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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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 wear rain jackets.
I carry on cycling as normal, just change bikes to a hybrid for resistance training
I use the winter to cut back on cardio a bit and add more strength training.
running tights , gloves, hat , good to go !
Hi,
Living close to Nice I will not change anything to my training during winter … Bike, Swin, Run and a glass of Rosé :)
JP
I go into indoor tri mode, treadmills, spinning, lap swimming.
I’m one of those lucky guys living in Italy who can’t complain about bad weather! Thanks for your work and congratulations with your new full time job
If cycling I usually wing it, I have just a few cycling related clothes, none of them winter designed. I am comfortable cycling so as long as the temperatures don´t drop below -3 degrees Celsius, below that, well, I just freeze a little, especially when going downhill. To be honest I am making a return to cycling, after a year hiatus, and I chose this time of the year to do so (smart move :/ ), so I am going to buy a cycling jacket and better (possibly full finger) cycling gloves.
Running, well, I have always liked running in the cold, the only variation being switching my cap for a winter one and using a sweatshirt.
On the swimming department, well, I swim indoors year round, so no real variation there.
I love in Greece and when winter comes, in November, I stop swimming and make more use of my bremshey elliptical.
Nothing really changes as I keep running in the rain, sleet and snow. I hate treadmills.
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 don`t change the sports or maybe just a little. I change where and when mainly. I do more rope jumping inside and less running outside. And some snowboarding now and then. I just adapt to the winter restrictions.
Really nice blog. Thanks for the useful info and the great reviews.
Winter is a great time to exercise in the American South. Temperatures are finally reasonable.
Not living in Hawai, but no problems to run in the winter with shorts.
Lucky me
I still do all 3 sports but focus more on higher intensity and less on endurance.
Trainer is out, TrainerRoad is on and the running tights are getting use as its now below freezing.
Here in beautiful Colorado, winter weather rarely keeps me from training outdoors with the exception of swimming which at best is 80% indoors during the warmest months. However for me, winter adds some training variety on the slopes.
Much more indoors during the week, then enjoy the sunshine (ey, whats that?) at the weekend.
I adapt my winter training by focusing more on running than swimming/biking. I try to run during my lunch hour, when it’s light out. And, I also do trainer rides in my house (while watching my favorite tv shows – which I’ll only watch while I’m on the trainer) = motivation. I should definitely swim more. But, I try to focus mostly on running and improve there.
I continue with my triathlon training ground program but just not the yearly hours, is a bit cold but I also try to do a bit more “base miles” rather than speed and power work…!
When it gets colder I am normally doing more running than cycling but the 2-3 times a week I do some cycling it is still outdoors. I simply dont like indoor training.
I live in the northern Illinois area. Why change? I just schedule/work around the weather. Any thing above zero degrees, 20 mph wind and semi clear streets is good enough fro me.
Living in sweden, we get some snow and ice as well as freezing temperature. Running continues but with more clothes and other shoes as well as some lights. Biking is switched for some gym training and swimming goes inside.
Someone cleverer than me once said, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. So I ignore the weather, and just dress appropriately. (I don’t swim open water though… Swimming moves into the heated indoor pool)
No need for modifications in sunny Malta!
Fat bike and studded tires.
I live in Florida so I enjoy my runs in the cooler weather even more! I also belong to a gym so when it gets too cold I can run or swim in the gym. :)
I only change the bike to 29er with heavy tyres and wait for serious winter with temperatures below -15C (I hate rainy winters we’ve had in Eastern Europe recently)
I keep running in the winter. Downside is less daylight hours and my husband doesn’t like me to run in the dark by myself. I need to be at work at 6:00 am and then care for my kids from after school to bedtime. So I’m on the treadmill during the week. I’m excited for the weekend when I get to run outside even in sub-freezing temps as long as the roads are not too icy.
I continue to train indoors at work and usually just wrap up a bit more when running or cycling. But as the Rugby season us well under way I tend to do get more strength training and hill sprints at the club.
Up the maroons
Ooo Morley Morley Ooo
Cold or not very cold, I prefer Bluetooth over blue feet.
Been reading your blog for sometime and it has helped me in choosing what to buy and what not to buy. Thanks for your help.
As for my winter training – unfortunately I live in the UK so the weather always plays a part. I am a cyclist mainly so I dust off the old turbo trainer and get back to the proper training programmes that I should be doing when I am normally putting the miles in on the road and trails.
This year I am going to start to throw running into the mix, at that moment running should read as plodding!!
Keep up the good work.
I’m doing the Disney marathon again this January. So my training is just hitting it’s peak right now.
Lots of weather proof clothes and gloves.
I switch from biking to running during the cold and dark winter months
I move indoors for winter training here in Northern Europe. Pool swimming and turbo trainer for me until april when the weather becomes bearable again.
I try to ride outside as much as possible on the weekends when the weather is cooperating. If not, I put the bike on the trainer and pedal away on a ride to nowhere.
Being in Cali, I don’t have to change a whole lot other than add an extra layer and lights.
I live in southern Germany, I swing around to skiing, snow shoeing, winter hiking/biviing, swimming in an indoor pool as an alternative to the summer program. Still pretty much full on.
We also try and spend 4 weeks in a southern country every winter (Australia this year) which does provide plenty alternatives.
Cheers
In winter, I triy to do pretty much the same as during summer except that I have a cold.
A little more indoor cycling, and treadmill time. And as a true Canadian, hockey.
I was training for cross-country skiing most of the summer.
So know it’s winter I can get off roller skis and onto real skis!
Running is harder in two feet of snow, so I use a treadmill in the winter.
Strength I just do inside.
And the bikes are away for the winter.
Not lucky enough to live in Hawaii but SoCal is pretty nice for year round training.
I will train more indoors for swim and cycling but never abandon cycling and running outdoors.
My brain turns the rain or snow into sun. Perfect weather all year long, nothing to change!
I have always been very dedicated throughout the outdoor season then I fall into a lazy slumber during the winter months and have to start all over come spring. I have committed to being different this year. I have a power meter now and Zwift has been amazing. I also got a fatbike and look forward to plowing through some mountain bike trails with some local friends.
I don’t adjust much, but it takes a couple of weeks to get used to the cold and overcast weather :(
Where I live in Canada, winter is cold and snowy. I don’t ride outdoors during winter, but instead switch to indoor training following TrainerRoad plans.
In the winter (rainy Oregon) I lift weights & do spin class instead of outdoor rides. When it’s not wet, I’ll do some running.
I live in Vancouver, BC, so we’re used to getting wet, whatever the time of year! In the winter, I might also bring a towel to run club, as well as a change of clothes.
I pay a lot of money to skip winter by living in California
Head to the dark cave and spin on my trainer with Netflix as my friend.
I usually try to run after work instead of before, and tend to bundle up a lot more! I also have a trainer for my bike so I like to ride and watch movies when it’s REALLY cold outside.
Cycling on the Tacx during the week, mtb outside in the weekends..
I do more indoor strength training and treadmill work in the Winter!
I pull back on structured training and pack it all in on weekdays so I can free the weekends for skiing. It’s all about the skiing!!
I live in Bahrain, where you don’t really adapt for the winter, but rather for the summer. People mostly stay indoors for the 3 hot summer months, or travel abroad if they’re lucky.
The “winter” is the fun time, when everyone is out running, biking and swimming for the brave.
I can’t stand doing any workout indoors, so I stay dormant in the summer months!
I adapt to the cold winter training months in Colorado by doing new things. I have found a great speed skating club. I never would have thought speed skating until I met a former US Olympic athlete here in Colorado Springs. The burn hurts is all I can say about speed skating. Oh and we like to run in the snow. I mean what’s the point of all the cool cold weather gear most companies make now if I can’t use it. Keep cranking or skating.
I lower my weekly running mileage and do more cross training(biking on rollers with sufferfest) and lifting. This winter I am going to try and pick up cross country skiing.
I always tend to run during the winter as the road bike stays home :) Low temperature is not an issue at all.
In wintertime I continue running but usually I need to exchange the forest tracks to roads due to snow and light conditions. If enough snow xc skiing (preferable skate) is really fun and good training…
I ride my spin bike and run when it’s too cold to ride.
My winter “adaption” is frequent gym workouts to compensate for not getting out in the clod, dark, humid, dreary Scandinavian winters.
I am on the trainer bike when weather dictates.
I live in Buffalo and I swim indoors year round so no adaptations necessary with the exception of blow drying my hair to keep it from turning to icicles, as far as running typically I’ll continue to run outdoors all winter but if it’s negative wind chill or the weather is really miserable I run on an indoor track!
i live in Greece so my winters are not so cold.But i like it better to be a little colder
I enjoy jogging in all time of the year!
Luckily, winter training in California doesn’t differ too much from summer training except for a long sleeve shirt.
However, with the darker evenings I wear a reflective jacket and spend 50% more time in the gym doing weight training and intervals.
I typically bundle up for workouts outside, but then i remember i live in Hawaii and should run around topless
How do you adapt your training schedule for winter?
– Very little. The biggest difference for me is that I train more over lunch than in the morning.
Do you change sports altogether, or do you happen to be one of those lucky ducks living in Hawaii?
– Nope, I keep running, outside. And I live in Indiana.
In the winter I swim inside and I mostly bike on the trainer, but I try to run outside as much as I possibly can because I HATE the treadmill. I have quite the array of cold weather running layers.
Have to repost, subscription did not work…
I do not change any thing in my routine and continue running, hiking and cycling as usual reason being that i happen to be not one of the lucky ducks but instead one of the lucky swans living close to swan river in perth, Australia which see’s a pretty nominal weather throughout the year.
In the winter rainning days i prefer to go for a swim in the town swiming pool, but what i realy love is a long run on really cool nights with full gear. As it never snows here in Portugal i really love running in the cool winter.
I end up riding my bike more in the winter (SoCal) and also focus a bit more on downhill trail speedwork (running). Other than that, not a whole lot changes.
What is this winter thing you’re talking about? ;) Summer’s coming to the tip of Africa, so there will be lots of outdoor swims and a new batch of exciting trail runs.
Been stuck with my leg in a cast for the past 12weeks. I actually can’t wait to start training.
Start by building up some fitness on the turbo followed by 3 months of taking it easy before I can run.
All I really need is a bath though.
Winter means wearing 7 lbs of clothes to go for a run . . . but it’s better than the treadmill.
My winter training plans basically involve putting on a shirt when I run or 100oz less fluids on my long training rides…since I live in S FL!
Thank you Rain Man for all your effort in the Fitness Community. Reading your posts not only inform me but they get me out of the house. Keep up the amazing work!!!
Wrap up warm and continue running!!!!Although I do remember a run when it was so frosty I got halfway round and then had to walk back as I was too cold to run!!!!!
I live in New Orleans so the weather doesn’t get too cold. My only modifications are that I wear longer sleeves and sometimes pants.
living in Australia there isn’t much change to the training. Just need to remember to put lights in the bike and wear some warmer clothes
In winter the trainings continue but a with less intervals and more ‘free’ style. Once it becomes more light and less slippery again, the marathon routines for the April marathon is kicking in.
In Hawaii, so I’d go dig up that one long sleeve dry fit shirt before going out for a run, and take it off 10 minutes into the run cause it’s already too hot to wear.
I schedule more races for the winter. I prefer racing in the cold since you can always add a layer. The training part can be tough, though. It’s the commitment that helps get me up on the cold mornings.
I do not really change my schedule for winter. It just becomes a little darker, colder and with a few more layers.
Start training for track during mid November and continue to run outside unless the windchill drops below 0 and throw in some frostbite races into the training cycle
Here with lots of foggy days it doesn’t matter when you go out to run/bike….alll day with no sun light, with 2-8ºC…always is hard, sad and icy. But nobody says its gone be easy!!!
When it gets to cold I change running with swimming…
I’m in Seattle so the clothes I wear change more than the training that I do. Although I am a bit of a wuss so my cycling volume does drop during the winter (replaced with more running).
Living in the Netherlands, winters are wet and sometimes snow. But no need to change the training schedule, swimming is indoors and running in the snow is fun.
A couple of extra layers and keep on running
Thanks it will be great
Don’t not live in Hawaii, we live on Guam. 90 degrees year round, so no need to adapt to colder weather. Just hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
I start to run less outdoors and run indoors more
I change from cycling and running to winter sports: cross country skiing, backcountry snowboarding, full moon midnight hiking and indoor cycling. Winter is also the perfect time for watching movies, baking cakes, sauna, planing the next season…
Just add some layers, even during winter days can be relatively hot in AZ :)
As long as the temperature stays above -10 C and the streets are safe to run, I do not change a thing on my training schedule. Meaning:
Running outside 4 days / week plus indoor bodyweight training 2-3 times / week. I follow the https://runningcoach.me plan to prepare for my first Marathon next year (Hamburg).
I wish I lived in a place that was cold, snowey or in someway testing through the elements, but here in Durban RSA we are blessed with perfect training weather through our winter. The inspiring landscape however makes me trail harder, paddle stronger, run further and keep me focused on what I enjoy most without having to change disciplines…all I need is a Fenix 3!
I’m lucky enough to be living in Southern California right now so I don’t really have to do much to change my training besides put on a couple more layers for running and biking, and check the snow forecast for hiking! For hiking I usually have to add many more layers, but it’s nice to be in a location that I can just keep going!
I try to cross train as much as I can (been sticking to crossfit lately) plus swimming for cardio. I’ll run as long as it is over 30 degrees but man it’s tough to motivate to run when it is dark and cold.