Gear and Wear
A comprehensive review of gear and clothing for the active lifestyle, run and written by an avid hiker, runner, and all around fitness junky. The aim of the Gear and Wear is to fill the gap left from the lack of complete and thorough reviews available anywhere else. As such, all products reviewed by Gear & Wear have been used extensively before being reviewed to insure only reliable information is being passed on to other consumers. Reviews can be found categorized as a piece of gear (for hiking, camping, climbing, boxing/MMA, working out or other), wear (for footwear, shirts, jackets, pants and shorts or accessories) or by their brand name. Additionally we'll also upload a review on some food to keep you fueled! We can also be found on Twitter @GearandWearBlog.
Cost: $12.99 Cost: $19.99 Great for: Running, working out, hiking, or people with bad knees. The good: You can definitely feel a load being taken off your knee(s) when worn. The bad: If you are running or moving a lot they will slide. Rating Variety/Appearance: 7/10. I think it looks sporty and good, but a less flashy version would be nice to wear around more casually. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. The pressure on your knee is instantly relieved when worn making everything you do more comfortable. Quality/Durability: 10/10. I've been using mine for over 2 years and I haven't had a single issue with its' quality yet. Value: 8/10. The relief you get from this brace is amazing, literally the only thing I would change is making the brace tighter on both ends to avoid sliding. Other: 2/10. For a product that is advertised as non-sliding it sure does slide a lot. Overall: 37/50. Verdict: A great buy if you aren't doing a ton of cardio, otherwise it might be better to try and find one that slides less. Cost: $49 Rating Variety/Appearance: 7/10. Extremely limited choices for the HydroBak, but is looks great in every choice they offer. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. Fits and sticks to your body great making it great for staying hydrated when you are on the go. Quality/Durability: 10/10. The actual pack is made very well, it has no issues maintaining its' integrity what so ever. The bladder is also extremely strong and resilient. You can expect to enjoy your HydroBak for years to come. Value: 9/10. Bigger packs start getting substantially more expensive, but offer more room for storage. For a minimalist this is a steal though! Other: 5/10. If I was designing this pack I would have made it slightly bigger, with a special pocket for keys or a cell phone to make it a little more user friendly. Overall: 41/50. Verdict: Great for people who don't want extra stuff weighing them down but for most people it is probably worth upgrading for more space. Cost: $20.99 Great for: Hiking, camping, trail running or casual wear in the fall and winter. The good: The merino wool will dry quickly if wet and breathes great. The bad: They seem to run a little smaller and tighter than a standard pair of hiking socks. Also, it shrinks a bit when washed making them even smaller. Rating Variety/Appearance: 7/10. Looks fine, but there is limited variety. That's expected to a degree for hiking socks though. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. Noticably soft, and surprisingly good at retaining warmth considering its' thinness. Quality/Durability: 6/10. It is made of high quality wool but its' habit of shrinking makes it not so durable. Value:7/10. Aside from comfort these socks are pretty average, they have some benefits but are pretty comparable to SmartWool hiking socks. Other: 10/10. The ability to keep water off of you makes this sock stand out as a great pair of socks for active use. You have the benefits of warmth and dryness that some hiking socks can't offer. Overall: 40/50. Verdict: This is a nice hiking sock, but there are comparable socks with similar comfort and drying capabilities.
Cost: $39.99
Great for: Endurance running. The good: The sock widens at the calf a bit (like all socks should) for a comfortable fit. The bad: I'm all for spending money on good products but this seems like it's pushing the limit. Rating Variety/Appearance: 4/10. A great look, but there could be some other colors or designs added. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. Quality/Durability: 10/10. Value: 9/10. This is easy one of the best socks on the market. It's certainly worth more than its' competition, but it still feels like the price could be a little lower. Other:10/10. It's hard to describe how much of a difference running in these socks is, but it is almost like comparing running in some beat up shoes vs running in a brand new pair. Overall:43/50. Verdict: A great investment for a dedicated athlete, otherwise it's going to be too expensive to justify buying. Cost: $11.98 Cost: $20 Great for: Staying cool, avoiding the sun, and being a windbreaker. The good: There are a bunch of ways to wear your Buff giving you a lot of utility. The bad: It's a one size fits all (which isn't always accurate). Rating Variety/Appearance: 10/10. There are over 100 different options to choose from to insure you get a Buff that fits your style. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. The microfiber material is soft on even the most sensitive of skin. Quality/Durabilty: 10/10. Buffs are made to last, even with all the stretching from use and washes it retains its' shape and stretchiness. Value: 6/10. It's a great product for a great price but for a few extra dollars you can upgrade to Buffs with insect repellent and extra UV protection. Other: 5/10. While it is supposed to be worn a whole bunch of ways I'd be surprised if I could figure out half of them. Also, since it is one size fits all, some of the ways to wear it will not work for those with bigger heads like myself. Overall: 41/50. Verdict: An excellent buy, although it might be worth it to upgrade for a little extra money. Cost: $30 Great for: A great choice for fly fishing or hiking. The good: The large rim keeps more of your body protected from the sun than most hats. The bad: It is super annoying to wear when it is windy as it will either come off your head or flap right in your face. Rating Variety/Appearance: 4/10. Limited choices and an ok but not great look means this hat isn't very special. Feel/Comfort: 7/10. It is very comfortable, when it stays on. If you use the fasteners chances are the hat is flying off you or misbehaving making you wish you had a standard baseball hat. Quality/Durability: 10/10. It holds up to use and can be folded or stuffed away and come back to its' normal shape relatively easily. Value: 7/10. It fits a niche market, but if you are exposed to really hot temperatures with little breeze then his could be a greater it. Other: 10/10. The breathable mesh helps keep your head cool and airy. Overall: 38/50. Verdict: A terrific purchase, but only to those who can utilize its' uses without dealing with very windy environments. |
About your Reviewer: Joe P.Growing up in Michigan and around the Great Lakes has made it easy to be an avid outdoors enthusiast and conservationist my whole life. I love doing anything that keeps me staying active and being outdoors. This ranges from running, lifting, climbing, hiking, camping, biking, etc. All of these hobbies of mine are things I take very seriously and love to do. Because of this, before I make any purchase for one of my passions I try to do as much research about a product as possible to insure I am getting a product that I will enjoy for years. That has led to me starting this site in hopes of helping others avoid the guess work I went through by providing honest and unbiased product reviews. If you have any questions, concerns, or request please contact me at [email protected] ArchivesCategories
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