All posts in “Fitness Desk”

Feast Your Eyes on Nike’s Unreleased Running Shoe Used to Break the Two-Hour Marathon

Well, it’s official — even if it’s unofficial. With the help of a flat, optimized course, a crew of elite pacers and Maurten supplementation, Eliud Kipchoge did what was once considered impossible over the weekend: run a marathon in under two hours. Though it’s not an actual world record (thanks to the aforementioned factors), it’s still an incredible feat, one that’s left many people asking about one other key ingredient: Was it the shoes??

Ah yes, the shoes. Tackling this challenge in Vienna, Austria, Kipchoge — the current marathon world record holder and 2016 Olympic champ — laced up a pair of as-yet-unreleased Nike Next% running sneakers. While the brand continues to play it a bit close to the vest, thanks to some investigative work by Believe in the Run, we do know a few things about these mystical shoes. 

The blog uncovered a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office that reveals the specifics of what may be this particular shoe, which may be called the alphaFLY. Short takeaway: this thing is funky, flexy and fast. What follows are some of the highlights. 

Carbon Fiber Is Critical

The sole consists of four cushioning pods, two layers of midsole foam and (wait for it) three carbon-fiber plates. That’s two more than any other shoe, and now we can’t help thinking of the Schick/Gillette razor race of yesteryear, when they just kept adding blades, to the point where an Onion article started as a joke and became reality. 

The Divided Midsole Has Many Layers

The midsole has four different levels, and it’s fully segmented between the heel and forefoot, with the rear section looking comically beefy but not all that different from past Vaporfly shoes. Meanwhile, the forefoot really showcases the plates and cushioning pods, which are either filled with fluid or foam. 

Energy Return Seems Inevitable

The plates and pods team up to prevent hotspots, nurture a more responsive ride and add extra stability, theorizes Believe in the Run’s Robbe Reddinger, who adds that there must be some energy return involved as well, considering what Kipchoge was able to accomplish.

We’ve Seen This Upper Before

The lightweight, meshlike upper appears consistent with material seen on track spikes at the recent World Championships in Doha, so it’s likely Nike strongly believes in this approach and that we will see it on a variety of shoes in the future.

Time will tell if consumers will be able to purchase these exact shoes or some sort of modified version. Meantime, the next best thing is the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% ($250), a pretty kickass shoe in its own right. 

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October 14, 2019 / Comments Off on Feast Your Eyes on Nike’s Unreleased Running Shoe Used to Break the Two-Hour Marathon
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The 7 Best Workout Gloves, According to Personal Trainers

When you start a new workout routine, changes often need to be made: that could mean everything from adjusting to an earlier morning alarm to learning the proper weight for a deadlift versus a farmer’s carry. And if you find yourself in the weight room frequently, you’ll notice some changes in your hands — from barbell blisters to rough palm patches.

Solution? Weightlifting gloves. These guys can quickly become your trusty sidekicks, helping you work out harder and more efficiently while protecting your hands and wrists from the weighted pressure.

They can support your wrists when lifting heavy weights, to relieve the pressure and provide more structure and protection, says Abby Schmidt, CPT and Instructor at Studio Three in Chicago.

Even better, they can actually help you heave heavier weights. “Using gloves takes the pressure out of your fingers and hands and puts the weight into your forearms, which can increase how much you’re able to lift,” she explains.

When looking for gloves, make sure they are easy to clean. A buildup of sweat and moisture in them can lead to skin infections, says Caleb Backe, CPT and health expert for Maple Holistics. It’s also worth considering what workout you’re choosing.

“Gloves, wrist supports and lifting straps should vary depending on the workout,” he says. “When doing muscle-ups, gloves are important because you can easily tear up your hands. Wrist support should be the main priority when doing heavy dumbbell press and overhead press.”

With that in mind, these are the seven best options.

Schiek Sports 425 Power Lifting Gloves

Best Everyday Weightlifting Gloves

“These gloves serve a more diverse purpose, which means they are functional for a wide variety of your weight training needs,” Backe says. They are ideal for several different types of lifting, as they give added wrist and hand support to help with a variety of workouts and moves. “While they won’t make up for grip strength, they will protect your wrists from injury and stop your hand from getting calloused,” he adds.

Trideer Padded Weight Lifting Gloves

Best Budget Weightlifting Gloves

“These gloves are super durable and come at a great price point,” says Schmidt. The Trideer gloves are great for powerlifting and using heavy weights. “The gloves are padded through the palm and the fingers and are fully supported with added StretchBack Lycra for increased flexibility through the wrists,” she says. Use them with deadlifts, heavy chest and back exercises.

RimSports Premium Weight Lifting Gloves

Best Powerlifting Gloves

“These gloves are ideal for powerlifting because they help improve your ability to pick up the heaviest bar possible,” says Backe. “They give you the necessary wrist support to lift heavier weights and also double as lifting straps,” he explains. What’s more, they can help you build muscle past your grip strength limitations, so you can expect some serious gains when wearing these on your hands and wrists.

Fit Active Sports RX1 Weight Lifting Gloves

Best Travel Weightlifting Gloves

“The Fit Active RX1 Weight Lifting glove would be my choice for travel, [as it] combines user friendly features for comfort and support, including wrist straps and breathable material,” says Jamie Hickey, CPT, founder of Truism Fitness. Plus, they’re easy to pack in a small carry-on and keep odors at bay due to the openhanded design and ventilation.

Pullup & Dip Grip Pads

Most Versatile Weightlifting Gloves

“These gloves are ideal for muscle-ups, pull-ups, dips and kettlebell workouts because they don’t restrict your wrist mobility,” Backe explains. “These gloves will protect your hands near your fingers while still allowing you to have the proper dexterity in your wrist,” he adds, so swap opt for these gloves if you do a lot of bodyweight or kettlebell work.

Crown Gear Weightlifting Gloves

Most Stylish Weightlifting Gloves

“For style I would choose Crown Gear weight lifting gloves,” says Hickey. “Featuring a striking black and red design with ergonomically curved fingers, these gloves are very easy on the eyes,” he says. Plus, the gloves are made from soft leather with stitching for contrast and durability, so they’re super sleek while still being incredibly functional.

Mark Bell Sling Shot Lifting Straps

Best Lifting Straps

“These are very affordable and offer extra hand support if you’d like to train while giving your grip a rest,” says Aaron Alexander, CR, LMT, CPT, author of The Align Method. They’re strong, light and made of high-quality materials. “These can also come in handy for gymnastics or training on pull-up bars,” he says.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

September 5, 2019 / Comments Off on The 7 Best Workout Gloves, According to Personal Trainers
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Bike Pain-Free With These Game-Changing Cycling Upgrades

Pretty much any seasoned cyclist will tell you, if you feel a consistent pain on a ride, look at your frame fit. If your back hurts, your seat is probably angled too high; if your hands are going numb, your stem length is perhaps off.

But there’s also a level of expected — and accepted — mild discomfort. For me, that’s always been in the saddle and my knees. I’ve traded out my seat twice, tried covers, adjusted the angle of the saddle itself… but no matter what, I feel like I’m sliding off the pint-size perch; I can’t quite find that sweet sitting spot to lock and load instead of squirm.

As for my knees, they also act up during long runs and, since I know my frame fits and is set up correctly for my dimensions, I’ve long written off the dull ache as a biomechanical issue I can only hope to mitigate with cross-training and better recovery.

Then, last summer, I went through a fitting with Retül Match, a program owned by Specialized that uses full-body mapping sensors to determine your bone shapes and imbalances. A technician took pressure points of my foot, measured my femur length, measured my sit bones on a pressure map and lightly analyzed my biomechanics.

(Note: The company also has a super intensive fitting conducted from Specialized’s Boulder shop that analyzes your entire biomechanics on a bike, but I just did the program on the Match Tower that’s in bike shops nationwide)

The first few things they told me I already knew: I have a wide toe box and super high arches, which limits what kinds of shoes I’ll find comfortable in pretty much every sport, cycling included. But then they dropped statistics I hadn’t heard, or even considered: My sit bones were wider than most, so I need a 168mm saddle compared to the standard 135mm. My left foot naturally turns out 5 to 10 degrees.

What that meant: I needed to upgrade my saddle and reinstall my shoe cleats at the proper angle.

It sounds super basic, maybe even obvious if you’re a super seasoned rider. But in my two years getting into the sport, these were levels of detail I had never considered.

My first 60-miler with a new perch and properly aligned cleats felt like I had popped half a bottle of ibuprofen and gotten two days worth of sleep before heading out. My knees didn’t ache, and my undercarriage didn’t start screaming till the last 10 miles (hey, some things are inevitable).

Now, every rainy day that I go to a spin class where the saddles are all that 135mm, I can recognize that my constant battle against sliding off the seat is not just part of a ride, but something I can control (if only studios would let me bring my seat in).

It’s worth pointing out some pains are most likely the result of an improper fit or not enough core strength: namely, neck pain, hand pain, low-back pain and some knee pain. But the minor details are often overlooked by intermediate riders, says Todd Carver, founder of Retül, possibly because it takes a skilled fitter, advanced technology — not to mention time and money — to figure out the finer details.

But the payoff is real: “Comfort is the most immediate benefit of these minor tweaks,” says Carver. “But long-term, you also get a reduced risk of overuse injury and better efficiency by ensuring the right balance is created between fit aggressiveness and rider flexibility.”

Intrigued? You’ll get the most benefit from paying for your fitting at a local bike shop (you can find Retül Match programs here). Meantime, here are the main micro-changes that might make all the difference to your ride.

Trade Your Saddle Shape

If you feel constant pain or numbness in your, ahem, undercarriage, or like you can never get comfortable on the perch, the stock saddle is probably wrong for your body. The two variables here are width and shape — and it’s pretty much the opposite of one-size-fits-all, Carver says.

Ask your local bike shop for a saddle fit, where they should measure your sit-bone width, then let you try a zillion shapes till one feels right under your tush. Here are a few of our favorites for different booties.

Pro Stealth

A cult favorite among aggressive riders supporting stubby saddles, this seat is wider at the nose, allowing you to stay at the front of the saddle and in the drops for longer periods of times. The wide middle cut-out chops weight and helps take pressure off the soft tissue.

Planet Bike A.R.S. Anatomic Relief Saddle

This comfort saddle has firm foam padding to keep your sit bones from screaming and a slight mid-channel for blood flow. It feels cheaper than the saddles that’ll run you triple digits, but the gel top and affordable price tag make for an easy upgrade on a budget.

Selle SMP Pro

For guys with wide sit bones and serious perineal pain, this Italian-made saddle may be worth the price tag. The super wide center channel will cushion your soft tissue and optimize circulation while the drop nose encourages you to stand more often, alleviating the pressure underneath.

Tweak Your Cleats

Try this: Standing on one foot, lift your knee till it’s up 90 degrees. Look down at your foot; is it hanging straight ahead or slightly askew? Chances are it’s the latter. “All humans have a natural foot angle,” Carver says. Clipless pedals will make each stroke more efficient, but when your foot is clipped in perfectly straight with zero float, this causes weird torque on all parts of your leg, which translates to ankle, knee or hip pain, he explains.

Speedplay Zero Pedals

“Some cleats are fixed and have no float, which can be a huge problem as the foot has no room to rotate once clipped in,” Carver says. Float essentially lets your heel pivot slightly as you pedal. The ideal amount of swivel is a personal (and biomechanical) preference, but we — along with countless pro cyclists — love the Speedplay Zero pedal system; when paired with their Aero Walkable Cleats, you can adjust from wide open (15 degrees) down to a fixed position (zero float).

Crank Brothers Zero Float Cleats

There’s a solid camp of zero float devotees, as being completely locked in gives you optimal power. And that’s OK — adjusting the angle of your cleats may be enough to help offset the biomechanical issues causing your knee pain. These Crank Brothers cleats are durable but offer no play, so be sure your cleats are installed to match your natural foot angle.

BikeFit Cleat Wedges

Instead of angling your cleats, you can insert these wedges between your cleat and shoe to offset your biomechanical foot angle issues. By adding a little lift on the inside or outside of your foot, your leg won’t rotate inward or outward and, theoretically, your power will increase and knees will ache less. Considering these run about the price of a decent bottle of wine and don’t require the help of a fitter, they’re a pretty easy troubleshoot to lower limb pains.

Get Fitted for Shoes

Shoes that are too small overall or cause hot spots and numbness in your feet make for a very uncomfortable ride. You want enough room for that mid-ride swell in size, but also a tight closure around the heel and midfoot for optimal power production, Carver says. Just like with running shoes, you should go into a store, get fitted and try on a variety of brands to determine which best fits your foot shape, but here are a few of the most promising options.

Specialized Torch 2

This iconic mid-tier cycling shoe features Specialized’s signature Body Geometry technology, which means it was ergonomically designed to better align the hip, knee and forefoot to improve pedaling efficiency and decrease pain points. The Torch 2 specifically has a more relaxed fit around the toe box than other models (though it’s probably still too tight for those with a wide forefoot) and a less constrictive fit along the foot. Additionally, the insole is designed to minimize hot foot and support your arches.

Bont Vaypor S

The Vaypor S shoes are super light with a dual-layer Boa system that lets you get a tight fit without hot spots. Their biggest selling point is the wide toe box (akin to Altra running shoes), which theoretically allows your toes to grip, balance and resist more naturally than being crammed together. We also love that they come with a custom heat-molded footbed.

Louis Garneau Course Air Lite II

The shoe itself fits snugly in the heel with minimal stack height, but what makes it stand out is its adaptive fit. It features a lace design from top to toe, which means multiple anchoring points but with Boa closures for those ideal micro-adjustments. The included insole has three adjustable arch wedges for personalized support, but most impressive is LG’s patented X-comfort zone material. It’s essentially an elastomer-spandex built into the shoe’s upper that gives as your foot expands with heat without compromising the stability of the shoe.

Insert Insoles

Ideally, you want to support your natural arch, even if it’s neutral, to prevent it from collapsing while riding. This can go a long way toward preventing foot problems like toe numbness and plantar fasciitis, as well as knee pain, says Carver.

Specialized Body Geometry SL Footbeds

These Body Geometry insoles have three distinct arch supports, plus another for your metatarsals (placed right off the medial arch, something most footbed designs get wrong). They come in three levels of support depending how high your arches are from the start.

Sidas Bike+ Flashfit Footbeds

If your arches have dropped or you naturally have flat feet, opt for a custom footbed. Carver recommends having a mold created by a skilled fitter or medical professional, but for a quick at-home option, these heat-moldable insoles from beloved footbed company Sidas can help.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
June 28, 2019 / Comments Off on Bike Pain-Free With These Game-Changing Cycling Upgrades
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These 5 Awesome New Bike Products Will Transform Your Next Ride

Outerbike is a combination of a trade show, a trailhead tailgate and one of those dreams in which you have all the toys you’ve ever wanted and your only worry in the world is wondering which to play with first. Unlike other industry events, Outerbike lets attendees demo the bikes, not just look at them, which makes it a great place to go if you’re interested in picking up a new mountain or gravel bike.

Sun Valley, site of the most recent iteration of the event, offers great riding and a real chance to see what a bike can do. Attendees get lift tickets, lunch, happy hours and unlimited access to the trails for three days. If you’re thinking of getting a new mountain bike, it’s the place to go. If you missed Sun Valley, don’t worry, there are three more events this year. Meantime, here are the five coolest things we saw this past weekend.

Cannondale Topstone

Cannondale’s latest gravel offering picks up the slack between their value-driven alloy Topstone and the shreddy-but-heavy Slate. The Topstone Carbon builds in 30mm of rear suspension using carbon flex and a pivot that Cannondale calls the “Kingpin.” A compliant handlebar, wide tire clearance and a range of bottle cage and accessory bolts (that are actually weight bearing and not just flimsy rivnuts) make this bike a great choice for gravel racing, light bikepacking and comfort commuting. We tested it on trails and dirt roads and it feels fast!

Open WI.DE Frameset

Open more or less invented the gravel bike with the groundbreaking UP a few years ago. Now the brand is reinventing it with the huge clearances on their newest drop-bar adventure bike. WI.DE stands for “winding detours” and that is where Open wants you to go with their new frameset. Clearance for 2.4-inch tires means you can shred singletrack, but a road crank means you can efficiently cover ground in your road position. This isn’t a road race bike or a mountain bike — it’s a little bit of both, and it looks like a lot of fun.

Pivot Shuttle – Race Build

Long travel bikes are great, but they suck to ride uphill. E-bikes are also great, but some aren’t designed as bikes as much as small motorcycles. Pivot makes awesome mountain bikes and added a motor to their trail bike to create the Shuttle, a bike that powers up the trail and shreds down, meaning you don’t have to pile into a smelly van to get to the starting line. With 29-inch wheels, 160mm of plush travel and a weight of 44.75 pounds, this bike is an endure ripper that just happens to have an electric boost — not a moped with some token suspension. If you’re interested in bigger lines and rougher trails but don’t want to drive back uphill, this might bike ticks all the boxes. Yes, it’s pricy, but some of the $7,899 price tag is amortized by potential savings on lift passes and/or beers for the poor person who would be shuttling you otherwise.

Rotor 1x 13

Rotor’s new 1×13 groupset is more than just an incremental step past the existing 11- and 12-speed standards. Why? Because a 2×11 setup has 13 unique combinations, meaning that you can get the same range and the same jumps as most existing road bikes without a front derailleur on Rotor’s new system. The closed hydraulic system will never need charging and won’t ever suffer from cable stretch. The system does use its own hub and offers four cassette sizes from 10-36 to the enormous 20-52 as well as chainrings in two tooth increments from 26-54t.

Moots ROUTT YBB

Moots bikes might have a timeless look thanks to their largely round tube titanium construction, but they’ve got much more to offer than classic looks. The ROUTT YBB uses a “softtail” micro suspension that ’90s mountain bikers will recognize. Mountain bikes have moved on, but for gravel bikes, the 20mm of rear axle travel might be perfect for taking the sting out of long days, especially when combined with the huge 700x45mm tire clearance. Also making a comeback, thankfully, is a threaded bottom bracket that shouldn’t creak like many press fit designs on modern bikes. Moots is offering select builds for 2019; these options promise a faster build and delivery time than their standard bespoke builds while still allowing buyers to upgrade everything from the groupset to the decals to make their bike unique.

June 26, 2019 / Comments Off on These 5 Awesome New Bike Products Will Transform Your Next Ride
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The Best New Running Shoes Out This Month

With spring races just around the corner and more hours of sunshine in each day, it’s time to take your treadmill miles to the road. Each month there are a seemingly large number of new sneakers released, whether they’re updates to old versions or brand new models — and it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth buying. We’ve sifted through the noise for you; Here are all the running sneakers we’re excited about that launched this month.

Inov-8 Roclite 275

This light and speedy sneaker is ideal for rocky trails. Despite weighing just 9-ounces, the mesh upper and grippy, lugged outsole are heavy duty and won’t fall apart after 50 miles.

S/Lab Ultra 2

The S/Lab Ultra is for those on the high mileage side of trail running. At $180, it’s not an entry-level shoe, but runners in the know will recognize and put value in the name Françoise D’haene, an ultrarunner who collaborated on the design. He wore these during his record-breaking run of California’s John Muir Trail last October. Salomon’s newest trail runners will handle 50-mile trail races in stride, plus the improved fit means there’s ample room for foot swell.

Mizuno Wave Horizon 3

The newest sneaker from Mizuno is built for those who need stability on their runs. For those familiar with the Mizuno family of shoes, the midsole is the same as the Wave Enigma, Wave Rider and Wave Prophecy. For those who haven’t tried it, the foam is soft and cushioned, so you have a plush feel as soon as you step in.

Adidas Running x Game of Thrones

These unisex shoes, inspired by the television series Game of Thrones, come in six limited edition styles and colors. Expect the same great performance features the Ultraboost is known for like a cushioned feel and a grippy Continental outsole.

Skechers Go Run Razor 3 Hyper

In honor of the Los Angeles marathon (on March 24), Skechers, a title sponsor, released a new colorway of the speedy Gorun Razor. We tested a version of this sneaker and awarded it as one of the Best New Running Shoes of 2018, so we expect this version, which has only had a color update, will also help us pick up the pace and log some speedy meters.

Asics MetaRide

After a brief 20-minute treadmill run in the Asics MetaRide, we can vouch that the rocker technology makes for a seriously different feel. Heel strikers will get the most energy return as they hit the ground with their heel and feel the shoe roll forward (picture a rocking chair moving back and forth), which helps eliminate some energy output on your part.

The 15 Best New Running Shoes of 2018

This definitive guide to the best new running shoes of 2018 explores everything you need to know before buying new running shoes this year, including shoes from Brooks, Altra, Adidas, Asics, Mizuno, Reebok and more. These twelve shoes are worth tracking down this year. Read the Story

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
March 30, 2019 / Comments Off on The Best New Running Shoes Out This Month
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10 Workout Recovery Products That Feel Damn Good

The science behind recovery gear should come with an asterisk. It’s not that it doesn’t work, but the benefits may be more mental than physical; there’s a limit to how much it can help. The term active recovery stems from the effort to ease soreness and prepare our bodies for the next effort. And yet, science shows that the best recovery method is actually passive, free and something we can’t function without sleep.

The perception that we are involved in our recovery is hard to shake. How many runners and cyclists take an Epsom salt bath after a hard workout to help flush out lactic acid? Lactic acid doesn’t cause muscle soreness. Instead, it recycles itself back into stored energy within an hour after exercise. By the time an athlete gets home and fills the bathtub, the lactic acid is gone.

When you start a new training regimen, you might not be sore right away but you will likely feel it several days later. That phenomenon is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and is caused by micro-tears in muscles (and not by lactic acid as is a common myth), most often happening in movements where the muscles stretch or lengthen. Think the lowering of your arm during a bicep curl or the stepping down from a box jump. That soreness remains the primary justification for massage products and the use of ibuprofen. Before you throw down hundreds for some fancy leg chambers you saw an Olympian using on Instagram, know your money is likely better spent on a comfy recliner.

That’s not an excuse to skip cooldown exercises or massages – mainly if they work for you – as studies continue to find benefits, even if they can’t explain them. “I am a big advocate of recognizing the principle of individual differences,” Dixie Stanforth, Ph.D., Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM), and editorial board member of ACSM Health & Fitness Journal, says. She’s a big fan of foam rollers and massage, which allow you to enter a parasympathetic state, where your body knows to slow your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. One caveat with rollers is that getting too intense can cause pain and trigger the body’s fight or flight response, where your heart rate spikes and you have a burst of energy. Make sure to track your heart rate and let your body come back down to a resting state before calling it quits.

We pulled ten of the best recovery aids to help you improve sleep and muscle soreness. While pampering yourself into a relaxed state may be the most beneficial outcome, anything that feels good after using it is worth the investment.

Fit Simply Resistance Bands

For light-resistance stretches or recovery cooldowns, these bands can work muscles in a variety of ways you can’t (safely) get from free weights. The five color-coded bands represent different weights, with the red one providing two pounds of resistance and the black one registering around 25 pounds. For recovery, you want to stay on the lower end of that scale — save those heavier bands for an actual workout. It’s a simple set that’s affordable and travel-friendly, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller

The Grid Foam Roller is one of the original self-massage tools. A lot of the ‘upgrades’ stray toward more dubious claims and cost more. This hands-on approach to massage helps your body know its time to begin recovering. There is evidence that post-effort self-massage with a foam roller can temporarily increase the range of motion and alleviate muscles soreness over a few days. It’s not a torture device, so avoid movements that cause too much discomfort as misuse can also lead to injury. Do you need one that vibrates? Probably not.

Addaday Type J+ Junior Roller

The Junior+ Roller is a favorite travel-ready massage tool. It’s a larger and softer version of the balls used on Addaday’s stick rollers, which is good since the massage roller reaches some of the more sensitive muscles, like feet. The roller sits inside an easy-to-grip frame that can also sit on the floor while you work your arches. If you’ve held off buying a roller before, the Junior is an excellent entry-point to recovery. It will quickly become a must-pack for post-race bags.

Oofos OOmg Fibre Low Shoes

If your workout runs overtime, elevating your legs isn’t always an option. That’s where recovery footwear comes in. The Oofos flip-flops make great house footwear, but don’t fare as well outside. The shoes can go out on errands and withstand light outdoor use. A flexible and breathable upper makes for a snug, sweat-free fit meaning they make walking around after a workout extremely comfortable, especially for those with foot issues like plantar fasciitis.

Tailwind Rebuild Drink

Sometimes a ride or run goes long, and you’re behind schedule. A recovery drink can help save time and sate your hunger for more than an hour. Tailwind’s Rebuild recovery mix is unique in that it offers a complete protein made from vegan ingredients like organic rice, amino acids and coconut milk. The six-pack of single-use packets comes in chocolate or vanilla.

CEP Merino Socks for Recovery

Compression socks have shown promise as a legit post-run recovery device, though some studies had participants wear them for an improbable two days after a marathon effort, and then tested their recovery on a treadmill test. Hopefully, you’re not running to failure anytime soon after a marathon. Pros and weekend warriors alike swear by their socks, and even researchers admit that a perceived reduction in muscle soreness and inflammation may benefit the athlete. At worst, wearing these is a comfortable way to signal you are in lounging mode. Weekend warriors may want to use them to alleviate next-day soreness for those Saturday-Sunday efforts.

Charlotte’s Web Extra Strength CBD Oil

The science behind CBD and its benefits is still emerging, which means it is easy for companies to throw out overreaching claims and hope research backs them up some day. That said, studies in humans have found that full-spectrum hemp oil can curb anxiety and reduce inflammation which in turn help regulate sleep. Hemp oil is also high in omega fatty acids and plays well with other micronutrients. Charlotte’s Web sources its hemp from Colorado farms which have a reputation for monitoring soil contamination and product consistency. Despite the naming convention, the Extra Strength oil is a good entry level, as the Original Formula contains three times as much CBD.

Nuun Rest

If you have trouble falling asleep, try one of these magnesium and tart cherry-packed tablets. The melatonin in these tablets will aid sound sleep — dissolve one tablet in four ounces (half a cup) and don’t worry about getting up in the middle of the night. The Lemon Chamomile and Blackberry Vanilla flavors can be served cold, or try one in warm water with a dash of honey, like a tea.

Slumbercloud Nacreous Cooling Mattress Pad

Cooler bedroom temperatures make for better sleep — aim for 60 to 67 according to The Cleveland Clinic — but the thermostat can’t keep heat from building up between your body and the mattress. This cooling mattress pad siphons excess heat into the mattress and returns it when your temperature drops. The liner inside the mattress pad contains tiny beads that attract or repel heat according to a set temperature, creating a consistent sleeping temperature, which is especially useful for old school souls who sleep without air conditioning in the summer.

Good to Go, by Christie Aschwanden

What does a book have to do with recovery? Good To Go pulls back the curtain on the recovery industry and questions the efficacy of many popular recovery methods. Aschwanden is an author, athlete and lead science writer at FiveThirtyEight. Her research even challenges the notion that athletes need to help their body recover faster, which should make you stop popping ibuprofen like its candy. If you’re a weekend warrior, a post-effort nap is the most effective and cheapest option out there. If you’ve thought about investing $100 in infrared pajamas or a recovery gym, give this book a read first.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
March 26, 2019 / Comments Off on 10 Workout Recovery Products That Feel Damn Good
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6 Recovery Tools from One of the Fastest Runners on Earth

Last weekend, professional runner Johnny Gregorek became the second American ever to run an indoor mile in less than three minutes and fifty seconds. His final time of 3:49:90, completed at the pro portion of a collegiate conference at Boston University, clocks out to about 15.65 mph — insanely speedy — bringing him just .09 seconds behind the fastest indoor mile by an American man and 6th in line for fastest indoor mile in the world. The World Record was earned by Ethiopian Yamif Kejelcha the same race last week in Boston when he ran a 3:47:01. For reference, the fastest mile ever run was a 3:43:13, completed outdoors.

Gregorek, an Asics runner, ran for the Columbia University and the University of Oregon (home of the famous Hayward Field, where the 2020 Olympic Trials for Track and Field will be) until 2015, when he graduated. His dad, John Gregorek Sr., was a two-time Olympian in the 5000-meters and his mom, Christine Gregorek, is a two-time NCAA champion.

“After a race, if it went well, I will treat myself to something [like] burgers, fries, a beer,” Gregorek says. “Recovery for me usually involves getting a good meal in me, sleeping well and running very easy for a day or two after. After that mile, I immediately had dinner with friends and then tried to get a good night sleep. It can be a challenge after getting so much adrenaline going. Now I’m still just jogging around easy because it’s my downtime for a week or two.”

Since it was Gregorek’s final indoor run for the season, we chatted with him to find out what gear he finds most pivotal in his post-race recovery.

Polar M430

Monitoring your heart rate after a race is a great way to keep track of your fitness level — the faster your number returns to normal, the better. Gregorek uses his Polar M430 all the time. “It tracks my heart rate, and I’ll check in on that on easy days to make sure I’m keeping it low and recovering,” he says. Everyone’s resting heart rate is different, but ideally, you’re seeing lower numbers on your days off than when you’re in the middle of a HIIT workout.

Asics GT 2000

As an Asics athlete, Gregorek warms up and cools down in his Asics GT 2000 training shoes or DS trainers. The GT 2000 are best for over pronators (people who land on the outside edges of their shoes instead of closer to the middle) because they have Asics’s Trusstic System Technology with Guidance Line technology to help make your runs more efficient and propel you off the ground faster. The DuoMax midsole is supportive yet soft, and the gel cushioning under the toe and heel provide added support to help with recovery after a race. That added cushion can help keep your energy levels high.

Premvida Arrow

In addition to getting a weekly sports massage for an hour, Gregorek does some self-myofascial release as well uses a foam roller. “It’s an awesome vibrating foam roller. Nice and soft and it has multiple vibration settings. Awesome for hitting those tight spots and trigger points before or after a run,” he says. The foam roller has three speeds to help reach the deep tissues in your legs and glutes, plus at only 13-inches, you can throw this in your carry-on for after every race.

Garden of Life Recovery and Protein Bars

“I use Garden of Life products for energy bars, recovery bars and protein powder,” Gregorek says. “All of its products are plant-based and taste great. I don’t use any gels or anything like that.” Garden of Life products are clean, organic and non-GMO as well as NSF for Sport and Informed-Choice for Sport certified, meaning it’s free of banned substances, which is sometimes an issue with protein powders.

Clif Bar

Athletes: they’re just like us. “Before a race, I like to eat something easily digestible that will still energize me,” he says, “I do lots of healthy grain and rice bowls. I’ll have a Clif Bar and a banana a couple of hours out, and that’s pretty much it.”

Gatorade Electrolyte Powder

“I have used 5-hour energy a few hours before a race here and there, but I also just drink coffee,” says Gregorek, “After a race, I’ll try to rehydrate well. I like to use the Gatorade electrolyte powder to replace everything I lost during a hard effort.” Gregorek’s place to order coffee is in his hometown of Providence, RI, at either Dave’s Coffee or Bolt Coffee.

Headspace

Gregorek meditates regularly. To do so, he uses the Headspace app. “The guy on there has a soothing voice,” he says, “I find it helpful for just calming the mind and letting background noise settle before a big performance.”

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
March 8, 2019 / Comments Off on 6 Recovery Tools from One of the Fastest Runners on Earth
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BioLite’s Newest HeadLamp Offers A Rare Feature: Comfort

BioLite has a knack for taking heavily used gear and re-designing it into something you’ll reach for day after day, all while helping to increase access to energy off the grid. At Gear Patrol, we’ve been big fans since day one. Starting with the CampStove, CampStove 2 and the portable grill, and followed by many other successful fire starters, pizza grills and backcountry chargers, BioLite has paved the way for outdoor enthusiasts to get outdoors with an easy power supply — whether that’s grilling over a stove or lighting up the campsite. BioLite’s latest success story is the HeadLamp. We carried the re-engineered light with us through sunrise summits in upstate New York (hello, Mt. Marcy), as well as along the sidewalks of Brooklyn to light up our night runs. After a hugely successful kickstarter after Outdoor Retailer last year, the headlamp is available for preorder as of this Outdoor Retailer Snow Show.

The Good: BioLite’s HeadLamp features a split light in the front and battery pack in the back, all in a lightweight package that is comfortable, even in the wee hours of the morning. There are four light modes: red flood, white flood and spot (both with dimming) and the strobe, all of which provide you with hours of vision and ways to alert everyone around you. Even after hours of use, it was not headache inducing. The stretch fabric is soft and adjustable yet reinforced, so you don’t have to re-arrange once it’s on your forehead. It comes fully charged in four different colors: red, teal, yellow and grey.

Who They’re For: These lights are for everyone. Whether you’re a runner, hiker, walker or someone who likes to lead the dawn patrol, the BioLite HeadLamp works.

Watch Out For: It can be a bit tricky to use with gloves because of the thin rim around the light. The button to turn on and off, and the lever to aim the light down are both located on the skeletal frame of the light, so it takes time to get used to it.

Alternatives: Most other running headlamps I’ve tested have the battery pack and light all on the same side, so it’s heavy. The Petzl Reactik+ was the last one I tested ($100), and it worked just fine for everything I needed. You can also check out our list of Best Headlamps.

Review:
From unboxing to using, it takes less than two minutes to get started with the BioLite HeadLamp. Brushing my teeth takes longer. With just a few adjustments on the moisture-wicking band, the headlamp sat flush against my forehead. One of the first things I noticed was just how bright the slim light was. It’s 330 lumens at full brightness, and if you happen to turn it on while looking at the light, you’re sure to see some spots for a while. Reading while wearing the headlamp caused no issues thanks to the high visibility and comfy band.

For me, one of the most important things to test on a headlamp is to see how it performs when I’m running. Most lamps that I’ve used bounce around — I’ve run with them through two Ragnar Relays and an entire training circuit for a marathon which resulted in a lot of night activity. The BioLite lamp stayed put, likely because of the separation of the battery from the light itself. The battery sat low against the nape of my neck, while the light laid flat against my forehead. In the past, I’ve had to wear a hat under my headlamp to keep it from bouncing, but with this light, I can wear right where I want it. Now also seems like a good time to mention that I didn’t have any of those pesky red lines around my forehead after I ripped the light off post-run.

The band gets damp after a long run, but chafing wasn’t an issue. At first, I needed two hands to get the front tilt exactly where I needed it — illuminating the uneven cobblestones that line the Brooklyn Promenade and nearby roads — but after my initial mile or so, I had it down. It’s a breeze to click through all the different light options, dimming it when I run near street lamps and quickly turning it off when I finished running. It’s become my go-to lamp whether I’m heading out on a night run or just walking down to the campfire.

Verdict: If you’ve had issues with headlamps in the past, the re-jiggered BioLite HeadLamp is worth giving a shot. At a competitively priced $49, the lamp is hard to beat, simply based on value. With a run time of three and a half hours on full brightness, you can knock out a sunrise summit and nighttime run without sweating over battery life.

What Others Are Saying:

• “But where the brand stands out from the crowd is its comfortable design and lightweight. By integrating its electronic components into the soft 3D SlimFit fabric of the headlamp, BioLite created a light that wears more like a sweatband. For those looking for a light, comfortable headlamp for camping or hiking, this is a solid choice from a cool brand. It fits well, stays comfortably on the head, and will light up the night.” — Sean McCoy, Gear Junkie

• “here are plenty of small headlamps out there, but BioLite is taking a wise approach to the genre with this new unit. If you’re anything like us, you’ve got a closet full of lights. This would include at least a few you don’t use, because they’re dim, uncomfortable, or flop around on saggy elastic when you move your head. It’s not just lightweight — there’s already plenty of light… lights…but this unit stays put to an impressive degree. It’s not a tight head-grabber torture device either.” — Kel Whelan, Off Grid Web

• “BioLite didn’t just make the HeadLamp small and bright — it put a lot of emphasis on comfort too. Using what it calls “3D SlimFit Construction,” the company has managed to squeeze all of the electronic components into a surprisingly small space. This allows the light to nestle neatly into a flush housing, while also providing improved stability and balance while being worn. The headband that holds the lamp in place is made from moisture-wicking fabrics that are designed to be comfortable to wear, even while running, cycling, or hiking in warm conditions.” — Kraig Becker, Digital Trends

Key Specs

Lumens: 330
Battery: Rechargable with Micro USB
Weight: 69 grams
Materials: composite textile headstrap, PMMA, high efficiency lens material, ABS plasic housings, nylon plastic hardware (buckles)
Run Time: 3.5 hours (max brightness), 40 hours (minumum brightness)
Weather Resistance: IPX 4

BioLite provided us with products for testing purposes.

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February 1, 2019 / Comments Off on BioLite’s Newest HeadLamp Offers A Rare Feature: Comfort
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We Tried Road Tubeless Tires, and We’re Never Going Back

Tubeless tire technology is nothing new. In fact, it’s been industry-standard in the mountain bike world for a while now. It’s taken the road cycling industry longer to embrace the upgrade, but companies are finally taking the hint and producing wheels, tires and accessories aimed specifically at tubeless-curious riders.

As a lifelong mountain biker, it always amazed me that road cyclists stuck with tubes. Everything about them is a pain — pinch flats, extra weight, greater rotational mass. The upsides on a tubeless setup are tremendous: lighter, able to run at lower pressures (more comfort and control), less rotational mass and fewer flats. The biggest roadblock in the switch to road tubeless seems to be the setup, which takes some time and practice and can be a bit of a pain.

I recently decided to switch to road tubeless and did a ton of research before I did on how to set it up. My reason for making the switch was the promise of increased comfort and a lighter setup (I was also in search of a wider tire for decreased rolling resistance). On paper it sounds fairly simple: Tape the wheel with tubeless wheel tape making sure there are no bubbles; poke the tubeless valve stem through the tape; set one bead of the tire on the wheel; set the other bead of the tire on the wheel; use a compressor or piggyback pump to set the beads and inflate to around 60psi (you’ll hear some popping sounds while you do this); deflate the tire and remove the valve core; pour recommended amount of sealant into the tire through valve core; reinstall valve core and inflate the tire to 60psi; spin the tire so the sealant coats the inside and seals any gaps; go ride. Well, relatively simple anyway.

Photo: Hunter D. Kelley

That’s all well and good, but the truth is that the process will take you a couple of tries. It took me three tries until I eventually gave up and left it to the professionals (it took them a further three tries to get the wheel to seal). It’s not a perfect science, but the hassle is worth it. The ride is supple and supremely comfortable. It’s immediately noticeable. There’s more grip in the corners, and while it may seem counter-intuitive, running your tire at a lower pressure actually decreases rolling resistance, making you faster. I also found myself seeking out rougher roads and straying from my usual road loop with more confidence than with my typical setup. I chose both wheels and tires that can handle some gravel jaunts, but can still keep up on the pavement.

Of course, road tubeless isn’t for everyone. You may be perfectly happy with your tubes, and that’s OK. But for those seeking a faster, lighter and more comfortable ride, tubeless is a no-brainer. Sure, setup can be a hassle — but it’s worth it. If you endeavor to try road tubeless for yourself, here’s everything you need to make it happen.

ENVE SES 4.5 AR

ENVE’s SES 4.5 AR disc wheel is specifically designed to be run with a tubeless tire. It’s stiff and compliant at the same time and offers some of the best ride quality available. Simply put, there’s a reason everyone wants ENVE wheels — the hype is real.

WTB Exposure 30

WTB’s Exposure 30 is one of the few tan sidewall, tubeless-compatible tires. In fact, in our extensive research, it’s the only tubeless-specific tire that has tan sidewalls and is available in a 30. It’s supple and provides a shocking amount of grip in a variety of conditions. They are a touch heavy at 310g per tire, but the comfort and durability they offer are worth the small weight penalty.

Orange Seal Endurance Tire Sealant

There are a few tire sealant brands available, but we’re partial to Orange Seal’s Endurance Sealant. The Endurance version of Orange Seal is designed to last longer (sealant will eventually dry out) and will seal up the smaller punctures that you might encounter on a road bike. It also weighs less than Orange Seal’s regular line of sealant, and that’s a good thing.

ENVE Road and Gravel Tubeless Kit

You’ll need ENVE’s Tubeless Kit for setup, which includes tubeless wheel tape, two tubeless valves (that fit the SES 4.5 AR without the need for valve extenders) and a valve core removal tool.

Lezyne Digital Pressure Overdrive Floor Pump

With a tubeless setup, you’ll likely be playing around with different tire pressures more than you would with a standard setup. For this, a floor pump with a digital gauge will give you the most accurate reading. Lezyne’s Digital Pressure Overdrive pump also has a piggyback chamber that can be pressurized up to 200psi. The pump then works in essentially the same way as an air compressor, helping seat a tubeless tire quickly and efficiently.

January 29, 2019 / Comments Off on We Tried Road Tubeless Tires, and We’re Never Going Back
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This Tiny Device Attaches to Your Clothing and Tracks Your Stress Levels

Your breath is a powerful tool. Studies have shown that your breath can help control your response to stress, thus helping with your physical and mental health. While breathing can help calm your body physically, learning your body’s stress cues enables you to respond more accurately and calmly to stress. That’s the premise behind Spire’s Health Tags — a breath tracker that monitors the rhythms of your breathing. It can show when you’re stressed, tense, calm and focused, and all in a dog-tag-sized sticker that attaches to your clothing.

The Good: Spire’s Health Tags are small, a breeze to apply and simple to use. It takes seconds to sync your data, and the app gives you as many or as few notifications as you would like. Just peel off the sticker from the back of each tag and press and hold on your boxers or pants waistband. You can wash and dry the tag for up to two years. It’s invisible once on and doesn’t bother those with sensitive skin (in my experience).

Who They’re For: Built for those who are obsessed with their health, this two-inch by one-inch tag also appeals to those who are interested in fitness data but can’t be bothered to wear something on their wrists. If you’re not a Garmin, Apple or Suunto watch lover, we understand. Seiko and Rolex guys will appreciate the wrist space this tracker provides. If you’re getting into monitoring your health data, the Spire Health Tags provide you with active minutes and sleep, two of the most basic (and most needed) fitness stats.

On the other end of the spectrum, health nuts who are obsessed with data and having the latest and greatest piece of technology will appreciate the minute details that went into creating Health Tags. Using your breath, Spire will monitor your calm, focus and tense minutes, sending you reminders throughout the day to work on your breathing if your nervous system puts out a fight or flight emergency. If you’re a superuser of any watch or tracker, these Tags can give you even more information than what you’re getting from your phone right now.

Watch Out For: Health Tags come in a single pack ($50), a three-pack ($129) or an eight-pack ($299). Spire sent me an eight-pack, and throughout the past month, I have yet to stick them all onto clothing. While $299 is comparable to many fitness trackers and less than many GPS trackers, it can be a steep purchase if you’re looking for a way to dip your toes into fitness and health tracking.

I experienced some issues with my sleep tracking during the first week, which then cleared itself up. I was notified that my sleep wasn’t tracking from the night before, but then my sleep data would later register, confusing me and my stats. When I spoke with Jonathan Palley, CEO of Spire, he mentioned this is fixed — as well as a handful of other user-reported bugs. I had to deal with the app not being able to find my Health Tags, but besides one time (while I was writing this), I didn’t have any other Bluetooth connectivity issues.

Once you attach these Tags to your clothes, they are pretty tricky to remove. I was nervous about flying with them because I wasn’t sure how it would show up in security. When I tried to pull it off before my flight, I couldn’t get the Tags to move an inch.

Alternatives: There aren’t that many apps or trackers that base everything off of your breathing alone. For sleep tracking, you can try the Nokia Health or iFit, but both rely on movement and heart rate. Apple, Garmin and Suunto watches all rely on wrist-based heart rate, which pales in comparison to the amount of data gleaned from your lungs and breath rate.

Review: When I first heard about Spire’s Health Tags, I was incredibly skeptical. I test a lot of wearables, each boasting new stats and updated technology that’s guaranteed to help me become faster, stronger and more aware of every single movement I make. The Spire Health Tag is the first tracker I’ve tested that focuses solely on my breath. For years, I’ve heard whisperings of the data my breath can tell me. Breathing is tied pretty closely to mindfulness, and sleep, but developers and tech companies haven’t quite bridged the gap between fitness, health and breathing — until Spire.

About a month ago, Spire sent me the eight-pack of trackers, and I hopped on the phone with them to get the low down. I learned how studies have shown that sensing respiration patterns can reduce symptoms of distress and that negative affect generally decreases while using something like this. I opened up my package of eight and attached them to my clothing. Pop the Tag out of the packaging — set in there like a pack of gum — peel off the back sticker and press firmly into the waistband of your pants, underwear or pajamas, then forget about it. The tracker needs to be in contact with your core to track breathing and movement. The entire process, including downloading the app, and connecting all eighty of the Tags took all of five minutes.

As for how it works? “What we measure is called thoracic expansion, which is what happens when you take a breath,” Palley says. “The muscles that facilitate breathing are below your rib cage, and those expand and contract, so our sensors sense that force.” From that force, the Tag can differentiate between your calm, tense, focus and sleep stages. “When you’re tense, you breathe faster, and more erratically. Your brain is preparing for stress and sucking in oxygen, so you get a very erratic breathing pattern.” When you’re focused, you’re actually in a state of stress, but it’s good stress. “When you’re in the zone and feeling good [about whatever you’re doing] our bodies are activated, we’re not in a calm state, but because we’re focused and confident with what we’re doing, our breathing is faster but very stable. The variability is low.” And then when you’re calm, your breathing is slow with a low variability rate.

After a month of using Spire, I was able to draw a correlation between my meditation moments and my minutes of calm. I could also feel the buzz of the Tag against my core when I started getting tense — which happened during meetings, conversations and other moments that I wasn’t always aware of, until I felt the vibration. Each time I was reminded to start breathing deeper and slower. While I still haven’t figured out the key to lowering stress, I do like that the Tags help me track when I am stressed, even if I don’t realize immediately.

Beyond your mental state, the Tags can also tell when you’re exercising (activity) and when you’re sleeping. The Spire Health Tags use respiratory rate variability and breath rate as well to alert you to a change. During sleep, ‘your breathing becomes more regular, and the variability of breathing goes down as you fall asleep,” Palley says. “For many reasons, we’re more accurate than wrist trackers because we look at the shape of your breath.” It’s how you breathe in and out in a certain way. “That shape becomes regular, and once you cross a certain threshold, you’re asleep,” Palley added. REM and deep sleep are slightly different. “When you go into REM sleep, your breathing rate changes dramatically, the shape of your breath stays similar, but the rate is affected by your dreams. Your breathing reacts to your dream,” Palley notes. Think about those times you fall asleep and then feel like you’re falling and quickly jolt awake. Your breathing is stilted at that point. In a deep sleep, your breathing is perfectly regular. “You’re the perfect metronome,” Palley explains. At the end of every sleep (shown in the app as the day before) you can compare your awake, light sleep, REM sleep and deep sleep minutes to your average, as well as look at how many times you wake up during the night.

While the app doesn’t provide me with any takeaways per say, I sign up for all the LiveInsights that I can. Between three categories (stress, sleep and activity), I register to get notifications every time my breathing gets tense, tips about maintaining healthy sleep habits as well as a notice if I’m sitting for too long. The overall picture of my health is one that doesn’t compare me to anyone else, rather, the app provides me with my averages, so I can evaluate and think about what I want to do to change my stress-inducing habits. In the app right now, there’s no way to look at a stressful moment and record it as something like ‘review’ or ‘conversation with the boss,’ but when I asked Palley about future integration, he sounded hopeful. “Right now, if you go into the detailed view, we have these meaningful moments, but we are working on integrating it into calendars.” Right now, you have to compare it with your calendar, but an update is in the works to add that automatically.

Verdict: If you want a tracker to set and forget, this is the one for you. While I’m a long time fan of my Apple Watch, I never wear it at night, so having the sleep data with the Tags opens up a new dataset rife for comparison. The Breathe feature on my Apple Watch is one of my favorite parts, so having an entire app dedicated just to my breath was fascinating and helpful. Tags can help you establish patterns and evaluate what triggers stress, so you can get to the root of the problem. The Tags buzzed during obvious stressful times — interviews and reviews, but also during conversations I wouldn’t have customarily categorized as stressful. It helped me learn and ‘tag’ those times, plus was a reminder to start breathing more normally again to slow my fight or flight response.

If you’re someone who continually craves more data about your health, the Spire Health Tags are a solid place to start. The stats the Tags provide are way more thorough and unique as compared to many other fitness trackers. I’m especially excited to watch as the app continues to update and change to see what new features the Spire Health Tag will offer.

Spire provided this product for testing purposes.

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October 15, 2018 / Comments Off on This Tiny Device Attaches to Your Clothing and Tracks Your Stress Levels
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The 9 Backyard Games You’ll Find Us Playing This Summer

This summer, we’re on a quest to spend as many hours outdoors as we can. Most of us are happiest when we’re outside, whether that’s climbing a mountain or running along a trail or heading to the beach to surf and swim. Sometimes it’s as simple as kicking our feet up in the backyard and enjoying a beer. To further aid in that conquest, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite summer games. Whether you have a backyard or just dream of having one, these nine outdoor games will help you make the most out of your time outside this season.

Cornhole

“When it comes to backyard games, Cornhole is the GOAT. It’s fun, competitive and is easy to setup. Plus, it has simple rules and anyone can pick up and play regardless of athletic ability. It’s a frequent go-to, especially during backyard barbecues, poolside or down the shore. Sink a hole-in-one after a few beers and you’ll be feeling like Tiger!” Alyx Effron, Account Executive

Croquet

“Croquet suggests a certain level of aristocratic snobbery — it’s hard to avoid when the tools of play are mallets and wickets — but the actual execution of the game can get delightfully vindictive. I learned the official rules from the husband of a British expat who, despite his politeness and buttoned-up nature, taught me the technique of using one’s own ball to launch another player’s as far out of the area of play as possible. After discovering this competitive element, I’m not surprised that the game’s origins involve a discrepancy between two men with the last names Spratt and Jaques. Personally, I don’t give a hoop who did, so bully to both of them!” Tanner Bowden, Associate Staff Writer

Over the Line

“While Over the Line (or OTL) hasn’t made it big on the east coast, my West Coast parents grew up playing and passed it on to my sister and I growing up. It’s a simple game, and can be played with just about any ball and bat, but there are official rules that can be found here. Everyone puts their own spin on it, but it’s essentially baseball without bases and gloves, and your own teammate pitches to you. A hit is a ball hit in fair territory that isn’t fielded on the fly by the other team. Three hits is a run. Three outs per inning. Growing up games got somewhat competitive.” AJ Powell, Assistant Editor

Badminton

“Mock it. Ignore it. It’s still the best backyard game for quite literally any circumstance.
Having converted countless lost souls to the church of badminton, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that badminton is alone in its ability to be absurdly fun for seasoned vets (they exist) and the uninitiated alike. Through my years as a badminton evangelist, I’ve encountered many who doubted its joy-producing capabilities prior to picking up the racquet and none who continued to do so after.” Will Price, Home & Design Writer

DIY Climbing Wall

“As a parent, I can’t pass up something that provides endless hours of fun for littles who are itching to move. It gives me the time and space to make dinner, relax on the back patio or clean the house. I love that there isn’t only one way up the wall, so kids have to experiment and problem solve while building strength and burning energy. It’s easy to make, inexpensive and is Insta-worthy. We attached ours to a wooden platform in a tree and found a used slide from a neighbor to attach for the descent.” Ali Carr Troxell, Managing Editor

Disc Bash

“I’m all about the Disc Bash, and not about KanJam. These are both backyard riffs on disc golf, but the Disc Bash design makes it 200% more portable and quick to set up and take down. Each can-style target pops up and/or condenses using a spring-style mechanism. And when collapsed, the whole kit is storable in a bag that can easily slip into a large backpack or beach bag. Not so with other can-style disc games that are typically unwieldy and not at all collapsible.” Kyle Snarr, Head of Marketing

Bocce

“The truth is, I love bocce. I’m not bad at it either. But recently, I was talking to a friend who casually mentioned picking up a game of croquet, like it was the most common summer activity in the world! I have never played and now I am obsessed with learning. I’m imagining myself doing so while sipping on a chilled Pimm’s Cup. I think it will be very leisurely and refined. He planted a seed and now this has become my ultimate goal of summer ’18. Until then, I’ll keep practicing bocce.” Megan Billings, Deputy Editor, Gear Patrol Studios

Chippo

“Let me clarify — this isn’t my go-to backyard game. I was brought up on Cornhole and then later Spikeball, but I discovered Chippo last year when a friend brought it on our family vacation to the Outer Banks. As somebody who used to play a lot more golf than I do now, it’s a frustratingly addicting game. Think a hybrid between cornhole and golf; it’s wicked hard and fun. And the best golfer in the group doesn’t always win, which makes the banter between friends top notch, especially when a few beers are thrown into the mix.” Tucker Bowe, Assistant Editor

Paddle Ball

“While some might argue this game can only be played on the beach, I beg to differ. Paddle tennis is a go-anywhere game — front or backyards, the street, or an actual court. And since you only need two people, it’s an easy game to play whether you’re in a group of 25 or four.” Meg Lappe, Staff Writer

What GP Staff Members Can’t Travel Without

We travel a lot for Gear Patrol, but how each of us travels varies enormously. This is what is always in our carry-ons. Read the Story

June 25, 2018 / Comments Off on The 9 Backyard Games You’ll Find Us Playing This Summer
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Hip Packs Are Back — Here are 11 Worth Buying

Fanny packs, waist packs, hip packs — whatever you call them, the ubiquitous 90s accessory is back. While fashion designers are incorporating them into their runway shows, the real place the hip pack shines is in motion. Whether on the trails or on the road, a waist pack is an easy, lightweight alternative to a hefty backpack or a hydration pack while riding. The fanny packs of years past filled with pens, snacks and an autograph book (let’s be honest, I never wore mine anywhere besides Disney), have been updated with pockets and longer-lasting fabric.

While you can sport one of these pretty much anywhere, the two places where you’ll get the most use out of them is on day hikes and mountain bike rides. When you’re hiking up a mountain, there’s absolutely no need for you to carry a huge pack. All you need is a water bottle, snacks and an extra layer — all of which can fit in a hip pack.

For ripping up trails, a hip pack is an easy way to ditch cumbersome backpacks. Any core repair items and snacks can go in the pack along with pressure gauges, tools and CO2 canisters. Some hip packs for cycling now come with hydration options inside, so you can fit water in there as well. It’s an easy way to take a load off your back.

Hiking Hip Packs

Patagonia Lightweight Travel Mini Belt Bag

Patagonia’s pack folds up into itself, so you can stash it in a larger pack for traveling purposes until the day calls for its usage. The ripstop nylon fabric and padded back further add to the pack’s durability and comfort respectively.

JanSport Fifth Avenue 2L Lumbar Pack

The JanSport Fifth Avenue pack is one of the originals. It’s simple and durable, and features two liters of space. If you happen to brush up against any rocks, the 600D polyester material will take it in stride.

Osprey Talon 6

The dual pockets on the Talon 6 are ideal for water bottles, and the extra pockets along your hips hold all the tiny essentials like keys or a pocketknife.

Camelbak Repack LR 4 Hydration Pack

A hip pack that stores your phone and water is gold. A magnet keeps the hydration straw in place so you don’t have to worry about it dragging on the ground or getting stuck in the trees.

High Sierra Tokopah 3L Waistpack

This pack features four individual pockets. There are separate ones for your sunnies, phone, keys and any layers you take off. The reflective attachments are key if you’re hitting the trails early in the day or coming down late at night.

Biking Hip Packs

Mission Workshop The Axis

We tested The Axis on the Kingdom Trails in Northeastern Vermont, and it continuosly impressed each tester who gave it a try. The minimalist design combined with rugged materials makes for a pack that’s easy to wear and comfortable all day long.

Eagle Creek RFID Tailfeather Waist Pack

Eagle Creek’s packing cubes keep us organized when we’re traveling, and the brand is bringing that same mentality to its hip packs. Thanks to lockable zippers, you don’t have to worry about your things falling out, and the padded breathable mesh back channel keeps the air circulating.

Deuter Pack Pulse Four Exp

With a dedicated water bottle pocket, phone pocket and space for an additional layer, the Pack Pulse Four Exp allows for plenty of organization. The ripstop material and three-liter capacity make this ideal for the bike.

Dakine Hot Laps 2L Hip Pack

The Hot Laps pack is perfect for singletrack laps. Dakine cracked the code on the ideal hip pack: abrasion-resistant fabric, a fleece lined pocket and loads of internal pockets. Pop out the bonus side pocket and throw in an extra water bottle if needed.

EVOC Hip Pack Race 3L

The EVOC Hip Pack Race 3L is a pro at keeping your back cool thanks to a ventilated flap system — simply tighten the cord to keep it closer to your body or add some slack to feel a breeze.

High Above V.3 Cascadia

High Above mountain bike hip packs are some of the best on the market. And they’re serious pieces of outdoor gear — despite the tagline and lighthearted feel of the brand’s website. Each High Above hip pack is designed and sewn in Bellingham, Washington. They come in three different models that vary in size and can be outfitted with an optional water bottle holder. Each material that High Above uses has been obsessed over and combined into a product that’s built to go the distance.

Best Enduro Mountain Bikes We tested the six best enduro mountain bikes and enduro bike gear on the market to determine which one reigned supreme. Read the Story
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
June 21, 2018 / Comments Off on Hip Packs Are Back — Here are 11 Worth Buying
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Priority’s Newest Bike is All-Terrain, Yet Still Low-Maintenance

From Porsche to a 12-Speed

Priority’s Newest Bike is All-Terrain, Yet Still Low-Maintenance

June 14, 2018  |   By Meg Lappe

Here at Gear Patrol, we’re big fans of Priority’s low maintenance, high reward bikes. I tested out the Classic NeverFlat for a couple of weeks and now have been riding the company’s Classic Plus Gotham Edition for about a month. Priority continues to push the envelope on bikes that are a joy to ride and easy to maintain. Today, Priority launches the Priority 600; a car-inspired bike meant to ride on roads, gravel and dirt without breaking a sweat.

The 12-Speed Pinion Gearbox was designed by two former Porsche transmission engineers to offer loads of power and adventure to every single rider. It sits between the pedals so you won’t feel a weird weight imbalance and it only needs to be oiled every 6000 miles — plenty enough for any commuter.

Paired with the same great gates carbon belt drive and all-weather composite fenders, this bike is geared up and ready to go for all the excursions you can think up. The bikes start shipping on June 18th and if you use code VELOFIX600, you’ll get a free Velofix white glove delivery.

Today in Gear

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story
June 14, 2018 / Comments Off on Priority’s Newest Bike is All-Terrain, Yet Still Low-Maintenance
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Adult Summer Camps Are a Thing. Here’s Everything You Need to Take One On.

The Pursuit Series, which is essentially a summer camp for adventure-loving adults, was designed by four outdoor-loving adventurists who have spent their lives outdoors: Julia Stamps Mallon, Bart Davis, Brian Heifferon and Tyler Drake. The foursome pulls from past experiences at Outessa, an outdoor weekend adventure camp to encourage more women to get outdoors, as well as The Outbound Collective, an online community designed to help adventurers locate the best spots for all explorers. A typical Pursuit weekend includes over 26 different categories of events over the course of three days to help you learn more about an outdoor activity you love, or introduce you to a new one. It’s a series worth checking out, and one that requires some outdoor gear to make it through. Here’s what the founders recommend.

Tyler Drake

One of the founders of the Outbound Collective, Drake’s favorite things revolve around staying comfortable.

Wigwam Beacon Heights Socks

Durable and dry socks are a must-have. “I love the Wigwam Beacon Heights Socks. With moisture control and cushioning, these socks help keep my feet dry and comfortable all day long.”

Sleeping Pad

You need a comfortable and reliable sleeping pad. “We camp the full week we’re setting up, working and taking down the event, so it really helps to have a good night’s sleep. It’s a little bit of a luxury, but I splurged for the Exped Megamat Duo.

Water Bottle

“With summer heat and long days, it’s key to have a good bottle to help me stay hydrated. I’m a fan of Igloo’s Tahoe Chugger water bottles.”

Sunscreen

“It’s always important to protect against the elements. I like Sun Bum to keep me covered.”

Sunglasses

“From being on the water and trails to hanging out at camp, it never hurts to have a good pair of glasses.”

Brian Heifferon

The other co-founder of the Outbound Collective has a few more necessities, but stands by Drake that sunscreen is non-negotiable. “I spend a lot of time in the ocean, so I have a bias toward sunscreens that don’t contain oxybenzone, which damages reefs and sea life when it inevitably washes off of your skin. I’ve found Bare Republic sunscreens to be affordable, high quality and good for hours of uninterrupted fun. My go-to is its Mineral SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen Stick.” Here’s everything else Heifferon brings with him.

Sleeping Pad

Similar to Drake, the quality sleep Heifferon gets is important. “We’re on-site at Pursuit for about a week setting up and breaking down, so getting a good night’s sleep is really important. My go-to basecamp pad is the Exped MegaMat. It’s pretty expensive, and definitely not for backpacking, but it’s as close to sleeping on a mattress as you’ll get.”

Headlamp

“An indispensable product. I hide them everywhere: in my car, house, daypack, emergency kits, etc. My go-to is the Black Diamond Storm. Although it’s a little on the heavy side, it’s affordable, has a ton of settings and is water-resistant. It’s a total workhorse.”

Merino Wool Shirt

“I pack light and unfortunately sweat a lot, and merino wool is my savior. It’s cool, breathable, easy to take care of and doesn’t stink. No really – it doesn’t hold odor. Icebreaker’s City Lite crew works like a charm. If you haven’t already, given merino wool a try. You can thank me later.”

Trucker Hat

“I like to have a well-ventilated hat that I can really beat up, and our Outbound Trucker fits the bill perfectly. It’s not overly tall, and the pliable foam front panel makes it a breeze to rinse off and put right back on.”

Mini Lantern

“Headlamps are awesome, but you don’t always want to be wearing one inside your tent. A nice mini-lantern hanging inside your tent is convenient and makes the space feel more like home. My go-to is the MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0. It’s crazy light, solar powered and more than bright enough to light up the inside of your tent.”

Bart Davis

Davis and Stamps Mallon have worked together for years, so it makes sense that working with them is a bit like working with an oiled machine. Weekends like these are old hat for Davis, so his picks are certainly fun.

Puffy Jacket

“Even in the summer, I don’t head to the mountains without a puffy coat. I love the Marmot Featherless Hoody because of its great warmth to weight ratio, and being a synthetic insulation, it stays warm even if it gets wet.”

SAXX Underwear

“It may seem funny to be as passionate about my SAXX underwear as I am, but they simply are the best, whether I’m being active or not.  The fit is perfect, meaning they don’t ride up or bind, and I love the designs.”

Snacks

“Being prone to ‘Hangriness’, I always am carrying snacks with me. The GU Energy Stroopwafel is super tasty and provides the right mix of ingredients to keep me on track, whether running on a trail or needing a snack while working. Check out the Gingerade flavor, my personal favorite!” 

Portable Charging Light

“The Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0 + Mobile Charging is a must have item!  Super lightweight, serves as a great area lantern, charged by the solar panel on top or a USB and can provide a charge to my phone when needed. So many sweet features in a small and lightweight package. This goes on every trip with me.” 

Julia Stamp Mallon

The O.G. founder of these adventure-filled weekends, Stamps Mallon is no stranger to the backcountry.

Marmot Tent

“I like the Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent, which you can get in the Pursuit Series camping kit, as it feels really spacious and is my go-to accommodation.”

Sleeping Bag

“The Marmot Trestles 30 Sleeping Bag is super comfy and perfect for 3-season camping.”

Igloo Tumbler

“I love my Igloo Tumbler so I can enjoy Tito’s cocktails and Kenwood Wines in the evening as I sit back enjoy Chauo Chocolatier s’mores around the campfire.”

Wet Wipes

“Even if we’re camping where there are amenities (like Pursuit Series), it’s always ideal to have wet wipes on hand for swift and easy cleanups.”

The Best Camp Chairs

Lightweight seating for every type of camping out there. Read the Story
June 13, 2018 / Comments Off on Adult Summer Camps Are a Thing. Here’s Everything You Need to Take One On.
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RX Nut Butter Is Weird, and Insanely Good

I know what you’re thinking — eating peanut or almond butter out of a squeeze pack is weird — but hear me out. Individually-packaged nut butter has been around since Skippy pedaled tubes of viscous peanuts to third graders in the nineties. Skippy was ahead of its time; it no longer packages its peanut butter in nine-ounce Squeeze Stix, but portable packets have picked up a following since, chiefly from athletes and protein fiends. It was good in grade school, but it’s better now.

RXBAR is the latest brand to take on nut butter. The company redefined protein bars — and the graphic design on protein bar packaging — with its “no B.S.” bars that contain only three or four pronounceable ingredients, all of which are listed in bold on the front of the wrapper. It’s taken the same tact with its nut butter.

RXBAR’s 32-gram packets come in three flavors: Vanilla Almond Butter (one egg white, 18 almonds, one half of a date), Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter (one egg white, 27 peanuts, one half of a date) and plain old peanut butter (also one egg white, 27 peanuts and one half of a date). The three vary in flavor due to a handful of minor ingredients that aren’t listed on the package, like cinnamon, coconut oil, vanilla, honey and sea salt.

Like its bars, RX Nut Butter is quite tasty, but requires a little bit of open-mindedness, mostly due to texture. Try an RXBAR next to a Clif Bar, and you’ll get the picture. The nut butters are smooth but slightly gooier compared to the peanut butter you keep in a jar at home. In this case, different is good though. Eat these with yogurt and granola in the morning, as a condiment for an apple during a day hike, or plain when your stomach starts to growl audibly in the office at 11 am.

Today in Gear

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story
May 29, 2018 / Comments Off on RX Nut Butter Is Weird, and Insanely Good
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