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!
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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 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 still try to go outside for a run when it is above freezing, but I do more cross training and treadmill running indoors.
Living in perth, summer is about cycling and winter is about running. Its as simple as that. Year round, anything you want. This place is just perfect.
My adaptation is to hope that the glorious weather we’ve been having here in Philly carries straight through to April, bypassing the snow entirely. Failing that, it’ll be press on for as long as it’s warm enough to take the kids in the jogger and then try to find extra time to put in at the office gym. And look forward to occasional winter hikes and periodic thaws.
I just go indours at my local YMCA.
It’s never very cold here in Central California. If it’s a little nippy, I will just throw on a long sleeve t-shirt.
I live in LA. My winter adaptation involves pulling a couple of long sleeved running shirts out of the deep part of the closet and having my bike and running tights on standby for the 2 days per year I need them. Also, gloves sometimes.
Turbo time all winter long.
switch to cycling in the basement on the rollers. outside only very very reluctantly, and then only running.
I just put on the extra layers needed to make it through the Michigan winters and slow down the paces!
Well, as for running I’m fully equipped to brave the cold winter of Montreal… but when it gets below -20ºC I hop on my indoor trainer watching my favorite Tour de France stage.
I spend more time in the pool and less time on the road!
I focus more on running than biking outdoors, and use an indoor trainer, and start swimming laps at the pool.
This winter I probably won’t need to get through the winter as I am going to be doing all of my training on board an aircraft carrier, deployed to the middle east. All trainer rides, treadmill runs, and dryland cable swims for me!
I Live in South Texas. There’s a few days of Cold but most days lend itself to awesome training.
mixing Insanity workouts
Georgia’s weather is spastic…..hot..cold..hot..cold
I wear wool or train inside! :)
I currently live in NY. Unless it’s icy or the snow’s too deep, I just pile on the layers, otherwise it’s the treadmill in my gym.
I use the winter as an excuse to get more N.Face gear and than I just suck it up when its above 30 deg F. If it’s below freezing I work out during my lunches (military has its advantages).
Living in Eastern Canada I get to run in lots of winter, mostly the only change in training is the extra layers, but do throw in some indoor track runs on the real stormy days.
Barbell work at the gym plus riding my bike on an indoor trainer keeps me happy through these bitter midwest (US) winters.
I happen to be a lucky duck, who lives in sunny Florida. Cycling is my passion, therefore, come rain, cold (no snow), I ride.
Sydney Australia: Nothing dramatically changes over the winter, less daylight hours, somewhat cooler temps and some wet days. Nothing that the Kickr and Zwift can’t fix. Otherwise just keep on Riding with more layers :)
In winter:
Swim: The pool.
Cycle: Outside if the weather’s not raining. Windtrainer if it’s raining.
Run: Outside – rain, hail or shine
I run much more than bike.
But it’s summer over here :D
Pretty much the same as summer – only colder.
Hit treadmill if snow on roads or temps below 10. Bike stays up if temps below 40 and no sun. El Niño should keep Michigan warmer than last two winters.
Running on packed snow can be fun. It smooths out the technical trails making them fast running paths through the woods.
Barring that it’s fun to go out in deep snow and embrace the suck. Makes you stronger and doesn’t last forever.
Live in S. California – no need to adapt. Travelling to Ohio a lot, however, so it will be extra clothing there or looking for an indoor track. Final option is always a treadmill while on the road …
I move indoors treadmill and my new joy the cycleops powerbeam pro.
The only changes for winter are more layers.
I wish I lived somewhere warm, but I just use the cold as an excuse to buy more running clothes!
Adapt by adding layer, that’s it. DC hasn’t been too bad lately. When it gets bad – treadmill or indoor bike.
I live in Michigan, so the winters can be long and depressing if you hide inside. I grow a beard, put a head lamp on, and get myself out the door. Most days!
Running seems to be the go to thing for the winter. Running in the dark is not all that bad. Just keep repeating that…
Keep running outside, unless snow/ice forces me to the gym. Cold makes you tougher.
I am taking this winter to challenge myself. The winter is when I usually do not train. This winter I decided to do a winter run series in the mountains to improve my running. I am really looking forward to accomplish my goals and defeat my fear of running in the winter.
i don’t adapt to winter, winter adapts to me.
Love Always,
Chuck Norris.
Hi Ray,
My training changes by increasing my running outdoors and bike trading indoors with a trainer. More intervals, less duration.
– in
For it is easy
Don’t start the same end the same
Summer is velo
Winter is Judo
I pick up my outdoor running in the winter. Try to bike more in the summer.
I do a lot more indoor rides, primarily on Zwift, during the winter and I may get on the treadmill from time to time.
Here in So Cal, we only have to don the long sleeves and occasional leg warmers. And if we get any rain, the rides have to be on the pavement instead of the mud.
I am recovering from injury so I will continue eat everything in sight and watch lots of netflix.
I’m lucky enough to live in the SF bay area where the winter temps during the day never fall below 50 so I can train the same way year round. I will be going to lake Tahoe soon so I might have to look into snow/cold weather gear.
How do you adapt your training schedule for winter? Do you change sports altogether, or do you happen to be one of those lucky ducks living in Hawaii?
Trail running is my main sport and barring injuries, I try to adapt to the cold weather (headlamps, reflective wear, rain/wind/snow layers, wool socks and tights, gloves etc). One the primary changes is that weekend runs get replaced by skiing (luckily both sat and sundays!) but I try to make up for some of that mileage during weekday runs. On average, I keep up to almost 90% of my non-winter trail mileage during winter.
All my workouts move indoor
Swim, bike and run all year! Unless we get a dust storm or flash-flood :(
Winter? Where? Panama City, Florida!
Winter in south Texas is the perfect training weather!
I move a lot of the training indoors. Use the opportunity to strength train more. Cycling pretty much grinds to a hold. Running mostly on the treadmill, with occasional runs outside, to maintain the grit :). More pool swimming amd drills.
Whiskey in the water bottle.
Winter? Huh?
It’s nice and warm here in Australia. And when winter does come, I don’t do much different, the hardest thing is the shorter days
I run on my treadmill more during the week and get outside at least on the weekend.
I suck it up, bundle up and still bike and run outside. Only if (when) it’s icy do I hit the trainer and treadmill.
What is this winter you speak of? 70 and sunny in FL
Since I am in Taipei, northern part of Taiwan, it will rain often during winter, so people switch training activities to swimming & running on their training schedule, biking only during dry days.
Regarding to Hawaii, I don’t live there but south of Taiwan has similar weather like Hawaii. We would plan a off-city training or race&tour over there sometimes.
as this will be my first time training through the winter, I am excited to see how the colder weather effects my training.
One question from a newbie though: do you think I’ll need insulated gloves for winter riding down here in Miami? The sales rep at the shop down here said I did, but I thought he was taking me for a ride! Your thoughts…
Thanks for all the great info and I’m looking forward to all the latest tech reviews as I get through my first year of triathloning!
In the month of Nov to Jan, more shorter slope and trail training. Weekly LSD will cut down by 20%.
Treadmill and Computrainer unless there is an above freezing day in SE Pennsylvania.
Road biking changes to mountain biking to fat biking. Trail running to snowshoe running and xc skiing. Weights, weights weights…and back to the chlorinated bath.
The trainer, rollers, and I become fast friends (pun intended)
Group trainer rides to Sufferfest! And lots of layers!
Lots of treadmill and trainer rides. Lots of Sufferfest! But it’s rarely super cold so mt. biking / trail running are good too.
the cold is just a break from the heat. get used to it train through it. . . ok unless it is under 20 degrees then Im inside
Suck it up and run outside!
Winter doesn’t change my training schedule unless it’s very cold outside. I typically wear lightweight windproof clothing. Cheers!!
Don’t have to change too much in Georgia. Just wear cold weather gear occasionally. Definitely still outside though!
Snow bike!! Cross country skiing & Tacx Fortius vr trainer! What a winter!
I live in Colorado, so it’s mostly indoor on the bike and outdoor on the snowboard. 2 or 3 times before the snow leaves in April I head to AZ for some mtn biking.
Winter in DC can get pretty darn cold, but I actually find myself running a lot more as the temps drop. There something almost cozy about bundling up and keeping yourself warm with a good run.
lucky (but jobless) leaving in Melbourne. Summer is about to start
Who knows, maybe a gym treadmill, maybe an indoor pool membership, maybe some cookies.
We’ll see how it works out, probably going to be one of the first two options (or both).
I install my blue tire on my bike and shackle it to my trainer. Lives there for the winter. Swim doesn’t change, I go to any of my three pool options.
Run: I go out if not too cold. Otherwise, it’s the treadmill of the elliptical. I do more cross training in the winter. Snowy hikes, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, etc.
I live in Atlanta so I just throw on pants instead of shorts
I’ve been sedentary for way too many years. It’s not the adaptation to weather, but rather the adaptation to overcome inertia and start moving.
Layers and indoor trainer when it’s ice outside.
I install my blue tire on my bike and shackle it to my trainer. Lives there for the winter. Swim doesn’t change, I go to any of my three pool options.
Run: I go out if not too cold. Otherwise, it’s the treadmill of the elliptical. I do more cross training in the winter. Snowy hikes, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, etc.
Try to run earlier while still light, make use of indoor equipment.
No need to adapt. Living in Malaysia it is summer year around.
Living in California….I adapt to winter by enjoying being able to train at any time of day without fear of being destroyed by midday heat!! Grass is always greener as they say!!
Brushing off the dust from the trainer, which is a good thing given we had eight inches of rain today…
No changes…just add more clothes!!!
I live in South Texas and this will only be my 2nd winter since I started exercising….@ 42 years young… Considering I never want to go back to where I was before I started my journey, I exercise through the mild winters. Add a layer of clothes for runs and cycling, and increase the indoor HIIT and lifting days if/when it’s really nasty out.
Swap my sneakers for ski boots. Maybe this year Boston will catch a break, and I’ll actually be able to leave my house.
Layers. Gloves and the reality that it’s never THAT bad in North Carolina.
Winter means more time in the pool and doing strength/core at the gym; less time on the bike, though I’ll still go out twice a week as long as there is no ice.
I try to train as much as possible outside. Join group runs to motivate me to get outside. Bundle up on the bike. If all else fails, get on my wahoo kicker
I moved south (FL)
But I miss freezing my ass off on the bike with my friends in RI.
Just add more clothes. Ray you should start doing technical wear reviews. I know on the podcast you said shoes were too much about personal preference for effective reviews but technical clothing is more about does it work. Just think of all the additional affiliates sales you can score!
I shift to a winter sport and play (field) hockey. Running around trying to place a small white ball in the goal helps keep one warm from the cold winter rain.
I don’t change my training up that much. I jaut run a bit more and bike a bit less because I hate riding inside.
When the winter comes the fun begins! I start adding a lot more hiking to my plan. Nothing is better than winter in the mountains.
Suck it up and dress warm!
I ride my trainer during the winter.
I just stay in the gym and do everything. Good weather days, do any other sports available.
Living in Wisconsin means I move inside to the treadmill.
For this winter I am going to focus on base running (heart rate training), interval cycling (indoor trainer), and heavy lifting. As available, I will aim for some long runs (hard in snowy Minnesota) and lap swimming (as my schedule allows) to stay well-rounded.
I live in Brisbane, Australia, so winter is our preferred outdoor training time.. summer is the struggle. In summer, run earlier, with water and shorter distances.
Considering a move to Hawaii :)
Or in case that fails I just make sure I have enough fat reserves to last through winter.
My training plan is to clear out the basement to make room for my Rollers and elliptical. I’ll replace most of my runs with cross training on the bicycle and elliptical. I’ll create a support team by talking about my training accomplishments with coworkers and friends. Who knows, I may try yoga for runners! I am new to running as a hobby. I completed my first marathon this year and looking forward to my second. I’ll run my first half next month! (yes, my first event was the full and now I am ready to experience other events) I now live in northern Virginia and miss the tropical places I’ve lived and visited. My biggest concern is deciding to wear running tights or pants when it gets cold!