Kit/Clothes/Equipment Thread

BBx · 24-10-2011, 13:51

Hey all

Just realised we don't have a thread for discussing this kinda stuff... so am going to kick it off!

Want to try and run home from work :/ but I need a bag to carry the essentials... and now its colder... a running jacket... possibly a running watch thingy (this can wait for Christmas list I think

)

So:

Running bags: anyone got one?
Running jackets: any tips on what to look for?

Thanks!

BB x

LeperousDust · 24-10-2011, 14:16

For a watch the forerunner 405 is easily unsurpassed, i also like it because it lends itself to cycling and heart monitors etc...

For a bag, i assume you don't need much really? Do you want it with a bladder or without (or with room or a future one?) Would save you carrying liquids (but they are a massive ball-ache to clean out compared to a bottle of water trust me

). Either way look out for offers. Camelbak are "the name" in bags for this, I use a North Face mule which i'd say is equally as good as a camelbak. Do stray away from the cheapie tesco copies which do the job i agree but generally break early or whatever (my friend has been through 3 whilst i've had my Mule)

This is my experience which is more to do with cycling than running, but other than i probably need to carry more they're pretty much the same i'd say

Jackets i tend to just get wet and deal with it, but i'm not normally going anywhere in particular where it matters. Jackets are a pain in the ass i find, if its actually waterproof you will slowly steam sweatily inside, and if it isn't you'll be nice and airy but also probably wet when it rains, it's all a massive compromise that usually ends up with you getting wet one way or another! Maybe someone has found the holy grail of jackets but really has technology actually moved on with any of this equipment much in the last 5-10 years? Or is it just marketing? Or is that me being tight fisted and pessimistic

BBx · 24-10-2011, 14:25

Thanks dude

Am looking for a small rucksack - just for the essentials... so keys purse travelcard... I HATE running with excess stuff so don't really need a big one - which is all I can find at the moment

Maybe somethings like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/asics-lightw...ning-backpack/

BB x

LeperousDust · 24-10-2011, 19:41

Right in my mind would the material of the backpack itself end up weighing much more than keys travel card and some money

?

I don't know myself (i usually need a days worth of food with my bags

) but can't you get arm like straps that take keys, travel card and a credit/debit card (ICE)? Or is that not comfortable?

BBx · 25-10-2011, 08:50

maybe... but I am a woman so likely to carry more than that on somedays

BB x

Kitten · 25-10-2011, 10:08

I find the best waterproof jacket I have is a breathable football training top. it has velcroed flaps on the (shoulders down to just below my boobs)which have air holes (mesh) underneath so it's waterproof without getting too hot. obviously sportspeople wear them in all weathers. Will see what it's made of. I say mine, it's Matts

Jonny69 · 28-10-2011, 00:45

I've got a Deuter bag. I've been impressed with the quality of their backpacks. Mine is the 20-500, which is big enough to get an A4 folder in if you need to.

lostkat · 28-10-2011, 05:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny69

I've got a Deuter bag. I've been impressed with the quality of their backpacks. Mine is the 20-500, which is big enough to get an A4 folder in if you need to.

Yep I've got a little Deuter 10L bag too. Think it's a Speedlite. It's not so comfortable as my Camelbak, but I can actually fit more than my phone and the bladder in it. Before I got the Camelbak, it went on 15+ mile runs with me.

In terms of a watch, I disagree with Alex on the Forerunner 405. I have one and the touch bezel is absolutely horrific in the rain. That alone is enough for me not to recommend it. It's also far too big for my wrist and needs a sweatband under it to make it comfortable. The new range of Garmins are definitely worth a look at. The 110 is the base model and to be honest that will do everything you want (time, pace, distance etc.) and is about £100-£140. You can buy the heatrate strap to use it with too.

The first thing to know about running jackets is that they will not keep you dry. If it's raining, you will get wet. They will just stop you getting soaked through immediately and provide a little wind resistance so you don't get cold. Look for something specifically designed for running, that very light and fits well. A baggy jacket will get annoying. I have an Adidas VLM jacket which is my favourite. The Ronhill jackets are lovely too, but quite expensive unless you can get one in the sale. I also have a couple of jackets which have zip off arms to make a gillet. These are perfect in the winter for when you need a bit more warmth, but when a full jacket is too hot. I get a lot of use out of them. example

petemc · 28-10-2011, 10:57

I've heard similar things about the Forerunner 405, that the bezel is awful. Apparently the satellite connection speed is very quick though. I went for the 305 as it was cheaper and works in all conditions. Nice big display too. It's a little ugly but not as bulky as it seems in the photos. Getting a sat lock can take a silly amount of time some days but the watch does a great job.

I also swear by Nipguards for a 10k or above. After the marathon my Nipguards had no coating on the top. That could have been my nipples. Ok so you look like you have franken nipples but they help. Vaseline just wore off when I tried it.

Also, vaseline. Everywhere. Even there. A lot.

lostkat · 29-10-2011, 11:20

Sports bra FTW

Yeah, the 405 does have good satellite connection, better than the older models, but I expect the new models will have just as good connection. My 405 also has battery problems it's just over 2 yrs old now, but when it was about 13 months old (and just out of warranty), the battery lift started decreasing. It won't make a 20 mile training run any more without the battery dying

Might send it off to Garmin for fixing. It's got to be cheaper than shelling out for a new one!!

24-10-2011, 13:51	#1
BBx Reverse SuBo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 8,673	Kit/Clothes/Equipment Thread Hey all Just realised we don't have a thread for discussing this kinda stuff... so am going to kick it off! Want to try and run home from work :/ but I need a bag to carry the essentials... and now its colder... a running jacket... possibly a running watch thingy (this can wait for Christmas list I think ) So: Running bags: anyone got one? Running jackets: any tips on what to look for? Thanks! BB x

24-10-2011, 14:16	#2
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	For a watch the forerunner 405 is easily unsurpassed, i also like it because it lends itself to cycling and heart monitors etc... For a bag, i assume you don't need much really? Do you want it with a bladder or without (or with room or a future one?) Would save you carrying liquids (but they are a massive ball-ache to clean out compared to a bottle of water trust me ). Either way look out for offers. Camelbak are "the name" in bags for this, I use a North Face mule which i'd say is equally as good as a camelbak. Do stray away from the cheapie tesco copies which do the job i agree but generally break early or whatever (my friend has been through 3 whilst i've had my Mule) This is my experience which is more to do with cycling than running, but other than i probably need to carry more they're pretty much the same i'd say Jackets i tend to just get wet and deal with it, but i'm not normally going anywhere in particular where it matters. Jackets are a pain in the ass i find, if its actually waterproof you will slowly steam sweatily inside, and if it isn't you'll be nice and airy but also probably wet when it rains, it's all a massive compromise that usually ends up with you getting wet one way or another! Maybe someone has found the holy grail of jackets but really has technology actually moved on with any of this equipment much in the last 5-10 years? Or is it just marketing? Or is that me being tight fisted and pessimistic __________________

24-10-2011, 14:25	#3
BBx Reverse SuBo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 8,673	Thanks dude Am looking for a small rucksack - just for the essentials... so keys purse travelcard... I HATE running with excess stuff so don't really need a big one - which is all I can find at the moment Maybe somethings like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/asics-lightw...ning-backpack/ BB x Last edited by BBx; 24-10-2011 at 17:23.

24-10-2011, 19:41	#4
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Right in my mind would the material of the backpack itself end up weighing much more than keys travel card and some money ? I don't know myself (i usually need a days worth of food with my bags ) but can't you get arm like straps that take keys, travel card and a credit/debit card (ICE)? Or is that not comfortable? __________________

25-10-2011, 10:08	#6
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	I find the best waterproof jacket I have is a breathable football training top. it has velcroed flaps on the (shoulders down to just below my boobs)which have air holes (mesh) underneath so it's waterproof without getting too hot. obviously sportspeople wear them in all weathers. Will see what it's made of. I say mine, it's Matts __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

25-10-2011, 08:50	#5
BBx Reverse SuBo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 8,673	maybe... but I am a woman so likely to carry more than that on somedays BB x

28-10-2011, 00:45	#7
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	I've got a Deuter bag. I've been impressed with the quality of their backpacks. Mine is the 20-500, which is big enough to get an A4 folder in if you need to. __________________

28-10-2011, 10:57	#9
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	I've heard similar things about the Forerunner 405, that the bezel is awful. Apparently the satellite connection speed is very quick though. I went for the 305 as it was cheaper and works in all conditions. Nice big display too. It's a little ugly but not as bulky as it seems in the photos. Getting a sat lock can take a silly amount of time some days but the watch does a great job. I also swear by Nipguards for a 10k or above. After the marathon my Nipguards had no coating on the top. That could have been my nipples. Ok so you look like you have franken nipples but they help. Vaseline just wore off when I tried it. Also, vaseline. Everywhere. Even there. A lot. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

29-10-2011, 11:20	#10
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Sports bra FTW Yeah, the 405 does have good satellite connection, better than the older models, but I expect the new models will have just as good connection. My 405 also has battery problems it's just over 2 yrs old now, but when it was about 13 months old (and just out of warranty), the battery lift started decreasing. It won't make a 20 mile training run any more without the battery dying Might send it off to Garmin for fixing. It's got to be cheaper than shelling out for a new one!! __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?