Category Archives: Product Review

I feel like I am constantly cycling through running headphones. I’ve tried a lot – some bad, some decent, and some that are better but too expensive. Sometimes I feel like Goldilocks – always trying to find that pair that are just perfect (i.e. fit comfortably, sound good, and are affordable). So when Koss offered to send me a pair of the new FitClip headphones, I was excited to see if maybe they finally fit the bill.

The Koss FitClips are designed specifically for women, so they are smaller for a better fit and come in bright colors. Olympian Dara Torres helped design them and is the “face” of these headphones. And I think she did a great job. The FitClips fit snuggly in the ear (they come with three different size ear cushions), they stay put, and the clip that goes around the ear is very comfortable. Sometimes headphones that go around the ear are stiff and uncomfortable for the entire run, but these are flexible and lightweight so you hardly feel them at all.  And the sound is decent – nothing to rave about, but nothing to complain about either.

The headphones are available online or at WalMart and come in coral, blue, purple, lime, and mint (aqua). They cost $30 and are covered by a lifetime warranty – can’t beat that!

Growing up, whenever I needed socks, I distinctly remember my mom taking me to Dillard’s or Macy’s and buying me Gold Toe brand socks. I don’t remember if she picked them out or if I chose them because of the gold toe, but it’s a brand that I wore all throughout my childhood and it’s one that I’ve come to trust. They’ve always made good products. So when Gold Toe asked me to review their line of athletic socks, called Power Sox, it seemed like a no-brainer.

They sent me two different kinds of athletic socks: The Power-Lites No Show and the Thick and Thin Color Block Liner.

Power-Lites No Show

This is what the Power Sox website says about the Power-Lites No Show socks:

• Strike zone cushioning provides maximum shock absorption in the heel and ball strike zones
• Y heel fit keeps sock in place
• AquaFX® moisture management for dry comfort
• Ventilation panels for added support
• Hand linked seamless toes provide ultimate comfort

Power Lites No Show Socks

 These socks are great. I’ve worn them many times on runs between 4 and 10 miles (over 10 miles is typically reserved for my CEP compression socks) and love them. For me, good socks are always an afterthought of a run. That is, they aren’t something that I notice on my run unless they are bothering me. These socks are no different. I put them on and essentially forgot I was wearing them because they were comfortable and didn’t bother me at all. I didn’t have any blisters, no rubbing or chafing, and the little extra padding on the toes and heals was an added comfort. They wick moisture beautifully and have kept my feel cool and dry on all my runs.

Thick and Thin Color Block Liner

This is what the Power Sox website says about the Thick and Thin Color Block Liner:

• Hydrotec® Moisture Wicking Yarn
• Half Cushion Construction
• Arch Support
• Hand Link Toe Seams
• Moisture Management

Thick and Thin Color Block Liner Socks

These socks also perform beautifully. They are comfortable, have a little extra cushioning in the toes and heals, and wick moisture very well. I’ve also worn these many times on runs of varying lengths and have never had any problems with blisters, rubbing, or discomfort. And I love the little bit of color – the bright blue always makes me happy when I wear them.

I’ve put both kinds of socks through the washer and dryer probably a dozen times now and they still feel the way they did the first time I wore them.  They haven’t shrunk or faded and still fit perfectly.

The Power Lites No-Show socks retail for $10.99 for a 3-pack and the Thick and Thin Color Block Liner are $10.99 for a 2-pack. If you regularly buy running socks, you know that this is a killer deal. I’ve worn other running socks that cost as much for a single pair and I honestly like both of the Gold Toe socks better.

The weather gods have decided that Phoenicians are too comfortable in their warm-weather climate – it’s time to throw a kink in the wrench. For the past several nights, it’s been in the 20s in the city, with places up North hitting well below zero. Luckily, Terramar Sports sent me some long underwear to review and I got to test it out. Because no weather is going to slow down us runners!

I was sent the women’s smart silk 1.0 base layer thermal shirt and pants several weeks ago, and I have actually worn them on a few shorter runs. They worked great, so this weekend when I was scheduled for 18 miles in below-30 degree temps, I thought I would put them to the ultimate test. Well, not the tights – but at least the shirt.

Back to the tights for a minute. I did wear them once on a cold morning a few weeks ago and discovered that it will never get cold enough in Phoenix to warrant double pant layers. I wore them underneath a pair of running pants and quickly got too warm. Fortunately it was only a 4-mile run, so I wasn’t too hot for too long. But they were comfortable and fit great. If I go skiing or sledding in the near future, they will be perfect to wear.

 Okay, back to the shirt. I wore the shirt underneath another running shirt on Saturday during my long run and it worked great. It kept me warm, wicked the sweat away, and didn’t chafe at all. I wore both layers for the entire 18 miles and was perfectly comfortable for the whole run. When I got home and took off my clothes, the Terramar thermal shirt was very wet with sweat, but I didn’t feel it. I never felt wet on my run – a testament to the wicking quality.

I will definitely wear my Terramar base layer shirt on more cold runs and also skiing or sledding, or any other cold-weather sports I do. And I would recommend both the shirt and tights to anyone looking for a quality base layer product.

I’m fortunate that it never gets bone-cold in Phoenix. It does get down to the 30s at night for a short time over the winter months, but otherwise the fall and spring are very mild. We won’t even talk about the summers! So I am normally fine running in shorts or capris, however, I do always like to have a pair of tights on hand for those really chilly mornings.

Several weeks ago, Saiphs sent me a pair of compression tights to test and review. We’ve had very mild weather this fall so far, so I’ve only had the opportunity to wear them 4 times (without the risk of overheating).

Here is what the Saiphs website says about the Pro Weight Compression Tights:

“Saiphs Pro Weight Compression tights combine fabulous fabric and Cool Max Technology to provide your body with the best possible compression. Better feeling, better wicking, better quality. Maximize your blood flow and keep your muscles warm so you can have your best performance. Superior construction makes these tights extremely durable in whatever workout. You will forget your wearing them.”

These tights are very lightweight, but warm. Now, keep in mind that I do live in Phoenix, where it is currently in the upper 40s and lower 50s in the morning when I am running. If I lived in Minnesota or Colorado, I’m not sure these tights would be warm enough.

They are snug without being too tight, although there is no drawstring in the waistband, which I really wish there were. They fit okay in the waist, but I would prefer them another inch tighter. Otherwise, they are very comfortable.

As far as the compression aspect of the tights, I didn’t notice any real differences over other tights. To me, they look and feel like regular running tights. If there are compression benefits to wearing them – such as better recovery times, less muscle soreness, etc. – I didn’t notice.

Overall, I’d say these are quality tights at a decent price ($43). Other compression tights can cost as much as twice this amount. The Saiphs tights are comfortable, warm, and great for running in milder cold weather.