January Stride Box Review & Giveaway

CheapRunnerRhoda turned me on to the StrideBox program last summer with her reviews of all the goodies she was getting so I decided that I ought to sign up as well.

For those of you who haven't heard of StrideBox, it is a mailing program that caters to runners.  They assemble different product samples that runners would use and send them out to you on a monthly basis.  The program costs $15/month in the US or $20 in Canada (damn international shipping costs).

I received my January box last week and here's what was inside…

PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts
Strawberry Banana flavour.  I've used these before on the bike and they are really quite tasty.  I'm not usually a big fan of chews, but these are an exception.  I'm actually big on most PowerBar brand products I have tried, so these chews are a winner in my books.  They are nice and chewy and have a little burst of gel in the middle.  $23.99/12 Pouches (all prices courtesy StrideBox)

Honey Stinger Gel
Vanilla flavour.  I use energy gels on my long runs so this will also get used up.  I've tried Honey Stinger waffles before and they were good, so no reason to think their gels wouldn't be as well.  Vanilla is a plus with me, my favourite flavour!  Honey Stinger gels are organic and gluten-free.  $33.36/24 gels

Zing Nutrition Bar
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavour.  I love trying the different bars that are included each month in my StrideBox…I will throw them in my lunch bag for work and enjoy them after my runch.  I'm excited to try this bar out as the flavour sounds yummy and it is loaded with 10g of protein and 4g of fibre, great for recovery.  Zing bars are vegan and 100% natural ingredients.  $31.95/12 bars

NoGii Protein D'Lites
Chocolate Caramel Bliss flavour.  Carmel is another fav flavour of mine so this will get eaten up after runch one day for sure, though NoGii says their bars are good before, during or after your run.  NoGii bars are all natural and gluten-free…seems every bar out there is all natural/gluten-free/vegan these days.  I don't think this would make me more likely to buy a product, but it is a nice addition to a product that I would buy.  Nice to actually recognize the ingredients you are putting in your body.  Apparently NoGii bars are endorsed by Elizabeth Hasselbeck, so that must make them good (or cute at the very least).  $22.50/18 bars

StrideBox Sticker
Every month's StrideBox includes a little running-themed sticker…this month's says "Worry Less, Run More".  I actually like the stickers and take them to work where I decorate my cubicle with them.  Yes, I am that big of a loser.

Generation UCAN Sports Drink
Lemonade flavour.  StrideBox usually includes some type of sports drink every month and this month we have Generation UCAN.  They use something called "SuperStarch" that is supposed to be an complex carb that quickly exits your stomach without causing GI distress.  Ya, I think runners might appreciate that!  There was also an information brochure included that goes into the science behind the drink and it's benefits, including sustained energy, optimized performance and enhanced fat burn.  Plus it is endorsed by Meb, so it must make you fast ;)  $19.50/6 packets

Coco Hydro
Pineapple flavour.  To be honest, I don't really care for coconut water…but I'll give it a try.  That's one of the best things about the StrideBox, you get to try out products you never would otherwise.  At least it is pineapple flavour, that's a plus.  Each packet of Coco Hydro contains the equivalent of the water from two whole coconuts and is vegan/gluten-free.  StrideBox also included a 20% off coupon code if you decide the product is for you.  $22.50/15 packets

ShowerPill Athletic Body Wipe
Exactly what it sounds like, a giant, whole-body moist towelette for when showering isn't an option.  I'll throw it in my gymbag for use in an emergency situation, but I'm lucky enough to have shower facilities at work for after my lunchtime run.  $9.99/10 wipes

SAFETY - Reflective Slap Bracelet
StrideBox usually includes a small piece of running gear each month and this month's gear is a reflective slap bracelet for your runs that take place in low-light or straight up darkness.    Helps to keep you more visible and SAFE.  Ya, it looks like it works…  $4.99

Well that's it for my January StrideBox…lots of good stuff that I'll be sure to use.  I like my monthly StrideBox so much that I want you to try it out too, so I will give away a February StrideBox to one lucky winner.  To enter leave a comment below letting us know which products you would use from the January StrideBox.  Extra entries for following us and/or sharing the giveaway on Twitter.

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Contest Closes January 28 at 11:59pm.  Winner to be revealed in January 29th post.  All opinions above are my own and I have not received any compensation from StrideBox or the merchants represented above.  A one-month StrideBox gift subscription will be awarded to the winner and will be paid for by me, out of my own pocket, because I'm such a high-roller. Open to US & Canada only as StrideBox does not ship internationally.

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