Ankles, a lot of people know the problem or have met/seen someone during a race. Sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries in our sport. At the 2014 OCRWC, I snapped my ankle, and my OCR “career” was over. After two surgeries I started running again, but I was too afraid to go all the way like I did before.
I've rarely ever had a big issue with jumping into the fire with new gear, if it works as anticipated and I don't have to think about it at all it's a win. Occasionally, I will be blown away by the performance of a product and the entire time I'm running I mentally craft the product review with flowery superlatives... that I forget once my endorphins abate. During the 24 Hour Terrain Relay, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to test the following gear:
Imagine if a weatherproof Cookie Monster gave you a bear hug - that's what slipping a dryrobe over your cold, wet body feels like; the only thing missing is an espresso machine in one of the inside pockets.
The light cushioning in the toe area along with the lack of compression or a seam (The Perfect Toe) adds to the comfort, and they didn't feel too thick at all in my shoes while running, too constricting on my toes or allow them to slide around inside the sock.
The 2017 Icebug Orbi are quite easy to write off on first glance; they just don't look like trail shoes, much less a high-tech racer. The shiny bright blue upper is contrasted by a cute little bug in eye-catching orange with each shoe cinched up with thin, seemingly simple laces - so one could be forgiven if dismissed these as pretty walkers or everyday kicks. Of course, you'd be wrong.
Run's Done is an antimicrobial, quick-dry Microfiber Suede Sports Towel Seat Cover wicks away moisture and protects your seat from dirt and grime. It's made with a non-slip backing that keeps it in place on your seat without any straps - we tested it out
The upper materials have been updated to a super soft and airy textile, so light and smooth it feels like being barefoot. The water pickup is minimal, the drainage is excellent and hence the wet weight is almost as low as when it’s dry. The midsole is very flexible and keeps the weight down. The height of the heel cup is slightly reduced in order to reduce pressure at the Achilles tendon. Terrain feel is remarkable thanks to the low profile of the sole.
In this first test, I just checked the GPS and pace quickly, but really was geeked up to test out the wireless headphones. Setup was simple & straightforward, the menu is as simple as humanly possible, just click the square button below the screen in one of the 4 directions, you can figure just about any function out with no instructions necessary.
I've been testing Mudgear Compression Socks and 1/4 Trail Socks for quite some time now, and they've become my go-to sock for everyday activities, training, & racing. Heck, I'm even wearing them now while writing this!
If you have been around Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) for more than a year, you probably have seen the advertisements for Hylete. Hylete makes fitness apparel for functional athletes, including most popularly the Crossfit athlete to the OCR athlete.
