bottom row: Schrodinger’s Saigon Jade (the Runways)
Goodr Sunglasses; $24-35. Five styles! Kick-ass colors!! Cheap AF!!! One of my favorite things about these sunglasses, in addition to the multiple positive points noted above, is the super catchy name assigned to each color. PLUS: they do not slip while running, even with a super sweaty face. I have three pairs, and I’m doing everything to resist buying some Circle Gs (the newest style), but I’m not made of stone.
Sweaty Bands; $15. If you’re in need of a non-slip, not too tight but not too loose headband, check out the many styles available at Sweaty Bands. The ultra bright orange is my race day go-to, but I also have a smaller metallic gold band for the days when I need to feel like Wonder Woman. These are machine washable (I recommend you use a mesh garment bag) and last forever – I’ve had my orange one for 8 years and it’s not stretched out at all.
Oiselle Firecracker Earband; currently on sale for $14. Love love love this lightweight option for keeping your ears warm on cold or windy days. I find this is a better option for me than a stocking cap, as it lets my head breathe so I don’t get cold from really sweaty hair. I’ve worn it happily in 20-something degree training days all winter.
Stance Socks; price varies. When we moved to Central Oregon in late 2016, I immediately began having trouble with the trail socks that had worked for me in Portland, Mt Hood, and the Columbia Gorge. The volcanic soil here tears socks to pieces; I’ve had pairs from multiple brands have a toe blowout the very first time I wore them, which is super frustrating and expensive. My favorite socks now, for road and trail, both for comfort and durability (without too much blister-inducing bulk) are Stance. I can’t recall throwing a pair out yet. Bonus: they come in wild, fun, and silly prints.
Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 4.0 Hydration Vest; currently on sale for $112. I ran in a Unisex (which means “men’s”) Mountain Hardware vest for my first 5 years of ultra running. It served me pretty well, but I do find having a female-specific design means better fit over my clavicles and across my torso – I don’t have to wrench the front straps way down. I found this model to be the perfect porridge of accessible pockets and adequate storage without being too big. I can carry lots of water, food, and a couple layers without even noticing the weight.
https://ultimatedirection.com/
Road ID; $20-40. If you’re out there running, it’s a good idea to wear some form of identification. I grew up in a superstitious family who believed that if you prepare for disaster, you can prevent it occurring; I think we have all seen in recent weeks that may in fact not be true, but still. If I’m running or skiing alone, I’ve got my Road ID band on. I also wear it now when I travel (or, when I used to travel. See also: global pandemic). This is also a great gift card to give the runner in your life.
image: Kori Barnum
Coalition Snow “Taken For Granite” All Mountain Skis; price varies. Back in the day when the mountains were open (March 13), this pair of lovelies was helping me become a solid intermediate skier in my 3rd season on the slopes.
“Coalition Snow is a woman-owned and operated ski and snowboard brand that builds the gear and the communities that unleash skills and expand experiences. We were founded in 2014 in response to the industry’s go-to strategy of “shrinking and pinking” women’s skis and snowboards. We wanted more. With decades of dedication to skiing and snowboarding between our founders, we took things into our own hands and partnered with some of the best builders around” (https://www.coalitionsnow.com/).