Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list 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.
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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.
Fat bike for cycling, yak traks for running, and 2 weeks in Florida.
I dread the windtrainer, but my running tends to improve. I enjoy the cold and wet Oregon winters, and the cold gives my pre-dawn runs extra urgency
I am a runner, but when the weather becomes as bad as today it is time for the trainingsroll. So I will one hour on my bike… hoping better days to come… not so rainy and windy…brrr… a good training during the winter will produce good results in springtime. :-)
As I’ve just become father of a beautiful son, I’ve already prepared his buggy with big snow wheels, so we can at least have some runs together…so, I’ll get less runs, but additional training weights. ;-)
I use the winter to run. A lot. Perfect timing for Spring half and full marathons!
Put a shirt on for running! Benefits for living in Florida.
I live in New Orleans, winter is when training gets tolerable!
Well, I am not lucky enough to live in Hawaii, so that’s not an option for me. However, I am lucky enough to have a substantial, unfinished basement providing me with enough space to support a very adequate in-home gym. While this setup may not be conducive to competing in triathlons, I am able to complete a variety of resistance, HIIT, cardio style workouts. In fact, it’s my sanctuary and it get used year round.
For the winter I use the Y a lot especially for cycling. Otherwise my schedule stays relatively constant running/cycling outside when it ok. I will swim at the y all year long.
Great job with your reviews!
I’m lucky enough to live in Texas so the weather is pretty warm all year round. I’ll typically spend less time on the bike when it’s raining for safety reasons, so that means more running and time in the pool!
Winter used to always be a challenge. My workout routine usually moved indoors once the weather turned cold. Now I have the luxury of living in San Diego where the weather is pretty consistent year round. Because of this I can stay outside and my workouts don’t feel so cramped throughout the winter months.
That would be more swimming indoors and more gym. Riding outdoors will have to wait for few months now.
I layer up for running and, as long as it’s above -20C, I don’t have any issues. Cycling sucks- I end up doing interval training on rollers and doing more swimming/running.
Still training outside, with just an additional shirt!
I will continue to run in the cold and snow. Hoping to run some trail races.
I just run longer and slower, and my bike trainning is more focus on cadence. Swin is as usual..
Running isn’t so bad in the cold. But I stay on the trainer for biking in the winter.
No big changes. Less cycling (on the trainer), more running and swimming.
Move to bike riding inside and keep running and swimming!
Well, given that I live currently in Qatar, wintertime is actually welcome: (a) I can run outside (b) December to March I can do it at a more logical time than 5:00 am. So actually I move from indoors to outdoors (!!!)
Luckily, Northern California doesn’t get that cold or rainy. I pretty much just need a decent pair of running tights, a lightweight rain jacket, beanie, and gloves. Other than that, it’s just my trusty running headlamp and I’m set to head out the door.
Training for my first 70.3 and will be utilizing the gym much more, trainer for the bike, and laps in an indoor pool….all I need now is a Fenix 3 to help with my training :) Thank you for the giveaway, very cool!
Since I live in Oklahoma the cooler weather is very welcomed! It is just now getting consistent where I can wear long sleeves every run. When real winter hits I usually layer up and just watch for snow/ice on the roads. Worse case, the rare ice storm, I’ll make the treacherous drive half a mile to the gym where I only keep my membership to run on their treadmill during icy days.
Put on my hat and enjoy feeling badass ;)
Well, the Queensland winter is over and completely lacking in arm warmers, gloves, jackets etc. In fact it is the better training timeframe for the year.
Indoor riding all winter. Looking forward to spring!
I just grin and bear the cold up in Canada underneath my balaclava.
Fatbiking…. Snowshoeing…. Skiing…. And the infamous nowhere bike….
I live in Singapore and there’s no 4 season here. But during this season of the year, there’s thunderstorm with lighting which is much better than the haze for past 3~4 months. In the event if weather is unkind, i will do core training at home like plank, sit up etc which I’m still weak at. Occasionally i will do stairs climbing just to keep momentum going. I will also switch to “brisk walking” aka shopping; for calves and arm strengthing but wallet weakening. :)
I use CrossFit all 4-seasons (break-up, summer, winter) of the year in Alaska. The only difference is, if the roads are icy and temps are below 20F, running is removed from the workout options. Other than that, the variety, intensity and functional movement remain the same!
Generally during the winter months I take my training to the gym. I enjoy running and cycling so if it’s just too cold for me, the treadmill and cycling classes are my go to stations. This winter I will attempt to spend more time outdoors running and just change my clothing to suit the weather since I will be training for a marathon in Feb.
For my long weekend runs leggings, marino wool top, gloves and ear covers.
Also I go to the gym more for the short runs.
Living in Denver, Colorado I get all four seasons almost everyday. On very cold and snowy I’m trainer bound. I also start cross training with some treadmill running when I can’t ride my road bike outside.
Unless it’s dangerously slippy, my training stays the same. The only change is to my running kit – long tights, hi-viz and my trusty gloves!
The winter absolutely sucks, but since I have to train, I can’t do much. I don’t change sports, I just train indoors. Since I’m marathon + tri training I’ll probably live in the gym. You won’t catch me at an outdoor race in NYC until the NYC Half. Also, please point out the lucky ducks living in Hawaii – maybe they could adopt me.
Here in Portugal the weather isn’t that bad, so i still can go out for a run or another activity.
However, i must wear a sports jacket to be warm during the exercise, and obtain some kind of protection if it is raining.
Regards.
I do more running and very little cycling because of how cold it gets here and I don’t like riding indoors.
I will keep running during the winter, hoping it won’t get too cold. Maybe a bit more core training than usual. I will run 10, 15 and 20km contest in january, february and march.
I am a lucky duck but live in Arizona…. but to change things up I play with technology (cycling specific); ie Wahoo, TrainingRoad, and the newest one I am going to look at is Zwift (http://zwift.com). I also, read the “full” reviews on DCR…. lol!
This winter I’ve bought a turbo trainer (obviously using your recommendations) and will be attempting my Sufferfest Knighthood (well Damehood I guess) in December and the Tour of Sufferlandria in February. Scary off season training!
K1 kayaking is my main sport, but to dangerous in the cold and dark evening, so that goes on the back burner, weekend only. More trail running to compensate, a bit of body-weight force training in mid-run. And of course the biking kilometres,12 km to work and 12 km back again, independent of the weather. Not too fast in the morning, and usually intervals on the way back.
Thanks for everything
me me me – for my girl friend
I Live in London, but winter is not a problem. I do most of my swimming, cycling and running in the gym.
I believe I have workout outside only 2 weeks in the whole year.
That may be the reason I am not very good.
For the bike, I have a spin on the wahoo. A very successful winter where I only ride the wahoo from April until August (it gets cold at different times down in Aus!). Kayaking and running are both fine with the appropriate clothes!
I usually still run outside even in snow but not on ice. I prefer outdoors to treadmill. As for biking, I take spinning classes and use a trainer. I add strength training for the winter months.
I bundle up and select warmer days to ride. This will be my first year to try a trainer.
For the bike we are doing some track training and mix it with some Spinning Sessions … Run might be replaced with cross country skiing but just if there is snow and if its to cold for running
What is the max number of fenix3’s you can own? Does the solution involve n+1?
I have been looking at the leather strapped 3 for a while.
Back off a bit but keep up base miles in all three sports (can do that in Florida), add off season sports (kayaking, mountain biking, etc.) as a change of pace.
I live in New Zealand so we are out of winter, not going into it. Also we are fairly temperate here, so winter training is not much different from summer.
this and every winter:
trainer time
gym time
stair running
fat biking
XC skiing (hoping for local snow again this year for a few months of good skiing)
downhill skiing
trips to Rays indoor MTB park
More time on trainer and I get to the climbing gym.
I’m a lucky duck:-) I live in Miami. But I actually do less swimming and cycling and more running in our “winter” months.
cycling indoor, running on the treadmill
I live in North Texas so the weather can shift pretty dramatically. In the winter I will attend a couple of spin classes each week, and try and get at least one outdoor ride in as long as the temperature doesn’t get into the 30’s.
I will go to the gym this winter.
I live in upstate NY so all my biking moves to the trainer – I hate the treadmill though so I still do all my running outside!
Live in Western PA and winter is coming! ❄️⛄️❄️ My bike is currently set up on the trainer in our dinning room (yes we still eat at the table), and my weekend run group will continue on with outdoor runs until about 10 degrees out, after that I will become friends with the treadmill. Focusing on a lot of strength and core this winter with Kettlebells and then I’ll be back in the indoor pool come January/February timeframe. Training for my first HIM ?
I will run outside through winter and do intervals inside, do indoor cycling at a new indoor cycling club and try to swim more than nothing which is what I currently do ;)
I put on some extra warm clothes and keep running and I head inside for spin classes to keep up on biking.
Thankfully I moved away from the cold for this reason. All I need is a pair of tights and a light jacket. Even then it gets hot so singlet underneath. Winter is perfect when good socks and tights is all you need.
Simply more swimming and running, less bike outside
Ice skating and some running and swimming
I’ll dress in layers until the Kansas winds become too unbearable for riding, then resort to watching anime while riding the trainer in the garage.
Winter training in Ireland means wet and dark. So park up the road bike and break out the mountain bike. Also good lights for biking and running mean continue to run outside and even use the dark for orienteering and navigation practice. There’s no excuses!
Since I don’t live in Florida. I will keep running into the snow and start the cross-country skiing season.
I’m lucky enough to live in Florida. Winter is the perfect time for long distance running. I’m planning on training for a half-marathon in February.
I just never stop training so I adapt to the cold weather of Greece!
I start running inside on a mill in cold winter days!
i do inside trainer workouts, bike outside when I can and mix it up with cross country skiing and snow shoveling!
Three words. Tough It Out.
I will keep running and biking but it’s the right time to focus on my swimming technique…
Slower miles and more layers!
You put more layers on and take it like a man!
I just strap on lots of lights and then ride.
It never gets too cold in beautiful downtown Southsea so not much changes. Just getting out the door gets harder…
Brrrr. I’ll do my training inside.
I was once a lucky duck. Will need to adjust in a few months for this crazy thing called weather down under.
I spend a lot more time on the trainer and at the gym.
It gets cold in North Carolina, but not that cold. We just soldier on with a headlamp in the darkness.
Well summer is just about to start here in Australia but as winter approaches I generally reduce my bike kilometres rug up and look forward to the next summer
I live in Nebraska (USA) and train outside year round. The only exception is when ice is on the ground. I’ll take to the treadmill then. Otherwise, bring on the snow and cold temps!
I just by new kit and stop training altogether!
Living in Singapore. End of the year season implies more rainy days. I simple just Zwift more to train. I use the off season to increase my threshold.
I live in South Florida – no changes!
I’m living in Quebec and I train in a triathlon club; so we keep going outside to run. We just start indoor cycling and continue swinmming at the pool.
I will maybe start cross-country skiing this year. Will see!
But I will be in South Africa in the next weeks so it will be full outside trainning!
I forget about the numbers…just go workout, have fun, mix in other sports and activities. No HR. No Power. No super set training plan. Just an idea that I’ll move as far as I feel like it. :)
Despite living in central California, a lot of my winter training is done indoors. I do triathlons and so I focus on the body weight exercises as well as trainer rides in the living room. Running outside is still a staple and swimming at the outdoor pool is a must. I’d switch over to other sports (basketball) but, alas, no indoor courts around here.
I am training for my first half marathon that takes place January. Here in south Louisiana the weather doesn’t get too low, I hope to be able to manage my training sessions outdoors with only light jackets. My half marathon is the beginning of my hopeful run at a 70.3 this spring after doing some sprint tri’s this fall.
I put a jacket on and run just a little bit faster to keep warm
In winter i tend to stick better to my schedule since there’s no summer vacation that breaks things.
I live in San Francisco. The last 4 years my winter training hasn’t changed, lots of road miles logged. This year I’m planning on weight training for trails, & a new set of snowshoes to cross train when El Nino delivers enough snow!
I run and bike all round the year. I don’t stay in Hawaii. I stay in sunny California and i wouldn’t complain about weather here as well :)
As it gets darker earlier I’m going less into the woods and run more rounds at the field. Besides that I use the indoor cross trainer every now and than.
I live in MN and use the fat bike all winter long!
Well, I don’t live in Hawaii but here in Holland the last few winters have been pretty mild. I love running in nature regardless of snow, mud, sleet or even ice, so actually running during the winter in Holland is kind of a training for running in the mountains during spring, summer and fall. I am terrible at anything but running and even that I only do for pleasure, not for competition, so I run all winter long. After winter? Running all spring, summer and fall, waiting for the first snow to make an appearance :-)
I usually move my training indoors until I can’t stand it anymore.
More swim, turbo + running despite of snow ;)
Change the bike tires to winter tires, that is all it takes