Gear Closet: Skins DNAmic Compression Shirt

With as much running and cycling as I do, I've become a convert to the benefits of compression. Not only do I feel like it helps me to perform better out on the road, but recover faster after my workouts as well. These benefits come from the fact that compression gear helps to stimulate the flow of blood to our muscles, while reducing lactic acids as well, bringing some excellent benefits along with it.

One of my favorite companies that provides compression gear for my workout is SKINS. In colder weather I frequently wear a pair of their tights, and during the warmer month I break out the SKINS shorts. Later, I'll even don a pair of recovery tights to help get my legs ready for the next workout the following day. Recently, I had a chance to check out the new DNAmic Compression Shirt as well, and true to form it delivers positive benefits too.

Like SKINS compression tights and shorts, this short sleeve shirt is designed to help stimulate the flow of oxygen to our muscles, helping to improve performance in the process. In particular, this shirt is meant to aid the muscles in our shoulders, chest, and core, providing more power and faster recovery post workout.


It is tough to quantify the "more power" part of that equation, but I can definitely attest to its ability to help speed recovery. After a workout with this shirt, I still felt the effects of a workout, with tired muscles and lots of lactic acid build-up. But the impact of those workouts diminishes much more quickly, and I feel less sore when I start my next exercise session as well.

One of the other benefits of wearing compression gear is that it prevents the muscles in your body from vibrating and moving around too much while moving. That helps to keep the wear and tear on those muscles to a minimum, which is a large part of where the post-workout soreness comes from. But since this shirt fits like, well, a second skin, there isn't much room for your muscles to move about much, which is part of the reason why it is so effective. But it can take a bit to get use to the fit of the shirt, which is tight, but not uncomfortably so.

The DNAmic shirt brings some other nice benefits to the table as well. For instance, it is made of fabrics that wick moisture away quickly and easily, keeping you dry and cool in the process. That can play a big role in staying comfortable while exercising too. On top of that, the shirt offers 50+ UPF protection from the sun too, which definitely comes in handy on those outdoor workouts.

If you're not already a convert to the compression movement, what are you waiting for? You'll find a lot of nice benefits from wearing this type of gear, both on your legs and upper body. This shirt is a also a great place to start, as it can be worn on its own or under other equipment and still get maximum performance. And at a pice of $89.99, it is also a reasonably priced product for how high quality it is. Yes, you'll find some options that cost less, but in my experience that apparel isn't nearly as durable or effective as the products that come from SKINS.

Find out more at SKINS.net.

Gear Closet: G-Form Pro-X Compression Shirt and Pro-B Bike Compression Shorts

A few years back, when I got my first iPad, I looked for a case that could protect it when carrying the shiny new tablet with me in remote locations. I checked out a number of different products, but ultimately settled on the Extreme Sleeve 2 from a company called G-Form. While it was a bit thicker than other cases that were out there, it also was engineered from a high-tech material called G-Form RPT that has the unique ability to sense an impact and automatically stiffen to provide support. The Extreme Sleeve ended up saving my iPad on more than one occasion, more than proving its worth in the field.

Fast forward a few years, and G-Form has taken that same material and applied it to a line of gear designed to keep us safe while participating in a wide range of sports. The company has produced compression shirts and shorts that can be used in a wide variety of activities, as well as shin guards, elbow pads, and other gear for skaters, soccer players, or anyone else who needs a little extra protection. These products incorporate the same G-Form RPT materials, protecting athletes from impact in the exact same way the Extreme Sleeve protected my iPad.

Recently, I had the chance to try out both the Pro-X Compression Shirt and Pro-B Compression Short while on a few mountain bike rides. Both pieces of apparel feature strategically placed RPT cushions that are designed to offer protection in case of a crash. Fortunately, I didn't suffer any significant wipeouts while wearing the products, but I was able to put them to the test through other means, and came away very impressed.

If there is one thing that I need from my active apparel it is the ability to move without compromise. If I wear an article of clothing – no matter how well it performs technically – if it impedes my motion I'm probably not going to like it much. That was my fear with both of these items, as when you look at them before putting them on, it seems like they might be restrictive in some way. But that couldn't be further from the truth, as both the short and shirt fit like a glove, but moved nicely while I walked, jogged, and rode my bike.

The designers at G-Form went to great lengths to find just the right places to install their RPT shields. I found them to sit exactly where I needed them to if they were going to provide any kind of protection, but not in such a way that I was put off by their placement. In fact, within a few minutes of putting these two pieces of apparel on, I actually forgot that I was wearing anything out of the ordinary. That's exactly the point of these products however, as they provide good protection without making you feel conspicuous in any way.

The shorts feature a built in chamois that is a bit on the thin side, but does provide a measure of protection. Considering mountain bikers who wear this type of padding are probably not going to be spending a great deal of time in the saddle however, it never became too much of an issue. I'm sure there will be some riders who would prefer a thicker level of padding, but it was seldom a consideration on my part.

Both the Pro-X Compression Shirt and Pro-B Compression Short are incredibly comfortable to wear. I wore a pair of baggy shorts over G-Form's shorts without any problems at all, and simply wore the compression shirt completely on its own. Both fit well, moved nicely, and have the ability to wick moisture while breathing, all things that come in handy when you're on an intense ride.

Both the compression shirt and shorts are a bit pricey. The shirt will set you back $129.99, while the shorts cost $119.99. That will undoubtedly cause sticker shock for some, who simply want to wear a comfortable shirt and riding shorts when they hit the trail. But for those of you who ride more difficult terrain, and are not unfamiliar with unexpected dismounts – aka the occasional crash – G-Form's RPT technology will come as a welcome addition to your wardrobe. They'll not only protect the more important parts of your body in a fall, they'll also have you back on the bike riding much more quickly too.

As I mentioned, I didn't personally suffer any crashes during my testing, so instead I put on both article of clothing and had a friend hit me directly the sports where the RPT pads were located, both with a fist and with a wooden stick. While in both cases the force of the impact was registered, the energy from that impact was deflected and diluted nicely by the pads. That means that while I could feel the impact, it didn't really have an real effect on me. There was not pain, bruising, or injuries at all, which is exactly how you'd hope these pieces of gear would perform.

If you need a bit of extra protection for your mountain bike rides, or other activities for that matter,  check out G-Form's products at G-Form.com.

Men's Journal Has 196 Adventures for Us - One For Each Country on Earth

Consider yourself a globe-trotting adventurer? If so, you'll definitely want to check out the latest list from Men's Journal, which offers 196 unique adventures - one for each country on the planet.

The list is presented in alphabetical order of the countries, starting with Afghanistan and ending with Zimbabwe, with every other destination on Earth in-between. Each entry includes a brief paragraph describing an adventure that is available at the particular place, with some good information to help you get started with your planning.

The options for activities in these places are as varied and widespread ad the locations themselves. You'll find everything from hiking and camping, to mountain biking and road cycling, to scuba diving and snorkeling, and so much more. It maybe cliché to say there is something for everyone on this list, but with a round-up this extensive, that statement has never been truer.

What I like about this list is that it not only suggests classic adventure ideas (visit Patagonia in Chile, gorilla trekking in the DNC) but also some lesser known options such as sailing along the coast of Croatia and surfing in Ghana. It also makes it easy for you to find an adventure, even when you're going to a place where you don't think there is necessarily one to be had. Just scrolling through the gallery will get the wheels spinning with the possibilities.

While this is a fantastic article to read, you do have to set aside some time to go through it all. 196 adventures is a lot, and you'll want to savor every suggestion. I know I've already added a couple of ideas to my always-expanding bucket list.