QT: Is It (Still) Worth It? Updates on Past Product Reviews

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Some of my more popular posts/episode, and I don’t know why, are the product reviews that I do on occasion.

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a product review, in large part because it’s been awhile since I’ve gotten any products to review!

That said, we are still going to do a little product reviewing today.

Instead of reviewing a couple of new products, I’m going to go back into the archives and update my reviews on some of the products that I’ve officially reviewed in the past couple of years.

Some of the products I was a fan of then? Still a fan of today.

Others?

This could get interesting, so let’s go ahead and get started!

The Products

Before we go too crazy, a couple of things.

First of all, these views are strictly my opinion after using the products. In some cases, I bought the product. In other cases, it was given to me.

Either way, my opinion is my own. If you have a different opinion about any of the products I’m covering in this review, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Secondly, in this post/episode I’m not doing a full review of the products. I’m just updating my opinion since doing the original review awhile back.

If you want a full review of any particular item, click over to the post and check out the good, bad, and ugly on that specific product.

Shall we get started then?

WIIV Custom Inserts

Initial review: If you’re in the market for custom inserts, give it a shot.

Update: Proceed with cautious skepticism.

It’s not so much that my opinion of this particular product has changed, but my thoughts on inserts in general.

Like a lot of gimmicky products marketed to runners, I think inserts are more of a band aid than a proper cure.

If you’re going to give them a try, remember that the insert (in most cases) isn’t going to actually fix the problem.

The better option, as far as I’m concerned, is to fix the problem.

Click here for the original review.

Pjuractive 2skin

Initial review: Loved it.

Update: I don’t use it much, but I’m still a fan.

I probably use some type of anti-chafe product once or twice a year at most.

But Pjuractive 2skin is still my go to anti-chafe product when I feel the need for a bit less friction.

Click here for the original review.

Roll Recovery

Initial review: Good, but pricey.

Update: Pretty much the same.

The Roll Recovery, specifically the R8, is in my arsenal of self-massage tools, and it gets used on a semi-regular basis.

Click here for the original review.

Healing Sole Sandal

Initial review: Sounds good in theory, but unable to verify the claims.

Update: Apparently they work!

I still haven’t had a real case of plantar fasciitis in about as long as I can remember, but I’ve had feedback from a couple of folks that were dealing with some PF, heard of the Healing Soles from my original review, and found relief from wearing them.

(And if you’re interested in a pair, the code Diz20 should save you 20% on your order.)

Click here for the original review.

Lace Locker

Initial review: Meh.

Update: Same.

I just don’t understand the need for these.

Click here for the original review.

Wegrynd Shirts

Initial review: Best running shirt I’ve ever worn.

Update: Some other contenders for best shirt ever have presented themselves, but still a big fan of my Wegrynd gear.

Any shirt that passes the nipple test is a winner in my book, and Wegrynd does.

And it doesn’t stink, so you can get multiple wears between washes which is always a win too!

Click here for the original review.

Altra Running Shorts

Initial review: Solid but pricey.

Update: Potential durability issues resolved? More pockets!

So, y’all know I’m an Altra guy through and through.

And I still am, but I was a bit disappointed in the durability of the shorts, specifically along the inseam.

I can’t remember exactly how long it took before some little holes started to emerge in the inseam, but it wasn’t as long as I expected given the price point of the shorts.

That said, and with hindsight on my side, I realize I was wearing those shorts all day, every day. And I’m thinking that may have contributed to them wearing out a bit more quickly.

I’ve purchased additional pairs of the same shorts and had them last much longer when I would wear them only for running.

Altra’s new style of short, which I’ve had for almost a year now, is definitely an improvement over the original.

Additional pockets are much appreciated. And the inseam is showing no sign of wear.

I’m cheap, so I still struggle with the price tag.

But if you’re only going to wear your running shorts while running, I’m confident in saying that these shorts are worth the price.

And I’m not just saying that because I’m an ambassador.

Click here for the original review.

Apple Air Pods

Initial review: Love, love, love!

Update: Like, like, like!

No doubt about it, I’m an Apple fanboy.

And when I first got the Air Pods, I was convinced they were the greatest thing since sliced bread!

To be clear, I still like my Air Pods and I still use them pretty much every single day.

The reason I’ve cooled a bit on the Air Pods simply has to do with the fact that the battery life isn’t quite what it used to be.

And I don’t think that’s a fault of the Air Pods as much as it just is what happens to rechargeable batteries over time.

That said, while I used to easily get 4.5-5 hours per charge with my earbuds, I’m not down to the 1.5 hour range.

Clearly that’s an issue.

Odds are, I’ll be replacing my OG Air Pods soon (probably with another pair of Air Pods because #fanboy), but I am open to trying something else.

Click here for the original review.

Milestone Pod

Initial review: Meh to bad.

Update: Nothing’s changed.

I haven’t used my pod since I reviewed it the first time.

I couldn’t get past the issues then, no desire to continue to frustrate myself with the issues after doing the initial review.

Click here for the original review.

OM HydraQuiver Vest (Single and Double)

Initial reviews: Love it!

Update: Even better than before!

In the original review, I was talking only about the double barrel HQV.

Since that review, I’ve also added the new single barrel to my rotation.

The new design, which is the new standard for both the single and the double, is definitely more comfortable than the original.

My only “issue” with the double is that the quality is so good that it is currently showing zero signs of wear and tear.

Clearly that’s a good thing, but I can’t really justify buying a double with the new design while the one I have still works just because it’s a bit more comfortable.

Click here for the original review.

RunLocker

Initial review: Not bad at all.

Update: Haven’t gotten a box in a couple of years.

I don’t have any issues with RunLocker at all, I’m just not that into the box delivery services that all the cool kids are into.

I like to know what I’m getting instead of waiting to be surprised by a box of things that I’m not that keen about using.

The products in the boxes that I did receive back in the day were all pretty great, just not very often was there something included that I actually liked/wanted.

So all in all, this service isn’t for me but isn’t bad by any stretch.

Click here for the original review.

Gear Top Gloves

Initial review: Excellent!

Update: Still excellent?

Clearly I don’t need gloves very much often in Florida, but when I’ll keep rocking these gloves any time my hands are chilly.

Click here for the original review.

XO Skin Toe Socks

Initial review: Great!

Update: Still a fan!

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve worn a pair of socks to run in that weren’t my XO Toes.

And let the record show, I only have one pair of XO Toes.

That’s right, I wear them every day. Wash them about every two weeks.

They don’t stink and they are showing zero signs of wear.

Hard to complain about anything related to these socks.

Click here for the original review.

Arm Warmers

Initial review: Surprisingly effective.

Update: No change.

Kind of like the gloves, I’m not exactly in need of arm warmers most of the year.

But when (if?) it gets chilly in December, I’ll be rocking my warm warmers for sure.

Click here for the original review.

OM Transition Wrap

Initial review: Absolutely worth it.

Update: No change.

Definitely glad I got this.

I don’t use it to change often, but I did use it after Sweat, Swat, and Swear and avoided showing my ass to all the people that were in the area.

Click here for the original review.

CTM Band

Initial review: Definitely a fan.

Update: Still a fan-ish.

I should use the CTM band more than I do, because I really do like it.

My only issue is that it’s a bit of a hassle to use on an entire muscle, such as your calves, because you can’t adjust it without taking it all the way off and then putting it back on.

Based on what the CTM band is supposed to do, there really isn’t a way to fix this issue or you’ll give up some of the compression and tension aspects that make the band so effective.

That said, because it’s a bit inconvenient to work a bigger area, I don’t use it as much as I probably should.

Click here for the original review.

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Updates to several #running product reviews from the past. Because opinions can, and sometimes do, change over time. #runchat Click To Tweet

What are Your Thoughts on Any of the Products in This Review?

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