NorthernRunner.com Blog

KATADYN BeFree Water Filter | Introduction by NorthernRunner.com

Water is heavy. You need to drink but don’t want to carry too much of it! It can be tricky to find fill up locations, depending on your run/race. This however is not so much of a problem when you are high up on the fells in the UK. The mountain streams are clear and there’s lots of them. Lower down the mountain side and on runs closer to habitation it’s not the best idea to drink from streams. However, this issue has been solved by the Katadyn Befree water... Read More

Running Rewired Running Book Review/Experience

“Work on your core” sometimes seems like the answer to every running related question! Be it how do I get rid of this niggle or that injury or how do run further or faster. There are loads of YouTube clips of fit runners demonstrating exercises that most of us can’t do. The book Running Rewired aims to answer the questions around improving your core for everybody. The book explains why you should build some strength exercises into your schedule and shows you how to work out the best exercises for... Read More

07/11/2020

Altra Superior 4.5 Review | Responsive Zero Drop Trail Running Shoes

The Altra Superior 4.5 is Altra’s most minimally cushioned trail running shoe. It is designed for shorter outings than the Lone Peak 4.5 or Timp 2 and has a faster, more responsive feel. The stack height is 21mm, which is nearly the same as the Altra Escalante Racer… so a kind of Escalante Racer with grip! The Altra Superior range has been on the market for some years now and we have many customers who find them to be the perfect combination of feel for the ground, cushioning and protection.... Read More

31/10/2020

NVii Terra TT Review | High Grip Trail Running Shoes

NVii (pronounced NVee) are a Finish orienteering brand. They designed their shoes for racing through the undergrowth in Scandinavian forests. Their shoes have to be tough enough to cope with all the abrasion from thick under growth, whilst being light and flexible enough to ride over the rough ground. It goes without saying that the outsole needs to grip on a large combination of surfaces from wet rock, wood and mud to drier loose and dusty terrain. The current bout of wet weather has made the trails perfect to test... Read More

What Running Head Torch Do I Need? | Head Torches at NorthernRunner.com

As headtorches have improved, becoming brighter and lighter in weight, they have transformed night-time running and are a must have for the winter. If you are running on country roads in the winter evenings then a headtorch is an essential piece of kit. Certain models are now good enough to allow you to explore off-road at night, which is particularly dangerous without the right vision. Running at night over fields and through woods give you a whole new sensory experience. It also builds in a feeling of adventure as the... Read More

Altra Escalante Racer Review | Zero Drop & FootShape Responsive Road Shoes

In the middle of a pandemic when there are very few races to take part in, it seems strange to be reviewing a racing shoe! However, the Altra Escalante Racer is for much more than just competition. Like all Altra shoes, the Escalante Racer is Zero Drop. This means that there is no raised heel. They are designed to allow your foot to land more naturally on your midfoot. The shoes also have a broad and rounded toe box, which Altra trademarked as ‘FootShape’. This is to allow your feet... Read More

La Sportiva Akyra Review | Cushioned Trail Running Shoes

As winter approaches and the trails get wetter, it’s the time many runners start to look for a versatile trail running shoe that can do it all. The Akyra is an offering from La Sportiva that might just tick all the boxes. La Sportiva is an Italian Mountain Brand. Founded in 1928 in Val di Fiemme. They started making rock climbing shoes and transitioned 90 plus years later into all aspects of mountain-based activities. The La Sportiva Akyra is described as a mountain running shoe. Designed for long days out... Read More

Altra Torin 4.5 Plush Review | Cushioned Zero Drop Road Running Shoes

The latest Torin 4.5 Plush is the latest in a line of shoes designed as Altra’s everyday training shoe. A shoe designed to offer a good level of cushioning so you can put in the higher miles. The previous Torin 4 was actually available in two versions. The Torin 4 has a firmer more responsive feel and the Torin 4 Plush has a much softer, more pillow like ride to it. The Torin 4.5 Plush is an updated version of the softer variant. The main change to the shoe is... Read More

INOV8-TERRAULTRA-G270-REVIEW 22/08/2020

Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 (Graphene) Review | Cushioned Ultramarathon Running Shoes

The Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 was launched in the UK in July 2020 and replaces the Terraultra G 260. Like the G 260, the G 270 is a zero drop trail running shoe designed to be used for even the longest ultramarathon distances. A lot of the features are the same. The Terraultra G 270 still has a broader and rounded toe box, which along with the zero heel to forefoot drop promotes better foot function and good posture. There is room for your foot to spread on impact to... Read More

la_sportiva_jackal_review 04/08/2020

La Sportiva Jackal Review

The Jackal is the latest edition to La Sportiva’s range of mountain running shoes and is designed for off-road ultramarathons. As John Kelley’s recent Pennine Way Record would testify, the Jackal does this job well! Northern Runner Ambassador Kim Collison has written a review on our blog telling us what a great shoe the jackal is for this mixed off-road type of terrain. You can read it here: https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-jackal-review/. However, most of our customers don’t buy a shoe for only one type of running and want a shoe that will... Read More