Stats:  Made of Coolmax® with 11% Lycra/ Sizes XS (4), S (5), M (6), L (7), XL (8)

Colors:  White, Black, Taupe, Petal Lite (pink)

Cost: $8.95 - $15.00/pair

Review:

So I was looking for a pair of underwear that would take me through an all day sporting event, one where I would working hard and wanted to be comfortable.  I have to say that this pair did the trick. 

A big concern for most women is the proverbial “wedgie” (if you’ll pardon the expression) and it is important to find undwear that will not cause this problem.  The Moving Comfort Brief stayed in place due to the elastic band around the legs.  It wasn’t too tight or restricting but fit well and was true-to-size.  It is made with moisture-wicking material that helps keep you dry during high-activity events.  Definitely worth the $15.00 investment.

Pros:

• Moisture-wicking fabric
• Comfortable fit
• Doesn’t “ride”

Cons:

• A little pricey perhaps (but worth the $$)

Website:  Click here to purchase 

Rating: 5 Stars

Posted by: Tracy

Stats:  Physiological Footwear

Cost:  $250.00

Review:

For those of you who haven’t heard about one of the newest advancements in shoe technology, allow me to introduce you to the MBT, or Masai Barefoot Technology, shoe.  These shoes have been created to mimic the walking motion made by the Masai, a tribe who walks barefoot in their homeland of Africa. 

MBTs are supposed to strengthen and tone muscles in the legs and backside as well as prevent and treat injuries.  The shoe’s looks are unconventional because of the thick, rounded sole and when wearing them, you are supposed to rock from your heel forward.  Notwithstanding the asthetics of the design, I had heard about how they were so beneficial so I gladly plunked down my $250.00 (okay, maybe not gladly, but at least willingly) for a pair of the tennis shoes. 

Because the shoes are pricey, I did my homework before my purchase - the other reviews I read about MBTs were mostly positive and I’m glad to hear that they work for so many people.  Unfortunately for me, they didn’t work so well.  I tried on several pairs in various sizes (they do not come in half sizes) and ended up going a half size up because it was the closest fit.  The problem is that my heel slides and rubs and no matter how tightly I tie the laces.

The loose heel aside, I was willing to give them a chance and figured that the benefits from proper posture would outweigh any heel issues.   I eventually stopped wearing the shoes simply because they were too heavy.  I tried and tried to walk the way the video showed me, but I constantly felt as if I were “doing it wrong.”  It simply got to be too much work.  But for those of you who fit in them and have stronger leg muscles than I apparently do, wear them and enjoy!

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Well-made, durable
• Will make you at least 1 1/2″ taller
• Great idea
• Comes with an impressive video teaching you about the technology and how to walk in the shoes

Cons:

• Hard to fit, doesn’t come in half sizes
• Heavy and clunky, found them difficult to walk in
• Pricey

Website:  Click here to purchase

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Stats: 85 cubic inches/9 oz./Holds 48 oz./2 pockets plus main compartment

Colors: Blue knight, Neptune & Magnesium (green and grey), Amber & Magnesium (orange and grey)

Cost: $19.93 - $40.00

Review:

I bought this pack for one purpose only: to use during a 20-mile walk I was participating in.  I knew I had to stay hydrated and I also knew I didn’t want to carry anything but the essentials (my IPod being at the top of the list of course).  I loved this pack for a couple of reasons.  It has two little pockets that are at the front near the clasp that are perfect for an IPod and a cell phone (one on either side).  The main compartment (located in the back) is a decent size and holds plenty of dehydrated food, bandaids and sunscreen. 

Now lets talk about the water bottles.  First I’ll say that I’ve not once found a plastic water bottle that is perfect.  So I shouldn’t expect much from them.  And these water bottles fell in line with my expectations.  They did their job and I was able to drink from the spout easily.  I especially liked that there was an elastic cord that held the bottles in place. 

Another thing to note is the location of the bottles.  I really liked how the bottles and the compartment were in the middle of my back.   I was able to walk freely without my arms scraping against the sides of the pack.  That is a big deal when trying to avoid chafing.  The position of the bottles was a downside, however, when trying to actually drink from them as I had to turn the pack around to get to them.  But it was a minor inconvenience and a necessary one.

One final note: the pack was very heavy by the time I got everything loaded.  It fit a lot of stuff, but it sure weighed a ton.  I ended up keeping my bottles half full so that it was more manageable.

Pros:

• Placement of water bottles: in the middle of the back
• Large main compartment
• Elastic cord to keep bottles in place
• small pockets for IPod, phone or keys

Cons:

• Have to reach around back to get the water bottles
• Quite heavy when fully loaded

Website:  www.rei.com

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Stats: 88% Polyester and 12% Lycra®/molded cups for support/Sizes S-XL

Colors: Light green, dark pink, blue grey, pink with black,

Cost: $25.00-$45.00

Review:

This is labeled as a shirt, but can be worn as a sports bra.  It is absolutely adorable which is why I ordered two before I had a chance to really try it out.   It runs a bit small, so order up when purchasing online. 

It wears pretty well - it’s considered a “trim fit” which is a fancy way of saying that it’s supposed to be fitted or tight in order to give support.  The only thing I don’t like, and it’s a big thing for me, is that the material gathers around my stomach after a hard workout.  It runs fairly long and I can pull it down to the top of my hips, but by the end, it’s all around my middle.  Now I believe I have the right size because it fits well in every other respect so I am assuming it is the design or the material.  Either way, it makes it a bit uncomfortable.  Not uncomfortable enough for me to stop wearing it because, like I said, it is pretty dang cute!

Pros:

• Cute and trendy
• Moisture wicking fabric
• Key pocket in the back

Cons:

• Rides up after a hard workout

Website: Click here to purchase

Rating:  3.5 Stars

Stats:  88% Polyester-12% Spandex/24 in. inseam/1.5 in. waistband

Colors:  Loam, Santorini, Black

Cost:  $29.83-$40.00

Review:

I bought these pants because I loved the cut of them.  The fabric is a bit heavier than most so that it will wear well after several washes and the material isn’t thin and see-through.  The problem is, the polyester/spandex blend isn’t the most flattering material.  Every little bump and wrinkle shows through and the pants are made to be worn fitted, not loose, so that may be a problem for some. 

Other than that, the shape is flattering and comfortable.  They run on the long side (24 in. inseam) which on me (5′9″) it hits between the ankle and the calf.

Pros:

• Flattering Fit
• Very comfortable
• Moisture-wicking material

Cons

• Material doesn’t leave much to the imagination in terms of “imperfections”

Website:  www.rei.com

Rating: 3 Stars