us a little extra motivation, channeling the strength that she used to become the first person, man or woman, to win the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc trail running races all in the same year.

Meg Healy was the principal tester, and as an ultra-fit woman who’s just about five-feet tall, she said the 45 millimeter form factor was perfect for her smaller wrists but never once lacked info thanks to the 1.32-inch screen that broadcast all the info she needed, no matter the workout. Healy, who loves to pack in multiple sports every day, said she also appreciated the wide variety of activity trackers built into the software that allowed her to keep track of everything from running to martial arts to horseback riding.

Healy’s favorite part, however, was that the watch restarted her workout when she resumed after a pause, even if she didn’t remember to manually do it herself. “This saved me from not tracking large chunks of many bike rides, hikes, and runs after I’d stopped for traffic or to pick up after the dog,” she said. The battery on the Race S is respectable, lasting up to 30 hours when talking to multiple satellites. You can get a less expensive steel Race S, but we loved the feathery weight of the nearly indestructible titanium.

One potential ding: Healy noticed that the heart rate monitor wasn’t accurate at times and had trouble settling in, especially at the beginning of a workout. I didn’t put as many miles in with the Race S as Healy, but had much better luck and found the heart rate to be as accurate as those of other watches.

See our extended review of the full-size Suunto Race.

Best for Everyday Use

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Weight: 2.1 oz for just the watch
Face Diameter: 37.3 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Battery lasts multiple days
⊕ Delivers tons of information
⊕ Pretty on the eye
⊗ Just for Android users
⊗ Watch strap is sub-par

Ever since Apple and Samsung launched beefed up sports watches we’ve been waiting for these companies to put other sports watch manufacturers out of business. It hasn’t happened because both Apple and Samsung have focused more on ultra bright screens, phone connectivity, and information delivery and less on battery life. That means everyone who’s running ultras or exploring for multiple days at a time is still very loyal to the likes of Garmin, Suunto, and Coros.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra, however, gives us a glimpse of what could be coming because it’s a big, flashy, daily watch that lets you track your workouts (from running and cycling to table tennis and orienteering), play music, control your thermostat—and its battery actually lasts a couple days. Tester Andy Dean, who used the watch for over 1,000 miles, said he could track his bike commute to work in the morning, his run at lunch, and his bike commute home for two days without running out of battery. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 couldn’t do that, nor could the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (which didn’t get an update this year).

Those of you who can handle information displayed in your face all day will love the Ultra’s sharp 37.3-millimeter AMOLED screen with 480 x 480 resolution that beams your calendar appointments, bank info, and a wide array of workouts at you in high-def.

We recommend buyinga third-party watch band for the Ultra because the one that comes with the watch is, frankly, junk. Dean found it to be highly uncomfortable when it was synched down, even just slightly to get accurate heart-rate readings. The band’s silicone material also irritated his skin so much it forced him to leave the watch off for hours at a time, sometimes a full day.

Best for a Budget

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

Weight: 1.4 oz with the silicone band
Face Diameter: 30.4 mm

Pros and Cons
⊕ Feature-rich for the price
⊕ Large music storage capacity
⊕ Bright, easy-to-read screen
⊕ Small and light
⊗ Battery life limited

For those of us who need a playlist to keep ourselves going when things stretch past 30 minutes, and can attest that Run the Jewels and Avicii sound great at the 45-minute mark, the Forerunner 165 Music stands out as a top training companion. Lower on the price spectrum at $300, it still comes with 4GB of music storage so we can jam for an entire workout. For that price you also get a bright AMOLED screen, accurate GPS and multi-band connection, great phone connectivity, and a comfy strap that didn’t chafe.

Meg Healy used the watch for multiple sports every day, putting in well over 1,000 miles. For her, the running metrics and coaching suggestions that Garmin provided were especially useful. Information about vertical ratio, stride length, and ground contact time helped her monitor her running form, and as a busybody she liked that the watch was not shy about recommending recovery days. “This watch is like having an opinionated but indulgent nanny who thinks you are very talented and dedicated but always working too hard. Honestly, it feels kind of nice to have that support and feedback as an adult.”

Garmin says the watch should give users 19 hours of GPS use, and Healy said she was able to get several days of use at a time before charging. But on one multi-day backpacking trip, she said the watch died, leaving her without metrics, and firming up her opinion that the watch is designed for everyday runners and cyclists and not multi-day adventurers. She also wished the activity menu included recreational sports like soccer.

How to Choose a Sports Watch

When buying a sports watch you need to decide who you really are. That sounds like some kind of spiritual question you’d ponder at a retreat, but it’s absolutely the best way to sort out what you need. Can you admit to yourself that you’re a weekend warrior because you have a job and family? Or are you totally in and going to the top as an athlete? Maybe you disappear into the backcountry for a week whenever you get the chance.

It’s necessary to categorize yourself because this will help you pick the watch that meets your goals. If your workouts are squeezed into lunch-hour work breaks, you don’t need a watch that lasts for weeks on end without charging. If you’re dedicated to really improving in your chosen sport, a higher-end watch with complex training options can be a real aid in achieving your goal. If you dabble in a variety of sports, you’ll need a watch with a robust workout menu. And if you’re an adventurer who regularly returns from trips with torn apparel and broken equipment, you need to prioritize a bullet-proof build.

Next, make sure you play with the watch you think you want—at a local retailer, if possible, or borrow one from a friend—before making a purchase. Spend time pressing buttons, and see how much effort it takes to find features and customize the watch to your preferences. All the top-end sports watches have menus that are fairly well organized, but each one is different. Little tweaks in how a watch allows you to access a workout or track data can be big motivators—or frustrations—when you’re using the thing all day every day. Note: The menus used across a specific watch brand’s line tend to be similar, so even if you don’t find the exact model you want at your local retailer, you can still get a sense of how a brand organizes its software by playing with a different watch.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 9
• Number of Products Tested: 12
• Number of Miles: 4,000+

Over the years we’ve discovered that the best sports watch testers are adventurers who are absolutely obsessed with being outside, but come at their chosen sport without much of an ego. They love sport for sport and aren’t trying to prove anything. This balance is important because mild-mannered testers are great at digging into the features of a watch and providing in-depth feedback, but also know how to keep an everyday user in mind. There’s no mansplaining, or sportsplaining, in our tester group.

In terms of breadth, the watches we tested for this round traveled the country and saw the tops of peaks, spent hot days in the desert, and were with us during the day as our testers did everything from training troops and teaching kids to counting fish and coaching sports.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Category manager Jakob Schiller was a gear editor at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř and is now a columnist. The father of four kids and two dogs, he’s a bit pinned down but still manages to run, ski, or bike every day and loves a good weekend-long adventure in the woods chasing elk, peak tops, or fresh turns.

One of the routes Jakob used when testing sports watches:

Jesse Armijo is a PE coach and also founded the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Dukes Track Club, an all-ages organization that coaches kids and organizes a variety of races. He’s the most unassuming runner you’ll ever meet and is more than happy to sit in the group but can put everyone in the ground if he turns on the burners.

Meghan Healy does data management for the publishing industry and is also one of New Mexico’s most high-energy athletes. She runs races, is passionate about martial arts, rides horses, cycles around town with her kids, helps coach soccer, and is the true definition of someone who benefits from a trusted, function-rich sports watch.

The post The Best Sports Watches (2025) appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

If you’re a runner, walker, yogi, rock climber, or participant in nearly any active pastime, your feet endure a tremendous load, making your choice of footwear critical. While most people spend hours researching the perfect workout shoes, they give far less attention to their recovery shoes—what they wear after the workout session is over.

Neglecting your feet after a workout or run can exacerbate foot alignment problems and muscle soreness, impeding your foot’s ability to recover. Recovery footwear is designed to support your tired feet, allowing them to move in their natural patterns and accelerating the recovery process while helping relieve any aches and pains.

Whether you’re nursing sore arches, rebuilding after a long run, or just relaxing, these recovery shoes, slides, and sandals will keep your feet happy and your performance at its best.

At A Glance

• Best Overall:
• Runner-Up:
• Best Value:
• Best Recovery Sandal:
• Best Recovery Slide:
• Best Recovery Shoe:
• Best Rugged:
• Best for Plantar Fasciitis:
• Best Winter Recovery Shoe:
• How to Choose Recovery Footwear
• How We Tested
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Best Overall

Kuru Moment

Pros and Cons
⊕ Adjustable strap for better fit
⊕ Supportive heel cup and footbed
⊕ Ribbed footbed
⊗ Stiff, thick midsole reduces ground proprioception

From the moment you slip into the Kuru Moment, it’s clear that cushioning, comfort, and support are the shoe’s main priorities. Specifically designed to reduce foot and heel pain, the Kuru Moment quickly became a unanimous tester favorite. One tester called it “wildly comfortable” and said, “It’s one of the models I kept popping on after the wear test or at the end of the day or post run/workout,”

Underfoot, the thick EVA midsole strikes a balance between plush cushioning and structured support, creating a soft yet stable foundation. A deep heel cup gently secures the heel, while the pronounced arch support provides reliable lift and alignment. The Moment offered noticeable relief for my chronic heel pain, delivering extended pain-free comfort post-run.

A ribbed footbed provides a pleasantly tactile feel with each step that adds to the overall comfort. The heavily padded adjustable velcro strap enables a fine-tuned fit regardless of your foot width.

Available in two sleek, dark, monotone colorways, this slide-style sandal has a refined, sporty aesthetic. While many recovery sandals can appear a bit unpolished, the Moment strikes an elevated look that’s ideal for running errands or casual outings.

Runner-Up

Topo Rekovr 2

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy slip-on design
⊕ Comfortable, natural feeling
⊗ Wool upper runs hot

Another favorite among all our testers, the Topo Rekovr 2 won over our hearts and tired feet. Reminiscent of your coziest slipper, it combines dynamic support and a comfortable, wide-toe-box fit with suburb traction. One tester raved, “This is by far my favorite slip-on I’ve ever owned.”

Where the Rekovr 2 really shines is in the outdoors. Its easy slip-on design is paired with a tacky Vibram outsole offering traction that reminded us of Topo’s award-winning trail shoes. One tester found it to be the perfect choice for wearing around the cabin, by the fire pit, or for short outings like waiting at the bus stop with the kids, while another kept them by the door for sure-footed trips across the yard to feed his dogs or check the mail, regardless of the weather.

Found to promote good foot health by the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Rekovr 2 features a modest stack height of 23 millimeters in the heel and 20 millimeters in the forefoot with a semi-flexible sole for a natural recovery experience. Ribbed insoles provide a tantalizing sole massage with a cushioned, comfortable step-in feel.

Its only flaw, which kept it from claiming the title of best overall, is the antimicrobial blended wool upper that retains heat. It can feel stuffy in hot and humid conditions, making it only a cool weather choice, whereas the Kuru Moment can be worn for more of the year.

Best Value

Velous Hoya Adjustable Slide

Pros and Cons
⊕ Soft footbed
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Good arch support
⊕ Adjustable strap adapts fit for different feet
⊗ Questionable durability

The Velous Active Slide delivers impressive value for its price. It features one of the softer footbeds we tested over a firmer outsole. The combo delivers a cushioned underfoot feeling with added structure and durability. One tester described it as “incredibly lightweight, with excellent arch support and a secure fit.”

The Active Slide provides a balance between stability and flexibility. The deep heel cup not only enhances stability around the rear foot but also helps align the foot with each step, minimizing strain. Meanwhile, the comfortable, structured arch support offers relief for those with flat feet or high arches. Flex grooves in the forefoot encourage a smooth, natural stride, allowing the toes to move freely during push-off while maintaining just enough overall support. What really stood out was the adjustable strap. At this price point, you rarely find a customizable fit that accommodates a variety of foot shapes and widths.

Remarkably lightweight, it feels airy, almost like you’re wearing nothing while still getting a cushioned underfoot experience. The downside, one tester noted, is that they “feel much less substantial than every other slide we tested.” Still, priced competitively, they provide one of the best bangs for your buck.

Best Recovery Sandal

OOFOS OOriginal Sandal

Pros and Cons
⊕ Secure fit
⊕ Uber soft footbed
⊗ No half sizes

The OOFOS OOriginal Sandal emerged as the best thong-style sandal in our test group. “The cushioning, styling, and arch support all combine to make a well-packaged, functional, and extremely comfortable pair of footwear,” said one tester.

Pioneers in using ultra-cushioned materials and molded arch support, OOFOS has set the standard for thong-style comfort. At the heart of the OOriginal Sandal is the OOfoam technology—an uber-soft foam that’s extremely shock-absorbing and squishy. Many testers found the foam just what they needed after a hard workout. One tester with severe heel pain found the soft foam coupled with the deep contoured footbed eased his suffering. Another tester, however, said the foam footbed lacked stability and made his feet work harder—providing an active recovery but not relaxed support.

Made from closed-cell foam, these sandals boast impressive durability, standing up to daily wear and tear. The moisture- and bacteria-resistant material keeps them fresh even with extended use, and best of all, they’re machine washable for easy cleaning.

The straps are made with the same soft foam that’s underfoot, giving the sandal a comfortable and accommodating fit. Even our narrow-footed tester, who typically struggles with sizing issues, found these fit well. The only caveat is they only come in full sizes. If you’re in between sizes, we recommend sizing down.

Best Recovery Slide

Hoka Ora Slide

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stable platform
⊕ Smooth rockered feeling
⊗ Some may find it firm
⊗ Stiff strap

The Hoka Ora Slide brings that classic thick-soled and uber-comfortable Hoka experience to a recovery slide. “It has a “very similar underfoot feel to most of Hoka’s inline footwear,” noted one tester.

That’s because the Ora Slide features their signature early-stage meta-rocker technology in which the midsole is cut away under the forefoot creating an upward curve that rolls you forward with each footstep. The injection-molded sugarcane EVA midsole runs on the firmer end of the spectrum, providing a less squishy but very stable platform. Still, I found that the Ora Slide provided ample cushioning as well as heel support, effectively easing my chronic heel pain.

The strap is made from the same firm EVA material as the midsole and has a ton of structure. While none of our testers found it uncomfortable, one found the fit less than ideal on his irregular, gnarled feet. Those with particularly wide or narrow feet might prefer more adjustability for a better fit through the midfoot.

Weighing in at just over seven ounces, it’s remarkably light on the feet and easy to wear. Perhaps the best part is the selection of over twenty different colorways. With so many options, you’re sure to find a pair that matches your style and preferences.

Best Recovery Shoe

Roll Recovery Superplush

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable knit upper
⊕ Fosters natural foot movement
⊕ Versatile, wear-all-day look and feel
⊗ Not as supportive as some

While most recovery footwear options favor comfort over looks, the Roll Recovery Superplush manages to combine both. With its sleek design and premium materials, it offers a stylish alternative without compromising on the comfort and support needed for tired, aching feet.

Perfect for running errands or just lounging around the house, the Superplush is easy to slip on and off, yet one tester noted: ”Once on, the fit held securely enough I didn’t have to worry about sliding around or clenching my toes to stay in the shoe.”

Instead of a stiff, thick sole that some find prescriptive, the Superplush offers a flexible and grounded underfoot experience, allowing your feet to move freely. One tester praised it as offering “a stable, comfortable platform that feels supportive without being overbearing.”

The standout feature of the shoe is the soft, stretchy knit upper. It’s incredibly breathable, making it ideal for all-day wear in warmer temps, and it feels luxuriously soft against the skin. Slipping these on was akin to stepping into a pair of cozy slippers.

As an added bonus, rest assured that you’re buying a sustainably made product. The Superplush uses Bloom Foam technology, which replaces petroleum-based materials with eco-friendly, algae-derived alternatives, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing comfort or performance.

Best Rugged

Arc’teryx Kragg

Pros and Cons
⊕ Sleek design
⊕ Comfortable, stretchy upper
⊕ Grippy Vibram outsole
⊗ Expensive

If there’s one thing Arc’teryx excels at, it’s seamlessly blending form and function with clean, attractive aesthetics, and the Kragg is no exception. This shoe is an absolute stunner. Originally built as a slip-on approach shoe for rock climbers, the Kragg is so comfortable it quickly became my go-to when I need a stylish, plush, easy on/off option for recovery.

Perfect as a travel shoe or jetting around town, the Kragg features a stretchy single mesh upper that’s streamlined and extremely accommodating. The interior is so soft and smooth against the skin that it’s perfect for going sockless.

The soft, collapsible heel wrap—resembling neoprene—gently molds to the shape of your heel, providing a snug yet nonconstricting feel. Inside, the removable insole doubles as the midsole, providing just enough underfoot cushioning to dampen landings without sacrificing sensitivity and sole flexibility. Sturdy TPU and Vibram rubber sidewalls plus a reinforced toe cap provide great protection against rugged terrain. And the Vibram Megagrip outsole shines over rocky terrain with enough grip on dirt to feel secure. I felt secure and comfy in this hybrid active/recovery shoe from the trail to the sofa.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

OOFOS OOahh Slide

Pros and Cons
⊕ Great arch support
⊕ Soft footbed
⊕ Lightweight
⊗ Not great for narrow feet

Plantar fasciitis can be downright debilitating. The sharp pain radiates through the bottom of your feet and makes even standing difficult. To help ease the agony, you need footwear that provides adequate support through the arch while being soft and cushioned in the heel. Testers found the OOFOS Slide fit that bill better than any other recovery footwear tested. While it may not cure plantar fasciitis, one PF-suffering tester noted, “It makes getting through your day a whole lot more comfortable.”

The comfort lies in the exceptionally soft and contoured footbed, complete with built-in arch support. Designed to reduce stress on the knees, ankles, and joints, the patented footbed delivered on its promise, with our testers agreeing it made a noticeable difference in how they felt post-workout. One tester with chronic plantar fasciitis and mobility issues found immediate relief while wearing them.

Beyond its comfortable footbed, the slide is impressively lightweight, offering a barely-there feel. The main drawback is the non-adjustable strap. While it secured most of our tester’s feet comfortably, one tester with very narrow feet found the fit loose and sloppy.

Best Winter Recovery Shoe

Adidas Winter Slip-On Cold.Rdy Boots

Pros and Cons
⊕ Exceptionally warm
⊕ Tough durable outer layer
⊗ Ankle collar’s snug fit can cause pressure

The Adidas winter slip-on is an excellent choice for those needing a quick and easy-on/off recovery shoe for cold climates. Providing insulation and a weather-resistant exterior, they’re ideal for slipping on after a ski or snowboard session, taking the dog out in tundra-like conditions or just lounging around on lazy winter days.

Made with a cozy combination of PrimaLoft® ECO and PrimaLoft® Gold insulation, the interior feels as comfortable as your favorite fleece. These puppies are warm, too—like a mini toaster oven for your feet!

Underfoot, the slip-on is firm, grounded, and well-protected. The Continental rubber outsole with a heavily lugged pattern provides outstanding grip while a tough molded toe cap offers a “little clumsiness protection,” as one tester put it.

Another tester noted that the ankle collar felt slightly snug, creating a bit of pressure along the top of the foot. This pressure eased a bit the longer we wore them, but it’s something to consider for those with wider ankles.

How to Choose Recovery Footwear

Type: Shoe, Sandal, Slide or Slip-on

Recovery footwear comes in various styles, each offering a slightly different experience that may be more suited for a particular activity or use case. Generally speaking, recovery footwear will come in one of the following designs: shoe, sandal, slide, or slip-on.

Recovery shoes look and fit like your everyday shoes. They have a closed heel and some sort of enclosure device like laces, drawstring, or BOA. Recovery shoes are great for extended uses like running everyday errands or walking longer distances.

Slip-ons are similar to recovery shoes with their closed heel but they stay secure using a stretchy upper, allowing for easy on and off. The closed heel offers stability, while the slip-on design makes them ultra convenient for travel, around-the-house and in-the-yard wear, or for those with busy, on-the-go lifestyles wanting quick shoe transitions.

A sandal, otherwise known as a flip flop, features a flat sole attached to the foot by a Y-shaped strap or thong that sits between the toes. Flip flops are easy to slip on and off, making them great for quick errands and short, casual outings. Because they are usually worn without socks and leave feet open to the elements, they are limited to warmer weather

A slide, like a sandal, is an open-toe shoe. However, instead of a thong, it features a single wide strap or multiple straps across the top of the foot, allowing the shoe to be easily “slid” on and off, hence the name “slide.” Slides tend to have a more casual, athletic appearance and are great for lounging around the house and quick errands.

Cushioning

Perhaps the most important aspect of recovery footwear is to make sure you have adequate cushioning and shock absorption as they help relieve pressure on tired feet and support recovery after activity. Cushioning in recovery footwear typically involves soft, dense foam materials like Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) that provide a plush feel underfoot. This padding absorbs impact with every step, easing strain on muscles, tendons, and joints. By minimizing the force transferred to the feet, shock absorption can significantly reduce soreness and prevent further strain, making recovery footwear beneficial for post-run care and overall foot health.

How much cushioning is somewhat of a personal preference. Thick, cushioned recovery shoes like the OOFOS Stride will feel soft underfoot but come with the trade-off of reduced ground proprioception and feel. If you prefer more connection with the ground, a lower-cushion option like the Topo Rekovr 2 or Roll Recovery Superplush may be better. Ultimately, the key is finding recovery footwear that feels comfortable and promotes relaxation.

Support

Underfoot and arch support can vary from one recovery footwear to another. Some will have a stiff sole with noticeable arch support, while others will offer a more flexible, natural feeling with minimal support. Like cushioning level, how much support you need depends on your personal preference. However, in general, those needing added stability should look to stiffer options such as the Kuru Moment or Hoka Ora Slide, while others might favor a softer, more adaptable design such as the Topo Rekovr or Roll Recovery Superplush.

How We Tested

For this test, we brought in the expertise of four testers with varied backgrounds—from running, rock climbing, and yoga to travel, plus a running store owner who spends all day on his feet. We started by researching the top recovery shoes and sandals based on customer feedback and reviews to determine which shoes and sandals we would test. Based on that research, we tested a total of 17 pairs of recovery shoes and sandals from 11 brands. Testers had a little over a month to wear the sandals and report back with their results. Each tester was asked to rank their favorites across nine different categories.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Cory Smith has been reviewing footwear for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř since 2014, testing over 70 pairs each year. Splitting his time between Santa Barbara, CA, and Philadelphia, PA, Cory has been an avid runner, rock climber, and skier for more than 30 years. With his 30-mile running weeks and climbing sessions two to three times a week, his feet take a beating, making him a fan of thick-soled, cushioned recovery shoes. In addition to reviewing running gear, Cory operates a private online running coaching business, .

The post Ease Your Tired Feet with These 9 Best Recovery Shoes, Slides, and Sandals appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Gone are the days of looking high and low for a shoe that will let you get outside in winter cold and slop in comfort. Virtually every brand has introduced multiple snow-, cold-, and water-shedding running shoes this year.

The season’s top picks range from impressively comfortable, cushy neutral road runners lined with protective Gore-Tex, to super burly, toothy, waterproof snow hogs with built-in ankle gaiters. With so many options available, this guide no longer includes water-resistant models—just fully waterproof road and trail shoes.

Why Winter Running Shoes?

Winterized shoes help keep feet warm as they block wind and cold with their thicker, less-breathable uppers—a benefit even in dry cold-weather conditions. Despite improved, somewhat breathable materials, most runners find their feet overheat in winterized shoes in temperatures higher than about 30 degrees. But the best ones vent just enough to not get clammy inside, and they don’t feel stiff and buckle at the toe flexion point due to waterproof layers or treatments. (That’s the worst.)

Waterproof shoes also keep feet dry by blocking out snow, rain, splashes and slop. Besides reducing cold and wetness, winterized shoes are hydrophobic, meaning, they don’t hold water and add weight.

Granted, if you run in the rain, or through puddles or snow deep enough, waterproofing becomes rather moot due to that big hole in the top of the shoe—you know, where your foot steps into it. In these conditions, a high-top, built-in gaiter will make a world of difference in keeping you dry and comfortable.

How We Tested Winter Running Shoes

During the late months of fall, I vetted and tested this year’s offerings in a variety of Colorado terrains and winter conditions to find the best of the bunch and compared them to what I and a small fleet of testers landed on as the best of last season. I then made sure the good ones from last year are still available. (Sadly, some are not—I’m hanging on to my discontinued carbide-spiked La Sportiva Blizzards for life.) Here are our favorites in four categories. We also listed several other available models in each category that may work better for you, especially if you are a fan of the non-waterproof version of the shoe.

At a Glance

Winterized Road Running Shoes

• Other Winterized Road Running Shoes

Winterized Road to Trail Shoes

• Other Winterized Road to Trail Running Shoes

Winterized Trail Running Shoes

• Other Winterized Trail Running Shoes

Shoes for Deep Snow

• Other Winterized Trail Running Shoes for Deep Snow

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Winterized Road Running Shoes

Roadies who get after it no matter the weather have more options than ever to help keep their feet from turning into painful blocks of ice.

Saucony Triumph 22 GTX

Some Gore-Tex running shoes can feel stiff and uncomfortable, a sacrifice for warm, dry feet. Not these. The Triumph 22 GTX is the most plush, comfortable weatherproof shoe we’ve ever run in. The PWRRUN PB (engineered PEBA) midsole foam feels ample, smooth, and springy. The upper—weatherized via a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit construction that integrates the waterproof material directly into the upper—felt seamless. 10.6 ounces (men’s), 9.1 ounces (women’s); 10 mm drop

Hoka Clifton 9 GTX

This is the lightweight, smooth-running, highly cushioned Clifton you know and love—but with a fully waterproof upper constructed with comfortable Gore-Tex Invisible Fit and an outsole built for winter conditions. What Hoka is calling “Traction Pods” on the Durabrasion rubber outsole create more ground contact and extrude a tad (not as much as trail shoe lugs), doing a decent job of gripping on snow. This is a good choice for roadies needing a little extra traction through winter, without going the full trail running shoe route. 9.6 ounces (men’s), 8.3 ounces (women’s); 5 mm drop

Other Winterized Road Running Shoes Available this Season

Winterized Road To Trail Running Shoes

For messy roads or minimally technical trails, these shoes provide secure footing and smooth rides while keeping feet comfortable and protected from the elements.

Nike Trail Pegasus 5 Gore-Tex

This winterized version of the Trail Pegasus 5, with its lively ReactX foam midsole that delivers a versatile ride on road or trail, features a Gore-Tex-lined upper, high-ankle cuff, and reflective detailing. We wore this shoe on sloppy gravel roads four days after a snowstorm and loved it for its comfort both underfoot and around the foot. The waterproof upper flexes easily with the foot while protecting from cold, snow, and general muck. 10.5 ounces (men’s), 8.9 ounces (women’s); 9.5mm drop

Merrell Morphlite Gore-Tex

One hundred thirty dollars is a steal for a pair of Gore-Tex shoes, and the fact that the Morphlite Gore-Tex can transition between road and trail makes it even more of a value. We found that the wide outsole of this shoe paired with concave sections underfoot made us feel stable and successfully “morphed” over obstacles like small tree roots in the Maryland woods. The midsole foam felt a bit firm, especially under the forefoot, which made us lean more trail than road in this shoe. Still, it’s capable of both, well waterproofed, and lightweight, to boot. 9 ounces (men’s), 7.6 ounces (women’s); 6.5mm drop

On Cloudsurfer Trail Waterproof

On’s CloudTec Phase midsole technology runs soft and smooth on roads yet isn’t too mushy on light trails, making this a versatile shoe. The outsole’s rubber compound and tread design gripped a smooth gravel road with occasional patches of ice and provided sure footing on a road-to-trail route. The upper delivered enough support for rocky singletrack while flexing enough to run comfortably on roads, even with its waterproofing layer (seam sealed Cosmo Hydroguard). 11.3 ounces (men’s), 9.2 ounces (women’s); 7mm drop

Other Winterized Road to Trail Running Shoes Available this Season

Winterized Trail Running Shoes

These trail running shoes are designed for wet muck, packed snow, and sloppy terrain in general, with their traction adding necessary grip and rugged uppers protecting from punctures and penetrating cold and moisture.

Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 WP

The Terraventure 4 WP has stellar traction thanks to its entire outsole, made out of tacky, rock-grabbing Vibram Megagrip. The four-and-a-half-millimeter lugs take hold in snow, and the somewhat firm cushioning, low stack height (25mm/22mm), and wide forefoot base (a design feature of all Topos) add stability on all surfaces. A full bootie construction made out of eVent is meant to be both fully waterproof and breathable; I found the upper to effectively block out snow and moisture but my feet felt a little clammy at times. Still, I’ll be reaching for this versatile, protective shoe often this winter. 12 ounces (men’s) 10.1 ounces (women’s); 3 mm drop

Icebug Arcus 2 BUGrip GTX

With an outsole equipped with carbide spikes that provide solid grip on ice and retract on hard surfaces (like rocks), Icebug running shoes are in a class of their own. The grip on the Arcus 2 GTX allowed us to tackle the slickest of surfaces, like a north-facing, ice-covered singletrack that doesn’t see the sun all winter (a trail we happily had to ourselves), as well as riding nicely on the slippery road to and from the trail. This shoe’s Gore-Tex Invisible fit upper proved comfortable around the foot, and the cushioning is ample. One ding: Our 125-pound tester found it rode a bit stiff and wished it flexed more. Heavier runners may have more luck. 12.9 ounces (men’s), 10.3 ounces (women’s); 6mm drop

Other Winterized Trail Running Shoes Available this Season

Shoes for Deep Snow

With protective booties that seal out moisture and major traction that grips even in unstable terrain, these shoes are ready for winter fun.

Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G

Underneath a winterized outer softshell hides a low-volume, mountain-capable Scarpa Ribelle Run trail shoe, letting this shoe handle all kinds of winter adventure. Testers appreciated the ability to secure the inner shoe without having to dig inside the shell, thanks to an external BOA dial that tightens and loosens with precise clicks, and found the water-resistant softshell gaiter cut cold, biting winds and shed moisture. The interior shoe is lined with a waterproof membrane to ensure nothing gets in to freeze your toes. The outsole’s sticky rubber grips rocky sections of trail for confident maneuvering, and a band of rubber-like TPU wraps the shoe’s perimeter both for durability and to allow you to “smear” (climber talk for pressing rubber against rock for traction) should the need arise. 13 ounces (unisex); 4 mm drop

La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX

Like the Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G, the Cyklon Cross GTX features a stretchy, breathable softshell gaiter that extends past the ankle bone for charging through deep snow and slop. Underneath sits the La Sportiva Cyklon running shoe which was built for speedy mountain scrambles. The shoe’s BOA lacing, accessible from outside the shell, effectively secured our feet on off-camber terrain and slippery trails. The Cyklon Cross GTX has a 28-20mm offset for a slightly more cushioned ride, while the Ribelle Run GTX sits at a svelte 26.5-22.5. Another difference: The Scarpa’s gaiter has a Velcro-adjustable closure around the ankle above the angled zipper, while the La Sportiva’s zipper at the front of the ankle goes all the way to the top (and some find the fit too tight for their lower leg). Both shoes proved capable in burly winter running conditions. 12.5 ounces (men’s), 10.5 ounces (women’s); 8 mm drop

Other Winterized Trail Running Shoes for Deep Snow Available this Season

The post Brave Snow, Ice, and Slush with These Top Winter Running Shoes appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

If you’re shopping for skis and feeling overwhelmed by all the options, there’s one thing you should know right out of the gate: there are no bad skis. Trust us—along with our friends at , we test over 150 models each season and are always hard-pressed to come up with a short list of our favorites.

But there is such a thing as the wrong ski, especially if you’re an intermediate skier who’s still working on technique and building confidence on the slopes. If this is you, you shouldn’t necessarily be shopping for . Instead, you should be looking for a ski that’s accessible to those still learning how to bend and edge a ski.

Watch: What to Consider When Shopping for Skis

Generally speaking, that means a ski with a waist width of 80-90 millimeters and a little more shape to it than many of the wider and straighter all-mountain skis you see in the lift lines these days. These narrow all-mountain skis—also called —promote easier turn initiation and edge engagement, while still offering a solid platform in a variety of terrain (groomers, moguls, trees) and even in a few inches of fresh snow.

If you’re looking for a friendly but legit teaching tool that will take your skiing to the next level, we’ve got you covered. The experienced editors at SKI collect more tester feedback and data than anyone else in the biz, and they shared their intel with us to come up with this list of the best skis for folks looking to level up this season.

The following six skis were not only some of the , they were ranked by testers as the most user-friendly and confidence-inspiring frontside skis, making them ideal for those still working on their skills. They’re also great options for advanced and expert skiers who don’t want to have to work so hard for nice turns.

Read more:

At a Glance

• About SKI Test
• FAQ

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĚýLearn more.

Armada Declivity 82 Ti

Dimensions: 128-82-110 mm
Lengths: 166, 174, 182 cm
Turn Radius: 15.9 m (174 cm)
Gender: Unisex

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy to turn
⊕ Forgiving of mistakes
⊕ Versatile
⊗ Not the most dependable in crud
⊗ Has a speed limit

The Declivity 82 Ti was the most forgiving and accessible frontside ski we tested last season. Thanks to a soft and wide tip, initiating a turn is intuitive and almost effortless; but a full sheet of metal adds stability to make this ski trustworthy on hard snow. “It’s very easy to get this ski on edge and it doesn’t force you into a turn, which lower abilities will love for working on their carving,” noted one tester.

With an 82-millimeter waist and a shorter turning radius, the Declivity 82 Ti is a versatile ski that prefers cruising groomers at moderate speeds and encourages intermediates to test their skills in moguls and trees. It’s not the most lively or energetic ski, and it won’t stand up to experts who want to push it in crud or at top speeds, but you’d be hard pressed to find a ski with better performance in a user-friendly package.

Salomon Stance 90

Dimensions: 126-90-108 mm
Lengths: 168, 176, 182, 188 cm
Turn Radius: 18 m (176 cm)
Gender: Unisex

Pros and Cons
⊕ Big sweet spot
⊕ Approachable
⊕ Performs on and off the groomers
⊗ Not very lively

In their feedback, testers called the Stance 90 an all-mountain ski for the masses with a huge sweet spot. Featuring a caruba and poplar wood core and two sheets of metal, the Stance 90 is light enough to make turn initiation easy, yet solid enough to be stable and predictable in variable conditions. A 90-millimeter waist makes it a versatile all-mountain tool—it holds its own on hard snow and won’t bat an eye at ducking into moguls, trees, or fresh snow.

Testers’ biggest beef with this ski is that it lacks some pop and pizazz. It might not be the most playful ski out there, but it’s an approachable all-mountain option that will make a wide variety of skiers happy. “This ski feels intuitive. Easy, fun, and predictable enough so you can go skiing and enjoy the view at the same time,” summed up one tester.

Elan Ripstick 88

Dimensions: 130-88-105 mm
Lengths: 148, 156, 164, 172, 180, 188 cm
Turn Radius: 15.4 m (172 cm)
Gender: Unisex

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy to control
⊕ Great carver
⊕ Lots of length options
⊗ Lacks stability in ungroomed terrain
⊗ Easily overpowered

The Ripstick 88 is a ski instructor’s dream. It’s easy to turn, easy to control, and accommodating—it gives you nice, round turns without asking for much input. “This is a ski for those wanting easy-mode built into their ski,” reported one tester. “It’s comfortable in most conditions, maneuverable, and gives people access to good skiing for less work.”

Besides its approachability, the Ripstick 88’s standout characteristic is its carving chops. This ski wants to pull you into a turn and get on edge—all you have to do is think “carve” and you’re there. Testers reported this ski can get the job done off-piste as long as the snow is soft, but it shies away from crud and high speeds. Keep this one on mellower groomed runs to work on your arc and you won’t be disappointed.

Salomon Stance 88 W

Dimensions: 122-88-104 mm
Lengths: 154, 161, 168, 174 cm
Turn Radius: 18 m (168 cm)
Gender: °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stable
⊕ Versatile
⊕ Easy to control
⊗ Lacks energy
⊗ Easily overpowered by strong skiers

The Stance 88 W—the women’s version of the Stance 90 (listed above)—is slightly narrower and comes in shorter, women’s-appropriate lengths but shares a lot of the same performance characteristics with her brother. We tested the Stance 88 W in some extremely low-vis conditions at SKI’s gear test at Mt. Rose, Nevada, last season, and were pleasantly surprised with how reassuring these skis felt.

The Stance 88 W is a jack of all trades when it comes to terrain thanks to a balanced construction of wood and two sheets of metal and a middle-of-the-road waist width. While we appreciated it more on soft, groomed runs, it performed respectably in bumps and crud. Like the Stance 90, this ski didn’t wow us with its energy, but when conditions are tough, you want something smooth and predictable like the Stance 88 W underfoot.

“Totally forgiving but not a noodle, this ski has a wide range,” summarized one tester. “An expert will overpower it, but intermediate to advanced skiers will get a lot of confidence from the skis’ quietness.”

Nordica Santa Ana 87

Dimensions: 118-87-106 mm
Lengths: 150, 155, 161, 167, 173 cm
Turn Radius: 16.3 m (161 cm)
Gender: °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s

Pros and Cons
⊕ Very stable and dependable
⊕ Great edge performance
⊕ Responsive
⊗ Stiff and damp

The Santa Ana 87 is an all-mountain ski for everywoman, not just intermediates. Anyone can click into these sticks and enjoy a smooth, dependable ride. But intermediates especially will appreciate how confidence-inspiring the Santa Ana 87 is all over the mountain.

Those still working on their edging skills can trust this ski to hold on hard snow, and those ready to dip a toe off-piste will be encouraged by the Santa Ana 87’s mix of stability in variable conditions and agility in mixed terrain. “You can stretch your skiing out a little more thanks to this ski’s easy release and smooth engagement,” reported one tester.

True to the Nordica brand, the Santa Ana 87 is relatively stiff and damp, and testers noted it might overwhelm true novices. Yes, it’s a strong ski, but it has the power to make you a stronger skier.

Blizzard Black Pearl 88

Dimensions: 127.5-88-109.5 mm
Lengths: 146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176 cm
Turn Radius: 14 m (170 cm)

Pros and Cons
⊕ More manageable than previous Black Pearl 88
⊕ Great on hard snow
⊕ Lots of length options
⊗ Not the most agile

Like the Nordica Santa Ana 87, the Black Pearl 88 is not just a ski for intermediates. SKI’s expert testers loved this ski so much they named it the of a variety of ability levels.

A perennial favorite, the Black Pearl 88 was redesigned for this season and we loved how much friendlier this new version proved. “The updated model has easier turn initiation, smooth rebound, and a nice easy release in the tail,” commented one tester. “But it still has just as much stability and power [as the previous model] to hold fast on the groomers.”

Some testers noted that the ski wasn’t as agile as others in variable terrain, but that’s a small price to pay for how dependable it is on groomers and hard snow.

About SKI Test

• Number of skis tested: 14
• Number of testers: 27
• Testing location:
• Average age of tester: 37
• Average height of tester: 5’7”
• Average weight of tester: 144 lbs

Every season, şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř and SKI host a week-long gear test and invite a group of seasoned industry professionals—ski instructors, ski shop employees, coaches, and outdoor industry professionals—to put more than 150 pairs of skis through their paces.

We ask our crew of 27 testers to ski every ski, identify its primary strengths, its weaknesses, who it’s designed for, and what terrain and snow conditions it’s most adept at. When judging a frontside ski, testers primarily assess how well it performs on groomed terrain, since that’s what this type of ski is primarily designed for.

They gauge how well the ski handles on hard-snow, at speed, and how responsive it is from edge to edge. Immediately after each run, testers fill out digital scorecards with their quantitative and qualitative feedback on each ski. Then it’s up to us to crunch the numbers and distill their commentary to inform our reviews of the best skis on the market today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between Beginner and Intermediate Skis?

You won’t really see true beginner skis on ski shop walls because true novices usually rent skis instead of buying them. The skis marketed and sold to novices tend to be lower-priced models that forego high-end ski materials and manufacturing practices in the interest of keeping skis more affordable (typically under $700). We refer to these skis as “value” skis rather than “beginner” skis.

What’s the Difference Between Intermediate Skis and Skis For Advanced or Expert Skiers?

Skis designed for intermediate skiers tend to be more affordable and lighter than skis designed for experts because they use cheaper materials. This is not to say that these skis don’t ski well—they get the job done just fine for intermediates who ski at moderate speeds and who push or pivot their skis through a turn (as opposed to carve a turn).

Skis designed for advanced and expert skiers tend to contain heavier materials like metal and reinforced sidewalls for enhanced stability at speed, better energy transfer, and more precise edging performance.

What Ski Length Is Right for Me?

It all depends on your physical build, skill, and skiing aspirations. The best way to determine the right ski length for you is to visit your local (and reputable) ski shop and talk to the pros. If that’s not an option, then a very general rule of thumb is that intermediate skiers should consider skis that are between chin and nose height.

A shorter ski is easier to turn and control, but offers less stability at speed and in variable snow conditions. So if you’re an intermediate with big skiing aspirations, you might want to consider a slightly longer ski that you won’t outgrow in one season.

The post This Season’s Best Skis for Intermediates Ready to Level Up appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Long-sleeved running shirts are underrated. Finding a good one—soft, wicking, breathable, comfortable—can be the difference between looking forward to a winter run and dreading it. The best kinds of long-sleeved shirts can be worn on their own in mild temps and shoulder seasons, and they serve as the final line of defense against bitter cold when worn underneath protective layers. We tested a host of this season’s women’s long-sleeved tops. Here are the ones we reached for the most.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best Value:
• Best for Cold/Damp Conditions:
• Best for Beginners:
• Most Versatile:
• Other Long-Sleeved Running Shirts We Tested
• Best Women’s Running Jackets
• How to Choose Long-Sleeved Running Shirts
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Around

Janji Rover Merino Hoodie

Material: 37% 17.5ÎĽ merino wool, 55% nylon, 8% spandex
Fit: Relaxed

Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent warmth and breathability on its own or layered
⊕ Scuba hood provides added protection
⊗ $128 is a lot for a shirt

If you buy one running shirt this winter, this top is worth the splurge. Testers said the soft, brushed interior blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex felt great against the skin and moved moisture to the smooth exterior surface. Extended sleeves and thumbholes kept our hands warm, especially when tucked into gloves (that gap between sleeve ends and gloves or mitts was eliminated). The scuba-fit hood provided extra warmth and protection for the neck and head when pulled up and was lightweight enough not to flop around annoyingly when not in use.

We appreciated thoughtful details like a small interior pocket at the bottom seam with a bungee to attach a key ring, and a ponytail port on the hood. Bonus: The subtle branding, relaxed fit, and overall style also made this a great crossover top for other winter sports or even around-town wear. Another bonus: This shirt, and all Janji apparel, is backed by a 5-year warranty.

Best Value

Oiselle Altitude Longsleeve

Material: 78% nylon, 22% spandex blend
Fit: Slightly relaxed, boxy

Pros and Cons
⊕ Seamless comfort
⊕ Can be worn across seasons
⊗ Boxy, slightly shorter cut let chill creep in when not tucked in

This is a comfortable, flattering shirt that can be worn on its own in mild temps (or during spring and fall, hence the value), or as a first layer in the cold. We love the bird graphics and the word “fly” knitted into the fabric. The nylon/spandex blend was soft against the skin and did a good job wicking sweat. Testers prone to chafing appreciated the lack of seams along the body of this shirt—the only stitching is on the shoulders/arms. The thin fabric proved comfortable layered under a jacket or midlayer, although the boxy fit works best with looser-fitting layers over it. Thumbholes and extended sleeves added warm wrist protection from winter chill.

Best for Cold and Damp Conditions

Tracksmith Fells Waffle Layer

Material: 54% Merino wool, 46% recycled polyester
Fit: Slightly relaxed

Pros and Cons
⊕ Regulates body temperature in cold conditions
⊕ Great sweat-wicking performance
⊗ Too warm for mild days

When it was so cold and wet outside that we just wanted to pull on a sweatshirt and curl up on the couch, we reached for this top and laced up our shoes. The shirt’s Merino wool and polyester blend wicked beautifully, whether worn on its own in temps in the teens to 30s, as a warm-up layer over a tank top in mild conditions, or underneath an outer layer in the most wintry of winter days. The waffle knit construction proved both insulating and breathable.

The overall vibe of this top is East Coast cross country/British fell running—and we found that it inspired us to charge up snowy hills like those hardy racers. Testers appreciated the no-scratch, no-irritation feel. One called it an “uncomplicated performer of warmth.” We also loved how this top doubles as a good-looking layer for casual wear, and we have worn it traveling and out to nice dinners.

Best for Beginners

Nike Swift Element

Material: Nike Dri-FIT: 88% polyester,12% spandex, with UVA and UVB sun protection
Fit: Relaxed

Pros and Cons
⊕ Works well layering over a tank, tee, or sports bra, or under a vest or jacket
⊕ Thumbholes and watch window help keep hands protected
⊗ When unzipped, collar can feel floppy

We like that the somewhat loose fit of this top makes it easy to throw on over a tank or short-sleeve shirt and also makes it beginner-friendly by accommodating a range of body types. The Nike Dri-FIT fabric, a polyester/spandex blend that wicks sweat, is nicely stretchy and super soft. The quarter-zip provided partial neck coverage to protect from cold, and allowed us to open up for ventilation when temps rose.

Testers loved this shirt’s extra features: handy thumbholes, a small zippered pocket on the left hip that one tester said was “ideal for a lightweight hotel-room key,” and watch holes on both sleeves. One tester raved that being able to check her watch without pulling the sleeves up was “awesome because when I pull back my sleeve, I bump my apple watch and it stops the tracking of the workout without me realizing it. [The watch window] leaves the button undisturbed.”

Most Versatile

Paka Everyday Baselayer

Material: 85% Tencel, 15% Royal Alpaca
Fit: Form-fitting

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely soft
⊕ Can be worn for other winter sports, or casually
⊗ Shows sweat

This is one ridiculously soft shirt; the Tencel/Alpaca wool blend feels fantastic against the skin. We found ourselves wearing this for running in cold temperatures and as a casual layer at summer mountain concerts. When running, we liked how the fit was trim without being constricting, allowing full, unencumbered mobility. Of all the shirts in this roundup, this one provides the most warmth for the weight. It’s thin, making it easy to wear under other layers. But it’s also warm and temperature-regulating on its own.

“My initial impression was love at first sight,” said a tester who appreciated the responsible packaging, Peruvian logo, and great fit and feel. One beef: The shirt loses a little of its initial shape after washing, and the stitching at the sleeve endings and hem doesn’t have any give to it, though the fabric has plenty. Notable: Paka teaches single mothers in Peru how to stitch.

Other Women’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts We Tested

• . This is a great wool layer for winter running, but the $124 Janji hoodie beat it out on price.
• . A high-performing, thin wool crewneck that fit too snug for most.
• . Made from recycled materials, this top breathes remarkably well. The fit is very baggy, and the graphics large. Seems more of a shoulder-season piece.
• . This is more shirt than jacket, which is why we tested it in this category. Testers didn’t feel it held up great to washings, and didn’t love the chest pocket for running.
• . Performs well in cold by wicking sweat and regulating temperature. While this topped our list as an all-around winter piece, we found the Janji hoodie better suited to running.
• . A soft, thin, and breathable wool blend layer, though some thought the arms and torso were cut shorter than we’d like.
• . A great wicking piece made from 100% recycled polyester. Some testers thought it could be softer.
• Arc’Teryx Modus AR Hoodie ($N/A). We liked this sweat-wicking hoodie, but it was discontinued from the Arc’Teryx line.

How to Choose Women’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts

Consider your needs: Are you looking for a baselayer type of fit and function, where next-to-skin comfort and wicking is paramount and a slim fit allows easy layering? Or, are you in the market for a shirt you can pull over a tank or short sleeve or even a slim-fit second shirt to act as a midlayer at times and work on its own when needed? From there, think about what added features matter, like thumb holes, hoods, watch windows, or zippered necks, and what materials you prefer against your skin, whether a synthetic fabric or a natural fiber blend. When possible, head into a specialty retail shop to try on running tops. The one that fits you well, suits your temperature and feature needs, and makes you excited to go running through winter is your winner.

How We Test

Head tester and writer Lisa Jhung researches each gear category and works with gear companies to narrow down which items to add to the test loop. She then orders samples for herself and her team of five testers, who live in Colorado, Virginia, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For this test, women’s long-sleeved running shirts were worn in a range of winter conditions, from cold, dry, sometimes snowy Colorado Front Range and high country, to cold, damp Virginia and cool, rainy, mild Northern California.

Meet Our Testers

Lisa Jhung has been running for 35 years, testing and writing about gear for 25-ish years, and manages a pool of testers out of her home in Boulder, Colorado. She runs in all conditions and loves heading out in a gnarly snowstorm.

Kristen Mecca moved to Virginia after running all over Colorado, including multiple podium finishes at the Pikes Peak Ascent and snowshoe races. She now tests gear through the East Coast winter and is a stickler for irritating seams and rough materials.

Beth Smith lives and runs in Burlingame, California, and runs roads and trails while trying to not get Prednisone-level poison oak rashes. She loves functional clothing with smart pocketing for her phone, which she always has with her.

Lindsay Clark trains around the roads and trails of Louisville, Colorado, while also heading to the Boulder foothills to hit rugged, rocky trails. After tragically losing her home in the Marshall Fire, she says she appreciates good running apparel on a new level.

The post Next-to-Skin Comfort in the Cold: The Best °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Winter isn’t just icy gales and driving snow—it typically offers some invigorating bluebird days to offset the oppressive ones. Accordingly, we tested a varied collection of men’s long-sleeved running shirts, optimized to perform in conditions ranging from New England’s wet, warmish shoulder season to frigid midwinter mountain adventures in Colorado’s high peaks. All of them worked well when worn on their own, as well as when paired with a technical T-shirt underneath or a jacket on top to achieve the right level of insulation.

At a Glance

• Best All-around:
• Best for Long Runs:
• Best for Cold and Dry Conditions:
• Best for Cold and Wet Conditions:
• Best for High-output Efforts:
• Best Men’s Running Jackets
• How to Choose Long-Sleeved Running Shirts
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Around

Tracksmith Downeaster Hoodie

Currently Unavailable: Expected restock in January 2025

Sizing: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Breathable wool/polypropylene blend
⊕ Superior insulation without bulk
⊗ No pockets

The double-knit fabric throughout this handsome piece blends 60 percent Merino wool with 40 percent soft polypropylene, resulting in excellent wicking, soft against-skin feel, and hard-wearing durability. Unlike the many running tops that tack on a floppy hood as an afterthought, the Tracksmith model offers a well-designed scuba-style hood that protects from cold when pulled up and stays in place when worn down. The arm cuffs and waist are neatly hemmed, with subtle touches like a fabric hang loop on the back and a tastefully small logo patch on the waist. This medium-weight top provided enough insulation on its own for running well below the freezing mark, and the tailored fit allowed for layering under a shell or light jacket in colder conditions.

Best for Long Runs

Saucony Triumph 1/2-Zip

Sizing: S-3XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Deep zipper for versatile venting
⊕ Excellent wicking
⊗ Just one small pocket

This lightweight piece was a tester favorite for extended runs. The soft interior jacquard knit effectively wicked sweat, even on damp late winter/early spring days. The deep zipper allowed us to dump excess body heat easily, and pulled back up with snag-free ease. Worn up or down, the collar didn’t bounce, and a fabric guard at the top of the zipper added a welcome measure of comfort. The single waist pocket only holds a key and a credit card, but the streamlined fit made it a good choice for wearing as a base layer.

Best for Cold and Dry Conditions

REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Crew Pullover

Sizing: S-3XL (some sizes are also available in Tall lengths)

Pros and Cons
⊕ Cozy fabric
⊕ Built-in hand covers
⊗ Floppy fit

This top’s soft, grid-back recycled polyester and spandex fleece interior provides solid insulation for freezing-point weather, even when worn alone. Paired with a shell jacket or a lightweight vest, the REI top kept testers warm well into the single digits. The unobtrusive crewneck makes it a good choice for layering, with a generous cut that comfortably accommodates base layers but may be too roomy for some runners’ tastes. Testers appreciated the wrist cuffs, with thumb holes and thick fold-over hand covers built into the sleeves that kept hands nicely protected even without gloves. A reflective chest logo and small panels on the sleeves provided safety in low-light conditions.

Best for Cold and Wet Conditions

Artilect Systems Boulder 125

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Impressive warmth-to-weight ratio
⊕ Breathable, quick-drying, and odor-resistant
⊗ Close fit that borders on clingy

This thin, long-sleeved merino shirt fended off a freezing mist that rolled across a Colorado lake during a 45-minute workout, keeping our tester warm and dry. The Nuyarn fabric combines merino wool and nylon in an innovative, durable weave that wicks moisture while providing an enjoyably soft and stretchy feel. The fit is decidedly snug and performance-oriented; we appreciated the comfortable flat seams and cozy against-skin feel. This garment can be tossed into a machine wash (use cold water) without other special care. But you won’t need to wash it often: One tester reported he wore it on runs every day for a week without washing and it never got skanky.

Best for High-Output Efforts

Le Bent Ultralight Long-Sleeve Tee

Sizing: S-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight and breathable
⊕ Natural fiber softness and odor resistance
⊗ Loose fit somewhat floppy when running

The lightweight blend of Merino wool (37 percent), Nylon (10 percent), and bamboo rayon (53 percent) felt smoothly soft and, when worn over a technical T-shirt, provided effective insulation for running in temperatures from slightly above freezing up to the high 40s and low 50s Fahrenheit. It’s also a solid choice for wearing alone in warmer temps, with an SPF rating of 20 and enough breathability to push the pace without fear of overheating. It’s cut long and loose, making it a favorite for warming up on mild days or hitting the gym for strength or flexibility work. Plus, testers found the relaxed fit and clean design made them feel stylishly comfortable just about everywhere when worn casually.

How to Choose Men’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts

Most runners have a go-to top for winter running. Sadly, all good things come to an end—if your favorite piece has become too threadbare, pilled, or stinky (it happens to the best of us) to endure for another season, take stock of its best qualities before ditching it. When replacing a warmth-oriented fleece, do not expect a lightweight top, no matter how highly rated it might be, to feel exactly like your old standby, but you should be able to find one that matches, or improves upon its performance. Be open to new fabrics and styles.

Also, consider your tendencies when it comes to heat regulation. Some runners hate pausing in the middle of workouts to add or remove a layer, so tops with deep zippers, arm vents, or other mechanisms for reducing heat on the fly are valued features on a men’s long-sleeved running shirt. If you don’t mind stopping to tie a shirt around your waist, however, a couple of lightweight or midweight tops might work better in combination than a single heavyweight top.

How We Test

Mark Eller led the test crew for this review. Based in Boulder, Colorado, he pursues running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities that keep him away from treadmills when the snow flies. He coordinated getting dozens of winter running items to additional testers in New England, the high plains, and the Rocky Mountains who wore the men’s long-sleeved running shirts in this review in a variety of cold conditions for many months before making their picks and writing their comments.

Meet Our Testers

Lead reviewer Mark Eller trains through the winter on the roads and trails near his hometown of Boulder, Colorado. He’s a three-time Boston Marathon veteran, a hack nordic skier, and a competitive racer in on-water racer rowing events.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Michael Rorick has run and raced in New England since his middle school track team days in Connecticut. He’s completed many editions of Boston, New York, and other major marathons.

Brian Metzler is the editor in chief of RUN and the founding editor of Trail Runner. A former walk-on Division I track athlete, he mostly runs on mountainous trails nowadays in Boulder and Leadville, Colorado.

Scott Douglas has run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen. He has held senior editorial positions at running publications and is the author or co-author of several well-known running books, including Advanced Marathoning, Meb for Mortals, and Running Is My Therapy. Scott runs every day unless injured, and always runs outside, either despite of or because of living in North Yarmouth, Maine.

Jonathan Beverly is no stranger to winter weather. He began running in high school on the Maine coast, trained for marathons for years in New York, and now can be found chasing windmills in the western Nebraska Sandhills, accompanied by his two dogs. He is the senior running gear editor for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř.

The post Winter-Tested Layers: The Best Men’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts for Cold Weather appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Even when the roads are iced over, the trails are covered in snow, and the wind is ripping, runners still ask themselves the question, “Can I get away with shorts today?” But there’s no need to sprint through your first mile in survival mode and finish your run with wind-burned thighs and a frozen grimace. The free-flowing, breathable materials, subtle muscle support, and well-tailored construction of men’s running pants and tights today make moving so comfortable they might convince you to wear them even on mild days.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best for Winter Trail Running:
• Best Value:
• Best for Low-light Conditions:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Coldest Days:
• Other Products We Tested
• How to Choose Winter Running Tights or Pants
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Around

On Running Performance Winter Tights

Sizes: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Unmatched fabric comfort
⊕ Snug, supportive fit
⊗ High compression feel is not for everyone

Unlike other tights that get pulled off seconds after returning from a run, these On Running models were comfortable for extended post-workout stretching or even just lounging. The 74 percent recycled polyester, 26 percent elastane fabric is buttery smooth, with reassuring muscle support that was especially noticeable when descending steep terrain. The fit is close, bordering on too tight for some testers’ liking, but there was so much stretch that everyone ended up giving them high marks. The brushed fleece interior effectively wicks away moisture, and details like a comfortable flat drawstring, reflective patches, and abundant pockets also earned praise.

Best for Winter Trail Running

Nike AeroSwift DriFit Advantage

Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Best-in-class range of motion and support
⊕ Highly breathable
⊗ Lacks insulation for frigid days

These tights’ flex patterns and stretchy polyester/spandex fabric let us move so well that one tester actually wondered if they helped lengthen his stride. They proved well suited to charging hard on hilly trails, as the fabric breathed enough to prevent overheating during climbs while still shielding us from the cold on descents. We found them most comfortable in temperatures at or just below freezing, but they were a little too thin for colder weather.

Best Value

Adidas COLD.RDY Techfit Training Long Tights

Sizes: 2XS-4XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Similar features as premium-priced tights
⊕ Warmer than most tights
⊗ Heavier feel; bulky ankle zippers

While they weren’t as feather-light or soft against the skin as other styles in our test, these 93 percent recycled polyester, 7 percent elastane Adidas tights performed well in temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit and provided a full array of features for a remarkably low price. The generous thigh pockets accommodated larger cell phones and held them securely without bouncing, and an interior fabric panel on the front added a welcome measure of extra warmth and support. The fit is close but not suffocating; however, the ankle zippers were somewhat bulky and obtrusive.

Best for Low-light Conditions

Brooks Run Visible Tight 2.0

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable light compression
⊕ Color panels provide night visibility
⊗ But the neon is garish during the day

Reduced daylight in the winter months means more time running in dark and semi-dark conditions—the day-glow orange color panel and abundant reflective features on these tights added reassuring visibility. With dark comes cold, and the soft, medium-weight fabric was up to the task, even in damp New England conditions. The smooth waistband and flat drawstring were always comfortable and a small zippered pocket, plus another for larger items, carried our keys and phones securely.

Most Versatile

REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Pants

Sizes: Short, Medium, and Tall lengths, XS-XXXL waist

Pros and Cons
⊕ Many sizes and lengths
⊕ Effective wind protection without sacrificing breathability
⊗ Built for comfort, not for speed

Available in an impressive range of sizes and lengths—and featuring a fit that’s distinctly more relaxed than the other leggings in this review—the Swiftland Thermal Running Pants are a great choice if you’re not interested in shiny fabrics or crotch-hugging closeness. The waffle-like inner fabric was plenty warm in conditions down to about zero degrees Fahrenheit, and the insulation was bolstered by front-facing wind-block panels. The zippered side pockets were roomy and secure, plus there’s a small additional back pocket (but no zipper, so we didn’t keep our keys back there). On really cold days you can easily fit a baselayer or close-fitting tights under these pants for a super warm ensemble. A bonus: 28 percent of the polyester in these pants’ main fabric is made from .

Best for Coldest Days

Craft ADV SubZ Running Wind Pants 2

Sizes: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ĚýReliably warm in temps well below freezing
⊕ĚýOverheat quickly in moderate conditions
⊗ Heavy, with small pocket openings

These winter pants proved their worth on a freezing-cold, overcast day in the Colorado mountains when a runnable trail disappeared into a snow drift, leading to an extended post-holing session. But even when plunged knee-deep in pow-pow, the thick, waterproof, double-layer polyester/polyurethane front and stretchy, brushed recycled polyester/elastane back fabric stayed warm and shielded out the elements. The soft, fleecy waistband, wind panels, and stretchy ankle cuffs upped the insulation factor. The pockets, however, were a little tight for stashing bulky gloves or mittens. There’s plenty of room in the cut for an additional layer of insulation underneath, but we honestly never resorted to that, as the Craft pants were a match for even the coldest weather.

Other Men’s Running Pants and Tights We Tested

• : Fabric was heavy, almost restrictive. High waisted. Best for below-zero temps.
• : Comfortably relaxed fit and good weather protection, but the fabric was slightly abrasive.
• : Testers didn’t love the contrast fabric look, or compressive feeling around the waist (not as stretchy as some) but liked the soft brushed interior.

How to Choose Men’s Running Pants or Tights

Consider the relative advantages of close-fitting tights and looser-fitting running pants. Stretchy tights do more than just insulate—they also provide muscle support and can help improve circulation. In moderate temperatures, typically down to the low 20s Fahrenheit, tights work fine on their own. When temperatures dip below that, they’re easily combined with wind pants or a heavier outer layer, creating a highly protective combination.

On the other hand (leg?), a pair of lightweight or midweight running pants offers improved modesty, comfort, ease of getting on and off, and freedom of motion. A downside is that the extra bulk means pants do not work as well for use as base layers. Running pants often provide roomier pockets, but what you place in them will bounce around more than whatever you can wedge into the pockets of tights. Pants also have the edge for non-running versatility—unless you’re cool with hanging it all out in the post-run coffee shop.

Once you know your style, fit and heat regulation top the list of priorities. Make sure the pants or tights neither constrict anywhere nor are too loose so that they get in the way or fail to stay up. How much insulation you need differs significantly per individual. Consider the conditions you’ll be running in most often and whether you tend to run hot or cold. The best pieces keep you from freezing while you’re warming up then breathe and vent well enough that you don’t overheat when you’re working hard.

How We Test

Mark Eller led the test crew for this review. Based in Boulder, Colorado, he pursues running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities that keep him away from treadmills when the snow flies. He coordinated getting dozens of winter running items to additional testers in New England, the high plains, and the Rocky Mountains who wore the gear in this review in a variety of cold conditions for many months before making their picks and writing their comments.

Meet Our Testers

Lead reviewer Mark Eller trains through the winter on the roads and trails near his hometown of Boulder, Colorado. He’s a three-time Boston Marathon veteran, a hack Nordic skier, and a competitive racer in on-water racer rowing events.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Michael Rorick has run and raced in New England since his middle school track team days in Connecticut. He’s completed many editions of Boston, New York, and other major marathons.

Brian Metzler is the Editor in Chief of RUN and the founding editor of Trail Runner. A former walk-on Division I track athlete, he mostly runs on mountainous trails nowadays in Boulder and Leadville, Colorado.

Scott Douglas has run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen. He has held senior editorial positions at running publications and is the author or co-author of several well-known running books, including Advanced Marathoning, Meb for Mortals, and Running is My Therapy. ScottĚýruns every day unless injured, and always runs outside, either despite of or because of living in North Yarmouth, Maine.

Jonathan Beverly is no stranger to winter weather. He began running in high school on the Maine coast, trained for marathons for years in New York, and now can be found chasing windmills in the western Nebraska Sandhills, accompanied by his two dogs. He is the senior running gear editor for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř.

The post Never Miss a Day to Winter Weather with These Men’s Running Pants and Tights appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Winter running is hard for everyone, whether you’re an every-day-come-what-may die-hard or just decided to start running in the New Year. But thanks to high-performance fabrics and smart designs, this season’s best women’s running tights and pants make getting outside accessible, whatever your tolerance for cold. So pull on a good pair of pants or tights and don’t let a little snowstorm or dip in temperature keep you from getting out there.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best for Winter Trail Running:
• Best Value:
• Best for Beginners:
• Most Versatile:
• Other Products We Tested
• How to Choose Running Tights and Pants
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best All-Around

Nike Universa Medium-Support High-Waisted Full-Length Leggings with Pockets

Material: 76% nylon, 24% spandex; Gusset lining: 84% nylon, 16% spandex
Fit: High-rise waist; tight fit

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable, compressive fit
⊕ Deep side pockets comfortably hold phone and other items
⊗ The name. C’mon, Nike! Simplify!

We love the smooth, soft, irritation-free feel of these tights. The wide, flat, slightly compressive waistband hugged us ever-so-slightly (“No pressure on the belly!” raved a tester) and kept these tights from sagging, despite a lack of drawstring. The weight of the nylon/spandex blend proved versatile—not too thin or too thick, suitable for winter days in dry Colorado and humid Virginia alike—and the slick, quick-dry fabric shed snow and didn’t get bogged down in light rain.

Two deep pockets, one on each thigh, can carry a phone or other necessities comfortably. We appreciated being able to securely stash liner gloves or a thin beanie in them after warming up. These tights come in a range of color options, too, allowing an escape from the standard black.One tester said her bright green pair helped cheer her up on a dreary winter day. A comfortable run didn’t hurt, either.

Best for Winter Trail Running

Salomon Sense Aero Stow Tights

Material: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane blend
Fit: High-rise waist; tight fit

Pros and Cons
⊕ Allow comfortable carrying of multiple items
⊕ Targeted insulation: thicker around butt and thighs, thinner/more open weave from the knee down
⊗ Can feel thin and cold in frigid temps

These tights have a host of bells and whistles while feeling simple and dependable for everyday wear. Made out of stretchy, breathable polyamide/elastane, they’re soft against the skin and thin enough to allow full mobility, but provide adequate warmth in most winter temps. Ankle zippers allow easy on-and-off and the ability to hike the fabric above the calf if temperatures warm mid-run. Storage options include a large phone pocket on the leg, and a pocket at the low-back that’s roomy enough to hold a 250ml soft flask, with a small internal pocket and a key clip inside. Bungee loops at the low-back can hold a layer like a lightweight jacket or long sleeve shirt, should you need to shed it mid-run.

The Sense Aero Stow Tights were the utility tights of choice for testers in a range of wintry conditions around Boulder, Colorado. “I love how I can ball up and shove my jacket into the storage loops,” says one tester whose layer never stays tied around her waist. “These are just solid, all-around tights with good pocketing.”

Best Value

CEP Cold Weather Pants

Material: Main material: 100% recycled polyester; Backside: 86% recycled polyester, 14% spandex
Fit: Loose-fitting

Pros and Cons
⊕ Block wind and snow
⊕ Versatile for Nordic skiing and casual wear as well as running
⊗ Wind-blocking material isn’t completely breathable and can feel clammy against the skin

We’re not awarding these “Best Value” just because they’re the lowest-priced pants in our roundup (which they are). We also think there’s high value in versatility, and found ourselves not only wearing these for winter running but also for Nordic skiing, walking the dog, running errands, hiking, etc. They have a loose fit and casual look with two zippered hand warmer pockets that can carry car keys or a phone when out and about.

For running and other active pursuits, we also place high value on these pants’ ability to block a frigid headwind, sideways-blowing wind or rain, or a sudden squall delivering all three, thanks to the thin, water-repellent and windproof softshell fabric on the frontside. The backside interior is lined with a super-soft, stretchy, velour-like material that breathes while providing warmth. Testers noted the tapered, zippered ankles “don’t flare or catch wind,” and that the zippered back pocket was “perfect for a cell phone,” holding it without excessive bounce while running.

Best for Beginners

Smartwool Active Fleece Joggers

Material: Main Body: 47% Polyester, 38% Merino Wool, 15% Elastane
Fit: Loose-fitting

Pros and Cons
⊕ Super-soft and comfortable
⊕ Zippered hand pockets and jogger-style fit allow them to crossover to casualwear
⊗ Can be too warm for hard efforts or mild winter conditions

Motivation to run in the cold can be hard enough for die-hard, lifelong runners. But when you’re first starting out? Having a pair of pants that are a treat to pull on—super-soft against the skin and warm despite cold temperatures—can take away the excuse to not head out the door for fear of being too cold when you do.

The interior of these pants is a soft-brushed Merino wool blend that helps regulate body temperature, warming while wicking sweat to the pant’s smooth exterior. The fit is slightly loose with a tapered leg—they’re more jogger than running tight, which makes them versatile for wearing as good-looking sweatpants as well as on the run. In motion, we appreciated their stretch for ease of movement, and their insulation which kept us from freezing our butts off if we slowed to a walk. When we picked up the pace in these pants, they proved adequately breathable, albeit a little warm in mild temps. But boy, are they comfy, cozy, and capable.

Most Versatile

Oiselle Lux Life Full Tights

Material: 87% polyester, 13% spandex (bluesign®-approved materials)
Fit: High-rise waist, compressive

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely soft and breathable
⊕ Two-in-one pocket on small of the back works well for stashing
⊗ Can be too thin on cold days

Simply put: These are a great pair of leggings that work well for running, and can also be worn traveling, cross-training, hanging out, and even to work in a casual office—there are no side pockets on the legs that make them scream “workout pants!” The polyester/spandex blend is what Oiselle calls “Heavy Lux” and it’s so, so, so soft and luxurious against the skin. The wide, flat waistband extends higher than most other “high-rise” tights and provides extra protection from the elements, plus a soft hug around the midsection. “Love how high they come up without being constricting—instead the waist feels very supportive and even flattering,” said a tester. In action, these tights breathe great and stay put (no sagging). Because they’re so thin, they’re best suited for mild winter days on their own, but can be worn under wind pants as a great layer. One tester gushed: “LOVE these!! OMG! So comfortable!”

Other °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Running Tights and Pants We Tested

• Tracksmith °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Turnover Tights ($130): Generally love these but they fit a little snug at the waist for most.
• On Running Performance Tights ($120): These are sleek-feeling, but one tester experienced bunching behind the knees, and one noted the looser (colder) fit at the ankles.
• Patagonia Wind Shield Pants ($169): Great at shielding from wind and cold, but slightly swishy (noisy) and could be more breathable.
• Janji â…ž Trail Tight ($98): Awesome tights with multiple pockets to carry fuel, etc. Their â…ž length is versatile but leaves a tiny gap at ankle bone, requiring long socks to stay warm.
• Saucony Hurricane Tights ($95): Testers didn’t love the contrast fabric look, or compressive feeling around the waist (not as stretchy as some) but liked the feel of the soft brushed interior.
• Arc’Teryx Essent High Rise Utility Leggings ($140): Very thin for moving fast or mild temps, and no irritating seams, but some testers experienced sagging. Also, one reported, “Not very breathable in the privates!”
• Hoka Novafly Run TIght ($108): Good, staple tight that works in a range of conditions, just not as comfortable against the skin as some others. And testers didn’t love the logo placement.
• Icebreaker 200 ZoneKnit Thermal Leggings ($150): These are better as long underwear/baselayers than tights worn on their own, in both looks and function.
• Nike Zenvy Gentle-Support High Waisted Tights ($100): We like the look, feel, and simplicity of these but they’re better suited for gym workouts and yoga. Tend to sag.
• Brooks Hight Point Tights ($130): Well-functioning, fun-looking tights with multiple fabric panels, but we could feel the seams where the fabric changes.

How to Choose Women’s Running Tights and Pants

Consider the conditions you’ll most often be running in throughout winter to select how insulated, weather-resistant, or breathable tights or pants you need. Then think about what pocketing needs you may have–do you carry a phone in your tights? Want to carry an extra layer, or a car key securely without wearing a pack? Then try on tights made of the material that will work best for you with the ideal pocketing for your needs. If the tights feel at all uncomfortable in the store—the fabric against your skin, the seams, the fit, the feel around your waist—try on something else. If they feel good and make you want to run, even in cold, wind, snow, or rain, you found your pair.

How We Test

Head tester and writer Lisa Jhung researches each gear category and works with gear companies to narrow down which items to add to the test loop. She then orders samples for herself and her team of five testers, who live in Colorado, Virginia, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For this test, tights and pants were worn in a range of winter conditions, from cold, dry, sometimes snowy Colorado Front Range and high country, to cold, damp Virginia and cool, rainy, mild Northern California.

Meet Our Testers

Lisa Jhung has been running for 35 years, testing and writing about gear for 25-ish years, and manages a pool of testers out of her home in Boulder, Colorado. She runs in all conditions and loves heading out in a gnarly snowstorm.

Kristen Mecca moved to Virginia after running all over Colorado, including multiple podium finishes at the Pikes Peak Ascent and snowshoe races. She now tests gear through the East Coast winter and is a stickler for irritating seams and rough materials.

Beth Smith lives and runs in Burlingame, California, and runs roads and trails while trying to not get Prednisone-level poison oak rashes. She loves functional clothing with smart pocketing for her phone, which she always has with her.

Lindsay Clark trains around the roads and trails of Louisville, Colorado, while also heading to the Boulder foothills to hit rugged, rocky trails. After tragically losing her home in the Marshall Fire, she says she appreciates good running apparel on a new level.

The post Run şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř All Winter with These Favorite °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Tights and Pants appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

I have a confession to make: I am super intimidated by ski boots. I have written about ski boots many times in the past decade and interviewed more than a dozen experts; I’ve skied hundreds of days in that time frame and worked as a professional ski instructor; and I still have a ton to learn about this complicated product. Without doubt, ski boots are the most challenging piece to buy in a ski kit. They also happen to be the most important when it comes to improving your performance and enjoyment on the hill.

I lucked into a pair of K2 Recon boots that worked for me in 2018, and am still using them out of fear of messing with the esoteric magic spell that delivers comfort to my misshapen feet.

Because I know I’m not the only one overwhelmed by the idea of finding new boots, I interviewed four experts to get to the bottom of what the everyday skier needs to know when shopping for ski boots. I ended up compiling 63 pages of notes and transcripts to try and demystify this piece of gear. Here’s your cheat sheet.

Related:

The Experts

The Bootfitters’ Bootfitter

Sam McDonald has been fitting boots for over a quarter of a century and his ability to distill down the nuances of the ideal fit for different feet, skiers, and body types is incredible. He has been working for Surefoot since 1997 and has been the manager of since 2010.

The Boot Tester

My friend Kelly Bastone has been my go-to personal resource for boot questions for years. She’s been a gear tester for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, Backpacker, and SKI for around a decade and has tested over 200 pairs of ski boots.

The Lifer

is a lifelong skier, writer, ski company marketing pro, and backcountry ski guide with deep roots in the ski industry. He’s the friend I turn to for ski gear advice because he knows a lot and tells it like it is.

The Boot Designer

is the lead ski boot engineer for K2 and a professional ski instructor. I challenge you to find someone who spends more time in or around ski boots.

4 Tips for Finding the Right Ski Boot

Flex is Tricky

The refers to how stiff the boot is and how much force it takes to get the cuff of the boot to flex forward. A higher flex number means a stiffer boot. Generally speaking, the stiffer the boot, the more a skier can crank on the skis to initiate a turn,Ěýmaking stiff boots best suited to expert skiers. Flex numbers for adult ski boots range from 80 to 130, with 80 considered soft and anything above 115 considered stiff.

Ready for a myth I am excited to bust? Stronger skiers don’tĚýnecessarily need a stiffer boot.

“Get over this whole idea of, I’m an expert skier, I should be in a 130 boot,” Bastone advised. “If you ski moguls, if you’re jumpy, if you like lots of air and lots of little landings and things, you might want to go down a little in flex because as soon as you hit something unexpected, you’re going to feel like the rodeo horse just bucked you really hard in that boot.”

Just because a stiffer boot is more expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best performing boot, Burrow added. “Typically, the stiffer the boot, the less comfort it provides.” Even though Burrow is an excellent skier, ski instructor, and has made a career designing boots, she doesn’t always prefer the stiffest option. “I’m in my boots all day and I’m also pretty small, so having a super stiff boot for me can be really challenging.”

Rather than blindly looking at a flex number, test out the flex for your body type and weight when you try boots on. “Once you put it on, do some forward flexes into it, and if you feel like you’re almost falling forward, then that boot’s probably going to be a little bit too soft,” said Burrow.

Flex is relative from boot company to boot company, so one brand’sĚý130 does not equal another’s. The first time I found that out, it made my head spin. If flex is causing you a similar level of stress, it is a good idea to go to a reputable shop to talk it out with an expert. “Flex and stiffness is hard because the numbers can be quite confusing. Going to see somebody that you trust or that your peers trust is super important,” McDonald said.

Good Fit Starts with Awareness

The best place to start is by looking down at your own feet and trying to gauge your (i.e. your food width and instep height). While a bootfitter can measure the contours of your foot to the millimeter, starting with a general idea of your foot volume and shape is going to narrow your search significantly.

These days, most boots come in three different volume options: high volume (HV in the model name), mid volume (MV), and low volume (LV). “Determining where you fall in that category can be really helpful when you’re looking at a wide range of boots, just to narrow down your selection,” Burrow said.

Trust yourself, here. “Most people know if they have a wide foot, a high arch, or narrow foot. I mean, they’ve been wearing shoes all their life,” Bastone said. Burrow agreed. “Foot volume can be determined by a bootfitter or if you just know yourself,” she said. If you’ve experienced instep pain in shoes or boots, that could indicate that you have a high-volume foot; if your foot is really narrow, chances are you belong in a low-volumeĚýboot. “So just thinking about problems that you’ve had in everyday shoes, things like that and how you want your boot to fit is really important,” Burrow said.

Starting with the right volume is a non-negotiable for Bastone.“With my tester team, I was always really careful to match up the self estimated foot volume with the foot volume that the boot promises to fit,” Bastone said. “It’s awesome that even the stiff, high performance boots are often now made in a higher volume option. So it doesn’t have to be just the skinny-footed people that get the really great ski boots.”

You Can Have Comfort AND Performance

Another myth I’m stoked to bust: Ski boots are supposed to hurt if you want great performance. That’s simply no longer the case in 2024. “It’s totally possible to get ,” Bastone said.

While the line between tight and too tight might feel like a tough one to toe, Bastone has a killer analogy she received from a bootfitter years ago that she has held on to. “A great ski boot should feel like a friend’s handshake—even, warm, and supportive, but not aggressive,” she said.

It is worth noting that boots that feel comfortable in the ski shop or your living room might not always provide the same comfort on a full day of skiing. “Ski boots are not crocs. Going for something too comfortable means you’re going to have something that’s a little too big,” Hunt said. “A boot might feel great when you’re standing in the shop or sitting in the lodge. But once you start moving, it’s too loose and your feet start rubbing.Then you’ve got blisters.”

Aftermarket Insoles and Liners Are Worth It

Hunt offered some blunt advice when it comes to a ski boot’s stock components: “The stock insoles that come in ski boots just need to be tossed immediately,” he said.

“The two things that custom insoles do is make skiing easier and more comfortable,” McDonald added. He mentioned that the key to extended comfort in a boot is proper foot positioning. “The only way to effectively change your foot position is with a good custom insole. Ski boots are designed around a foot that’s in a certain position and you have to make sure you get an insole that holds you in that position.”

If you are looking for an extra layer of personalized comfort, investing in aftermarket liners ( and Ěýare some of the most popular options) that can be easily molded to your foot and ankle shape is a good idea.

Custom footbeds and liners are pricey and might deliver sticker shock if you are already dropping hundreds of dollars on boots, but McDonald maintained that his customers are always happy they made the purchase. “Breaking in a stock liner, even the highest quality, overly engineered liner that comes from the manufacturer, can take up to 30 days,” he said. “If you are willing to invest $10,000 a week in skiing at Whistler, or Aspen, or Vail, invest in some form of custom liner. It makes things way better and way easier for sure.”

The post 4 Tips to Make Shopping for Ski Boots Way Less Intimidating appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.