Hot weather might have you thinking it’s time to ditch the gear, but honestly, we’ve found a few summer must-haves worth keeping around.
This month, our tester crew got their hands on some fun, useful stuff that works just as well for sweaty runs as it does for weekend getaways.
Tried something we featured? We want to hear about it! Your feedback keeps these tests going and gives us ideas for what to check out next.
Nathan Pinnacle Pro 6 Liter Hydration Race Vest
The Nathan Pinnacle Pro Hydration Race Vest is a great addition to the Nathan hydration vest lineup, adding a 6L option to keep the vest lightweight and easy to run in.
The main feature I noticed immediately in this vest is its lightweight, as the fabric and feel of the vest felt substantially lighter and more breathable from the moment I took it out of the box. This is a really nice departure from other vests I’ve worn, which can feel dense, heavy, and almost more like a traditional school backpack versus a piece of running gear.
The Pinnacle Pro 6L has a lot of gear storage, including a top-loading rear pocket with two compartments, a bottom read zip pocket, two side pockets, two bottle pockets, and a front zip pocket. The front zip pocket was a little too small to hold my phone when the water bottles were full in the front, so I found this pocket better for keys, cards, and/or gels.
The pockets on the side and back are great for stuffing extra layers in the winter or any other gear you might need on your run, and there are also bungee cords at the top and bottom that can secure poles in place if you’re out on the trails.
The vest comes in unisex and women’s sizing, and I received a unisex XS which fit true to size for me. I liked the slider cords on the chest to secure the vest in place and the quick fit system when putting the vest on.
There are two water bottles in addition to the accessible compartment for a 2L bladder in the back – I think these will be a matter of personal preference, but I found them easy to fill up and use and the long straws made them easily accessible on the run. My only complaint is that the straws were a little long on my shorter frame, which may not be a problem for those who are less petite than me!
All in all, I really liked this vest and think it will be one in heavy rotation for my long runs and hikes throughout the year. I loved how soft and pliable the mesh body is and how seamless it is to load up the pack and put it on.
- Available in 2 colors
- Sizes XS-XL
- Check it out from Nathan.com for $200
-Coral, Gear Tester
SPIbelt
The weather is warming up and outdoor activities are in full swing! I got to give the SPIbelt a try for a few different outdoor occasions and really loved this no-bounce belt.
I tried different styles of belt; the Original Running Belt, the Whiteout and the Monochromatic. The former two have a wider band but all three have the same size pocket.
These style belts were perfect for short runs where I didn’t have to carry gels or hydration support. I tried carrying my phone, a few gels and some Saltstick chews, and if you packed it just right, it was easy to grab what you needed!
I have to say, even with all these items inside, the belt did not move!
I even used the belts while on different field trips with my kids. I didn’t want to carry my whole purse, but needed my keys, credit card and phone. This was a super cute alternative to a crossbody bag.
I preferred the Original Running Belt and the Whiteout with the wider band, just because I liked the extra support, but each belt ended up being great options for short runs and quick outings.
I’d look to one of their other belts if needing to carry more than the essentials, but based on the performance of the three I tried, I’d expect great things!
- Available in 19 colors
- One size fits all with the adjustable belt
- Check it out from Amazon.com for $25
-Taylor, Gear Tester
Orgain Creatine Monohydrate
I have been hearing a lot of buzz lately about creatine. Coach Amanda has talked about the benefits of creatine for runners, but I was a little overwhelmed at the options. So I was really excited to try this one from Orgain.
I have used Orgain’s protein powder often and have always been impressed with their quality, ingredients, and price point.
I tried this a few different ways, but usually either in my hot coffee in the morning, or an ice cold Nuun in the afternoon. The micronized creatine mixes in so well! I do notice it a bit more in a cold beverage, but just barely, you just have to stir or shake a little more. And there is absolutely no taste to it so you can really put it in anything.
Just a super easy, tasty way to get the benefits of creatine. Each scoop of this has 5g of creatine monohydrate and nothing else, no additives, fillers, or preservatives. It is also gluten and soy free, non-GMO, and vegan.
I can honestly say I believe it has helped my performance and recovery. I just finished up a training cycle for a half marathon and saw notable differences in DOMS, running paces, and strength increases. Overall, I definitely plan to keep this part of my daily supplements.
- Available in 1 flavor (unflavored)
- Check it out from Amazon.com for $23
-Gillian, Gear Tester
Ciele W FSTTight Short 7″
I’m forever on the hunt for running shorts that actually work for curvier runners—and let me tell you, it’s a challenge. Most pairs start riding up after the first step, and I end up spending the whole run adjusting. Not these.
They stayed put, felt great, and honestly? Solid 10/10 from me.
I usually stick with black (because, well, sweat), but I gave the Deco Rose color a shot, and it’s really pretty in person. That said, the lighter color definitely shows every drop of sweat. It dried quickly, but walking into a coffee shop post-run… let’s just say I got a few looks.
The FSTTight Short is jam-packed with pockets…which I LOVE. There are two larger cargo pockets and a daisy chain on both hips. The daisy chain is going to be perfect when you need to stash your shirt or fuel, and the cargo pockets easily fit an iPhone Plus with room to spare.
The COOLmatic -PLUS KLOSfit™ interlock knit fabric with anti odor finish was perfect on the days I had to run errands post run. I wasn’t walking around super smelly, which I think people appreciated.
The Ciele website recommends going up a size since it’s a tighter fit, but I went with my typical medium and they fit perfectly.
- Available in 4 colors
- Sizes XS-XL
- Check it out on Backcountry.com for $80
-Stacey, RTTF Coach and Gear Tester
Bolle Victus Pro Sunglasses
In Colorado, sunglasses aren’t just a summer thing; they’re a year-round essential. I’m always on the lookout for a lightweight pair I can grab on my way out the door, whether I’m heading for a run, a ride, or a hike.
The Bollé Victus Pro is light, stays put, and has a few clever features I didn’t know I needed, like the tiny cutouts at the top of the lenses. Sounds odd, but they actually help stop the fog when things heat up. No more mid-run lens wiping? I’ll take it.
The Volt+ high contrast lenses make everything just look sharper and more colorfulThey claim it boosts color by 30%, and I believe it. Plus, you get better depth perception and glare control thanks to the polarization, which is helpful if you’re out on technical trails or in the mountains.
If you’re someone who wears glasses but no contacts, you can get these made specifically to your prescription needs!
All of Bollé products are eco-designed with more than 20% recycled or bio-based materials.
-
82-12% Visible Light Transition (Category 0-3 lens)
-
4 different lens types- Phantom, High Contrast Polarized, SLF and SLF Polarized
-
Available in 8 colors
- Available from Bolle.com for $140-$240
-Stacey, RTTF Coach and Gear Tester
Is there a piece of gear you’ve been dying to know about or an area you’d love to see us focus on? You know the drill, drop a note below and we’ll be happy to get the team on it if we can!
Merrell Pro Morph Hybrid Review | A Road-to-Trail Shape Shifter