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:
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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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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 change into Wetsuits when I swim in the Sea, and I wear a tracksuit jumper when I run. Training sessions are generally longer as it takes a bit longer to warm up!
Will bundle up to do as much running and biking outdoors but will definitely bring the swimming indoors.
During the summer I get to cycle 60-90 minutes each way to work, with it dark in the evenings it’s only really safe to do the commuter run in the morning so I get to trade cycling for some time on the erg, elliptical and a bit of running. Swimming is a constant, but the venue changes – in the summer months I’m fortunate enough to have a 100 yard (outdoor) pool within walking distance of the office, but the rest of the year I just have to grab what few sessions are available in one of the small indoor pools.
Running continues unaffected by the changing seasons whilst cycling tends to shift indoors with a blend of Zwift, TrainerRoad and Sufferfest. As for the swimming, well its just best not to talk about that….ever…!
As I live in Berlin and the weather can be really shitty in winter training changes from just cycling to a combination of cycling (more cx), running, some gym time and some time on the trainer.
I live in The Netherlands that has very wet and windy winters. In case of wind, it is optimal to do your speed training with the wind in your back.
Or when you would like to do more strength training, the forest gets really wet and muddy which is good to test your muscles.
When the winter comes I pop the bike away and go into Forrest Gump mode by running everywhere
When I lived in Chicago, winter training adaptations were thicker gloves, more shirts, and a beanie on my head.
I’ve moved to rural Ethiopia where winter is dry and cool and summer is warm and wet. Winter adaptations mean switching to less aggressive trail shoes because there isn’t as much mud.
The only change is moving from outside to inside:
– running, as long as possible outside. Sometimes on the treadmill
– cycling, only inside on the tacx
– swimming, Well its getting cold outdoors. So in the pool.
During the week I train indoors and on weekends i do longer runs or rides.
My adaptation for, sometimes harsh, central european winters includes warm pair of running tights and a three-layer top. Running in winter, especially on fresh snow and in freezing temperatures, is the part I love most about winter. The only sporting downside is I can’t ride my new road bike. So I will probably start pool swimming more. How else can I prepare for my first hopefully triathlon season :)
More clothes on the bike… and more running in the city instead of running in the trails
As the days get shorter and colder, the bike rides get less frequent and shorter and I start to make new running goals. Running in the cold dark winternights is wonderfull, relaxing. And it helps to stay in shape!
Fenix 3 with leather strap looks great.
Cold, windy winter is here, so on the turbo and water rower in the basement.
I live in Greece and, strangely, I enjoy cold weather, so winters are great: business as usual as far as running is concerned.
Fitting running with work and family is harder though with shorter daylight times.
I hate treadmills, so I run later in the morning, after the school run, or in the late afternoon.
In southern Sweden it’s just dark and rainy so I tend to do more indoor strength workouts and shorter but harder and muddier runs. With a good headlamp and rain jacket+shorts there are no excuses for not getting out.
I run less intervals in winter period, for the rest it’s pretty much the same :)
I’m lucky to live in Perth, Australia, where winter is no different to a Paris summer.
The winters where I live tend to be quite wet and windy, and leaves on the ground at the beginning of winter make it very treacherous to run. So for this time of the year, I get a gym membership to last me until winter is over. I’d much prefer running outside, and I still will during the winter (with some more layers!), but only when the conditions mean I won’t risk injuring myself. I’m an early morning runner as well, so this time of year it’s pre-dawn when I go out, which means I need to be as visible as possible, so I make sure I have my head torch and a blinking vest.
I change from outdoor to indoor cycling and shift a cycling focus to a running focus
I seem to have the same approach to a lot of people here – since cycling in the dark is a bit less fun (and light batteries do not last as long as you’d want them to), I tend to switch to running instead. For running, there is seemingly no weather ‘too bad’, since even snow is fun to run in.
run more, bike less
A bit more outdoor cycling…many garage turbo trainer sessions (plenty of tacx RLV).. roughly same weekly running time/mileage..not that cold here in Italy even though I use to train as early birds.. Never give up!
Living in Finland and the winters are in general snowy. I adapt by doing lots of XC skiing instead of running.
Netherlands:
1. Go to Decathlon and buy all the isothermic and winter sport aparel
2. Adopt running and crosstraining to weather conditions by predicting the weather and having a more dynamic schedule.
In few: Get better equipment and adopt when it’s really bad weather.
with good gear, i don’t care about the cold temperatures here in Luxembourg and keep running :-)
Has Christmas come early?
I usually take 2 week brake prior. After that i hit the roads as it was no winter at all … last year it did work out cos there was no snow and not a lot of rainy days. Hope it will work out this year also. As i am a runner, winter means spinning classes in adittion to running :)
The only change I make is to ride more indoors, with specific training on the trainer. I am fortunate enough to be living in weather-blessed Portugal, so I still do the majority of my training outside.
I’ll run as usual and hope to run more km in deep snow. :-)
If it ain’t raining it ain’t training. I just man up
I Live in the UK and i find the best thing to do is…Nothing. Sit back fill myself with festive pies and mulled wine and wait until the spring comes…If it ever comes.
Start my runs little later in the morning, but more of the same! Indian winter rules!!
I just switch from cycling to running !:)
just more running and less cycling.
During the winter in Belgium I continue my weekly training of about 8 hours of cycling and 3 hours of running outdoors. I am not a hometrainer fan. The difference is the material and the equipment used during that period. Like many cyclists here I switch from road bike to mountainbike to hit the muddy paths. I adapt to the winter conditions using Gore-Tex apparel. When it gets really windy and rainy I keep an eye on the intensity of the effort and adapt accordingly.
This winter I plan on doing more running and less biking. And some laps in the swimming pool.
I usually switch bike for indoor trainer, incorporate more swims and additional sessions of streght training to catch up with what I usually neglect during the season.
because it can’t rain forever, can it?
because the wind has to drop sometime, right?
because being cold and wet is temporary and won’t kill you, at least not today…
because the headwind on the way out will be a tailwind on the way home
because you’ll be the only one on the whole mountain
because the beer will have been earned
because the serotonin will feel so good
because deliberately going out in the storm now will make it easier to take the next time one happens without warning
because “why not?” didn’t give you an answer worth a damn
because the bragging rights will be yours forever
That’s why I go out in all weathers here in the rainy UK. Enjoy the winter :)
i line in Galway in the west of ireland. prettymuch rains for most of summer and winter so no change to training schedule.
Prettu much like living in Hawaii………….. well except for underlying weather
Usually I use the treadmill to avoid the cold and rain.
Hei man,
I don’t tri yet, but what comes to running – the only change is to do intervals on indoor track when it’s slippery on the streets.
Moscow, Russia.
Regards,
A
Running on icy and snowy roads are perfect for balance and core stength training. You have to keep a sure footing and place your feet with precision and care, and you have to run with a more pronounced toe strike.
At Saturday, i went to Las Vegas from Germany, to do the 1st Intercontinental Activities. :)
Turbo, turbo, turbo. And I’ve just bought a running machine.
Also group rides – there’s nothing for getting you out in the wet like knowing someone is waiting.
Here in Brazil in the region I live the winter is very dry and not so cold so I just stop swimming and change that for cycling and running. Only when it rains I prefer doing Zwift + Tacx Neo safe at home.
One of the few advantages of living in the extreme south of Italy, is that I can swim in open waters, or outdoor pool, until the end of november ! Running and cycle is sooo easy with this winter weather…
Cycling in summer and running in winter, well mostly ?
Jacksonville Florida doesn’t get too cold. I just add layers and grow a beard to cover my face.
I live in the tropical south on the island of Singapore . Apart from the haze from not much else is going on weather wise. The rains here do get pretty dramatic but getting a little wet here is not such a big deal in a warm climate like ours. No great waves and blue oceans like so in Hawaii but happy to find other kinds of sports like urban cycling, diving or a bit of oohm yoga.
Living in Tel Aviv Israel, winter is welcomed since it is the only time of year that we don’t have crazy dust storms, rockets or insane heat waves. So after the first complaint that it rained and putting on my toe covers and gloves and wearing my wetsuit for open water swims, I go from – melting! To – refreshing!
But training in NYC this December for the first time in my life – and switching to 100% indoor training in preparation for my second full IM. So, snowman?
I change bikes to commute to work an add layers of clothing when it gets colder to run :)
Thermals and head torch on, just get out there!
More running, less cycling
We are in winter denial here in Australia, so in the cooler months we keep wearing shorts and freeze. I strap the light to the bike and layer up, and have a hot shower when I get home to thaw out the toes……
I pull out my winter bike for those wet and snowy conditions here in germany, while my summer bike is on the Wahoo Kickr.
As both have powermeters, I hope to somehow get pretty well through winter (its my first season of eager roadbiking…).
But there are a few other things I do that I don´t do in summer – cross country skiing (skating), ski tours, cross running…
Here in Singapore the “Winter” is more of a rainy season – just as humid as ever, but a bit cooler with fantastic storms. So… I get out on what trails there are here and get as muddy as possible, running from one end of the island to another, spotting hornbills, bee-eaters and monkeys along the way! Also, gearing up for the Standard chartered Marathon in early December, though that’s all on tarmac it’s a huge event :)) Thanks and fingers crossed!
I do swim, bike and run tests to see where my fitness is relative to earlier in the season. I then work on re-balancing the body using strength and core work. I then enter into a build phase over the winter in prep for the new season, reduced hours but good quality sessions.
I put more clothes on while running :) (Sweden)
The winter is coming.. Here up north I do Nordic Skiing whenever the snow situation allows me to. And then swimming and gym as usual.
Lucky to be living in Perth, Western Australia. May have to run in the rain a few times but otherwise perfect weather most of winter.
What do you mean adaptation? It’s cross season!
Luckily, i live in sunny Singapore where it is hot and hotter. No experience nor the know how to adapt training for winter!
As winter is coming, the road bike goes away and the indoor bikes going again.
I bike on a trainer, swim in indoor pools but continue to run outside…
The winters are pretty windy and wet in Prague where I live, so it is not much fun to go running outdoors. But I try to run at least twice a week if the weather is not too nasty. And yet there is indoor rock climbing, pool and treadmill (although I don’t really like this one, I still run on it sometimes)
I live in the UK where it gets pretty grim. I still run outside, but it takes so much more mental willpower to get up early, look outside and not want to hide under twenty duvets.
Will be running through the winter, trying to mix with a bit cross-country skiing when roads are not practicable.
Or at least that’s the plan, most likely I’ll just train less than in the summer season…
I generally play cricket in summer and AFL in winter and that has never changed. My workout routine usually becomes more intense because it becomes harder to sweat as it gets colder
Lucky for me living in Sydney where we are coming into summer! However, winter here typically means more time on the trainer, more pool swimming and some strength training in the home gym.
I live in Sydney, Australia…..and actually did the most riding of the year this winter.
In Portugal it’s not that cold, so I just put on long sleeves and go!
Thanks for the giveaways, as allways;)
I’m always running outdoors no matter what the weather looks like as for the ride thats easy doing everything indoors and for the Long ride i use my water resistant mountain bike ;)
I don’t change a lot of thing, my sport bag is heavier to be able to face the cold, and the warmup for quality is longer…
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?
I pretty much only run (in races, anyway). All that changes over winter is that I increase mileage and stop focusing so much on speedwork until spring arrives. Just once a week at track, really.
England means there’s always a chance of rain, unfortunately. So means gearing up with long sleeves
More running during my lunchtime, a little bit swimming in the evening in pools and a little less riding bikes but more mtb than roadbike. There is no bad weather, just bad clothes.
I am trying to do more indoor activities. Bike trainer rides and swimming in pool. But its so awesome to run in a cold cold conditions). Only run outside when it is cold.
Deep heat on my bits!
I tell myself to stick to the plan just like any other period but I know i will give myself a few misses when it is too cold and the bed is too warm.
tend to opt for more strength training in the gym or alternative sports.
I don’t live in Hawaii so I have to change sports from road biking to indoor sports, xc-skiing and snowboarding.
During the North of England’s wet winters, I throw myself into the Cyclocross scene and embrace the Mud!
I’m a lucky duck living in the Azores. probably it doesn’t have as good a winter as in Hawaii, but still, if you can manage a little bit of rain and wind, temperatures wise it’s very good to keep running and cycling in the roads and in the mountains.
Hi! I live in Valencia (Spain) and the weather here is very hot from May to October, and (not to much) cold from November to April. Real cold (from Valencia standards) only happens in January and February. What I do in cold months is go running at lunch time (from 14:00 to 15:30), because the temperatures are very nice for sport: between 10 – 15 ºC.
Regards!
Jorge.
4 week winter break from football.
For running, just layer up.
Will be ramping up use of the KICKR and TrainerRoad. So bummed I will miss the Tour of Sufferlandria this year, which is usually on my winter training list.
I stop shaving my legs
We have no winter over here in Singapore ;) Doesn’t qualify us as lucky ducks though, no IM races to spectate locally.
Training as per usual. Just keep running running running…
I live in GA so not a ton of adjustments needed. I still do my thing but do add in more strength training.
Thanks!!!
I live in Australia so the winter training is cold but isn’t so bad!
I change a little sports : less bike more nordic skiing or ski touring.
I will be a little less outside and a little more in fitness.
That’s it !
I still run outside, but most of my workouts are indoor stair climbing, on actual stairs, or the StepMill & Jacob’s Ladder.
I am lucky duck and live in brutal New England. I simply put on more layers.
Training in winter is simple – chop out the cycling. I hate riding in the cold.
And for running, I wear multiple layers, beanies and gloves.
Thank God it’s Spring down here at the moment.
Not much to change training-wise as I live in South Florida. Perhaps once our twice I’ll have to toss on a pair of arm warmers or long tights, but other than that it’s pretty sweet training weather down here.
I live in northern Italy, temperatures are not that severe. I just keep on riding my bike unless it rains
Being a road cyclist, I generally taper down on going out onto the road and put my bike on the IDT. I also start a little bit more functional training aka CrossFit to work the muscles that get neglected during the Summer.
I go to the crossfit gym and do kettlebell training. Hope it will give me a good kick for next year ultramarathon runs.
I try to go to the climbing hall once a week. Bouldering is much more fun than the gym! I also run and swim a bit more. And I replace the race bike for the mountainbike.
I started doing kettlebell training toghether with my husband in nearest crossfit gym.
Un gros bonnet, et hop! les skis de fond aux pieds!?