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.
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.
Same deal, more layers. Maybe eggnog instead of chocolate milk post run.
I live in Florida so no change really
More climbing during winter months!
I love running in winter. I just hate that it’s dark all the time. I don’t really change much except that I do get more workouts in at the gym
I want it so bad
Mostly indoor cycling (TrainerRoad on my KICKR). But, I do go for an “outside” ride if the weather is dry. I don’t mind the cold if I’m wearing all the right gear.
More indoor rowing and more layers for running once the snow starts.
Run faster. Ride harder. Defrost after.
I love a new Fenix
Track session followed by nice long run over the weekend!
Rock climbing moves from Rock to Plastic in the Gym. Running stays the same (mostly trails or neighborhood streets…), swimming stays the same, skiing takes the place of slack-lining, skate-boarding and hiking. Pretty much dictated by the beautiful Oregon winter rain ;-)
I joined a gym and I’m going to use a treadmill
Switch to mountain biking and indoor swimming, but running stays the same.
There is no bad weather, only bad gear… I’m married to a Swede. They put snow tires on the bicycles. Need I say more?
Keep on running – just dress properly.
Down to around 35F or so I’ll run outside all bundled up. Below that, or with snow or ice on the ground, it’s the treadmill or indoor track at the gym. For cycling, it’s the trainer most year round.
I live in sunny southern california, so sometimes I do have to wear a long sleeve :P
Definitely use the turbo a lot more during the winter…Zwift has definitely made life easier. Also a good time to hit the gym to build strength for next season’s races.
I’ve been spoiled in Arizona, however that is all going to change with our move to Wisconsin! There will be plenty of adapting to learn. I have narrowed my trainer choice for zwifting down thank you DC, Now if you could work on the fat bikes and XC skis everything might be figured out. Excited to frolic in the winter wonderland again, will have to learn to enjoy the pain cave though. Adapt and overcome, why fit it join them all!
For winter here in the snowy northeast US I am mostly back in the pool and get more running in on the treadmill when I cant get outside
I warm up by jumping rope before heading outside; and make sure my face is covered up to protect it from windburn! Run inside on treadmill when it’s raining/snowing.
In NH we just HTFU
I bike less, swim more, and run about the same (all layered up instead of on the treadmill…unless it’s really nasty outside).
I definitely hit the treadmill more.
the gym and indoor riding on a vintage computrainer no less.
Looking forward to your newsletter :)
Going to be moving to a new sport (skating) and the bike trainer
I keep running outsides and cycling, but sometimes do indoor running and more power workouts. If weather is really bad.
I am lucky cuz I live in San Diego so winter is not so much of a winter as other cities. However, I’m anemic so I’m always cold. Wearing layers helps me! :D
I live in Indiana, so i ride outdoors if its > 45F, and make up the missing days on my resistance rollers in the basement while watching re-runs of The Soprano’s.
I live in on the island of Borneo, so winter means that the monsoon has arrived (=hot rain). So sometimes I have to jump out of the pool because if lightening storms. Other than that I’m just ticking along.
Living in Quebec, winter is part on our lives! You can stil run all winter long, and it can actually be really fun to run in the snow. Only adaptation is to dress properly…
I live in Texas. No change, just keep on running!
Just eat more spicy foods!
I run in the afternoon instead of the morning – much warmer.
I adapt my winter training schedule by training less and eating more. The result is a nice layer of fat that keeps me a afloat in the pool, warm on runs where it’s five below zero and motivated to get on the bike. The real risk I am taking here is that I might win the watch – in which case I will have to train more and, thus, sacrifice my precious, precious fat. It’s a risk I am willing to take. If I win, I promise to send a picture of me wearing it along with at least two other watches. All hail DC Rainmaker!
I just happen to live in a nice and warm around the year place – Southern California! So no change to training but for the addition of skiing on the weekends.
Just workout indoors here.
I add yoga back into my regimen for the winter months.
I hunker down on my wahoo kickr and then head into t2 at mot local gym across the street for a nice long run. Winter is great for building up endualrance and skills!
Treadmill. A lot.
During winter, I turn to snow sports – downhill skiing and training in the pain cave (Wahoo Kickr in the basement).
Texas is best for winter training!
The winter sadly finds me in the gym much more. In lieu of running too much on a treadmill, I try to do more cross training. The best days are the ones when I can land an indoor tennis court :)
Thanks for doing the giveaway, as always.
This is my first Tri winter so I will train like the pros. I will continue to train outside unless it’s dangerously cold. Alternatively, I will take it indoors and bring out my Sufferfest videos.
Living in FL means temperatures aren’t really an issue. Mountain biking with lights and more running in the winter for me.
In south Florida, sometimes I have to wear long sleeve shirts.
In northeast Texas, there are rare ice days every few years, so no problem running year round. Light and/or reflective gear is a must.
I usually run outside and ride on a trainer in the winter. This year, I plan to add snowshoeing.
I’ve decided to give running a try. I hear its good for me…
The trainer and the treadmill are set up next to each other. We also have an outdoor heated pool in my community that opens at 4 AM. Its cool to have the splashes from your flip turns frozen to the deck by the time you get out of the pool.
I shift training to indoors. Trainer and Treadmill all the way!
No cold weather where I live. Just keep running. :)
I try and get outside as much as possible still but use of my rollers goes up substantially.
Winter is for easy base building.
I live in Florida, so my winter training schedule is pretty much the same as it is for the rest of the year.
I pretty much keep my running schedule the same. I just add cold weather gear to what I wear, so I’ll wear a nice pair of gloves, a nice tech cap, a nice tech long sleeve shirt, and when the temps drop to 35F or lower I wear some tights. I also usually swap over to wool socks to keep my feet nice and warm. Then if the side walks are covered in snow I’ll run on the opposite side of the road, since the roads are always clear.
neoprene shorts and cap in the outdoor pool!
I live in Florida, so I welcome the cool weather for running. If it’s too windy and cool, riding indoors let’s me catch up on my TV shows.
I try to bundle up and get my a$$ out there anyway, but it doesn’t always work. More easy runs when footing is suspect, as I’m more likely to biff it if attempting intervals.
Entering Fenix 3 contest. Wooo hoooo.
I find that even in Chicago where we experience below zero fahrenheit weather, you just need to change your gear. Grab a balaclava, don’t overdress, done.
It’s dark when I go to work and it’s dark by the time I get home during the heart of winter. I live in Minot, ND so any running is pretty much all indoors. It’s not so much because of the snow as it is outrageous wind chill. Crowded 1/12 mile track doesn’t appeal to me so my husband and I try to snowmobile whenever we can. I’d love some ideas from others that deal with similar weather :)
I primarily run, so I don’t really adapt. I just stretch more and I make sure to at least leave the house with long sleeves and a hat. No matter how cold it gets, I can’t bring myself to wear those skin tight runner pants that people wear. Not knocking those that do wear them, though.
I try to train in the warmer part of the day when possible. Or hit the dreadmill or bike trainer instead.
Not Hawaii but Southern California. So I do change things up in the winter. My winter routine is to ride my fixed gear bike to the pool, about 20 miles round trip, and swim 1 mile. 2 or three times a week.
Break out the fatbike and the winter running gear. Hit the gym more often.
No snow here, but lot of rain, so indoor treadmill.
All year runner here…shift time and gear. Under armor and mid day lunch runs!
Gym time
Swimming indoors. Run if it’s not icy on the roads.
I mostly do cross-country skiing, with other HIIT programs, as a kind of “break” for Tri season.
Then, when XC-skiing is not much of an option anymore, I switch back to rollers and winter running to get things started, as well as first swims, to get rid of them chlorine-pool headaches :P
Ride on the trainer, swim indoors, run ouside with layers, and ski!
Inside bike, outside shirts.
Same. I swim, bike and run… but indoor!
Usually add a couple of layers and keep running outside. Routes change with the footing. Bike path when clear, parking lot loops if icy, and neighborhood loops if plowing and de-icing needed. Indoor track if too brutal outside.
This year winter will be different. Recovering from foot stress fracture. So…indoor swimming for now, trainer soon (hopefully), and maybe some outdoor runs in time for the real winter fun :-)
More morning taking long ways with my bike commutes and afternoon runs.
Enjoy the empty, windswept, lonely frozen roads. Give everyone the eye when they show back up on my roads in April.
Treadmill and cardiotennis
I end up doing more running than riding. Riding indoors on the trainer is mind numbing.
Run , Ride outside with layers , swim inside and enjoy the holidays !
I tend to hop on the treadmill. On days where we get mid 30’s or higher I’ll run outside. I like the idea of getting a trainer and pairing it with Zwift, I just haven’t been able to pull the trigger on a bike and trainer setup for winter.
I don’t mind the cold, but because it gets dark so early I have to take most of my training indoors.
Reduce volume, focus on strength, form and drills.
I already posted but missed the checkbox with the $20 support button so I added it now only for that reason alone.
Still doing it all but maybe less
Netflix + bike trainer
Weekend group rides with layered clothes
Threadmill and indoor pool for me :)
I come for the gadget info, but it’s the rest that gives the site personality.
Running outdoors during the winter months in Ontario require some Merino wool, more layers and some good Gore-Tex shoes… and don’t look at the weather forecast too much…
I mostly just run.
Winter is not so harsh where I’m from… so I just wear more clothes when it gets colder.
I just tell myself that I love the cold, dark, and wet–it’s perfect.
I live in New Mexico, so even in winter I’m still able to get outside! It gets colder, so just add some layers. It even snows a little, but considering the typical lack of snow, it’s an added bonus to the landscape!
Like the look of these new Fenix watches
I break out my cold weather gear and keep on running. Don’t let the Illinois winters stop me.
I live in Malaysia, winter doesn’t exist here! Unfortunately, the end of the year brings the wet monsoon winds as well :( this means checking the weather forecast and taking advantage of clear days. Getting a trainer for my girlfriend and I also helps!
I just erase the memories of running against the harsh cold winds to repeat the cycle the next winter…
In the winter, I workout in the gym more (weight training). I live in Boulder and so I’m still able to run and bike most days. And of course, go skiing (though I’m not sure I consider it part of my workout routine).
Thanks for all the great reviews
Indoor trainer will help me to keep my fitness level. Beside this new training plan set up focusing on long slow runnings on weekends.
i live in a warm climate in qld, australia…so i just throw on a jacket and away i go as per normal in winter