Gear Review: Oakley Visibility Jacket

June 8, 2013January 14, 2015Leave a comment

With my new partnership with Oakley Canada, I received the Visibility Jacket as one of the first pieces of gear in my Oakley Ambassador Prize Pack. I first saw pictures of this jacket and was very excited to have it arrive and since it has, I’ve definitely used it to the max!

The Details

The Visibility Jacket is a great jacket to be active in day and night. It has large reflective panels, which increase your visibility in low light and with it’s water–repellent polyester fabric you’ll stay warm and dry in no matter the amount of wind or rain. The jacket also contains waterproof zip pockets, a stowaway hood, adjustable wrist and hood bands, and is packable into a built–in pocket.

My Experience

I have been active in this jacket twice and both times were during an insane amount of rain. I wore this jacket while out on our first Oakley Canada Training Club night where we went on a short run and it POURED! It was one of those nights where all you could do was laugh because the rain was coming at you from every direction. The hood contains an elastic draw string which helped keep it tight on my head while running in that craziness. I also wore this jacket while riding my bike 75km as part of the Ride For Heart the first week in June. Again another VERY rainy event and I was thankful to have this coat to keep me dry.

A Concern

This jacket does fit big. Initially I had asked for a medium, typically I wear a 6 or 8, often going to a larger size in my coats, but as a larger fitting jacket I was glad to get my hands on a small, which is a much better fit all round.

This jacket does have a higher price point ($220.00), but even with a closet of run coats I have found it to be very useful as a result of it’s length, fabric, and stowaway hood.

This jacket looks great, keeps you bright at night, and as I know from experience keeps you warm and dry during those cooler spring rains.

Photo via http://ca.oakley.com

Gear Review: Lululemon Run: Reflective Pullover

February 5, 2013January 14, 2015Leave a comment

I knew when I saw this pullover hanging in my Queen st. lululemon that it was definitely a piece I wanted to add to my collection, despite the fact that it was a half-zip pullover. The details are lovely and add a reflective flash of style.

Lululemon Run: Reflective Pullover

The Details

The Run: Reflective Pullover is a stylish top layering piece with gorgeous details such as the prominent reflective strips that have a ruffle like appearance around forearms and back, as well as the over sized collar and reflective zipper details. The pullover is made with lululemon moisture-wicking Power Luxtreme fabric which is brushed on the inside making the pullover warm and soft. As most of the outer lululemon run layers, the Run: Reflective Pullover contains built-in flip over “cuffins” to keep the hands warm, as well as their typical flat seems and mesh panels.

Lululemon Run: Reflective Pullover

My Experience

Love the colour “mint moment” so although I don’t typically run in half-zips, I knew I wanted the pullover because of its gorgeous colour, and big collar. The pullover fits very well being true to size and with its mesh panels provided lots of movement while on the run. The large “muff like” pocket across the front creates an interesting look and allows for ample storage, however something large and heavy (like my iPhone) flapped around, while smaller items (like my id and lip gloss) were a much better fit. One thing that I especially enjoyed was the high collar especially in the back of my neck (it comes up to just below my ears) and in the front contains additional support with a snap to hold the weight of collar in place.

A Concern

I’m typically not a fan of half-zip pullovers. Not just in my run gear, but in regular clothes as well as I don’t like getting my pony messy (yes, even before a run). So it’s not really a concern as much as a personal preference, but wanted to let you know.

Lululemon Run: Reflective Pullover

Conclusion

A great piece of spring! Wonderful light colours, with a ton of reflectivity make it perfect for a run during dawn or dusk. The features such as high collar and large pocket and useable features all while adding style. If half-zips are your style, definitely consider adding this piece to your run gear!

*photos via http://www.lululemon.com

Gear Review: Lululemon Run: Bundle Up Jacket

November 14, 2012January 14, 20152 Comments

What I love about lululemon is their combination of function and fashion. So, I’ll be honest that when it came to doing a product review for the Run: Bundle Up Jacket, I thought this coat was WAY more fashion than function. From the moment I picked it up I began composing my blog post on how this jacket would not work, not only did it feel way to light to actually keep me warm, the style of it was just not conducive to running – well last night, while out with The Mascot Run Club, I was proven very wrong.

The Details: The Run: Bundle Up Jacket is a winter run jacket which combines fleece, goose down and water-resistant paneling to keep you warm and dry while out on a winter run. Hanging on the wall, this jacket looks like it has a lot of features and it does (to be honest I felt slightly intimidated with the hooks and zippers). It has a removable hood which is also attached to an inner zipper chest piece for extra warmth. This whole hood/chest piece removes which is a great idea to switch up coverage for sunnier days or wearing it as a to and from jacket.

My Experience: At the run I heard from four different people all in this coat (yes, we looked like a team in matching gear last night) about how warm it was, but since the jacket feels so light, I really didn’t trust what everyone said and layered it with a racer tank, long sleeve swiftly AND a hooded run shirt (yup four layers in 1 degree weather). And after about 1.5km I was roasting. The fabric in this coat is so warm (and soft), that every “this jacket is more fashion than function” thought I had was instantly proven wrong. It felt great, it moved great, and it looked totally awesome (okay, I was starting to love the fashion). It has a great deep hood perfect to hide in once the snow starts to fall, and long sleeves (which stores will hem) to keep your hands toasty too. While the three other gals were rocking the black version which looked very classy, I decided to be bright in my red – was kinda feeling old school MJ (though all the zippers are on the inside). 😉

A Concern: My only concern is with the length. I wore it with a high waisted pair of Runder Under tights, as I was worried that it sat very high on the hip (only just coming to touch the tops of my Wunder Unders when I tried it on in store), and out in any cooler temperature I felt like the wind would be blowing up. I like winter run jackets to cover my rear to keep my buttski toasty, this one doesn’t.

Conclusion: So while I had originally thought this post would conclude with me affirming how I’d be returning to my trusty “Hustle” jacket, I’m glad to say that I was pleasantly proven wrong, and that yes all of you at run club (Audra, Amber, Kristi, and Mary) you were right! Toasty warm for winter running – and the PERFECT combinations of fashion and function!

*photos via http://www.lululemon.com