David Fielding
Globe and Mail Update Last updated on Monday, Mar. 30, 2009 03:22PM EDT
Garmin Forerunner 405 $318; http://www.garmin.com
What does Garmin, famous for its stunningly simple handheld GPS devices, know about running? A lot, apparently. With just a couple taps of the watch's bezel, you can track your time, distance, pace and past results. You can even compete against a "virtual partner." But the feature most runners are really swooning over is its ANT+sport connectivity that sends data wirelessly back to your desktop and allows you to broadcast your location, pace and routes to other Forerunner users.
That and it's actually kinda sexy-looking.
Asics Gel-Kayano 14 $220; http://www.asicsamerica.com
Sure it's only a couple of ounces lighter than the Kayano 13, but the real reason runners are climbing over each other to get a pair is the gel insert in the heel: It's 25% larger, with nary a spot of mushiness.
Camelbak Better Bottle $12; http://www.camelbak.com
Plastic bottles are a dime a dozen.
By applying its patented Big Bite valve, Camelbak has created a vessel worth lugging along for the ride. Simply bite the nozzle and sip--no tipping required.
Arriva wireless iPod Shuffle headphones $40; http://www.arriva.com
Originally designed for the death-defying snowboarders that haunt the hills at Telluride, Colorado, Arriva may have come up with the most stable set of sport headphones to date. Never again will you have to untangle a set of wires before your run.
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