As 2015 wraps up, I’m here to announce my final gear guide and giveaway of the year. With that, here are my favorite fitness products {and one hell of a giveaway below!}
Tailwind Nutrition
During last year’s training, I was struggling to find nutrition that didn’t screw up my breathing while running. I’m not sure where I first heard of Tailwind, but this stuff is the jam. Founded by an ultra runner who was sick of the same ol’ food during long runs, Tailwind meets your caloric needs for the entire day. Seriously, the magical powder has so many calories and electrolytes that you don’t need to consume any other food if you don’t want. For people with stomach issues, it’s practically a godsend since they can consume all of their nutritional needs.
It comes in varieties with caffeine and without caffeine, as well as a “no-taste” flavor for those of you who want the goods without the taste. And if you have food preferences, know this: Tailwind is free of gluten, soy and dairy. It is also vegan.
Tailwind Nutrition; $37.99 for a 50-serving bag of the caffeinated flavor
crossFIXE Hands Creme
If your hand take a beating on the daily, give this stuff a shot. You can thank me later!
I’d seen ClimbOn! products all over the internet, largely in thanks to my huge number of climbing friends. But, I don’t climb so I truthfully didn’t pay much attention. But then Will, the Chief Digital Officer of SkiNourishment {the parent company}, sent me a care package of crossFixe products, another line under the SkiNourishment umbrella.
And I love this stuff.
My hands are pretty awful thanks to the time I spent in a CrossFit gym. Between pull-ups and barbells and gymnastics rings, I’m always ripping or cracking or cutting off wicked calluses. But I’m not one of those CrossFitters that flaunts my wounds with pride– those tears HURT and I would much rather heal them immediately! After one particularly nasty tear, I used crossFixe on my hands before bedtime, and I was pleasantly surprise to find it mainly healed–and much more comfortable–by morning. Apparently the secret ingredient is the MUSCLE rub which helps heal sore and torn hands.
That aside, the best part about crossFixe is their motto: If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.
crossFixe; $14.95 for a 1.3 oz container of hands creme
InknBurn Wildflower Capris
All non-stock photos by Will Rochfort
I live in capris or workout tights and quite frankly, am sick of the SAME OL’ BORING BLACK. So when I started to see InknBurn’s stuff show up on my social media channels, I was intrigued. Hands down, they make the most unique-looking workout gear on the market!
Their team sent me the Wildflower capris and I freaking love them. They’re so cute and so different and without fail, I receive dozens of compliments every time I wear them. The catch with InknBurn is that you have to grab a design you like before it sells out. Because they are a small company, they focus on innovation over mass production. Everything is designed in small batch, so once they run out, that design is gone. {I actually wanted the Wildflower tights but alas, they were gone!} The prices are a bit on the higher side, but nothing you don’t see in other high-end workout apparel. And did I mention how spectacularly cool they look?!
InknBurn; $84.95 for the Wildflower Capris
Clif Organic Energy Food Pouches
I met with Clif at OR last year and was happy to discover that not only was I meeting with a PR rep, but I was also having a one-on-one sit-down meeting with ultra runner extraordinaire, Scott Jurek! Jurek designed Clif’s line of organic energy food pouches with both his vegan and long distance needs in mind. This mindset resulted in four organic pouches: banana mango with coconut, banana beet with ginger, sweet potato with salt, and pizza margherita. They’re similar to the baby food-style pouches you can find on the market, with two main differences: flavor and calories.
Pre-Clif pouches, most pouches take up a lot of space in your pack for what? Maybe 85 calories. Not exactly a lot of bang-for-your-buck! But these Clif products are different. Not only are they tasty flavors, but the savory pouches have 160 calories per pack. That’s a lot better. Plus, the pizza margherita is a welcome taste after a day of sipping on sugary drinks and foods!
Clif Organic Energy Food Pouches; $18 for a box of six
Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket
I knew it would be love when I set my eyes on this jacket at OR last January! Ultimate Direction has long been a favorite running brand of mine {see: last year’s gear guide}, and I had high hopes for this jacket. It’s incredibly light–5.3 oz–so I don’t mind carrying it in my pack. It’s also very waterproof and wind resistant, as I recently learned while running during a Colorado blizzard. I even took it out one day when we had wind gusts as high as 50 mph hour. Now, I’ll own that my running pace was merely a crawl, but I was shocked at how comfy it was inside the coat!
All the tech stats aside, my favorite features of this coat are the little add-ons that make it comfortable. The sleeves unroll into little mittens, so you can roll or unroll them as needed while running. The hood cinches tightly around your head, complete with a small brim that keep moisture out of your face. And of course, you gotta love the built-in underarm vents that allow body heat to escape while on the move. In a word, this jacket is awesome.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket; $179.95
Altra Lone Peak 2.5 Trail Shoes
Me and shoes. Me and my shoes.
Over the past few years, I’ve discovered that my feet change from year to year. It’s kinda annoying. After Antelope Canyon last year, I realized that my previously-favorite shoes no longer worked for my feet. In fact, they were downright uncomfortable. Fortunately, a rogue package of Altra trail running shoes showed up at my door and I figured I’d give them a shot. I’m glad I did.
The Lone Peak 2.5 has a roomy foot-shaped toe box that I’m in love with; in fact, I think it’s my favorite part of the shoe. No matter how long I’m on my feet, they never swell beyond the size of this shoe! A word of note to those of you looking for trail shoes: Altra’s shoes are all zero drop. This means there is no height difference between the heel and the toe of the shoe; it is 25mm of cushioning across the entire thing. If you’re not used to this style, it may take an adjustment period– particularly in the calves!
Altra Lone Peak 2.5; $120
HumanX Competition X4 Speed Rope
Jump rope. JUMP ROPE. Before CrossFit, the last time I had picked up a rope was elementary school. And double unders? Forget about it. But these days, I jump rope a lot. We frequently do double unders in CrossFit workouts and they’re always a favorite of mine. Why? Because I can do them! That said, it’s nice to have your own rope. You get used to how it feels, the way it turns, and how heavy the handles are in your hands. I’ve found a favorite in the Competition X4 Speed Rope. The X4 has six-inch handles that are easy to grip, and the triple axis dual bearing spinning mechanism-thing means the rope turns easily. I keep it in my gym bag so it’s always there when our workouts require a rope!
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20
In last year’s guide, I professed my undying love for the UD Jenny Vest. That hasn’t changed, but my needs have. With my upcoming R2R2R attempt, I knew I would need a pack that carried just bit more food and gear. Enter: the Fastpack 20.
Just like the Jenny, the Fastpack fits like a vest with two chest straps that are easy to adjust around your chest {or lack thereof as the case may be!} The top of the pack cinches via a roll-top design, making it easy to accommodate as little or as much gear as you’re carrying. The two pockets on the shoulder straps can hold water bottles, and the side stretch pockets fit just about anything. Sure, it jostles a bit more than the Jenny vest, but it’s also a lot bigger. I fully plan to use this as a lightweight day pack for this summer’s hikes too!
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20; $149.95
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Now, want to win a HUGE fitness prize pack?! One lucky winner will win the following:
(1) crossFixe gift card for $30
(20) Clif Organic Food Pouches {5 of each flavor}
(1) InknBurn gift card for $25
(1) Tailwind Assortment Pack
(1) Pair of Altra Lone Peak 2.5 trail shoes
(1) HumanX Competition X4 Speed Rope
(1) Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20
Remember to use the Rafflecopter widget below for all entries. Good luck!
87 Comments
I don’t do crossfit or climb but I need that hand cream! I spend a lot of time in the sun between biking, running and swimming and my hands seem to get sun burned, dry and just not super pretty through all of it.
Hayley — tell you what, if you’re aren’t a lucky winner we will send you a sample of crossFIXE. Just email me at Will@crossFIXE.com if you don’t win.
The Inknburn gift card would be incredible – I too am really sick of my plain black leggings – they’re all I have!! I’d love something more colorful for climbing, yoga, running, even hiking. I live in leggings too haha and it’s time for a change!
I have a pair of InkNBurn already and I absolutely love them. There is not a single solitary thing in this prize pack that I DON’T want.
The Altra Lone Peak, I have been running in the Paradigm and Torin but need some trail shoes for my 50 miler
Omg thank you so much for the giveaway! I would most like to win Pair of Altra Lone Peak 2.5 trail shoes. Thank you!
I would most like to win the Altra Lone Peak trail shoes! I need some new ones and these sound wonderful.
Seriously, all of my favorite things. I LOVE my Lone Peak 2.5’s. I LOVE INKnBURN. I LOVE Tailwind. So I’m going to go with the Ultimate Direction pack, because that’s something I haven’t tried yet!
I love crossFixe! Awesome collection of stuff 🙂
Thank you Katie!
#ihopeiwin <–rat race
Seriously, would be an awesome gift for the wife! Love this blog! 🙂
Everything looks amazing but I’ve been eyeing that UD jacket since it came out. Need something to keep me warm and dry on the trails!
Very cool prizes! Would have to give away the capris, but that’s okay.
I can’t pick just one thing I want to win. I LOVE Tailwind already (but want to try their other flavors) and I’ve been eyeing up INKnBURN for such a long time now!
I’ve been wanting to try Tailwind, and I won’t lie, all the other goodies look awesome!!
Everything looks awesome! But I have been dying to try Altras, I just haven’t bit the bullet to purchase them yet!
I think the gear that would be my favorite to own would be the Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket. I think it can be hard to figure out how to dress in changing weather conditions and think that the Ultra Jacket would fit a lot of needs and be useful in lot of the activities I do, such as running, hiking, kayaking, and living/working at a camp.
Excited about everything but the fastpack would be great cause I need a new pack!
The fastpack. Thanks!
Oh man you are giving away a TON of awesome stuff this year! On one hand I’d like to try Tailwind or Clif gels, I feel like it would come in really handy for my long triathlon days; but I am also in love with the UD jacket. At some point it will snow in Michigan (weird weather) and having a top layer to protect you from wet snow is definitely essential!
That CrossFxe stuff sounds pretty great! Plus I would love to try trail running so those shoes would be really nice to have 🙂
Which item are you most excited to win and why?
I would be thrilled to win each and every item and would put them all to good use! I have been wanting to try Tailwind for long runs. I could really use the jacket too! How exciting!!!
I’d be stoked to win the Clif pouches. I was super excited at OR when I saw them, and they taste pretty good, they’re organic, and I go through so many sickly sweet snacks that those Clif pouches are a welcome change in my diet!
What a great collection of items! I’d never heard of InkBurn, but I can’t wait to go and check out more of their stuff!
The ultra jacket has me so excited! I’m outside hiking in all kinds of nasty conditions and this jacket will make a huge difference!
The leggings and the UD jacket!!!! You rock!
So many great items that would be perfect for reigning in the new year and helping me to achieve my fitness goals.
You know the drill – just send me the stuff
All of them.
Nice fitness package. I’ll take 1 please.
I’ve been running more trails recently and need a good pair of shoes…
Can I say everything? This is a fantastic list. I would LOVE the InkBurn pants and the Altras…and the UD pack and the jacket. Those Clif bar things are awesome. My trail running group got a bunch of samples, so we got to try them all. The banana coconut one tastes like pie!
I admit to sucking on my son’s pouches a time or tow. I’d like to try out the adult ones!
I’m excited to win the jacket, because I don’t have anything like it. I think I’ll be more active since I’ll be able to do more in cold weather with that.
The ultimate direction pack! That would be SWEET!
Tailwind is the bomb! I’m obsessed with UD, so I’d love to win the fast pack!
Omg thank you so much for the giveaway! I would most like to win Pair of Altra Lone Peak 2.5 trail shoes. Thank you!
My daypack that I’ve had since college is on it’s last leg and the fast pack seems perfect!
Capris! Because like you said, I live in capris and it’s nice to be able to have different prints to wear.
Everything looks awesome, but, the shoes especially!
I’m most excited about the shoes because they have a cute design and they look great!
Oh my gersh, I would love to win that jacket! As another Colorado girl, I can definitely appreciate a lightweight but durable jacket that can protect against the wind and the rain even when its not too too cold out.
The ultimate direction ultra jacket looks amazing!! I need something super light, but heavy duty enough to endure changing conditions when I’m out on my mountain bike. You never know what weather will come your way when you are in the high country! Everything else looks amazing too!
I’d love it all 🙂
Probably the Clif food pouches!
I am most excited about the speed rope! IT would be great for home workouts
Wow! That is an awesome prize pack! I think the most exciting things are the Fastpak (I LOVE backpacks), the inknburn card (I LOVE fancy workout gear) and I would get a ton of use from the shoes, jump rope and Tailwind!
No soy nutrition is always my dream. Also, that fastpak looks great. Have you tried biking with it?
Built in mittens in the jacket? Bomber.
I discovered Tailwind in desperation this summer because I’m TERRIBLE about eating breakfast before setting out on hikes and was seriously crashing. Thumbs up.
What an awesome mix of items. You’ve got it stocked!
Just can’t wait to put this all to use for a great winter running season! Thanks:)
Ahhhh! So many of my favorite brands! Yes!
I’d love the Ultra Jacket for the cold, gusty days we’ve had!
Tailwind would be perfect for my half-iron distance triathlon training!
I’m a big fan of those capris! Although, it all looks fun.
Kinda silly, when there are more expensive things that I would also love to use, but just yesterday I was doing a leg workout and wishing I had a jump-rope!!
The shoes! My wife would love them. She enjoys the outdoors from the trail to the road!
The tailwind assortment pack sounds awesome! Fingers crossed 🙂
I LOVE Altra shoes. I used to get GIANT blood blister between my toes whenever I increased my mileage, but with the wider toe box in Altras I don’t have that issue 🙂
most definitely the fast pack!!!
because I’m trying to have a more active lifestyle and this will help prepare my little hikes here and there.
I would be most excited to win the Altras – I’ve heard such great things about the brand, but haven’t tried them yet!
All the goodies in this prize look awesome and would be amazing to win, but two definitely stand out to me:
I’m joining the county volunteer SAR unit in the beginning of 2016 and the UD Fastpack 20 backpack looks great as a lightweight and small option with so many actually usable pockets for easy-to-grab gear (chest, side, back – everywhere!), daisy chain for the occasional need and reflective stripes. The UD jacket looks like a great backup jacket to keep packed as an always ready, lightweight jacket. The jacket would be better with the colors swapped, though.
I have been looking for a good wind proof jacket – glad to have the recommendation. The trail shoes sound great too!
I’ve learned about a couple of bands I haven’t tried before. I can’t wait to check them out!
These are all great items, but the Tailwind is something I’m really interested in trying to see if it works well for my training/long runs!
I would LOVE to win the Ink-n-Burn gift card and the Ultimate Direction Fast Pack!!!
I’m most excited about the UD fast pack! My hubby and I are planning a move to CO in 2016, and that pack would be awesome for day hikes in the mountains!
I am most excited about the Pair of Altra Lone Peak 2.5 trail shoes. I need a new pair!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
This giveaway rocks! I would love most to win the Inknburn gift card and the shoes (girl can never have enough Inknburn or running shoes and I love Altras!) I love Altras roomy toe box, more companies should get on board with that
Wow! What a package! Thanks for sharing ti our faves. Happy holidays!
Love everything in this! Would love to get my hands on those trail shoes!
That is a terrific package and would be awesome to have since I am a newbie to CO! Trying to get my trail running face on:)
The fast pack, by far! I love UD, and the Jenny Vest is my favorite piece of gear, other than my shoes! I am excited to put in some new adventures this coming year, and could use everything!!!!
I love the InknBurm pants because I’m incredibly active and love the idea of “looking normal”, yet being ready to go for an adventure at any point! 🙂
What am amazing prize pack!
I would love everything, but would love those Altras!!!
Oh my goodness, the shoes, the shoes! My trail shoes are on their last leg!
Maybe the shoes so I can start hiking.
I have my eye on that fastpack!
What an incredible giveaway! I’d love all of it, but I’ve been wanting to try Tailwind really badly!
Would love to try the shoes!
I’d love to try the Altra’s. I often hike in trail runners and have been curious about this brand!
Ah all of this looks amazing! I’d be especially excited about the pants 🙂
Ah all of this looks amazing! I’d be especially excited about the pants 🙂
the jacket looks awesome!
I really need some new trail shoes, so I would be thrilled to win those!