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I know it’s tempting to skip right to the cool bras we’ve compiled for you, but I ask that you bear with me for a quick moment. See, in researching this article, I’ve learned that many of us ladies are getting the bra thing very wrong. It’s important stuff that we should be getting right – especially for those of us going the distance and doing ultras – and not just for reasons of chafing or mild discomfort.
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A hooded lightweight shell that has strong wind and water resistance and packs down into its own pocket for storage in a vest or waist pack. The Paray has a number of thoughtful design elements such as hand pockets, internal key storage, and thumb loops at the cuffs. It is one of the lightest shells we’ve tested this year, and provides great warmth and protection for its minimalist weight.
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The fourth member of Suunto Ambit3 GPS family, the Vertical has a robust feature set that emphasizes – you guessed it – vertical ascent and descent data. From a functional standpoint, it occupies a middle ground between the Peak and Sport models. The key design innovation with Ambit3 Vertical is the new low-profile GPS antenna that eliminates the distinctive and bulky bump at bottom of the watch face. New features of note are vibration alerts and real time route tracking and altitude profile.
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A range of performance and recovery socks that combine high performance fabrics with targeted compression to improve blood circulation and decrease swelling during athletic activity. We tested two models: the men’s Dynamic+ Ultralight low-cut socks, and the men’s Dynamic+ Cycle Merino short cut socks.
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A dual bottle waist pack designed by ultrarunning legend Speedgoat Karl Meltzer to carry gear and fluids in ultra-distance events without the weight or complications of a full vest.
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The first traditional hydration pack from Orange Mud, with a 2L HydraPak reservoir and 6L of cargo storage. Its fit is different than traditional packs in that the fluid weight sits higher on the back. Front side cargo access is spacious and convenient, and the rear compartments are secure and stable during activity. The Endurance Pack is pleasantly lightweight but has adequate storage options to support full day trail outings.