Category: KIT REVIEWS

Essential open water swimming kit for winter

Posted on 21/02/202321/02/2023 by Rachael Woolston

GRTW CEO, Rachael Woolston, shares her essential kit guide to open water winter swimming. I started swimming in the open water five years ago, when I first took up triathlon. One of my first open water triathlon events was early in the season in the river Arundel. I was so worried about the cold, I ended up purchasing a lot of different bits of kit. Something that I now REALLY need. I’ve been through a lot of different kit, and these are my pick of the best, as tried and tested in rivers, reservoirs, lakes and the sea. Orca Thermal

Real Women Review: Top Winter Cycling Gloves

Posted on 17/12/202207/12/2022 by Fern Pearson

When it comes to winter riding, cycling gloves that keep your hands warm and toasty are an essential piece of kit. One of the most common complaints from cyclists in the winter is that of cold hands. We’re here to help with our pick of the best cycling gloves. Assos ASSOSOIRES Winter Gloves, £70.00 “I swear by my Assos neoprene gloves. They are comfortable, versatile and work a treat for the mostly mild UK winters.” – Becky Goodwin, GRTW Tri Coach The flexible softshell is not only snug and warm it does a brilliant job of preventing cold icy air

10 Christmas Gifts Under £20 for Runners and Triathletes

Posted on 09/12/202206/12/2022 by Ruth Martin

Secret Santas or little gifts, here’s the Girls Run the World round up of the best stocking fillers for runners and triathletes Absolute Aromas Mobility Epsom Bath Salts, £4.50 For an invigorating treat after a cold, wet, winter run, add some of these soothing salts to a warm bath. Formulated to ease aching muscles, hydrate tired skin and even boost your mood, this is a little pot of recovery goodness without the expensive price tag of a spa visit. Exhale Coffee, from £9 Coffee and training, a match made in heaven. Developed by an ultra runner/triathlete, Exhale coffee is sourced

Ten of the Best Reflective Running Kit

Posted on 27/10/202205/10/2022 by Fern Pearson

With less daylight hours, learn the beauty of pre-sunrise and night time road and trail running. But make sure you can be seen… Jackets Proviz REFLECT360 Outdoor Jacket, £99.99 Proviz’s REFLECT360 Women’s Outdoor Jacket is waterproof and windproof, with an outer shell that is 100% reflective. Any light from a vehicle, or the torchlight of a passing runner or cyclist will reflect back making you light up the night. Craft Lumen Lightweight Reflective Running Jacket, from £89.66 This Craft reflective running jacket has all-over reflective print for enhanced visibility. It’s better for fast, short tempo runs at night as it

BRANDS THAT ALLOW YOU TO TEST RUN

Posted on 17/10/202207/12/2022 by Ruth Martin

How many pairs of running shoes have you ended up never wearing as they just didn’t work for you? Here, we highlight four brands that give you the opportunity to test run their shoes before buying Hoka Hoka is a brand that seems to have exploded in popularity on the running scene in recent years, thanks in part to the endorsement of athletes in the media, particularly in ultra running. Whatever your terrain, Hoka has something to offer with super cushioned road shoes, grippy trail shoes and a new, lighter shoe featuring a carbon fibre plate. What they say: Buy,

woman with running poles going up a mountain

Real Women Review: 3 of the Best Running Poles

Posted on 10/10/202210/10/2022 by Ruth Martin

Thinking of using poles for your next ultra? Read our review of running poles as tried and tested by women like you Harrier Catbells Aluminium Z-Poles £39, weight 239g for regular length I’m a complete novice but these poles come with instructions on how to set them up and are great if you’re on a budget. The more expensive they are, the lighter they are but I didn’t notice the weight of these whilst I was out running and climbing over the mountains. After a bit of practise, they were also easy to take out and put back in my

GRTW Tri Suit Review: TRI-FIT Geo Black Edition

Posted on 22/06/202222/06/2022 by Rachael Woolston

Girls Run the World founder, Rachael Woolston has worn a lot of tri-suits while racing in 70.3 and Ironman events. Here she gives her verdict on TRI-FIT Geo from Aussie brand, TRI-FIT I’ve worn all sorts of Tri-suits while training and racing for events, from two piece separates to one piece, from six inch length shorts to 10 inch (sadly, I have to say the GB Age group kit was the MOST uncomfortable and unflattering!). From first impressions, the TRI-FIT GEO Edition Black looks amazing in the box and it is super flattering. I’m 5ft 7 inches and a size

three women on a trail going for a run wearing sunglasses

Real Women Review: Best Running Sunglasses

Posted on 21/06/202212/07/2022 by Ruth Martin

Find out which sunglasses everyday runners rate for style, performance and value for money… Oakley Caveat from £73 I’m on my second pair of these I love them so much! They don’t budge on the run, very lightweight and seriously super comfy. They are not the cheapest but my first pair have lasted years. The best thing about these glasses is the style, they’re one of the most ladylike things I own! – Wendy Walsh Performance: **** Style: **** Value: ***** The Oakley Caveat sunnies are an ultra lightweight design so if you like the feeling of wearing nothing on

Sports Nutrition Review: Rawvelo

Posted on 07/06/202207/06/2022 by Rachael Woolston

Every month we review sports nutrition and how it works, specifically for women. First up, the 100% plant-based products from Rawvelo Over the last five years, lots of new products have entered the sports nutrition market, finally offering some diversity from other companies who have dominated it for years. Rawvelo focus on making endurance sports nutrition that’s better for you and for the planet. Thumbs up for fully recyclable packaging and their partnership with First Mile. But what about taste, performance and nutritional impact for women? You may be thinking, ‘Do I actually need different nutrition for endurance events from

SIX OF THE BEST CYCLING SUNGLASSES

Posted on 26/06/202109/08/2022 by Ruth Martin

On your bike! Cycling sunglasses are not all about fashion but are an essential item for riders throughout the year. So what shades do real-life female cyclists recommended? We asked our community of real women for their top picks. Aside from doing the obvious, and arguably most important job of protecting your eyes from the harmful rays from the sun, cycling sunglasses can also keep out debris from the road, protect from the wind and keep out any bugs that might fly into your face as you are whizzing down that hill. Spiuk SKALA €69.90 – Coaches Recommendation “Not a