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.
Brittany's Three Summer Favorites
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 Brittany’s current top three summer favorites…
Brooks Chaser 5 inch shorts: I wear these all day AND for every single run in the summer. The waistband is thick and comfortable and the length is perfect for wearing around or sweating in. This year's version of the short has a pocket in the small of your back big enough to hold a phone. It's so comfy, I literally "lose" my phone and it's in my pocket and I don't even notice! I am constantly doing laundry just so I can get these shorts to wear again!
Feetures Elite Compression Sock
Junk headbands: These are also great for wearing around and for running! Great for guys or girls, they are moisture wicking and lightweight. They stay put once you start sweating, which let's be honest, is the second you walk out the door these days! I love all the fun patterns and solids.
Feetures socks: If you are dealing with blisters, hot spots, or any kind of rubbing, don't just blame your shoes. These are more often evidence of sweaty cotton socks. Feetures socks are moisture wicking, meaning they will keep the skin drier than cotton or a cotton/poly blend sock. The Elite sock has great compression and a deep heel, so they won't move around inside your shoe. I wear them any time I have closed-toed shoes on in the summer because my feet get sweaty pretty quick, but I am especially sure to have them on when working out!
Honorable mentions: Goodr sunglasses, Skratch Labs hydration, Brooks Drive 3 Pocket bra, Body Glide
Tiff's Three Summer Favorites
Summer is here and we have the gear!
Skratch comes in bulk bags or single servings.
We asked the staff what three things they are particularly loving on their adventures this summer. Read on for Tiff’s current top three summer favorites
Skratch Hydration — I sweat a lot all of the time but once our HUMID Tennessee summer arrives I come back from my runs looking like I jumped in a pool (fun fact: once, after I had just finished a run, someone asked me if I had indeed gone swimming… so no, I’m not even being hyperbolic). All of that sweat means not only losing water but also losing electrolytes. I have found that I am someone who is particularly sensitive to losing electrolytes in sweat (another fun fact: people lose different amounts of electrolytes in their sweat, some people lose a little, some people lose a lot). If things really get off for me I can end up with a migraine. Because of this I am constantly trying to keep myself properly hydrated in the summer. I have been a fan of Nuun Hydration for a long time and I still drink it religiously — with only 1 gram of sugar and 15 calories, it is perfect for almost any occasion. Recently, however, I have also been loving Skratch Hydration. Skratch is a powder instead of a tablet and because of this it dissolves almost instantly (just give it a good shake). It is also made with real fruit and has more sugar in it than Nuun (about 17-19 grams depending on the flavor versus that 1 gram in Nuun) and clocks in at about 80 cals a serving. Beyond giving you some energy during a workout, the sugar speeds up the rehydration process in the gut and, with its real fruit, it tastes delicious. Skratch has been a daily summer go-to for me!
Terra Sweatshirt — Why is a sweatshirt on my summer go-to list? Because during the summer months people turn up the air conditioning inside to the point that I feel like I am in the artic tundra (especially if I’m wearing shorts). Unbearable. I try to always have some kind of light jacket or sweater nearby for these occasions and the Terra sweatshirt delivers. It is lightweight for a sweatshirt so you’re not sweating in it but staying just the right temp. It is also perfect for summer evenings sitting on the porch or by the campfire. Plus it looks good! So many reasons to love this Terra classic.
Lems Boulder Boot Summit tackling Great Sand Dunes National Park
Lems Boulder Boot Summit — Okay, it’s true, we don’t carry this model IN the store but we do carry it and will order it for you. This is my new hiking boot and I am obsessed. It has that generous foot bed like all of Lems (think Altra’s footshape shoes but not only in running shoes) so your toes can splay out happily even after hiking many miles, and it is a waterproof leather so it is both functional and sharp looking (they also have a waterproof vegan canvas version). The difference between this Boulder Boot and the original model is that the tread is much more aggressive making it a true hiking boot. This shoe took me all over Colorado this summer and found itself over a huge range of landscapes from slushy snow, to up and over sand dunes, to rocky trails and in creeks — it performed like a champ. This earns it a spot in my top 3 summer Terra items!
Honorable Mentions — Goodrs, Klean Freak wipes, Terra Summer Sizzler beach mat.