Facebook PixelRunner's World Subscription Box Review - August 2017 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Runner’s World Subscription Box #005 Review – August 2017

Lacey Volk
ByLacey VolkAug 31, 2017 | 6 comments

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Box Exterior

Runner's World Box
2.2 overall rating
5 Ratings | 1 Reviews

Runner's World Box is a monthly subscription box from the magazine of the same name. They send gear, snacks, and accessories curated by Runner's World editors.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Unboxing Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Unboxing First Peek

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - All items arranged around box

The Subscription Box: Runner's World Box

The Cost: $29.99/month (Save 20% with a 6-month subscription)

The Products: Gear, snacks, and accessories from the editors of Runner's World Magazine

Ships to: United States for $8; maybe more in some areas. Extra shipping costs to Hawaii.

Check out all of our Runner's World Box reviews and more boxes for runners in our Fitness Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Intro Card

This month's theme is based around training for fall races, and the intro card says we can expect "products that will help you fuel your runs, and recover accordingly."

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - All items on card

The info card lists out some details on all the items included, including retail prices. We have 6 items to try again this month.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Race promo Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Race promo

On the topic of fall races, Runner's World included this card with a 10% discount for the Runner's World Half Festival in Bethlehem, PA in late October.

(If anyone knows what BART is as listed on this card, I would love to know!)

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Go Pocket

Go Pocket Temporary Pocket, 3 pack - Retail Value $14.99

This is one of those items that totally solves a common and annoying problem (lack of pockets on most running gear), and yet I'm not sure if I will actually use them. It seems a little wasteful to me when I could just use the Flip Belt we received in box #002.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Go Pocket

They do have some other ideas on the back, including putting the pouch on the side of your guitar amp to hold accessories. I could also see myself sticking one to the inside of a jacket that I own that doesn't have pockets... hm. Maybe these aren't as silly as I thought.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Go Pocket

There are three pockets in the pack, and you can see they're a lightweight fabric with some adhesive on the back. According to the info card, they should last through several washes and leave no residue.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Go pocket

And they're apparently recyclable? I had no idea that you could recycle polyester, although it seems like a specialty process so it's unlikely you can just put these out on the curb with the rest of your glass and aluminum.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Go pocket

Runner's World is pretty good about including discounts for many items, so there's a generous 25% off code for Go Pocket included if you find these work well for you.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Organic Protein

Orgain Organic Protein Powder - Listed Value $1.50

I am not an expert in protein powders at all. Fun fact: I don't even own a real blender, just an immersion blender that I use for soups.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Organic Protein

That said, I'm not qualified to judge this on taste or other subjective factors since I don't know much about how this compares. But I do appreciate that it is organic and vegan, with no added sugars. (For some reason the info card says "Grassfed Protein Powder [...] from pasture-raised cows" but I appear to have received a different product from this same company.)

Have you tried this brand? What do you think?

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Moji Mini Pro Massager

Moji Mini Pro Massager - Retail Value $29.99

Despite my love for using massage balls to help with tightness in my shoulders and feet, I've never tried a massager with rollers like this one.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Moji Mini Pro Massager Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Moji Mini Pro Massager

There's a handy adjustable strap to make it easier to hold and use since the backing is a flexible silicone material. That's a cool feature since you can basically wrap the tool around your calves or shoulders to help make more contact with the roller balls.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Moji Mini Pro Massager

They even suggest putting this in the freezer for an ice massage! I can't decide if that sounds amazing or simply way too cold for me.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Moji Heat card

For cold-blooded people like me, this brand also sells heated rollers. That is way more my speed!

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Massage roller card

Like Go Pocket, we have another coupon code here for Moji products.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Zest Tea

Zest Tea, 1.32 oz - Retail Value $9.71 (Buy a 20 sachet package on Amazon for $12.95)

This highly caffeinated tea seemed a little gimmicky to me the first time I saw it, but as someone who loves coffee but doesn't react well to it, I think this brand does meet its promise. For me, it does have the same kind of pick-me-up but without the jittery-ness I usually get from coffee.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Zest Tea

This blend doesn't have list bergamot as an ingredient, but it reminded me of Twinings Lady Grey tea.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Zest Tea

This resealable bag has 15 individual tea bags tucked inside, so it's a pretty generous size package, too.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Bobo's Mini Sample

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Bobo's Mini Sample

Bobo's Mini Sample Sized Bar - Listed Value $1.50

Typical for me, I went for this right away when I opened the box. This generous bite-size chocolate chip oat bar was on the dry side but was very dense and filling. I did find myself wishing it had more chocolate chips, though.

Runner's World does always look for snacks with high-quality ingredients: this brand is non-GMO, and made from simple ingredients.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Just Sriracha Mayo

Hampton's Creek Just Sriracha Mayo, 12 oz - Retail Value $2.98

Finally, our last item in this box is a new spicy energy goo in a convenient squeeze tube!

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Just Sriracha Mayo

I'm joking, of course. But I'm really thrown for a loop by the inclusion of mayo in this month's box! Obviously, nutrition is a big part of any fitness routine. And, this is another non-GMO and vegan item, as they have replaced the eggs with pea protein.

But... it's still mayo. It seems like a stretch to include this in a box theoretically designed just for runners, right?

Despite my criticisms, it was delicious. Nutrition-wise it's basically the same as Hellman's, with 100 calories per 1 Tbsp serving and 15% daily recommended value of fat... the only real difference is that Just Mayo is free of cholesterol. I'd definitely use this brand again in the end.

Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Bahn Mi Card Runners World Box 005 August 2017 Review - Bahn Mi Recipe

We also received a card with a recipe for Banh Mi sandwiches, which is arguably the most delicious way to use your new mayo and would definitely be a tasty post-run recovery meal. 😉

Verdict: I'm starting to think of Runner's World Box as a snack box for runners with some cool gear thrown in. I am having a really hard time getting past the mayo this month. Looking over the contents again, I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't drink caffeine and won't like the tea, either... both of those items just don't seem too specific to running.

The overall value this month is mostly from the mini-massager, and the total comes to about $61, which is similar to last month's total. While I generally end up liking the products in this box, I just don't feel like it's always that specific to running; the #002 box is still my favorite of all we've reviewed so far.

What do you think about Runner's World Box?

Starting at $29.99
Subscribe Now
This monthly box from Runner's World magazine features a mix of "gear, accessories, nutritious snacks, and other cool stuff... that will feed your running passion!"

Runner's World also has a "Best Food for Runners" box specifically for running meals, snacks, and beverages for $14.99.
Lacey Volk
Lacey Volk
Lacey's introduction to the world of subscription boxes was Julep Maven, but she quickly moved on once she discovered there were subscriptions for cooking, coffee, and art supplies. Current favorites include Crate Chef and Ecocentric Mom, and she's looking forward to trying more.

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

6 comments

h

One of my kids is a Lehigh engineering graduate. Do you want me to ask about BART or did you figure it out?

Reply ButtonReply

Lacey Volk

I think it has to be Bart Yasso as the other commenter suggested!

Reply ButtonReply

h

It took a while to get in touch with them. They were familiar with it, fondly, but it wasn’t a place that students went, as far as they knew. It is such a naturally beautiful area, so if that’s where he lives, I can imagine it would be a great home base with plenty of room to stage a really nice event that would draw people from far and wide–with his name attached to it as a priceless bonus.

Jennifer V

Is it referring to Bart Yasso? The – “Mayor of Running”?
https://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/bart-yasso-will-retire-from-runners-world-in-2017

Reply ButtonReply

Lacey Volk

Ohhh maybe! Good catch!

Reply ButtonReply

MaryJo

That was my impression as well. Bart Yasso is well enough known among the RW community to get that kind of billing 😉