Roark Alta Shorts
Who wears short shorts? Photo: Tim Wenger
- Pros: Breathable, minimalist, doesn’t ride up
- Cons: Very short
I’m already a Roark devotee and decided to lean into the brand’s “Run Amok” line with the Roark Alta 5-inch run shorts. They feel minimalist and made for hot-weather runs, with an unapologetically short five-inch inseam. But the payoff is immediate in hot weather: excellent airflow, no bunching, and a secure fit that stayed put on climbs without riding up or shifting. On one especially warm uphill climb, the breathability made a noticeable difference, keeping things comfortable where longer or heavier shorts would have trapped heat.
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Storage is intentionally sparse, which could be seen as a selling point or downside, depending on what you like to carry. There’s a single zippered back pocket that works best for a phone and single key, but a full key ring will start getting tight and clunky. The minimal storage isn’t surprising to me, as the shorts are styled to be lightweight, minimalist, and optimized for movement, rather than packed with features.
— Tim W.
UYN Kymra Shirt
Photo: Suzie Dundas
- Pros: Synthetic-free, natural materials, no vertical seams, bright colors
- Cons: Pattern looks a bit like a sweat mark, reviewer would prefer looser sleeves
This comfortable and lightweight shirt is soft and easy to wear on long runs, as there are no irritating seams that can lead to chafing or red marks. It fits well and dries really fast. That quick-drying property is both great when you’re sweating on warm-weather runs, but also comes in handy when you realize it needs to be washed before you meet your running buddy in 30 minutes. The shirt’s cut and fit are great, except for one sort of annoying detail: the wave design is futuristic looking, but it’s a bit misplaced as it can look like sweat marks (especially for women). I normally wear a women’s medium or large, and the unisex medium fit me well.
That said, if that doesn’t bother you, it could be a good choice for someone who needs a comfortable and sweat-resistant shirt that won’t chafe or rub, especially if you’re wearing a running vest or other piece of clothing over it. The shirt comes in three colors and is unisex, and even after a few runs without heavy washing, it didn’t stretch out. This also makes it ideal for travel, especially in hot-weather destinations where you’re trying to go carry-on-only. It also scores high points for sustainability, as it’s made from natural wood-pulp-based fibers, rather than fibers produced using synthetic materials or fossil fuels.
— Katie D.
Smith Wildcat Sunglasses
Photo: Suzie Dundas
- Pros: Ultralight, doesn’t shift while running, great coverage, enhanced contrast
- Cons: Expensive, too specialized to be an everyday pair
I’ve long been a huge fan of the Smith Wildcats and wear them nearly every day between spring and fall as they’re my go-to pair of shades for mountain biking. But it took me a shockingly long time to realize they’re also the best pair of sunglasses for running and jogging outdoors.
The Smith Wildcats provide plenty of coverage, almost akin to a small goggle, which protects your eyes from wind and trail debris when moving quickly. They also have Smith’s ChromaPop™ technology to enhance contrast and natural colors, allowing me to quickly spot roots, wet patches, and uneven surfaces on trails. It sounds a bit like marketing jargon, but you can see the difference as soon as you put them on (literally — the lenses are high-tech).
I sometimes think how much a piece of gear weighs gets overblown in marketing — most casual runners won’t notice the difference between a 13-ounce or 14-ounce shoe, for example. But with sunglasses, weight makes a big difference if you want them to both stay on your face and not put pressure on the sides of your head with each step. Fortunately, the Wildcats are extremely lightweight, and have a useful (and adjustable) non-slip nose pad that keeps them in place, even if you’re a heavy-impact, awkward trail runner (like me).
The Smith Wildcat is the first pair of sunglasses I owned that actually made me feel like it was worth the price tag. That’s especially true as they come with a second clear lens; I’ve gotten my lens-switching time down to about 15 seconds.
— Suzie D.
Stance Light Socks
Photo: Tim Wenger
- Pros: Mid-to-light thickness, moisture-wicking, reinforced heels
- Cons: Pricey, may be too thin when paired with minimally cushioned shoes
Lots of sock brands will leave you to believe modern technical socks are packed with technology. But ultimately, a sock is far less complicated than a shoe, and I like the Stance Light Socks for a simple reason: I like the thickness. They’re thicker than typical crew socks and the brand’s Ultralight crews, but still thin enough to not encase my feet in sweat after half a mile (something I’ve felt when I run in my usual thin hiking socks).
At $54.99 for a three-pack, they’re not inexpensive, but they paired really nicely with the roomy toe box of the Altra Experience Wild 2 shoes to keep my bunion in check. They’re made of a moisture-wicking nylon/polyester blend with a touch of cotton for softness, and have the brand’s Infiknit reinforced heels, supposedly adding extra durability and support in higher-use areas. Pairing these socks with a good shoe really felt like it saved my knees, and when I arrived back at the trailhead each time, my feet were the least-sweaty part of my body.
— Tim W.
About Our Testers
Alex during an Amsterdam half marathon, and Katie after the Auckland Marathon. Photos: Alex Bresler and Katie Dundas
Matador Network recruited a blend of avid, new, and long-time runners to test the items above. We sent them the gear and asked them to work it into their running routine, and let us know what they thought once they had put it through the paces (pun intended).
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