When I was in the army, I used to tie my room key to my shoelaces because our shorts didn’t have any good pockets. I guess what I really needed was the RackTrap.
This “personal bra pocket” is kind of like a mini purse you can stick to your bra. It’s just big enough to hold a key, credit card, and a few dollars, so you don’t have to worry about valuables flying out of your pockets (or your shoes) while you jog, walk the dog, dash down to the teriyaki hut, etc.
Made of hypo-allergenic poly material, the RackTrap is designed to fit comfortably in any size or style bra. It even comes in multiple colors, so you can get a few and swap them out to feel fashionable. $8 gets you one or pick up a four-pack (in different colors) for $20.
If you pay attention to Green trends, you’ve probably seen recycled plastic jugs being turned into everything from flip flops to reusable grocery bags. Well now you can wear those old milk jugs to the gym too.
Several companies are offering exercise clothing made from recycled plastics.
For example, this Cannondale Women’s Classic Jersey is a re-spun fabric crafted from recycled plastic bottles. Even though that sounds like it could be a scratchy affair, the material is supposed to be “super soft” so it feels good against your skin, even as it wicks away the sweat.
The product description promises the eco-friendly shirt is durable and also provides UPF 40+ sun protection. No sun burns or skin cancer for you when you’re out jogging or biking!
From Cannondale
Looking for an all-purpose windbreaker to take hiking? Well this jacket really *is* all purpose. This transformer of clothing can turn from a jacket into a backpack into a pillow, depending on your needs.
Xip3’s “Hybrid Revolution Gear” turns from jacket to backpack by flipping straps out from a pocket in the liner and folding the body inside. It has zippered compartments, which provide about the same amount of space in either mode (760 cubic inches–equivalent to a small day pack).
if you jog or bike after dark, you doubtlessly know the dangers of being out on the streets with traffic. Drivers can’t see you well, especially at twilight when the eyes are struggling to adjust to rapid changes in available light, so it’s important to aid them by making yourself a little more noticable. You can spend lots of money buying reflective vests, anklets, belts, dangly sticks, etc., but this Jog-a-Lite Cut’n Peel Stick-On Tape tape from REI is an inexpensive way to modify your existing exercise gear.
Just cut off a strip and tape your outfit with any marks you want (it also works on bicycles and helmets). The reflective vinyl tape will help drivers to see you better, and the product description promises it will stay stuck in cold and wet weather. It’s also supposed to be resistant to abrasion, so it’ll last for a good long while. Of course, at $5 it’s not that expensive to replace.
The reflective tape is available in white or lime green.
One of the hardest parts about skiing or snowboarding is sitting in the wind and cold on the lift rides up the mountain. With other winter sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, your body is always working, so it’s pretty easy to stay warm. That’s not usually the case with downhill skiing or snowboarding though. Even if you have good gloves, the wind always seems to sneak in around the wrists. That’s why some bright person invented Wristies Wrist Warmers.
These fingerless gloves are longer than usual, extending halfway up your forearm. They’re thin enough to be used as inserts beneath your regular waterproof gloves, but heavy enough to keep your wrists nice and warm and protected from the wind. $11 gets you a pair from the Snow Shack. (Kids and adult sizes available.)
Whether you’re skiing or just running around town this winter, your hands can get cold when the temperature drops. These heated gloves look like the perfect gift for someone who spends time outdoors in a cold climate. I know I’d love them for skiing.
Each glove is powered by 4 x AA batteries, which will give you 8 hours of warmth on the high setting or 6 hours on the low setting. The gloves are also warmed with “Thinsulate,” which is supposed to give you breathable warmth even when the heating element isn’t turned on.
Available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $25, the gloves come in medium, large, or extra large.
Heated Gloves
Activa is one of my favorite places to shop for workout gear, because all the shirts and pants I’ve gotten from them have been of a high quality that last a long time. I bought my first gym outfit there almost two years ago, and even though I wear it two or three times a week, it’s stood up well (most other things seem to develop holes in, uhm, private places in that time) to all the active stuff I do.
Anyway, I found one of those web sites that keeps track of online coupons*, and they’ve got a section for Activia coupons. There’s a coupon code up there right now for free shipping, so I may just have to check things out.
*Paid link