Essential Bags & Luggage for Holiday Travel (via Zappos) It’s that time of year again! The busiest travel season is here and that means packing up and enjoying some much-needed family bonding. But first thing’s first; packing for those holiday trips calls for not only the right bags and luggage, but also a little bit…
Category: Running Accessories
Smart Wool SS ’13 Running Apparel Review
The Smart Wool SS ’13 PhD Run Collection drops in early next year and we’re very excited to sample some of these upcoming products recently. We wrote extensively about the benefits and advantages of Merino Wool earlier this year when we reviewed performance apparel products from Ice Breaker and Smart Wool. This time around, we…
Icebreaker FW ’12 Running Apparel Review
We wrote extensively about the benefits and advantages of Merino Wool earlier this year when we reviewed performance apparel products from Icebreaker and Smart Wool. This time around, we checked out both men’s and women’s running apparel from the FW ’12 Quest Collection: Men’s Quest Long Sleeve Half Zip and Women’s Quest Long Sleeve Crewe. Quest…
Moji 360 Massager Kit Review
Almost every athlete and especially runners have heard of or used ‘The Stick’ for relieving and reducing muscle soreness and stiffness pain. But there is something else out there that does more and is even more effective. Enter the 360 Massager from Moji – Dynamic Massage for Athletic Recovery. The Moji 360 Massager Kit consists…
Ashmei 2-in-1 Shorts Review
We first profiled Ashmei‘s ultimate soft shell running jacket earlier this year in our review of running jackets and was blown away by its performance. Now they’re back with a 2-in-1 running shorts that is a heat regulating, merino wool semi-compression that keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. Ashmei’s goal…
Tifosi Optics Podium Sunglasses Review
It has been over a year since our annual sunglasses review and interchangeable sunglasses review. Rather than waiting for a group review, it is more efficient to not have to depend on availability and review vendors as they come into our pipeline. In this review, we are testing out the Tifosi Optics Podium, a revolutionary…
PEAR Sports Square One Review
Kristian Rauhala, an avid triathlete, surfer, and entrepreneur, founded PEAR Sports because of his frustration with heart rate (HR) training zones, listening to music while running but cautiously listening out for the HR monitor beeps, and constantly looking at his watch. Attempting to follow a plan to train effectively was very difficult and these challenges…
The Perfect Runner DVD Review
How did our ancestors survive the shift from trees to land, and evolve to dominate the planet? The answer lies in a remarkable ability we evolved far earlier than our powerful brains: humans are nature’s perfect endurance runners. Gemini-winning anthropologist Niobe Thompson takes a journey of personal discovery back in evolutionary time, in conversation with…
COMPRESSPORT Compression Gear Review
From Switzerland comes the king of veino-muscular compression technology in Europe – COMPRESSPORT. All COMPRESSPORT products are 100% European made – R&D, fibers, knitting, assembly, dying, testing, etc. They are also tested in the toughest conditions – where the toughest races take place like Abu Dhabi, Hawaii, Mont Blanc, etc. For the past few weeks,…
Motorola Mobility MOTOACTV Review
From Motorola Mobility comes the world’s first GPS fitness tracker with smart MP3 players all-in-one: the MOTOACTV. The MOTOACTV immediately reminded me of the iPod Nano and Luna Tik watch strap. And also of the latest Nike GPS watch. These must have been the inspiration for MOTOACTV. The design of MOTOACTV, both front and back,…
Merino Wool – Icebreaker, Smart Wool Review
Before I started investigating into Merino Wool technology, I had no idea how far wool technology has gone and what the benefits of Merino wool are. To find out, I decided to do a little research and check out some running outfits from two well-known woolen performance wear manufacturers: Icebreaker and Smart Wool. Merino Wool…
Knuckle Lights Review
I normally wear reflective running jackets when running or walking in the dark or low light so moving vehicles can see me. That is only part of the solution – you have to be able to also SEE where you are going! This is where Knuckle Lights come in. I would normally use a handheld…
Spring & Winter Running Jackets Reviews
Recently released for Fall ’11 and coming in Spring ’12 are windproof, waterproof, reflective running jackets for the cold winter weather. And lightweight running jackets for the warmer weather especially for ultra marathons and trail running. We’ve (my female wear tester and myself) been testing running jackets for the past three to four months between…
In A Class By Themselves – First Look Preview
It is rare to see many innovative technologies in the outdoor and fitness category. Something that is common in consumer electronics (my previous geek expertise) is now starting to show up in running shoes and running gear. Here are a few unique gems I stumbled upon recently. Ashmei Ultimate Softshell Running Jacket – The James…
Run Dem Crew ‘Away! Away! Away!’ Book Review
Rosie Lee is a hybrid creative agency. Run Dem Crew (RDC) is more than a running club. In 2011, several of its members took on their biggest challenge – the Virgin London Marathon. The book follows the journey of several team members as they trained for the marathon, from their regular Tuesday sessions through to…
Garmin Forerunner 610 HRM Watch Review
If you’ve ever used a heart rate monitor (HRM) before, you’ll immediately fall in love with the Garmin Forerunner 610 heart rate monitor. With a touch, tap or swipe, Forerunner 610 lets you get on with your run while it tracks all the details. The Forerunner 610 gives you several ways to get in touch…
Pentax Optio WG-1 Adventure Camera
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. Recently, Pentax introduced its 12th generation of adventure series digital cameras – the PENTAX Optio WG-1 and PENTAX Optio…
Simple Hydration Water Bottle
We recently reviewed Amphipod handheld hydration systems and I received a couple of emails from readers asking if there are any hydration system that can work for runners with small hands or thin waistlines. Then I remembered reading about Simple Hydration on the Kick Starter web site (the largest funding platform for creative projects in…
Amphipod Hydration Systems – Handhelds
We recently reviewed Amphipod waistpack hydration systems and after testing extensively in the scorching weather for a full month with Amphipod handheld hydration systems, we have decided to write a follow-up review. We tested out four of Amphipod’s latest handheld systems: Hydraform Thermal-Lite™ (12oz and 20oz), Hydraform Handheld Pocket™ (20oz), and PURErun Handheld™ (16oz). All…
HeadSweats Performance Hats
Headsweats is a maker of high-performance, ultra-light, super wicking hats and visors that keep athletes safe, as well as dry. I sweat a lot when I run. And with the heat in the West Coast, I’m always wearing a running hat. But most hats do not keep the sweat off my eyes and face. Until…
Interchangeable Sunglasses – Ryders, Smith Optics, Optic Nerve
We recently reviewed a few Photochromic and Polarized sunglasses just in time for the Summer but some of our readers prefer Interchangeable lenses. So we are now doing a follow-up review of three Interchangeable sunglasses: Ryders Nitrous Interchangeable, Smith Optics PivLock V90 Max, and Optic Nerve Neurotoxin IC. Interchangeable sunglasses offer a high-performance frame and…
Amphipod Hydration Systems
Amphipod is a company specializing in hydration waist packs and handheld bottles. Amphipod is all about minimalism: carrying as little as needed and everything is fully customizable. There is minimalism beyond shoes… As the weather starts warming up, staying hydrated for long runs on trails is critical for your health and safety. As more and…
RecoFIT Full Leg Compressor
I had tested RecoFIT Sports compression calf sleeves before and they performed very well in our tests. And even months later, I’m still wearing them for all my runs! And RecoFIT is launching a new product in the next few weeks, a full-leg compression unit, the RecoFIT Compressors. The full leg unit offers gradient compression…
Injinji Performance Micro Sock Liner
Injinji, the renowned maker of toe socks, just released their new Performance Sock Liner in micro length. Already available in crew and mini-crew lengths, the Injinji lightweight performance sock liner is designed to be worn as the base layer toe sock which can interface with your favorite traditional outer sock, or worn alone for those…