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.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
What is Runner's World 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.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Check out all of our Runner's World Box reviews and more boxes for runners in our Fitness Subscription Box Directory!
September 2017 Review: Running Essentials
This is the first month that hasn't been curated by a specific editor, so the note is pretty general this time around. Looks like there's no specific theme this month, either– sounds like this box is a more general 'running essentials' collection.
The info card lists out some details on all the items included, including retail prices. There are only 5 items this month, but one of them looks like a pretty high-value item!
FRESHeBUDS Air Bluetooth Headphones - Value $89.95
(There are some individual people selling these headphones on Amazon for less, but Amazon and other retailers sell them for $89.95 so I'm using that price here.)
This is definitely the highest value item I've ever received in this box! Bluetooth headphones are pretty indispensable for runners; once I started using them, I really couldn't go back.
Like most Bluetooth headphones, these have ear hooks and silicone buds. I prefer this style of ear hook that is a more firm silicone hook (rather than a loop) as it seems to work better for me.
Rather than have the charging, power, pairing, and volume buttons on the earbuds itself, these have a little control stick on the cord. This makes the ear pieces weigh less, which is also a win for this design.
The cord itself has a small adjustment to make it snug on the back of your neck, too.
And these come with some spare silicone buds for ears of different shapes and sizes.
In testing, these did pretty well for me. My constant struggle with Bluetooth buds specifically is that they seem to drop the signal more frequently than standard Bluetooth over-the-ear headphones. These seem to have a wider range than my Spigen earbuds (I was able to wear them while working in a room with my phone a good 5-10 feet away), but they still start to lose the connection frequently as the battery starts to die.
All in all, a cool item to receive in this box! I'd definitely consider these a 'running essential.' It's nice get to try spendy products like this at a discount for sure, and they'd be a great gift to a fellow runner if you already have a pair that you love.
We also got a coupon code scratch off for this brand.
Dinner Hero Sesame Garlic Cooking Kit - Value $4.87?
(Like all food items, pricing for this one is a little weird to figure out online. You can buy this on Amazon as an add-on item for $3.49, but a 4-pack with Prime shipping is $6.25 each. I'm using the average value of $4.87 here.)
I've come to expect a variety of high-protein and high-calorie or energy type foods in this box, but this meal kit is again the biggest food item we've received so far.
Just add chicken, and this meal kit is ready with 4 servings in about 30 minutes.
The kit comes with a rice blend and a dehydrated spice mix with some soy sauce, too. I'm a big fan of sesame chicken, so this looks downright delicious to me:
It's always nice to have pantry foods like this on hand for those tired nights after a workout when you're starving but have no mental energy for a wholesome meal. I know I'm not the only one that struggles with that! 😉 And a big bonus: it's something I can share with the whole family. Win/win.
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld - Value $15.95
I'm so lazy about researching running gear, so this might actually be the item I am most excited about! I never bring water with me on runs, even on hot summer days, because my hand cramps up when carrying it. This handheld squeezie totally solves that problem.
This holds 12 oz of water and you can squeeze the contents right into your mouth!
The strap is breathable, adjustable, and removable for washing. I was surprised at how much more comfortable this thing was than just trying to carry a water bottle, it really makes a difference for me.
I can see this coming in handy for other activities too, when I don't want to carry a whole backpack on a little day hike for example.
Granger's Active Wash, Sample Size - Value $3.50? (based on a similar product)
We just received a whole bunch of laundry products in the July Runner's World Box, so I wasn't particularly excited about receiving a new performance laundry soap. This petite 2oz bottle is only enough for one load of laundry, but it's designed for performance fabrics and to help keep wicking properties intact after washing.
Haven't tried this one yet, but: If you own a lot of technical gear, then products like this are definitely worth testing out. Before I started separating out my workout clothes in our laundry routine, I definitely noticed they were pilling and wearing much faster than they should have.
Epic Venison Bar, 1.5 oz - Value $2.25
I've seen these around but this was my first time actually trying one. Wow! This is easier to chew than a traditional jerky and very flavorful. I'm not big on sweet protein bars personally, but it had never really occurred to me that something like this might be a nice savory alternative. I'll definitely be looking for these again.
(PS: This product is part of the Amazon Prime Samples program. If you're a Prime member, you can order one as a sample for $2 and then get a $2 credit back towards select jerky items.)
Verdict
Best Runner's World Box yet! I loved both of the gear items this month, and I was happy to once again get some natural and delicious fuel to try as well. The laundry soap was a bit of a miss since I still have a bunch left from a previous box– but in the end, it will get used and it's a small price to pay for getting a box full of other more exciting items. This is the best overall value we've had for this box, too: I calculated about $117 total, although of course, the bulk of that is from the headphones.
Value Breakdown: For $29.99 + $8 shipping ($37.99 total), here's what you're paying for each item this month:
- Headphones - $29.33
- Meal kit - $1.59
- Water bottle - $5.20
- Laundry soap - $1.14
- Jerky - $0.73
What do you think about Runner's World Box?
Do you prefer fitness boxes with gear, snacks, or a mix of both? Do you know someone who would enjoy this box? Tell us what you think in the comments!
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