Posts Tagged: Sarah Barber

Trail Runner’s Product Review: JAMBAR

The following review features JAMBAR and was written by trail runner Sarah Barber. Product was provided for the review at no charge. JAMBAR. It sounds like a thatched roof hut on an island near the equator where they serve drinks with umbrellas and play Bob Marley covers until well past sundown. Or it could be… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Sock Review: Swiftwick Aspire 5

Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews Swiftwick Aspire 5 socks. Product was provided by ATRA corporate member Swiftwick at no cost for the test and review. Various sources suggest that the average adult makes over 30,000 decisions per day with topics ranging from whether breakfast should include bacon (the answer is yes) to whether beer should… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Product Review: RPM by Chirp

Trail runner Sarah Barber tests and reviews RPM by Chirp. Product was provided at no charge for the review. In a world where artificial intelligence, complex technology, and robotics reign stronger and stronger with each passing day, one thing that cannot be replaced is the human touch. Anyone who receives regular bodywork from a massage… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Gear Review: R5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM Tights

The following review was written by trail runner Sarah Barber and features R5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM Tights. Product was provided for the review at no charge. Winter running tights fall into the category of things I generally dislike. Let’s be honest: wouldn’t we all prefer to run in shorts? But I live in a region that… Read more »

Better Together: Merging Two Disciplines with Chuck Tookey

The following installment in ATRA’s year-long series, Better Together, features athlete, coach, and mentor Chuck Tookey and was written by trail runner Sarah Barber. Chuck Tookey is a guy who listens more than he speaks. When he opens his mouth, the words come out softly and well-chosen, usually with a speck of humor. An architect… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Shoe Review: INOV8 Mudtalon Speed

The following review was written by trail runner Sarah Barber and features the INVO8 Mudtalon Speed. The footwear was provided by ATRA corporate member INOV8 at no charge for the review. It’s unusual to see the words “mud” and “speed” in the same sentence, let alone in the title of one product that claims to… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Gear Review: GORE WINDSTOPPER Thermo Gloves

The following review by trail runner Sarah Barber features GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Thermo Gloves. The gear was provided at no cost for the test and review. Frigid temperatures challenge our extremities more than any other body part, and yet we rely heavily on them for outdoor activity. Our feet pound the earth while our hands manage… Read more »

Better Together: Boise Betties

The following article is the first in our year-long series of articles supporting ATRA’s 2024 theme: Better Together and this installment featuring Boise Betties was written by trail runner Sarah Barber. The stage is set It’s 4:48 am on Tuesday, and my wrist is vibrating. Suunto has never failed to wake me up when I’ve… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Review: Ace from VJ Shoes

The following review was written by trail runner Sarah Barber and features Ace from VJ Shoes. The footwear was provided by corporate member VJ Shoes at no cost for the review. Barber lives and trains on the trails near her home in Boise, Idaho. Ah, winter. Here we are in the thick of it, and… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Gear Review: Nathan Hypernight Stealth Jacket

The following review was written by Sarah Barber and features Nathan’s Hypernight Stealth Jacket. Gear was provided at no cost for the review and gear test. The winter solstice rapidly approaches, and with the cooler weather comes fewer hours of sunlight leading to longer nights. Indeed, “hypernight” seems like a good way to describe it… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Gear Review: Salomon Sense Flow Vest

The following review was written by trail runner Sarah Barber who tested the Salomon Sense Flow Vest. Product was provided for the review by ATRA corporate member Salomon at no charge. I dislike winter. Well, wait—winter in Baja might be okay, but even just thinking about winter in the northern latitudes gives me goosebumps. However,… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Gear Review: GO Sleeves

The following gear review featuring Go Sleeves was written by trail runner Sarah Barber. Product was provided at no charge for the review. Back in the 1970s, a chiropractor named Dr. Kenzo Kase (in case the Google rabbit hole beckons you), figured out a way to effectively mimic a therapist’s hands on a body part… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Review: Stance Performance Wool Hiking Socks

Sarah Barber reviews Stance performance wool hiking socks and was provided the socks at no cost for the review. Remember the early generations of hiking socks that were thick gray wool, maybe with a red stripe around the top? They’re what my parents wore when they hiked through the Colorado Rockies in the 1970s. My… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Shoe Review: BOA® Fit System

Sarah Barber reviews BOA® Fit System La Sportiva Jackal II Trail Shoes, taking them out for test runs near her home in Boise, Idaho. The shoes were provided at no charge for the review by ATRA corporate member BOA® Fit System. All shoes should be designed with the BOA® Fit System. Period. The end. I… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Shoe Review: Salomon Glide Max TR

Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews Salomon’s Glide Max TR. Shoes were provided by ATRA corporate member Salomon at no cost for the review. According to Merriam-Webster, the word “glide” means “to move continuously, smoothly, and effortlessly.” Knowing this, would it be correct to say that any ultra-runner would be ecstatic if given the opportunity to… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Review: Jogology Socks

Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews Jogology socks in this installment of gear reviews. Barber enjoys the trails near her home in Boise, Idaho, and also travels to compete in races near and far like the 2023 US Snowshoe Nationals. Socks. The only more unsung hero in running than regular socks are ankle socks. They’re completely… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Gear Review: Suunto Vertical

The following review of the Suunto Vertical was written by trail runner Sarah Barber who lives and trains in Boise, Idaho. Suunto. Say it with me: “SOON-toe.” If you’re not already familiar with this Finland-based maker of every type of watch imaginable, from dive-specific to multi-sport, it’s time to join the cultishly loyal fan base…. Read more »

Trail Runner’s Shoe Review: VJ Shoes XTRM 2

Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews the XTRM2 from VJ Shoes. The shoes were provided at no charge for the review and VJ Shoes is an ATRA corporate member. Finding my glass slipper I’ve spent the past two decades believing that I’m terrible at running on technical trails, but I was recently struck by epiphany. I’m… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Shoe Review: VJ Shoes Ultra 2

VJ Shoes Ultra 2 as reviewed by trail runner Sarah Barber. Product was provided by American Trail Running Association corporate member VJ Shoes at no cost for the test. A quick scroll of the results from the recent 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (held in Austria) informs us that apart from a handful… Read more »