Heads up – Massive Black Friday Deals List is Live!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off (even the Fenix 8 Pro is $100 off!), the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, DJI NEO, and a ton of other brands/deals, including Wahoo, Oura, Whoop, Polar, Samsung, Google, and more than 100 sports tech deals here!
Hi hi, this is Bobbie (The Girl), otherwise known as Ray’s other half. 2024 was an awesome year of training and racing, and I’m now about 2 years back from my triathlon hiatus. Having been out of the triathlon scene for almost 12 years, I have had to make some major upgrades, and I’ve been ticking away at things since early 2023. So, if you see that some items are still kinda old school, well… they just might be. But everything I’m using now, I’m really happy with and have procured with purpose!
In case you’re new to DCRAINMAKER.com, I’ll give you the SparkNotes quickie on who I am. I am a mom of 3 girls, juggling this crazy world while also trying to be competitive in my age group in both triathlon and running. You might notice a lot of the same players on this list as years prior, and that is both because I like what I like (so if it ain’t broke don’t fix it) annnnnd I’m guilty of wearing sports clothes until there are holes in them, or I’ve pressed re-order on the most recent model of the same brand.
In case you just got distracted by the idea of babies, be sure to check out the “Gear I Use: Kids Post”. I updated that post shortly after Peanut 3 arrived and have tried to keep that one narrowed down to the more critical pieces! We try to keep plastic-noise-making junk to a minimum and let the outdoors be our kids’ best entertainment.
Anyways, on to this list. I have it separated into Running, Cycling, Swimming, and ‘Everything else’. So you can scroll past sections as they may or may not pertain to you. I’ll do my best to keep an eye on the comment section as well in case anyone has questions or of course better suggestions!
Running:
These are my most used and loved running products. I hope you also find these products useful! If you’re looking for nutrition /fueling or recovery-esq products, be sure to scroll to the bottom list of “Everything Else”
I'm a massive ASICS loyalist. But I have to say I skipped the NovaBlast 4's. ASICS revamped these and they are way improved, much more similar to the NovaBlast 3's, but even a better ride! These are my everyday trainer, loads of miles on these girls!
The Ass Magic brand has a whole line up of stuff, I found them when looking for Chamois creams for cycling. Love this stuff, it has completely replaced any "Glide" products from the past.
The thinner socks helps keep the blisters in check while still giving the foot great support. Feetures socks also LAST an insane amount of time and abuse. Worth every penny.
Prior to this watch I had the Fenix 5S, and hands down this is my favorite series line up from Garmin. I wear it all day every day, I personally like the big watch face, and I do have a few extra straps for fancier looks. I have been trying the Fenix 8 (AMOLED) the last few months, but I'm switching back to this one any day now. Not only are the menus less confusing, but the battery life is better.
I've really gotten into the Goodr Polarized Running sunglasses. I love that they have so many wild colors. As well, they do NOT slip off my face nor do they bounce even with intense track workouts. They do tend to scratch by the end of the season. So for around $25, these sunnies will last you about one run season, which isn’t bad considering you might want a new color next year.
GORE RUNNING WEAR Mythos Windstopper Soft Shell Vest
I did it. I've entered the world of "Super Shoes". I've been hesitant to add carbon shoes to the mix, but I did in-depth research on which shoe is best for me. LOVE these, fun ride, zero hot spots, I'm hopping to set some PRs in 2025!
You KNOW the weather has to be bad for me to climb aboard a Dread-mill. And I'm very much hoping here in Mallorca I never have to use it, but if I DO need to use a treadmill for whatever reason... I'm happy to be yelled at by Matt Wilpers!
Although we have moved to a warm sunny island, there are always winter adventures to be had! These have lasted throughout the years. Warm and breathable. Great winter gear investment!
I have used these puppies during the Snow-Zilla winter running season in Virginia in 2010, in the Zermatt, Switzerland ski village, the North Pole, and even while on a trip chasing the northern lights. This one pair has hundreds of miles on them, maybe even a few more miles in the winter mountains of Mallorca. They've gone the distance!
Cycling:
The cycling category definitely got the most upgrades over the past 2 years. I had been rocking my 12+ year old TT bike, but now I have an entire fleet of bicycle power! In general, I like to keep my cycling tech as straightforward as possible, and sometimes what I’m using is simply because that’s what Ray gave me.
Surely you don't need all the details, but this was a game changer product for me, especially going into full Ironman distance cycling. Long lasting, even on race days having swam before the bike. 100% one of my favorite product finds of 2023!
We have a partnership with Canyon, and they have loaned this absolute gem to me. I'm new to gravel, and hoping to really dig in on gravel rides over the next couple years.
My new favorite way of getting around the island! This puppy can conquer the 17% grades we see daily here like they are just a mole hill. Fully kitted out with saddle bags for all our groceries and beach gear! And we don't have to hunt for parking on busy weekends. Winner winner!
Smooth. Like. Butter. This bike is just perfection. Again, another long term loaner from Canyon, but they are going to have a hard time getting it back from me. It fits like a glove, it's so smooth, and absolute perfection for the climbing and descending here in Mallorca! 5 out of 5 reccomend.
Since I had a strong influence on the design of this jersey, I have to say I LOVE the way it turned out.
This is the CIOVITA "Race Fit", which is a bit more of a relaxed fit, and maybe I could have used an XS. Other jerseys that I wear from CIOVITA tend to be the APEX Pro Fit style (Seen above in white), which are more tailored - I'm a size Small in the more aero designed jerseys.
We picked these bike bags for several reasons, mainly due to the "hybrid" nature of it being a softshell case (easier to pack into smaller European rental cars), and because it still has a hard frame on the inside to secure the bike to. So far so good.
I am sure there are many features that I am underutilizing with this unit, but I love the size of it, the lack of glare on the glass, and it just does all the things I want it to. I find Garmin products as a whole easy to navigate, and I like having all my sports tech gear all on the same platform. So having a Garmin one thing and a Wahoo other thing, just isn't a thing for me... see what I did there?
Prior to this watch I had the Fenix 5S, and hands down this is my favorite series line up from Garmin. I wear it all day every day, I personally like the big watch face, and I do have a few extra straps for fancier looks. I have been trying the Fenix 8 (AMOLED) the last few months, but I'm switching back to this one any day now. Not only are the menus less confusing, but the battery life is better.
I used to say I didn’t care about the pedals, and I’ll just use “whatever Ray has kickin’ around”, but after 6 frustrating months of riding a different brand of pedals, I can wholeheartedly tell you, Ray’s not getting these Garmin pedals back.
I love this helmet specifically for the SELFFIT auto adjusting size system they have built into the back. This helmet is the first cycling helmet that I’ve ever worn that doesn’t give me pressure headaches, even for 100+ mile rides.
I've got three of these $12 fans floating around the DCR Cave, and I frequently use them on rides. They work just fine. Sure, they're not as powerful as a Wahoo Headwind, but I could literally buy 20 of them for the same price.
Total game changer for me. This saddle is so supportive, yet narrow enough that I don't get saddle sores in all the wrong places. My search for the perfect saddle has landed here.
With the 700c wheels (an upgrade from my 650s), and the 48cm bike frame, she fits like it was custom made for me. I couldn’t be happier with the set up!
I couldn't find the white ones on Amazon, but it's the same shoe all the same. I've always worn Shimano for triathlon shoes, and when I wanted to add road cycling shoes to the mix, these were a no brainer.
Super quality shoes, I always stick with Shimano! I did find a weird sizing issue. I’m a size 7US/ 38EU, and these shoes say 7US/ 39EU. So pay attention if you’re buying in Europe, I had to bump up a European shoe size?
As a busy mom of 3 + a doggie, this cargo bike gives me the independence to get around the city with the girls everyday of the week! Couldn't be happier that we skipped the carseat-minivan phase! As we've moved to Mallorca, we still use this for trips to the beach and more!
Let’s be honest, I’m going to ride on whatever Ray sets up for me. BUT, I had first dibs on riding the KICKR MOVE and I really like that the trainer moves with me. I find it helps relieve saddle pressure on the longer indoor training rides.
Fantastic solution for long course triathlon hydration and cycling computer mount system.
Swimming:
Alas, I’ve been dragged back to the pool this year in the name of triathlon. I have an interesting love-hate relationship with swimming. I’m hoping our new address here in Mallorca can make a swimmer out of me yet. Or maybe it will just turn me into a sunbathing sea lion, we will see.
Prior to this watch I had the Fenix 5S, and hands down this is my favorite series line up from Garmin. I wear it all day every day, I personally like the big watch face, and I do have a few extra straps for fancier looks. I have been trying the Fenix 8 (AMOLED) the last few months, but I'm switching back to this one any day now. Not only are the menus less confusing, but the battery life is better.
I use these for open water swim and race-day googles. These are pretty big on the face, but I love them for open water. Huge field of vision, no leaks over a 2.4 mile ocean swim!
This is my go-to suit year after year. They last, the elastics are really durable, they fit, no fuss, price is perfect. Winner Winner
Everything Else Keeping Me Going:
Here’s the list of stuff I use day-in and day-out that contributes to my training output, I just didn’t know where else to list them, so here you go. And yes, the coffee machine counts as a triathlon training device!
I love that the Blender Bottles don't hang onto the smell of the old shakes or dishwasher. I use these so often that I need to be able to toss them in the dishwasher without an afterthought.
I drink this after every workout no matter how long or intense. I'm chronically crunched for time and therefore under-fed; having a protein shake post workout helps get those muscles recovering much faster! This stuff is the best out there!
I've tried other "off brand" percussion massagers and they don't really pack the same punch as the Theragun. I use this regularly on the main muscle groups in my legs after big workouts.
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Amazon isn’t your thing? That’s fine too. Did you know that Ray and I sit down every once in a while and record a behind-the-scenes video of the latest happenings in the DC Rainmaker world? It’s called the Shed Talkin’ and it’s a lot of fun. You can click here to sign up and become a DCR Supporter- just look for the big red button at the bottom of the page! And yes, a new episode direct from Spain is coming soon!!!
Your support is always appreciated around these parts; good luck in your training endeavors!
I’m wondering about the bib shorts as they aren’t a brand I’ve heard of before. The website says they have a “back zipper” but no further details about whether this is intended to facilitate “natural breaks” without removing one’s jersey.
I love that you post this list. I’m going to offer that I love Oiselle Roga shorts and their Flyout Trail Tank. For open water swimming, I wear Snake and Pig goggles. I’m a Swedish Googles girl otherwise.
I am a huge fan of Asics Cumulus, but I don’t like the changes they made to the last. Looks total cushion, but it’s not. I’ll have to look at the NovaBlast. I did buy some Altra’s, not bad.
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2024 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
thanks – helped me decide between garmin 7s and garmin 8 as i was struggling to justify the extra cost :)
I agree x100 on AMOLED! I much prefer the old school, so much easier to see
The INCYLENCE Grades (long running compression socks) also seem to be available in the USA for $20 per pair at link to incylence.com
I went from DS Trainers to Novablasts with the 3. Really like them, haven’t looked at the 5s yet. Hoping for cool colors once I recover from injuries.
I’m wondering about the bib shorts as they aren’t a brand I’ve heard of before. The website says they have a “back zipper” but no further details about whether this is intended to facilitate “natural breaks” without removing one’s jersey.
Ray’s list is good but so is this one!
All done with the Form goggles? I’ve been contemplating a purchase & definitely had it as a pro that you were a consistent user!
Still MIP with 7 pro?
Did you just race 70.3 Rockford? I was trying to figure out why you looked familiar. If so why did you choose this race?
I love that you post this list. I’m going to offer that I love Oiselle Roga shorts and their Flyout Trail Tank. For open water swimming, I wear Snake and Pig goggles. I’m a Swedish Googles girl otherwise.
I am a huge fan of Asics Cumulus, but I don’t like the changes they made to the last. Looks total cushion, but it’s not. I’ll have to look at the NovaBlast. I did buy some Altra’s, not bad.
Love you for having a coffee machine as sport gear! – thank youx