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In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Have some fun in the travel section.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
In Maine we have to deal with lots of cold weather. My coldest run was -15 deg F. That was cold. My coldest bike is right around 0 and that was for 2.5hrs long. Even today it was 10deg for my bike ride. My coldest race was a winter triathlon which was -10 deg F. at the start which was a run then a bike, then a ski.
The worst cold I’ve experienced started off as a ride in light rain in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m not sure what possessed our group to climb 7 miles to the ridgeline but by the time we got to the top, it was snowing(!) and visibility was almost zero. I turned around but between being wet and under-dressed for the cold, I ended up being hypothermic by the end of the long descent. It took over an hour in a cafe at the bottom to stop shivering. I’ve been in colder temps, but never so miserable or scared.
Yesterday I ran a fartlek session on icy streets… it was just -5°C, but it was the only way to work out: run when you can, slow down on ice, try not to break a leg, run to keep yoursefl warm! Enjoyable in its own way :-)
My coldest run was probably around -5C, but coupled with pouring rain (what was I thinking?) I was absolutely numb by the end. I generally tend to be fine when running at cold temperatures, though, even if it’s below freezing… cycling is far harder due to the wind chill and I’d far rather hit the turbo than go out!
well, it did get down to 61degrees last night here in Miami. brrrrr!!
During my vacations, on February 2010, to Minnesota running at 10F make me feel like my toes gonna explode. I live in sunny Florida but born and raised in Puerto Rico anything below 60F is way tooooooo coooold.
Coldest run was just an easy run in Nepal around the base of K2. The run was in September of last year. Insanely cold, i have no recorded temperature but i had to wear two huge hardshell jackets to maintain my core temperature. I experienced strong winds, sun, rain and then the day ended off with snow (which is not unusual for that region). I had to change footwear throughout the 3hr run and couldn’t even feel the insides of my thighs by the end!!
Ran in 0 degrees F with 30 mph winds and snow. I ended up with icicles on my eyebrows.
Not too cold in Brisbane Australia, but my coldest ride would have been at 4 deg C ,minus windchill! The ride to Dayboro in winter is a chilly one!
Some minutes ago I ran to the fridge only to took out a very cold beer!
My coldest run was around 25 F. It definitely wasn’t the coldest one on here, but it was one of my best runs. Something about not feeling my hands for the first mile really motivated me to run fast so I could warm up. First mile was about 45 seconds faster than my previous best, and after that ego boost, I couldn’t slow down. Six miles later I found out I could be drenched in sweat in below freezing weather! Fantastic motivation to keep getting out in the NYC cold snap we’re having.
I’ve learned that if you have the right equipment, running in the cold is a lot of fun. It’s just you against the elements.
Today. No question.
I don’t mind running in the cold (maybe 1 degree F at the lowest), but when it’s dark and icy, I get a bit nervous.
Coldest run? So many to choose from but the winner is because of WINDCHILL. Nearly froze all the important bits off. Tough 16 miles but got through them… Barely!
Pikes Peak Colorado, November 2001…-18 degrees celsius; knobbly knees and goosebumps on that day!
I went to a relay race with some of my friends. I was the first guy running and it started snowing just 10 minutes before the start. I was there on shorts and T-shirt stoically waiting on the start like under heavy snow.
When I was half my course (longest distance from the start) I heard on the announcement that it was cancelled ‘because it was too dangerous and cold’ . Damn it, if I stop running I would freeze, if I continue running I looked like an idiot who did not hear the announcement.
Recent memories from skiing in -16, brr. Just a few days ago in Oslo.
My coldest was around -5F. Wool socks help!
When I first moved to Park City, Utah, I did a very cold run in the snow.
I went running in -10 one night up at a ski resort. Should have gone skiing instead.
Coldest swim, 11 degree water in Wellington harbour. Some pretty cold runs in Glasgow Scotland in the snow but not often below zero.
Every time I ride my feet are freezing. That’s about exciting is against
Every time I ride my feet are freezing. That’s about exciting as its gets.
Training for Octobers Ironman World Champs in Australias wonderful winter of discontent was worth it. Run taking of in integrated nylon shorts and undies returning with a blue knob….very painful in the shower to warm up after ouch. Ride got smarter full Tyvec suit…bugger blue frozen feet from sweat collecting at ankles and leaking into shoes, shivering. Swim was 6 degree in my local lake 2 swim caps to stop ice-cream headaches and washing up gloves to fix frostbite fingers, six days later 26 degree water in Hawaii…thought I was crook, came out sweating
Besides both my 301 and 305 have died dishonourable deaths..by just stop working, would love to see the 910’s reliability without the outlay
Hahaha warning do not subscribe to replys Hooly Dooly Ray you have a big job thanks for the promotion…some good reads about the freeze Global colding at it’s finest
a few days ago here in WI it was about -14ºF with a windchill of -34ºF. oh yeah, and the wind was gusting to about 45mph. we call that a ‘two pair of tights’ day. the look on the people’s faces running on the treadmills at the YMCA as i ran past was priceless!
Coldest run was years ago in CT. It was nighttime, I had yaktracks on my shoes and kept having to break the ice off the bandanna over my mouth because it kept getting to heavy to stay on..
I ran in after 20 degree temps training for the Tough Mudder in Pa. It was not fun but once I warmed up it was ok.
Every time I ride my feet are freezing. That’s about exciting as its gets. P
Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever experienced was summer in San Francisco. Running in micro climates there when expecting it to be nice and warm was the big surprise cold run!
10 degrees Fahrenheit in Wisconsin this last week, not including windchill. I thought running would be a good idea. It was not. I couldn’t feel my toes until the next day at work.
This week’s frigid temperatures in the Northeast (NY here) did NOT stop the training routine. Though most of it was indoor. The short walks from parking lot to gym door at 6am in 5F temperatures reminded me of the coldest run… a year go almost! Rockefeller Estate Park in Sleepy Hollow, NY. The morning after the year’s only big snowfall, I was getting ready for my tri team’s weekly Sunday morning run when a string of emails came in: “too much snow”, “going back to bed, sorry guys”, “too cold out”, etc. Even Coach bailed! (that’s alright, I’ll give him one free pass!). I laced up and hit the trails. Alone. On a popular trail where one usually passes many runners I was the only runner on the trails, trekking through about 4-inches of snow. The pace was slow, my toes were frozen and my balaclava was crusted with ice. But it was the best run ever. Everything was white, and so peaceful. A beautiful run!
Happy training everyone! And thanks for a great blog, Ray.
10K run in high teens (F), got frosts on my beanie after my run.
Walking home from the swimming pool with wet hair (read: massive afro) mid winter only to realize I didn’t have my keys…
60 mile ride in 42* Seattle rain. No booties. Stopped at 40ish miles and spent $75 on a pair of neoprene booties which are now my favorite piece of riding gear, hands down. Loves me some warm toes!
Coldest run occurred today 18km in -24C (-34 with windchill).
My coldest run this year involved temps in the high 30’s, which realistically isn’t that cold. But when you grow up in the deep south anything below 40 degrees is a cold day! Needless to say, I don’t enjoy those runs!
My coldest run was on an Alaskan cruise as we were nearing the Mendenhall Glacier. I was training for a half marathon, so I ran each day on the little track around the top deck of the ship. As we neared the Glacier, the outside temperature quickly dropped to about 20F. My body is used to Texas winters, so this felt much colder than the thermometer indicated.
Went for a run two days ago, in Wisconsin. -20 degree wind chill. My feet were blocks of ice, but the rest of me made it through nicely.
-24C windchill, last Dec 30th 5K Resolution Run on Mount Royal in Montreal. Was wearing almost every piece of running clothing I own but started the marathon training season on the right foot. Was also very proud of my wife for completing her “Learn To Run” program with her target 5K race!
I am sure I have run in colder, but on Wed ran in 20deg with wind chill in single digits. Up to this point, I have run in shorts with a single long sleeve layer; Wed, I doubled up on pants, tops (1 w/ fleece liner) and gloves, but it felt great to be outside once I got going.
Coldest run was recently – it was 26F and I was under dressed. Couldn’t feel my face when I got back.
It’s not a traditional run, but it was the coldest time I was running/sprinting. I used to deliver newspapers in NYC and I got called into work when it was in the negative teens (at best) with the wind chill. I had no sleep, no gloves, and no layers, so the cold was a good motivator: I ran real fast from building to building!
after reading about 100 of the above posts,my ride / sunday training last year .. in the mist.. at 17 degrees, followed by a 1 mile brick… seems like “a walk on a spring day” … live work ride in the dc area… probably see many of the folks around here often, only a few of us are crazy enough to run sligo and crescent trail with snow onthe ground… less of us are nutty enough to still ride our tri bikes in the mess… but how else can we train?
cheers
Started run commuting this year to work…..so wouldn’t normally head out in the cold….but having to work got me out the door…… would have to say last week with -17.5 °C without the windchill….
I am a fairly new swimmer and just learned to swim last year (when it was warm). I have been afraid to swim in the outdoor pool at my fitness center. My friends were all saying how it wouldn’t be that bad once I got into the water. I arrived and all the pool deck furniture was FROZEN over?!?!? Not bad, really?
Mountain biking in New Zealand with hands so frozen that changing gears or braking hurts. It definitely makes for an interesting ride down the hill though.
Coldest run was a 6 miler along Alki on a windy cold seattle day. Burrrrrr!
I can’t remember the temperature, but it was on my birthday one year. It was also snowing, which made it all the more interesting. Thanks for the opportunity!
Frozen fingers, frozen tummy (it’s still a bit large, but down 60 lbs from the start), and frozen rear … I don’t like it, but I dislike the treadmill more …
Longhorn 2013 in Austin. It was FREEZING before the swim…I’ve never seen that many people excited to get into a lake
Years ago after finishing my first marathon chicken broth saved the day! It wasn’t the coldest day (30F-35F) but I never felt as cold as I did at the finish that day.
During college we were competing against BYU in Provo, Utah. It finally got into the body-stinging 20’s as it began to snow. It was postponed until BYU was coming out to compete against us (SDSU) later in the season.
My coldest run was on the casablanca beach. It was raining and windy (a lot) but instead of going back to home, I keep up and swam in the end. It was so cold that I had to run a second time to get warmer.
MS Century Ride: 40s and cold, cold rain all day. They made the century riders eat lunch outside only to find out the 5 miles later the 60 milers got to eat in a nice warm gym.
A few years ago on a winter trip down the south of Western Australia, my swim squad decided it would be fun to award points throughout the trip to either the “boys team” or the “girls team”. Inevitably, a challenge was issued of who would swim from the beach to a little pier about 200m away through water that would have been at most 10deg C! If that wasnt bad enough, no one thought of how we would get out of our speedos and back to the warmth of our clothes. In the end we had to run about 500m on pavement with bare feet and no clothes back to the car with about 5deg C outside!
Fair to say as a swimmer (recently turned triathlete), thats the coldest run Ive ever done (and hope to ever do).
Anytime the temp drops into the negatives, I get chilly and pedal faster.
I don’t have any fancy exotic stories like you all, but I remember recently we were at my brother in-laws and, well, after some beers and cards, I ran out of cash. It was about 15 outside and I REALLY wanted to keep playing, so I ran about 2 miles round trip without dressing appropriately(I was in shorts and a T-shirt) to the nearest bank.
Upon arrival back to the house, everyone was curious where I had been for the last 15 minutes(I’m slow, ok) and I told them I went to the bank. They then asked where the money was, and well, when I got to the bank, the ATM machine was out of service. A quick check on my phone told me that the nearest bank and ATM was 3 miles, and 6 total dressed that way was NOT going to happen! If I win this watch, I promise I’ll have a better story! I teach school, and every year have a goal of $5,000 for our Jump Rope For Heart and tell them if we meet the goal myself and the principal will go swim in the pond across the street.
That’s it, that’s as exciting as I can be.
My story is fairly simple. Visiting my family over Christmas in Northern Virginia, I went for a run. It was a little chillier than usual, and there had been some flurries earlier in the day. Shortly after I started running, it started to snow. Initially I was worried that I would get cold, but it wasn’t an issue as it turned out. The problem started after I’d been out for twenty or so minutes, and it switched to sleet. Not as much fun, but still doable. Fifteen minutes later, the cold water penetrated the various layers of clothing (I didn’t bring a shell on the trip…big mistake), and it became miserable!
Back home during winter break about 10 years ago we had wind chill advisories in Northern Minnesota. I ignored them and went out in -30 windchill for a 12 mile run. I stayed in the trees for as long as I could, but to no avail I had I long stretch of highway about 2 miles long to finish off my run. About 1/4 mile in I stopped feeling my face, there was literally no sensation to it. I ran the rest of the stretch backwards and I thought I had escaped the elements. I got into my car and saw ice chunks on both sides of my cheeks, when I tried to scrape them away I realized it was my skin and my sweat had frozen inside of my skin and expanded. It was disgusting, so I went to the ER. The skin peeled for weeks.
Cold run atlantic city boardwork at a trade show a couple years back.
My “coldest” run had potential – 5 miles around a river in Asahikawa, the coldest city in Japan. It was October though so temps were still on the positive side of the thermometer!
Long time ago… I swam for long long time at 6am in the pacific ocean… in winter of course.
I lived in buffalo,ny for two years. Enough said…
I live in Israel so our temps are nowhere near the type of cold others have in winter. My most unpleasant cold run was a race in Jerusalem last year – it was sleeting/raining and a strong wind. I ran it with 4 layers and still moaned the entire time. I guess when you’re not used to something, it’s worse than it really is…
Ran a race in -25 degrees Celsius, awful experience. At least I got a bronze medal out of it.
Back in Feb 2010, I travelled from Luanda, Angola to NYC for an Education Conference. I suppose it wasn’t the temperature that go me, it was the difference. In Angola at 5am it would be a min of 31C and then to change to snow falling, biting wind and about -5C. Well I couldn’t go to NYC without running around Central Park so I bought the appropriate atire and headed about.
The park the stunningly beautiful, the run memorable and the Man-flu cold that I got afterwards, only temporary! What impressed me the most was the friendly nature of the runner. Like a lot of the posts on here, they new what it took to get the shoes on and out the door on a day like this.
Being an ultrarunner is about consistency, training almost everday, for a long time. I had a 7 hour training session 2 weeks ago in -5 C with 10m/s wind, doing 3 20 k loops. To keep pace low, being able to stay active, I have a run/walk strategy, and those walks were REALLY cold, having built up a sweat on the run parts!
Hi
In NZ we dont get that cold for running but swimming is a different story… it would be in Lake Angelus at about 6000 feet a part of some crazy challenge.. and that was cold
cheers
It was my first autumn / winter as a runner.
There was a running occassion called “Back to the future”. The event was when the time had to be adjusted to winter time. So basically we started running at 2AM, run 10K in exactly one hour, and because the time adjusting, we arrived at the starting spot exactly at 2AM again :) A couple of hundred people showed up. It was weekend (Friday or Saturday), so the town was full of drunk people going to the next party, or going home. Those people love to cheer runners :D It was real fun! Nevermind that at 2AM standing around in running gear is like creating a human iceberg. Once running it felt ok – my hands froze though, so did my face, even though I had gloves and everything for protection).
After the run, there was hot tea and snack. And of course there was supposed to be a group photo, but I was so cold and freezing, that I left almost immediately. Couldn’t wait for the people to assemble for the group photo. I still regret that decision :(
it’s never _really_ cold here in Israel.
but I did run in a really hard rain that caught me not ready
Today I will go scating. It’s -10 Brrrr
Coldest run i did was last year November. It was a half marathon on the occasion of a new stretch of highway being opened. The course was elevated, it was dark, it was windy, it was raining, I was underdressed, in other words it was Cold.
Just today in the morning, 12 km in -14 C (7F), Warsaw, Poland. Nice, did not feel cold at all.
Last week, 8 miles at -20F, Bozeman, Montana. Brutal cold but layering worked out nice. Tracking with this watch would be considerably better than the iphone I think. ;-)
Running home 2km from school and back (so 4km) in -23C because I left my notes at home not fun at all :)
Ran barefoot in the freezing rain a few weeks ago. It was fast and unpleasant.
A couple of cold runs in the snow Fukushima over the New Year holidays in Japan. Hopefully the snow wasn’t radio active.
Growing up a swimmer in Tasmania (Australia) had it’s moments… mainly basing myself on the north or east coast of Tassie, late summer and into autumn was quite nice as the warmer currents made their way southwards. I stupidly thought that swimming on the west coast would be the same thing. I was wrong. The one and only time I swam on the west coast was the one time I drove over 3 hours to swim for… about 3 minutes, as the roaring tides of the Indian Ocean conspired with the freezing waters of the Antarctic ocean to teach me why kids that grow up in these parts spend their loves on the water,rather than in it.
I’m a cyclist but the coldest experience I can think of is a couple of years back, rockclimbing in Mount Arapiles, Australia. The rock was so cold our fingers were almost sticking to it!
Being from a semi-desert country our cold runs are not what you’re used to. However one -6degC run in South Korea last year taught me the meaning of a cold run – sweat freezing on my face, numb toes fingers and nose, and hours of recovery.
Last winter’s memory… Running through the Englischer Garten, the biggest park in Munich, at -15°C, floating over the snow, alone… pure magic! I needed a steamy hot shower afterwards to get back to life! :)
Army Training Ground, Waiouru, New Zealand.
Think of an alpine desert, with tundra, tussock grass, snow & mud. Don’t forget the mud. Carrying a field pack. With winds coming straight off the mountains.
Exercise finally called off for hypothermia.
Last two weeks I ran on the brushed bicycle paths alongside the main roads because I could barely walk on the icy countryside roads.
3 Christmases ago, when there was a blizzard in NYC, I had to get my friends keys so I had a place to sleep. He didn’t give them to me until the morning he was leaving, so I had to fly across town, essentially in my pajamas, while it was 24 degrees out and icy on the roads on my Softride with summer tires. When I arrived, I spent 30 minutes holding a hot water bottle until my hands felt useable again…
You can ignore this one too (see my previous ignore comment :/), thought it’s still a true story.
My coldest run was 24 degrees and my coldest ride was 26 degrees. I would rather run then ride when it gets that cold.
My coldest run was on a business trip to Seoul in the winter.
Started from hotel lobby and got back after 2km…
Ray, enough of the cold stories, some of us are in the middle of summer! Just reminding you you’ll be in Perth soon, current 7 day forecast period, every maximum over 33°C. That should warm you up. Oh and don’t forget the sunscreen!
X duathlon, last winter, -12C and 30cm of snow ;-)
coldest moment was in a HIM race called the Weymouth Middle Distance Tri in Dorset, UK in 2005.
Even though it was held in June the waters on the south coast were freezing.
it stung my skin to even dip my feet in the water. Needless to say nobody dared to warm up before the start gun.
I’m from Singapore so this was a huge challenge to me.
As i struggled to complete the swim in 40 mins, my fingers seized up and cramped at halfway.
I later found out that about 10% of the field DNFed the swim due to the cold temperature.
Fortunately i managed to finish the whole race wearing a wind breaker for the rest of the race.
A February long run (in Michigan) prepping for the 2010 Boston Marathon – Hit mile 7 and went to take a sip of water, and my water bottle was frozen solid. About mile 17 almost broke my tooth on a Block… ugh. no water, no food made for a rough run.
Running in Cincinnati it never gets too cold. Probably the teens is the coldest i’ve run. Anything single digits I head indoors.
Last weeks night run -11 Celcius. Strong North-Eastern winds. I became a freaking ice statue.
Hi Ray,
My coldest run was on a mini cruise to Oslo here in week 2 in the winter. Found out it was -14 C + wind chill and starting hail!!!
Started from lobby and got back after 1,3km…
My coldest run wasnt even a planned run. I left a train station and it was -4c outside and I was only wearing a thin top, jeans and some CAT boots. Floor was covered in snow, and I figured it would be less slippy and a hell of a lot warmer if I ran, so I proceded to run the 2.5 miles home! Hands were almost frozen by the end!
In Florida I don’t get too many cold runs, so my coldest was during a trip for work. I worked outside all day in 20F temps, and at the end of the day I suited up to go for a 5mi run when it was about 15F.
The Buff Epic Run in Barcelona two years ago. It was in late December – like 2º Celsius and the race included a couple of water traps (really freezing).
Lhe coldest I have ever been was -40C in Montreal about 1998-1999 going rom home to the unuversity. I got cold in the windy side and warm where protected. My coldest run must have been about +28C in:-)
Last friday´s run felt like the coldest one.
My coldest run was last winter back while home in The Netherlands, it was only 7 degrees Celsius. This is not extremely cold, however when one is not used to these temperatures it is very cold! Normally I train in the Middle East, where the norm is anything from 17 up to 50 degrees Celsius!
First time living in Japan. I’ve always lived in California and being here since Spring 2012 I’ve worn shirt and shorts like always. Took a short break from running starting in November and mid-December decided to start again at my normal time of 4AM. =O. It was SO COLD. I’ve never been anywhere below freezing , and I had gotten a few miles from home and had to go back. My ears and nose were in pain and my jaw and hands were ridiculously numb, and also beginning were my knees (“what the..”). The worst part was going back over the bridge again, I couldn’t see the water anymore because it had started snowing just before I got back to it and the snow was going up.
Good to say I made it home, luckily. Now when I leave in the mornings I have many layers and glasses for those insane 20 minute flurries of snow.