FeastVoyage: Your Culinary Compass

INTRO

On race day, you want to race, not just run. In any other sport, race day means employing the lightest and most technologically-developed products. Think carbon-fiber components and aerodynamic designs for race cars and bicycles. But when it comes to running, we throw on the most expensive chassis and wheels, but tend to just put on whatever looks good when it comes to the body.

Ciele Athletics is looking to fix that with its all-new Elite Collection, an apparel drop of five pieces designed to give athletes the most of their performance on race day. For a brand known primarily for its top-tier running caps (we can confirm, they’re pretty much the best), a foray into premium run apparel may seem like a bit of a leap. There’s quite a bit of difference between a hat and a singlet or jacket, especially when that gear falls anywhere between the $100-$400 range.

However, when Ciele went into the research and development of the Elite Collection, they did so with intentionality throughout every step of the process. Their goal with the Elite was to find “the very best recycled fabrics, the very best factories, the very best constructions and use these ingredients to build the very best products for your run.” The standard was impeccably high from the start.

Keep in mind that when they first debuted, Ciele caps were twice the price of almost every other running hat out there. Now, they’ve become the standard that many running hat companies are trying to emulate/match, though few have come close.

And so it is with the Elite Collection, with features unlike any we’ve seen in other running apparel. As you’ll see, the thoughtfulness is apparent, from the welded pocket seams of the DBSShort to the unbelievably light weight of the waterproof FLRJacket. For the jacket in particular, there were only a handful of factories globally who could produce it. Ciele chose a factory that they had been to, and know the team personally, in order to produce a garment that would meet the high standards we were driving for. 

Is this gear for everyone? Certainly not. The price alone is a barrier for most runners. But for those that can afford it and are looking for a product that features recycled products made in premium factories and with thorough regards to performance engineering, then the Elite Collection is surely something to consider.

Learn more about the pieces below and our experience running in them.

RCDSINGLET ELITE

Made from recycled fabric yarns, this singlet tingles the senses by truly allowing you to feel like an elite. In a nothing-there manner, the stitchless construction is comprised of Ciele’s COOLmatic.EXP knit, which is– get this– infused with carbon fiber. 

I didn’t even know this, but carbon fiber absorbs odors and allows for greater breathability and temperature regulation. And because of this superior construction, the performance won’t fade or wash out, unlike traditional fibers. It still maintains high stretch and durability but retains a sturdy-yet-soft feel.

The singlet also employs airBEAM, which is specially designed vents on the spine to allow the body to perform its natural cooling process. A constant two-way air exchange pushes warm air our and circulates fresh air.

I can confirm that on the run, this singlet truly does feel weightless and reminded me of the best elite singlets I’ve somehow scammed companies to let me wear on race day. Chafing is non-existent and the breathability is as good as it can get. The carbon fiber construction is something I’ve never seen before; basically, I’m excited to keep this on the “good side” of my singlet drawer for a long time.

PRICE: $100

RCDTSHIRT ELITE

The RCDTshirt elite is essentially the same construction and materials as the singlet, just in t-shirt form. If you want all the details, scroll up just a bit, but the idea here is that you’re getting a bit more protection and coverage for less-than-singlet weather. 

Did we also mention this has a lifetime guarantee? Bold move for a running t-shirt, but we like it.

PRICE: $120

QCKBRA ELITE

This running bra features an OekoTex approved fabric featuring 65% recycled nylon with 35% elastane for shape retention and support over any distance.

It also features all of Ciele’s most advanced apparel tech, including COOLmatic.plus lining and HeiQ Smart Temp® for accelerated wicking and HeiQ Fresh® for odour control. Meanwhile, eflective elements keep you lit from sun down to sun up. includes removable pads.

PRICE: $60

DBSSHORT ELITE

For us, this is the highlight of the collection. Another garment that features the carbon-infused yarn of the COOLmatic.EXP, the shorts are everything you need on race day. It’s also made from stitchless construction, which is… wild. But again, it comes with Ciele’s million miles guarantee, so we’re not worried about it.

Waistbands are always an issue with running shorts, but this one is next-level good. Super soft to the touch, it features odor control and stowaway adjustment cords. Clearly some thoughtful design was put into this short. Which is evidenced even further by the front panels, which use a durable water repellent finish that’s helpful on damp days with headwinds. But here’s the best part– the shorts feature the best fuel pockets we’ve ever seen in a short. Three mesh inner fuel pockets are flat-welded to the short so you are locked and loaded on race day. 

Speaking of race day, the 3-inch split style allows room for your entire range of motion so the short feels like it isn’t there. Look down every so often just to make sure.

PRICE: $120

EVDSHORT ELITE

This one is probably our least favorite of the collection, because we kind of don’t know where it exists? To their credit, Ciele does note that it’s designed for running and in-between runs (i.e. a casual short over your race tight that feels just right on a community run). 

The dual button system on the sides is interesting, allowing for customizable levels of mobility, but we’re also not sure where we would actually use that. We’ve done a myriad of activities in other run/lifestyle stretch shorts (like Path Projects), and don’t feel like we’re missing out.

Either way, it’s made of premium materials just like the rest of the collection, included a welded no-stitch construction and recycled stretch ripstop with a durable water repellent finish. Deep front pockets are a nice touch as well and came in handy for not losing my keys for the fourth time that day.

PRICE: $120

FLRJACKET ELITE

Okay, so there’s a lot going on in this jacket. For starts, it’s fully waterproof. But the real story is the construction (as you may have guessed). The jacket utilizes a 3-play construction which consists of a waterproof breathable membrane sandwiched between an extremely lightweight woven hard shell and a knit mesh liner. It also includes a bit of stretch, which is always appreciated on the run.

This construction allows for a 30k breathability / 20k waterproofing rating, both of which are excellent numbers for a running jacket. Standard (see: cheap) waterproofing is anything under 15k, so if you see those numbers in a run jacket– run away. 

On the run, the FLR works as intended, keeping you dry while keeping inside moisture to a minimum. Note that you’ll always sacrifice on one end of things– if you want absolute waterproofing, you’ll sacrifice all breathability. It’s better to meet in the middle and balance both ends as best as you can, which is something Ciele has done. A back air vent allows for extra breathability, by the way.

Because of the premium materials used in the jacket, it comes out to 56g/m² (that’s light) and packs down into its own chest pocket for easy carry. When packed down, a mini carabiner allows it to clip onto wherever. I have to say, I don’t like that an elastic band for full carry isn’t included here. I took the jacket off mid-run on a 5-mile run this morning and it was a pain in the ass to carry around for the remainder. And as anyone who’s run in a rain jacket knows– there’s a 99% chance that thing comes off at some point during the run. 

A few other dislikes: For my size small, the sleeves were ungodly long (like an inch past my fingertips), though Thomas said he had no issues with his medium. I have no problem with rain jacket sleeves extending longer (as they should), but they looked like I was trying on my dad’s dress shirt. The hood needs neck cinches. The rear cinch just didn’t do enough and it’s not a scuba style hood so it was constantly getting blown back. Lastly, I just didn’t like the overall feel of it. I know this is because of the fact that it’s high quality and woven with carbon fiber, but it felt just too… plasticky? Crinkly? Hard to describe.

Overall, this is definitely one of the best waterproof running jackets we’ve tested as far as straight quality. You will stay dry, no doubt. The price tag is steep and for $400 I would like to have zero dislikes, but I also have very specific preferences. However, know that if you shell out the dough, you’ll be getting a jacket with premium construction and a million miles guarantee.

PRICE: $400

UCAN stands out in the field of sports nutrition with its commitment to innovation and at the core of their products, is UCAN’s proprietary ingredient, SuperStarch™, which is a corn starch based blend that provides a slow-releasing source of carbohydrates.

Edge energy gels are perfect for endurance athletes, like us marathoners and ultramarathoners, who need consistent energy while following a training plan and racing, without the spikes and crashes associated with some other sugary gels – it’s one of the best running gels I have tested while endurance training.

What makes UCAN Edge Energy Gels unique is their formula which is designed for athletes seeking over 75 minutes of sustained energy, they are sugar-free, caffeine-free, and gentle on the stomach too. That last point is an important one to emphasise because gut bombs are real and a major cause of discomfort when you’re starting out on your ultra running journey.

UCAN Edge Energy Gels review

Now, let’s get into the specifics of the Edge Energy Gels – I have tried all the different flavor gels (and they’re all pleasant), as UCAN was kind enough to send over a multipack for me to review but I’m going to focus on the taste of the Strawberry Banana for this review, as it’s my favorite flavor and it will help me keep this review focused.

Taste and texture

First impressions matter, and the Strawberry Banana flavor really made an impression on me over the other ones, although the unflavored was really nice too! It’s deliciously fruity without being overly sweet, thanks to the zero sugar formula.

The texture is smooth similar to light, runny yoghurt but with an subtle chalky taste – that sounds weird I know but it’s an observation nonetheless, and in no way a bad thing by the way – it’s just different to the other gels I have reviewed, and I enjoy it.

The gels are easy to consume even when you’re pushing your limits during a race or climbing a steep hill. No water is needed to chase down these gels, which of course is a big plus.

Performance

UCAN promises 75+ minutes of steady energy, but in my personal experience I feel I need to take a gel every 45 minutes to an hour but I do tend to run at a high intensity – I just can’t help myself! 😉 I’ve used these gels on long runs, and noticed a difference in how I felt during my run in terms of a nice steady flow of energy coming from this fuel. For example on my run today, I had two gels for my 90 minute run and this worked out well for me.

So during an ultramarathon race I’d probably have one of these gels every 45 minutes as I run at quite a high intensity during races. If however, I’m training for an ultramarathon, then I’d take a gel every hour or so as I’ll be running at a lower intensity.

I haven’t had any energy spikes or sudden crashes whilst I’ve been using Edge gels; just a consistent level of endurance that kept me going strong. This steady release of energy is thanks to UCAN’s LIVSTEADY™ corn starch carbohydrate, which breaks down nice and slowly.

Digestibility

One of the biggest challenges with some energy gels and sports electrolyte mixes, can be how they sit in your stomach. UCAN Edge Gels are formulated to be easy on the stomach, and I can vouch for that. No bloating or discomfort, which meant I can focus on running, and not on GI distress – which I have had to do many a time in the past before I became a more experienced endurance athlete.

How to use UCAN Edge Energy Gels

UCAN‘s recommendation is to consume one pouch 30 minutes before exercise, repeating every hour as needed. This guideline works well for me, providing a reliable energy source when I start my run right the way through it, provided I take a gel every 45 minutes or so.

Ingredients and nutrition

It’s reassuring to see a straightforward ingredient list, centered around water, LIVSTEADY™ corn starch, allulose, and natural flavors.

The inclusion of ascorbic acid, lactic acid, and fumaric acid helps with preservation and adds to the gel’s nutritional profile, ensuring you’re getting energy and also supporting your body’s needs during exertion.

Final thoughts

For those of us looking to push our limits and achieve new PRs, UCAN Edge Energy Gels are a solid choice; the sustained energy, ease of digestion, and clean ingredients makes them a winner for me, and so I’ve awarded then an Editor’s Choice Award.

If you’re gearing up for your next marathon or just looking for a reliable energy source for your long runs, I recommend giving UCAN Edge energy gels to help you along your journey.

I want to quickly give a special mention to UCAN’s Energy Bars too, as they’re a great solid fuel alternative during long runs. They taste great, have a good texture and provide 160 calories per bar which means it’s a great way to get some chewy fuel into your body during a training run or race.

THOMAS: It wasn’t all that long ago that shield sunglasses were a distant memory of the 80s and 90s, like the Walkman or the electric typewriter. Heck, I can still smell the coconut suntan oil that drenched the Santa Cruz surf shop where I first saw a pair of Oakley Blades. Those screens with multicolored reflective coatings seemed to magically float on your face, transforming ordinary dweebs like me into rad brahs with whom Jeff Spicoli would be stoked to share a righteous pie. The rub was that they’d set you back a hundred clams — at least.

A Benjamin was a shit ton of money back in the day, but I had to have my Blades. Looking back, I get why they kept ’em in a locked case. I would have gone for a five-finger discount if they’d been any more accessible. Instead, I had to squirrel away money like I was investing in a 401K.

As I saved, I imagined how cool I would look when I finally had them. Before long, that day came, and my biggest decision was which color to buy. I went to the surf shop and weighed my options, eventually landing on orange frames with a gold-to-red gradient shield. You might think — or at least I did — “Damn, the kid made it. Next stop, Coolsville, USA.”

In reality, eyewear alone isn’t enough to transform a pale, scrawny, half-Jewish kid with braces. Honestly, the Blades just amplified my dorkiness, so I left the shields to pro wrestlers and burnt-out surfers.

It would be almost 25 years before I would work up the nerve to wear another pair. Truth be told, I still can’t don them without a bit of self-consciousness, but as a runner, I can walk around in 3-inch shorts or tights, so who gives a shit what people think of my shades? Besides, the 80s are back in style.

Looks aside, shield sunglasses offer a couple of practical benefits. First, blade-style lenses are lightweight and provide wrap-around coverage. Second, sunglasses are essential for protecting your vision, duh.

As for the SunGod Ultras, need I say more than that you can customize each pair? You can make the Ultras fit your unique personality with ten frame color choices, ten different lenses, nine logo color options, and eight earsocks colors. Earsocks, for the uninitiated, are the rubber tips that cover the frame near your ear. I went through the process and created two pairs of Ultra sunglasses, which were delivered within a week.

The SunGod Ultras are right in line with what you’d expect from the $185 price tag. The lens clarity is crystal clear, and there wasn’t any fogging. Once the glasses were in place, I didn’t have any bouncing. The Ultra can handle the double duty of running and cycling and are a perfect choice for triathletes.

If I could write a letter to my past self, I’d tell him to save his clams on that pair of Oakley Blades. He didn’t know just how cool shields would become in the future. As Marty McFly told a confused gym in Back To The Future, “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it.” I’d also show him this picture…