Forums >Gears and Wears>Best & Worst 2012 Purchases
not lazy, just tired
Best running; Newton Gravity shoes for pavement, Saucony Peregrine 2 for trails. Love them both.
Provisional best non-running: Strolz ski boots. I've never had ski boots that fit and didn't kill my oddly shaped feet. I have high hopes that, with a couple of tweaks, these will be the ones.
Not sure about a worst. Compression socks, maybe. Not so much because they're so terrible, but because I've only used them once. Kind of forgot about them.
Not if it makes sense.
Best Stuff: $1.59 – “all purpose” Rite Aid cotton gloves – worn for 15 miles of Baystate $2.67 – 3oz tube of petroleum jelly - every long run, every rainy day, every tropically humid day (lasted the whole year) $0.79 – 2 foot length of 1.5inch pvc pipe – use as roller $1.00 – 1 pair Hanes crew socks – used as arm sleeves for Baystate $11.99 – Advanced Marathoning, Pfitzinger $12 - runningahead.com subscription+donation - please, a dollar a month for this? steal. Worst: $30ish bucks - Compression socks.
Best Stuff:
$1.59 – “all purpose” Rite Aid cotton gloves – worn for 15 miles of Baystate
$2.67 – 3oz tube of petroleum jelly - every long run, every rainy day, every tropically humid day (lasted the whole year)
$0.79 – 2 foot length of 1.5inch pvc pipe – use as roller
$1.00 – 1 pair Hanes crew socks – used as arm sleeves for Baystate
$11.99 – Advanced Marathoning, Pfitzinger
$12 - runningahead.com subscription+donation - please, a dollar a month for this? steal.
Worst:
$30ish bucks - Compression socks.
This list reminds me to mention band-aids.
rectumdamnnearkilledem
You guys that are recommending the "Buff"s. Any particular model or type that you recommend. There are about a zillion opitions, uv, polar, wool, tubular, bandana, original, reflective, slim fit, insect shield, etc., etc.
You guys that are recommending the "Buff"s.
Any particular model or type that you recommend. There are about a zillion opitions, uv, polar, wool, tubular, bandana, original, reflective, slim fit, insect shield, etc., etc.
I like the UV ones in lieu of a hat and for under bike helmets. The merino is great for Winter...makes a nice neck gaiter or hat.
Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to
remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.
~ Sarah Kay
Best: Patagonia Women's Light Flyer Jacket - a lightweight, Gore-tex running jacket. It's been keeping me bone-dry in light to moderate rain here in the PacNW. It lists for $280, but I got for $100 (no tax, no shipping) on eBay. It's turned running in the rain from practically torturous to only mildly annoying.
Worst? No purchase, but friends gave us a (hand-me-down) running stroller which is a nightmare. I believe it's the Kelty Joyrider. Steer clear!
I don't really have any running purchases from this year that disappointed me. My best recent purchase is some Smart Wool socks. I've heard so many people rave about them that I finally gave in and bought a pair. I can't believe how warm AND dry they keep my feel! They are crazy good, I will need to buy more soon so I don't have to keep rewashing the same pair so frequently.
Best running-related: The parts to build a heat-exchanger hot water shower for my van, so I can camp at races but still take a steaming hot shower after a trail run or race. The thing paid for itself after 3 nights of not staying in a hotel.
Best non-running: A rental property near Boulder. Should be a nice income-generator.
Worst purchase: Hmmm. I don't buy much, so I don't really feel like a made a poor purchase this year.
Best Present Ever
Best: RunningAHEAD subscription and Bluff (amazing how this little piece of cloth is so handy). Worst: ASICS running socks that were advertised as "water wicking". Didn't help my sweat-soaked feet this summer. Not from 2012, but 2011: Icebreaker wool long-sleeve running shirt -- wear 6 runs a week, wash 1/week. NO STINK!
Best: RunningAHEAD subscription and Bluff (amazing how this little piece of cloth is so handy).
Worst: ASICS running socks that were advertised as "water wicking". Didn't help my sweat-soaked feet this summer.
Not from 2012, but 2011: Icebreaker wool long-sleeve running shirt -- wear 6 runs a week, wash 1/week. NO STINK!
I wear my icebreaker to run in *and* to work -- though I usually wash it in between the two activities. I love my ice breaker. Wore an Ice Breaker short sleeved T to Nicaragua and it has been awesome here, too.
BexKix, Bagel Defender
I wear the original the most: hot and cool weather. I originally bought it to cover my nose/mouth during cold (wind chill below 10*F) runs and it works well there, too. I can't stand much of anything covering my nose/mouth but needed something to continue run on those colder days. Wouldn't you know the last 2 winters have been mild, so I've only gotten to test it once, but seems to work well.
I think the 2nd is a polar buff. Also nice, but I use the other much more.
I have another best. I bought a Spibelt months ago but never used it until yesterday on my run/commute. I fit all the stuff I needed for work in that tiny little belt. And, it didn't move around or otherwise annoy me. Awesome!
My blog is JT Running DC. It's awesome. Guide to Washington DC Area Running Routes. Guide to the New York City Marathon. Guide to the Boston Marathon. Guide to Running Gear. Guide to Running Clothes.
Smashy!!!
Best acquisition (via bday): Garmin 410.
Worst purchase: Brooks Nightlife Reflective Arm Bands (Drivers just don't look and/or care).
PRs: 21:35 (5K); 1:46:46 (HM); 4:30:46 (FM)
Worst running purchase - Gu, I just hate the stuff. Can't do it.
You don't like the taste of chocolate frosting (Have you tried that flavor?) ?! Personally I can't really do any other flavor, but "Chocolate Outrage" indeed tastes like I am eating the frosting off a birthday cake at mile 8 of a run... Yum. :-)
The Plan '15 → /// "Run Hard, Live Easy." ∞
Haven't purchased much else besides sox and shoes.
I thought the Sox hadn't been purchasable since 1919.... ?
(Chicago White Sox)
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backbeat Bluetooth headphones......not made for small ears/women. And they broke right away. Replaced them with arriva leos and love them! Also compression leggings and socks are another fav! Oh! And my newtons