Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple AirTag 4-Pack for just $69, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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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.
4
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!
5
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 2024 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 usually always run early in the morning before my family wakes up. If the weather is bad, I’ll sneak down to the gym. This winter, while I was on a cruise, I had the opportunity to swim, bike and run (around the .25 mile track on the top deck).
Adventure ride on the trail bike in the morning and then resting thru the second half of the day.
Usually I get some running in, swimming and biking if the locale allows. And ice cream, of course. :)
Running early in the morning and sometimes swimming
Typical vacation activities for us include mountain biking, hiking to waterfalls, and body-weight workouts at the hotel. Also
swimming, pizza, and lots of ice cream for sure.Short runs before people are awake. I don’t want to miss out on vacation activities while actually on vacation. Fitness can take a bit of a back seat to enjoying my time away
Vacation is participating in an IM with my husband
I typically try and get out earlier in the day, and my mileage is more flexible. I love exploring new areas, even if it’s just some new neighborhoods, while on vacation so my training stays pretty strong.
Working out is usually an option if we get bored. Our last vacation was skiing at Whistler. Never got bored.
I scale back the intensity a bit, but use my runs as a way to explore my destination on foot.
Depends, sometimes its biking to get some alone time, but most of the time it’s drinking beer and laying on the beach.
I try to do some easy runs. But usually I do less than planned :D.
i try to get in a run early, then recover with the ice cream!
I love to run on vacation, its a way to discover new places, new people and new challenges =)
Usually just a lot of walking during the sightseeing…
For me it’s always exploratory runs — I look at a map and pick an interesting looking place to run to — the idea is to have an adventure. Once in Hawaii my girlfriend and I ran out of beach and had to wade through the water along and jump from rock to rock. I love running in new cities as well, especially in the morning when you can see the whole city coming to life.
Living inland I tend to do the works, so swimming(pool only), running and MTB if I can find the time. Holiday time though, is beach time, so it’s off to the beach for some running and if it’s safe, a little up and down the coast for the rare treat of an ocean open water swim. I don’t get to do too much open water swimming, so when I do I’m stoked. I must say though, my vívofit is registering some impressive numbers when compared to my normal routine, so I feel I’ve earned the extra icecream!
Walking, or swimming in the sea when available.
I always try to maintain my training schedule while on vacation. The actual results vary… a lot…
Whether on a business trip or vacation, I love to run around tourist sites and post to Strava. As good as my intentions are, though, my training usually suffers somewhat when I’m traveling. I always get a few workouts in, but perhaps not as many as I had planned.
Try to keep up on running at least, try to make up for the extra vacation calories consumed :)
Love to run on the beach.
I try to run, but usually end up just walking everywhere, although racecations are common.
Vacation run great way to train in different weather and terrain.
Not too much training, usually short runs.
I cut back on my training during vacation and simply run once every two days.
Cycling and maby a little running.
E & trail running & bike & C2!
Biking all day…
Sea Swims, long bike rides and short runs. Having the time and the beautiful weather is the most enjoyable part.
My holidays have been around events recently. Hardly get any days off. Do most of my training on weekdays
been dying to get this watch. I bought the vivoactive. Its nice, but the Fenix3 is just awesome!!! I do long endurance rides and also training for my first iron sprint.
On vacation I keep up with my training. I actually will cycle more :)
I like active vacations, so I am usually doing some exercise even if it isn’t exactly as per my plan. I try to adjust my schedule before and after to accommodate the important workouts if I don’t feel I did enough on vacation!
Generally vacations are a form of crosstraining, backpacking! So structured training falls off completely but most of the day is spent on the trail.
I don’t do too much training on holidays, but I run sometimes
Mainly road bike training camps (6 days or more), at least twice a year with a lot of climbing. Wake up, eat, ride, eat, sleep, repeat. That’s how it goes :)
I always run/plan vacation around running. Paced at the Indiana 100, camped with my wife and daughter. My wife also paced. Stuck to my taper for a 24h race this weekend. I eat all the icecream
Relax, be, relax, be….
I try to find a 10 k and race against the locals.
I run almost every day on vacature, because I have a lot of time ;). That means I run about 80-90 km’s a week.
Running is more fun with a Garmin Fenix 3 I guess!
Usually do nothing except for huge amounts of walking + swimming
Running. Lots of running. And eating. Lots of eating. Donuts. Yum.
I like to run mornings on vacation, especially in new places. It’s a great way to explore while most everyone is still waking up. Plus, I like adding to my Strava heatmap!
I run on every vacation. Exploring new places keeps it fun and keeps it real.
I pack my running shoes and try to get in as many runs as I can on local trails.
Run early to explore, then use the extra free time (no work!) in the afternoon or evening to catch up on a few weights…all while wearing my extremely battered fenix 1.
The only serious training I do on vacation is running. Good for exploring new places whilst the kids are waking up.
Running, it is the only thing I can add in my suitcase ;)
usually a few minutes on the treadmill
Vacation means family training, so runs without intervals, bike without tempo and swim without goggles. I wonder, can this still be called training?
I’ve really enjoyed renting a mountain bike and doing the local downhill/around town trek. Best was Christchurch NZ.
Vacation usually means I’m more focused on spending time with the people I’m on vacation with. This equates to light cross-training, or catching a few laps in the pool :)
Run, beach, beer, repeat. I’m flexible on order. ;-)
For me vacation means long runs with low pace.
Perfect timing, we have a vacation coming up in a few weeks and I already have planned some; street runs, trail runs, open water swims and some hiking!!
I try to drop in to a new CrossFit gym anytime I’m out of town, but my usual diet goes completely out of the window!
I usually run a bit less on holiday, but I do use my runs as an opportunity to explore the place I am visiting.
I try to pick a destination race that is also a vacation spot for both myself and my wife such as Cozumel, Mexico.
Vacation for me usually turns into a mini training camp where I train hard in the am and kick it back in the PM with family and friends! Keep up the amazing work!
I try to maintain a balance between diet and training. If I slack on one, I press on with the other.
Depends…usually try to keep up with the training schedule as much as itinerary will allow, but have no issues with slacking off if need be :)
always a race vacation
I am russian and on vacations i walk with my bear.
Honestly…my holidays are just about relaxing..maybe some flyfishing. ;)
If the stay is more than a couple of days, then I’ll bring my gear and do some running early in the morning.
Whatever I can fit in during vacations with three small children, tends to be running mostly due to time efficiency.
Run with my dad
Normally I settle for running…reducing the frequency to every other day. If I stay at a hotel with a gym I throw in some weight training too.
Swiming as much I can, with running every second day in the morning. Only hobby biking occasionally.
Too tired -> Sleep !
and read DC posts ;o)
I don’t plan workouts during vacations. I end up running and riding where and when makes sense in the vacation itself.
Train hard no matter what!!
Riding a bike with my friend on the sea side in Poland
As much as I can!
No holidays at the moment :o(
For the next ones, i hope to train for the automn vertical kilometers …
i train my tan on vacation
UK Park runs are always good when you are in a different area.
I cut down a bit, but still try to get a couple of workouts in.
In the summer I often bring my Niner RIP9RDO bike along so I try and get some riding in. If I don’t bring a bike I’ll usually rent one and ride some of the local trails if I’m in the right locale.
In the winter I tend to focus on fun outdoor activities but not as much focused training. Hiking, walking, and swimming predominate. I usually up the yoga while on vacation as well and I’ll often sneak in a few aerobase rides in the hotel gym if I am up early in the AM.
I schedule vacations just after the season ends, so there are no workouts to do
A beer and a tan!
Vacations are extensions of what I do when I’m at home; just in a new location. Why would you only choose to live your life the few weeks of the year that you are on vacation?
Do my homework !!!!
Vacation time is the ideal time for adventure like long runs with sleepovers. Same with rides and mountain bike rides.
late afternoon easy runs just before dinner. perfect recipe for holiday.
Running is a great way to sight see in a City. If I am staying in a place that offers Bike rentals I try to rent a bike because you can cover even more mileage for sightseeing. The nice thing about running or Biking you do not incur extra parking fee charges
Morning runs to explore the new place. And occasionally swimming pool plus A LOT of eatarathon!!:)
Find some routes hitting as many cool place in as possible and get out early doors to see them on as many days as possible.
Vacation means maybe a quick run every second day, but nothing too stressful!
I don’t go on vacation rather travel. The more remote location, the less online info available and tourist around me the better it is. And sometimes that puts your body into extreme challenges to get it trough.
Love to start the day with a run followed up by a workout in the fitness room at the hotel. Makes the hotel breakfast taste even better
I usually don’t have time for a workout when I’m on vacation.
Drinking beer all day long :)
Typically running, but also count snorkeling and hiking (only because I am on vacation).
Training during vacation just shifts to off hour training so family time is kept up :-)
I like to run, mountainbike or windsurf on my holidays. Depending on location and weather.
Beach runs and ocean swims… the perfect way to spend a vacation when not soaking up rays.
A light running in the morning and that’s it. Enjoy vacation time
I think my vacations this year are going to be races. So, go hard?
During my holidays, i drive home to my parents and discover with my bicycle new beautiful places in the Spreewald (spreeforest)