Gear Girl

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 1

Q: What gear raises breast cancer awareness?

I'm a runner and a breast cancer survivor. What's the best breast-cancer-awareness-branded running gear?

By: Question from: The Editors, Santa Fe, New Mexico
North Face Pink Ribbon Khumbu Jacket

North Face Pink Ribbon Khumbu Jacket Photo By: JERRY TAYLOR/NORTH FACE

Osprey Verve 10 Hydration Pack Balconi Hat Endurance Moving Comfort Vixen bra
A:

You're certainly not alone. More than 2.5 million women in the United States are living with breast cancer. The good news, however, is that survival rates for some forms of breast cancer are now as high as 90 percent. And one of the best ways to support breast-cancer research is through one of Race for the Cure's 146 breast-cancer events, which have collectively raised more than $1.9 billion. Of course, you'll need something to train in. Here's some of the best cancer-awareness-branded running gear on the market.

For almost every bra it sells in October, Moving Comfort will donate $1 to Feel Your Boobies, a foundation started by Leigh Hurst, a woman who detected her own breast cancer at age 33. If you’re an A or B cup, the pretty Vixen ($36), with its minimalist cut and feminine v-neck, will give you all the support you need. For bigger-breasted women, the Rebound Racer ($48) offers rock-solid support, plus seam-free cups and adjustable straps for maximum comfort.

Osprey's Verve 10 Hydration Pack ($84; ospreypacks.com) is a special-edition, women’s-specific pack perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or trail running. It comes with a three-liter reservoir and plenty of room for bike tools and extra clothing. Osprey will donate four dollars from every purchase to the Breast Cancer Fund (breastcancerfund.org), and the company screened the front pocket with breast cancer prayer flags.

Balconi's Hat Endurance ($20; balconigear.com) is one of my favorites for running: it’s like a headband and visor in one. It gets a lot of use protecting my face and ears from wind, sun, and snow. For every hat sold, Balconi will donate $1 to Breast Cancer Awareness.

The pink and black North Face Pink Ribbon Khumbu Jacket ($80; thenorthface.com) is comfortable and stylish. It's made from plush, anti-pill fleece, with two hand pockets, a full front zip, and an embroidered pink ribbon on the left sleeve. It'll keep you toasty during cold-weather runs and works especially well when you want to warm up post-workout. The North Face is a supporter of Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC.org), a non-profit that spreads the word to young women about the importance of an active lifestyle and early detection.

—Stephanie Pearson
@OutsideGearGirl

Author's Bio

Stephanie Pearson

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Comments

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Dawnpatrol

For those of you that have Boa powered footwear or snowboard boots, check out Boa Reel Pink dials you can buy and it benefits Boarding For Breast Cancer and the Breast Cancer Network of Strength: http://www.boatechnology.com/reelpink

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