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SUPERB SOFT-STRETCH STORAGE North Face Summit 5L Run Vest | RRP R3 899 + Pole Sleeve | RRP R549 | thenorthface. co. za Sometimes, the look and feel of a new product says it all. Having wear-tested TNF’ s previous run vest, the combination of this new pack’ s soft-touch stretch fabric and well-structured weightlessness tells us it’ s a benchmark setter. At just 160g for a size large, it’ s a premium pack optimised for race day or high-mileage training. It delivers more than ample storage, seamless chafe-free construction, and its 5L of storage keeps your essentials organised and within easy reach. The front features dual chest pockets equipped with two soft flasks( included), elastic loops for hydration-tube management, and quick-access stash pockets for gels and nutrition. Around the back, dedicated storage and a horizontal trekking pole sleeve allow for fast, hassle-free access on the move. Built with stretch side panels and adjustable rib-cage compression straps, it ensures a locked-in, bounce-free fit that moves naturally with your body. Finished in durable, sweat-wicking FlashDry fabric, it actively pulls moisture away from your skin to keep you cool, dry and focused as you rack up the trail miles. For the ultimate long-haul storage solution, you can add the streamlined pole sleeve, which offers quicker access to running poles alongside an on-the-fly compression system. Watch this space for our deep review of both in the Summer edition.
BYE-BYE TO BLEEDING STRESS BibBoards | RRP R180 | ready2. co. za It seems incredible that for decades we’ ve used safety pins to apply race numbers, causing holes in our race kit and feeling the pain of failed attempts to reattach skew bibs. These easy, reusable and safe pop-on-and-off attachments, available in a range of customisable funky patterns, are a no-brainer addition to your racing toolkit. You’ ll never miss the finish photo because you lost your race number or it’ s flapping from one corner. The button-like pop mechanism creates a surprisingly tight seal, tight enough not to risk losing your bib in wind or even a mid-race wipeout, which is often the biggest downfall of magnets and safety pins. These four clips will also save your favourite shirts from holes and prevent you from having to fidget and readjust the bib mid-race, risking a prick. Most of us don’ t have the eyes and fingers of a seamstress, so there’ s no more pre-race stress searching for dropped safety pins or making painstaking readjustments because your shirt feels crumpled or stretched. They’ re a once-off purchase that you can store on the card they come on, and they’ ll last through mud, rain and countless race days.
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28 | RUN FOR YOUR LIFE