Looking Good — Feeling Great with Technical Walking Apparel

By Paula Harkin

Rising temperatures give you the perfect reason to treat yourself to a new walking outfit to keep you cool and comfortable this spring and summer. Athletic apparel has come a long way since the cotton T-shirts and socks of old. For those walkers who know the feeling of their favorite technical walking piece, and for those who relish the experience of having their clothing “wick” (keeping sweat away from their body), this apparel article is for you.

Many walkers have learned that technical fabrics such as polyester, Cool Max, ClimaLite, Pro Dry, PowerDry, and Dri-Fit have the ability to remove the moisture off the skin. This process is often referred to as “wicking.” This cooling system also reduces the chafing that cotton can sometimes produce. Thanks to this new technology, the right apparel can keep you looking good and, most important, feeling great.

From the inside out
Women should start with a good quality athletic bra. This is very important to the overall success of whatever it is you decide to put on top of the bra. There are many great bras, and you should take the time to find the right one for you. Go to your favorite technical running and walking store and try a few of them on. Many have clasp-able backs and adjustable Velcro shoulder straps to create the perfect fit for each woman. Manufacturers vary in their sizing spectrum, so make sure you try each bra on.

Next, you will need a base layer. For Northwest weather patterns, when cool spells and heat waves often occur in the same week (or day), it is important to find versatile yet practical pieces. A comprehensive wardrobe should include both a long-sleeve and a short-sleeve base layer. Make sure that your base layers fit your body. Technical fabrics are designed to lie next to the skin to keep sweat moving off of the skin to the outside of the fabric. For a durable, no frills option, try out the Legato Run Top from Asics, retailing for just, $28. The Nike Tempo Top is available both in long-sleeve and short-sleeve versions, or take a look at the Sugoi Technifino Relaxed or Basic T. The Brooks Silc Tee for women with a hidden zipped pocket retails for $30 and the New Balance Short Sleeve Air Tee is $26. Recommendations on the men’s side include the Nike Sphere Top, the Hind Ringer T, and the Asics Myles Run Shirt.

Let’s talk tights
Tights are a fantastic way to keep your legs protected from the weather for both early morning walks or for a post walk trip to the local coffee shop. Tights come in many sizes, shapes, and colors. They keep legs warm without overheating by using the innovative, moisture managing fabrics now available. You can choose from tight-tights or loose-fitting tights, tights with pockets, or tights with zippers on the bottom for easy removal and ventilation. The Voyage Pant from Sporthill is a great choice for both women and men and is available in all sizes. The Voyage Pant comes with two side pockets and a zip bottom and retails for $60. For a more traditional tight, look for the Brooks Dryline Tight retailing for just $50. The Filament Tight from Nike fits and feels fantastic, is lightweight, and is a tight everyone should try-on. It retails for under $50.

In between
Half tights are not to be overlooked. They used to be reserved for the jocks of the world, but half tights, available from a variety of vendors, are now not only appealing for walkers, they are downright utilitarian. They reduce chafing, provide a protective layer for the thighs and hamstrings, and are extremely versatile with varying weather patterns. If you tend to overheat with full-length tights and pants, check out this often-overlooked option.

Shorts
Choose your shorts with or without pockets, with or without a brief, long shorts, medium-length shorts, split shorts, or shorts with stripes or prints. The Nike Tempo short is the newest rave for women with a key pocket inside the brief, lightweight polyester microfiber fabric, an appealing, active cut, great colors, and it retails for just $24. New Balance has a very comfortable and affordable short, with or without a brief for $26. You can’t go wrong with the longer, pocketed, Ripped Run Around short by Brooks for just $32. Men’s shorts are available in all sizes and shapes as well including the Asics R/D pocketed short with side pockets for just $30. Mainstays on the men’s side include the Erickson split or the Erickson baggy by Adidas and the Nike Baggy Microfiber Short for around $25. If you do not like wearing shorts with a brief inside, consider tossing out your cotton underwear and trying the technical underwear now available such as the Asics Synthetic Brief or Runderwear by Brooks.

Outer layers
Find the perfect lightweight jacket for spring and summer. The primary characteristics to look for are water resistance, breathability, and reflectivity. Many jackets now have reflective piping to keep you visible during your early morning walks without the added layer of a reflective vest. The Nike Adventure Jacket is a fantastic jacket with three pockets and stretch Dri-Fit fabrics underneath the arms for fit and comfort. It retails for $85. New Balance has a lightweight jacket that is vented and very comfortable with reflective piping for $80.

Vests are an appealing option for the walker who tends to overheat quickly but has a hard time facing the morning dew. Try layering a vest over your base layers to keep your core warm and protected without the overheating. There are many vests available with reflective piping and pockets, as well as various venting techniques. Most vests are priced under $60.

Don’t forget to keep the blisters and friction away from your feet with technical running socks. Other accessories such as a technical running hat and BodyGlide are all
available at your local running and walking store.

Happy and comfortable trails to you!

Paula is the founder of RunwithPaula Events, Inc. and the mother of two. She and her husband Dave are the owners of Portland Running & Walking Company. Portland Running & Walking Company has two locations on 11355 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. in Beaverton, 503-524-7570; and on the corner of SE Grand and SE Morrison in Portland, 503-232-8077. Logon to www.portlandrunningco.com

Finding the
Perfect Bra…

The material: As always when choosing workout apparel, avoid cotton – both in the main bra and the bra lining. Cotton soaks up sweat, becomes heavy and misshapen, and can lead to chaffing and discomfort. Choose bras made out of a polyester blend wicking material such as CoolMax. If you sweat a lot when you walk, then choose a bra with mesh or lace construction. This can also help with proper ventilation.

The look: The right look is all a matter of personal preference. Some women prefer a compression style bra that holds the breasts closer to the chest for support. They’re simple and effective, especially for A and B size cups. Others prefer an encapsulation bra that supports each breast separately and avoids the uni-boob look. These bras tend to be more effective for large-breasted women.

The fit: To find the right fit, there is no substitute to trying the bra on. The chest band should feel snug – not tight. The bra should stay put when you lift your arms over your head. Examine yourself in the mirror. The proper fit means the bra fabric lies smooth and taut on your body. If the fabric is too loose, especially up front, nipple chaffing can occur. The bra shouldn’t "dig in" around your arms or back. Move your arms back and forth and check for seams that could potentially lead to chaffing. Finally, put your shirt on, get out of the dressing room, and walk briskly around the store for a bit. If you can do so without pain or discomfort, then you’ve found the right bra.

A MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY

It is essential on your long walk to stay hydrated. A great accessory for every walker is a Fuel Belt.

These belts are light and comfortable. There are different models to choose from. Pictured above is the Endurance model. It comes with four bottles each holding 7 ounces that can carry water or your favorite flavored drink. They are all light weight with 3M reflective swatches. These belts have a no-bounce elastic design plus an easy-access front pocket. The bottles have soft rubber tops for easy opening and
closing. The belt is fully adjustable and machine washable.

For more information logon to www.fuelbelt.com.