HIGHEST FIVE VOL. 86
what's hot in running is back / TRE recap!?
Are we so back? Not sure, but let’s try. TRE is over and (again) i didn’t fly to the US for it. I would love to go in the next years but wouldn’t want to fly over the atlantic just for the very few days to be honest. Much of what i saw looked amazing, but i don’t think i need to do a recap of an event i didn’t see more about than you. Check Cole’s reel for a small overview.
But take aways for me are (every take away has a link, just click for pics) : 1. Nike will definitely be visible in trail running 2026 way more than in the years before. Branding is on point already, let’s see about the product. Also here’s an interesting bit regarding ACG.
2. After being very “shy” about TheRocker last year with a strict “no photo” policy, Satisfy was quite open about new colorways and stuff for ‘26 this year - if you had an appointment (what pissed off some, i heard). I’m curious for PFW as usually that’s the moment i get my hands on the new stuff.
3. Tantrums definitely won the “eye for the detail” award only smaller brands can win because they’ll have to wisely decide on how to spend budget at an expo to get as much attention as possible. Their Bodega appealed to me quite a lot! Check it out here.
4. Arcteryx is going full overbranding with the Sylan 2 that’s coming with a carbon plate and like the biggest archeopteryx you might’ve seen printed on any product. Ever. Have a look here.
5. Meanwhile Norda stays very true to themselves and only do as many different models as “really” needed. And so far i think they don’t miss, which gives me bug trust in their upcoming 055 runner. A high-stack (& carbon sole i guess) variant of the 005 seemingly, with a sock liner and a seamless upper. Looks promising. Check it out.
Ok, ok. let’s stop here. I bookmarked so many overview IG posts that like every second another brand “i forgot” pops up. Let’s just say these were the 5 brands that kinda popped up immediately when thinking about TRE.
We’re keeping it short today. You should definitely get your hands at VOL.I of APR Mags’s first, well. mag. Congrats friends, i can’t wait to get my fingers on a copy. Looks fire and the list of contents is awesome!
I recently played my part in the journey for the newly-opened Berlin flagship store of Hoka. It’s the first pure lifestyle concept for Hoka and a playground for cool stuff. We kicked the opening off with Network__Network and the “Shared Skies” art project and vernissage. My first days away from home since months and a (very stressful) but wholesome evening with Berlin’s community included. Let’s see what we’re building in 2026! Proud to have this in the bag, not gonna lie. Go have a follow at NWNW please, by the way.
Before i finish it of with a personal take, here’s two of my favorite shoes that have been released this year. First is the Pecan & Sail pack by Nike (Vomero Plus) with the subtle understatement when it comes to branding (well there’s no swoosh at all added) and the very clean and earthy colorways. Very seasonal, very ready to wear on and off the track. Second is the Koshi Tan-Tan Mafate 5 by Hoka. While i actually dislike the black/gold colorways of the pack on the other shoes and the apparel, it’s an almost perfect execution on the Mafate 5. White base, black sole, black & golden details. I don’t ask for more. I think the Vomero is only available via Lifestyle accounts, the Mafate 5 is available “everywhere” now.
Another personal thing is i just passed 50.000 meters of altitude last week. Never had that in one year before. Ok, i guess 20k of it was done stupidly up and down the “hills” of Frankfurt am Main. But still, made quite a lot of elevation and lately i even did 2/3 of a structured training plan for next week’s seasonal closing. 32km and 1150 hm will be a nice finish for 2025. After that, let’s talk about plans and ideas and ambitions and whatnot for 2026. But at least one race in Chamonix is planned, i wanna do one island trail and maybe another city marathon after two years of not marathoning around. If you’re lucky, i’ll put up a hot take issue in the next weeks and talk about stuff i don’t like and want to go away in 2026. I heard people like reading that as well.
Loved the tantrums booth at TRE! Shoutout to their creative director Josiel Correa.
earthy colorways are definitely trending