Brennan's Three Summer Favorites
Brennan and Asher sport Goodr Wrap Gs
Summer is here and we have the gear!
We asked the staff what three things they are particularly loving on their adventures this summer. Read on for Brennan’s current top three summer favorites…
QALO Rings - Contrary to what your summer bible camp counselor may have told you, you do not have to be married or engaged to slip on a QALO ring during exercise. Whether holy matrimony or adventurous independence, a silicone band is the easiest way to signal your commitments to relationships or fashion. If you favor simplicity, or you want a plain ring that you can wear every day, QALO has their simple, classic band. But if you want a little more out of your rubber jewelry, they offer different features: polished, beveled edge, etched designs. There's even a compostable one! QALO is great year-round, but its rings are especially helpful in the summer. On any given day, you could lose your ring to sweat as your fingers turn into mini slip-n-slides, or you could be a little too close to your ring as your fingers swell with heat and blood flow. QALO gives you a little breathing room if your fingers swell, and it's grippier than a traditional metal band. My wife and I both have rings, and we've yet to have any issues. We run, hike, and even swim in them!
Good Wrap G - Ever been sweating and hustling on your summer run and thought, "Gee, I know running isn't in the X-Games, but this sure feels extreme"? Turns out Goodr knows the feeling, and they want pounding downhill pavement to feel like Shaun White shooting down the halfpipe. Already known for their outrageous nicknaming, Goodr also makes some outrageous shades: The Wrap G's. These are for your midday, 100% humidity, clear sky, angry sun runs. You won't find any greater coverage in a pair of sunglasses, and these are made to take a beating. Better yet, if you belong with me in the big head club, the Wrap G's have one of the most generous fits in Goodr's lineup. Of course, these will carry over to any other sport of your choice too. These are easily my favorite glasses from Goodr, and they're at Terra now! (p.s., If you do find yourself in a wintry extreme sport, you can always check out Goodr's Snow-G, their speciality snow goggles.)
Injinji Mini Crew - Toe socks are like vitamins. Everyone knows you should probably use them, but it doesn't always seem worth it. And there's a sneaking suspicion that the whole thing is a scam, health gurus laughing at us as they enjoy their Taco Bell and classic Hanes socks and our money. BUT. Some similes are bad, and thankfully this one sucks! Toe socks are in fact not like vitamins at all, and I heartily recommend them to all y'all. I don't think you need to throw out every pair in your sock drawer (though certainly use this as an opportunity for a summer cleanse), but toe socks really offer something a bit different. If you find yourself plagued with blisters, bent toes, or lost toenails, especially in the summer, check out Injinji. They're the most respected brand in the (relatively small) toe sock game. The benefit of toe socks is that each of your digits gets a little wrap of protection, saving the delicate skin between your toes from the extra friction produced while running. This can be a real lifesaver in the summer as sweaty feet can up the friction. Injinji's socks are just as quality as any other brand we carry, so you can rest easy that you're getting good materials and construction.
Why a silicone ring?
Brittany recently trekked out west to Salt Lake City and attended Outdoor Retailer, a trade show built especially for outdoor stores (think camping, hiking, skiing, etc.). While we're a run specialty store, we're always looking for extra gear that will fit y'all's lifestyles, and OR was chock full of active gear.
Brittany returned with a few brands, and one of them, QALO, has us pretty excited. They make silicone rings especially for exercise and activity. We know some people prefer to ditch their bands and rings when exercising, but if you prefer the idea of keeping them on, you might want to check out QALO!
Silicone rings come with numerous benefits over traditional jewelry when exercising. Silicone will stand up to sweat, water, and any other environmental factors during your workout. The ocean is full of rings lost to the unforgiving currents and waves, and if your ring fits loosely, there's always a chance for it to slip off during that midday July run. Saltwater, sweat, and mud from a rainy run can all hasten the dulling of your ring's sheen. Silicone is grippier than the polished metals of traditional rings, and the wear & tear of the elements will hardly leave a mark. Don't worry about losing your ring or losing its charm to the elements.
On the other hand, you can easily run into the problem of swollen fingers. Increased blood flow during exercise can turn that perfectly fitting ring into an immovable clamp, and high temperatures will only aggravate the discomfort. Silicone bands, while sturdy, are much more elastic than metal rings, giving you more breathing room during intense efforts.
And finally, if you find yourself regularly participating in any activities requiring equipment—weight training, ball or racquet sports, even HIIT—you'll want to ditch the metal rings that can easily pinch your fingers if you make the wrong contact. Silicone provides a safer alternative.
We carry several styles of QALO to fit most people's style preferences: classic bands, polished styles, mix-and-match stackable rings, and even compostable rings. Swing by and check out our display, complete with a sizing tool!