Stuff I Liked In June
My top picks from the >50 products I tested last month, including shoes that don't cost $200, headphone-sunglasses you'll be suspicious of, and a hat that fits my weird head
We survived the Fourth of July. With nothing to celebrate about this country, this weekend was just a maddening three days of my neighbors shooting off bottle rockets next to my head and Matt’s dog having a heart attack. Onward.
But we’re back with Stuff I Liked in June, culled from the >50 products I received and tested last month. I do this because most of my gear roundups for magazines and websites dictate what I can recommend based on their own affiliate biases. In an effort to be as genuine as possible, I don’t use affiliate links here and I make zero dollars from these posts. If you buy something I recommend, you can return the favor by NOT contributing to that monstrous wedding in Venice by avoiding purchasing from Am*zon. I’ve linked to the manufacturer pages for all the products, but please try to buy local!
And if you have specific category or product questions, feel free to leave a comment or hunt me down (metaphorically) online.
Saucony’s popular trail runners got a much-needed fit update and they rock
I’ve found past versions of the Saucony Peregrines to feel tight around the forefoot (even with my low-volume feet) but the 15s are roomier without being sloppy, have a fantastic heel lock, and even when they soaked through on a wet trail run last week, I was able to run the majority of a 2,800-foot descent without my gross soggy feet sliding all over the place. MSRP: $145
Would I Pay For These: Yes, absolutely. They’re a durable, reasonably priced, versatile trail runner that will last a full season or more, depending on mileage.
I thought these sunglasses-headphones-combo were gimmicky but they’re actually amazing
I politely turned down Chamelo’s Music Shield sunglasses the first time they offered them to me. It seemed gimmicky, and how good could the audio be? Actually really good—better than my bone-conducting headphones, without losing awareness of what’s happening around me. The sunglasses weigh just 1.7 ounces including the tiny speakers, and the single button under the temple arm has basic music commands. The tint adjusts with a slider along the frame, and the only issue is they have to be powered on for a darker tint. The battery is also impressive, and I haven’t had to recharge them since I started testing.
Would I Pay For These: Close, but no. I already have a dozen pairs of headphones and two dozen pairs of sunglasses, so hard to justify. That said, I was surprised these weren’t more expensive.
The only calories I can eat in the heat (or cold, or wind, or uphill)
Call it anxiety, a bad diet, or food intolerance I refuse to acknowledge, but I have a terrible stomach and the only thing that keeps me alive on longer efforts are gels and energy chews. Skratch Labs Energy Chews saved my butt on the Divide a few summers ago, and these grape guys are the newest flavor. They’re essentially expensive gummy bears in boring shapes with a better glucose delivery and a higher moisture content for easier chewing. Believe me, it makes a difference. MSRP: $26.95 / 10 pack
Would I Pay For These: Yes. I actually just bought a 10-pack when I devoured my seeding samples. If Skratch is reading this and wants to send more, you have my address <3
The most comfortable flip flops I’ve ever worn
Now that I’m a full decade past society thinking I’m cool, I have entirely leaned into comfort > fashion. That means the shoes I packed for my recent Caribbean trip were a hot pink pair of Oka Recovery Flip Flops. I wasn’t recovering from anything besides sitting by the pool, but the underfoot cushion, deep heel cup, and foot-conforming single-piece foam build are like if Crocs and orthopedic shoes had a flip-flop baby. If that description doesn’t convince you to add these to your shoe rack, I don’t know what will. But seriously, they are so comfortable. MSRP: $50
Would I Pay For These: Sadly no. I would stumble around in my Dollar Tree flip flops until the strap snapped at an inopportune time and then I would shell out 99 more cents for a replacement
A slim, active fleece with a Golidlocks fit that’s neither too bulky nor too tight
Binding, twisty long-sleeve layers are the perennial enemy of any active woman with body dysmorphia who doesn’t have road cyclist arms. So I was pleasantly surprised at the fit of the Arc’teryx Kyanite LT Hoodie: a sleek fleece zip-up with tightly packed material that accommodates my upper body while leaving room for a sleeveless top underneath. It’s the perfect start layer for chilly mornings at higher elevation, and doesn’t impede range of motion or freak me out by being too tight. MSRP: $150
Would I Pay For This: No, I would find a $20-30 less-cool Target or TJ Maxx dupe
The only running hat that fits my weird shaped head
I have a very hard time wearing hats (the top of my head to my ears is weirdly short?) so it says a lot about this one hat that I keep saying yes to the updated versions. The Ciele GoCap SC is slightly deeper than a standard shallow running cap, but not as deep as a classic five-panel. It stays in place well, wicks sweat, and is super light. I like the slight curve of the brim and the adjustable back strap. Ciele has a metric buttload of caps, but the link is to my current fave. MSRP: $40
Would I Pay For This: No! I am a writer!
This lightweight vest that doesn’t bounce and somehow has a 12-liter capacity
I was suspicious of the bounce-proofing when I saw the VERY minimal closures on Nathan’s new Pinnacle Pro 12, but even with a full 1.5L bladder and pockets o’ snacks, the tension straps work wonders and are very easy to adjust. I am particularly stoked on the three zippered pockets (two in the front and one in the back) and the deep drop pockets. This is the rare pack that has storage everywhere I want it, and it’s one of the most breathable I’ve tested this season. Definitely could use a more stain-proof color than pale lavender because of who I am as a person, but I’m usually not too picky about colors. MSRP: $220
Would I Pay For This: Not full price, but I’d wait for it to go on sale if it was the only pack I was buying for the next few seasons.