David and I both love gear, well he loves it more then I do! So why not share the things we love to use with our friends. These are all things I have purchased and use on a regular basis. If at any point in time I am gifted an item to review, I will certainly disclose that.
Salomon In the past, I would find a shoe I love and stick with them. These days I have lots of shoes and I love them all for different reasons. But 2 of my favorite pair are Salomon. The S Lab/Ultra 2 and the XA Elevates (I think these have been discontinued) are the 2 styles I have worn. I have worn both for trail races up to 100K as well as just a causal hike in the woods.
Topo Athletics I really like the mtn racer for super technical terrain and the ultraventures for just about any terrain when you want more cushion. They both have a wide toe box but snug heel and the feel and ride is super comfortable.
Hoka One One I still like my Hoka shoes and find them great when I need super cushion but they have taken a back seat for me on the trail. I wear the Clifton and Bondi road shoes and really like those for pounding the pavement. They are a great company and make a great product.
Orange Mud This is my new go to hydration pack for running. I had an issue with one of my previous packs so after meeting Josh, the CEO, I decided to try the Orange Mud Endurance Pack 4L, V2.0. This pack is incredible. It sits higher on your back them most other hydration packs and that is one of my most favorite things about it. It sits high and tight to your back and whether you have a full bladder or half empty bladder, it does not move one inch. It has tons and I mean tons of storage space and even with it fully loaded it is super comfortable. This is now my go to running hydration pack and I don’t think I will ever look back! Thanks Josh and Orange Mud for making such a great product.
Rudy Project Sunglasses I am extremely picky about sunglasses. They need to fit well, not slide off with sweat or running, not pinch behind the ears and have enough coverage so that I am not looking over the lens when I am in aero position on the bike. Oh and they need to be transition lenses, riding or running during our PNW winters you need to have glasses that are not too dark but provide good protection. That is a lot of criteria and Rudy Project has it all. I purchased my first pair back in 2006 and have used those on a very regular basis until just this year. They weren’t fitting as well after 10+ years and extremely heavy compared to newer glasses. So, I splurged and purchased a brand new pair just prior to racing Kona. That was one of the best decisions I made. They were so comfortable, hugged my face, no pain behind the ears or my head and I could wear them until the sun went down.
SuperFeet Insoles I can’t say enough about this company. Now I have to say that my good friend helped start this company and still works there but I was using them prior to our friendship. I have had many issues with injuries over the years and 2 knee surgeries and finally discovered these insoles. When I first started using them there weren’t not as many options as there are now. They have branched out into sandals and shoes and custom inserts. Not everyone needs insoles but if you do, I would highly recommend them. I wear them in almost all of my shoes these days and find that my feet and legs do so much better with the support. Interested in trying them out, shoot me an email for 25% off.
Hyland’s Homeopathy For full disclosure, Hyland’s has sponsored me for the Boston Marathon (2017,2018) and now I work for them, but that is how much I love this company. I really believe this company has products that work. They believe in a holistic approach to their therapies and have been around since 1903. They make great cramp relief and muscle therapy products as well as many other great products for athletes and the general population. They are also the major sponsor of the Boston Marathon.
Tailwind Nutrition I have a sensitive stomach, I always have. I have tried almost every product on the market and found Tailwind to be the most tolerable. I love the flavors (my favorite is Mandarin Orange), it is easy on my stomach and has done well with me for my long training and racing. It has become my go to nutrition for anything over an hour. The recovery drink is the perfect combination of protein and carbs and has been a game changer for me as far as recovery.
My Spring Energy Along with liquid nutrition I also use “gels”, on occasion. Spring Energy is not your typical gel. It is real food, yes, real food for energy. So no added ingredients that you cant pronounce or recognize. It tastes amazing and is really well tolerated.
Tonik Cycling Not just for cycling!!! I love this brand, it is a female run company out of California that makes clothing for real woman. They are stylish, flattering, wicking, travel well, wash with ease and not just for cycling. I wear my Tonik apparel while running, hiking or even just out to dinner.
This is just the start of my most favorite gear. I will slowly be adding to this and of course the links to purchase these things if you so desire. If there is any gear you want to know more about, just ask as I may have tried it or used it or have it in my bag of tricks.
Tri, Trail, Tabata and Train 