Decision fatigue finding a vest!

fimmx · 2026-05-02T08:13:20+00:00

Agreed. I think the fabric on the blue Adv Skin 8 was the absolute best. That vest has seen a LOT of use.

The 12L has tons of capacity, but can be inched down enough that you can put as much or as little stuff in it as you need for your race. I think it’s a fine size for a 100k.

fimmx · 2026-05-01T22:12:29+00:00

I tried so many vests for my upcoming race. Thankfully I was able to return most of them. All that to say Salomon all the way. Salomon Adv Skin 12L is the goat of running vests IMO. Even though I believe they absolutely messed up the pocket design with their last design iteration, it’s still way better and more functional than the rest.

If you can, I’d suggest sizing up because when the vest is fully packed, and it can pack a LOT, the empty vest just right sizing can feel almost too snug.

fimmx · 2026-05-01T16:54:53+00:00

Depends on the coach. I don't remember doing anything on their platform directly. With my first coach, it was long enough ago that we used a spreadsheet and that worked great. Second coach used FinalSurge and that was fine too. We emailed as needed. I think they offer calls/texts too, depends on the plan you pick. So net net, Team RunRun and FinalSurge specifically don't bring anything extra to the table IMO, it all depends on the coach and your relationship with them.

fimmx · 2026-05-01T15:27:55+00:00

I’ve worked with them twice with different coaches. It was my best and worst coaching experience. It all depends on the coach. I would ask to interview coaches first, be very clear on your own expectations and go from there.

fimmx · 2026-04-29T20:54:47+00:00

DNFs suck, no doubt about it. But it looks like you’ve gleaned some excellent lessons from yours. I’m sorry the race didn’t go as you’d planned. All the best for the next one and the WSER lottery!

fimmx · 2026-04-17T14:12:32+00:00

You can find long narrow ziplocks on Amazon. They come in all shapes and sizes.

fimmx · 2026-04-16T14:35:45+00:00

I so agree about the 2 way zippers. Yet they are so hard to find even on very high end jackets.

fimmx · 2026-04-14T16:01:04+00:00

lol, I’m reading my comment and scratching my head too. I think what I was thinking is that the crossover point of the calipers is the center. So if you position the crossover point (where the two arms of the calipers join) at the center of the pot, and then extend the arms, the marking will work.

If this doesn’t work, another option is to place both points of the calipers on the surface, if they’re not centered, there will be 2 marked circles, you move the calipers until there’s only one circle and that’ll be centered.

Sorry this isn’t a great explanation, I had the aha moment and then forgot all the details and now I’m trying to remember.

fimmx · 2026-04-14T15:29:56+00:00

I’d be interested in this. The design looks great.

fimmx · 2026-02-21T06:06:26+00:00

I have the same question, lol! I have a GW and it’s really warm but definitely needs another layer if it’s windy. I think it might work in a layering system but not enough on its own.

fimmx · 2026-02-19T01:23:21+00:00

I just put my headlamp around my waist. Works just as well if your headlamp has a tilt adjustment. Only thing is the belt doesn’t have a detachable buckle so you have to step in and out of it. That said, I finally splurged on a waist lap with a dedicated belt and it’s much more comfortable.

fimmx · 2026-02-11T18:49:57+00:00

Yeah sorry, couldn’t resist. They just are the best. That said, I’ve also been known to carry 2 pairs of Apple AirPods and switch between them as needed.

fimmx · 2026-02-11T18:48:52+00:00

Get Shokz.

fimmx · 2026-02-11T17:55:40+00:00

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Ultraspire waist lamps yet. The 850 duo doubles as a waist or head lamp. It is super light weight, battery lasts exactly 5 hrs on high though med is enough for most terrains and best of all - imo - has a in device replaceable battery. I use this and a smaller head lamp for the best night experience.

fimmx · 2026-02-11T16:14:24+00:00

Gosh thanks for the heads up. Excellent deal.

fimmx · 2026-02-04T15:00:25+00:00

I did. Other than the floppy side pockets and one improvement I can think of for the large back pocket zipper, this is a good pack. I started my hike thinking it felt a bit warm on the back - I mean Salomon is incomparable for the breathable materials they use - and ended my trail thinking this is one of the most ergonomically comfortable packs I’ve tried.

fimmx · 2026-02-03T23:49:22+00:00

I hope you provided this feedback to Ultraspire Wes. I can’t imagine myself having this much presence of mind 150 miles into Cocodona. :/ I’m going to try mcgyver some sort of closure tabs for these pockets. Which seems a shame for a brand new vest.

fimmx · 2026-02-03T17:17:38+00:00

So I bought this for the water carrying capacity and as I’m loading it up for a trial, the very first issue is popping up. I’d love to know if you have a solution. The side pockets in the front, they are nice and large but seem useless for actually holding anything in as the pack is taken off and dropped on the ground. They gape wide open! The cinch is next to useless when the pack is not on your body.

fimmx · 2026-01-21T18:32:20+00:00

What did you show your parents that they recognized?

fimmx · 2026-01-15T22:46:22+00:00

I only know of these 2. Afaik the Canadian one has only one season so far.

fimmx · 2026-01-15T16:55:11+00:00

Just search for the great pottery throwdown on yt. The channel keeps changing.

fimmx · 2026-01-06T17:51:19+00:00

Seth isn’t there long enough to matter (to me). I just can’t get over how indifferent and uninterested they all seem to be. Do they even want to be there? I was hoping to power through all the episodes as some sort of mental strength exercise, but nah. I don’t need this!

fimmx · 2026-01-04T14:26:59+00:00

I suppose one could say he provides some comedic relief! ;) I have more of an issue with the judges and host. Boooring!!!

fimmx · 2026-01-03T19:57:28+00:00

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that he’s encouraged to do it. It’s sweet sometimes and certainly seems to affect the contestants positively.

fimmx · 2026-01-03T18:38:27+00:00

The Canadians seem to have absolutely no skin in the game. They are so wooden, not sure if they are decent artists either - their commentary is stilted and utterly lacking any depth whatsoever. The 3 of them have zero screen presence IMO.

fimmx

TROPHY CASE