Adventure Medical Kits Review

I am a strong believer in being prepared for anything.  When I go on trail runs, I like to have my hydration pack stocked with matches, a knife, bandages for sprains, and some extra snacks.  You never know if something will happen to you or you will come across someone who needs to be rescued.  My favorite place to trail run has no cell reception either, so being prepared is important.

I came across Adventure Medical Kits, which is a subsidiary of the Tender Corporation.  Tender was founded in 1973 in New Hampshire.  They own several companies that make first aid kits and other remedy products like bug bite and burn products.  Adventure Medical Kits makes great products.  They have everything from large kits that you would take on long backpacking trips to smaller packs like the one that I reviewed, that is good for 1-2 day trips. 

Ultralight & Watertight .5 - $17.00

This is a great kit for trail running or hiking.  It comes in a silnylon bag with a DryFlex waterproof bag inside of it.  That way none of your supplies get wet.   It comes with everything you would need for minor medical issues.  Here is a list of what comes in this tiny bag that measures 5.5”x11”x1” and weighs a mere 3.68 ounces. 

Bandages & Dressings

2 - Bandage, Butterfly Closure

1 - Tape, ½” x 10 yards

3 - Easy Access Bandages, Adhesive Fabric, Knuckle

5 - Easy Access Bandages, Adhesive Fabric, 1” x 3”

1 - Bandage, Conforming Gauze, Non-Sterile, 2”

2 - Dressing Gauze, Sterile 3” x 3”, Pkg/2

2 - Dressing Gauze, Sterile 2” x 2”, Pkg/2

1 - Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3” x 4”

Cleaning and Topicals

6 - Antiseptic Towelette

3 - Triple Antibiotic Ointment, 1/32 ounce

1 – Skin Tac Adhesive Wipe

Medication

2 - Ibuprofen (200 mg), 2 pk.

2 - Aspirin (325 mg), 2 pk.

2 - Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25mg.)

2 - After Bite Sting and Itch Relief Wipe

2 - Acetaminophen (500 mg), 2 pk.

Blister

11 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut and Shaped

2 - Alcohol Swab

Instruments

1 - Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps

3 - Safety Pins

Yes, that is all included and fits in this tiny package.  I have to say that it is amazing that you can get all of this for $17.00 and it easily fits in my hydration pack.  For most minor injuries on the trail, this pack will be more than suitable.  I think this would be a great kit to keep in your gym bag as well for after your runs when you might need to attend to some battle scars. 

BlisterMedic - $10.00

Another great product is the BlisterMedic.  It combines the tried and true protection of Moleskin and the advanced relief benefits of Glacier Gel, which stops the pain and starts the recovery process on contact.  The kit also comes with cleaning supplies to make sure you don’t have infection issues.  The kit comes in a bag that measures 4.25”x6.5”x0.5” and only weighs 1.9 ounces.  It comes with:

1 - GlacierGel 1.75”x3” Bandage

1 - GlacierGel 1”x1.25”Bandage

2 - Large Oval Moleskin – 1.75”x3”

4 - Medium Oval Moleskin – 1”x2”

4 - Medium Toe Moleskin – 1”x1.375”

6 - Small Toe Moleskin – 0.75”x1”

6 - Small Strip Moleskin – 0.5”x1.375”

6 - Antiseptic Towelette Pack

6 - Alcohol Wipe Pack

This is another great pack for trail running or your bag, especially on race day.  You never know when a hotspot or blister will occur and this would be great to have during your race or immediately after.  It is a great assortment and comes at a great price.

Adventure Bath Wipes - $3.50 (for 8 travel sized wipes) or $4.50(for 8 regular sized wipes)

For those times when you are running on your lunch break or after a race, it is always nice to clean up a little.  I hate having that sweaty coating on my skin, especially if I have to drive an hour to get back home before I can jump in the shower.  Also, cleaning up a little is the nice thing to do prior to getting the free massages that are offered at some races.  Those poor massage therapist shouldn’t have to deal with your sweaty mess!  The travel sized wipes are 8”x5” and the regular sized wipes are 8”x8”.  I prefer the larger wipes because they are easier to use and can do a better job of cleaning.  The wipes come with a solution of vitamins, aloe, and moisturizers, which leave your skin clean and refreshed.  I have used baby wipes in the past and these wipes do a better job by far.  They are non-irritating and come in a resealable package.  Like the other two packs I tested, this would be great in your hydration pack on trail runs, or in your gym bag for after a race.

Pros:

Each product is well priced

Extremely durable packaging

Tons of value

Great assortment of supplies in a small package

I was extremely impressed by all three of the product that I tested and I think you will be too.  They are a great value and are small enough for you to take with you.  You can find Adventure Medical Kits products at REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Sports Authority, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Dick’s Sports or online at the Adventure Medical Kits’ Website.

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Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Zeal Optics Range Review

Zeal Optics was started in 1997 in Moab, Utah.  They moved their business to Boulder, Colorado shortly thereafter, which is where they still reside.  They believe in being stewards of the environment.  Their frames and lenses are made from plant based materials and their prescription lens lab produces zero waste, either recycling or repurposing the leftover materials.  In fact, they are the only company in the world that uses 100% plant based materials to make their sunglasses, which is pretty cool.

The frames are made from the oil of the castor bean instead of from crude oil like most companies use to make their frames and lenses.  The Castor plant is the perfect resource because it is an efficient, fast-growing perennial that is not only drought-tolerant, but can thrive in less than ideal conditions.  Zeal Optics calls this the Z Resin Process. 

The lenses are made using what Zeal Optics calls the E-llume process.  It uses a plant based bonding agent instead of petroleum-based materials.  They can produce great clarity using this process while still being eco conscious.  They can do all of this and still provide complete protection from UVA, UVB, UVC, and HEV light.  The polarized lenses cut 99% of the glare and use the best polarizing film on the market from Japan.  Their sunglasses not only meet, but exceed the tough ANSI Impact Resistance Standards.

The Range comes with mirrored lenses that look great.  The lenses have a hydrophobic lens coating that repels water, oil and dust and an oleophobic lens coating to reduce fingerprints.  The nose bridge and arms are injected with what Zeal Optics calls Pro Flex, which provides a soft comfortable hold.  These are made for people with average sized faces.  I love the way that they fit and look. 

Zeal Optics offers a 30 day money back warranty as long as the sunglasses are in resellable shape when they receive them.  That is the only thing that surprised me.  These are such great sunglasses and all of the other sunglasses companies that that provided sunglasses to test give at least a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects.  I also did notice that when I was driving and the sun was shining on the tail light of the car in front of me, there were three halos that appeared.  It seemed like the sun had to be in a specific position because I didn’t notice this other than a few times.  Not a big issue for me.

Pros:

Very light weight material

Great fit, doesn’t bounce around while running

Great peripheral coverage

Mirrored lenses look great

Made from plant based materials, better for the environment

Cons:

The warranty is not as good as other sunglass companies

On very rare occasion, I noticed red halos when looking at a cars tail light.

The Range is a great pair of sunglasses.  I not only use these for running, but they have become my everyday sunglasses as well.  That is saying a lot because there were several amazing sunglasses that I tested.  While they were the most expensive sunglasses I tested (at $139.00) they are well worth the price.

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Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Tifosi Seek FC Review

I have known about Tifosi for years.  They sell them at Performance Bicycle and I have tried on a few pairs, but never pulled the trigger.  Tifosi is the Italian word for “super-fan” or an avid sports enthusiast.  Tifosi designs, tests, and completely tortures their products to make sure that their products perform flawlessly under the most extreme conditions.  That is probably why they are the #1 selling brand of sunglasses in specialty cycling and running stores.  Tifosi strives to provide sports optics products that fit well, look great, and offer a high level of value to their customers. 

Tifosi sent me the Seek FC, which is a single lens sunglass that comes with their Fototec (photocromatic) lenses. Photochromatic lenses change the tinting in response to changing light conditions.  In bright sunlight, the lenses get darker and in lighter conditions, the lenses lighten.  It takes about 10 seconds for the sunglasses to fully transition, but I never even notice the change.  The Seek FC that I tested came with the Smoke Fototec lens, which let 47.4%-15.2% of the light through.  They are perfect for running around dawn or dusk, which is when I do my long runs.  I was able to leave the house when it was sunny and get back when it was fairly dark and never had to take the sunglasses off.  They might not be quite dark enough for the brightest of conditions. 

The frames are made with TR90, which is an extremely durable nylon resin that prevents breaking and stretching.  The ear pads are adjustable and so are the nose pads.  The sunglasses in general are extremely light weight and do not bounce when you run.  They are made to fit people with small to large sized faces.  The one thing I didn’t like was that I could not put the sunglasses on top of my head without feeling like they would fall off.

The Seek FC comes with both a hard case as well as a soft microfiber bag.  All Tifosi products come with a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects. 

Pros:

Very light weight material

The Fototec lenses are great for running in variable lighting conditions

Great fit, doesn’t bounce around

Great price $69.95 on Amazon

Lifetime Warranty

Cons:

I wish they would stay on top of my head

These are some awesome shades and the price is excellent.  I read reviews that some people have had issues with these glasses breaking at the nose bridge when they were cleaning them.  I have not had any issues and when I talked to Tifosi, they said that they have addressed that issue.  If they break, you can send them back for a replacement as well.  I would recommend getting these sunglasses, especially if you tend to run in the morning or evening when lighting might change throughout your run.

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Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

XX2i Optics France 2 Review

XX2i Optics is committed to producing the best possible eyewear for outdoor enthusiasts and stand behind each product they produce with integrity and pride.  They want to insure that you are completely satisfied, no matter what.   XX2i Optics sunglasses are not available in stores from what I could find, but they offer the best warranty that I have seen, anywhere.  You can try them for 365 days and if you don’t like them, you can return them and get your money back.  Also, they have a “no questions asked” lifetime warranty, even if you scratch or break the glasses.

I was given the France 2 sunglasses, which were the cheapest glasses that I tested, but I couldn’t tell that when I put them on.  I got the single lens kit, which costs $59.99, but you could choose to purchase the France 2 with two additional sets of lenses for $99.99.  They showed up with a hard case, soft microfiber bag, additional (a set of blue and set of red) nose and temple pads, a mini screwdriver to change them, and a sunglass cord.  The hard case had spots for the sunglasses and separate spots for the lenses as well.  Not bad for the price. 

XX2i Optics calls their lenses 4k ultra high definition, a marketing term that refers to Advanced Chromatic Filtering, High Scratch Resistance, Impact Resilience, and Lifetime Warranty.  The lenses were great; clear and did not distort anything.  You can get polarized lenses as well.

Pros:

Very light weight material

Best Value (Starting at $59.99)

Great fit, doesn’t move around or bounce while running

Unbeatable warranty

Cons:

Not available in stores

From the moment I put them on, they just felt right.  The France 2 sunglasses were awarded the Killer Value Award from Outside Magazine, which could be because these awesome sunglasses only cost $59.99, but are worth so much more.  I really like these sunglasses and would definitely purchase these if anything ever happened to the ones I have, although with the best warranty in the business (I don’t know how it could get any better) I wouldn’t have to.

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Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Optic Nerve Omnium PM and Vahstro Review

Optic Nerve Omnium

The OmnuimPM has a photocromatic lens that adjust the tint according to various light conditions.  It comes with a hydrophobic lens coating that repels water, oil and dust.  The lens is called Rose to Smoke, meaning that it has a reddish tint which provides accurate colors, contrast and definition.  They darken in brighter conditions and the transition only takes 7-11 seconds, which happens without you even noticing. 

These are extremely light weight, weighing in at just over an ounce.    They come with dual injected an adjustable nose bridge and temples to keep the Omnium PM in place.  These didn’t move or bounce around and were so comfortable that I didn’t even realize I was wearing them after a while.  They are made for people with slightly narrow faces.  The one complaint that I had is that it just didn’t work with the shape of my face, it rode too high.  It is nothing against the sunglasses, they just didn’t fit my funky shaped head very well (this is a common thing for me).

Optic Nerve offers a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects.  The Omnium PM was picked as the 2012 Runner’s World Gear of the Year and is an excellent pair of sunglasses, if they fit you.  They are a great value too at $89.00. 

Pros:

Very light weight

Can use in variable light conditions

Great fit, doesn’t bounce or move around

Lifetime warranty against manufactures defects.

Great value ($89.99)

Cons:

Just not right for my face (but it will probably work for most people)

Optic Nerve Vahstro

The Vahstro (pronounced Va-Strow) is a great all-purpose sunglass kit.  It comes with four lenses, polarized smoke, copper, orange, and clear.  The clear lens lets 100% of the light through and is for extreme low light situations.  The orange lens lets 64% of the light through and is good for variable light conditions.  The copper lens lets 27% of the light through and is for general or variable light conditions.  The polarized smoke lens let 15% of the light through.  This is the lens I used most of the time and provides accurate color and definition in sunny conditions. 

The Vahstro also comes with the hydrophobic lens coating and the frame is made from TR90, which is an extremely durable nylon resin that prevents breaking and stretching.  This is the first of OpticNerve’s sunglasses to offer their “sideswipe” technology, which makes it simple to change the lenses.  These are the easiest sunglasses to swap lenses and I have tried quite a few in my days. 

The Vahstro has triple injected rubber at the temple tips and nose bridge, which does a great job of keeping them in place and deters bouncing while running.  They are made for people with average sized faces and I feel that they were a great fit for me. 

The only thing that I didn’t like is that the sunglasses come with a hard case and a bag with separators for the lenses.  While this works, you have two separate things to carry and I think that it would be better if there was a spot in the case for the lenses to be held along with the sunglasses.  Not a big deal, but it would be nice.

Pros:

Very light weight

Can use in variable light conditions

Great fit, doesn’t bounce or move around

Lifetime warranty against manufactures defects.

Great Value ($109.00)

Cons:

I wish the hard case had separate spots for the lenses. 

As with all Optic Nerve sunglasses, you get a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects.  These are great sunglasses that you can use in all different light conditions.  They were very easy to swap out the lenses and I would recommend these if you are looking for a great pair of sunglasses with a lot of features. 

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Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Swiftwick Aspire Socks Review

So I ran across an add on Facebook for Swiftwick socks.  It said, “We make the best socks you will ever wear…GUARANTEED!”  I thought to myself, that is a very bold statement.  I have been running in Injiji toe socks for over a year now and they have been my go to socks.  They let my toes splay (or spread out) allowing for greater stability, especially in my wide toe box shoes.  I contacted Swiftwick and they sent me a few pairs of their Aspire series socks to try.  I have given them a thorough testing and here are my thoughts.

When I opened the packaging, I could tell from the start that these socks were very well put together.  Swiftwick prides itself on using the best technology to make the best socks in the industry.  They utilize a 200 needle knitting process, which is the highest thread count in the sock business, resulting in a sock that has a tighter knit.  This prevents dirt and debris from coming through your socks, causing irritation.  The socks fit so well that it felt like they were a part of my foot.  There is no bunching or movement of the socks, even when running on trails where your feet slide around a little. 

Swiftwick produces every single sock in the United States.  They feel that it allows them to have better control on the quality of the materials that they use and the product that they produce.  They want to not only create a great product, but do so using environmentally friendly means.  Swiftwick also wants to make sure the customer is always happy.  They offer a guarantee that is better than most companies offer.  “We unconditionally guarantee every Swiftwick product to be the best performance product you have ever worn, or we invite you to mail us the laundered socks and a request for a competitor’s replacement pair of equal value.”  I like that they do ask for you to clean it and not send your smelly socks.

I received the Aspire Zero in black, which is a light weight, thin sock that stops below the ankle.  It uses managed compression to support all three arches (I only thought we had one arch, who knew) and their Linked-Toe design to eliminate bunching, which can cause hot spots and blisters.  They wick moisture better than any sock I have tried and even after months of testing, they look just as good as the day I first put them on.

I also received the Aspire Four in Razzle Red.  The Four stands for four inches of ankle support, where the Zero has no ankle support.  The Aspire Four utilizes Swiftwick’s double cuff rises, which prevent the sock from slipping down, ever.  It also has all of the same features as the Aspire Zero.  

Pros:

Very comfortable

Hot spot and blister free

Extremely durable

Made in the USA

Best guarantee in the business

Cons:

I only have 2 pairs.

They start at $12.99, so they are a little pricey.

Do Swiftwick socks live up to their claims of being the best socks I will ever wear?  Much to my surprise, they do.  I love these socks!  While they might be a little pricey, they are extremely durable and will last for quite a while (longer than cheaper socks).  They are made in the USA and use the best materials and technologies available to create a superior product.  I have no problem spending a few extra dollars to get such a great product.  I will definitely be buying me a few more pairs to add to my collection. 

Give them a try and let me know what you think.  What do you have to lose?  If you don’t like them, Swiftwick will buy you a pair of your favorite socks as a replacement.  You can buy them starting at $12.99 for the Aspire Zero and $16.99 for the Aspire Four.  They also have various other sizes and several colors to choose from.  Go to Swiftwick or Amazon to get yours today.

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Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

WIN Sport Detergent Review

If you are a new runner or have been around the block a few times, you probably know that running brings out some smells that you never thought would come out of your body.  I have been cycling and working out at the gym for over a decade and my clothes have never smelled like they do after a run.  My wife and I call it the homeless smell.  

The smell doesn’t actually come from the sweat itself but from the bacterium that breaks down the sweat (a process called bromhidrosis).  Performance or technical running gear is made to wick moisture and dry quickly, but those same properties trap the oils and bacteria that smell so bad.  Cotton tends to not trap those oils as easily, but is terrible at moisture wicking and breathability.  

I used to just wash my running gear with my normal laundry.  The problem is that most detergents don’t remove the oils and bacteria that care causing the smells.  These oils reduce the effectiveness of your expensive running clothes.  There are a few

sport washes out there that can help.  Nathan Sport Wash and WIN detergent are two of those washes.  Today I will review the WIN detergent.

WIN detergent is formulated to break the bond between the oils and the fabric so they come out smelling great.  Not only will your clothes smell fresh, but by removing that residue from your clothing, your clothes will breathe and wick moisture better.  They recommend washing in warm water and tumble drying on low.  I always wash my gear in cold water because I don’t want them to shrink but had no issues.

I received two bottles from WIN.  The blue bottle is their original high-performance sport wash and the green is the fragrance-free dye-free version.  Both versions worked great and what I really liked about the original version is that my clothes smelled good and weren’t overly fragrant like after I washed my clothes with Nathan’s Sport Wash.  I feel that the WIN detergents are a superior product.  

The bottles each have enough for 21 loads.  If you like to run in clothes that don’t smell like death, than pick up your bottle of WIN detergent at Amazon or your local running store.  The 32 ounce (21 wash) bottle sells for about $10.95 on Amazon.  Not a bad price for great smelling clothes. To find out more information go to www.windetergent.com.  

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.