Reading This Makes Ewe Smart

Smart sheep make good stuff - SmartWool gear review I

I attended the Medved Winter Open House in December, where the theme of the day was "WE DON’T HIBERNATE!!”  There, the SmartWool tech rep  Brandon Lee talked about the heritage and technology that SmartWool is putting into their product lines.  Specifically, the PhD lineup.  This line is designed to keep you comfortable from head to heel in all kinds of conditions.  Brandon kept coming back to ’98.6’…meaning the pieces are all meant to keep your body temperature regulated and dry.  The wicking properties of wool are pretty amazing, too…I've come back with fuzzy ice on the outside of my shirt, but I’m comfortable on the inside.  Go Far.  Feel Good.

Don't be this guy

Last month, I published “My Favorite Things – Winter 2015 Edition”, where I picked three pieces of gear that I couldn't live without this season.  In addition, I've have worn at least one piece of SmartWool every single day for the past month. Why?  I am in love with this company.  From their socks to their sheep to their ethics.    So, here are three products I have put to the test.

1. The PhD Run Wind Tight (~$140)  To reiterate my love for these pants (they are one of my 3 favorite things this winter)…these tights incorporate windproof panels in the front to keep your muscles toasty.  The fabrics used are a blend of merino wool and synthetic fibers – taking advantage of the best of both worlds.    Read a little more here.  The details include reflective zippers at the ankle, as well as several other accents to keep you visible.  And the back pocket can hold my iPhone4 and my car key securely.  These tights are worth their price tag.  They really are.  I've worn them for at least 20 outside workouts, and I can’t complain about anything.

   

   Hill Repeats (AKA sledding)

2. The PhD NTS Light 195 Wind Zip Shirt (~$120)  SmartWool’s baselayer collection is classified by the weight of the fabric per square meter.  The 195 g/m2 is considered their ‘lightweight’ fabric.  It’s soft, stretchy, and conformable.  Then, add the cute patterned wind panel in the front and you've got a really versatile piece.  I've worn it as a base layer under a windproof jacket for colder days (we've had a lot of them!), and alone on days 25 deg+.  The zipper is large enough to make a difference, so you can cool down when things heat up. 

   

   This is NOT me.  I just couldn't find anyone
   to take my picture at 5am this morning!!!

3. 3)      The PhD HyFi Training Headband (~$30)  Unless it’s REALLY cold, I tend to prefer headbands over hats.  My other headbands are all fleece…and while warm, don’t stay in place very well, and tend to get sweaty.  Also, my ponytail can go wherever it wants!  So, this piece has gotten a lot of play.  It’s snug but doesn't make my eyes pop out, and keeps my ears warm.  Also, it prevents that stupid mark I’d otherwise get from my head lamp on morning runs.  Vanity. 

   

   sporting the HyFi at Frozen Assets (Photo:  Ron Heerkens, Jr)

These three pieces all get an A rating from me.  And while the SmartWool pieces may cost more, I think they earn their keep in my collection.  

Adventure Awaits...Get Lost!

My favorite things...Winter 2015 Edition

My plan is to profile a few of my favorite items each season, and here is the first edition!

This winter has been a challenging one here in Rochester.  It got off to a mild start, but has progressed to be one of the most bitterly cold seasons in a quite a while...

There have been many days where miles run exceeded the average temperature at which I ran them.  

While the weather has made some folks retreat indoors, you CAN negotiate winter with a few key pieces.  Here are 3 of my top picks for this season...there's still time to find them at your local store to get the best out of the next month or two and be ready for the next winter, too.  

1)  My Buff!!

If you don't know what a Buff is, you need to.  A very simple concept...a seamless tube of material...that can be turned in a bazillion different things.  Most of the time, I use this as a face mask, but I have also turned it into a beanie cap, a head band, and a balaclava.  

A few of the suggested ways to wear a Buff

I have three different Buffs...the Classic, the Reversible Polar, and one from the National Geographic series.  Here I am with my tie dyed Classic, and my black reversible Buff.  Both have been invaluable this winter.  They keep my face protected from the wind, and warm my breath on the coldest days to make my lungs happier.  The Reversible is so warm, I have only worn it running on the coldest of days, and use it quite happily during downhill skiing.  

20 degrees and off for a run

10 degrees and happy on XC skis

2) My Kathoola MICROSpikes!!

The Kathoolas helping me negotiate some snowy steeps.  

Last year, I bought these beauties...

Look at that GRIPTION!  (yes, it's a real word.  ask my son)

They are not cheap, but worth the dollars.
My MICROSpikes have accompanied me on nearly every trail run this winter.  I've climbed snowy rollers, icy steeps, and traversed packed flats.  The spikes have helped me keep my footing on some pretty gnarly.  I love them!!  This past weekend 6 out of 8 people who ran 18 miles with me had them on.  They are more aggressive than my YaxTrax Run traction, and perfect for winter trail or packed snowy sidewalks and roads.  NOTE:  You don't want to wear these on dry pavement for very long, but they are easy to slip on and off if needed.

3)  My SmartWool Phd Run Wind Tights

HOLY MOLY.  These things are good.

I attended a Winter Workshop at Medved Running and Walking Outfitters (my local run shop in Pittsford, NY) last month.  The regional tech rep for SmartWool, Brandon Lee, was one of the speakers.  He extolled the virtues of the super smart sheep...

Brandon talking wool

Metta LOVES when I do this.

Did you know ONE Merino sheep can make 42 SmartWool socks??  Or 14 shirts?

The wool used by SmartWool is Merino wool.  For 20 years, the company has some beautiful ways to use the best of what nature has to keep me dry, comfortable, and warm.

So, I decided I needed to expand my horizons beyond the SmartWool sock.  I DO rock their socks, btw.  So does my dog.

I got myself some essential pieces.  I have happy things to say about all of them.  But I HAVE to tell people about the SmartWool PhD Wind Tight.  I have worn the tights for almost every run I've done over the past three weeks.  They have been downhill and cross country skiing with me, hiking, and biking.  I think I tallied a full days worth of hours in them so far. The best things about these tights:

• The extra wind panel in the front has kept me warm on runs down to 0 degrees F.  Previously, I've had to wear two pairs of tights.  No joke.  You know when you put these on there is something different.  They block the wind from your quads and knees.  Two places where I've come back from a run pink and cold.  
• I wore the tights for a collective 10 hours (or so) before I washed them.  They didn't smell.  Nope.  They were just dirty...salty...and needed a bath.  Then I wore them for another 10 hours and washed them.  They kept their shape and elasticity perfect during those hours and after washing.  Did I say they didn't stink?  My lycra tights would have by then.  
• The waist panel is nice and wide, with a drawstring.  Incredibly comfortable, with no hitching up needed.  They don't roll when you sit down.  They are cut really well. 

YOU NEED THESE TIGHTS.  I promise.  They won't help you out of bed on a cold morning, but you'll feel much better when you're out in the cold dark windy mornings.  You'll stay happy longer with that cute little man on your legs.   

Night climbing at my local ski hill.