Thursday, January 23, 2014

January Stride Box Review & Giveaway

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

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.

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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…

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.


44 comments:

  1. Nicole @ Pink Elephanton ParadJanuary 23, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    is that a 90s style snap bracelet?

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  2. Heidi @ www.idlehide.comJanuary 23, 2014 at 8:16 AM

    I would enjoy the bars the most, and that slap bracelet is pretty rad!

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  3. Heidi @ www.idlehide.comJanuary 23, 2014 at 8:17 AM

    I also follow you on twitter! :)

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  4. You should have told me you don't like chews I could have exchanged the ones I got you.

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  5. I want the sticker! :)

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  6. You got me chews? Thought you gave me Gu Brew?

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  7. The bars never go to waste, that's for sure!

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  8. It's already on my desk at work :)
    http://instagram.com/p/jeMbo7iL4X

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  9. I'd be keen on the fuel samples. There are so many i'd like to try, but I hesitate to spend money on something I'm not going to like! Just followed you on twitter!

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  10. That's the best part of it Erin, trying out all the products that you hesitate spending $$$ on. A sample is great, but to buy a whole box just to find out you can't stomach something is a waste.

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  11. Ahh Id sign up just for the slap bracelet lol!

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  12. I would want to try all the snacks/bars, who doesn't love eating good snacks at work :) And fuel on long runs

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  13. I'll have to keep that one away from the kids...they'll get slap-happy!

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  14. katie @ fromicecreamtomarathonJanuary 23, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    Everything in there looks seriously awesome!!

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  15. Lol oh ya I did! I picked out gu chomps but typical me changed it last minute;). Glad I chose right!

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  16. i've looked at stridebox before mike - and wondered about whether or not i'd really get decent use out of all of the goodies that get sent. that being said, i'd be pleased as punch to win a freebie - and goodness knows that i could use a reflective slap bracelet while parading around at 6:00am on a wintery road!

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  17. I'd probably try everything, but I know I'd definitely use the PowerBar chews and the Honey Stinger gel and the Shower Pill.

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  18. I love lemonade, so looking forward to trying out the UCAN too

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  19. Well good luck then! I usually find that I use everything that comes in the box most months, and it's fun to try new products. Plus, everyone needs a fancy reflective snap bracelet!

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  20. Those chews are really good...the ShowerPill is in my gym bag, but haven't had to use it yet (thankfully)

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  21. Heather Lee-CallaghanJanuary 23, 2014 at 5:32 PM

    I would use all of the items, but that reflective snapping bracelet is pretty darn cool! ;)

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  22. Looks like a great program! I love the bracelet!

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  23. Everyone seems to be diggin' that bracelet!

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  24. It sure is a great program if you like to try out new products!

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  25. I am completely with you on the coconut water but I don't mind trying new things if they are going to be wasted otherwise so a box of goodies like this would let me try a variety of new items without feeling like I was wasting money on a whole box/container of something that I might not like. I would really like to try the zing, power bar, and honey stinger products as I have heard good things about them.

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  26. I have wanted to give the Athletic body wipes a try! I think they would be nice to have after a race:)

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  27. My favs would probably be the chews and the bars - yeah snacks!

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  28. Ya that Zing bar looks good! Can't wait to try it

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  29. I hadn't uh ought of the wipe for after a race but that's a really good idea...keep some stink and sweat out of your vehicle

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  30. Oh my goodness, I remember loving snap bracelets when I was younger. I had them in the most crazy colours. What a neat way to put it to use. Great idea :)

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  31. Amy @ fitnessmeetsfrosting.comJanuary 24, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    I would definitely use the body wipes...for obvious reasons ;) And definitely any of the fuel/food. I'm all about free food.

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  32. Ya I'm thinking that the wipes will come in handy one day...a good thing to keep around for sure

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  33. I would try all of them but I love trying new fuel for during my long runs.

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  34. I hear ya Kat...I keep searching for the perfect long run fuel too

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  35. SAFETY - Reflective Slap Bracelet! This looks great!

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  36. Ya it's a great way to try out new stuff

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  37. I already signed up, but my husband is a little hesitant. Maybe if he has in own box, he could a little more excited.

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