running gear

The SLS3 Foot Sleeve - Try Out Thursday Linkup Post!

Disclaimer: I was provided the SLS3 Plantar Fasciitis Compression Sleeves for free in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated any other way.  As always, all opinions are my own.  

I was recently given the opportunity to test out the new Plantar Fasciitis Compression Sleeves from SLS3 and, while I don't have plantar fasciitis,  I have been having some ankle pain since my marathon back in April.  It's been unseasonably warm for the most part here in East Tennessee, so when I saw these were ankle-length compression sleeves I jumped at the chance to try them out.  Here's my honest opinion about these socks: 

The first chance I had to test these sleeves out was going to be during an Appalachian Trail day hike with a client out to Charlie's Bunion.  This hike out and back is 8 miles and when I hike it with my clients it can be between 7 and 8 hours of trail time.  Since I hike slower with clients and I've been having the ankle pain lately, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get in a good test!  I put on the sleeves directly underneath my Smartwool hiking socks before putting on my shoes.  They felt like traditional compression socks, but were much easier to get on and get adjusted due to the fact they had an open toe.  I was worried this would be bothersome, but it really didn't require too much extra work to slide on another pair of socks over them.  During the hike I had no ankle pain at all, despite the slower pace and cooler temperatures (it actually snowed up there in MAY!)  The only problem I did have was that my toes started to feel like they were swelling up after wearing these socks for about 7 hours.  Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be running that long, so if you aren't planning on wearing them for that long, I'd say this wouldn't be an issue.  

My favorite hiking shoes - Altra Lone Peak 2.5, with the Smartwool/SLS3 compression combo. Ready to hit the trail!

My favorite hiking shoes - Altra Lone Peak 2.5, with the Smartwool/SLS3 compression combo. Ready to hit the trail!

After washing and drying these compression sleeves, I also tested them out on a 4.2 mile run a few days later.  I haven't been running much since my marathon back in April, partly due to foot pain and partly due to having a physical job where my hours are erratic!  I'm getting better about running though and have since replaced my shoes since I've determined that is what was causing my ankle pain. Anyway, the run I tested these sleeves on was a route I was familiar with as I had run it many times during training.  It goes through an older neighborhood where I live and the sidewalks have lots of cutouts for driveways and walking from the street.  Since I was also running streets this meant I had lots of turns to take.  This was another reason I had avoided the neighborhood since my ankles have been sore - lots of extra movement for my ankles.  While I did have some minimal ankle pain in these socks still, for the duration of my 40ish minute run and cool down the pain in my ankles was significantly reduced - which I had totally expected due to the compression.  Even with the sidewalk irregularities and taking the turns on the streets my ankles still held up fairly well.  

SLS3_Plantar_Fasciitis_Sleeve

SLS3 has provided me a link to share with my blog readers to get these compression sleeves on Amazon for the discounted price of $17.90!  They're also Prime Eligible for shipping if you're a Prime Member!  You can get the deal on Amazon by clicking here.  (not an affiliate link!)  If you prefer shopping on the SLS3 website, you can use the code BLOG40 to save 40% off your purchase SITEWIDE.  Lastly, you can find SLS3 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well.  

Have you ever tried compression socks or sleeves for running or hiking?  Did you think they helped with soreness or pain?  I'd love to know what you thought!  Leave me a comment below or find me on Facebook or Twitter to get the conversation started!

I'm linking up with Running With SD for Try Out Thursday!

I'm linking up with Running With SD for Try Out Thursday!

Tried it Tuesday - SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt (#Giveaway, Review, and Discount!)

Disclaimer: I was sent this belt for free in exchange for an HONEST review.  All opinions are my own, and y'all KNOW I wouldn't recommend any gear I wouldn't use myself! I did not receive any other compensation, nor will I if you use the link below to purchase the belt. 

Regardless of whether you're reading my blog  because you're a runner or a hiker, I know you like new gear.  All of us do.  When I was offered the opportunity to try this new SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt I jumped at the chance!  Not only would this come in handy for running, which I'm doing a LOT of these days, it would also be great for me on a day hike!  My day hiking pack doesn't offer a hip belt and I've been thinking of upgrading, but now I don't have to!  I am really excited to share my thoughts on this belt with you guys and also offer a giveaway at the end of the post!

This run belt can hold an iPhone 6 in a waterproof case on one side and then fuel and your car key in the other!  It's got a buckle and elastic waist band too! SLS3 has thought of everything!

This run belt can hold an iPhone 6 in a waterproof case on one side and then fuel and your car key in the other!  It's got a buckle and elastic waist band too! SLS3 has thought of everything!

My old running belt is a Flip Belt.  While I do like the belt, lately I've been having issues with my phone falling out of it on runs, and usually it falls out, no joke, when I'm crossing an intersection. Seeing that this belt had a zipper, I knew that problem would no longer be in my future!  Another thing about the Flip Belt is that it's one continuous piece of fabric.  While it holds a lot, you have to slip it on over your head or put it on like a skirt.  Taking it off in public places sometimes gets you weird looks!  This SLS3 belt has a clip at the waist.  Not just a regular clip, but a heavy duty clip like you would see on a backpack.  This thing is going to snap in place and stay put. 

I snapped this belt on for a 7-mile run this week and decided to try it out in between layers.  I put it on over my merino undershirt, but underneath my long sleeved top.  You can hardly even tell I'm wearing it, which is another great feature.  It's awkward when you've got a belt that makes you look all lumpy underneath.  This one is sleek and fits well.  I especially appreciate the elastic in the waist band, as it stays snug and secure without riding up, which my Flip Belt also does after a few sweaty miles.  I ran the entire seven miles without this thing moving one time.  I took it out again the next day for 7 more miles and again it felt comfortable.  Today, however, I did have problems with the belt migrating.  It didn't ride up, but it did spin around a bit and ended up on me sideways for quite a bit of the run.  I didn't feel like fooling with it as my pace was great, so I left it alone.  It didn't bother me or feel weird, just having the weight of my phone on my side was a little strange. 

If I didn't have headphones on, you wouldn't even notice I'm wearing a running belt!

If I didn't have headphones on, you wouldn't even notice I'm wearing a running belt!

After running twice with this belt, I decided to take it on trail with me for a few hikes!  My day pack doesn't have a hip belt, so I can wear the belt and a backpack while out just for a day.  I used the belt to carry my lip balm and car key in one pocket and my ID, debit card, and some cash in the other.  I honestly forgot I was even wearing the belt.  It sat comfortably and didn't rub my back, even where the belt and the pack were riding in the same place.  Again, I wore this belt over my merino undershirt but under a long-sleeved tech shirt.  

So this belt sounds pretty cool, right?  Well, thanks to SLS3 you have the chance to win one for yourself!  Use the Rafflecopter Widget below to enter to win!

Don't want to wait and see if you're a winner? You can buy this belt right now in the SLS3 Amazon store for 57% off at a special introductory price - only $12.90 instead of the usual $29.00.  Here's the link ----->  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017DRIKFY

Do you own a belt for hiking or for running? Which color belt would you want if you won? Leave me a comment below!

Info about the giveaway: The giveaway will be running from Feb. 2, 2016 until Feb. 9th, 2016. Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.  Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.  All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from SLS3.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  Sprinkles Hikes is not responsible for failure of sponsor to deliver product.

 

I am linking up with Running with SD Mom and Erica Finds so others can enter to #WinAllThePrizes too!

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