Category Archives: Gear

Product Review: Nike tri shorts

By tjfry | November 8, 2011

It seemed to me that this should have been an obvious fit for at least 2 decades now, but until recently, Nike has not had any apparel for the sport of triathlon. Swimming, yes. Cycling, pretty much (mostly to support Lance), and running, of course.  But for some reason, triathlon focused apparel was absent from the mix. Until now. This past summer, Nike entered the triathlon market. If you ask me they made just the right variety for a market entry. A tri-top , a tri-short, and a one piece, all in a few colors for both men and women. Knowing Nike’s history for performance wear I was eager to test ‘em out. Especially the shorts. The tri short is made of their Swift performance fabric. The same fabric Nike uses in their performance swimsuits and track and field competition products. Based on sizing recommendations, the fit is snug, which is how a good pair of shorts should fit. I’ve tried on a number of leading brands over the years, and am often surprised at how loose their size recommendations are. Compression should compress, so when I put on lycra or (other stretch fabric) and it doesn’t stretch once it’s on, then I know that it’s been sized wrong. For the men and women, the shorts are 9 inches in length, providing good coverage and nice compression. For the guys shorts, the pad was the biggest seller for me (no, I didn’t try on the girls shorts so don’t ask). The Nike tri shorts come with a brushed microfiber, dual density pad that is perforated to dry quickly once you get out of the water. As I’ve mentioned before, most tri pads are slim and narrow as they should be, but sometimes so narrow that the stitching ends up on the pressure points of the saddle. So the balance can be a bit of a trick. Too wide or thick and you feel it running, too narrow and the pad sets wrong on the saddle. Well, Nike nailed it. The guy’s pad is wide enough that even the ISM Adamo saddle riders will feel very comfortable (and as an ISM user, that’s a huge plus). Get off the bike and run and you don’t even know it’s there.

Additionally, the shorts have 2 small, well designed pockets that are big enough to fit a gel or two, and sleek enough that you forget they’re there if you don’t need em. All in all, a great pair of shorts. So great, in fact, that I wore them for Ironman Hawaii with great success. Not a single rub or problem (which may be a first for me in an Ironman distance race).

With this being Nike’s first attempt at a tri short in over 20 years, I’m excited to see what year 2 will bring from them. Welcome to the triathlon party, Nike. Glad you’re finally here.

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Product Review: Speedo Polarized Goggles

By tjfry | October 27, 2011

Recently Speedo announced the release of a new goggle this fall.  They have created what I would consider the first true open water goggle. A fully polarized, mirrored, Speed Socket. (There’s a bunch of people who claim to have an open water specific goggle. I will tell you that until now, the best open water goggle is the one that fits well and doesn’t leak.) Using their most popular elite racing goggle, Speedo took 2 lenses and sandwiched a polarization in between. This way a little bump or drop won’t scrape off the polarization like that of the $5 sunglasses you get at the gas station. They are finished with a super slick looking gold mirror. They look flat out fast, but I questioned whether they would make that much difference. Now, keep in mind these goggles weren’t made specifically for lakes and oceans. They’re designed for outdoor swimming in general. Looking back, I’m surprised this wasn’t done a long time ago. Just this past August, the National Championships were held in an outdoor pool in California, and I remember all those summer practices squinting while I swam in the afternoon sun. So there has definitely been a need for this.

As promised, on first inspection they are a Speed Socket top to bottom, so if you’re curious about fit, swing by your local swim store (tri shops and general sporting goods stores won’t carry these. They are elite level racing goggles) and try a pair on. If you’re used to Vanquishers, then this won’t be much different. Might even be a little more comfortable. If however, the larger sized goggles or swim masks are more your bag, then they might take a little getting used to. Being a swedish goggle man myself, this was more goggle than I’m used to, but for me they are considerably more comfortable than the Vanquisher.

The real beauty is what you see. Everything. It surprised me at first. I didn’t realize how much glare in a goggle messes with you. Now there’s something to compare it to. The vision is crystal clear and it cuts the glare wonderfully. I almost felt like I was on one of those Blu-Blocker commercials while I swapped back and forth. Now, admittedly I haven’t used them in open water just yet so I can’t give you a play by play on swimming into the sun and how they cut that reflection off the water. What I do know is that they are going to be 100 times better than my smoke goggles I’ve been using.

So who needs these goggles? Someone who trains outdoors and those who swim in open water, whether it be triathlons or open water races. If you have sun hitting your face, you are going to want these goggles. If you train indoors and compete in indoor pools, then skip it. I don’t see any advantage to swimming under fluorescent lights with these things. With a glowing review like this, there’s got to be a downside right? Well, there is the price. The Speed Socket Polarized sell for $65. That’s quite a leap from what we come to expect from goggle pricing. Then again, this is quite a leap from what we come to expect from goggle vision too. If you find yourself squinting during a swim, it’ll be worth every penny.

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Product Review: Speedo IM Tech Paddles

By tjfry | April 11, 2011

Like most people I’m a creature of habit,  so trying a new hand paddle was a bit odd to me since I have been loyal to Strokemakers for so many years. But when Speedo came out with their IM Tech Paddle designed to be used on all four strokes, I had to give em a try. One of the big problems with hand paddles is that they’re effective for freestyle and rather awkward when you try and use them for the other strokes, and figured the same would be true with these.

 The first thing that catches your attention with the IM Tech Paddle is it’s shape. the shape is a little different than other paddles as it has a curved kidney been look to them, rather than the typical mishapen oval of other paddles. The purpose of the shape is so that each stroke will benefit from the paddle. During freestyle you wear the paddle as shown in the picture and  breaststroke you would switch hands. Initially I tried the paddles using freestyle and noticed immediately the difference between my Strokemakers and the IM Paddle. Swimming freestyle with these paddles was odd initally because of the way the paddles directed my hand through the water. it took 100 or so of getting used to before I started getting comfortable swimming freestyle. Once I adjusted it was very comfortable. I also noticed that my pace was not quite as brisk with these paddles, but I must admit that I use a pretty large hand paddle (Strokemaker Blue) so I was expecting a difference.  The gold in these paddles though are in the ability to swim other three strokes. when I reversed the paddles and swam breaststroke and backstroke I immediately saw what they were intended for. Typically in breaststroke for someone to train with paddles they have to use a traditional paddle and size down a couple sizes so that they can control their stroke more effectively, but with these paddles I found that my stroke was very natural right from the start. So I was able to get up and work the stroke right away. No adjustments, no awkwardness, no nothing. I put them on and starting working. Same with back and fly. It was a very natural feel and I could work the pull right away.

After a few hundred yards of swimming with these paddles I found them really enjoyable during all four strokes. The downside?   Not much. The way you fasten your hand to the paddle is similar to most all other hand paddles using rubber tubing to strap your wrists and fingers to the paddle, but one thing different with this paddle is that the rubber tubing doubles back on itself. This created a minor problem for me as it forced my fingers to separate in order to accomodate the extra tubing and started to irritate by the end of my swim. This is not a big deal though as you as you can cut down and adjust the rubber tubing to fit your personal preferences (something I didn’t do), and you shouldn’t be wearing them for an entire workout anyway. Overall I found these paddles to be an asset to my equipment bag and have left them there (something I don’t normally do). I’ve also added them to my regular workout rotation. If you are looking for something different to train all four of your strokes or are needing to focus some attention on your pull, I would highly recommend these. Enjoy your workout.

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Product Review: Sugoi Piston Trishorts

By tjfry | March 6, 2011

 

As a triathlete who’s been competing for 25 years, I’m always on the lookout for good cycling or tri shorts. My search was heightened this past year in my preparation for Ironman Cozumel, and now, Ironman Texas.  Additionally, as a retailer, I prefer to carry products that I have used or believe in. I think that way it makes everyone’s life easier, as I can give an honest, educated opinion on the products that you’re considering. One of the first things that I look for in a good short is obviously the fit.  I like it to be long enough so that I get good coverage in the thighs but not so long that it’s close to my knees. For me that puts me in the 7-9  inch range for a short. The Pistons are 9 inch.

The other thing I look for in shorts is how well it holds to my body. Nothing is more annoying to me then cycling shorts or tri shorts that move around during the race. So I like a good tight fit a strong fabric for good compression.

I have tried on and raced in a number of brands of shorts previously I have used Pearl Izumi to great success but one thing I noticed in the particular style that I wore was the lack of compression. So while the fit was good, the movement wasn’t as good as it could have been because the fabric was a bit thin. (Conversely, I have some Pearl cycling shorts and the fabric they use in those is outstanding).

Same with some of the other brands I have trained or raced in. Either the compression is great and the fit is bad or the fit is great and the compression as weak. After trying on a number of varieties I came across this Sugoi tri short

For someone like myself who likes a good tight fit I found the shorts to work better than even some of the higher end models of shorts that Sugoi has to offer

It stayed in place during the swim did not move at all on the bike as well as the run as an added bonus, the shorts comes with two small pockets on each hip allowing for a gel or other various products to be stored during your training or racing. The one downside I have with them is not a downside for the shorts per se but towards my saddle.

I ride an ISM Adamo saddle, in which the pressure points are different than a traditional saddle. Because of this, cycling short pads create a problem as usually the pressure points from the saddle  line up exactly with the seams of the pad. After 100 miles the constant pressure on the stitching of the short can be extremely uncomfortable.  In my training I have gone from training in a pure cycling short down to a tri short and am now contemplating no pad at all.  I know that my saddle is a niche product so I don’t expect companies to come out with apparel just to accommodate me, so I need to make some adjustments on my own.

 At the end of the day I absolutely love these shorts. If you are needing something to train in or race in, whether it be a sprint

triathlon or a full Ironman distance race, I would highly recommend the shorts

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