Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
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.
2
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!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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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.
I always Stick to the training plan! ;)
Running and swimming but mostly very short and followed by copious beer!
Any form of physical activity if I am away from my desk! lots more walking, some short runs to explore the local area, and hopefully i’d be by the sea to get some kayaking in – the Fenix 3 would help with all of this!
Vacation is time to explore new places and ride them with peace
While on vacation, no more structure training. I usually do some running, or paying tennis with family, or swimming, hiking depends on the location.
Next week, vacation in Geneva for 4 days, meet up with friends, and ended up with the marathon next Sunday. –Nice way to see new cities. Anders, Denmark
Swimming in a warm sea where u can see the bottom is always nice! Doesn’t happen much in uk!
Training gets even earlier so I still get to spend time with the wife kids, even in summer this means getting up in the dark and sneaking out. I have to be back in time for breakfast or I get accused of “Ruining the whole holiday!!!” My reply of it was only 100km doesn’t seem to help things. Maybe a watch would help me get back on time?
Always plan to maintain my schedule, but most often will end up eating pizza and drinking beer.
Started running recently and haven’t been on any vacations since. But do plan to run on my next trip instead of the usual hiking to explore places.
Run to pub, swim to (pool) bar, bike to restaurant
XC Cycling, and eating a lot of chocolate :)
Depends on what we do. We usually try to bring the bikes.
Thanks Ray.
I REALLY want to bike more and ride at the new places we go, but in the end I end up riding less when I’m abroad. This year I’m hoping to run a little and rent a bike to explore the riding in Hawaii !
Running, running, running and sometime I have my bike with me on vacation :)
i want to ride my bicycle, i want to ride my bicycleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Cycling first. Always. If possible also a race. And ice cream of course.
Vacations are good for trying new things instead swim bike run…e.g. run swim bike!
Typically i do a mountain bike vacation per year. Usually spent on a stage racing event or some sort of several days route. ;) The rest of the vacations or the year are off the bike, at some peaceful place in the mountains with the family.
mostly I’m riding a bike and hiking to burn the ice cream and to find a new lovely places
Definitely running, but if its a warm beach type vacation I’m always down to get an open water swim in
I try to take it a little easier. Usually do an easy 5-6 mile run everyday but back off the diet and enjoy as much food as possible.
Training on real Mountains for better climbing on MTB.
Runs mostly because they’re easy to do, mixed in with some TABATA where possible. Of course, of the hotel has a good pool (like a nice salt water pool in Boston), then swim! So, the Fenix 3 would certainly be a good single watch to have!
Mostly running and depending on where we are if I will cut that back or not…
Depens, this year vacation is going to be Kos, think it will be to hot to run. Normal the shoes will be with me to run a few times
Running, orienteering, bikeing and hiking!
I try to do what I can to stay on schedule during in-season. Often means changing rides to runs because I couldn’t bring my bike. If I have access to a hotel bike I’ll try to stick with the schedule.
I typically run the area’s trails to get to to know the real natural areas.
Running to discover new routes before diping in the ocean, mostly.
Running !
Just relax, do a little jog in the morning.
I’m mostly running and riding the bike. But in contrast to the normal days, I can do this when beautiful sun is shining and I’m not alone on the track because I’m nightrunner. This is extremely battery charger for my being.
On vaccation i keep running as always. I usually pick beautifull paths, and keep changing them, so i dont get bored easily.
I try to push on ice creams :-)
My vacations usually involve a race. Last year I took my bike and swim bike run at the beach
Shredding on some mtb trails or running up in the trails
Try to stick with the plan – still keep active but less than normal.
Training either gets cut way back, or I take the time off to enjoy my family. It really depends on how they feel about it. If I get the look that says “we haven’t seen you on a saturday morning all year” I take time off. If they’re busy doing their own thing and don’t care if I’m around, I run.
The last couple of summer holidays have coincided with the Strava Rapha Rising challenges. 10 days of hitting the cols around Morzine in the French Alps. Morzine also features a great outdoor 50m pool and a lovely glacial lake. How could you possibly avoid training with all that around you.
Load up the bikes and hammer out some miles on the Outer Banks of NC…..love it.
usually organize my vacation around events these days, so a race and then a couple days off around the area
Usually just some short runs :) or nothing at all!
When travelling only ice cream, if staying in one place usually all three sports.
Mountain biking and running.
running or swimming in the hotel pool.
Keep active, ride and hike and walk with my better half, but not really “training”. Oh and ice cream. And chocolate.
Long, early morning runs in the sunshine preferably up some sort of mountain trail! You also gotta fit in an open water swim if possible.
Bringng the bike, but riding is casual.
I prefer to have horseback riding lesson!
I end up training a bit more on vacation since I have more free time!
i recently went to Aruba. Didn’t stick exactly to my training plan but did swim in ocean and did laps in the pool. I’m pretty sure the people at the swim up bar thought I was crazy!
Not having to go to work means I tend to do extra mileage each day, usually straight out of bed in the morning while my wife sleeps in. Then I’m back for breakfast and relax for the rest of the day. Great way to check out places when on holiday.
I try to bring my bike and explore. Long, easy rides are my focus. Enjoy your vacation!
Long run/rides to explore unknown places
Enjoy your vacation!
Does depend on the vacation, but usually don’t train during one. But, I’ll often take along running gear as that’s fairly easy to pack. And I’m still fairly active on vacation. So, a good amount of walking, maybe swimming if there’s a pool, and perhaps easy cycling to see sights and take pictures.
I usually just do a few miles of running when I have time to squeeze them in. It is vacation, so I don’t let running take priority, but I don’t want to miss out on a whole week or so worth of running either.
i like to road cycle and single track through woods with the kids! Keeps me very fit!
Beers, sun and not much else. Perhaps the odd bike ride if good single track around.
Food training is what I do with a little bit of running and lots of walking.
I try to get a run in at least every other day when traveling. Preferably in some terrain. Depending on the weather, and country, I willl add swimming when possible
It depends on the vacation.
I usually use vacation to catch up on a bit of fitness!!
Mostly nothing, but this year we will change that to MTB rides in the morning. And a long one on Sunday morning with the boys.
If the place where we’re staying has a gym I might work out a few times during the course of the week, but generally its slacker time.
A pair of running shoes, the trusty Ambit and a run will happen anywhere. No plans just run… Love the holiday runs.
Vacation is just a normal week. Typically try to fit in my running/swimming/cycling early in the day as to not affect the plans for the day.
That being said I tend to schedule mini-vacations around races so those times are a little different.
Always pack my running shoes so I can get out and add another country to my Strava heatmap!
Depends on the holiday. For a chill holiday, crossfit style exercise at the nearest gym. For a cycling holiday, the holiday IS training only :) The nice thing about the latter is that no matter what/how much you eat, there is no weight gain.
last summer vacation I did no training and out on 10lbs in 1 week. This year I’ll be sticking to my training plan for sure as I have ironman in November.
I always try to stick to the schedule. So running swimming and biking. Even if the run is a “long hike” the swim is a “snorkle” and a bike is a “beach cruiser” into town.
Riding my bike hard as usual.
My training schedule in vacation is usually dictated on the load of sarmale and cozonac I’m getting in.
No science involved.
I run, ride or swim.
Depends on what kind of vacation as an active couple we’ve gone to training camps in which case intensity goes up; and we’ve done things like visiting wine country when the intensity went down but we still kept active to avoid gaining too much weight! Enjoy your time off!
My “vacations” always seem to involve hiking or canoeing or cross country skiing as far as possible every day.
No training. Just relaxing!
Vacation is an opportunity to loosen things up and go by feel. A beautiful location… Run longer and slower to admire the sights. Busy city… Bike indoors while you catch up on some reading. Oceanside…. Swim up and down the beach until the tide turns.
I start my vacation with good intentions to stay on my training program but I usually give up around the third day. It’s the thought that counts right?
When in vacation or in another country, I always on a look out for mountains so that I can hike or run uphill just to maintain stamina. Plus the view you get on the summit is always a bonus point.
Depends on how many beers we’re had the night before. Couple of miles to sweat that out. Normally though it’s a chance to explore and just have a gentle stroll around new areas with no pressure timings.
during a short holiday it’s just taking rest & compensate ;)
When travelling, shifting the focus of training to the new schedule is mantatory to enjoy all available time on the trip. If a spare time occurs, surely a 5k spot will fit to purpose!
i usually keep running on vacation always bring with me my shoes and ski or bike depending the season !!
Depends on the vacation, but they all seem to devolve into beer drinking.
i enjoy exploring new trails and running routes!
Normally I try to relax and recover while on vacation but that never works out very well. The thrill of running on a whole new location is just too much to bare!
this vacation I’m running Boston and Big Sur marathons so I’m tapering, racing then enjoying the wine California offers!
I love to train on vacation, it’s a great way to discover surroundings, especially if it means hiking trails. love from Italy and my Fenix
Usually just a few token runs…
Usually I plan on increasing training load during the vacation, but then end up relaxing instead :)
On vacation I only ride bike with my family or I go on a jog to explore the Nature
Vacation is no different, running and core is always the answer.
I like to run on the beach when on vacation.
Typically I have the best of intentions to get up early to do my training but it doesn’t always happen. So what I end up doing instead now is doubling up work outs a few days before and few days after.
Press on per the schedule. Have to burn the extra calories consumed on the vacation.
My training includes a lot of sofa and a bit of running or calisthenics. But mainly sofa
I generally cut back and will focus mostly on runs (scenic, if possible) and swimming. Good food and wine is a must as a training supplement. :-)
Cheers,
A.
Usually hiking, swimming and if I get my fingers on a bike also biking.
If I could ever get an ankle that works, I would run. But a lot of my vacation time was built around rides and races.
Easy run at the area
Running and strenght training – no cycling, since i dont bring my bike :)