Each month the Run Testers try out piles of running products, but there’s a lot of kit outside of shoes and tech that we don’t get a chance to talk about until we do a full round-up.
In this month’s video, we cover running shorts, t-shirts, sunglasses and socks. Enjoy.
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JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00 – Intro
Kieran’s Picks
00:32 – T8 Sherpa Shorts
01:46 – Monkey Sox
02:40 – Inov8 Race Elite 3-in-1 Gloves/Mittens
Mike’s Picks
04:42 – Ronhill Tech Golden Hour tee
07:08 – Weleda Arnica Massage Oil
08:06 – Times Seek Running Sunglasses
Tom’s Picks
10:16 – Montane Slipstream Twin Skin Running Shorts
12:35 – Run Favourite Quarter-Zip Running Top
15:02 – Asics Fujitrail Run Crew Socks
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Hey Tom here with the September monthly Roundup this is the video we do every Month where we talk about all the kit And Tech that we may have tested over The past few weeks that we haven't had The opportunity to tell you about in Some of the other videos that we've done Right let's dive in and see what we'll Picked this month If you're looking for lightweight Running shorts that still pack a Built-in storage belt then these T8 Sherper shorts I think are really worth A look I ran the New Forest marathon in Them and I'm a big fan of how light and Free they feel the main short fabric is Really sort of thin light it's stretchy Very perforated you've got these little Side splits as well that add to the kind Of overall flexy feel what I really like Is the cut isn't too short as well so Your dignity is well protected the Storage belt is segmented into four Really nice high-capacity stretch mesh Compartments well so you can separate Your kit those will hold phone gels even A jacket loads of other stuff really Securely without any unwanted bounce I Also find the lighter outer means that They work well with other base layer Shorts I tend to wear shorts underneath As well they don't add too much heft so Everything stays kind of nice and Airy And light they dry pretty fast too
You've got these toggles on the back for Attaching poles and other stuff they're A bit bulkier maybe than I would really Like so you need to make sure that you Stick them away securely to prevent them Flapping around when they're not in use These toggles uh the other thing I would Say is I would recommend going a size up Or checking the sizes carefully as these Come up pretty small I think they kind Of ship in Asian sizes so you want to Check that out firstly and arguably most Importantly these are good comfortable Reliable running socks but when you Throw in the fact that 50% of the profit From each pair of monkey socks sold is Donated to charity and the cracking Unique designs that are really like Really Lively and it's hard not to love The monkey socks they're designed to be Odd so every pair of socks is designed Odd the idea is that this represents how It feels to live with multiple scaros They come in crew ankle and fulllength Compression sizes but the pair I've been Using loads are these they're the crew Classic M design I'd say that they're a Midweight sock they're not quite as Thick as something like a stance Performance crew sock but they're not Race thin either uh somewh happily in Between I'd say they've got a seamless Toe box which works really well to avoid Any rubbing and issues you've got a
Double cuff up here which is much Thicker and that sort of holds and stays Put and doesn't roll down plus pretty Generous padding actually in the hill And some sort of other things that keep Them nice and Airy now it's not quite The kind of weather where you need Gloves at least here in London it's not But I'm soon heading up to the Lake District in north of England uh here in The UK it's home to the famous Bob gra Round some of the highest climbs you'll Find in the UK and you get pretty Inclement conditions at times if the Weather turns and as part of that we've Got a big long list of obligatory kit That we have to take to make sure that We're safe out there if it does get Really cold and while I want to have the Kit I need to stay safe if things go Wrong I also want my kit to you know Keep my pack weight down so that's where These innovate 3in1 glove mittens come In we have to pack gloves in our regular Kit and extra mittens if the cold Weather kit is needed I've now got both Covered in one hit here that are Attached you get these kind of really Thin but warm gloves which are nice and Lightweight you also get a fully Waterproof full outer mid layer in total The whole system weighs 69 G the gloves Are just 16 G each they pack down pretty Small as well even if you take both
You've got some silicon grips on the Ends of the gloves as well for kind of Grabbing onto rocks or swiping phones And watches and whatever uh if there's a Lighter combo with a glove and a full Knit out there I'd love to hear about it Let me know in the comments but for now These little things are handy little Essentials that are going to save me Space as part of the Vive Valley's Ultra Race Kit oh there's a video up on the Channel as well if you want to see all The other Ultra kit Essentials that I'm Taking to take on that five valleys race And a bit about the race itself so go Check that Out so my first monthly pick and it's Actually something I've been using over The last few months particularly over The summer months when it's been hotter And you know on those hot runs when it's Really hot I've generally been running In a vest the one I haven't I've been Using a few different t-shirts one that I've kind of grabbed on a regular basis Has been this one and it is the kind of This one here is the Ron Hill golden Hour t-shirt now the ideal behind this T-shirt is one that you kind of wear Kind of you know when the sun's just Rising when the sun's kind of setting Maybe it isn't as hot you know maybe Isn't quite F weather anymore you do Need that extra little bit of protection
And it's just being first and foremost a Very easy kind of comfortable t-shirt to Wear what I like about it it doesn't Cling too much um so you know the fit in General is pretty good I've got it in a Medium generally you know medium you Know sometimes in these t-shirts I kind Of mix between small and medium the Medium has fit very well for me I think What I like about it I think the thing That's kind of really stood out for me Is when I've done kind of hotter harder Runs in it it doesn't really hold that Sweat in the same way some other T-shirts I've kind of used to running so It uses um kind of the poltech uh kind Of Delta fabric technology so I've used T-shirts with kind of poltech technology And you probably familiar with it from Other um kind of garments that use it And what I've really found in this T-shirt in terms of application of that Technology is that it doesn't hold on to That sweat in the same way when you know Ultimately you are going to sweat and You run harder but I haven't felt like It's to cling to me when I have done Those harder Sessions and ultimately it's very Breathable very comfortable I like the Fact it's nice and light and to be Honest I like the fact that the color is Pretty Larry I didn't think I'd be able To pull it off but actually quite like
Being out running it so yeah it's a Shirt that or t-shirt that I've really Enjoyed using it's going to work if You're looking for a nice tea that Doesn't you know doesn't cling feels Very breathable the fit is generally Very good uh and it doesn't hold that Sweat in the way that some T-shirts can Do uh when you are running a little bit Harder so that is the Ron Hill golden Hour t-shirt okay so my next pick a Little bit like the tea I spoke about is Something that I've wanted to use for a Few months ultimately because I wanted To see it actually worked for me I got On with it I didn't have any kind of Side effects and it would be something I'd want to recommend to people now this Is a little bit on the kind of recovery Side and know ultimately I'm getting to A point where you know most of my runs There might be some soreness there might Be a slight niggle you know and you know The best solution ultimately is to go And get sports massage go and see fys in That's kind of what do on a more Frequent basis but I tried to do a Little bit more of that at home kind of Use recovery products I've started to do Kind of more of the massaging at home And try to take you know take more Responsibility for that and I've been Looking for products that can also make That bit feel like a nice
Experience to do and I was sent a bunch Of different products uh I found one um Particular that's kind of work well for Me as I said over the last few months so I'm probably going to pronounce this Wrong but I think it's we're l You know brand that have been around for A long time um they sent me a bunch of Different products in terms of the kind Of recovery side of thing so one of the Things I really like using is their Massage oil it's something I've been Using I think first and foremost it is Something that you know from a scent Point of view does smell very nice you Know it does make a big difference I Think also it kind of absorbs very well In the skin and when I've kind of used It on my legs and that's kind of where I'm mainly using it it's worked very Well kind of works very well into the Skin and it just helps in terms of that Kind of massaging process to have Something that kind of makes it feel a Little bit of a nicer thing to do and More pleasant you know haven't found That it's an oil that kind of stains Very easily because you know UL that's Something you don't want and yeah Ultimately it's just been you know the Products I have used to try to find to Kind of take that kind of care in you Know into my own hands ultimately has Worked very well for me so my last
Monthly pick is arguably my favorite Type of kind of new running kind of Accessory to discover and it's one that Ultimately first and foremost works very Well when you're running but can also be You know of good use when you're not Running as well too so I'm going to be Talking about these these are a pair of Sunglasses for a new brand called times They make all of their sunglasses in Italy all kind of sustainably made they Have a couple of versions in terms of Designs these are the seek versions There's also a Rome version which have Kind of slightly different lenses in Terms of that design what the two Glasses do have in common is how they Are secured and kept in place around Your head so unlike your traditional Sunglasses or running glasses these use This kind of cord design which kind of Wrap around the top of your head you can Kind of kind of move them to kind of Slightly loosen the fit you can move Them back in to kind of tighten that fit Ultimately as well too now when I go Away generally I would take probably a Couple of pair of sunglasses I would you Know generally I would take I have a Pair of kind of array band glasses that I wear when I'm not running and then I Have a pair of oak leaves which I do use Which um are kind of more casual kind of You know ideal for my runs where I'm
Kind of really kind of going out and Exploring so what I did is I replaced Those glasses with these and ultimately You know I didn't massively miss them First and forem they look good they're Stylish um you know they're nice to wear They're comfortable to wear but in terms Of that secureness and fit particular When I've been running with them they Felt very very reliable they haven't Kind of bounced around and they felt Very good you know would I use them for Kind of racing I probably wouldn't but For the kind of you know going away and Holiday you you're going out and running At more casual easy comfortable Pace They're absolutely fine from that point Of view what I like about them is when You're not wearing them you can kind of Loosen that cord wear them here on you Kind of in front of your neck you know You've always got them you know um you Can kind of flatten the the lenses Against your chest so they're kind of Sitting you know very comfortably as Well too they're not kind of sticking Out um that's a nice little design Feature there as well too but F you know Primarily they you know in terms of what I've been running with them they haven't Budged they felt good to wear I felt Like my eyes have been well protected And you know they've been as I said I've Been able to replace
Two pairs of sunglasses I normally take Away with me with one pair so those are The times um sunglasses and these are The seek versions um and yeah there are Two versions of these glasses which you Can pick Up my first pick this month are these Montine slipstream twin skin running Shorts uh now these are Trail shorts Really like these it's a design that is Becoming quite common at the the moment A lot of running brands are doing a Similar design to these they're Trail Shorts they're dual layers so they have Uh the this sort of um nylon fabric Inside which uh hugs the legs so that They don't rub but also keeps your legs Maybe warmer uh if you're running in the Colder temperatures um but the reason That I like to wear these Jewel layer Shorts and I always wear Jewel layer Shorts whether it's for racing whether It's for Road running whether it's for Trails uh is that you it stops rubbing Of the legs basically um I used to wear Liners in my shorts and now I tend to Just buy dual layer shorts uh these are Quite expensive so they're £70 but you Can find them cheaper if you search on Google um I really like them because They're just very very comfortable They're not too figure hugging they're They're quite loose but not baggy like Bermuda shorts they're still fairly uh
Comfortable and um nicely fitted um but They do feel like there's a little bit Of give in them as well so they're quite Comfortable um if you like to have a Little bit more room in your running Shorts uh it's it's got this really nice Belt it so the belt section I say belt Section the uh midsection which is the Elasticated bit seems to be disconnected From the rest of the shorts which means That it has a quite nice um figure Holding uh position on the body so it Sits slightly higher than the waist uh Which makes it quite comfortable uh you Also have the um draw string at the Front just to tie it down if you wanted To get it a little bit tighter uh it has Fairly big pocket at the back it's Probably going to hold uh some iPhone Models but won't hold bigger phones I Use a Google pixel 8 Pro doesn't hold That phone far too big for these uh and You also get some additional um gel Pockets as well in the back so if you're Running for a long distance you have That extra bit of storage as well uh all In all they're just a very comfortable Solid pair of shorts um I've been using For a few runs now and they seem to be Very good at being breathable um and uh Sweat wicking as well so very much Enjoyed wearing these shorts quite Pricey but I think they're a solid pair That you will have for quite a long time
And you can use them for trail running And Road running as well they're not Specifically designed just for Trails so Um you can use them for everything that You're doing my second pick this month Is this pummer favorite quarter sip Running top now I like to Chuck in um Items within the Roundup that aren't NE Necessarily really expensive we do tend To pick quite expensive things on some Of the videos um but uh try and some When I can picking pick things that are A little bit more affordable uh this top Is uh it's getting cold now it's getting Wet in uh the UK and I've started to Pull out my long sleeve tops and started To pick up some more long sleeve tops uh This is a it's a really well balanced um Running top so um it's long sleeved you Have the uh thumb hooks at the end and That's an essential for me I always wear Tops with thumb hooks I don't know why I Just find them to be a lot more Comfortable um the material is nice and Soft it's not too thick I do have some Running tops that are really really Thick and I only really use them if it Is really cold it's not that cold at the Moment it's sort of that Autumn Temperature where some days it can be Fairly warm some days it can be a bit Cold um so It's tricky to get the right Top um to make sure that you're Comfortable this is sits quite
Comfortably in the middle so this is the Perfect time to use this top um I just Went out for an 18K R uh run it was Probably about 14° and it felt very very It took the edge off the cold but also Uh I didn't get too sweaty in it when um I started picking up the pace a bit and I my heart rate was increasing and I was Sweating more so um there's not really Loads of tech on this it's a very simple Top you've got this high neck on it it's Got the quarter zip at the front so if You get hot you can unzip it um and it Does have some things like um reflective Elements on it but I never really think They're that useful anyway just come a Few different colorways uh the price of This is £38 RP but on the website on Pumer at the moment I think it's £18 Which is really good deal for this if You're looking to get some winter kit um Cuz it's very comfortable the other Thing and the big thing I would say About this is that it's quite nice and Loosely fitting um I really like my Running tops to be slightly baggy uh Especially around the midrift where it's Nice and comfortable um so this is a Good option if you maybe aren't a really Really uh skinny Runner who is used to Wearing things like saw this has got a Little bit more of a relaxed fit that is A bit more comfortable my final pick This month are these A6 Fuji Trail uh
Running socks now apparently these are Designed for trail racing uh I'm Assuming that's because of the way that The uh materials pretty thin on them uh But it does have a fair bit of padding So the thing I like about these socks is That uh in the areas the top and most of The midsection it's a fairly thin fabric But at the toes in the heel and around The ankle you do have these reinforced Sections that do make it quite Comfortable um I haven't used these for Racing yet I tend to use them for other Runs um easy runs anything really um and I'm not specifically just using them for Trails as well I don't think they're Designed really for the trails I think They're just really good General uh Running socks um when it comes to Running socks running socks are quite Expensive these days these come in at £14 which is actually fairly well priced For running socks but there is an offer On at the moment on the website where You can get three for two on running Socks which makes it a pretty good deal Uh and there are different colorways as Well um so I found these to be really Nice to wear out on the Run they're nice And breathable um I found them that day The elasticated section at the top holds Really well if you want to keep it up Didn't have any problems with that all In all solid comfortable running socks
And uh I'm a big fan of these probably Wouldn't have got this color if it was My choice I got sent these by aex um but Uh there are some of the colors as well So I probably would have gone for the I Like boring so colors basically I don't Really like bright neon ones but um some Of you might I know Mike would probably Like those uh but yeah solid pair of Running socks if you're looking for some Uh for the winter months that's it from Us on this monthly R thanks a lot for Watching don't forget to like subscribe And click the little bell and if you go To the catch below you can find a link To our podcast which comes out at the End of each month thanks all for Watching catch you next time
