forum

Welcome, Guest
Please Login or Register. Lost Password?

Go to bottom

Page: 1

TOPIC: Running Gear

Forum Tools

Daddy Clay

Running Gear 1 Year, 5 Months ago
Post here your reviews and thoughts on all kinds of running, walking and hiking gear. Do you use and MP3 player? A GPS? Discussions of favorite shoes and other gear is welcome.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 5 Months ago

I started this topic basically so I could bitch about the iPod case that I bought six weeks ago that has already fallen apart. I paid $30 damn bucks for a Sportband V6 for iPod Nano 5G from Nike, and the thing is already headed for the dump. The seams on the pocket for the device have already split, and the velcro is already peeling off.

I know I use the thing a fair amount (25 mi/wk), but nothing crazy, and it fell apart in 6 weeks! I sweat a lot, but it's Texas!

I run in nike shoes, I love their running clothes top to bottom, and like the Nike+ system and website a ton, but this thing is a POS.

EVen though I don't run far enough to justify it, I may go for one of those goofy fanny hydration thingies. Good for my Sunday 10 milers, and it would give me a place for the iPod. And it's not like I don't look goofy already.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 5 Months ago

I've gone on my first run with my Nathan Trail Mix Waist Pack, and I have to say that my first impression is very positive. The fit was snug, nothing was sloshing around. It was easy to remove and drink from the bottles (I only filled one).

I've still got to find the right spot to stow my iPod, but there are plenty of little compartments in the small bag. I'm sure that I'll work out those details.

I'm also looking forward to using the tiny cords on the waist band to store gloves and hats on cold mornings. Can't wait for cold mornings.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

DaddyRoger

Re:Running Gear 1 Year, 5 Months ago
The new 2G iPod shuffle at $49 sounds like a good one to have for jogging although you might not have the Nike + pedometer feature on it. The new nano is also super small but that means shelling out more $$$ I have trouble finding a place to put my iPhone while I bike.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

chris_f

Re:Running Gear 1 Year, 5 Months ago
Buxton has a belt-attachable wallet/phone holder that could do the trick for holding your iphone while you bike.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

beskrowni

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 5 Months ago

i also got one of these waist packs recently. in general, i'm kind of running minimalist: shoes, socks, shorts - maybe a visor if i'm going to be in the sun. (i'm in austin too, so it's not very often that you need a shirt...) but since i've let myself get out of shape recently, i'm no longer capable of running 5 miles in this heat without some hydration. i really expected to have to tolerate the waist band, but i barely notice it. really the most noticeable thing is if you put cold liquids in your bottles, they'll drip condensation all over your butt for the first 10-15 minutes of your run. so anyway, i too am a fan of the nathan waist pack.

as for the electronics, i got nothing...

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Troy

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 5 Months ago

I use the Amphipod RunLite 4. I like it because I can add or subtract water bottles as well as the velcro pack. Also, the bottles clip in and out with pressure without having to latch or harness the water bottles. So for a light run I just use one bottle, but for a heavy one two or three. Luckily in Austin RunTex provides hydration stations on the main running trail and so I seldom go to 4.

I did not think I would like a belt, but i got used to it pretty quickly.

www.amphipod.com/products_a/products.html
This image is hidden for guests. Please login or register to see it.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

pfanndad

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 5 Months ago

I don't do electronics or water packs...
But I also am not running more than three miles at a time at this point, so I don't feel I need it.
Hopefully someday I'll work up to longer runs and need to bring some music or water along.

But as I say that, for those of you that listen to music on outdoor runs, do you feel your safe?
Do you think that not being able to hear things around you compromises you at all?
Just wondering.

And then there's my RoadID. Very important gear.
But here's a piece of advice...
Never off-handedly tell your child, in front of your spouse, that you need your RoadID back so that they can identify you on the side of the road.
They don't like that, even thought that's why you wear it.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 5 Months ago

Interesting article in WSJ about GPS running apps for iPhone. Even with the new pack, I'm not sure that I feel good about running with my iPhone. I think I would really geek out on a GPS running program -- I really hope that the rumor about a GPS enabled version of Nike+ is true. I would be tempted to run with my iPhone, once I make sure that the pocket in back of my back doesn't soak through.

I like the idea of running with a phone from a safety POV (see @pfanndad re: RoadID -- LOL), but I don't like protective cases -- don't even have a free bumper on my Death Grip iPhone 4.

If I'd waited another week before buying my pack, I might have gone for the new clip-on Nano, but too late now. My rig is set for the moment.

As far as music goes, I actually listen to books, which my wife says is odd, but I feel like I kill two birds with one stone. I subscribe to Audible, and go through about one book per month this way. Some of my listening recs are here. I run early mornings and trails so I've never felt it was very dangerous.

I may switch back to music when I start race training in November.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 4 Months ago

About a month ago, I got a little tired of my Sony behind the neck earphones popping out of my ears. They served well for over 8 months of hard use, but I wanted a more snug fit.

After lots of research, I decided on another pair of behind-the-neck headphones: the PMX80 SPort Series II from Sennheiser. The brand name was familiar from our wireless mics at DadLabs, so I assumed high quality. I liked that the ear units were waterproof (you can rinse them under water), and that users found the fit to be snug.

On my first run, I found the plastic on the frame to be sharp and uncomfortable, but got used to it because I liked how they fit snugly in my ears. The fidelity was fine, with more bass response than the Sony set they replaced, but nothing fantastic.

A couple of weeks later, the downside of the fit became clear. At the risk of being gross, on longer runs, my ears filled with sweat causing a distracting thumping noise.

Then this week, after less than a month of use at about 25 miles/wk the cord developed a short near the plug. The sound began cutting in and out with every stride -- a major bummer. I almost went on the Apple boards to find out what was wrong with my iPhone 4 before testing the phones on another iPod.

Anything marketed as "sport" phones should last much better than these. On the upside, Amazon is sending a replacement pair right out. Glad this problem didn't show up a week later of I would be SOL.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
1 Year, 2 Months ago

Weird glitch in my iPhone 4 Nike+ GPS rig made my morning run pretty frustrating. I was going for a long one -- 12 miles -- to prep for the Dallas Half Marathon in two weeks.

I was running on the trail around Lady Bird lake, when at about mile 8 the app suddenly had me rocketing down Congress avenue all the way to the Capitol and back (2miles) in about a minute. Then it tracked me normally for the rest of the run.

Not a big deal, but now the goofy miles have screwed up all the PRs recorded on the Nike+ website. My fastest mile is now 20 seconds. 5K and 10k are equally screwed up.

I can fix it by deleting the run, but I have to sacrifice the 11.5 miles that I actually ran. I hate giving up my miles! But I like my stats to be accurate. A conundrum.

I have also bought a new running gizmo. I want to be able to check in on my pace more easily, so I got a Nike+ Sportband. I haven't used it yet, but I'm already concerned that it doesn't have a backlight. I run in the dark of morning a lot, and if there is no backlight, the thing is going to be pretty useless.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
9 Months, 2 Weeks ago

My quest to find good running headphones has become downright sisyphean. I've been through a variety of products from Sony and Sennheiser, and all have failed, some miserably, some slightly less so.

I finally thought I had the issue beat with a set of Yurbud Ironman headphones that I bought at a running expo. These are allegedly made specifically for long distance runners and guaranteed not to fall out. Which they did, at mile 10 of my half-marathon and created a huge distraction for me at a critical time in my run. (I'll never race with headphones again).

But thought they would still be good to train in (I listen to audiobooks). But they crapped out in only three months.

If ANYONE knows of headphones not from Sony, Sennheiser or Yurbud that work, let me know. My quest continues.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

dougj

Re:Running Gear 9 Months, 2 Weeks ago
I use a pair I got from wal-mart. They came with 3 different sizes of jelly buds that fit over the earbud. I've never had them fall out. Been using them for over a year now. I think they were about 10 bucks. Snow, pouring rain, sweat...no issues.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
9 Months, 2 Weeks ago

I'm using the rubber ends off the yurbuds on a pair of apple headphones for the time being and that works okay.

I'm just amazed at the number of headphones marketed as "sport" develop shorts and problems around the plug, probably as a result of movement during a run. Shouldn't that be priority 1 in design?

Well, I've got a whole simplicity initiative with my running gear. I'm dumping all "minimal" shoes, going with one pair of no-frills trainers and that's that. I've been sending the wrong message to my kids with all this running "stuff."

The administrator has disabled public write access.

dougj

Re:Running Gear
9 Months, 2 Weeks ago

Yeah the Jelly buds are smaller than the apple ones and the different sized adapters fit well. Worth checking out for the price.

I'm kind of going the same way when it comes to gear. I briefly delved into minimalist shoes (nike+ free) but honestly I found I got tired faster and my hips ached. So I'll stick with my trusty Nike Pegasus.
Shoes, nike+ sportband. That's basically all I need. I've given up on using the iphone to track my runs so I just use it as an ipod. I was kind of against it but I figure should anything happen a phone is a good thing to have.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay

Re:Running Gear
9 Months, 2 Weeks ago

The Yurbud customer service folks got back to me after a day or so (I started making a stink on Twitter) and are sending replacements. So I'll give them another "interval" to see if they hold up better.

I'm a Nike Pegasus fan as well. I've been through 3 pairs. My only disappointment was with the Livestrong version. The heel construction of the upper was different and put weird pressure on my achilles (which I suspect contributed to an injury). I handed those down to my son (*sigh*) and switched to Lunar Eclipse, which are fancier but I've had to superglue pieces of the tread back on, so now they squeak in an odd way.

I'll go back to Pegasus for my next pair and stick with them. I'm going to start wearing my Frees and my Merrill trail shoes as my everyday work shoes. I think that might help build the strength in my feet, and I'll get some wear out of the shoes. But my minimalist experiment is concluded.

So for me essential gear is Nathan hydration pack, a good hat, iPod and Nike+ and (soon) Nike Pegasus.

The administrator has disabled public write access.

Go to top

Page: 1

Powered by Kunena

get the latest posts directly to your desktop

New Live Show

Catch the latest episode of DadLabs Live.
Every Thursday at 1pm CST

example_live_show

Broadcasted live from DadLabs World HQ. Good News Dad News brings you the latest parenting news, reviews and hot topics.

Recent Video

Dad 2.0 Summit

Episode 843. Daddy Clay talks to Doug French, co-f... more

CES Parent Edition

CES Parent Edition

CES Parent Edition - Episode 842. Daddy Clay and D... more

Recent Forum

Bilobed Placenta

Hi everyone. My wife and I went in for our second trimester ultrasound a couple days ago. She got a call this afternoon from her... more

Betting on Baby

Alright DadLab Community Members! It's time for Birthday Roulette! The Preggars (Our own Daddy Danny and Mommy Miranda) are "of... more

Recent Blog

Why Reading About Parenting is Bad for You

Reading parenting columns is a dangerous business. You should go back to playing Fruit Nin… more

Preggers Take Over Live Show

Miranda and I are taking over the DadLabs Live Show on February 15 at 2pm CST/ 3pm EST… more