This month’s roundup has a few things to help with that weird summer-to-fall season transition. Think extra layers, sunglasses for those sunny days that may come with a mix of clouds, and even tech gadgets to help with recovery during marathon training.
As always, if you’ve tried something we’ve featured, we’d love to hear your feedback. It helps us keep going and decide what to try out next.
Q2 Ultra Massage Gun
The Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini Massage Gun is the ultimate portable handheld massager for any athlete, especially runners.
I tested this pocket-sized massager for the last two weeks and it became my essential recovery tool to help me through two back-to-back 16-hour-training weeks.
Its compact size, while designed for travel, fits comfortably in my hand, making it easier to control than most other bulky massage guns. Because it also weighs less than a pound, I was able to get precise pressure on my hip without having to weirdly contort my arm or ask my partner to help.
The massager comes with 5 head attachments, one of which is their ‘heat head’ for heat and cold recovery. You simply twist it on like any other attachment and hit the red button for hot and the cold button for cold.
It heats up in no time (and felt incredible on my sore calves). The heat/cold attachment has its own USB-C port for charging, which is separate from the USB-C port on the massage gun. Both charge fully in under 2 hours.
After using it daily for the last 2 weeks, I haven’t had to recharge yet, as it lasts up to 180 minutes of continuous use.
If you’re a sore runner looking for a massage gun that is truly ergonomic, perfect for travel and home, and you respond well to heat and cold therapy, this is for you.
- Battery-powered, USB-C Fast Charging (120 minutes is a full charge)
- FSA-HSA eligible
- Comes with a carrying case and 5 attachments
- Available from Amazon.com for $89 (currently on sale for $75)
-Leslie, Gear Tester
Povec Sunglasses
If you’re looking for sunglasses that can take you from shady trails to full sunshine, these have you covered.
Have you ever been running on a trail with tons of tree coverage where you don’t really need full-on sunglasses, only to pop back out into the sunshine and immediately feel blinded?
That’s where the Povec Sunglasses come in.
They use solid-state electrochromic lenses that let you manually switch between CAT 2 for overcast or lower-light conditions and CAT 3 for bright sunshine. So instead of taking your sunglasses on and off as the light changes, you can simply adjust the lenses.
They’re also super lightweight at just 26g, so you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them!
- Extended outdoor battery life of up to 28 days based on 4 hours of daily use
- IP65 Weather Resistance
- 1-second tint control
- Ultralight TR90 frame
- Available from Povecoptics.com for $249
-Amanda
Shower Pass Cloudburst Jacket
While it hasn’t rained in Colorado in a while, I took the Cloudburst Jacket out for a windy hike.
It did a great job of keeping the wind from cutting through, which I really appreciated, especially while walking around the lake where there wasn’t much protection when the wind whipped.
One thing I did notice was that I didn’t feel like I had full range of motion while wearing it. Because of that, I’m not sure this is a jacket I would personally reach for while running.
Since it’s designed as a shell, I was also a little worried it would start to feel super hot once I worked up a sweat. Thankfully, the built-in side vents helped a lot. I unzipped them slightly as I warmed up, which helped get some extra airflow without needing to take the jacket off.
I think this will be a great outer layer for winter hiking, especially once we finally get some snow!
The overall fit isn’t super form-fitting, which gives you plenty of room to add a few layers underneath if you’re grabbing this for the colder winter months.
One thing it’s missing is a hood, which would be a nice addition when the rain starts coming down. Keep that in mind, and make sure to grab a hat before heading out the door.
- Sizes: S-XXXL
- Colors: 2
- Fully waterproof
- Available from Showerpass.com for $239
Patagonia Light Gust Hooded Pullover
This pullover from Patagonia is a super lightweight layer that works well when you need a little extra warmth but don’t want to lug around a bulky jacket.
It’s an easy option for walks, hikes, and even athleisure when you head out but still want to be comfy. There’s enough room to add 1-2 layers underneath and still stay comfortable.
The hood is a nice added feature, especially if the weather changes while you’re out and about.
Dress it up with jeans and sneakers, or keep it in your car for when you’re cold post-run heading to get some brunch.
- Sizes: 5
- Colors: XS-XL
- Available from Patagonia.com for $289
Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Mid Layer
We love the fabric of this pullover because it’s cozy enough to keep you warm, but it still has plenty of airflow when you start to work up a sweat.
The full-zip design also makes it easy to adjust as you warm up or cool down again. The slim-fit design makes it the perfect mid-layer to throw on under your winter jacket or even a rain/wind shell.
It’s another perfect piece of gear you can dress up or keep for outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and maybe some light running on those more wintry days.
Because it’s slimmer-fitting than other Patagonia pieces, you may want to double-check the sizing and size up if you want a more relaxed fit.
- Sizes: XS- XXL
- Colors: 5
- Available from REI.com starting at $165
There you have it, our October gear round-up! We hope you found something new to try out.
What to read next?
- Runner Fall Style Guide: Athleisure Picks That Work Out and Stand Out
- Glow in the Dark Running Shoes Look Cool, But There’s a Catch
- G Gradual Gear Review: Affordable Activewear That Actually Performs
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