Showing posts with label Fit Fashionable Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fit Fashionable Friday. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Product Review: Mizuno Cold Weather Gear

Recently, I was asked to trial and review items from Mizuno's new cold weather line. The timing was right--as soon as the temperatures dropped, I received the Mizuno Women's Breath Thermo wave crew and gloves. When I saw the colors, I couldn't wait to try them out!


Mizuno's new Breath Thermo technology claims to use "heat generating technology" to keep a runner warm throughout the run. I was, as comes naturally to me, skeptical. The shirt is really thin. My skepticism soon disappeared as I worked up a pretty good sweat on my first run wearing the shirt!

When I finished my run, I examined the shirt more closely. Inside the shirt are special fibers that are meant to generate heat and wick away moisture. Those fibers also make the shirt soft inside. The shirt was very comfortable.


I wore the shirt on a few more runs to test it out again. I wanted to see if it would maintain the warmth and comfort after washing. The Wave Crew did not disappoint. It was about 38F when I wore it this time, and I was warm, even without any extra layers.


I really really like this shirt and would buy another one. There is also a 1/4 zip option. While I liked the fit (it is meant to be a base layer), some might find it a bit snug. If you like your running clothes a little looser, I'd recommend sizing up. The shirt comes in a variety of colors. 


Mizuno also sent me a pair of gloves to try. The Breath Thermo Warmalite Gloves also have the special weave. There is a touch screen forefinger on each glove, which I tested out multiple times while taking these pictures. Both gloves have pockets on the top of the hand, which are large enough to store a key or money. The stripes are reflective.


The Breath Thermo technology worked well in the gloves--my hands were warm, even on a 28 degree morning run. My only complaint about the gloves is that they seem to run large. I received size medium--I have medium sized hands--and they were kind of loose. I would have preferred a more snug fit. Mizuno also offers a glove with a windproof lobster claw mitten.

The Mizuno Breath Thermo technology is also available in socks, arm warmers, headbands, and hats. All the accessories come in a variety of colors. I'd like to try the socks for those brutally cold winter mornings.

Disclaimer: As an ambassador for Fitfluential, I received the Mizuno Breath Thermo Wave Crew and Warmalite Gloves in exchange for my completely unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

What cold weather gear do you like? Gloves or mittens? Crew shirt or 1/4 zip?

I'm linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erica for Tuesdays on the Run as well as Debbie, Rachel, Lora, and Susie for Coaches Corner and Nicole for Fit Fashionable Friday! Also with Best of the Blogs!






Friday, June 10, 2016

Got Compression? #SKINSornothing

Got compression?

Compression socks, tights, tops--all the cool kids are running in compression these days. I don't always run in compression but when I do, I prefer compression tights. When I'm running on tired legs or have a long run to do, more often than not, I'll pull out a pair to help my legs run faster and recover better. I really believe that compression has a place in every runner's wardrobe. 

I've tried a variety of brands of compression tights. Recently, I received a pair of SKINS DNAmic compression tights to trial and review on the blog. Did they stand up to the other tights I've worn in the past?


SKINS, an Australian company, was started when an Australian skier wanted to develop a product that would let him party all night but be able to recover and perform at his best all day. He theorized that by providing more oxygen to the muscles, he'd be able to work harder. He was right, and there has been a lot of research to support his theory. According to the SKINS website, where there are quite a few scientific studies listed, SKINS compression actually: improves venous return, reduces exercise induced muscle damage, accelerates recovery, removes lactic acid faster, increases strength and power, improves endurance, enhances muscle oxygenation, improves body temperature control, and reduces in-flight ankle edema. The DNAmic technology was developed to deliver specific levels of compression to active muscles. 

Pretty bold claims, right? Did these tights stand up to my cynical eye? Or legs?


Mother Nature cooperated with a bit of a cold spell this week so I could try out my tights. I took my tired legs out for a 5 mile run on a cool, blustery morning, wearing the SKINS DNAmic compression tights. At first, my legs felt "tight" as they always do when I run in compression. But when I looked down at my first mile split, I was pleased as I had an 8:25 minute mile. The rest of my mile splits were even faster. All good. 

I also did my pushups for Marcia's push up challenge and did some bar hangs and scapular pull-ups per Becky's homework.


Overall, I LOVED these tights. They were easy to pull on, which hasn't always been the case with other compression tights. They look great. They aren't at all restricting. At first I wasn't sure if I liked the pattern on the fabric, but as it turns out, they look great with a variety of colors of shirts. I don't know if they made me run faster, but my legs felt good while I was running. And best of all, my legs felt great after the run. I went to work, spent most of the day on my feet, and my legs weren't tired at all. Imagine if I could wear compression to work!


The only comment I would make is about the sizing. Even though I followed the sizing chart on SKINS website and ordered accordingly, I found the tights to be a little snug around my torso. The legs fit great but I would have liked a little more breathing space for my tummy. I've had this issue with other brands, so maybe it's just me. I would recommend sizing up one size. Still, I will wear these again and again. I really liked them. A lot.


One other comment: this isn't my first pair of SKINS compression. A few years ago, I bought a pair of SKINS compression shorts for running. My youngest son, who plays rugby, needed a pair of compression shorts to wear underneath his rugby shorts. I gave him the SKINS compression shorts and he just loves them. In fact, when I told him I was trialling a pair of the tights, his comment was, "SKINS are the best". He says they are really comfortable and he doesn't really notice them when he's playing, but he does think they help him run faster.

Running for a try in his SKINScompression!
Do you want to try SKINS DNAmic Compression? You can enter win an item from the SKINS DNAmic compression line! Sorry, but only US residents can enter. Only one prize per person. If you win this giveaway, and have already won a SKINS prize from another blog, please disclose that you have already won so we can choose another winner.

And if you're not a winner or just can't live without the gear you chose, use the discount code SWEATPINK-SKINS20 on everything except sale items!

Do you wear compression gear? Have you ever used SKINS? What item would you choose if you won? 

I'm linking up with the DC Trifecta of Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for the Friday Five!












Also with Nicole for her Fit and Fashionable Friday Link Up!












And with Smitha and Erica for Wednesday Giveaway RoundUp! #WinAllThePrizes












Disclosure: I was given a pair of SKINS DNAmic tights to trial and review on the blog from SKINS and SweatPink. All opinions are, of course, my own.