For the hopelessly blister-prone, several ThisNext skiers, snowboarders, runners, hikers, and bikers may have found the magic solution for happier feet: Darn Tough’s Full-Cushion Boot Socks “never give me blisters and keep my feet dry,” says runner/biker GirlOutside, who loves the “soft wool that keeps on wicking and never blows out” and even recommends the product for “trampoline sessions.” Fiestafly loves the socks because they “keep my tootsies happy,” while brb729 calls Darn Tough “my new obsession for outdoor gear.” Here’s why:

“I found these socks when I started a marathon training program last Jan. They kept my feet warm, dry and blister free. I’ve used the ‘hiking’ sock for snowboarding, skiing, hiking and just everyday use in the winter. They’ve been washed so much, but they never get scratchy. Soft and cozy everytime. I guess they guarantee them for life because they can; they never wear out! These are soooooooooo worth the purchase!”

And both NEhiker and runbike assert that Darn Tough socks are the best of the best, with the former noting that “they’re awesome for all weather hiking in NE, for biking and skiing. They kept my feet dry and had excellent wicking ability.” Runbike points out that “I stopped getting blisters on my heels once I switched to these socks,” declaring: “They are made in Vermont and guaranteed for life.”

No offense to Jaclyn, Drew, and all other Charlie’s Angels past and present, but we’re kind of totally over the whole jiggle thing. (Like, so over it that we were never really even on it the first place, this being three decades past 1976 and all.) Quite the contrary, we’re of the belief that good sports bras are a runner-girl’s best friend, and we know very well how hard it can be to find a product worthy of that BFF label. After many years of dealing with not-quite-right fit and disappointing performance, I’ve found a winner in Nike’s Determination Bra, a super-supportive pullover made with sweat-wicking Dri-FIT fabric.

...continued: 100% jiggle-free

I just might be the most disorganized runner ever: I don’t keep track of my time or distance, I’m really bad about pacing myself, and it never occurs to me to monitor my heart rate. But perusing the product picks of ThisNext’s speediest shopcasters, I’m feeling slightly inspired to regain that motivation and meticulousness I once had as a member of the high school track team.

The runners of ThisNext have the most fun workout toys, such as the Nike + iPod kit recommended by Kelli J (“the greatest invention to running since Nike put the waffles on the bottom of shoes,” she declares). Probably the running gadget I’m coveting the hardest, the Nike + iPod features a sensor that attaches to your shoe and a receiver that attaches to your iPod, explains Laura from Starling Fitness. Your iPod screen will then display your distance, time, and pace while you run, but Laura’s favorite feature is the Nike.com software that keeps track of all your workouts online. Such record-keeping may end up revolutionizing your running life, according to Laura:

“The Nike.com website really understands how to make running like a video game. Beating my high score can keep me playing a video game far past my bedtime. Beating my best time or longest distance is a way for running to become more like play and less about drudgery. I’m excited to see how this affects my running over the next few months.”

...continued: Running gadgets

Once a little-known secret among, as one Pittsburgh Post Gazette article tells it, “mountain bikers and counterculture types” (e.g., Burning Man partiers and “granola-eating fitness buffs”), CamelBak has now become the hydration pack of choice for everyone from hikers and hunters to Navy SEALs and police officers. The CamelBak-loving outdoorsmen and women of ThisNext most likely lean more toward the granola-eating fitness buff side of things (in a really good way), with each shopcasting his or her pack style of choice and favored use.

Travel and adventure writer Shanti Sosienski, for instance, takes her CamelBak Women’s Isis 100 oz. Hydration Pack along in her many excursions around the globe, noting that the small pack is “great for traveling because you can go with or without the water bladder and it makes a good day pack.”

Deb Schiff also recommends her CamelBak 2006 Day Star 70oz. Women’s Hike Hydration Pack for travel – along with long hikes – since the pack “holds extra socks, sandals, snacks, first aid kit, 70 oz of water, and more.” Deb dubs the Day Star perfect for “hiker chicks,” which may have to do with its women-specific design (including a harness that “curves with your body for a comfortable fit,” according to Outdoor Equipment blog).

...continued: How to drink like a camel

We all have our dreams. Some are just more unique than others. Take Paul at (At Least) One Cool Thing, for instance: “I’ve often said that if I am ever obscenely wealthy,” he writes in a recent post, “one of my eccentricities will be to never wear the same pair of socks twice. There is something about the new sock feel that puts an extra spring in your step.” Paul’s dream sock of choice is Thorlo athletic socks, which “retain that new sock feel even after dozen of washings.” Our own Gordon is a Thorlo fan as well, as evidenced by his Running Crew Socks shopcast (“A run without my Thorlos is always a bit sketchy, often ends in blisters,” Gordon points out).

...continued: ThisNext will knock your socks off

Bet you didn’t know dogs could blog. But at Big Yellow Bus, Timber (a giant yellow lab) posts all about the ultrarunning, hiking, mountain biking, and camping excursions he enjoys with his mom and dad in Laveen, Arizona. He even gives the occasional product plug: Dad really likes his new Brooks Dyad 4 shoes, while Mom “has been wearing Asics since running on the cross country team in high school.” (Does that mean Timber maybe shopcasts as well?)

Timber also does Darth-Vader-via-Chris-Farley impressions, but you’ll have to check the post to see that for yourself. Just make sure you’re prepared for total cuteness overload.

When runner/hiker/caver Ben, aka Bad Ben, isn’t maintaining his beer-brewing blog, he posts about his adventures in trail running over at Bad Ben’s Ramblings. But sometimes he shares stuff to just make us think, like one recent post showing off some spoof ads from those culturejammers at Adbusters. Our fave spoof of the lot:

Click the “energy bar” tag on ThisNext and you’ll get a whole page of Clif products. Indeed, in trolling the running/biking/hiking blogosphere over the past few months I’ve found that bloggers love Clif. And what’s not to love? Not only does Clif skimp on scary mystery ingredients and go for yummy, naturally energizing stuff like organic peanut butter and loads of vitamins and minerals—the eco-conscious company promotes the use of renewable energy, donates 2,080 hours of volunteer time to various groups yearly, and gives back to causes such as the American Hiking Society and the Breast Cancer Fund. To discover the best of the best, here’s a look at ThisNext’s most favorite Clif products—and what makes each so superior.

...continued: ThisNext: Crazy for Clif

In a partnership that’s maybe more exciting than the Nike + iPod collabo, Polar (the leading manufacturer of heart rate monitors for runners) and Adidas are teaming up to create the world’s first integrated training system. Steve from JogBlog (“the online diary of a middle-aged man on the journey from couch potato to recreational runner”) shares the deets:

“A Polar WearLink heart rate monitor clips to a special Adidas shirt which incorporates soft electrodes across the runner’s chest. A new Polar S3 stride sensor fits into a pair of special Adidas shoes to monitor speed and distance. Both devices communicate wirelessly with a new Polar wrist-mounted computer.”

Project Fusion - the name of the Adidas-Polar system - is said to hit stores next month.

How do you get yourself psyched up for running an Ironman triathlon? You might try listening to “Ironman” by Black Sabbath over and over until the words become your own. Or, you could do as Amazon Alanna does and read up on a few books that provide much Ironman inspiration. Alanna digs Becoming an Ironman (edited by Kara Douglass Thom) and Be Iron Fit by Don Fink, and we dig her straight-up reasoning for why she finds the latter so motivating:

“[B]ecause I’d like to look like a triathlete, instead of people looking at me like I’m a liar when I tell them I’ve done triathlons.”

Frank at Frank’s Running Log just ran the Nike Run Hit Remix: The 90s race, a 5-miler soundtracked by DJs, Digital Underground, Young MC, and other acts performing at every mile. Starting at Chicago’s Grant Park, Frank’s race was followed up by a set by De La Soul (below) - who just might get my vote for best 90s hip-hop act. Nike next brings the Run Hit Remix to L.A. on September 24 and Miami (date TBD).

We love checking Tripped Over A Rock for trail-running blogger Melissa’s regularly featured product surveys, whereby readers get to weigh in on their preferred gear, fuel, and other trail-running essentials (of the most recent surveys, Clif Bloks win over Sharkies, Bodyglide beats out Vaseline, and headlamps are prized over handheld).

Melissa also occasionally offers some insider info on trail-running success, such as in her recent post about the must-haveness of wristbands. Why? The blogger explains here:

“The terrycloth has ten times the absorbency of a rag, it holds on to you so you don’t have to worry about holding on to it, it’s already located on your wiping limb so the motion is natural, and they come in every color. Nikes are the softest, but Adidas are a close second and score a little higher when it comes to logo coolness. Check out your local soccer store for the best selection. I never run without one!”

You’ve got your lucky bamboo plant in your prosperity corner and your red candles in your love corner. But have you feng shui-ed your running routine yet? At Runners (Not So) Anonymous, Sara introduces the concept of “feng shui running” to help runners amp up the good vibes and improve energy flow while pounding the pavement (or trails, or treadmill). Our favorite tips:

-“Never run in the heat of the afternoon at 4pm on a summer day. I know sweat helps the chi flow, but heat makes the chi pass out!”

-“Keep free of clutter! This means only one techy accessory or nothing at all. The Garmin, ipod, fuelbelt action is bad feng shui!”

-“Most importantly, there are 2 key ways to replenish the chi after a good run. Either a cold Jamba Juice or a pint, depending on the time of day!”

While blogs let us have a look at the day-to-day life of an ultrarunner, memoirs can take us from an ultrarunner’s humble beginnings to her first time crossing the finish line at races like Badwater, the World Champion 48-hour race, and the Grand Teton 100 Miler. Julie at Run On recently polished off Pam Reed’s The Extra Mile: One Woman’s Personal Journey to Ultrarunning Greatness and had this to say:

“I loved that she talked about her training, her races, how she gets into a mindset, how she works the race, looks at the competition and makes her move. It’s awesome. It’s an inside view of what it might be like to be uber competitive and so talented.”

If it weren’t for my headphones, I might never make it through a workout. Running blogger Ginger Breadman at Reality Check also believes in taking advantage of his iPod’s energizing effects, soundtracking his excursions with music that “simply has some effect on your spirit or on that energy inside you.” A few choice tracks off his playlist:

-“Free As A Bird” by The Beatles
-“Redemption Song” by Bob Marley
-“Zoo Station” by U2
-and, believe it or not, the Great American Hero theme

Lesson learned by Wes at A Code Geek’s Tail: Never ask your fellow running bloggers to talk you out of doing your first marathon, lest you’re secretly hoping for that barrage of “You can do it!” comments. To get psyched up for the 2007 Atlanta Marathon, Wes picked up Jeff Galloway’s training guide A Year Round Plan. Aiming to help you “organize your running life,” the Olympian and Runner’s World columnist provides weekly workouts, offers motivational tips, and shows how to get more enjoyment out of running. One of Wes’s commenters also recommends training with the help of MarathonRookie.com, a “pretty good program for a first time marathoner that does not have a lot of running and racing experience.”