QT: Is It Worth It? Gear Top Gloves, XO Skin Socks, Arm Warmers

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One of the perks of my job is that, from time to time, companies will send me goodies to use/try/have in hopes that I’ll give a glowing review of their products either here, on the podcast, or on the social medias.

I appreciate getting to try some stuff, but one thing that I’m 100% firm about is that I will only speak honestly about the products that I receive.

If a company wants me to talk about their product favorably? Make a good product.

Send me something that sucks? I’ll tell my audience it sucks.

Y’all remember the Soleus watch review, right?

So today, I’m going to deliver the good, the bad, and the ugly about a couple accessories that I used for the first time in Kansas and/or in Tenessee.

Get ready, because I’m about to unleash some truth today y’all.

Gear Top Gloves

I’ve been in the market for a pair of gloves for a couple of years now.

About a week before heading to Kansas for the Prairie Fire Marathon, I thankfully checked the weather and saw lows in the high-30s.

So I jumped on Amazon and started looking for some gloves that wouldn’t be too big/bulky but that would hopefully keep my fingers from freezing when I’m at various out of town races or when we have those random proper chilly Florida winter mornings.

I ended up settling on the Gear Top gloves, which promised to not only help keep the hands/fingers warm but they also claimed to be touchscreen compatible for any cell phone.

These gloves were worth every penny!

Hands staying warm? Check.

Able to use the phone in the rain with wet gloves? Check.

Those were the two things I most cared about, and the Gear Top gloves more than met my expectations.

The gloves also have a bit of “grippy” material on the palms and fingers of the gloves. And there are faux leather fingertips on the thumb and forefinger, which is apparently the “secret sauce” of helping you continue to use the touchscreen on your phone while wearing the gloves.

My only “concern” with these gloves is that I don’t know how well they would hold up if it was really cold.

In below-freezing temps, these gloves might not be enough. But they are thin enough to wear under another pair of gloves if needed.

XO Skin Socks

As I’ve said before, I’m nothing if not cheap.

There are some things I’m more than happy to spend money on, but others that I really struggle to open up the wallet and splurge on.

Socks are a tricky thing for me.

Over the years, I’ve gotten several pairs of “fancy” running socks along the way. And without question, I prefer those socks to any of the “cheap” socks I’ve actually purchased at one point or another.

But no matter how much I like a pair of the fancier socks, I’ve never actually paid for nice running socks.

That may be about to change, however.

The folks from XO Skin sent me a pair of socks to try, and they are an improvement over any of the other fancy socks I’ve tried in the past.

And it’s really not even close.

The material that the socks are made from is second to none. Super soft. Super comfortable.

Breathable. Sweat-wicking. All the things that you would expect from a good pair of socks you’ll get from a pair of XO Skin socks.

The company is still relatively new, but they already have a variety of products available in addition to the socks.

So far, I’ve only tried the socks but I’d imagine that the other options available would also be equally comfortable and of the highest quality.

If you’re going to get a good pair of running socks, do yourself a favor and get a pair from XO Skin. You won’t be disappointed.

Arm Warmers

Can I be honest for a minute?

I’ve long thought that people that wear arm warmers were kind of douchy.

I mean, if it’s cold enough that you need sleeves just wear a fricking shirt with sleeves already!

I no longer think this way.

I got a pair of Altra branded arm warmers for being an Altra Ambassador again this year, and I honestly had no plans of ever using them.

But for the races in Kansas and Tennessee this year, I figured I’d put them in the suitcase as an option depending on what the weather was going to do.

They stayed in the suitcase in Kansas, but I put them on in Tennessee.

And I’m now a fan!

I don’t know why, but something about wearing a singlet and arm warmers just works!

For a fall/spring race where it might be a bit chilly, having a pair of arm warmers as an option is probably a good call.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Well, there you have it.

My take on the Gear Top gloves, XO Skin socks, and arm warmers in general.

If you have any questions or would like further clarification on any of these products, just let me know!

Leave a comment below, holler at me on social, or shoot me an email with your questions and I’ll be happy to help you understand each of these items more completely.

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***Legalese: I received a pair of XO Skin socks to use with no expressed expectation for a review. The thoughts/opinions/reviews of each product are 100% my own. My reviews have been in no way influenced by anyone associated with any of the companies or products discussed in this post/episode.***

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Have You Used Any of These Items Before? What Are Your Thoughts?

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