Gear Reviews & Guides

The best women's hydration vest that's right for you will be determined based on it's comfort, features, style and cost, all discussed in this post.

IQbuds BOOST make me feel superhuman with enhanced hearing in noisy environments. I feel safe while running with music in the city too because I can still hear the world around me. Learn about the clever tech that's going into these new adaptive hearing buds, for those who want to hear more, OR LESS!

Meet Seadon, the brand that's manufacturing technical tees from recycled plastic bottles. It's a sustainable approach to making performance running apparel.

If you're looking for the best, and most stylish hiking sunglasses that money can buy, Randolph Aviators are for you. Read my full review to find out why!

So you're planning your next road trip and need a final checklist? This is our definitive list of adventure road trip gear essentials to take with you!

The On Cloudswift 2019 is On's latest lightweight, breathable and responsive running shoe with Helion superfoam & a one-piece upper! How does it perform?

The Agility Peak Flex 3 is a trail running shoe, designed to deliver a responsive and cushioned ride on technical terrain. Find out how well it performed.

Our ever-growing list of what we consider to be the most inspirational women's adventure books, written by the most badass female adventurers! ?

Everything you need to know about these high-performance all-mountain trail running shoes for racing. ? Fully tested by Alastair from Trail & Kale.

Everything you need to know about Fastpacking and the Ultimate Gear Guide to make your adventures as fun, safe and comfortable as possible!

Our favorite ultrarunning books and what we consider to be the best available. We promise they'll inspire you to run further than ever before!

Looking to live a healthy plant based diet and also save time? Orgain Organic Meal powder will help you do both & more. Read our review, to find out how!

On Cloudsurfer vs Cloud X: We've reviewed them both in detail, now here's our side by side comparison with PROS and CONS. Find out which are best!

The On Cloudventure Waterproof 2019 is a durable all-round trail running shoe that will protect your feet from any weather/terrain that may come your way.

The LARQ Bottle is the world's first self-cleaning water bottle that'll purify water and neutralize that stink! Does it live up to the hype? Let's find out!

Editors Choice Award for La Sportiva Bushido 2! Everything you need to know about these awesome all-mountain trail running shoes.

The On Cloudventure has been given a huge design overhaul for 2019 which brings many welcomed improvements. Find out what they are, and why we love them!

Ultrarunners have a very specific set of requirements when it comes to buying a GPS running watch. Our shortlist of top GPS running watches will help you decide which one is best for you.

At a cost of less than a daily coffee, Athletic Greens is an organic vegan dietary supplement that helps me maintain energy levels during busy times.

The On Cloudsurfer has been designed with speed and comfort in mind but it's also a very comfortable shoe that provides great cushioning for long runs too.

Read our review of the streamlined women's On Running Tights - quality flattering women's running tights from premium Swiss brand On Running.

To save you time, I've asked all the common questions while researching the best running gloves on the market. See the 5 Top gloves for cold weather runs!

Wiivv are premium sandals with the added benefit of fitting perfectly as they're tailored to your feet. The app also takes the hassle out of going to a...

On have started making running socks and as you would expect, they look just as stylish as their running shoes. Read on to find out how well they performed.

Our ever-evolving list of the best trail running shoes for every scenario; whether you run ultramarathons, race 10k's or plan to do a Spartan/Tough Mudder..

After gift inspiration for the trail runner in your life or yourself? Check out our list of the best affordable and useful gifts for trail runners.

The On Cloud Waterproof is a really versatile running shoe for active people in urban environments, crafted to keep your feet dry on rainy days.

If you haven’t tried toe socks before then you should! Try everything once, right? These Injinji socks for trail running are engineered for uneven...

Title Nine Holy Grail Running Shorts review - I'm impressed with the quality, fit and, importantly, length and silicone grip that stops them riding up.

If you're looking for the best running sunglasses that money can buy, the ROKA Phantom Ti is for you. Read my full review to find out why!

The Hydro Flask Escape Collection has now sold out but this review also applies to the Hydro Flask 32 oz wide mouth bottle!The Hydro...

A stylish Swiss-designed waterproof women's running jacket all the key features you need to protect yourself from all weather conditions while out running.

The Hydro Flask Coffee Mug is a really clever little product that offers a lot more than your average ceramic mug can. It will keep your hot drinks...

I'm in love with everything about The On Cloud Edge Moonlight running shoe, from the design and color scheme right through to how comfortable it is.

Some thoughts on the Rockay Accelerate, running socks that are designed to help prevent chaffing and blisters. They also provide sompression and cushioning.

The Cloudflyer Waterproof is one of On's first waterproof road running shoes, released alongside the new On Cloud Waterproof. After running in both of...

The Original Cairn Box would make an excellent gift to someone who is getting started as an outdoor adventurer. It's inexpensive and you don't have to worry about what to choose as it's all done for you.

Read our review of the Lifeproof Fre, a slim, lightweight phone case designed for protection from water, snow, dirt and drops while out adventuring.

The On Weather Jacket is very stylish and definitely has all the key features you need to protect yourself from all weather conditions while out running!

I love putting the Cascadia 13 on knowing that I can be out for hours and my feet won't be sore from running hours on the dry, rocky terrain.

Read our review of Huel, the nutritionally complete food, and see how we integrated it into our busy work week.

This review is going to focus on two new items from the Janji Bolivia men's collection, which draws inspiration from, you guessed it, Bolivia!

The Brooks Ghost 11 are an absolute delight to run in. The are very comfortable, offer plenty of support and cushioning, are breathable and stretch to my feet as I run. This shoe is a real winner for me!

Read reviews of Stio's technical clothing for mountain and outdoor lifestyles, inspired by the mountains, trails and rivers of the Teton Mountains.

The women's On Cloud Waterproof is a stylish lightweight trainer for running or casual wear, which is waterproof and keeps your feet dry in wet conditions.

If you're after a minimal zero-drop running shoe with full protection and comfort for barefoot running then the Merrell Trail Glove 4 Knit is for you!

Seeing as the Brooks Cascadia 13 felt so good when I first put them on, I decided to go for a long 20k trail run. See what I discovered!

The My Trail Co Backpack UL 35 is a great value (at $99), super versatile pack. Because of its capacity and its ability to compress, it's great for a wide range of uses from short day trips to full-on multi-day adventures.

On Cloud vs Cloud X: We've reviewed both these running shoes in detail so here's our side by side comparison of them. Find out which shoe we prefer!

On Cloud 2018 Review: My 'go-to' lifestyle and 'on the move' shoe, where other trainers just aren't stylish enough for me to want to wear them all day, at work or when heading to the city.

The Women's Trailroc 285s are built to handle anything you throw at them, whether gnarly roots, technical Alpine rocks or packed rocky desert.

There's no denying, the On Cloudace shoes are capable of allowing you to run long distances in extreme comfort but are they worth the premium price tag?

About Sunski Sunski is a trendy young company based in San Francisco, with beliefs that extend far beyond just making sales. Sunski actually wants to make...

Read our review of Janji's men's running kit - we tried and tested the Janji men's running tee and shorts from the Uganda Collection.

Read our review of Janji's womens running kit - we tried and tested Janji's womens running vest and shorts from the Uganda Collection.

The results of my VITL DNA test have certainly given me some food for thought. I'm considering what changes I can make in my diet to make sure I am getting enough of the right nutrients, as well as rethinking my training approach to tap into that body fat as an endurance energy source.

We have thoroughly tried and tested Ultimate Direction's ladies running race vest, the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 4.0. Read the review here.

Let's start by listing some reasons why I stopped running with music a couple of years ago, and how Jaybird RUN has made the prospect of it appealing again.

I have been running in Darn Tough Socks for about 5 months now and so far I've had nothing but good experiences with them. In this review I'm going to...

Garmin Fenix 5X Review: What's it like running with the Garmin Fenix 5X? Garmin has packed so much into this GPS Watch and it is one of their flagship devices that can easily rival the competition from other manufacturers like Suunto and Polar.

The Xero Terraflex is a 'barefoot style' trail running shoe that can benefit your running technique in a multitude of ways. It's a lightweight, minimal and flexible shoe that should help your body develop a natural and efficient running technique.

The on Cloud X is marketed as the world’s lightest fully-cushioned shoe for running Remixed. I'm calling it their BEST road running shoe yet! Find out why!

It's about time someone made a drinks cooler that actually looks cool. Check out what we thought about the Coolest Cooler and all its features.

SaltStick Fastchews are "chew-able" electrolyte tablets that share a similar diameter to that of a US 1 cent coin. They have been designed so that you can fine-tuning your electrolyte intake to combat heat stress and cramping based on the requirements of your own body's requirements.

Nathan Speedster 2L Review: As more people take to the trails, demand has grown for products that allow you to carry a few essentials without stuffing your pockets or necessarily needing a larger backpack, which is likely to be overkill unless you’re going out running for many hours somewhere remote.

It's true, friction training does sound like something out of a sci-fi movie but it's also a method of training that can help build up muscle strength by using a variety of low impact yet high-intensity exercise routines. In the video above, I demonstrate some of the exercises routines that I enjoy practising with the Flowin Pro friction trainer.

When I discover a product that genuinely improves my running performance and joy for the sport, I feel compelled to recommend it to the Trail & Kale Community so that they too can enjoy the same benefits that I do. SaltStick Caps are one of those products.

Balance training is something that I feel is largely overlooked when it comes to cross-training for runners. Strength training is so important when it comes to becoming a stronger runner.

On Cloudrush vs Cloudflow running shoe comparison: Since posting my On Cloudrush review a couple of weeks ago, a couple of people have asked me what the difference is between the two running shoes...

Trucker hats are becoming more and more popular in the trail running world, so we wanted to make sure that we were visible on the scene with our own high quality Trail & Kale trail running hat.

I wanted to test these particular Darn Tough running socks out on a challenging run to find out just how tough, the 'Darn Tough' namesake is and my word did I pick the right race to test them to the max...

Brooks Ghost 10 Review - While I love innovative minimal trail shoes for softer trails, I do not have the excellent form and biomechanics of a runner who can get away with...

On Cloudrush Review: Lightweight road shoes for running FAST

The Merrell Agility Peak Flex 2 is a trail running shoe, designed to deliver flex, agility and protection on long runs and rugged terrain. I decided to go out on a big hill rep session to test them out properly.

I’m not going to get too nerdy in this review, instead, I’ll share some key features of the Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro that I love. I'll also talk about some background fundamentals surrounding the device, including Movescount for storing activities, and some in-watch settings that I like to use while out running.

Read our review of the Salomon XA Elevate trail running shoes. Designed for challenging yourself to take your adventure runs higher. They should inspire confidence on smooth or rugged trails, and ensure traction on wet or dry surfaces.

Read our review of the Salomon S-Lab Light Skirt, S-Lab Support Half Tights, and S-Lab Modular Belt: women-specific trail running skirt and tights for running adventures.

While you can’t beat a massage from someone who is trained to give proper sports massages, it is important to be able to work out niggles and tightness yourself, and to do so, we find having a few 'massage tools' around the house is helpful.

Video review of the Salomon race vest, the Advanced Skin 5l Set, including shots of the key features and what it looks like close-up and moving. Race vest designed for trail running and moving in the mountains.

I love seeing brands successfully innovate on such seemingly simple products like socks, that haven't really progressed much over the years.

Video review of the Inov-8 cap, the 'All Terrain Peak', designed for trail running and other adventures. Visit the Trail & Kale YouTube channel for more running videos, running kit reviews and advice.

Megan Hine's book, Mind of a Survivor, explores the mental qualities that certain people can harness that means they can overcome some incredibly difficult and seemingly impossible survival situations - where others may not make it. Inspiration for your next ultramarathon!

Read our review of Lizzy Hawker's first book, "Runner: A short story about a long run". Warning! Contains a healthy dose of running inspiration and mountain adventures and may result in longing to visit Nepal.

Read our review of the On Cloudventure Peak. The lightweight trail competition shoe with downhill cushioning.

What's it like Running with the Apple Watch Series 3 and Strava - We share some of our thoughts on when and how to use this GPS watch for running.

Our ever-growing list of what we consider to be the BEST running and adventure books... EVER.

Read our review of the Inov-8 Trailroc 285 trail running shoes - A shoe that's responsive and lightweight, but also offers superior protection and cushioning on hard rocky trails

Read our review of the Inov-8 Trailtalon 235 trail running shoes - Designed for running fast over all types of trails and a true Salomon S-Lab Sense competitor.

For me, It's all about feeling as minimal as possible while running. Fast and Light! Whether on the trails or off them. The On Cloudflow does both!

Read our review of the Inov-8 Parkclaw 275 shoes. The shoe for road to trail transitions.

Read our review of the Salomon Intensity Running Tights, women-specific trail running tights for cold weather trail running and power-hiking.

Review of Lululemon Run Swiftly Tech Tees - the T-shirt, Vest and Long-Sleeved options are all tried and tested by Helen from Trail and Kale.

On Running Lightweight Cap Review - "I love to see how new technologies and innovative thinking can make something as simple as a hat, better."

Review of Zelus Olympus insoles for runners - I was intrigued to see whether switching out the insoles on my running shoes would make a difference.

Review of Brooks Go-To Tights - Womens running leggings. These full-length running tights come in black and ‘cobalt’ blue - so vibrant!

Maurten Hydrogel Sports Fuel Drink Mix Review - "In the 1960s the first carbohydrate sports drink was launched. Now Maurten has reinvented sports fuel. We're introducing the world’s most carbohydrate-rich sports drink. Widely used by the best endurance athletes in the world."

Book review of Finding Gobi, the true story of Dion Leonard and his quest to find a stray Chinese dog who befriended him during a 250km ultramarathon.

We trained and raced with the Petzl Reactik + headtorch - which has been designed with trail and ultrarunners in mind. Read our headtorch review here.

Read our review of Chilly's Bottles, the reusable BPA Free Reusable bottle. Up to 24 hours Cold and 12 hours Hot. Help save our planet by reducing plastic bottle wastage.

A summary of the pros and cons of trail running with poles and some advice on how and when to use them to best effect during training and races.