Product Review - The North Face Bullhead Hydration Pack

About a year ago I got tired of carrying water bottles on my runs. I considered getting a hydration belt, but ultimately decided I didn't want the weight directly on my hips. After soliciting advice from other runners on Twitter (this was before I joined dailymile) I realized what I needed was a hydration pack.

I did some research to determine which size would be best for my needs and then headed out to the local sporting goods stores. As luck would have it I stumbled on a good sale at The Sports Authority, where I picked up a model by The North Face called Bullhead for only $27 after tax. At that price I wondered if I might be getting what I paid for, but figured it was worth the risk.

Long story short, the Bullhead has served me very well. It's light weight and comfortable to wear, holds about a liter and a half (50 oz.) and is the perfect size for 10-15 mile runs. Here are some of the features that I like:

• The bite valve controls the flow of water very well. It also has a magnet attached to it so you can easily secure it while running.
• It has a generously sized pocket for gels, cameras, cell phones, etc. There's even a clip for your keys so they don't get lost in the pocket.
• The chest strap buckle doubles as a whistle, which could be handy if needed to signal for help.
• The bladder is removable, making it relatively easy to clean and fill up.

The only problem I've had with this pack is that I bit down too hard on the bite valve and tore it. Fortunately, you can also stop the flow of water by closing the swivel valve it attaches to, so it still doesn't leak. I don't attribute this problem to the quality of the bite valve. I just have sharp teeth! In any case, I contacted The North Face customer service and not only did they send me a new bite valve, but they included a magnetic swivel valve and clip, as well. For free! No questions asked! How's that for customer service?

One feature the Bullhead doesn't have that I wish it did is a bladder that could be turned inside out to make cleaning easier and more thorough. Still, I wouldn't consider that a deal breaker and would buy one of them again.

Finally, here are a couple of tips I have if you're considering getting a hydration pack:

• Don't fill up your pack all the way. Leaving a few ounces of space in the bladder will make it more pliable and allow it to better conform to the shape of your back. If you do fill it up all the way it is rigid and can make for an uncomfortable experience the first couple of miles.
• After you've finished filling up your bladder turn it upside down and suck out the air. If you don't the water sloshes around inside, which can get to be an annoying sound while running.

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Disclaimer: This product review has not been solicited, nor have I been compensated in any way by the manufacturer. This blog's terms of use disclaimer can be viewed here.

Stuffitts Shoe Savers

I sweat. A lot. Especially in the hot, humid Alabama summers.  Even if I run at 5:00 am I'm dripping wet after a few miles. Alright, enough of the visual. The fact is though, that in addition to my clothes being soaked, so are my shoes. I used to dry them out in between runs by stuffing them with newspapers. It's a simple solution that works pretty well, but it can be pretty messy and does nothing to help with the odor.

About a year ago I saw an ad for a product called Stuffit Shoe Savers, which I learned were shoe inserts designed to absorb moisture and eliminate odor. I'm usually a skeptic when it comes to things like this. They sounded like a gimmick and were a little pricey to boot. But I was really tiring of the newspaper solution, so, with some trepidation, I ordered a pair and some replacement inserts from their their website.

The Stuffitts ($24.95/pair) arrived a couple of days later. The first thing I noticed was how good they smelled. The inserts are breathable pouches filled with red cedar chips, which is great if you love the outdoors like me. Each insert is squeezed into a nylon sleeve the shape of a foot, which is then "stuffed" into one's shoes. The "feet," which come in various sizes, are attached to one another by a nylon leash about 48" long. This is a feature I like quite a bit, since it makes carrying them (and the shoes) easy and provides a way to hang  them up. I have a habit of dangling mine from the nearest doorknob.

Do they work? The answer is yes, very well. The cedar chips do an excellent job of quickly sucking the moisture out of my shoes and neutralizing the stench. I never timed it myself, but the company's website says they absorb "nearly 100% of wetness and odor-causing bacteria, doing most of the work in under an hour." I have no reason to doubt this claim.

Suggestions for Stuffits? In fact, I would like to see them modify the design a little. The current method has it so the end of the sleeve is permanently stuffed with something to make it look like toes. This means the cedar can't get to the tip of the shoe. Despite this, I haven't noticed the toe of my shoe remaining wet, so perhaps it's just not necessary.

Aside from the product itself, I'd also like to see the company provide more information on their website. I know it's a simple product, but there's not a lot to go on. For instance, you'd never know how often you should change out the cedar inserts unless you can read the fine, blurry print on the product picture. Incidentally, the recommendation is to replace them every six months ($9.95).

Do I recommend Stuffits? Whole heartedly, yes. Minor quibbling aside, the product does what it claims and the cost isn't all that unreasonable after the initial purchase. In fact, I think I'm due for some new inserts!

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Disclaimer: This product review has not been solicited, nor have I been compensated in any way by the manufacturer. This blog's terms of use disclaimer can be viewed here.

Footwear Update - Adidas AdiZero Mana

Back in March I blogged about finding and running in an old pair of Nike Free 7.0 shoes. The result of that experience, as well as the desire to transition to a mid-foot strike, prompted me to look beyond my usual Brooks Adrenalines. Even though I never had a problem with the Brooks, I had a feeling they weren't helping me to evolve. My goal at that time was to find a minimal shoe that would help make me a more efficient runner.

It so happened about this time I received the April issue of Running Times. The feature article was entitled "Much Ado About Minimalism," and saved me a lot of trouble hunting down information on the Internet. The very first tip they dropped with regards to going minimal was to get new shoes. They specifically suggested getting lightweight shoes that are low and flexible, and that have a limited heel-to-toe drop. They pointed out that most traditional shoes slope down between 12-14mm from heel to toe, whereas minimalist shoes vary from 2-10mm. The reason minimalist shoes tend to be more level is to promote the more natural mid-foot strike form by allowing cushioning of your arch to be used.

In the same issue was the spring shoe buyer's guide that focused on minimalist shoes. I overpronate slightly, so I looked through the list of shoes reviewed in that category. Although the Newton Gravity shoes had appeal, there was no way I could justify $175 for a pair. I finally decided, with a little trepidation, to take a chance on the Adidas AdiZero Mana. They were more reasonably priced at $80, and heel-to-toe drop was only 6mm. The only reason I hesitated was because of a comment at the end of the review that suggested they might not be all that durable.

I got them in the mail a couple of days later and first impressions were favorable. I found them to be light at around 8 oz. and very flexible. They reminded me of my Nike Free, except much more level. My first few runs in them produced the results I was hoping for. I could feel my weight moving forward and I was getting off my heels more consistently!

As I put more and more miles on the Manas I can say I'm generally pleased. I do have some minor complaints, however. First, I wasn't crazy about the laces. They ones that came with the shoes were plain, flat laces that I found difficult to adjust to a comfortable tension. I took some advice from my friend James and replaced them with some Yankz. After doing so I am much happier. The expandable, elasticized cords help the shoe to mold to my foot better without constricting it too much. And as a bonus I don't have to worry about my shoes coming untied. :)

The other thing that concerns me a little more is the noticeable wear I see on them already. Adidas claims the "adiWEAR® outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability," but the evidence isn't supporting that. After only 175 miles the tread has already started rubbing off near the toe (Yay! At least it's not the heel!). If I can get another 100 miles out of them I'll be surprised.

So, the trial continues. I should mention I've had no ill effects from the Manas. I did experience some discomfort in my right hip at one point, but it passed after a about a week and I have no reason to attribute it to the shoes. That said, if I had to decide today I think I'd probably try another shoe. They just need to last longer, no matter how cheap they are. Oh yeah -- and I shouldn't have this song stuck in my head every time I put them on. :P

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Disclaimer: These product reviews have not been solicited, nor have I been compensated in any way by the manufacturers. This blog's terms of use disclaimer can be viewed here.