Saturday, June 20, 2009

Visor Preference

Some time a couple of years ago I discovered visors. I've been a fan of lightweight, running-specific caps like the Patagonia Arius cap (which they appear to have replaced with the Velocity cap) for several years but one day when I was at Salt Lake Running I tried on a Nike running visor.

Oh.
My.

It was lightweight. It was soft. It was designed to curve over the ears just a wee bit. I could throw it in the washing machine. After using it for a while I decided I also loved that it kept the sun (and rain) out of my eyes while still allowing my head to stay cool-ish (I am a big-time "overheater").

So I started to collect visors. I have visors that I use just for running, others that I wear out on the town (yeah, I get fancy), and still others that I wear when I'm doing yardwork. I am completely converted (although I do still wear caps in the winter, along with an earband if needed).

But...today I shall write about the ones that I wear running. All of these visors are made of some sort of synthetic petroleum-based material that wicks sweat. I have thrown each of these in the washing machine as well (and they all come out just fine).

Adidas Ultra Marathon Visor: This visor is what I call "traditional" mesh. It has a stiffer bill than the other two visors I discuss below which probably makes it a tiny bit heavier (as in about 1 ounce heavier). The front of this visor is a little tall and I would call the fit "just ok," which means that it fits and stays on my head but isn't one of those hats that I forget that I am wearing. This visor has two major drawbacks for me. The first is that it stretches out when it gets wet. A lot. And the second problem? The velcro closure on this hat sucks. It's some sort of new-fangled velcro with really small hooks and loops that doesn't really work when wet. Because of the stretching problem (sometimes the velcro pieces completely overlap and thus don't hook-and-loop into each other) and the bad velcro, I tend to avoid wearing this hat if it's going to get wet (as in it's raining or so hot that I will be dipping my hat in the nearest stream). It's cute, and functional, and light, but not my favorite. It gets a 4 out of 5.

Nike Dri-Fit Visor: OK, Nike took a good thing and...changed it. I admit that I haven't tried the new version, but I loved last year's version. Last years' version (or maybe it was year before last?) curved over the ears, resulting in a nice fit. This year's version is straight (no contour) and while it's the same material and is also light, it lacks the fit feature that I love so much about the old one. This visor doesn't stretch when wet, has a closure that works in all conditions and is super, super comfortable. I forget that I have this hat on when I am wearing it. Worth every full price penny (that means it gets a 5), but I can't even find the old version on Amazon. Bah. I might have to go buy the new one if I find myself in need of a visor (or in need of miscellaneous retail therapy at Salt Lake Running).

Adidas Harmony Visor (pictured below): It appears that Adidas doesn't make this visor any longer. That's too bad, because it's a close second to the Nike visors that I have...which Nike does not make any more. The Adidas Harmony visor was originally made for tennis, I think, but it's a pretty nice running visor, too. This visor does not have any sort of closure in the back; it's just stretchy and is stated to "fit most". Well, I have a pin head and while it did feel a little loose when I first put it on, it does not move or jiggle or anything while running. It's also a little "fitted" in that it curves over the ears. One caveat: I haven't worn this one wet, so I have no idea if it suffers form the same stretching problem as the other Adidas visor. I purchased the Harmony Visor at the Adidas store in Park City (which is a so-called "outlet") and they only had one color: pink. I am not a big fan of pink, but I would definitely buy this hat again in a different color. Well, I would if they still made it. I give it a 4.5 since I don't know how it works when wet.


I hope none of my Nike visors die any time soon!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Please Stay Tuned...

Martha owes a review of the Nathan Synergy Pack, which we tested in Zion National Park in the middle of May. I've given her until Friday, June 26 to complete her review. If she does not complete the assignment on schedule, she owes me 100 burpees. Yep, 100. For time. And she doesn't get to drop her knees to the ground. I might do 50 of them with her, but that would be the first 50. I'd watch the second 50.

For a preview of the pack in action, check out this movie of us running in Zion (make sure you watch it in HQ). And watch for Martha's review before June 26!