Holiday Gear Review 2011

Great Holiday Gift Ideas from Fleet Feet

If you are looking for some great gift ideas, check out some these things to make your running more enjoyable!

"Better than Naked" Running Jacket by North Face

Reviewed by Colin Cass

In my opinion, this is by far the best lightweight jacket on the market. It has a stretchy lightweight mesh material that is soft and does not stick to your skin like other running jackets do. The idea behind the soft mesh material is that you can run and sweat without getting that clammy feeling. It has two mesh panels under the armpits that extend back to the shoulder blades to enhance the jacket's breathability.

Not only is the jacket breathable, but it is water-resistant and has a DWR coating that keeps water from getting in. Yes, over time, the washing machine will get the best of the DWR coating, but it can be easily avoided with a DWR sport wash. In a light rain, the jacket will keep you completely dry.

Now that the days are getting shorter, more and more, I find myself running in the dark. The jacket has reflective tape in several locations to ensure you can be seen at night from all angles.


"Run Happy" with Brooks GTX series
Reviewed by Shellie Helgenberger



Keeping your feet dry is the best way to ensure you continue to "run happy" during the Central Oregon winter months. That is why Brooks has introduced two of their best-selling shoes with a  Gore-Tex option. Both the Ghost GTX and Adrenaline GTX uppers are built using the Gore-Tex membrane technology. Each square inch of material includes 9 billion microscopic pores. These posers are 20,000 times smaller than a droplet of water, but 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule. This allows perspiration to escape from the inside out, while preventing water from entering the shoe.

Night Running Accessories
Reviewed by Carolyn Courtwright


Amphipod Xinglet reflective harness: Ultra-minimalist, ultra-brilliant and ultra-light with 360 degrees of visibility - get visible without the coverage of a vest. The design features pockets for essentials and more. Front access quick-clip release allows for fast on-an-off and easy size adjustment for height/waist - wear over a t-shirt or parker and fully size adjustable.

Black Diamond Spot Headlight: Incredibly adaptable and super bright with 75 lumens at max setting, this compact powerhouse has a mode customizable to any fast-paced activity, from distance to dimming to strobe. Red SinglePower LEDs provide proximity lighting without cycling through the white mode, so you won't accidentally compromise night vision. A lock mode prevents accidental battery drain in your pack or while stored and a 3-level power meter means you'll never be caught with a dead headlamp hours from camp.