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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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!
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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 am running more in the city parks and less in the mountains.
It’s easier to stay warm in the cold than it is to stay cool in the heat. Keep running.
Indoor trainer, less MTB and road but less miles, more running.
central europe, so running in the sleet and mud, swimming, bike if miracle happens and sun shows up.
I tend to include more indoor workouts, such as cross trainer and turbo trainer to my schedule during the winter. As it can be very dark, cold and wet here in the UK this time of year!
Summer: 75% riding, 25% running.
Winter: 25% riding, 75% running.
When it gets wet, just run inside, but otherwise stay (and play around) outside.
Schedule depends rather on events than on the season. Do run and bike also if it snows.
For a Swedish triathlete, there are mainly two ways to survive the winter:
1) Land a lucrative sponsor deal and spend the summer in a well tempered training paradise of choice.
2) Live by the proverb “Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder” (“There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.”)
As I am spending my time trying to get a free training watch, the first alternative is obviously out of the question. Luckily, I have always found that putting on some layers of merino wool just makes the workout cosier. So no drastic changes in the training. If it is really cold, like minus 10 to 20 degrees (celsius) I usually don’t do very hard intervals as the cold air can get tough on the lungs.
gimme gimme :DD
gonna ride in the rain this weekend on some cobblestones
Winter has been warm in the San Francisco Bay Area, I run the same schedule, but need bring a flashlight in the evening.
Time to make life easier to my beloved 310
Sweat less, fall over more.
Switch the rear tire to a cheap tire and spend a lot more time on the trainer and trainerroad while watching the season(s) of shows I have saved on the DVR. Luckily I get a few occasional nice days where I can go and get a short ride outdoors hoping that the cheap tire doesn’t go flat.
I mostly run… changing maybe time of day (after sunset more than before sunrise…) and tracks. If some show get made near my places… Show trailing in the mountains!!! It’s wonderful cause you can run in full silence ( I’m living on Orobian Pre-alps on North Italy …). If time is not a problem some nordic ski is a good alternative …
We’re lucky in SoCal – especialy if you hate indoor cardio like me. Winter means lighted rides/runs (use Dinotte for both) and keeping the ears and hands warm.
Indoor!
Through the winter (my off season), I shift my training to incorporate more heavy strength training as well as just logging base miles. I’ll also generally do some more specifically focused blocks for a particular sport (swim/bike/run). Other than that, I just layer up!
I bundle up and do my regular jog!
In Frankfurt, Germany, so my training will change to biking on a trainer. Died in my 70.3 bike leg this year so this winter I want to be on the trainer every orher day to start trained into the new season! Frnix would be a great addition for that!
Switch sports (SkiMo & Skate Ski) mostly but log plenty of frosty mornings on the garage trainer.
Going harder
I pop on an extra pair of socks, and try to just get it over with……..
I have a indoor bike but I do live in Florida so we have a long summer here. I can still run outside and bike but no swimming in winter. I’m glad Garmin came out with that rose gold fenix 3 because I have seen some of the girls on instagram (not many) wear it. With gold bracelets it can be pulled off style wise.
Living in Dallas, usually winter just means pulling out the running tights, headband, and gloves. Otherwise, not all that different than summer. (Except in winter, you can train at 3pm without melting into the sidewalk.)
Once the cold hits I move my running from the mornings to the evenings. Then they go and move the clock back so it’s over to the treadmill.
Some days I brave it outdoors though. Strangely enough, those days are always the last ones you would expect to run outdoors. Cool sprinkles: treadmill. Wind and sleet: run outside for some reason.
clothing layers, mittens, running with friends, and the treadmill if the roads/trails get icy
Winter is normally where I work on a bit more of my strength training and run mainly intervals on a treadmill. This winter I’m planning on getting involved with some indoor rock climbing to branch out as well, but as long as the weather is above 20 degrees and no ice on the ground I’ll still try and run my minimum of 5 a day outside!
Don some winter gear and hit the road. Occasionally I’ll make a half-hearted attempt to hit the mill but quickly give up and affirm I’d rather risk hypothermia outdoors than ever do that again.
Due to weather and reduced daylight hours I tend to just get one good ride in on a weekend and then use the indoor trainer and trainerroad during the week.
I may even take up running this winter.
I live in SoCal, so I don’t have to change much. :) Just more trainer work on the weekdays since it’s dark by the time I’m off of work.
Grin and bare it!
Man. hook a brother up. I need this after my FR620 ran outa battery 2 km from the finish of The Comrades Maraton.. Need more powah… Or run faster..
Running until it snows (treadmill once it gets really messy) and a greater focus on strength training.
I can’t run inside, but I’m happy to spend time on the trainer.
living in North Carolina it isnt too bad. Only about one day or less all winter you cant run. Biking often still an option, and if it does snow, hit the trails!
LT
I live in Brazil, so, no need for any changes! :)
I layer up and try to run later in the day when the sun is out.
I have been spending a bit more time in the gym doing some weight training and dusting the old stationary trainer off at home. I may even join the local Y to take up some swimming as well. Still trying to ride the old fixed gear in to work and home but the fog makes it hard.
MTB instead of the road cycle, “long john” while running. Fresh air FTW!
Trainer indoors and a ton of cold gear for running. East coast gets chilly.
I used to just ride my bike all winter. Intervals on Mont-Royal, on the packed snow.
Now I just swim indoors year-round, and I switch to competing in Masters swim competitions.
I’m lucky enough to live in NorCal. I do however, spend more time trail running on Mt Tam in Marin and less time in the pool. So, my normal week is computrainer class 3 days a week, run 4 days a week, big trail run on weekend and swim once or twice depending on weather- most of our pools are outdoors!
I actually prefer running in winter. You can add as many layers as needed to stay warm, but in the summer there are only so many layers you can (legally) remove to remain cool.
I focus on just trying to stay active which may mean doing different sports like XC skiing or snowshoeing. Could be running or orienteering or swimming or weights or could be biking (which is my sport). It gives me a break mentally while changing up the physical aspect. No training schedules. Just do what fits in. Meet up and workout with friends.
I do less bicycling and a lot morse swimming and weight training. Now can I please win the nice watch?
I’m trying something different this year. Instead of spending a miserable winter riding indoors or freezing my ass off outside, I started learning Muay Thai/BJJ.
I live in Asia and we didn’t have winter here at all ?. If I’m lucky enough to go to any country with winter, my training schedule will be the same as I’ll train indoor.
I still run outside but I ride indoors on my Computrainer connected to my Mac and TrainerRoad. Also my Concept II sees more use
I do a lot more treadmill running than I would like, and more weight training.
I’m a triathlete living in the UK so winters are not to bad, but focus more on running XC in the winter and more indoor bike sessions, but still get out when the weather is kind to us…
1) Adjust goals (tough to train for marathon and longer events)
2) Run on the local Div 1, Big Ten University’s 200m indoor track
3) Make friends with the dreadmill, again.
living in england, winter isn’t much to worry about.. just do the same as all year long
I wear a hat and a thicker top
Gear up, and get out there anyway. Fewer people on the trails :)
Qui non è molto freddo cambiamo la divisa ed infiliamo guanti chiusi ed è tutto OK???
I simply unpack the 3 Ts; Torch, turbo and tights!
I bundle up with layers, get out the yak tracks and head out on the trail.
I change up training by switching to the gym or an indoor trainer, as I don’t live in a mild climate.
I live in Ireland so winter is the same as summer, Spring and autumn. I might wear a jacket if it gets very cold.
I take my bike training inside by going to an indoor cycling studio and going for power walks through the deep snow
I spend most of the winter riding indoors during the week, since it gets dark so early. I try to get out on the weekends for some sunlight rides.
For the winter generally my method is to just add layers… but I’m a run for fitness kind of guy not a run for competition guy… and I dont cycle in the winter. And gloves are a necessity.
Just moved to Florida though, so shouldn’t really be an issue any more.
Iowa winter can be tough so my options are
– more treadmills session
– gym class at the Y
– spinning class with the tri club
But if sunday weather is not crazy cold i still gear up for an outdoor long run
indoor!
I stick to running in the winter. I’ll run trails in the snow for as long as I can. Last year the snow finally pushed me onto the roads. That stunk.
Hoping to get my injured leg back running before the end of winter!
Stick to running and just bundle up and wait for days when there’s no freezing rain! Cold weather actually makes me go harder, stops me from overheating.
Winter involves more Kickr, Trainer Road and music for me!
It’s so fun to run in the snow !
I really enjoy this and it’s a good preparation before the ski season.
Nice watch !
Buy more winter gear
Generally I dial back my running mileage in winter and add a little more yoga and body weight workouts into the mix. Otherwise I add a few extra layers and try to go for a few snow trail runs.
I run a little more often when it’s cooler out, but very slowly. Like a lot of other folks, I also tend to hit the pool with a little more regularity, but no indoor cycling trainers for me!
If I win the Fenix3, I promise to run, bike & swim through the winter :)
My workouts move indoor to the gym :(
I’m one of the lucky ducks living in Mexico, but still gets cold, not as much as France but still have to do bike a little later than usual, that is all! envy me!
I’m a CX racer so my season will not end until January. Once the season ends I will take some time off the bike to ski. I usually get on the trainer in February or March to start the process all over again.
I dial back the mileage and switch to winter sports — snowshoeing, skiing
Winter is my season to focus more on swim + run and replace road bike with MTB…
Outside all year.
I ride indoors on my Kickr (thanks to your reviews).
My dream is to be able to travel during the winter times, since I’m really bad with coping with low levels of sunlight here in Finland during the winter time.
I continue on the road, of course.
In a Velomobile it´s always weather for cycling.
I live in London, so it’s a deadly combination of the cold and unpredictable rain (and that weird headwind!). So far, it’s been indoor cross training, layering and the odd treadmill session (though I’ve properly picked up the outdoor running only this year). Also, contact lenses – glasses are no good when it’s freezing And pouring. Lucky us.
Just bought a new Kickr, so I’ll be in the garage. Today, I ride Mt. Ventoux!
Moving to Texas! Helps skip the miserable UK winter ;)
To adapt to winter training in Florida I wear shirts with sleeves (sometimes). Cheers!
Switch road biking to MTB and add as much weight training as my body can handle.
My 920xt is still the best…
I run less and focus on strength and areas of improvement.
I do try to make time for a lunch run instead of a dark and cold morning or evening run. In the summers in TX running early is the only option, so winter means finding time during the day.
I live on the treadmill in the winter. Builds mental strength for ultras in the spring.
Living in southern California I don’t have to change much. The only problem is the reduction of sunlight hours.
I live in Switzerland so get quite sad when all the high alpine passes shut for the winter – that said, running fills the gap and it’s only 6 months until they’re open again. (Less if you’re willing to run over dubious snow-covered routes even though you know it’s really not the greatest idea…)
Put on some extra layers and stay running outside. May opt for treadmill if the roads get iced over. Running in Ireland it rains 12 months of the year.
I usually just focus on improving my swim ability by improving technique I also trade my road bike for the Mountain bike to add a bit of fun.
I just raise the volume of Eye of the tiger! :D
I always train outside, even with snow!!
In Wales, UK the winter means less rain and more snow. might need a wooly hat!!
I move everything indoors because I’m a baby when it comes to the cold. Treadmill and trainer work outs for me in the Northeast.
Melbourne, Australia – winter better for running than 35+ deg days in summer. Going to be a hot el nino summer, I hear.