Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with gear

This jog bra is kind of chafing me.

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:34:06 -0800

I'm training for a half marathon and am looking for some suggestions - specifically, jog bras that don't chafe and workout gear for the extra sweaty. I am a 40 year old woman training for my first half marathon. The training itself is fine, but I'm having some issues with my gear.

First, my jog bras are chafing the heck out of me. I am a 36DD and I wear Size 0 Enell bras (thanks to previous Ask Metafilter answers) which seem to be the only bras that minimize (but don't stop) the bounce. Although according to the Enell size charts, I should be wearing a Size 1, the larger sized Enells didn't compress enough to do any good.

I am chafed to the point of bleeding under my arms and between my breasts. Glide doesn't seem to make a difference, and I use panty-liners to lessen the chafing between my breasts, but that doesn't always work.

Second, I sweat a lot. And when I run for more than an hour, even during the cool fall mornings, my clothing is drenched as if I was in a rainstorm. I've tried some wicking shirts (from Nike) but they got as wet as a cotton t-shirt.

I would love to get any specific bra/clothing recommendations or to hear about how others deal with these issues.

Thank you!

Biking in the rain

rabbitrabbit — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:19:51 -0800

Questions about bike gear for the rainy season. I live in the Portland, OR area and I've been biking to work since April. So, I'm about to hit my first rainy season and I would like to arm myself to successfully continue biking at least into the fall and hopefully through winter, too.

SHOES: My main question is about shoes that make biking in the rain not a chore. I have been using toe clips and Converse all-stars this summer, but that will absolutely not work with the rain, so I'm going to need to either get waterproof shoe covers, or buy waterproof shoes. And if I buy waterproof shoes, maybe I ought to just upgrade to clipless pedals and shoes? Also, I think I like the velcro straps so I don't have to deal with laces, but I'm not entirely sure what the pros/cons are there.

JACKET: I have a chartreuse bike jacket that has been good for cooler mornings, and it dries fast so it will be good for early on in the fall, but I am going to eventually need some kind of heavier jacket, I think. But I'm afraid that anything heavier will = more sweat, which I don't want (no shower at work). Is there something warm, waterproof, breathable, AND visible that I can get?

FENDERS: I ride a Specialized Crossroads, so it has the overlap. I kicked out my front fender early on in the summer and haven't yet replaced it because it's been unnecessary so far, but I'm going to need a new front fender or maybe one of those things that attaches to the front tube (not sure what it's called exactly) to deflect water. If I get a new fender, I guess it will need to be super-tough since I don't 100% trust myself not to kick it by accident again. Do those things that attach to the bike instead of the wheel work well, would that be a good option?

What other things do I need to bike in the rain? Waterproof gloves? A helmet liner? Goggles which don't let rain bead up on them? Etc.

I've seen this and I've seen this, and both were helpful though they're a bit old now; is there new stuff out there that is awesome?

Also, any recommendations for a bike shop to buy this stuff at? I've heard River City is good. I would love to be able to try out the clipless pedals before I buy, is there any shop which would let me do that?

Running gear for the winter

cashman — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:55:50 -0800

I need product recommendations for winter running. Hats, gloves, socks, tights, etc. I've recently taken up running, and doing about 3-4 miles each session outoors. I'm looking for recommendations from other runners for gear you wear on outdoor runs during cold winter months like January, when the temps will be in the teens and a good amount of snow will be on the ground.

I'm looking for links to places to buy your favorite:

Gloves
Face masks
Headbands
Hats
Running tights
Socks
Shoes for running in the snow

And another gear recommendations. I read two other askmes from 05&07 but I figure there has to be some better new stuff on the market that I should pick up. Winter running experience "don'ts" are welcome also.

What's the shift pattern on a 1980 Toyota pickup?

attercoppe — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:14:11 -0800

What's the shift pattern on a 1980 Toyota pickup? The 4-speed shifter, not the 4WD.

"eVent" is a terrible name to Google

2bucksplus — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:56:00 -0800

Ok I'm convinced, I want an "eVent" waterproof jacket. The problem is I want to try it on (hopefully in New York City or surrounding area) and eVent is a terrible name to Google. I went hiking in New York state for a week in one of the wettest Junes in recent memory, and my "weatherproof" jacket left me soaked. "eVent" is supposed to be the best, right? Should I just get something with Gore-tex as that is everywhere? I would buy just the shell and would wear it primarily for hiking.

Gear Porn

Juliet Banana — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:42:48 -0800

Tomorrow, my boyfriend and I will be photographed nude and somewhat covered in electronics (music making equipment and cords). Is there anyway to attach expensive, somewhat heavy mixers and controllers to our bodies? For non-music nerds, imagine we're covering ourselves with video game equipment. The items range in weight and size from a video game controller to an old school Playstation. Here's some of the stuff we have to work with; the major pieces are a Korg KP3, a Monome, a Korg Kaossilator, some guitar pedals, and a laptop.

Worst case scenario, he's going to hold his Monome sixty four (yeah, he got it) over his bits and I'll cover up with a Kaossilator and we'll wrap a few cords around ourselves. I wouldn't mind getting a bit more coverage, through, half to illustrate the concept and half for modesty's sake.

The concept? We're modeling for a sex-themed issue of an extremely small press art magazine. It's a riff on the cover of Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (NSFW). The more gear we can fit into the shot, the better.

So, how the hell do we cover ourselves with music geek paraphernalia without breaking the gear and ripping off skin? I own some skin-safe double stick tape, but I doubt it could hold up the Kaossilator, much less the KP3. Rig the items to the cords wrapped around us? Rope? Duct tape? Just pile it around our feet?

Looking for Moleskine notebook accessories.

bamassippi — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:21:01 -0800

Looking for Moleskine notebook accessories. Looking for Moleskine accessories (from the cheap to the luxurious) for my 5" x 8" Moleskine. I write all the time and

- carrying cases
- pens
- pen holders
etc.

Best gear for taking field recordings while traveling?

colinmarshall — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:16 -0800

What compact gear setup is be best for taking general-purpose environmental audio field recordings while traveling? I'm heading off to New Zealand in November and plan on taking as many field recordings as I can — of the city, of the country, of machinery, of the weather, of people, of water, etc. Can anyone recommend compact, durable, high-capacity devices with which to do this? My hope is for a digital recorder that accepts an XLR mic, both of which should be on the smallish side, but I'm as yet unsure which particular makes and models would work best for capturing the environmental sounds I'm seeking.

(I do realize that there are other threads about field recording technology, but at this point they're quite old, and I'm sure infinitely better devices have been produced in the interim.)

Need a good photo and laptop backpack.

mtphoto — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:20:23 -0800

Photographer filter: Can you recommend a good gear backpack for storing a camera, a few lenses, and a laptop? I'm looking for a backpack for travel and transport purposes that's durable and will fit my Nikon D300, a few lenses, and will have a compartment to safely house a laptop.

Need advice on rebuilding a stripped-down audio recording studio

digitalprimate — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:00:30 -0800

I want to (re)build a small, mostly digital studio in my office. I write and play mostly indy pop, typically using no more than 16 tracks with a mix of electronic and acoustic instruments. Although I have a ton of gear, most of that will remain in boxes. I'm going for a smallish singer/songwriter production suite. Here's what I plan on salvaging from my current gear:

- MacBook with 2g ram. Firewire 400 + USB2, writing to an external HD (more on that in the What I Need section)
- My Genelec 1032As midfield monitors
- My Mackie 1604EZ board
- An assortment of wide diaphram mics & instrument mics
- A metric assload of guitars, basses, keyboards, outboard effects & processors, and other random gear. I'll mostly use my J-45 and Tele for the guitars.
- My ASR-88 as my main keyboard interface

What I Need:

- A new I/O: two balanced in's are all I need.
- New HD recording and sequencing software: I've used Cubase, Logic and most recently ProTools. I'm a set it and forget it guy; when I'm recording I do NOT want to fuck around with configuration.
- New sample/synth software for sounds: mostly mainstream instruments like pianos and organs, basses, strings, the occasional vintage synth emulator.
- A new HD - I don't think it'll be a good idea to write to my dedicated Time Machine back up HD, no?

I've got $500 and Manny's in the city is going into liquidation until the end of May. Can it be done? What would you suggest? Old AskMe's don't really address my specific gear needs in relation to what I already have, and the latest one is over a year and a half old - an eternity in gear-years. Thanks in advance!

Great ladies running clothes and gear?

mintchip — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:06:25 -0800

Great ladies running clothes and gear? Amateur running looking to get out there 3-4 times a week (for 3-5 miles each time). I'm looking to get some more gear but don't really know much about what I should be looking for. My challenge is adjusting to weather that is often cold/wet/windy when I start out and then feels warm pretty quickly once I get moving.

I really don't know what I should be looking for in "good" running gear, since I've always just used old sweats or discount off-label workout clothes like those you can get at TJ Maxx. I'd like to get your recommendations here and then look for them at online discounters. Basically, I'm looking for favorite brands and advice features to look for in:

1. tops
2. pants
3. outer layers
4. workout bag
5. accessories (fanny pack, etc.)

Bonus if you can recommend a great padded sports bra (size A here). Thanks!

And on that bombshell...

QUHZK — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:38:21 -0800

Where can I find a comprehensive list of music featured on episodes of BBC's Top Gear? Clarification: I know that you can purchase CD's which are "approved" by Top Gear, i.e. Top Gear Top Anthems etc. However, I usually find myself watching Top Gear and thinking that I love the music that they feature during the show (during the car reviews and challenge bits) but I can never remember the names of the songs so I can download them later.

Is there any place where I can find a list of the music featured in every episode in the similar way that a feature film lists all the music in the end credits? I can't view the credits at the end of episodes because BBC America usually cuts them off.

iPhone Running Setup Gear

ewiley28 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:02:05 -0800

I'm looking for advice on the right way to get set up for running with an iPhone in terms of gear/accessories. Specifically, I'm looking for explicit product recommendations for cases and earpieces. I think I'd like a case that I can wrap around my arm and definitely want a water resistant case. I don't care about being able to advance songs or anything -- it's fine if the list just plays through. I'm thinking corded earphones are the best option because this allows flexibility for listening to music and if I can get one with the iPhone button, ability to deal with calls. What's the best setup to run with the iPhone, thinking calls, music, security and the like??

Can you recommend protective gear for Krav maga sparring?

benzenedream — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:09:31 -0800

Can you recommend protective gear for Krav maga sparring? I've done some boxing and am now planning on doing Krav Maga sparring. They offer a package at the gym I go to but I already have some of the things in the package (cup, mouthguard, fight gloves). I need shin guards and protective headgear. Can any fighting Mefites suggest good quality gear? I'm not looking for a specific store rec, but pointers to a specific model. Headgear should include chin padding but not a full face visor.

High End Bondage Gear

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:11:10 -0800

Where can I buy high quality bondage gear online? I'm looking for girls' wrist and ankle cuffs specifically, but I also like to browse. There are a million sites out there selling the same old stuff. I'm hoping to find something special.

Podcasting Equipment

mpls2 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:31:02 -0800

Podcasting questions Yeah, there's a lot of how-to guides for podcasting out there, but it's scattered all over and confusing my ADD brain. Can someone tell me why I might want the following things, and what I should look for when buying them? (suggestions are also great)

Mic - yeah, I know I'll need one of these
Pre-amp
mixer
compressor
audio interface
digital recorder (? I've heard that it's good to record externally to spare your computer the burden of recording while its busy doing other things)

Do pros usually use more than one computer when creating a podcast? FYI, I have a MacBook pro, and will probably be getting a new iMac in the near future.

Thanks!

Staying dry on two wheels.

2or3whiskeysodas — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:10:12 -0800

I need to find the best gear for riding my scooter in the rain. My scooter is my sole form or transportation, and if I have my way I'll never own another 4-wheeled vehicle. But alas, the days of having my girlfriend drop me off at work on the way to hers are over, and my daily commute has just increased significantly (15-20 minutes each way on neighborhood thoroughfares, never above 35mph). And man, has it been raining here recently.

So I need suggestions for remedying the following problems:

• Bad visibility once it's really coming down. Are there specific helmets, visors, goggles you'd recommend? Would applying Rain-X to any of those help?

• General dryness. I'm okay with packing a change of clothes and drying off once I get to work, but I'm also okay with staying as dry as possible. Are there any particularly badass suits or coats you like? Has anyone had experience with one of these silly-looking things? I'm willing to spend some money under the circumstances.

Please help me not be doomed to my city's horrible public transportation system on rainy days! Thanks!

Just like Paddington Bear

oflinkey — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:46:36 -0800

Does anyone make rubber, lined raincoats with latch fasteners any longer? When I was much younger I had a raincoat that was yellow, rubber and lined with plaid wool. It also had metal latch closures on the front-- not buttons or snaps. One friend had one with toggles.

Maybe 10 years ago in a "rich-men-with-too-much-money-who-buy-repro-sextons-and-2k-shearling-coats" catalog, I saw what they called a "Maine Fisherman's coat"-- rubber, lined with brown corduroy, with some kind of metal closures. It was about 400 bucks. I did not get it as, at the time, I was in college.

Since then, I have looked everywhere online. This includes eBay, Bean, Land's End and Orvis. I have also looked and in a few boating/fishing stores for something similar, but to no avail. Everything looks athletic, or it looks too fashion-forward. I have searched under slicker, rain gear, rain coat, and a host of other terms. What I mostly find is more modern, construction-worker rain gear which is invariably unlined and has snap closure.

Any ideas?

ethereal sounding software

MrMisterio — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:35:07 -0800

I have a gear question... what kind of software do ethereal electronic semi-improv bands use? I'm thinking, for instance, of tape... i mean, it's the kind of music that when you go see it live there always has one guy hunched over a laptop producing lots of strange textural sounds... any ideas? also what software can one use to alter the sound of an acoustic instrument in real time?

Backpacks, Shoes and More for 3 Month Eurail Trip in European Winter!

atmosphere — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:12:32 -0800

Four part backpacking question: backpacks, international shipping, shoes, and more travel orientated places to ask such questions. I am going to be traveling Europe (mostly Western countries) on a 3 Eurail pass from October to January. I am planning on balancing time in big cities, smaller towns and then some villages, but will not be doing any camping or extensive hiking - mostly train travel and hosteling. I am in the stage of getting kitted out for this winter backpacking trek and need advice in the following areas:

Backpacks - I have decided that since I don't want to spend a huge amount on the contents of the backpack and as a bonus can travel light (which is the number one travel tip of all time), I am going to limit myself to a 55L backpack. I know the best backpack will be the one that fits me best and that the best way to achieve this is to go in to outdoorsy stores and talk to the shop assistant and try on as many as I can etc, but I am wondering if people have any standout models in the general 45-65L range they want to suggest. Something to keep in mind though is that I live in New Zealand - we have most big brands here, but for instance I have not yet found a place that stocks Eagle Creek, a brand I hear mentioned often. Any other important advice about backpacks is also appreciated, e.g. things you hated or loved about your backpack or important (but not obvious) information you want to share.

Shoes - I am in the early stages of looking at shoes, but I know a lot less about it than I do about backpacks. I don't know what brands to be looking for, what makes a good shoe for my sort of backpacking trip etc. All I really know is I would like it if the shoe was waterproof (due to winterness, but feel free to convince me otherwise) and was not too huge and chunky and obvious (although I am exploring the option of taking a second pair of less touristy shoes). Tell me all about what shoes I need!

International Shipping - New Zealand isn't cheap for this sort of stuff, and with the awesome exchange rate with the American dollar, I am looking at buying online once I have established my top choices (e.g. trying shoes/backpacks on here first) Can anyone recommend good websites for shopping online for outdoor gear that provide shipping to New Zealand (possibly at costs that won't negate the savings of shopping online)?

Other places to ask - Whilst I love the high standard of the askmefi community, I realize it is not the most travel orientated place and there might be better places to ask such questions. Any good backpacking forums/communities where the info is generally reliable as it is here?

Thank you to anyone who has taken time to read all (or part) of this mammothly oversized post, and thanks to any and all help you can give me hive mind!

Gear for Three Months of Backpacking in Europe during Winter

atmosphere — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:03:40 -0800

BackpackingFilter: Travelling around Europe from mid October to mid Janruary - help me pick the right gear to take. I am in the early stages of planning a trip to Europe for three months in what will be winter over there. Already on my mind a lot is what gear (mostly thinking along the lines of clothing here) I will need, and what I won't, how many of each etc. I will be hostelling not camping.

Achieving a balance in travel-practicality and style is also something I am thinking about, because while I need to be well equipped, I want to stand out as little as possible when I am roaming the streets of small towns - I know I will anyway, but fully blown hiking boots and a gortex outfit is probably unnecessary.

Cost is also an issue, I don't want to spend the whole trip's budget on getting kitted out - and I probably don't need to.

The areas that I probably need the most guidance in are:

Shoes - comfortable for lots of walking, possibly waterproof, generally good shoes for traveling Europe during winter?

Jacket - how much waterproof, windproof, and warmth will it need to provide, and how do I find the right one?

I am thinking at this stage I will rely on thermal underwear, another layer of thermals maybe, simple pants and tshirt, jersey/sweater, jacket and sturdy, broken in walking shoes.

Lastly (sorry for this being so long) is it as impractical as I think to take a big woolen trench coat (romanticized idea), and/or a change of clothes+shoes for going out in the evening to bars/restaurants/where ever without looking completely like a traveler in their own world?

Any and all help to do with the gear needed to travel Europe in winter is appreciated, helpful websites and resources and anecdotes all welcome. Thanks guys.

What do I need to ride safely?

stewiethegreat — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:45:47 -0800

I'm a pretty petite lady (5'3 but my inseam is a ludicrously short 28") and interested in buying a motorcycle and appropriate gear. I rode dirt bikes as a kid, but that was a while ago so I'm already planning on taking a riding safety course- we're in Oakland so I was thinking about the CSMP, unless anyone has any other suggestions.

I'm looking for a little commuter bike to get me about ten miles to work and back- I've been thinking about the Nighthawk but would appreciate any other suggestions of bikes with a low saddle height. I recall seeing a thread about this a while back but couldn't find it! (My apologies if these threads are more obvious to more competent searchers) My price range is hopefully below 2k.

Additionally, I'm wondering if people can recommend what kind of gear would be good? Is just having boots, specialized pants, jacket, and gloves enough, or should I be considering a turtle shell or other spine protector? How important is it that I get armor in the gear? Is it alright if I get it second hand on craigslist? I'm not sure what to say is my price range here- obviously I want to be safe and am willing to pay what is necessary for that.

Stewie's girlfriend here, btw. Stewiethegreat would like to reiterate that he is not a girl and doesn't really care what his inseam is, but it's more than 28"

LED Assistance

madmamasmith — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:55:24 -0800

I am trying to buy a LED headlamp on ebay...they range in brightness from 8 to 30+ and the one I want is 8. Is that goint to be bright enough for pitching a tent in the dark? I tried to look up LED levels on the inter-web but all I found was scientific mumbo jumbo, can someone just tell me which one to buy please!? Thanks

I can float without a boat, CANOE?

TomMelee — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:05:42 -0800

Help me get the most out of my canoe! So...I've come into possession of a canoe. She's old---an aluminum Grumman 16 footer. She's a tank though---used her all last season with great success. She's a little big to solo on open water, tall enough she catches wind. However, I've taught my girlfriend how to be a bow paddler, and we have great fun. Mostly we fish in it, but sometimes we just go exploring. We move this canoe on top of my car, transporting the canoe is specifically not the issue.

Our setup in the past has included:
2 people (sometimes 3), 2 life jackets (or 3), 2-3 fishing poles, big ol' tacklebox, 10lb anchor and line, maybe a minnow bucket, and of course 2 paddles.

I was just about to pick up a used v-hull fishing boat, but then realized that I don't need to--so I'm sticking with the canoe. I just grabbed a 30lb/thrust trolling motor at Dick's for $55, and plan to finish the mount for it this week on vacation. I'll pick up a battery and box then too.

So, my question to you mefites: What Else Should I Do?
I've thought about mounting pvc rod holders so I can...troll. I think I'm going to set up an alternate "canoe" tackle box so I'm not bringing Johnny-hugemongous with me every time. Any special tips for a trolling motor mount? Any other amazing ideas you'd like to share? Lend me your canoe (mostly fishing) related wisdom...gear, technique, or otherwise. BTW---this is mostly a river canoe, but this summer she'll see a couple lakes.

Extra Bonus Question: tell me your favorite multi-species artificial lure and color (or your favorite for all black/white bass, walleye, and sauger.)

Big packs for big guys.

iamabot — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:45:59 -0800

Recommend a backpack for a big guy... I am 6'5", about 250lbs, long torso, 38-40 inch waist. I have pretty broad shoulders and chest, I haven't done the measurements just yet. I'll be doing the usual fittings at REI, but I'd like a recommendation from folks who are a bit larger than most as I am.

Needs/wants - pack will be used for multi day backpacking at multiple altitudes, eventually leading up to a week+ trip in a year or so. Internal frame, adjustable suspension, hydration compatible. Water resistant not required, I can handle that with a rain fly for it.

As I am pretty big, weight initially isn't too big of a concern, figure maximum loads of about 60lbs. I haven't settled on a volume yet, as I am most interested in finding a series or a number of packs with varied volumes that fit me best. My searching thus far has eliminated a number of manufacturers who seem to cater to the folks who are smaller than I am overall.

Budget is pretty open, I'm willing to pay for a pack that is worth it, I will likely not go in for a 400 dollar pack unless it really shows it's worth in some test hikes.