Vapor Fresh 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. 

Vapor Fresh is a high-performance cleaning product that is designed to help keep your running clothes odor-free and retain their wicking capabilities.  The Vapor Fresh laundry detergent is ecofriendly and biodegradable.  It is formulated without any environmental toxins like dioxanes or phosphates.   It is also free of fragrances, dyes, and brighteners that can irritate sensitive skin and is formulated to work even in cold water, which isn’t always the case with other detergents. 

Vapor Fresh is made in Illinois and distributed out of their Pennsylvania warehouse, so you can shop with ease, knowing that your products helped employ workers here in the good old USA.  Each tub of detergent is enough for 36 regular loads or 72 HE loads of laundry and is low-foaming and low-sudsing so you can use it in either type of washer without any issues.  You can get a tub on the Vapor Fresh website for $28.99.

For heavily soiled or super smelly laundry, allow your clothes to soak for at least 30 minutes.  I add a full scoop to my washer (cold water) and set it to soak for 30 minutes.  I throw all of my clothes in at the same time, work and running clothes.  I have never had an issue with my work clothes smelling from being washed in the same load.  I would have never tried that with a normal detergent. 

Pros:

Environmentally friendly

Inexpensive (starting around $29)

Cleans difficult stains and removes odors with ease

36 regular loads/72 HE loads per tub

Fast shipping

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I wash all of my clothes with Vapor Fresh now and love how well it works.  I am really pleased with the 36 load tub for $28.99.  While it is a little more than regular detergent, you can rest assured that your clothes will last longer and perform like new.   I have tested several detergents in the past and I can tell that my clothes are cleaner, smell fresher, and look great.  I wasn’t disappointed and you won’t be either.  I am giving away a tub to one lucky reader for you to test it out and let me know what you think.  Follow my Twitter account (@sigep185) and I will announce the giveaway in the next few days.

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.

SlackBlock Review

I spent the later portion of 2016 with various injuries that almost took me out of my December marathon.  I tried acupuncture, saw a sports physician, and eventually started physical therapy at the new Kaiser Sports Medicine Facility at the Golden 1 Center (in Sacramento).  It’s a state of the art facility and my Physical Therapist Dr. Kyle is amazing.  He brought up some a great points.  He asked me “As a runner, how often do I run with both feet on the ground at the same time?”  He then talked about how runners should focus more on single leg training because that is how we use our muscles.  He suggested single-leg squats, single-leg deadlifts, clamshells, walking lunges, and some other exercises.  

It not only saved my marathon (I finished, even though the time was slower than I would have liked), but I came out of the marathon stronger than ever.  I have been training for my first 50k and besides the exercises that Dr. Kyle suggested, I have been using an awesome piece of equipment called the SlackBlock. 

I ran across the SlackBlock online and contacted the company.  They sent me the SlackBlock and a book Balance is Power by Jim Klopman.  The book explains the importance of balance, not only in sports performance, but in life.  There has been a decline in balance as a society.  The book is really easy to read, explains why balance is important and how to improve your balance.  The book is $15.99 on Amazon (free with Kindle unlimited).

The SlackBlock is a simple piece of wood with black skateboard like grip tape.  It is attached to a blue foam block with Velcro.  The blue foam block is rectangular and has four triangular parts glued on to provide added lateral support.  It is an inexpensive solution to improving your balance, which will provide several benefits. 

By using the SlackBlock, you will increase the strength in your legs, ankles, and core.  Also, as you run longer distances, your body tends to get tired and your balance can be reduced.  By doing training exercises to help improve balance, you will be able to retain your balance longer.  Another benefit is that having great balance and a stronger ankle/Achilles area, you will be more efficient in your gait.  This can help use less energy during your runs and could even make you faster.

I started by watching a video about how to use the SlackBlock.  It says to start with one foot and balance for 2 minutes.  That seemed like a really long time while I was trying to balance, but it got much easier after a try or two.  I went through the exercises and quickly started seeing the benefits in my running.  I am almost completely injury free at this point.  I know that my physical therapy exercises play a big part in my recovery, but I think my balance exercises have been just as important.    I love the SlackBlock and strongly recommend it to any runner who wants to become stronger and more injury free.

Pros:

Inexpensive ($59.00)

Compact

Easy to use

Can see benefits in a few days

There are a few tools that every runner should have.  Foam Rollers, a stretching mat, and a SlackBlock are important tools in my runner’s toolbox.  While there are still plenty of ways for me to become injured, I think it is important to focus on becoming more injury free.  The SlackBlock helps reduce the risk of preventable injuries.  Get your SlackBlock today for $59.00 and let me know what you think.

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.

Rudy Project Fotonyk Sunglasses Review

* Disclaimer: I received the Rudy Project Fotonyk sunglasses to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (Ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews

I recently reviewed the Rudy Project Sterling helmet (click here for my review), which was facilitated through being a BibRave Pro.  The Sterling is an extremely safe helmet that is so comfortable you don’t even know it’s there.  I was completely impressed with my first Rudy Project product that I reviewed.  I just received the Fotonyk Sunglasses and a trucker hat to test.  Just like the Sterling helmet, the Fotonyk is loaded with premium features.  Let’s look at what makes up these sunglasses.

Safety

Rudy Project wants to make products that will not only be functional, but will keep you safe.  Their helmets and sunglasses are made to protect you when you take a spill.  What good are sunglasses that look good, but the temple piece will break off in a crash and cause serious injury?  Rudy Project integrates its hinges and uses soft, thermoplastic elastomers to protect you, even in the worst crashes.

Ventilation/Anti-fog

It is never good when you are running or cycling and your glasses fog up.  Fogging up could result in hitting a pothole or tripping over a crack in the road.  Rudy Project uses their trademarked Vent Controller that allows air flow through strategic points in the lens.  This reduces thermal shock, which in-turn reduces fogging.  I had absolutely no issues with fogging.

Customizable

The Fotonyk shades have bumpers that are made from colorful rubber inserts that not only protect you from the edge of the lens, but looks great too.  There are four different colored bumpers (black, white, orange flou, and lime) that you can choose from and they are easy to switch.  You can also swap out the interchangeable lenses, which is also really easy to do.  You can get a smoke black, multilaser blue, or multilaser orange lens to swap out.  These are in addition to the lenses that come with your purchase. 

Photocromatic lens

I got the Fotonyk Black Matte ImpactX with Photocromatic 2 Black lenses.  They are clear in low light situations, but adjust to black in direct sunlight.  The cool thing is that even when the lenses are at their darkest, visibility is crystal clear.  I love these for my early morning runs that start in the dark as well as mid-day, sunny runs and rides.  The light transmittal ranges from 9% to 74%, which is the biggest range I have seen in a photocromatic lens.

Adjustable Design

Everybody has differently shaped faces.  Rudy Project does a great job of making shades that will fit different face shapes by utilizing adjustable nose pieces.  You can adjust the glasses’ height as well as their distance from your face which will help provide a completely personalized fit.  I love the way these feel, like they were designed for me.

Frame Build

The frame uses Rudy’s Grilamid material, which is a shock-resistant, hypoallergenic thermoplastic, which has several great characteristics.  They are light, stable, flexible and extremely durable.  That makes for a very safe and comfortable set of shades.

Sunglass Case

This is one of my favorite features.  Usually you get a bag or hard case for your sunglasses, but Rudy Project has something I like better.  Their “Sport Protector” is a cover that goes over the lenses and has a Velcro enclosure.  It is very simple, but extremely effective in protecting your sunglasses.  I love it!

Analysis and Conclusion

I have tested these on my bike rides, early morning runs, and even in the middle of the day.  I never had issues with the sun being too bright in the middle of the day.  I could wear them in the dark without having visibility issues and never had any fogging issues.  The Fotonyk is great because it is customizable and is super light.  I have a hard time finding sunglasses that look good on me, but I love the way these look and feel.  I would highly recommend them.

Right now, you can subscribe to get special promotions from Rudy Project and get 25% off your first purchase.  Click here to sign up and get the discount.  That will drop the price from $199.99 (regular price) to around $150.  When you buy at the Rudy Project website you get free 2-way shipping, a low price guarantee, and a 90-day return policy.  You have a full 90 days to return your unused sunglasses for a full refund. 

Pros:

Looks awesome with the bright customizable bumpers and lenses.

Light weight (under 1 ounce)

Anti-Fog Vents

Made to protect you during spills

Awesome fit

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In the world of running and cycling, there are tons of products to choose from.  There are several companies who claim to have the best products.  I have been extremely impressed with Rudy Project and can’t wait to see what else they have to offer.  From the fit to the style, you really can’t go wrong with their helmets or sunglasses.  Give them a try and let me know what you think.