The sun’s out, the temps are climbing, and our tester crew has been hard at work. Okay, maybe having a little fun too, trying out some new gear.
This month’s lineup is packed with goodies to help you make the most of longer days and warmer miles. Whether you’re logging runs, lounging on vacation, or just soaking up the sunshine, we’ve got something here for you.
Let’s see what fun things the team was able to test this month. And if you end up trying any of it, we want to hear what you think, too!
SMITH Westward Sunglasses
When it comes to eyewear, I’ve always considered myself pretty basic. For casual use, I’m either in a pair of Wayfarers or Aviators. Since I received this pair of Smith Optics Westward sunglasses, it’s rare to catch them not on my face or dangling from my shirt collar…when the sun is out, of course.
Smith uses a trademarked technology they call Chromapop to enhance color clarity and definition by filtering out color wavelength crossovers. If you don’t really understand what that means, you’re probably not alone.
Simply put, when you put them on, you really see the world through rose-colored lenses, and in this case, that’s a good thing. Colors all around are richer and warmer, yet still brighter.
The Westward is versatile and durable enough to wear during sunny long runs. Their Megol nose pads securely hold them against the sweatiest of noses over long miles.
Despite being a medium fit with small coverage, the Westward fits my size 8+ head really well. The tortoise frames combine with the polarized opal lenses for a sleek, blacked-out look.
According to Smith, they block out 100% of harmful UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, while simultaneously keeping other runners from noticing I’m checking out what shoes they’re wearing.
- Available from Smithoptics.com for $165-$200 (depending on the style)
- 8 colors available
-Tim, Gear Tester
BodyBio Balance Oil – Plant Based Omega’s
For our plant-based runners, this is a great way to meet that balance of Omega 3’s and 6’s, which we know are important for health. Instead of fish oil, this one contains flaxseed oil and safflower oil.
IT’S HUGELY beneficial to your overall health to keep omega’s in balance. Most of us consume far more 6’s which is part what creates inflammation (not like the good kind from your workout).
The name Balance Oil is important because you do actually need a specific ratio of these two fats for optimal health and most people are actually getting too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3 (4:1 ratio is ideal).
Omega 6’s can help reduce joint pain, reduce inflammation, and even help with weight loss.
BodyBio Discount Code: AMANDA25 for 25% off
- 180 softgels available from Bodybio.com for $42
- 60 softgels available from Bodybio.com for $20
-Amanda
Biolite Dash 450 Running Headlamp
Sometimes a gear upgrade solves a problem you didn’t know you had. That has been my experience with the Dash 450 USB-C Rechargeable Running Headlamp from BioLite.
The brand doesn’t specialize in running or athletic apparel; in fact, it’s a social enterprise dedicated to renewable energy. But this piece of gear was designed specifically with runners in mind, and it has broken into my essentials kit in a big way.
The Dash 450 offers high-performance illumination in a lightweight wearable designed to stay in place at any pace. Once I tested it out, I knew I’d never be going back to my old camping headlamp for anything more rigorous than a gentle stroll.
While the Dash 450 isn’t completely weightless or bounce-proof, it certainly gets closer than any other headlamp I’ve used. Weighing just 78 grams, it’s built to feel like you’re not even wearing it.
The slender front light unit lies almost flat (10mm thick), and while the back one is bulkier, I still don’t notice it much. The size is a little finicky to adjust, but unless you’re rocking a range of different hairstyles, that’s pretty much a one-and-done process.
The band stays in place comfortably, the main bulb has 5 brightness and strobe options to choose from, and there’s a rear red light and reflective strips all around for added visibility. Built to meet runners’ needs, this headlamp is significantly less bounce-prone and allows for more customization than the single-switch headlamp I was using previously.
- Available from Rei.com for $60
- 3 colors available
- One size fits all
-Maia, Gear Tester
GoHydrate Passionfruit Hydration Mix
Warmer temps are here, and for runners, that can mean extra sweaty summer runs.
We lose electrolytes through sweat, so it’s important to replace them as we rehydrate. Go Hydrate’s drink mix contains five essential electrolytes- calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium- as well as 40% of your daily value of Vitamin D, all in a single serve packet.
I tried the passionfruit flavor and found it to be a sweet and refreshing additive. The packets are smaller than some other brands but are big on flavor. G
o Hydrate recommends adding a packet to 16-20 oz of water. I added one to my 24 oz water bottle and would have preferred something a little more mild.
Overall, it’s a great way to add a little extra flavor to your water while replenishing electrolytes to help keep you feeling your best during those hot summer days.
- A variety pack is available from Amazon.com for $32.
-Stephanie, Gear Tester
Pushpül Flex 3 Fitness Slides
As a runner, you should consider yourself lucky if your feet aren’t, at the very least, occasionally visited by the ghosts of plantar fasciitis past, or the ghost of some other recurring nagging ailment.
If you are one of the accursed, the Flex 3 Fitness Slides from Pushpul might be an option for relief.
Pushpul claims their doctor-designed slides stretch and strengthen your feet as you walk.
The lower arch support combined with a firm rubber heel ball and meta pad work together to break up stiff, hardened tissue, release compressed nerves and restore healthy blood flow so you can walk pain-free.
It is recommended to wear them for 15 to 20 minutes a day for the first 3 days to let your feet get used to the stretch before moving on to wear them as often as you’d like.
The first few days were a bit uncomfortable. After 4 days of wearing them while preparing breakfast and cleaning up after dinner the ache that recently started to resurface in my left heel seems to be gone.
The very apparent heel ball is now less apparent, and I was able to wear them for a quick grocery shopping trip after a long run, so that’s a win.
-Tim, Gear Tester
Baleaf Horizon Twist Knot Short Sleeve Tee
The Horizon Twist Knot Short Sleeve Tee was a surprise hit for me! I don’t normally lean towards crop tops these days, but I find myself throwing this one on repeatedly in the weeks since I first tried it out. I found this shirt to be light enough for a run but fitted enough for a gym lifting session, something I felt confident moving around in.
This lightweight tech tee looks like a basic workout shirt, but it has a twist knot design on both sides. This simple addition makes this top look more tailored and expensive than just a plain white tee, and it cinches in the waist at just the right spot on my athletic frame.
The shirt itself is made of moisture-wicking polyester with the bonus of UPF-50 sun protection for your outdoor adventures. It would be a perfect top for any sport in the Spring and Summer, and its simple design makes it a solid basic to pair with any athleisure outfit.
- Available from Amazon.com for $25
- 4 colors available
- Sizing goes from XS-XXL
-Coral, Gear Tester
Is there a piece of gear you’ve been dying to know about or an area you’d love to see us focus on? You know the drill, drop a note below and we’ll be happy to get the team on it if we can!
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