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Naked Running Band review: Simplicity meets functionality

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Quick overview:

naked-running-band-5

  • Usual full price: about $39.00 USD
  • Weight: 66 g size V (size 5)
  • Pros: Simplicity, Function, Fit, Comfort, Breathable
  • Cons: None really
  • Suitability: Trail, mountain and road running for up to 2h (training and racing)

Bottom line:

The Naked Running Band is arguably the most minimalist yet functional piece of gear you will ever own.

Photos:

Product description and How we tested it:

When I first learned about the product I didn’t know what to think of it as it seemed too simple. On the other hand, it sure appeared useful enough for my shorter runs. Now, after couple of months of use, with over about 20 outings and one trail race, I can conclude that I really recommend it for all runners.
Being a designer myself (although in the digital world) this product reminds me of a quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:

A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

The band is dead simple – it is made of a stretchy mesh-like fabric, features 4 independent pockets and simple jacket/shirt holder non-slip bands on the back side. The pockets can securely hold any of these items snugly around your waist during your runs: flasks, smartphone, energy bars, banana, gels, car keys, sun glasses, head lamp, credit cards… Of course, you can’t fit all of these items into the band at once but 4 or 5 are not a problem.
After measuring my waist, I figured out I needed size V (in Roman numerals). Since then the band fits great and became my regular companion on local trails around Vancouver. I don’t use it for all of my short runs, as some times I don’t take anything with me at all, but when I need to carry some water, my phone, and perhaps an extra upper body layer for the downhill then I slip on the Naked Running Band.
One thing I was somewhat questioning at the beginning was whether the band wouldn’t bounce too much while running downhill or on the flats. So far this has only happened to me when I loaded it with many items but even then quick reshuffling smoothed the ride well enough.
Another aspect I questioned was whether I will actually use it that much. It’s obvious the running band isn’t designed for full day outings unless you have plenty of drinking water along the way, however, I find myself using it about once every 2-3 runs so plenty enough to justify it in my gear box.
As for carrying a smartphone, the band works very well but you will need to slip it inside a small zip-lock bag (if you don’t have a water proof-ish cover) to prevent your sweat from getting to it.

Pros:

  • Works very well for what it was designed for
  • Fit and comfort are great
  • Can also be used to supplement your running vest/pack during very long outings or when racing an ultra
  • Made in USA (unlike 99% of such products)

Cons / What can be improved about this product:

I have only two suggestions that I believe can make this great product even better:

  • To make the inside panel of the back pocket (the one touching the runner’s back) from water proof material as my shirt hanging on the outside of it got a little wet when I was sweating heavily on a climb in hot weather.
  • My second suggestion is to perhaps provide a small water-proof bag for car keys or a phone along with the band. (My car opens only with a remote so I am always try to make sure the keys stay dry.)

Product Specs:

  • Materials: 4-way power mesh band
  • Sizing: 6 sizes, from 25 to 36 inches measuring your waist just at the navel

Online stores that carry Naked Running Band:

Review of Adidas Terrex Skychaser Trail Running Shoes

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adidas-skychaser-1Quick overview:

  • Usual full price: about $160.00 USD
  • Weight: 325 g (single shoe)
  • Pros: Traction and Grip, Built quality, Breathable
  • Cons: Bigger heel, lacing system (depends on preference)
  • Suitability: Trail running in all conditions and terrain.

Bottom line:

Excellent traction and grip – whether on dry or wet – make Skychaser shoes a great training companion for any day.

Photos:

Product description and How we tested it:

Over the last decade, I have switched between couple of brands for trail & mountain running shoes in a search to find what works best for me. I place big priority on grip – the shoe must stick to dry and wet rock perfectly, otherwise it’s out of the window. That’s the main reason why I stopped running Salomon and totally dig La Sportiva shoes in recent years. The Adidas Skychaser fits in between the two overall but is actually on par with La Sportivas in the grip and traction department.
Adidas describes the Skychasers as stable and protective trail running shoes for rugged mountain runs. The Boost technology is supposed to return energy after every stride while the one piece Continental rubber sole provides ultimate traction and grip.
While it’s hard to say I “felt the boost” the other claims are certainly true. I have ran the Skychasers for over ten times now (1-2.5h sessions), over various terrain and in all conditions, and can honestly say I am very happy with the grip and traction. I mean, my best ever road bike and car tires were Continental so I am that surprised.
I can’t judge the fit very well as I ordered them blind and could definitely use a half-a-size smaller. Despite that they fit me well enough. I think the sizing is quite true but I thought to rather order them slightly bigger than smaller, and I got my wish.
The upper is well-built and has a clean look & feel. While breath-ability and draining are excellent the materials used for the upper appear to be strong and I am confident the shoes will last. The tongue features a “rubberized” top part that seemed stiff at the first glance but actually wraps my ankle very comfortably.
The sole features big lugs, is thicker than I am used to (23mm heel, 17mm forefoot) and with the beefy heel I definitely feel higher above the ground. Overall, the sole has a good solid yet comfortable feel while running. The heel is very stable and quite soft when descending but I would prefer if it was slightly narrower.
I won’t discuss the lacing system much as I think it’s a very personal preference – I simply like traditional laces more. I can certainly live with both the Adidas and Salomon speed lacing and while there are differences between the two I would say they are equally good.
To go a level higher from Skychasers definitely consider its GTX version or another model – Terrex Agravic GTX shoes. The Agravic shoes look similar except couple of small details that might make the difference depending on your preferences – traditional lacing, Gore-Tex membrane…

Pros:

  • Excellent grip and traction
  • Built quality
  • Different colour combinations

What can be improved about this product:

It’s difficult to poke holes into Adidas shoes as I was very happy with all of the three or four pairs I owned before. But if I could change two things on the Skychaser then I would:

  • Make the heel smaller – not thinner but less volume on the perimeter.
  • Replace the laces with traditional ones 😉

Product Specs:

  • Upper: Synthetic Textile
  • Midsole: TPU, Boost, Pro-Moderator
  • Sole: Continental Rubber
  • Insole: Molded OrthoLite
  • Drop: 6mm (23.5mm to 17.5mm)
  • Sizing: men’s US 6 – 12, 13, 14

Online stores that sell Adidas Skychaser shoes:

Review of Arc'teryx Procline Comp Jacket: Breathable and super light hardshell for snowy ski mountaineering

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arcteryx-procline-jacket-azul

Quick overview:

  • Usual full price: about $399.00 USD
  • Weight: 405 g
  • Pros: Fit, Simplicity, Function, Breathable, Weight
  • Cons: Longer sleeves
  • Suitability: For ski mountaineering in snowy or wet conditions

Bottom line:

A well designed jacket for ski mountaineering in snowy to wet conditions. That mostly means to break trail to chase fresh lines while the storm is still dumping 🙂

Photos:

 

Product description and How we tested it:

I was very curious to see how this Arc’teryx “hybrid” jacket would perform because I seldom skin up in waterproof clothing due to limited breathability and “heat trapping”. Unless it’s snowing heavily, the best setup I figured out over the years is to climb wearing one or two thin base layers under a super thin and breathable windbreaker. Then at the top, depending on temperature, I throw on a puffy or a Gore jacket. With the Procline Comp jacket I was ready to test something new.
According to Arc’teryx website, the Procline Comp uses “N40p 3L Gore Fabric Technology with tricot in the hood, shoulders, around the hemline and on the front of the body” to provide protection from snow, moisture and wind where most needed. The back and under the arms panels, the sweating spots, feature stretchy “Fortius 1.0 softshell … for freedom while climbing and a level of air permeability that permits heat and moisture vapour escape”.
In the past two months, the Coast Mountains here in south British Columbia saw couple of storm cycles pass through. They are famous for their massive dumps, mostly occurring just below or around freezing temps, which makes conditions calling for a shell that would ideally be 100% waterproof yet 100% breathable. The Procline jacket gives it a great shot.
The first thing I noticed wearing it was how well it fit, leaving only just enough room for a light puffy.  I am 6′ 2″ with wide shoulders but got it in medium size as I am skinny otherwise. The jacket is sewn together from about 15 panels which helps a lot to achieve the athletic fit. The only thing I haven’t get used to yet are the long-ish sleeves. I feel like the extra length makes them “curl up” a bit around the elbows.
Materials used and minimalist design also make this jacket incredibly light. I am not too obsessed with my ski touring clothing weight but saving 300-500 grams with a jacket means that you can either a carry a bigger lunch or just simply enjoy the lightness you are wearing.
I used the jacket on couple of occasions now and overall I found it to perform as I expected – much better than my older Gore jackets on the up but with the same protection on the way down. On one specific occasion, while skinning up in moist, snowy weather and breaking trail up a steep forest there was no way avoiding to brush against snow covered tree branches. I spent most of the 3h of ascending wearing the hood, and zipping and unzipping the front to add ventilation as needed. Underneath, I only wore one thin base layer and didn’t get too hot or cold while the temps range about between -1 C to -6 C during the whole day. With couple of days like that, I can honestly say that the jacket breaths better then any other hard shell I ever had, however, don’t expect to fully break trail fully zipped up and not to sweat inside. That’s still to be invented 😉
The Procline Comp jacket has no inside skin pockets so you will either have to put your skins in your pack or use the two outside chest pockets. I am not sure whether those were designed to carry skins but if yes then they are not big enough for the widest/longest skins. Since I mostly put skins in my pack when touring (and the pockets easily accommodate race skins) I used the chest pockets to keep my extra buff, a hat, or a phone dry. They are placed at the right spots and don’t get covered by backpacks waist strap at all, and should be just below the chest strap for most as well.
The hood was designed to accommodate a ski mountaineering or a climbing helmet. It works well, although, I seldom wear a helmet on powder/stormy days. However, the hood works well even without a helmet thanks to the well thought out design and adjustment cords.
To finish, what I really like about this jacket is how the bottom is cut in a curve to gradually drop on the sides, making the back longer, thus, prevent my butt from getting wet. On the other hand, the front bottom is high enough to not curl up when I have to lift my thighs high when setting a steeper track.

Pros:

  • Works very well for conditions it was designed for
  • Fits great and weighs nothing
  • Very minimalist/stripped down design

Cons / What can be improved about this product:

  • I would propose that Arc’teryx cuts the sleeve length by about 1 inch, that would work for me.
  • If the chest pockets (not the zippers) were slightly deeper or wider then they can work more comfortably as skin pockets even for big skins (110+ mm, or split board).

Product Specs:

  • Materials: N40p 3L GORE® Fabric Technology, Fortius 1.0 softshell
  • Sizing: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL