Runners’ Highs (Plus a Giveaway!)
August 19, 2009 by Jenn
There’s a lot of product out there in the running world. I recently hit up the Nike Town store in Chicago only to be dazzled by the large number of shoes, socks, clothing and accessories. (Yes, I succumbed to temptation and spent more than I, or a small nation, could afford.) Here at FBG HQ, we get our fair share of running gear to try, too. After all, I am a runner now. (I may be a slow runner, but it’s so exciting to actually write that and believe it!) Below are three hot new running finds that we’ve tried and are psyched enough to tell you about. They may not guarantee a good runner’s high after every run, but they sure as heck can’t hurt!
Nike+ SportBandI’m in love with the Nike+ SportBand. Through a sensor that’s placed in your Nike+ ready shoe, you wear this cute and cute little band (reminds me of the LiveStrong wristbands) that tells you how far you’ve run, your time and your calories burned. Then, after you run, you plug a small part of the band into the USB port of your computer and voilà! Your run is uploaded. On the Nike+ site, you can set goals, create a mini-me of yourself and track your progress.
It took me a little while to figure out the software and how to get my sensor calibrated to my slower stride (out of the box it gave me waaay too much credit—I do not run 7 miles at a 8:31 per mile clip), but once I did, talk about girl on the run. While my motivation before the Nike+ had been good, I was PSYCHED to get out and add runs to my online profile. Plus, I synced my runs to my Facebook page, so that all my friends and family could see what I ran and how quickly. The only thing I wish this puppy had was a heart rate monitor. And GPS. You listening, Nike?
PUMA’s Cell Voltra
When these first came in the mail, I squealed. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or a shoe by its look, but dude, this shoe is fly! I kicked off my worn-out Adidas kicks (good timing by Puma, by the way) and laced these up for a quick walk around the block to test them out. They’ve got good cushioning (proving to me that I really was in need of new shoes), especially in the heel, and they fit my somewhat narrow feet well, even adding a little bounce to my step. I also wore them during a spin class, a 20-minute session on the elliptical and while doing a strength-cardio circuit, and no complaints (besides the fact that the spin bike strap left a black mark on my right one—boo)!
One word of caution: These are categorized as a running shoe, I wouldn’t take them on much more than a short and less intense jog. If you’re a serious or somewhat-serious runner with specific shoe needs, this isn’t your shoe.
Stuffitts Shoe Savers
I love the name of this one, and have routinely taken delight in telling my husband to just go “stuffitts” after a run. These cute little shoe inserts (they even have little toes!) help keep your workout shoes fresh and clean. The inserts are filled with good-smelling cedar (I may or may not sniff them regularly to feel like I live in a romantic log cabin overlooking the Swiss Alps with my boy-toy/massage therapist Sven) and help to keep your shoes dry and stink-free.
I will be honest that I didn’t notice a huge improvement in my shoes after using these, but I’m really lucky in that my feet don’t sweat much. (No worries, my forehead more than makes up for it.) However, my husband’s shoes were dramatically improved after getting stuffed.
Ooh, I'd really love to have these stuffits. I am pretty sweaty, for a girl, when I work out and these would be sooooo fabulous!
I am fascinated by these things…I can't decided what is cooler–the name or the little toes!
I wish I could say the stinky shoes in my house were my husbands but they are mine. I live from a suitcase most of the time and keeping your entire bag from smelling like feet is a task at times!
I'd love to win the stuffits! I "glow" profusely and my feet aren't exempt from my "glowing"! I could really use these!
Yeah, my shoes always smell like something crawled in them and died, especially during the summer, sweaty months. My husband would love me a little more with stuffits!!
great solution to an unfortunate problem. i don't glow – i sweat like a hog.
I would LOVE to win those Stuffits! I have the worst smelling feet ever, seriously. My parents used to make me keep my shoes outside after basketball games because they stunk up the whole house. Yea…it's bad. Luckily they still love me.
How timely! I was just sniffing my running shoes in disgust the other day, wondering how I could possibly rectify the situation. These would be perfect!! Plus, I think cedar smells fabulous. Crossing my fingers until the winners are announced…
Thanks for hosting this great give-away.
Oooo count me in!!
i need them because it's a pain in me arse to whip out my work out clothes after they've been marinating with my shoes all day.
people in the gym probably think i'm the stinky girl
Yay for being a runner!!
Love that first item. It looks super cool.
How wonderful! I would love a pair of these — my shoes tend to take on a life of their own after I'm finished wearing them. And that's not a good thing.
Thanks!
i would love to win these! awesome giveaways as always!!!
great solution for runners!
thank you!
because my feetsies can STINK!
Thanks!
My running shoes can get pretty stanky! I'd love to try those stuffitts
I was cursed with my fathers stinky feet and my shoes always stink and I can never find anything to get the smell to go away. No matter how clean my feet are before I put them on they just get so stinky. I would love to see if these can get rid of my smelly feet!! Good luck to everyone!
The sports band sounds pretty cool – I'll have to check it out. As for the giveaway, you know I'm always up for winning one of those!
oh wow! My DH really needs this. Hopefully he doesn't read this, lol! Hope I win to give it to him
Ooh, wow, I'm not even going to pretend these would be for my husband! I have stinky shoes, I admit it!
Well I've tried making my own with pantyhose and kitty litter! I wasn't impressed but cedar sounds great and toes to boot! I tend to hang onto my shoes forever, which doesn't help. Thanks!
I'd love to try these!
My running shoes REALLY need these stuffits. I live in Houston and am currently training for a marathon. We have been experiencing the hottest summer on record. It is 80+ degrees before 6AM and 100 on many days. I take my shoes off after a run and place a fan on them to dry them out.
If you did my workouts… 3 hour with a combo of cardio, weights & flexibility 4 days per week and a 90 minute jog outside on Sundays.. well, let me just say.. NOT PRETTY! I only have 1 pair of shoes so I can't switch off. Boy oh boy do I need these!!!!
I am in desperate need of the Stuffits. I was driving to my workout today and thought, "Gosh, what smells?" I smelled my shirt, my bra, hat…then I found it. MY SHOES! These shoes are only 3 weeks old and they smell like 2 year old B.O. Like Seinfeld says, they're beyond B.O., they are B.B.O.!
My shoes are too expensive to just throw out, but I guess I'm a stinky sweater so I'm hoping something like these Stuffits will do the trick!
I would LOVE the Stuffits!! How girls can have such ripe feet is beyond me! My shoes practically get up and walk over to ask me for help.
Great giveaway!
Not only would the Stuffits make happy, but probably moreso, my husband. He asks me to promptly go wash my feet after taking off my stinky shoes. Help a girl out pleeeease?? I'm ready to have Swiss smelling shoes
A great idea – I've been putting reusable dryer bags in my running shoes for years but I like this idea even better.
I teach fitness classes for a living….my shoes get lots of action. Please baby please, mama needs a new pair of Stuffits!!!
I have never heard of this but would love to try it out. Our family runs alot and my daughter does track and field!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
I had my baby back in october. I was able to Starr getting back in shape about two months after I had him. I was able to lose all and more of the baby weight (50+lbs) all by eating healthy going to the gym and staying active:) so my body made it but my shoes have seen some better days. So until I can afford some new shoes my stinky ones will do so I can stay healthy for my baby
Another cool give-away!! Stuffits sound awesome!
This is great! My husband wears the same shoes all day, into the night, and they needs some freshening! Thanks!
Oh boy am I ever a sweaty girl after a good workout. This will help me not cringe at the thought of putting my feet into a stinky shoe!
Ooh I need these, my shoes are stinky!
Boy do my sneakers need these!
Wow, the Stuffits would be perfect for when I travel for marathons! My sneakers always get packed into my bag for hours while I fly home, and to make matters worse, I usually have to put them in a plastic bag so they don't make the rest of the stuff in my suitcase smell.
Just a question – Have you had any issues with your Sportband? I bought the first version when it came out and am on my 3rd one…which I need to call and have Nike replace.
The first edition of this band had a design flaw that caused the display to leak and become unreadable. Any issues thus far?
NerdyArtist: Really? That sucks! I haven't had any issues. I've had mine for a couple months with no probs. If you're looking to give up all together, I've heard the Garmin watches are sah-weet.
I don't want to find out if my feet stink. I know they do if I put wet feet in shoes or walk in a puddle with my running shoes on.
Pretty cool idea… I wonder if they infused onions and peaches in the natural odor elimination process.
LOL
Angela