Tuesday, March 5, 2013

StrideBox: The Next Big Thing In Running?

Don't you love contests? I do, especially when it comes to free running gear.

(Hopefully, one day I will be able to hold a contest giveaway or two. I love sharing the wealth, just need to find some of that wealth to share. :) )

A couple weeks ago, I saw a tweet from Rebecca (@complexmomruns) about a giveaway on her blog - Complex Mom. She was giving away one free StrideBox, so my interested was difficult piqued and I entered the fray. Never in my wildest dreams did I really think I'd win.

But I did!

I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email from Rebecca letting me know I had won. I couldn't wait to check out StrideBox. And yesterday, my prize came in the mail.
For those who have not heard of or know what StrideBox is, it is a subscription service for runners that delivers a curated assortment of running accessories, nutritional products and apparel each month. Essentially, for $15 per month, you'll receive a running grab bag of stuff.

Not going to lie, when i saw my StrideBox in the mail, I got excited. Not because I won, but because I had no clue what was in it. It was sort of like a Secret Santa where you knew you were getting a gift but absolutely no idea of what it could be.

In my StrideBox, I received:
  • 1 Given Brand - Original FLIP Pocket Wrist Wallet
  • 2 PowerICE - Frozen, Hydrating Ice Bars with Electrolytes
  • 1 Picky Bar - Gluten Free, Dairy Free Energy Bar
  • 1 Click Espresso Protein Drink - Mocha
  • 1 Kind Bar - Nuts & Spices - Dark Chocolate, Nuts & Sea Salt
  • 2 Gu Energy Gels - Peanut Butter
  • 1 Run Guard - Original Anti-Chafe Stick
  • 1 Win High Performance Sport Detergent (trial size)
Plus a 20 percent coupon to SkoraRunning.com and $5 off at drinkclick.com.

I like the Given Brand pocket wrist wallet because I'm a fan of any extra pockets you can give me as a runner. After all, running shorts have so many pockets and lots of storage space, am I right? ;-) ... But this is a nice, comfy fitting band that allows you to carry some small essentials - like cash, a key or a gel, without it getting in your way.

The items I'm most looking forward to try out are the PowerICE bars. Who knew they made popsicles with electrolytes in them. Those I think would be great to have in the summer.

The Kind Bar and Gu Peanut Better Gels I've had before and like, but I've never come across a Picky Bar before. The flavor I received is called 'The Need for Seed - Sunflower Butter Sensation,' and quite honestly, I don't know what to make of that. However, once I try, I will report back here with an update either within this post or in the comment section.

I'm a fan of Big Train protein drinks, which are coffee and tea flavored for the most part. So, I am intrigued to see how Click's Espresso Protein Drink will compare. 

Lastly, you can never go wrong with detergent and anti-chafing items for any runner. 

On the 'Stride Guide' provided in the box, it details each item and the regular cost for each. I tallied up what I received and it came to just under $29 - meaning for the month of March, subscribers get double what they invested into it.

I love the idea and concept behind StrideBox. You receive some of your favorite running gear/items while getting to try out some new and different running products. It is really a nice balance of what you receive.

There is plenty of reasoning in my mind that StrideBox could be the next big thing for runners. I look at a subscription to StrideBox no different than I do one to say Runner's World magazine. Both provide great benefits to the runner, just in different manners. Additionally, I see companies wanting to partner with StrideBox to help get their new product out there. After all, we runners can be picky and hesitant to try new things. We like to stick with what we know. But if we get a 'free' sample of something new, we'll give it a once-over.

While unable to right now, I look to become a subscriber in the near future.

Thanks again to Rebecca and StrideBox for this great prize!

Until next time ... Happy Running!

5 comments:

  1. I am intrigued by them too! They donated prizes to #runchat recently! Enjoy your goodies!

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    1. Thanks! I really like the concept and the items I received. I foresee me becoming a subscriber in the not-too-distant future.

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  2. I've had Picky Bars (won them from Josephine's giveaway). Loved them. You're going to like that one.

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  3. The "box" idea is also common in women's beauty products. I think it's a cool concept, but I think it'll be a fad. I've already seen 3 "boxes" that are geared toward people who work out. They can't all last. That said, Stride Box is great from my sample; we enjoyed having them on for a #runchat giveaway too. However, when I do the math and think about spending $15 a month for something I may or may not use, that quickly adds up to a couple of pairs of shoes. :)

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