City Sports CS Line – Review {+Giveaway}

When Ralph I visited City Sports a few weeks ago, they asked if we’d each pick out an outfit from their CS by City Sports line to wear and give our feedback on.   More workout clothes?  Yes please.  {By the way taking pictures of yourself without being awkward? How do fashion bloggers do this all the time I just feel like a giant loser asking Ralph to take my picture in front of the house.  Taking my picture while running, totally different.  I look like a complete bad ass.}

So we tried on a bunch of stuff and even though I wanted to take it all home, my favorites were the Slub Racer Tank, spandex shorts, and the Pacer Bra.  Ralph decided on Ultimate Run Shorts and Ultra-Light Tee .

We put them to the test almost immediately, aka the next day on our 14 mile long run.  The shorts I have to say are one of my new favorite things.  I know I say that about a lot of stuff, but I have been looking for a good pair or spandex shorts that do not cost a bazillion dollars to wear for racing.  I have been on a search for at least a year but most of what I find is too tight {or too big when I go to the next size}, too short, too long, or too sheer.  These were goldilocks kind of perfect.  I have worn them at least 5 times and at this rate will probably need another pair.  The only downside is they do not have pockets, which is why I like them for racing 5k’s I don’t usually need pockets.  The tank is also super comfortable, soft and really lightweight and basically didn’t notice it at all during our long run.  I did go up a size {went with a medium} because I like wearing tops a little bit loose.

Ralph could not stop raving about the lightweight material of both the shirt & shorts:
“The shirt was a great running shirt – super light weight, breathe-able and fit great. I’m not a big fan of running shirts especially on long runs and typically it’s off by mile 2 but I kept this CS shirt on for the full 14 miler. I never felt drenched in sweat in it which really says something about the wicking ability of the shirt. The fit was perfect for me, not too tight but not too loose. I had no problems running in it. The design was nice too, matched the shorts I got from them nicely. Plus I love that neon yellow color (yes I have compression socks to match). I’m a sucker for it. I got a size medium which is my standard shirt size for running shirts.

The shorts were a solid running short. They were a 6″ in-seam running short which is pretty comparable to the 5″ in-seam Nike shorts I wear practically every day. The fit was really similar to the Nike’s – nice and tight in the waist and looser down the leg. No problems with the in-short liner and it fit pretty well which can’t be said about all running shorts. Color was pretty standard black but has that nice accent of neon yellow that got my attention – but sadly this gets covered by the shirt. I’d prefer the accent further down the leg so it is more visible. I’d say my only complaint was that the material was a little bunchy at the waist right at the elastic but other than that, it was a great short.”

{More awkward photos of me, you’re welcome}  I tried on a few pairs of woven running shorts while we were there, and couldn’t really pass up a pair of basic black for the price, so I bought myself one of those too.  I wore them with the sports bra for an easy 3 miles later the next week and was really impressed with both.  The bra was really comfortable, and yet I felt supported at the same time {I feel like when it comes to sports bras you usually get one or the other but not both}.  The only thing that bothered me was the elastic in the bottom band twists when you put it on and then I had to mess with it a bit to get it to lay flat.  Once it was on though, it was great.  The shorts I got a medium, and in hindsight I probably should have gotten a small.  I had wanted them to fit more on the loose side, but I’m not sure this style really works well with being sized up.  They have a standard brief liner and a little key pocket in the front – but I cut the pocket out because it kept flipping out when I rolled the waistband.

I was impressed with the quality of the collection for the price, and all the fabrics were really soft and comfortable.  They hold up to performance just as well as my other name brand items, and have earned a spot in my regular rotation of outfits.  There really is no such thing as too many clothes…

Enough about me and clothes and awkward photos though, time to get to the really good stuff.  The wonderful people at City Sports have offered up a $50 gift card to give away one lucky reader, because I love to share.  You’re welcome for real this time.  Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

City Sports provided one outfit each for us to review  – all thoughts and opinions are our own. 

Tagged as: City Sports, clothes, gear, Running Clothes, workout gear