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…
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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.
more weight training, running, and MTB rather than road bike.
Free for me!
I switch over to the winter sofa as I watch TV.
I working on my speed and run until it’s -20C.
Goretex appareil for running, more cardgirus and mountainbiking instead of roadcycling and as usually the same swimming trainings.
I adapt to the weather, not the schedule.
I work at Nike, so I get to test the ProCombat gears: great!
I’m in the UK, so it doesn’t get really cold here, so just an upper base layer and gloves is all I need once the temperature drops below about 5C. It does get a bit soggy though (you may have heard that it rains a bit over here), so I avoid off-road running once the paths start getting muddy,
running switches to riding to indoor swimming in winter!
More clothes, no indoor training.
When the weather gets bad and the roads get slippery I swap the road bike for the MTB, conditions that feel joyless and dangerous on the roads can be fun on the trails.
I just switch from morning rides to afternoon rides and / or morning spinning classes.
Living in Belgium, I challenge the muddy woods with my mountainbike more often and go on more longer steady-state runs.
Just started living on the Isle of Man, so I should buy a new smart Trainer for the winter I guess!
I live near the sea, so the temperature here is pretty stable. In winter I can run with a long sleeve base layer and a windproof vest. No snow at all. I use the indoor trainer on rainy days.
Rose gold to match my pink singlespeed and bespoke kangaroo leather cycling booties….I just types the most hipster thing I could
More cycling and running in the winter. Although it is summer in Sydney so I get to enjoy nor swimming at the moment.
In Sydney, AUS, the biggest inconvenience in Winter is losing a little light at each end of the day. Otherwise, unless its damp or windy it’s business as usual with an extra layer or maybe two when you first leave the house. Got another six months before its a problem though :-) On the plus side, at least most of the snakes are asleep and away from the MTB trails.
Since I am focused on running (mostly) and biking, is is just a matter of increasing the thickness of the clothes and add some aditional pieces like gloves and hat. Appart from that routine remains unchanged.
Generally my training does not change as I’m happy to be out in all weathers but my team sports do (start of the Rugby season). Although a change in job and injuries has meant that I’ll probably be seeing the inside of a gym more than being out and about (I hate the gym)
No adaption – warm clothes and start training
In Brisbane I put a singlet under my training shirt in winter.
No change in running… hour long trainer rides… hit the concept2.
It’s mine!!!!
To secure peace is to prepare for war, to secure the PB at spring is to prepare for winter suffering :-)
I bundle up and shorten my rides for the winter. Try to avoid the trainer as much as possible.
I just changed studded tyres for my bike. Let it snow!
I just do more indoor sports.
A lot more treadmill …
Zombies Run!, Headtorch, Long sleeves and a good podcast. Training distances don’t change to much but the speed certainly does
More couch-training and less outdoor training
Waiting for snow so I can switch to cross-country skiing, great workout!
Pretty much just move my training indoors, so logs of hours on the treadmill and the Kickr. Of course once the snow starts I hit the slopes as well.
Add cross country skiing to training in the week end and snowshoeing.
add me
Trying to convince the good lady that another more winter appropriate bike is a good idea.
Instead of running before or after work hours, then I have to run to work during winter: in Warsaw, it’s just too slippery to ride to work all year long. Hopefully winters tend to get shorter for the last 2 years.
hashtag trainerroad ;)
I want it :)
I’m lucky enough to live in Miami so I look forward to colder (50s is cold for us down here) weather. That being said, I have been seen wearing long tights during training rides in winter.
In Greece the weather is lovely even in winter. It gets colder of course than in summer, but I don’t change much. I run in leggings more than in shorts and I put on my fluffy ear mufflers! :)
This is my quick comment to enter the “November Garmin (Fancy) Fenix3 Giveaway”:
I do not live in Hawaii, neither I am a duck, neither I do change my training schedule for winter. ;-)
What I may change is to leave the light clothes in the drawer and take the thermal underwear out.
I live in Germany and even there is not an extreme weather change, I do not mind in training aroung 0 degrees celsius or with ice and snow. I am not a duck nor a penguin.
:-)
I run a lot better in the winter here in TN, so I actually increase the mileage quite a bit in the colder months
take the pressure off by not focusing on targets and just get out there and ride
Living in Denmark you have to change your training schedule for the winter time, due to cold, wet and dark evenings. I keep on running twice a week but have swapped my racing bike with my MTB, also twice a week. Due to a new and lucky employment I will also be able to train in fitness and activity center – once a week during working hours!
Keep the washing machine busy and step out!
Less bike, more run, some trainer
Just keep running, but take precautions. At night I dress up like a Christmas tree, red flashing light on my back and shoes, bright light in front (helps me to stay on the road and tracks). During autumn storms avoid the forest and when it is raining cats and dogs; just look forward to a warm shower :) Just two reasons to change my habit: 1. roads are too slippery from ice and 2. when canals and lakes are frozen no one can take a Dutchman from ice skating
I’ll run outside unless it’s below five degrees, then it’s the bike on my old cyclops trainer.
I am doing MTB races. So here in Westernaustria it´s too cold and there luys to much snow on the ground. The good thing about snow is, you can go ski hiking and enjoy nature in winter.
Else I go running, like I did the Istanbul Marathon last weekend with my girlfriend (just the 10km run, I did a few marathons years ago, and I wanted to do some sightseeing too, and that sucks with marathon legs). And finally I do more weight training in winter. But weight training i try to do the whole year once a week. A barbell (and the squat) should be a cyclists most loved equipment next to his bike ;-)
I’m in Alberta, Canada, so winter lasts about half the year here. Biking takes place on the trainer but I’ll still run outside as much as possible – I put screws in the bottom of my shoes for grip on ice/snow! I also ski whenever I can. May as well make the most of it!
Brazil only has two seasons: warm and hot. :-) So I train as long as time is available.
I’m just keep running. Usualy I am preparing to spring halfmarathon and 10k.
Run on only the streets with streetlights after dark.
Here in upstate NY the bike goes on the trainer in the pain cave. Cross country skies get brought down from the garage and layers get added on the run.
No such thing as bad weather. Just soft people. I’ll still run in the rain and adapt by wearing thicker layers.
Nice piece. Sure could use one. :D
Try to be outdoors as much as possible, other than that substitue with indoor rowing and cycling.
More indoor training and more MTB riding
It’s hitting 41 degrees down here in Sydney tomorrow, so even my cool early morning runs aren’t going to cut it! Bring back winter I say.
Great
Snowy Canada – lots of hamster wheeling on the indoor bike trainer, and swimming! If I can go outside without my eyeballs freezing then runs in the snow are awesome
More biking (trainer), a little less running this winter
Rule 5 : link to velominati.com
Just only cycling and running. Too cold to swim as it’s no indoor pool here. HAHAHA
I basically do all workouts the same just indoors, so on a treadmill or trainer. I also tend to work on developing strength while I am inside to change things up.
A Fenix watch would be the perfect gift for My girlfriend to motivate her to start running again and be a half marathon finisher!
All cycling indoors on my Kickr (more interval work via TrainerRoad) more treadmill running, rowing and cut back swimming.
Yaktrax! And a lot more layers. I also tend to change my running from longer steady-state runs to shorter sprints…through the snow…whilst chasing my dog (he’s gotta get his fetch training in, too, even in the winter)
No big changes, trail running is fun during winter months too. less cycling though.
Running in early morning (in the cold) to prepare for my first marathon next March, and do a little in door cycling in the evening.
You say Phoenix, I say Fenix! Yes please!
It never gets cold enough in Dallas to really need to change any routines, just bundle up a little bit more and get back out there.
When winter comes, I put bicycle on hold and switch to cross-country skiing and swimming. Winter hiking is also fun.
Winter means the bike stays on the trainer and I have to get out a heat lamp to stay warm while riding. HR based training on the bike moves to virtual power based training with trainer road!
For running, it means more treadmill where I can focus on consistency of pace and as Sky says, marginal gains.
My cycling training consists of about 95% indoors year-round in my pain cave garage. The only difference is that I change from having the A/C unit to having the space heater. For running, it means doing a lot more laundry because of the increased layers.
Mostly do low volume but high intensity workouts indoors on the treadmill and on the bike trainer.
Threadmil when it rains.
Add more clothing to keep outside for as long as possible. I will put the bike on my indoor trainer soon. As for running I’ll keep outside all year round.
Hi,
Unfortunately I live in Canada instead of Hawaii or other tropical paradise, so I need to adapt a little. Intervals and tempo runs are on the treadmill. All the others runs are done outside in the cold with a few more layers.
Indoor soccer, more strength training, continue to run trails and hike but weather permitting.
I do the same training but with the horrible weather in England I mix in turbo training. I don’t mind running in the rain and cold.
winter is coming – grab some wool baselayers
I live in the southeastern US in Georgia. When we have 2-4 weeks of “cold” weather I keep running but throw on a hat and gloves.
Lovely british weather here so more time on the turbo with sufferfest, although I might give zwift a go. I also increase my running sessions I don’t mind running in crappy weather.
I use the boiling frog method. I make sure to run through the cool days of fall so I’m ready when the cold winter hits. Taking off time in the fall makes it too hard to start again in the winter.
I’m moving from a lot of road runs to few runs and crossfit classes and volleyball!
This year in France summer last a bit longer so no particular adaptation this year. Clothes will be a little bit longer in some days. In term of training types, no differences. For your information, I’m not living in Paris, But “Je suis Paris”.
Regards.
I tend to move indoors (since I’m in upstate NY) and do “speed work” on an indoor track.
In the very harsh winter we see in California, I am forced to reduce my running mileage significantly!
Running probably 10%-20% less because of shorter days, with the biggest consequence being not to have the time to pack some verticals.
Move to more indoor trainer time, and pickup basketball
Unfortunately Hawaii is not an option, I simply put on some warmer clothes
For cycling: instead of Road and/or TT Bike I go in the winter months for Cyclocross, MTB and Zwift :)
For running: Training for my first half-marathon in February, so no winter-break for me when it comes to running. Just keep on going!
Living in Britain planning for winter consists of putting on an extra layer under the waterproof
I tend to use winter as a point to take a step back, relax, and fall back in love with the sport without the aid of a ton of metrics (although I still like to track my progress before and after the workout). It’s also a time to work on alternative exercises and sports to keep me healthy, and focus on some additional training to address some injuries (or prevent them!) before the season starts up again. Nothing like getting some quality time in with the wall and a lacrosse ball.
Living in the Netherlands, that’s kinda just like Hawaii :)
Just crank it up a notch: run faster to stay warm and get ready for my semi-marathon in January.
I’ll be spending a lot of time on my brand new smart trainer, the purchase of which was informed by your great reviews here. I am training up to do my first GrandFondo in May. Thanks, Ray!
I put on hat and gloves for run’s. Not giving up that easily!
Although, Zwift is my friend for biking.
I still run outside in Ottawa but move the bike inside. There are no bike lanes left once the snow starts coming.
I just have to grin and bear it in the constant rain that is London!!
I scale back quite a bit in training during the off season and give back to the family that supports me being gone so much. I do often move to off road sports as well in order to some variations. Usually add in more strength training as well. Thanks for all you do. We all really appreciate it.
I start cross country sking and move indoors to pool.