Running Apparel
Men’s Endurus TR footwear – Dark Shadow Grey/ High Rise Grey (new collection)
I wore this pair of shoes throughout the 100km DMZ Trail Run and it helped me to perform at my very best. Wearing the Endurus TR made me feel as though I was running on a very soft mat! This pair of shoes is very comfortable, breathable and lightweight. The Endurus TR approximately weighs 317g (1/2 pair).
The technology behind the Endurus TR includes the following:
• TPU film toe cap, laid over a synthetic backer that delivers protection for the runner’s toes
• FlashDry™ collar lining that keeps the runner’s feet cool and dry
• Industry-leading OrthoLite® footbed that ensures long-lasting comfort
• 20 mm/14 mm heel/forefoot EVA underfoot
• The XtraFoam™ midsole offers a softer-density foam underfoot for superior comfort, while a firmer-density EVA compound around the perimeter provides inherent stability
• CRADLE™ heel-stability technology
• Forefoot-to-midfoot ESS Snake Plate™ provides torsional rigidity and protection from stone bruising
• Vibram® XS Trek sole for durable multi-terrain traction
The Vibram technology has been adopted and implemented by various brands. Vibram technology aims to provide runner’s with grip, traction, stability and durability.
TNF Endurus TR is neither designed for speed training nor long distance road-running. Instead, the Endurus TR is intended for trail running and hiking. The Endurus TR can also be utilised as comfortable shoes for walking and while travelling.
The Men’s Endurus TR retails in Singapore for SGD 226.00.
Backpack: Martin Wing LT 6L (in black)
The Martin Wing LT 6L is a lightweight backpack weighing only 175g! This is one of the lightest backpacks that I have ever used! This backpack adopts a minimalist and ergonomic design that is suitable for running and racing.
This backpack consists of a breathable airmesh on the back as well as a ventilation shoulder harness. There are three pockets – one is a smaller zipper pocket with a key clip on the top of the bag and the other is a larger zipper pocket along with a stretch mesh pocket. This model does not have a hipbelt. Instead, it has two shoulder straps with a sternum strap. In addition, this backpack has a reflective TNF logo on the top of the bag as well as two reflective elements on the bottom of the bag.
While the Martin Wing LT backpack may come across as an incredibly tiny backpack, I managed to fit all my necessary gear easily into the bag. During the three days of racing, here is a list of what I put inside my bag:
• Water Bladder Bag 1L
• First Aid Kit
• Survival blanket
• TNF Stormy Trail Jacket
• iPhone
• Gu Gels
• Money
Come to think about it, I could have added in more items!
I used to have the Martin Wing LT 10L backpack. However, it was always half empty when I used it for running purposes. It must be said that the Martin Wing LT 6L neither offers any pockets nor organisers on the shoulder straps and bottom of the sternum. This could pose a problem should one choose to use his or her phone to take pictures while running.
In addition, this lack of pockets on the shoulder strap could be a problem especially if the runner chooses to have an energy booster. I found myself facing a similar issue when I tried to reach into the backpack in search of my energy gel during the race. It was rather uncomfortable and would recommend TNF to make slight adjustments to the existing design of the Martin Wing LT 6L backpack.
The Martin Wing LT 6L retails in Singapore for SGD 126.00
3 Stages Race and 3 Outfits
I will now proceed to share about each of the shirts that I wore during the various stages of my race.
1- Reactor Short sleeve crew in Acid Yellow Heather + NSR Dual shorts + Endurus TR footwear
The first stage of the race was a distance of 32km. I chose to wear the Reactor Short sleeve crew in Acid Yellow Heather along with the grey and yellow NSR Dual shorts. Reactor Short sleeve crew in Acid Yellow Heather is lightweight and breathable. The Men’s NSR Dual Short 7” is a very comfortable pair of shorts that includes an internal compression liner. This pair of shorts is lightweight and offer great ventilation while allowing the user to stay dry during exercise. This pair of shorts also has a back zipper pocket which came in handy during the race because I managed to store my energy gels in the back pocket. (this pic from DMZ Trail Running – Purna Yu)
[envira-gallery id=”4772″]2- Better than Naked short sleeve + Better than Naked shorts + Endurus TR footwear
The second stage of the race was much longer, with a distance totaling 50km. I selected TNF Better than Naked short sleeve brilliant blue colored T to go along with TNF Better than Naked shorts in darkest spruce/brilliant blue color. (see photo) I found both these apparel to be ultra lightweight! (this pic from DMZ Trail Running – Purna Yu)
I believe that both these apparel are best described by its label – Better than Naked. The day of the second stage of the race was hot and humid and the material of both these apparel allowed for the quick evaporation of moisture. This pair of shorts is designed in an old school style. On the back of the shorts, there is a main pocket with a zip where the user can keep his or her phone in. There is another pocket on the left side as well as two small pockets on the right side.
[envira-gallery id=”4779″]3- Kilowatt Short sleeve crew in Mid Grey + Flight Trail shorts + Endurus TR footwear
The last stage of the race has the shortest distance of 18km compared to the other two stages. For this stage, I chose to wear the Kilowatt Short sleeve crew in Mid Grey along with the Flight Trail shorts. The Kilowatt Short sleeve crew in Mid Grey has a classy grey color and the fabric is very soft and comfortable. The Flight Trail shorts is designed with the latest Monument Grey reflective fog print and is lightweight, with waterproof panels. This pair of shorts is water resistant and also has reflective trims with logos that maximises the wearer’s visibility. This is my favourite pair of shorts for I love its fabric and look. During the race, I also displayed the logo of my sponsor Armor Proteins of France. (this pic from DMZ Trail Running – Purna Yu)
[envira-gallery id=”4801″]
Stormy Trail Jacket – Monument Grey Reflective Fog Print
The safety regulations of the race stipulated that I had to keep my jacket in my TNF Martin Wing LT 6L backpack. When I rolled up the jacket, it was small and compact and I could fit the jacket snuggly in my backpack along with the rest of my gear. The jacket’s material has the same texture and quality as that of the Flight Trail shorts.
I must say that due to the weather during my time in South Korea, I did not have much of an opportunity to wear the jacket. However, when I wore the jacket recently in Singapore as protection from the rain, people that I passed by made positive comments with regards to its design and asked me where I bought it from! I was so happy to share with them that it was a TNF jacket!
In sum, I hope that this review will provide readers with a better understanding of the various TNF running gear and apparel that I wore so as to help them decide what running gear to buy and wear.
I will be publishing more pictures on my sports training shortly.
Once again, I want to thank The North Face Singapore for their kind and generous support. It is amazing to wear quality running gear selected from their latest Fall/ Winter 2017 Outdoor Training collection.
Do note that The North Face Singapore has opened the 1st Outdoor Training Station in Southeast Asia, located at Marina Square Level 2 (opposite Marks & Spencer) and the new training collection can be found there. I am looking forward to visiting the store!
My previous review about The North Face – Casual Apparel: https://www.josejeuland.com/the-north-face-product-review-casual-apparel/
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