Body Shop: Gearing up for summer - Military Health, military health and wellness, military physical fitness - Military Times

Body Shop: Gearing up for summer

Summer is upon us, but don’t sweat it. We’ve been scoping out some of the season’s best new gear and some great pieces to look for later this year.

In addition to the following call-outs, night visibility pieces continue to gain traction with new items from Brooks, Saucony, New Balance and Nathan, among others.

Orange Blossom Honey Stinger is our favorite new electrolyte chew, and keep your eyes peeled for a new dessert-delicious chocolate gel from GU.

More favorites from the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011 trade show:

Saucony Progrid Outlaw

This new Saucony is a three-fourths-cut, “high top” trail shoe. It has a 4mm heel drop, reinforced toe box, protective heel cap, gusseted tongue, is gaiter-compatible and weighs 11.5 ounces for men. It’s marketed for rugged mountain terrain and muddy plains.

Available: June 1 for $110.

More info: www.saucony.com

Hydro Flask 21-ounce wide-mouth bottle with filtration

Hydro Flask makes double-wall, vacuum-insulated, 18/8 stainless steel bottles that are BPA-free and don’t sweat. The bottles keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12. And now the company offers a patented filtration system — for the 21-ounce wide-mouth bottle only — that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, BPA-free, nonleaching and toxin-free.

The filter screws into the bottle, and users drink the filtered water through a flip-top sport nib. The water tasted great and was easy to draw through the filter. One filter can clean 100 to 500 gallons of water, depending on whether it’s from the tap or straight from nature.

Availability: May 1 for $49.99. Replacement filters are $17.99.

More info: www.hydroflask.com

New Balance NBx Adapter Short Sleeve

New Balance’s fall 2011 running collection shines (OK, not really) with the addition of X-Static fibers to incorporate the anti-microbial, anti-odor and temperature-regulating properties of silver fabric technology. X-Static is all-natural, flexible and bonded to the fabric, meaning it won’t wash or wear out for the lifetime of the garment. The Adapter Short Sleeve has front and back reflectivity. The men’s version offers bonded side seams and a drop hem, while the women’s has welded seams to prevent chafing.

Availability: Fall 2011 with a suggested retail price of $48.

More info: www.newbalance.com

Dahlgren Footwear Running Ankle Sock

Dahlgren takes the benefits of wool to a new level with these new wicked-comfortable running ankle socks. Made from merino wool, super-soft alpaca and recycled polyester, they use Dahlgren’s patented Dri-Stride moisture management system to wick moisture up and out of your shoe for faster evaporation, meaning your feet stay dry and, in our experience, blister-free.

Available: July 1 for $15 a pair.

More info: www.dahlgrenfootwear.com

Moving Comfort ChillOut bra

This is a great idea! Moving Comfort is using ThermoCool fabric in its new ChillOut bra to optimize body temperature and keep skin cool, dry and comfortable in tough conditions. It features Moving Comfort’s cozy fit and support for sizes A/B and C/D.

Available: July 2011 for $42 to $44 depending on size.

More info: www.movingcomfort.com

Patagonia Runshade T-shirt

This new slim-fit tee from Patagonia will keep you comfortable no matter how hot you get, with super-soft, whisper-weight fabric, 30-UPF sun protection and great breathability and sweat-wicking properties. It’s treated with Gladiodor garment odor control (you may not think you stink, but your friends will thank you). The Runshade, available in men’s and women’s, comes equipped with front and back reflectivity, and offset shoulder seams help reduce chafing under a pack. The women’s version even has a flattering boat-neck design and an unbound neckline for maximum comfort. Plus, it dries fast, so you can give it a quick rinse in the sink or a creek between wearings.

Availability: Now for $45.

More info: www.patagonia.com

Wolverine Fulcrum boot with iCS technology

The majority of Wolverine’s Fall 2011 Rugged Outdoor styles feature iCS technology, allowing wearers to adjust the gel heel disc to match performance to the terrain and activity, improving both stability and comfort. The line also features lightweight designs, OrthoLite insoles, Vibram tread systems and element protection thanks to Wolverine or Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membranes. We liked the ruggedly stylish yet functional Fulcrum boot with full-grain leather upper, wave mesh lining, nylon insole, polyurethane midsole and cement construction.

It comes in brown or black and is available in men’s 7-12, 13 and 14.

Availability: This fall for $200.

More info: www.wolverine.com

Yurbuds

Yurbuds solved the one-size-fits-most earphone complaint. These earbuds come in six sizes, with handy sizing tools available in stores and as an iPhone app. Special recessed grooves are molded into the medical-grade silicone for maximum comfort, while the patented ear-lock technology keeps Yurbuds put —seriously, and it’s even guaranteed. They can also operate in temp-ratures from 14 to 140 degrees. These are not noise-canceling earbuds; the design allows you to hear traffic, conversations and ambient noise better than other earbuds we’ve tried — a good safety feature.

Available: Now for $29.99

More info: www.yurbuds.com