FitSugar

Gear Review: Clear2Go Water Bottle With Filter

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:56 -0800

I've been carrying a reusable water bottle with me for years now, filling up on tap water as needed. Well, portable water just got a little cleaner with the Clear2Go water bottle ($16). It's your standard water bottle with a squeeze top made for cycling, but it comes with its very own water filter. The filter adds a little weight to the bottle, but it filters out 99.9 percent of microbial cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), reduces the chlorine taste of water, and reduces lead and mercury. Using trickle down technology developed originally by NASA, one filter lasts for 100 gallons, or 533 refills - keeping an estimated 757 plastic bottles out of landfills. Replacement filters are available in two packs and cost $13.

Lance Armstrong is a fan of these eco and health friendly reusable bottles, and if you become of fan of Clear2Go on Facebook you can enter to win a bike ride with the seven-time winner of the Tour de France. You can purchase your mobile filtration system directly from Clear2Go. They make great holiday gifts and would definitely get you well on your way to filling a loved one's stocking.

Gear Review: slotRadio by Sansa

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:25 -0800

I love my iPod, but there is a new music player vying for my heart: the slotRadio ($79) by Sansa.

The two-inch-by-two-inch clip-on music player comes with a data card with 1,000 songs from the Billboard music charts, with prearranged playlists by music genre. I tried the additional Health and Fitness mix, which includes the mixes for warmup, cardio, roadwork (cycling), power (lifting), yoga, cooldown, and the even more mellow spa mix.

To see what I thought of this music player, just read more.

I must admit I am a bit technically challenged - ironic since I am a blogger, I know. Even with my latent Luddite ways, I found the slotRadio super easy to use. The instruction manual was simply written with helpful graphics. Open the box, charge the radio, which took about an hour, put in your music card, and go. My inaugural run with the slotRadio was great. It clips onto your clothes and is so small and light you don't even notice it. The volume button is easy to find, as is the skip button. You can easily skip genres, too. I warmed up with Lady Gaga and Nelly and moved onto cardio with a few bands I have never heard of, like VHS or Beta. The slotRadio feels like a pop music education in a good way. This little player is a great way to introduce yourself to new music. However, I had to remove the foam covers from the earbuds to keep them from falling out of my ears.

The video screen features graphics of exercises and lets you know the next song up on the playlist so you can advance easily to find motivational music. The slotRadio is also a real radio. As an NPR junkie, I love that I can switch over to radio and catch up on news or Fresh Air while working out.

I enjoyed the Health and Fitness music card much more than the standard Billboard artist music card. Thankfully, the data cards are easy to change, and there are many options to choose from, including Christmas tunes, '80s and '90s music, Latin, and classical. The extra data cards cost $40. The slotRadio bundle comes with headphones, charger, and Billboard music card. These make a great gift for the musically impaired fitness fanatic in your life.

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Gear Review: Nike ACG Wildedge GTX Shoe

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:23 -0700

I'm a big fan of Nike's All Condition Gear (ACG) line. If you're into climbing, hiking, or trail running, this shoe line has something for you. When at the Nike store recently, I noticed that my Wildedge approach shoes are now on sale. This shoe, a mixture of a hiking boot and climbing shoe, is now $65, marked down from $110.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nike's ACG line and to celebrate it, Nike rolled out some pretty cool versions of the Wildedge shoe - a modern twist on the vintage Wildwood shoe that was popular in the '90s. I was immediately drawn to the line because of all the cool colors offered. Most hiking and approach shoes are pretty boring and come in two colors - all-over brown or green. Although I did settle on the ones that have brown and green in them, I think the colors are a lot brighter and flashier than any other hiking shoe I've seen. I also love the fluorescent pink swoosh on the side.

To see how these shoes perform, read more.

Along with being aesthetically pleasing, the Wildedge shoes perform well, and after trekking in them for over six months, I have to say I am a happy customer. The shoes are really lightweight and waterproof, two things that are important to me when backpacking. What I'm most impressed with is the sticky sole, which provides major traction with its .44 sticky rubber, creating a surface that grips onto whatever I'm hiking up. They're also super comfortable - I've hiked in these shoes for hours with no complaints, and even did an hour on the treadmill with them when I accidentally brought the wrong shoes to the gym.

Gear Review: Radiance Jacket by Mountain Hardwear

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

If you are looking forward to Winter but not the cold that accompanies it, Mountain Hardwear has constructed a jacket for you. The Radiance Jacket ($230) is pre-wired for the Ardica Moshi Power System ($145).

When fully charged, the battery powered energy pack will keep you warm for a little over eight and a half hours when set on the low setting and three hours when set for high. The heater fits into an internal pocket in the back of the jacket that sits between your scapula with extra heating coils in the front just above the pockets. Simply pressing the black button on the top of the jacket turns on the heater. The contrast between the lightweight jacket and the stiff battery is quite noticeable though. Known for their lightweight yet warm jackets (I ski in an older version of the company's Flip Jacket), the power system makes the jacket heavy.

I sat in my cold house (why houses in Northern California aren't well insulated is beyond me) and cranked the jacket to the high setting and was quite toasty. I was sweating in minutes. I have no doubt it would keep me warm on the slopes or sitting at a snowy football game, I am not sure I want to pay $375 to stay warm. Think of all the hot chocolate you could buy, even overpriced ski lodge cocoa, with that kind of dough.

If you're an electronics junkie, the jacket will charge them. To learn how read more.

The left pocket of the jacket houses a USB cable, they come with a variety of adapters making it useful for charging your iPhone, iPod, camera, or BlackBerry. The Ardica System takes more than a few hours to fully charge, but it can fully charge your phone multiple times once it's charged.

I think the concept of a warming jacket that helps you stay wired (or at least charged) is cool, but I am not completely sold on the technology. While the jacket is cute and streamlined - it would fit well under a shell to keep for added wind and water protection - but if it is so cold that I need a heater to keep me warm riding up a mountain, I might just opt for a lodge day. What about you? What do you think of the Radiance Jacket?

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Pearl Izumi Gets Technical

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:06 -0700

Pearl Izumi ruffled some feathers with its ad campaign pitting runner against joggers, but regardless they make amazing biking gear. Recently, the company released clothing made with four technical fabrics designed to reduce drag, regulate body temperature, and address the problems of moisture. They sent me a few items to check out, which meant a couple of bike rides and a spin class over the course of a few days - any excuse to hop on my bike.

The fabric used to construct P.R.O. Octane Shorts ($225) feels more luxurious than anything I have ever worn for a workout. These lightweight shorts feel great on as well. The technical fabric used in their construction is designed to keep a rider cool during a hot competition. In the hot spin I took wearing them, they did just that. Honestly, the price of these shorts indicates they are truly made for elite high mileage riders or serious competitors. I hope to wear them soon for a distance ride, but don't think I would ever drop that much dough on shorts.

To read about the other two more affordable items, just read more.

The W's Transfer Short Sleeve Baselayer ($50) worked well on a cold, yet sweaty ride. My core stayed warm and dry as I powered up hills and sped down the descents. It's made with Pearl Izumi trademarked Minerale fabric, a polyester fortified with carbon based minerals to improve wicking and keep the stink out of the shirt. After a three hour, sweaty ride the smelled only a little bit and the small amount of smell washed out easily. A short sleeve base layer for Autumn biking worked well for me. This shirt is seriously lightweight and tailored to fit the female form.

My favorite piece is the P.R.O. Barrier Lite Jacket ($95.00). A solid windbreaker can save you on a cold and blustery ride, and this windbreaker did just that. Should the sun come out and the wind dies down, this jacket packs down small to easily fit in a the back pocket of a biking jersey. I am impressed with how thin the material was yet how much wind protection it offered. This jacket might be pricey, but as long as it is not raining I think I can wear it all year long. I would wear it to run too.

All three items are available at the Pearl Izumi website. Look for them at your local bike shop too.

Gear Review: Kuru Shoes

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0700

It's important to be kind to your feet. If you don't treat them right then you can end up with foot, knee, or back pain. One way you can take care of your tootsies is with supportive footwear. You buy sturdy and cushioned sneakers for running, so why not treat your feet to the same love when you're not at the gym? I've just discovered Kuru shoes, the only footwear with ergonomic midsoles. Their philosophy is that your foot isn't flat, so why should your shoe be? The inside is curved, mirroring the shape of your heel, and when you walk, the supportive feeling is like nothing I've ever experienced.

To hear more about these shoes, find out how much a pair costs, and see some more pics read more.

My husband and I both have a pair of the Chicanes ($90), and instantly noticed the difference the first moment we slipped them on. These shoes are lightweight, water resistant, and have a rugged sole, so they were perfect for hiking and walking the hills around the city (that's why they're a little dirty in the photos). The best way to describe how they feel is comfortable yet supportive, and it was amazing that both our feet felt great after walking the trails for a couple hours. These shoes look less sporty than other trail shoes I've had, so that's also a plus. They come in many styles to fit your taste, and the price is pretty reasonable for a shoe that feels molded to your foot. If you have issues with foot pain or finding the right shoe, definitely check out Kuru shoes.

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Looking for more advice on fitness gear? Then check out the Good Gear/Bad Gear group.

Gear Review: Modern Union Yoga Bag

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:03 -0700

Dealing with my yoga mat when I ride to the gym can be a pretty tricky feat. I have a bike basket that I can tie it to but it always throws me off balance. That's why I was really excited to find these messenger bags from Modern Union ($68). The bags were designed by yoga studio owners Stephanie Ofanankis and Belinda Osborne because the partners couldn't find a yoga bag that met their lifestyle needs - lucky me!

First off, I love the textiles they chose - simple, colorful, and modern. Beyond that it's a great bag to take to the gym or use on your days off. The straps on the bottom of the bag keep a yoga mat secure, and I like that there are outside pockets for a water bottle and cell phone. The inside of the bag is roomy enough to carry gym essentials or even a laptop. Inside are a bunch of smaller pockets so things don't get lost, including a key ring holder.

Most importantly these Modern Union bags make commuting on a bike so easy. There's a padded shoulder strap for comfort and a magnetic closure, which is great in case you need to get in and out of your bag quickly if you're stopped at a light. An added bonus is each bag is made out of durable cordura, meaning it won't be ripping, scuffing, or tearing on you anytime soon and it's water resistant.

Gear Review: 2XL Colorful Earbuds

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:30:51 -0700

Running with an iPod is as essential to me as a sports bra, but the earbuds that come with it won't stay in my ears unless I'm sitting still. If you have that issue too, then check out 2XL headphones. They have a few different models depending on your ear needs, but the best part is that they're really cheap - $10 to $15 a pair. They come in tons of color combinations so you can get a few pairs to match your fitness outfits and not break the bank.

To hear why I love these earbuds read more.

The earbuds on the right are called Groove ($15), and they're my fave for running since they wrap around the back of your ear and stay put even when doing sprinting intervals. I like that the speaker part just sits outside of the opening to your ear canal, because then I can hear my music, but can also hear what's going on around me - you know, in case a bear sneaks up behind me on the trail.

I also like the Spoke ($15) in-ear buds shown in the middle. Not only because they're metallic pink, but because they fit snugly inside my ears, and are perfect for strength training when I need to hear nothing but Christina Aguilera while doing squats thrusts. These buds come with three sets of changeable gels so you can get a comfortable fit no matter what size ears you have.

The earbuds on the left are called Ratio ($10), and they're just like the earbuds that come with your iPod. So if you prefer this model but are bored with the plain white ones you have, these come in seven different colors to suit your personality.

Check out all the color patterns below.

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Gear Review: Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor With Foot Pod

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:29 -0700

I love training with a heart rate monitor, and Polar is my favorite brand. These days I have been working out with the RS300X ($170). Designed with running in mind, this HRM is great for other sports as well.

For me, the feature that distinguishes this heart rate monitor from others I have used in the past is the big red lap button at the bottom of the watch face. Press it, and the watch saves your stats for that lap, but keeps on recording the rest of your workout. When you're done with your workout, the RS300X breaks down your workout data by lap as well as giving your info on your overall workout. It is great for working out at the track when running repeat distances or when training with negative splits. When combined with the S1 Foot Pod ($130), the heart rate monitor tracks your speed and distance as well - perfect for all the type A runners out there.

For more of my opinion, keep reading.

Gear Review: Ibex Wicking Clothes

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:00:07 -0700

If you're looking for some new wicking gear, then you've got to check out the Balance Seamless Collection made by Ibex. Made from sustainable merino wool and a hint of Spandex, these base layers are soft, stretchy, and flattering. With cooler temperatures heading our way, it is time to think about layering for outdoor exercise.

Pictured on the left is the Balance Sports Top ($59). It has a built-in shelf bra that's great for A through C cup sizes, but only for medium- to low-impact sports. So I wore the Balance Support Bra ($69) underneath for a nice long run. Wearing a bra and top made of wicking material is incredibly comfortable because they pull sweat off your skin and let it breathe; I felt dry and fresh throughout my entire workout. I also love the racerback straps that stayed put on my shoulders. The fabric is seamless, so there weren't any irritating ridges rubbing on my skin. They both fit snugly and contour to your body, keeping everything tight and making you feel supported and strong.

Just when I thought I couldn't be more in love with this bra and top, I looked on the inside and noticed that these words were knitted in the material, "I am sick of four walls and a ceiling. I have a need for the sky. I have business with the grass." Talk about inspiration.

To hear more about the rest of the collection read more.

Check out the pics below to see what other tops and bottoms you can get made of this incredible wicking material. Most of them come in a few different colors so check out the Ibex website for more details. Wicking intimate base layers are a must if you're active because they can prevent rashes, chaffing, and yeast infections. I know these aren't cheap, but isn't your comfort worth it?

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