Outside Magazine 2022 Winter Gear Guide [PRINT]
Pep Your Step. This year's smoothest riding, most comfortable kicks for road and trail.
His Work
Stories by Cory
Cory Smith is a Santa Barbara, CA-based athlete, online running coach, and freelance writer specializing in running, climbing, and fitness-related content and gear review. He draws from over 25 years as an elite runner and rock climber for ideas, inspiration, and expertise.
His work has been featured in Outside Magazine, Runner's World, Gear Patrol, Muscle & Fitness, Gear Junkie, Footwear News, TripSavvy, Podium Runner, Trail Runner and Gear Institute. He loves working with new outlets and can be reached at cory@runyourpersonalbest.com. If you're interested in getting coached by Cory visitwww.runyourpersonalbest.com
How to Run With Poles, According to a Pro Mountain Runner
Watch any European trail race or ultramarathon and odds are you’ll find runners huffing and puffing up insanely steep climbs or tip-toeing atop razor-thin mountain ridges with poles in their hands. Running and racing with poles is common practice in Europe. Yet, here in the United States, there seems to be a stigma that running with poles is a sign of weakness.
“I’ve had people tell me that I’m ‘cheating’ using poles when I pass them because they allow me to push with both my legs and my arms a
The Best Men’s Running Pants for Cold-Weather Runs and Workouts
It’s finally pants season! This time of year, all those hot, humid, sweat-drenched runs are past memories, and thanks to the crisp cool air, running magically begins to feel easier. No matter what camp you’re in—tights or pants—running pants can be worn for more than just running, these days. Whether you’re pumping out a few reps at the gym or heading out to run errands, today’s running pants offer better mobility and breathability and are all-around more comfortable.
Like all running apparel,
Did Nike Just Improve the World’s Fastest Marathon Shoe?
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ .
Look at the feet of runners on any marathon starting line worldwide and you’ll find the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% on most of them. It shouldn’t be surprising; after all, this was the shoe Eliud Kipchoge wore when he clocked a 1:59 marathon in 2019. What runner wouldn’t want to wear the identical kicks
How to Lubricate a Treadmill Belt to Prevent Premature Motor Issues
Nothing beats the safety and convenience of a personal treadmill. Sure, it may not be the most engaging way to workout, but there’s peace of mind knowing that you have a warm, dry, safe place to run at any point during the day or night. Of course, that’s assuming it’s working correctly. There’s nothing worse than hopping on your treadmill only to find it’s not running smoothly, or worse, not working at all.
A treadmill needs regular maintenance to ensure it’s running properly and maximize its
The 8 Best Nike Running Shoes For Men
Ask any runner to name three running brands, and undoubtedly Nike will be at the top of that list. The company’s impact on the sport of running as a whole is irrefutable, and Nike’s most significant contribution comes in the way of footwear. Nike running shoes have pushed the boundaries of innovation and elevated running to unimaginable levels. Not to take anything away from Eliud Kipchoge’s historical sub-two-hour marathon in 2019, but it begs the question: Without Nike’s help, would we still b
The Best Performance Running Sunglasses for Every Face Shape
People who run with sunglasses tend to fall into one of two camps: you either want to be able to wear your sunnies all the time (outside of just logging miles), or you want something that performs at the elite level and looks can fall into your road dust. (We get it; you’re serious about your sport.) There's no right or wrong, but now, thanks to the work of sports brands — big and small — there exists a happy middle ground.
Good running sunglasses are lightweight, scratch-resistant, have nose g
A Track 5K Race Could Provide Your Ticket to a PR
Imagine a 5K where every second is filled with enthusiastic spectators cheering on your every step. A race so spectator-friendly that your friends and family can easily watch your entire run from a single spot. A race that’s completely flat, accurately measured to the inch, and without any abrupt or sharp turns.
If this sounds appealing to you, then it’s time you take on a track 5K. And good news: Tracksmith has a new series of summer twilight events that checks all these boxes, complete with m
The 10-Week Couch to 5K Training Plan for New Runners
Has the onset of warm weather and sunny skies got you thinking it’s time to tackle your first running race? There’s never been a better time to run your first 5K than now.
Running your first 5K is 100% achievable, regardless of your fitness level, as long as you have patience, persistence, and motivation. Of course, it also helps to have a good training plan to follow. Lucky for you, we’ve got just the program to get you off the couch and smiling as you cross the 5K finish line.
Why the 5K is
The Best Running Shorts for Men of 2022
From sunny beaches to high alpine trails, our experts evaluated for fit, comfort, mobility, moisture-wicking, and more to compile a list of the best men’s running shorts available today.
Thanks to advancements in fabric technology and design, today’s running shorts are better than ever. Overall, materials are lighter, more comfortable, and offer better mobility.
All running shorts should allow you to move freely — that’s a given. The best running shorts, however, should not only provide freedo
Outside Magazine 2022 Summer Buyer's Guide [PRINT]
Calling all runners
The Best Men’s Running Shirts of 2022
When breaking down the best men’s running shirts, our expert tested for optimal fit, breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and comfort to give you a range of options for your next burn.
By now, we all know the best running shirts should be moisture-wicking. But why is moisture-wicking so important? Sweat is the main mechanism by which your body cools itself, but did you know that not allowing sweat to wick off your skin can be a source of overheating?
If sweat isn’t removed from your ski
The Best Track Spikes of 2022, Reviewed
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ .
Whether you’re getting ready for a race or a hard workout, the process of spiking up stirs a familiar excitement and anxiety for what’s to come: your body instinctively knows it’s time to perform.
If you want to compete at your best in track and field, spikes are essential—and today’s are better than eve
Outside Magazine 2022 Winter Buyers Guide [PRINT]
Final Heat: This year's fastest kicks for every type of terrain.
Ready to Move on From the Marathon? We've Got Your Next Challenge Lined Up
Training for a marathon is as emotionally exhausting as it is physically demanding. Your mind and body are simultaneously consumed with adrenaline and anxiety for months. Your weekends revolve around your long run. Your legs are constantly sore and tired. While all this is self-inflicted in the name of a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience (at least I hope so), it does take a toll on you.
So if the thought of doing another marathon sounds daunting, or if you recently PR’d your dream mara
The 10 Best Running Shoes of 2022, According to Experts
I’ve been a runner for over 25 years, running coach for ten years and running shoe reviewer since 2014. Each year I get the opportunity to test between 40 and 70 pairs of shoes from every major brand. In all my shoe testing experience, I’ve come to understand one undeniable fact about running shoes: There’s no such thing as lousy running shoes. If someone dislikes a shoe, it’s because it isn’t a good fit for them. After all, there’ll always be another runner who loves that same shoe. Finding the
The Best Running Shoes of 2022
After countless miles pounding the pavement, our running fanatics found the best running shoes of 2022.
I used to say that running was a pretty simple sport. All you need are a pair of running shoes and clothes, and off you go. However, these days I’m second-guessing that concept.
Somehow over the past 25 years, complexity crept in. GPS watch data, Strava segments, hydration vests, and the obligatory social media post-run selfie are as standard as striped tube running socks were in the ’70s an
Ready to Race in 2022? Here's How to Plan Your Year So You Score a Few PRs
The start of a new year is an inspiring time for runners. It presents a clean slate full of opportunity—a time to celebrate your good races throughout the past year and move beyond your bad ones.
The simple process of researching races can be incredibly empowering—after all, a limitless year full of PRs lies ahead. But before you frantically sign up for every race that sounds even a little exciting, ask yourself a question: How do these races fit into my greater goals?
When it comes to plannin
The 10 Best Bouldering Shoes, Tested and Approved
Bouldering is the purest form of rock climbing. And the most accessible. You’re not burdened with ropes, harnesses, or quickdraws. Routes are short, intense, and powerful. And all you need is a pair of shoes and a chalk bag (a working understanding of key climbing lingo helps, too). But bouldering at your limit means no room for error. Each foot placement, toe smear, and heel hook must be perfectly placed. The tiniest release of tension or foot misplacement could mean the difference between send
The Best Men’s Workout Clothes
I’m going to date myself, but when I first started working out, cotton was considered a performance fabric. It soaked up sweat like a sponge. Sopping wet shirts drenched in sweat were worn as a badge of honor. The wetter your workout clothes, the better the workout. The sweatiest guy in the gym was unofficially crowned the hardest working.
Since then, a lot has changed with workout apparel. Fabric technology has evolved. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and synthetic blends have d
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