Rapid Reboot Review vs Normatec Pulse 2.0 Compression Recovery Boots

Rapid Reboot vs Normatec Pulse 2.0
Recovery Compression System Shootout

In this comparison review I will review the Rapid Reboot recovery compression boots system vs the Normatec Pulse 2.0 recovery compression boots system. Any current promo discount coupon codes can be found at the bottom of this review.

The Skinny

I first noticed the Rapid Reboot recovery system shortly after writing my original Normatec vs Air Relax review and I quickly became familiar with them as they attended all the Ironman Triathlon expos around North America. At their current price of $995 they fall into an awkward category of being more expensive than other brands that I prefer, including Air Relax ($444+) and Speed Hound ($695), but less expensive than Normatec ($1195).

They are a particularly tough sell against Speed Hound because they are $300 more expensive but are made by the exact same manufacturer. Speed Hound actually has a couple of nice features that I prefer too. In short, those features include a quieter unit, cables that come out the top of the legs instead of the bottom, and the unit is smaller.

However, Rapid Reboot still makes a good unit that is $300 cheaper than Normatec. They also have a hip short that I much prefer over Normatec's hip system. Here are some more specifics on each system in comparison to one another.

Rapid Reboot ($995)

Normatec Pulse 2.0 (bottom) vs
Rapid Reboot (top)

- Larger footprint - Of all the units I have reviewed Rapid Reboot is the largest unit by volume and it is considerably larger than Normatec. The unit weighs 5lbs 8oz and complete with large legs it is 9lbs 8oz. This can be an important feature for people who travel with the unit.

- Best in class user-interface. Rapid Reboot has in my opinion the best and easiest to use user-interface panel and should look nearly identical to Speed Hound.  Regardless I really like the pressure graph compared to Normatec as it helps new users visualize it better. Note, more pressure is not necessarily better. However I have heard at least a few people who prefer to see the actual time tick down which only the Normatec features. Regardless, you can always end your treatment session at anytime even if not complete.

- 3 easy select time cycles of 10, 20, and 30 minutes. You can of course do more than one cycle. Normatec adjusts in 5 min increments from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

- 10 easy select pressure levels ranging from 20-200mmHg. Normatec goes to 100mmHg over 7 levels. Again, I really like the visual of the increasing pressure here for new users.

- 2 easy select modes including: Flush (A) and Massage (B) while Normatec has their single proprietary Pulse mode.

- 4 programmable zones with the ability to shut off zones. For instance if you had just a lower calf issue you could run just zone 1 and zone 2. You only get this feature in Normatec's Pulse Pro model which is insanely expensive at $2500.

- Features hidden hoses sewn in the legs with dark fabric. Their Gen 2 legs have a very similar "diamond" pattern/texture to Normatec, while the Gen 1 legs have a smooth finish. However, the hoses come out the bottom of the legs on Rapid Reboot. This leaves the cords very long and I find myself getting tangled in them as I get into and out of the boots. I much prefer Normatec's top hoses over Rapid Reboot in terms of ease of use.

- Volume: I found that my Rapid Reboot unit was the loudest of all the units I have reviewed. I am not sure if it is just my particular unit, but once I get above 80mmHg the loudness really kicks up. It is fine at 80 and below, but above that it is louder than Normatec.

- Comes in 5 sizes (versus Normatec's 3) and each set of boots has two separate zippers so that one set of legs can accommodate different width legs. Those sizes include:

Leg Sizing Comparison

• XS (5' and under)
• S (5' 1" - 5' 3")
• M (5' 3" - 5' 10")
• L (5' 10 - 6' 3")
• XL (6' 3" and above)

- Sizing Note Hack - because you can turn off zones on Rapid Reboot, you can actually use a longer set of boots with a shorter person by deactivating the top zone. You can do this as well on Normatec's more expensive Pulse Pro model ($2500). You can always buy a second set of legs too instead of an entire second unit. Legs are $295.

- Carrying case is included so no need to buy an optional $150 carrying case like Normatec.

- 2-year warranty. 30-day return policy with Amazon. Rapid Reboot boots don't use YKK zippers. Normatec does use YKK. YKK is the gold standard in durability.

- Optional attachments for hips and arms. Rapid Reboot has a vastly superior hip system than Normatec. If I were targeting the hips, I wouldn't even consider getting into my Normatec hip system.

- Available direct from Rapid Reboot on Amazon for $995, but if you are an Amazon Prime Member you save 5% ($50) which brings the total to $945. Amazon offers their outstanding return process giving you comfort, safety, and convenience on this big purchase.

Normatec Pulse 2.0 ($1195)

- Slim design that can be used and moved with one hand versus two hands for Rapid Reboot. Total system weight is 4lbs 10oz for the system with ac/adapter and hose, and 8lbs 10oz complete with the standard legs.

- Has a battery for use when power is not available. Only Normatec features a battery.

- Has Bluetooth connectivity - you can control the unit with Bluetooth connectivity and the downloaded iPhone/Android app. I don't use this feature at all and prefer to use the display to adjust the time and pressure levels. It also tracks your usage stats which I think could be beneficial for coached athletes. I have talked to people that use the Bluetooth and like it, but for me it isn't a huge selling point.

- Comes in three sizes:

Normatec Pulse 2.0 System includes:
Pulse Head Unit, 2 legs, hose, AC Adapter

• Short (under 5' 3")
• Regular / Standard (5'4" to 6'3")
• Tall (over 6' 4")  

- 7 pressure levels with a max of 100mmHg. One zone can be boosted with the ZoneBoost feature to 110mmHg.

- 1 mode of squeezing that Normatec calls Pulse, hence the name.

- Time increment is controllable in 5-minute increments from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

- 5 zones with no ability to program them off or on.

- Features hidden hoses sewn in the legs with dark fabric that won't show dirt. Hoses come out the top of the legs which I prefer. This is the biggest selling point feature for me in choosing Normatec over Rapid Reboot. It is hard to explain until you get into and out of the boots.

- Optional attachments for hips and arms.

- Optional travel case. $150 for a hard-shell case.

- 2-year warranty for the Pulse 2.0 and includes durable YKK zippers.

-  Available direct from Normatec via Amazon for $1195, but if you are an Amazon Prime Visa Member you save 5% ($60) bringing the effective total down to $1135. Amazon offers their outstanding return process giving you comfort, safety, and convenience on this big purchase.

Final thoughts

Compression boots are an absolute must for any serious athletes and are even becoming mainstream among non-athletes as well. Rapid Reboot is a more affordable alternative than Normatec. They have a nicer hip system and go to higher pressures with a better boot size selection than Normatec. However the system is much larger and louder than Normatec and doesn't feature a battery for on-the-go convenience. Most disappointing is the fact that the compression hoses exit out of the bottom of the boots which can make for harder entry and exit - think USB cable tangles.

It gets really hard to recommend to Rapid Reboot to anyone when Speed Hound has a very similar device (made by the same manufacturer) that is smaller, quieter, and has more user-friendly hoses that come out the top of the boots and are $300 cheaper. So if you are thinking about Rapid Reboot to save money then I really think you should be looking at Speed Hound instead. The only downside to  Speed Hound is they are NOT available on Amazon for one-click purchase and have to be purchased direct from Speed Hound.

Discussed Product Links:

- Rapid Reboot Legs on Amazon - $995 - Save $50 w/Amazon Prime visa card.
- Rapid Reboot Legs + Hips on Amazon - $1290 - Save $65 w/Amazon Prime visa card
- Rapid Reboots Legs + Hips + Arms on Amazon - $1495 - Save $75 w/Amazon Prime visa card

- Normatec Pulse 2.0 Leg System on Amazon - $1195 - Save $60 w/Amazon Prime visa card
- Normatec Pulse 2.0 Leg System + Hips on Amazon - $1595 - Save $80 w/Amazon Prime visa card

- Speed Hound Compression Boots - Save $50 with discount coupon code: RecoverFaster24. 

- Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chairs - $39.99 perfect chairs for relaxing in your recovery compression boots either at outdoor events or on the patio

- Normatec on eBay - Used and New (Various prices, generally $700-$1000)

Other Related reviews of mine

- Speedhound vs Normatec Review
- Air Relax vs Normatec Review
- Normatec Pulse 2.0 Detailed Review

Air Relax Black Friday Coupon Code *** 10% Off Discount Promo Sale ***

New hip shorts from Air Relax

Air Relax Black Friday Coupon / Cyber Monday Discount Promo Sale - Save 10% with discount coupon code - BMT87. Valid 11/29/2021 - 12/02/2021

Note, Black Friday special promo coupon code sale is only valid directly from AirRelax and is NOT valid at Amazon.

While you can always save 5% on your Air Relax device with the coupon located here. The Air Relax Black Friday is the only special sale of the year and will not come again. 

In addition, increased tariff prices in the future will only result in the price going up and not down. Don't delay your purchase!

Relevant Links:

- Air Relax.com
- Air Relax on Amazon
- Air Relax new and used on eBay (various)

- Air Relax Carrying Case Quick Review
- Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chairs - $39.99 perfect chairs for relaxing at outdoor events or on the patio with your Air Relax.

Air Relax Travel Carrying Case For Recovery Compression Boots Systems

NEW Air Relax Travel Bag

Here is a short review of Air Relax's NEW $80 travel case. You can always save 5% on the new case, recovery compression boots, and hip shorts on Air Relax's website with:

- 2020 discount coupon code:  KEC12TG

If you travel with your Air Relax system or you just want to keep the house tidy then this is a MUST have accessory. It is a great way to stay organized and travel with your Air Relax system and protect your investment.

The bag itself is a well thought out bag with extra room for additional gear and clothes. The bag itself has a soft shell that is made of high-quality nylon and is built with thick padding for extra protection. It features:

• Removable shoulder strap and main compartment divider insert
• 1 large front zippered pocket with two mesh compartments and two non-mesh compartments
• Built-in elastic waterproof shell. Tucks away in small side pocket and snaps around entire bag for added water-resistance
• YKK zippers
• Velcro attachment flap and buckle for extra security 
• Colors: black only
• Exterior Dimension: 18" X 9" X 8"

There is easily enough room for a pair of legs, shoulders, head unit and more. I traveled a couple of times with the bag and it has been a great way to stay organized. I pack it the night before with everything the Air Relax system needs plus other recovery tools that I like to use and I have made it a total RECOVERY bag. I have had no complaints other than questioning why Air Relax didn't come out with this bag sooner.

This bag makes a great alternative to Normatec's Pulse hardshell case ($160). The longer shape and softshell design make it comfortable to carry with the shoulder strap.

As of right now the only way to purchase the bag is direct thru Air Relax. The bag is $80 and as always you can save 5% with the coupon code below:

 Pictures

Front zippered compartments where
I keep 'other' recovery tools

Waterproof snap-around shell

Normatec Hardshell (taller) vs
Air Relax Soft Shell (longer)

Normatec Hardshell (taller) vs
Air Relax Soft Shell (longer)

Video:

Other Links

- Air Relax vs Normatec Review
- Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chairs

Best Food Scales for Weight and Measuring - Cheap and Expensive

MyWeigh KD-8000 Scale - My personal favorite

We are approaching the New Year and that means plenty of people will embark on a New Year resolutions to exercise more and eat better. They are both part of a strategy focused on the goal of losing weight.

As a professional triathlete I have to be very meticulous about what I eat and how much I eat. A common mistake that triathletes face, whether amateur or professional, is that we think we can simply eat whatever we want. However, this couldn't be further from the truth.

Triathletes are notorious for over-indulging, and when I mean indulging, I mean eating too much junk food, and then going one step further and not understanding portions. One of my favorite quotes is: "What gets measured, gets managed", and while triathletes might be great at recording and measuring workouts, we often stink at doing this for nutrition.

If you already track your nutrition great. Keep it up!!! For the rest of us, know that it is not easy. It is also not convenient, however I challenge you to track your food for 1 week!! By committing just 7 days, I can promise that you will learn SO much more about your habits. If you quit after 7 days, fine, you will still have a better conscious awareness about your eating in the New Year.

Here is a 7 day food log I did back in 2012 for reference. I still use the program "Lose It" to track all my calories. And no, I don't keep a journal all year, just at certain times. However, I am really big in to weighing food. This is especially important for high-caloric foods like nuts, but is also really easy for me in say counting up the calories in a self-made smoothie. I just toss items one-by-one in the blender, and I record the weight, then I re-tare the scale, add the next item, and records its weight.

Which brings me to scales. What food scale do I use. It is crazy to say this as I am minimalist who can fit everything I own in my car, but food scales are so important that I actually have two. I use one as a primary scale and a second for when I travel or as backup.

WH-B05 "No-Name" Food Scale

Backup Scale - No-Name Scale - WH-B05 (~$6)
- Super cheap, it is a "no-name" scale, but you will see some sellers rebrand it with their own logo name and increase the price.
- It is super small, light, and extremely accurate.
- It has a tare button and can measure up to 5kg in 1g increments.
- Outputs include grams, ounces, and lbs.
- Batteries last forever and has auto shut-off feature. Takes 2xAAA.
- I have actually had a couple of these scales as I tend to leave them places. Each one I have had has been dead-on accurate against my primary scale and has been reliable.
- Negatives, it is smaller, it is harder to read the scale with large bowls, plastic containers

My Weigh KD8000 Food Scale

Primary Scale - My Weigh KD8000 (~$35)
- Awesome scale with removable measuring top plate that can be tossed in the dishwasher
- Batteries last forever with auto shut-off. Takes 3xAA.
- Large LCD display with big numbers and is illuminated.
- Outputs include grams, kilograms, lbs + ounces, just ounces
- Display can be read with big bowls on it because of large, tall base + angled screen.
- Nice big & stable platform.
- 8kg capacity (~17.63lbs) and has a tare button - I am a huge watermelon fan and I often weigh half a watermelon at a time, eat the half, and then reweigh the leftover and subtract the difference. Others scale usually can't handle this task.
- Can buy a AC Adapter if you need it plugged in. I don't use it that way.
 - Negatives: This scale is definitely a bit bulky and takes up counter space.

Either one of these scales will work great. If you are shopping for other scales, be weary of the ones that take 9v batteries, that measure in 2g increments, or only measure in metric or lbs.

I will be writing a lot of good stuff in the next year. If you haven't followed me please do so. Links on the right side of the page include: Follow by Email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Links:
My Weigh KD8000 on Amazon, eBay
"No-Name" WH-B05 on Amazon, eBay

Lastly if you are triathlete or endurance athlete, I am setting up a FREE Q&A group on Facebook. It will always be FREE. As a long-time age-grouper I spent way too long determining what information I could trust and what I couldn't. As a TRUE student of the sport I have learned a lot, remain open-minded, and realize that so many people disseminate information blindly and then myths become lore. Hoping to shed some light and simplify things for people.

Indoor Bike Trainer Desk - Best Wahoo Cycling Desk Alternative

Medical overbeds make great bike
trainer desks and are affordable
Wahoo Kickr Desk Alternatives 

The best CHEAP indoor bike trainer desk I have used is a medical overbed. Medical overbeds make great alternative indoor bike training desks and are far less expensive than Wahoo's Kickr Desk or DC Rainmaker's Podium Desk. My personal favorite medical overbed (and the one I use) is the $60 Vaunn Medical Adjustable Overbed. Some people prefer a stand that has a slot for iPads and this RAD Cycling desk for $118 is similar to the Wahoo Kickr desk in design.

For those unfamiliar, medical overbeds are designed to:

• Have a telescoping table platform for easy height adjustment
• Slide underneath the bed of a patient making eating & tv watching easy while in a hospital.

However, these design features make for excellent indoor cycling desks, media carts, and laptop stands and the Vaunn Medical Overbed has the following specific features and benefits:

In lowest (28 highest) and
highest (40 inches) positions

• Adjusts from 28 inches to 40 inches.
• Has wheels and can be moved easily both for storage or in case you need to adjust the position while cycling. Think laptop viewing angle.
• The height of the table can be adjusted easily with one hand.
• Stable base with large platform for all your computer, water, and food needs
• Easy to put together (less than 10 minutes)
• Inexpensive

In addition to using the medical overbed as indoor cycling trainer desk, it can also be used in other ways including:

Putting the bike back together on a
nice & sunny Wisconsin summer day

Bike Maintenance - I will set a towel on top and place all the tools I will need for the job. The telescoping up/down platform is easy to do one-handed and the table moves smoothly.

Laying in the bed with the boots - using recovery compression boots and a laptop, although doable, sometimes I prefer to use the overbed as a more stable platform that isn't going up and down with the expansion and contraction of the boots. Some people believe you shouldn't keep a warm laptop in your middle region As a true TV Tray - I will admit, I have never actually used this as a TV tray, but I would presume many people could.

Recommended Bike Trainer Desks on Amazon:

- Vaunn Eva Medical Overbed ($60)
- RAD Indoor Cycling Desk (Alternative Wahoo Kickr Desk) ($118) - Conquer Desk (Alternative Wahoo Kickr Desk) ($139)
- Wahoo Kickr Desk ($249)

Other Recommended Bike Trainer Products:

- Amazon: Generic Cycling Mat (6 feet x 2.5 feet) ($30) (I personally own one, great mat!)

- Amazon: Cyclops Cycling Mat (5.5 feet x 3 feet) ($65) (I personally own one, great mat but pricey!)

- CompetitveCyclist: Wahoo Kickr Smart Power Trainer ($~1200) (I personally own one, my all time favorite trainer!)

- Amazon: Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer (~$350) - gold standard trainer for those that don't want a smart trainer - I used a Kurt Kinetic for many years before the dawn of smart trainers. Extremely well built and durable.

- Amazon: Cyclops Hammer Direct Drive Trainer ($999 $699) - great deal on smart trainer as Cyclops rebrands their company under the Saris umbrella.
- Amazon: Saris H3 Direct Drive Trainer ($999) - Newly rebranded and updated direct drive smart trainer.

Normatec vs Air Relax Review - Recovery Compression Boots Comparison

Air Relax vs Normatec

Any discount coupon codes for Normatec can be found at the bottom of this comparison review! Current best Air Relax price is always available and automatically applied thru this link!

Simply put, Normatec and Air Relax recovery compression boots are awesome. As a professional triathlete, I have every recovery tool that exists and each tool has a purpose, however, I have come to rely heavily on my compression boots for general recovery. They are just too easy to use and I actually look forward to winding down my day, in bed, in boots, as they massage my legs, and I relax and watch an episode of Suits.

While professional athletes use recovery boots to recover faster and feel fresher, they are also great for non-athletes, after all, Air Relax and Normatec got their birth from the medical market specifically for lymphedema patients with intermittent pneumatic compression pumps, as they were called, and featured sequential compression technology. I won't go into great details here, but you can benefit from compression boots whether you are suffering from edema and pitting in the legs, have arthritis and need to get the blood flowing in the morning, are a long-haul driver looking for something more powerful than compression socks, have diabetic ulcers, MS, or just want a relaxing massage after a long day's work.

Compression boots squeeze blood &
lymph from the legs helping it back to the
heart, lungs & kidneys. The end result is you
recover faster and feel fresher!

While I am sold on recovery compression boots, the question is which set to get? Personally, I discovered Air Relax when I was looking for more affordable Normatec alternatives. While the Normatec Pulse ($1500) is a nice device, it was WAY more than I and many want to pay. Air Relax (about $545) makes a competitive product at a much lower price point. While I was a very early adopter of Air Relax in 2016, they are now the choice of many professional athletes and champions in cross-fit, basketball, cycling, triathlon, running and many other sports.

There are many other recovery boot systems available including Rapid Reboot, Recovery Pump, Elevated Legs, Podium Legs, Doctor Life LX7, and the older Normatech MVP - but I am only focusing on Air Relax vs Normatec Pulse today.

Air Relax ($545)


- FDA approved Class II medical device designed originally to treat patients with edema / swelling of the legs. As a result, they can go much higher in pressure. All the way to 230mmHg with 4 pressure levels. They have 3 different modes of squeezing.

- Small, portable, compression unit, smaller than the older bulky Normatec MVP system but larger than the Normatec Pulse.

- Manufactured in Korea. Features

- Time increment works off a 15-minute cycle which you can restart as many times as you would like.

- Features hidden hoses sewn in the legs with dark fabric that won't show dirt and YKK zippers for durability.

- System and pair of size 2 boots weigh 7lb 14oz.

- Available in both 110V (USA) and 220 (EU Asia).

Sizing comparison

- Comes in three sizes.

• Size 2 (5' 3" to 5'7") 
• Size 3 (5' 8" to 6'1") 
• Size 4 (6' 2"+) 

- Optional attachments for hips and arms.

- Optional travel carrying case. $75 dollars for a well-padded, soft-shell design, with unique storage for other recovery tools.  I did a short review of the case with pictures and video here.

Highly affordable from buy from Air Relax USA today from $575 or on Amazon.

Normatec Pulse ($1195) 

- Has a battery with a stated battery life of 2 hours. In my testing of the 2018 Pulse system was able to achieve almost 3 hours at level 5 pressure. The 2015-2017 Pulse system had problems with the battery. Get the 2018 Pulse if you have a choice.

Normatec Pulse System

- Comes in three sizes:

• Short (under 5' 3")
• Regular (5'4" to 6'3")
• Tall (over 6' 4")  

- Assembled in the USA with parts from China.

- Pressure can go up to 100mmHg with 7 pressure levels and 1 mode of squeezing that Normatec calls "Pulse", hence the name.

- Zone boost option allows you to boost the pressure of one zone by 10mmHg over the rest. Max for that Zone boost zone is 110mmHg.

- Time increment is controllable in 5-minute increments from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

- Features hidden hoses sewn in the legs with dark fabric that won't show dirt and also uses YKK zippers.

- Optional attachments for hips and arms.

- Optional travel case. $150 with hard-shell design

-  $1195 direct from Normatec and Amazon. I highly recommend purchasing via Amazon as you get 5% cash back (~$65) w/Amazon Prime Visa + longer return period. All the way until Jan 31st the following year during their holiday promotion. Normatec's direct return period is 14 days only. Plus you get Amazon's great customer service.

Final thoughts

Not long ago it would have cost you $5,000 for a pair of Normatech Recovery MVP boots. The price has come way down with the Pulse system and they have made the system considerably smaller, more durable, and included new features like a battery. Normatec popularized compression boots for pro athletes and they make a great a device that everyone likes and I have no problems recommending.

Air Relax makes an extremely compelling alternative at a very attractive price point that allows more people to discover the benefits of recovery compression boots. It is ~$900 less than Normatec and that is a huge difference for many people. Air Relax has grown by leaps and bounds since I first reviewed them in 2016 and now outsells Normatec 3:1. I have received so many messages from happy Air Relax customers who wanted compression boots but didn't want to pay the Normatec price and I have no problems recommending them as well.

Lastly, I wanted to mention that I recently (April 2019) put a recommendation on another product in this space. It is from a young but growing company that makes a fantastic set of recovery boots at an equally compelling price point albeit slightly more expensive ($650 with a case). I really like the size and shape of the unit and the user interface is super slick and allows you to easily see the pressure levels as a "range of pressures" in combination with the ability to turn on and off specific zones. I really want to encourage people, especially triathletes, to take a look at this brand as well.  I did a short comparison review of these boot here - Speed Hound vs Normatec Review.

Discussed Product Links:

- Normatec Pulse 2.0 Leg System - $1195 on Amazon
- Normatec Pulse 2.0 Leg System + Hips - $1595 on Amazon
- Normatec on eBay - Used and New (Various prices, generally $700-$1200)
- Normatec Pulse 2.0 Detailed Review


- Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chairs - $39.99 - perfect chairs for compression boots recovery if you are on the go or even at home on the patio.


- Air Relax.com - from $575 
- Air Relax on Amazon - from $580
- Air Relax on eBay (3rd party sellers only)
- Air Relax Carrying Case Quick Review
- Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chairs - $39.99 perfect chairs for relaxing at outdoor events or on the patio

Giro Aerohead MIPS Triathlon Aero Helmet Review

Giro Aerohead MIPS Actual Weight - Medium

updated on 12/10/2016 to reflect 6 months of use and many races.

The Giro Aerohead is appearing in the wild. I actually just got mine today. I picked up a medium (55cm-59cm) and it fits true to size in comparison to my past aero helmets. For the weight weenies out there, mine measures in at a hefty 448 grams but given the aerodynamic promises of this helmet that will be very easily offset. You can get it next day via Amazon Prime: Giro Aerohead Mips

I wanted to briefly discuss my helmet choice for the remainder of the year. I do not have a helmet sponsor, nor would I want one. Having a helmet sponsor costs more than it is worth for almost every sponsored athlete unless it just happens to be the exact right helmet for the person.

My previous helmet was a helmet that tested well on many people at ERO. ERO is a company that tests aerodynamics outside the wind tunnel and is usually done on an indoor track. That helmet was the LG P-09. Although I hadn't actually tested the LG P-09 myself, given that it tested so well for so many people I decided that probability would dictate it being a good buying decision. I did happen to go to the wind tunnel this year and the wind tunnel confirmed the LG P-09 was the fastest helmet for me.

Shield is reversible with magnets inside
helmet to keep lens in place

With that being said, there is a new sheriff in town. Giro developed this helmet in conjunction with ERO and they have put a ton of engineering behind it. Specifically the shape of the lens is where a lot of the aerodynamics of this helmet comes from. Despite not testing this in the wind tunnel myself, I am going with this helmet from here on forward. Although the Giro Aerohead Ultimate MIPS is technically faster, it is also significantly warmer than the regular MIPS and for triathlons over-heating can be a real concern.

The helmet is nice, it feels nice, it feels sturdy, and it feels fast. It is hot however and I did have some fogging issues with this at the super humid Ironman Cozumel 70.3 race. Luckily you can easily pull the visor, and flip it upside-down on the helmet. There are internal magnets to hold it in place in this second position and they are fairly strong. Over hundreds of miles, the visor never fell off once in either position.

Overall, this helmet is a winner and my aero helmet choice until something better comes along. The following is public marketing data from Giro. Please note, I purchased this helmet with my own money and have no support from Giro. If you want to help support my writing I encourage you purchase via this link as that helps a little!!

Giro Aerohead Windtunnel Data

Best Magnesium Supplement for Athletes - MgSport

I have been using magnesium supplements for years to make sure my magnesium levels are sufficient given the amount of exercise I do as a professional triathlete. Magnesium plays an important role in over 300 body functions and endurance athletes / triathletes can be prone to low magnesium levels.

However, a damning 2015 report by the New York Attorney General accused various big-box retailers, including: Wal-mart, Walgreens, and Target, of selling supplements not containing the ingredients they were purported to and that had me questioning every supplement I took.

Save 20% on MgSport Magnesium at
Amazon with Coupon Code TGMS2017

As a professional triathlete, I am responsible for knowing what I put in my body and because of that report I sought out products that were manufactured under GMP standards (Good Manufacturing Practices). I was fortunate enough to discover MgSport and I have since replaced my big-box retailer magnesium with MgSport.

There has been a lot written about Magnesium and why athletes need it, but I don’t want to recreate the wheel. Just know that despite eating a nutrient dense diet, I would never go a day without also supplementing with magnesium. It is cheap insurance as far as I am concerned.

What I do want to highlight are the benefits of MgSport specifically. While MgSport actually contains what it says it contains, it also contains a more expensive, but more absorable form of magnesium. Most supplements you will find in stores contain magnesium in the form of magnesium citrate. In clinical research, the magnesium in MgSport was found to absorb 3x times better than magnesium citrate. While athletes typically deplete their stores in hard summer training in heat & humidity, magnesium levels ARE NOT something that can be corrected overnight and need to be built up over time. Right now is the best time to start building those stores back up!!!

MgSport is made in the USA and has GMP certification and does have a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) done by a 3rd party. This CoA is important for athletes who will be drug tested for doping as many stories of cross-contamination are occurring and having it certified makes sure it has what it says it has and not banned substances.

MgSport magnesium also contains vitamin d which is essential for calcium absorption to strengthen bones, along with vitamin b6. Lastly, the pill is significantly smaller than store bought magnesium citrate. This is possible because the magnesium in MgSport is more absorbable and you don't need as much of it to get the same effect.

As for me, I take one MgSport capsule at bedtime. Magnesium absorption happens best during sleep + it is also known to improve sleep quality. You can get your own supply of MgSport and save 20% with coupon code TGMS2017 (Expires 12/31/2022). Just visit MgSport Magnesium on Amazon and add the coupon on the "Shipping & Payment" screen.

Add the coupon on the Amazon "Shipping & Payment" screen

Lastly if you are a triathlete or endurance athlete, I am setting up a FREE Q&A group on Facebook. Feel free to ask any questions you might have about Magnesium or anything else you can think of.

Amazon Prime Day Deals Cycling & Triathlon

I decided to take a gander at this 'huge' Amazon prime day. At heart, I am a consumerist and sociologist and I am always interested in consumer behavior. I'm not one for deals, and my overall impression is 'meh', but I did find a few products that I highly recommend that are great deals to good deals on good stuff that isn't junk. If you prefer not to order Amazon, you can also order from Trisports.com. They do price match but you can't combine this with my 20% off coupon.

Joe Blow Sport Pump - My pump of choice actually for the past 7 years, great grip on valve, great dial, and shipped for $29.99

Wahoo Kicker ANT+ HR Monitor -- Reliable HR Monitor $39.99

Dznuts Chamois Cream - A great chamois cream that helps keep the saddle sores at bay. $11.99

Crankbrothers Multitool. A great high-quality multitool to handle any on bike issue. I have 3 of these, one for my commuter, tri, and mountain bike. $22.99

Bike Equipement Weights

For those weight weenies out there who always like to know the weight of their equipment I have some weights. There will always be a natural amount of variance in the manufacturer process so your weights might differ

2014 Zipp Super-9 Carbon Clincher Disc: Matte white decals, 11-speed freehub body.
Manufacturer claim 1175g
Actual weight 1133g

2014 Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Front: Matte white decals, 11-speed freehub body. 88 hub version.  18 spokes.
Manufacturer claim 840g
Actual weight 846g

2012 Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Front: Matte white decals, 11-speed freehub body. 88 Hub version.  16 spokes.
Manufacturer claim ???g
Actual weight 803g

2014 Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Front: Matte white decals, 11-speed freehub body. 88 Hub version.  18 spokes.
Manufacturer claim 740g
Actual weight 723g

2014 Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Rear:  Matte white decals, 11-speed freehub body. 188 hub version 9.  24 spokes.
Manufacturer claim 900g
Actual weight 890g

Shimano Ultegra 6700 Crankset (165mm arms)
Non-drive: 192g
Drive:  346g
Chainrings (53/39):144g
Chainring Bolts: 9g
Cap: 3g
Total: 694g

Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Crankset (165mm arms)
Non-drive: 176g
Drive:  311g
Chainrings (53/39):140g
Chainring Bolts: 6g
Cap: 3g
Total: 636g

Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 Crankset (165mm arms)
Non-drive: 180g

2016 HED JET+ 6 Front
Notes: Sonic hub straight pull, 18 spokes, no stickers, no rim tape, regular aluminum version (ie non-black)
Actual Weight: 762g

Best Ironman Triathlon Bikes Tires - Continental Attack / Force, GP4000s, Supersonic

Continental Attack (22mm front) & Force (24mm rear) Combo

Recently I have received many questions regarding triathlon race tires and I wanted to discuss my selection of the Continental Attack / Force combo for my own Sprint, Olympic, Half-Ironman, and Ironman triathlon racing needs.

For those that are not aware, the Attack / Force combo is sold as a two tire kit with one 22mm front tire and one 24mm rear tire. They are clinchers and feature Continental's proprietary Black Chili compound and their Vectran puncture protection strip. The reasons for this tire choice comes down to the following:

Rolling Resistance - The better a tire rolls the less energy it takes to get to the finish. The difference between your race tires and a competitors could easily be 20 watts. Imagine that you put out 170 watts but used the slower race tires - you would effectively go the same speed as someone that put out 150 watts but with the faster tires. That is a huge difference. There are various sources for rolling resistance out there but the front runners include the following: Continental Attack / Force, Continental Supersonic, Vittoria Evo Corsa, Veloflex Record.

Aerodynamics - The other quality that can really slow you down or make you fast is aerodynamics. It has been shown that the wider you go in tires (given the same construction of tire) the less rolling resistance is. However at some point the wider tire and low rolling resistance doesn't offset the higher aerodynamic drag that is created. There are far fewer sources on aerodynamic data but data from Zipp, HED, and Trek suggest that the Veloflex tires and Vittoria tires are not that aerodynamic.

Continental tires have always been shown to be good performers aerodynamically. Specific data from Zipp has shown that both the Continental Attack and GP4000s are great performers with Zipp rims. HED and Bontrager have shown similar results for their rims. Of the four tires listed above I have to cross out the Veloflex and Vittoria tire.

Durability / Puncture Protection - Durability is an interesting topic as I often believe that things that go through one tire go through another. Most people are way too conservative when it comes to durability and worry way too much about flats. The Supersonic rolls extremely well and is aerodynamic, but it doesn't have a puncture protection strip and doesn't have a lot of tread. In practice I find it durable and have used in races of all length without incident, but I think for most people that going with the Attack / Force is the better route. Continental is widely-known to have great puncture protection with their Vectran breaker and having this in the Attack / Force gives you the piece of mind that if you get a flat that you would have gotten a flat in any tire.

Other Qualities - The deal breakers for me are rolling resistance, aerodynamics, and durability, but I wanted to mention that Continental tires in general handle great on both dry and wet pavement. In addition, they have a wear indicator built in to tell you when the tire needs to be replaced. They are also very light tires for how durable they are and the 24mm Force weighs ~195 grams and the 22m Attack at ~180 grams.

The Continental Attack / Force tire is my race tire. If you are racing on something else consider converting those tires to training tires and grabbing a new pair over at Trisports. New tires in general are more aerodynamic than worn tires anyway. You can always save 20% at Trisports on these tires by using my coupon code. Each code is unique for you so please contact me thru the above "Contact" tab and I will email you back the 20% off code. Codes can be used at anytime - no waiting for a special sale. They expire 12/31/14. Please remember to fill in your email address so I can reply back to you. If you don't provide an email there is no way for me to contact you. You can also tweet at me or message me on Facebook if you prefer.. Even if you already ride the Continental Attack / Force combo, this is great opportunity to purchase your next set and help support me in the process.


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Below I answer specific additional questions that people have asked in other places. 
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Why do you think the Attack/Force combo is better than the GP4000, GP4000s or the GP Triathlon? Is it because the Attack (front tire) is 22mm and the Force (rear tire) is 24mm whereas the GP4000 only comes in 23mm and 25mm?
In comparison, Jordan Rapp is running the Zipp Tangente (21mm in front and 23mm in back) on his Shiv.

I don't want to speak for Jordan, but he would probably tell you that he runs the 21mm front because it is slightly more aerodynamic than the 23mm upfront on his Zipp 808 Firecrest rim.

Zipp has demonstrated that both the Attack and 23mm GP4000s perform admirably from an aerodynamic standpoint on the Zipp 303 Firecrest rim. The 25mm GP4000s doesn't perform as well.  The Attack performs a little better at lower yaws, and the 23mm GP4000s at higher yaws. With that being said the 303 is wider than the 404 and 808 and I'm confident that the 22mm tire is a better aerodyanamic fit for those rims.

By the way, the GP4000 does come in 20mm, you just have to be sure if you want the Black Chilli compound that you buy a black tire. Black Chilli doesn't come in the colorized tires. The 20mm tire might be even a better fit aerodynamically, but then again so might the 20mm Supersonic. The Supersonic rolls better than the Attack, and the Attack rolls better than the GP4000s. I don't think you can go wrong with either tire upfront but I like the handling of a little wider tire and the durability that comes with the puncture strip.

As for the GP Triathlon. I believe that tire is being phased out but it is essentially the same tire as the GP4000s just with a completely smooth tread.

Best Triathlon Running Compression Socks For Travel and Recovery - 2XU Refresh Compression Recovery Socks

2XU Refresh Recovery Compression Socks

After finishing Ironman Arizona I decided to start the off-season with some Thanksgiving travel.  Traveling to see family and friends is a great way to spend time, but all those long hours in planes, cars, and awkward chairs can really slow down the Ironman recovery process.  Thankfully we have compression socks to help and so I did this compression sock review of favorite pair.

For the record, compression socks have existed for medical use well before they became a triathlete's fashion statement.  Today compression socks are all the rage, but long before they existed in Triathlon you could find me donning the elastic socks as I stood for hours on end in the operating room or for travel. 
Over the years I have tried many different pairs of compression socks and have developed a taste for what is the perfect sock.

Objectively, the easiest way to determine my favorite is by counting the number of times I pull out each pair of socks and wear them.  Although I haven't kept an official record, for the past six months I keep pulling out the same pair of compression socks.  The sock: well the winner is my 2XU Compression Recovery socks.  In full disclosure I do have a sponsorship with 2XU, however, I would never let a sponsor cloud my objectivity and I do find it remarkable that despite have so many pairs that I pull out the same pair.

The reason I continue to grab the 2XU Compression Recovery socks is as follows:

Durability - after countless washes and uses the 2XU Recovery socks honestly feel like the day I got them.  I have tried numerous medical-grade and triathlete marketed stocks and I have had socks lose their compression or rip in as few as 3 washes.  None of the socks I have ever test have ever come close to the durability of my 2XU socks.

Compression - I buy socks for compression.  Truth-be-told there is a fine balance between too little and too much compression, but I have tried numerous triathlete marketed socks that are nothing more than glorified tube socks.  If you are buying compression socks and paying top dollar then they should be true compression socks.  These 2XU socks are solid and offer just the right amount of compression for my tired achy legs.

Fabric: The fabric on these 2XU socks does a great job of keeping feet dry and fresh.  This is a benefit that I can't say is true of the socks that are made up of more cotton-like fabrics.

Color:  Although I don't wear compression for aesthetics, I do prefer the dark color of the 2XU recovery socks.  Often times I find myself sitting on the grass after a triathlon and white socks or light colored socks are simply more susceptible to staining.

Cons: My only suggestion for improvement is to add some light-colored guidelines in the toe box to help straighten out the sock when you put it on.  2XU has been active in updating this sock over the years and I hope this feedback makes it in for future releases.

If you are looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for someone than you can't beat these socks.  They can be purchased from Trisports.com and you can always save 20% with my Coupon Code. Each code is unique for you so please contact me thru the above "Contact" tab and I will email you back the 20% off code. Codes can be used at anytime - no waiting for a special sale. They expire 12/31/14. Please remember to fill in your email address so I can reply back to you. If you don't provide an email there is no way for me to contact you. You can also tweet at me or message me on Facebook if you prefer.

Best Spare Tubular Tire For Ironman Triathlon and Half-Ironman Races - Tufo Elite Tire

Triathletes using tubulars usually carry a spare for Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlons. Here is my recommendation for a spare tubular tire for your next race.

Simply put, you want to carry a track tubular as a spare. Don't take it from me though, I actually learned this trick from former Ironman World Champion Peter Reid. The reason for this is because they roll up to nothing, weigh nothing, and despite what people believe, they are actually fairly robust.

Tufo Elite Jet (Top) - Normal Butyl Tube (Bottom)

My preferred spare tubular is the Tufo Elite Jet <120. As you can see it rolls up to practically nothing. Because of its small size it is easy to find places for it it to hide on your bike. It weighs 120 grams and is 21mm wide. This tire is easy to get centered on the rim. I find beefy tires never go on quite right the first time around and in a flat situation you want the tire to go on right the first time. If the tire is not centered it is going to wobble.

Now unfortunately this specific Tufo Elite Jet is very hard to find (this was originally written in 2011) but they do have one that is just a bit heavier - 135g, and is also 22mm wide. It is the Tufo Elite 22.

My personal experience with this tire is that it is a fairly robust tire. At Ironman Wisconsin in 2009 I actually had to change a flat and ride this tire for 55 miles and it handled like a champ.

If you want a spare tire with a protection strip my recommendation is the Tufo Elite Jet Hi-Tpi <160.

I always prefer to glue my tubes with Vittoria Mastik One but if you don't want to pre-glue your spare, Tufo Tape is probably your best in race solution for a secure bond between tire and rim. If you are looking for my recommendation on normal tubulars for racing my recommendation is Continental Podium TT, but I don't race tubulars and prefer clinchers now.  You can read about my recommendation for clinchers here.

Vittoria Mastik One Tubular Glue