If you are doing any serious camping, you will probably want a waterproof tent. Tents that are at least water-resistant can provide you protection from the elements. You will be able to stay dry and warm inside even if it is pouring outside.

This will make your camping experience much more enjoyable. The best waterproof tent is the one that not only sheds water but is also ideal for your camping style. Whether you are a car camper or a backpacker we have lined up the best waterproof tents for your trip.

How to Choose the Right Tent

Consider the Tent Size

Tent size is important when it comes to camping with a group. If you are going solo a single-person tent will often be just fine. This is especially true if you are thru-hiking and need something compact and lightweight. But if you are camping with friends or family make sure you get a tent big enough to accommodate everyone.

Usually, tents come with capacity ratings, but what each manufacturer determines as acceptable space can vary. Many experts agree that at least 20 square feet per person is necessary while some campers prefer 40. Remember, you aren’t just sleeping but will also need room for your gear, room to change, and space to lounge if the weather is miserable.

Is it also Intended for Backpacking?

It is imperative that you pick a tent that will suit your camping style. Backpacking tents and standard tents are often completely different.

Backpacking tents are designed to be small and light so you can carry them with you. They often have lightweight poles, strong but thin fabric, and a design that lets them fold down into a very small shape. They may not be the most comfortable to stay in but they are very practical for carrying with you on your back.

Standard tents have a more flexible design and construction. They can be luxurious in size, use extremely durable but heavy fabric like canvas, and include extra elements like stakes or rain flys.

Try to decide which type of camping you will participate in most often and then select the appropriate tent type.

How Difficult is it to Set Up?

Finally, consider how user-friendly the tent is. No one wants to spend hours assembling and disassembling a tent. This is true whether you are car camping or backpacking. Setting up a tedious tent at night or in poor weather can be especially difficult.

Choose a tent that will be sturdy but also easy to set up once you are at your campsite.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Tent

Tent Shape

There are a handful of common tent types. The most well known are:

A-frame

The traditional triangle shape. They are easy to set up and handle poor weather well. However, they lack indoor space and headroom.

Dome

A dome shape that provides lots of floor space and headroom. They are easy to set up and often affordable. Dome tents don’t handle wind well and large ones can be unstable.

Design

The design can include things like a vestibule. Some tents even have hanging storage or screened porches. Tents can range from basic to luxury.

Construction

Do you need a tent with taped waterproof seams? Or, are you only a fair-weather camper that can use a tent with standard construction? Think about all elements of the tent, like the poles, fabric, seams, and tie-downs or stakes.

Ventilation

Ventilation is important for most tents, it is a big factor for tents that will be used in very hot weather. To keep the inside of your tent bearable look for a design with zip-down windows and ventilation holes at the peak of the tent. It is also a great idea to have the option to decrease the ventilation in case the weather turns chilly.

Space

Of course, consider how much space you need. Remember the 20-40 square feet per person rule. Don’t forget that some tents consider sleeping space as head to toe and packed in quite tightly. Think about how much room you will need to keep everyone comfortable should you have to spend the day inside the tent avoiding the rain.

Seasonality

While there are technically five different seasons of tents, most people only come into contact with four-season tents, three-season tents, or your basic warm weather tent.

A warm-weather tent is only used when the weather is favorable. A three-season tent is great for most campers. It can handle some wind and rain and can even be used when the weather is slightly cooler, like the spring and fall. A four-season tent is strong and made to handle harsh conditions including frigid winter temperatures.

Protection

Don’t forget protection! Waterproofing is a great layer of protection. You may also want a rain-fly, a windshield, or even a multi-functional tarp. Some tents come with protection while others offer them as accessories that can be purchased separately.

Best Waterproof Tents You can Find on Amazon

Coleman Tent Dome Screen Room Evanston Camping Screened-In Porch

If you are looking for a waterproof tent with space, check out the Coleman Tent Dome Screen Room Evanston Camping Screened-In Porch. This six-person dome tent claims to be weatherproof. Welded corners and inverted seams don’t let even the slightest drop of water in. Should things get particularly nasty, the waterproof floor, wind-strong frame, and rainfly keep occupants warm and dry. Setting up in just 15 minutes this roomy tent is comfortable and convenient.

Sale

Coleman 6-Person Dome Tent with Screen Room | Evanston Camping Tent with Screened-In Porch

• Weatherproof: Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in; Included rainfly offers extra weather protection
• Conventional pitch: Sets up in 15 minutes
• Bug-free lounging: 10 x 5 feet full-floor screen room

$119.99

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Coleman Tent Sundome Dome

The Coleman Tent Sundome Dome is a wonderful shelter for two people. Like other Coleman tents, it has features that keep the weather outside, like welded corners, a rainfly, inverted seams, and WeatherTec fabrics. While you are hunkering down inside, you will appreciate the e-port that provides easy access to an extension cord without compromising the tent’s weatherproofing. Hanging storage and enhanced ventilation round out the comfort features.

Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent, Green

• Dome tent with spacious interior allows you to move comfortably
• Easy setup in only 10 minutes
• WeatherTec system with patented welded floors and inverted seams to keep you dry

$99.99

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ayamaya Pop Up Tents with Vestibule

If you want a tent that is ready for use in just seconds you will love the ayamaya Pop Up Tents with Vestibule. It can accommodate up to six people with its spacious floor area and domed shape that offers a decent amount of headroom. Its unique design allows it to be assembled in just seconds, open the bag and let it go! Double layered fabrics help prevent condensation so you stay dry. While the coated polyester roof and heat-sealed seams protect against rain. A separate vestibule is awesome for leaving all your damp gear protected but out of your main living area.

ayamaya Pop Up Tents with Vestibule for 4 to 6 Person - Double Layer Waterproof 3 Season Easy Setup Big Family Camping Tent - Ventilated Mesh Windows Quick Ez Set Up Dome Popup Tents (Green)

• [ Roomy Enough for 4-6 Person with Vestibule ] – This pop up tent has spacious interior:12.5 x 8.5 feet floor; Sleeps 5-6 adults in sleeping bags or 4-5 people with lots of luggage. Center Height: 53.5". Unique vestibule design offers separate room for lots of camping gears, shoes or your large dog. Electrical Cord Access Port, enable you to run a power cord from outside power source into the devices of your tent. Storage pockets and lantern hook keep items neat and organized.
• [ Unique Double Layer – Prevent Condensation ] – This camping tents special designed with double layer, the inner layer and outer layer connected by hooks, which can effectively prevent condensation. There is a gap between the inner and outer layer, become a ground vents which can offer additional ventilation to keep you cool on the warm spring and summer evening.
• [ Easy Setup with Smaller Package ] – This quick setup tent with pre-assembled poles sets up in seconds. Simply open the bag and let go, making the pitching process easy and enjoyable. No need to fumble with tent poles, or bother with complicated instructions. Tent comes in a portable smaller carrying bag. Size only 88*88*3cm/ 34.6*34.6*1.2 inch, easy to carry.

$169.99

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NTK INDY GT Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent

The NTK INDY GT Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent has a very cool design that is both appealing and functional. It has a large interior and a covered vestibule with an expansive waterproof floor. You can get out of the rain by hanging out on its “porch” or shelter the storm within the tent. Nano-flex poles are very sturdy but also extremely light. The double-layer rainfly extends to cover the entire tent, giving your 100% full coverage. Heat-sealed seams and a floor consisting of polyethylene with a silver-coated inner layer won’t allow for even the tiniest leak.

NTK INDY GT 4 to 5 Person 12.2 by 8 Foot Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent 100% Waterproof 2500mm, European Design, Easy Assembly, Durable Fabric Full Coverage Rainfly - Micro Mosquito Mesh.

• DESIGNED FOR QUICK & EASY ASSEMBLY – The INDY 4- 5 person tent is great for all the family . With easy assembly, the spacious European design one door tent weighs 12lbs with a comfortable floor size of 12.8ft x 8ft (sleep area of 8ft x 7ft) and 4.7ft center height for maximum comfort.
• DOUBLE LAYER FULL COVERAGE RAINFLY – 100% waterproof 190T polyester laminated with polyurethane. 2500mm water column rainfly provides full coverage, while the heat-seamed thermoplastic coating offers UV protection. Inner tent has a large 2-way zipper D-style door with full mesh protection. Roomy utility pocket for storage and ventilated mesh roof. European design delivers a unique front vestibule that has an awning and side door with a detachable PE tarp floor.
• THICK NANO-FLEX TECHNOLOGY FRAME – Extra thick Nano-flex fiberglass poles interconnect with double gold chrome plated ferrule hardware and strong elastic , offering a sturdy construction . Made with 100% virgin material to provide additional strength and flexibility. 

$230.22

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Eackrola Pop Up Tent for Camping

A simple and user-friendly tent, the Eackrola Pop Up Tent for Camping can be set up in seconds. If you arrive in the dark or inclement weather you simply take out the tent and throw it in the air; it will pop into place. You can then stay dry and warm inside thanks to its 190T polyester shell and leak-free seams. The mesh windows and doors both can be zipped closed so you can get ventilation when you want it and protection when you need it.

Eackrola Pop Up Tent for Camping, Fits 2-3 Person (Adults) / 4-5 Kids Family Tent, Easy Setup Beach Tent Sun Shelter - Ventilated Mesh Windows, Water Resistant, Carry Bag Included (Green)

• EASY SET UP: Take out the pop up tent, unstrap the tent, throw it in the air, watch it open itself in seconds. No need to fumble with poles or complicated instructions. Please watch the video or instruction to learn how to use it.
• GOOD ENOUGH SIZE FOR FAMILY: The instant tent for camping has the 280cm x 215 cm / 9.2ft x 7.1ft , centre height: 120cm / 3.9ft, which can easily fits for 2 adults and 2 kids. It's a great family tent and ideal for your family trip.
• SUPERB VENTILATION SYSTEM: Eackrola camping tent features two doors, which will allow you to air out the tent in a couple minutes. And the additional mesh windows will keep bugs out and allow for adequate airflow on hot days.

$109.99

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MOON LENCE Pop Up Tent

The MOON LENCE Pop Up Tent weighs just over ten pounds but is spacious enough for four adults! This makes it ideal for those who like to pack light. It isn’t a take-out of the bag and throw pop-up, but it does have a special pop-up mechanism that doesn’t require affixing poles and only takes one minute to operate. Its waterproof groundsheet and 190T PU material walls keep occupants safe from water, wind, and UV rays. Two huge doors with dual zippers offer both access to the interior and ventilation. When you close the doors at night, ground vents keep you cool and comfortable.

Sale

MOON LENCE Pop Up Tent Family Camping Tent 4 Person Tent Portable Instant Tent Automatic Tent Waterproof Windproof for Camping Hiking Mountaineering

• Roomy 4 Person Tent: With the unfolding size of 240*210*125cm (94.5*82.6*49.2in), the tent is spacious for 4 adults. Weigh only 4.9kg (10.8lb), it can be stored in to the 83*18*18cm (32.7*7.1*7.1in) carry bag. Super easy to carry it everywhere.
• Breathable & Stable: 2 Large doors with dual zippers and 2 ground vents provide much better ventilation. Equipped with 10 lightweight Alloy Pegs and 4 Guy Ropes, the tent has a high resistance of wind. More Secure.
• All-round protection: 190T PU material and 210D Oxford Ground Sheet provide 2000mm water resistance and excellent UV resistance. The doors equipped with high quality SBS zippers can be closed tightly, which provide stronger resistance to harsh weather.

$90.08

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Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

Those with a huge group can’t pass up the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent. This spacious tent has plenty of room for you and all of your guests plus everyone’s luggage. H20 Block Technology means there is almost zero chance of water seeping in from the walls, roof, or floor. Extra-wide and thick heat-sealed seam tape doesn’t let sideways rain blow in during a storm. The rainfly provides an extra layer of protection. A gear loft, lantern hooks, and pockets keep everything up and off the floor in case someone tracks in water.

CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent - 16' x 9'

• Sleeps 9 people; Fits three queen air mattresses; Center Height: 72 inches
• CORE H20 Block Technology and adjustable ground vent.Pole Type: Traditional Fiber Glass Poles
• Features gear loft with lantern hook and pockets to keep items organized and off the tent floor

$129.99

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Coleman Dome Tent for Camping

Sleek and lightweight, you may be surprised that the Coleman Dome Tent for Camping sleeps four adults. Its welded corners, inverted seams, and rainfly block out any moisture. The super durable but light frame can resist winds up to an astonishing 35 miles per hour. Sleeping in the outdoors is wonderful, but you may not enjoy getting up with the sun. Darkroom technology means you don’t have to as the fabric blocks out 90% of sunlight. All this and it can be set up in under ten minutes.

Sale

Coleman Dome Camping Tent | Sundome Dark Room Tent with Easy Set Up , Green/Black/Teal, 4 Person

• DARK ROOM TECHNOLOGY: Blocks 90% of sunlight (vs. a comparable Coleman tent) so you can sleep in past sunrise
• REDUCES HEAT: For a more comfortable rest anytime of day
• WEATHERPROOF: Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in; included rainfly offers extra weather protection; strong frame withstands 35+ mph winds

$114.79

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HIKERGARDEN Camping Tent

The HIKERGARDEN Camping Tent has a ginormous floor and an unusually high center height. This is amazing because the average adult can stand fully upright while in this tent. The outermost layer of protection is a fully taped rainfly complete with hooks so it will never blow off. If you remove the rainfly the roof and walls will still keep out moisture as they are made with 185T water-resistant polyester. A breathable ceiling and four mesh windows give you supreme ventilation to keep you comfortable and prevent condensation.

Sale

2021 Upgraded Camping Tent - HIKERGARDEN 6/10 Person Tent for Camping Waterproof, Family Tent, Windproof Fabric, Easy Setup with Large Mesh for Ventilation, Double Layer and Divided Curtain

• 【Spacious For 10】- HIKERGARDEN 10 person tent designed with the floor dimension of 168 x 132in and the center height 74in, larger than normal tents ensure most people could stand straight up. Spacious enough for 10 adults. 3 Queen air mattresses or 10 sleeping bags are well fit inside. Ideal family tent for car camping or outdoor traveling at all weather.
• 【Easy Setup】- No particular skills needed. Easy Install in 9mins by two builders. Fully taped removable rainfly fixed with hooks and can never be blown away. E-port design allows it easy to connect the power source. Configured with the 2-way smooth & sturdy zippers, which makes it never stuck.
• 【Waterproof & Durable】- Made of 185T Polyester, HIKERGARDEN tent achieves PU1000mm waterproof. Rain on but keeps dry inside and never leaks. Thick and sturdy fabric with long nails at corners to make it stands well. The high quality of fiberglass poles ensures a waterproof tent is much stronger than pop up tents, which makes your camping trip more delightful and comfortable!

$179.99

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UNP Tents 6 Person Waterproof Windproof Easy Setup

The UNP Tents 6 Person Waterproof Windproof Easy Setup is one of the roomiest tents on the market. It can easily sleep six and give each person enough room to change while standing up. This expansive cave is constructed with 185T polyester that is rated 100% waterproof. A complete coverage rainfly helps to ensure that rain won’t blow in during a gale. Steel leg poles and a square-shaped roof allow the tent to resist even the stiffest winds. Multiple storage options, a plethora of windows, and high and low vents make this a great home away from home.

Sale

UNP Tents for Camping 6 Person Waterproof Windproof Easy Setup,Double Layer Cabin Tents with 1 Mesh Door & 5 Large Mesh Windows -10'X9'X78in(H) Blue

• 【Weatherproof &High-Quality Material】 Made with 185T polyester. With the 1000mm polyurethane hydrostatic rated coating high-tech,The Cave is 100% waterproof; 4 Steel Leg Poles, Rectangular Roof: make the tent more firmly, stable and windproof.
• 【Roomy Interior】10ft x 9ft with 78in Center Height, fit 6 sleeping bags, Has enough room for 6 campers and even lets you stand up changing.
• 【Multiple Interior Storage Options】Electrical Access Port lets you run a cord from your device in the tent to an outside power source, gear loft, mesh storage pockets keep small necessities well organized.

$159.90

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Forceatt 2-4 Person Camping TentForceatt 2-4 Person Camping Tent

The space-saving Forceatt 2-4 Person Camping Tent is effortless to carry as it is both light and compact. Sleeping two, the D-shaped doors allow easy entry from either side. High-quality polyester keeps out water and condensation and windproof aluminum rods make it very stable. Four wind ropes and a welded floor help the tent to further withstand wind and rain. At just over 5.5 pounds you can carry this tent nearly anywhere!

Forceatt Camping Tent 2/3/4 Person, Professional Waterproof & Windproof Lightweight Backpacking Tent Suitable for Outdoor,Hiking,Glamping, Mountaineering and Travel

• 【LIGHTWEIGHT AND CONVENIENT】 The internal size of the Forceatt camping tent is 86.6x51.1x43.3in (220x130x110cm), which can accommodate two person at the same time. At the same time, it has a package size of 41 x 14cm and weighs 5.68lb (2.58kg), which saves space and is easy to carry.
• 【QUALITY MATERIALS】 The backpacking tent material is made of high quality 70D polyester fiber and windproof 7001 aluminum rod, Waterproof and resistant to wind. At the same time, the welded floor design improves the bottom of the backpack. Four wind ropes can be added to ensure the tent is stronger in the wind.
• 【PROFESSIONAL DESIGN】 There are two D-shaped doors in the tent. The outer account has two vestibules. The upper part of the tent has a large mesh window and two ceiling vents to keep the air flowing.

$67.99

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Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent

The Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent has a special design that allows it to automatically pop up and collapse down with the simplest of movements. Once set up its dome design is comfy and cozy without being cramped. High-quality oxford fabric with a silicone coating keeps the inside dry no matter the conditions outside. The tent floor is tough and waterproof, securing the tent to the ground. With six sides the tent is more stable in windy and rainy conditions than most.

Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent 60 Seconds Set Up Tent Waterproof Pop Up Hexagon Outdoor Sports Tent Camping Sun Shelters, Instant Cabin Tent, Advanced Venting Design, Provide Top Rainfly(2021 Update)

• 【Unique and fantastic design】The tent is Super easy to set up and take down in only 60 seconds，Simply lift up the top of the tent and it will automatic installation. Press the end of the pole at moment which poles have yellow labels, automatically folding tent
• 【High Quality Waterproof Fabric】Outside tent with a waterproof level of 3000mm is made of 210D oxford fabric + Silicone Coating. The tent floor with a waterproof level of 10000mm is made of 210T
• 【100% Risk Free Pirchase】: Are you unsatisfied with the our tent? we offer 24-hour customer service and a 12-month satisfaction guarantee for a completely risk-free purchase. If there are any problems with the tent, please e-mail us. So do not hold back any longer

$99.98

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Tent Camping Tips

These tents are great at keeping you dry, but for them to work you need to take care of them. Here are a few great tips for maintaining your waterproof tent.

• Never put it away wet. If you leave your campsite with the tent wet, set it up at home and let it dry out before storing it.
• Use a ground mat whenever you can for extra protection
• Occasionally check seams and repair them as necessary
• Waterproofing can wear out over time and you may need to retreat your tent
• Try not to wear shoes inside your tent or drag in debris

If you take care of your tent it will continue to take care of you while you’re at the campsite!

Final Thoughts

A waterproof tent can make or break your camping trip. No one wants to be cold and wet and miserable while they are away from home. However, there is a wide variety of waterproof tents. You can find one in almost any size, shape, and style. Be sure to pick the characteristics that best suit your camping needs before settling on the best waterproof tent for your trip.

The post The Best Waterproof Tents appeared first on Product Playoffs.

Looking to buy a new soccer ball? While there are a few key points you’ll want to keep an eye out for, as always you have to take a step back and pinpoint your intended use for your soccer ball. Consider asking yourself these questions…

• Where are you playing? Outdoors? Indoors?
• If you’re playing outdoors, are you playing in the streets? A beach? Field?
• Indoors? Futsal Soccer?
• Are you just practicing drills? Honing your skills?

Take a mental note (or a physical one) of what you answered with. With that information in hand, we’ll dive into the best soccer balls for you or your team’s needs.

What to Look for When Buying a Soccer Ball

To start off, let’s review the parts of a soccer ball. In a soccer ball there are 5 components that make up a soccer ball.

• Covers – Surface layer of the soccer ball, the cover material is what the panels are made of
• Panels – Usually hexagonal shapes that are stitched together to create a spherical shape (a round soccer ball). A 32 panel soccer ball is the most common, familiar type of soccer ball you would see around, but there are other versions with less or more panels. An example would be a 20 hexagonal panels  or 12 pentagonal panels stitched together to create a ball.
• Stitching – While we mention “stitching,” it’s really about how the ball is staying in one piece. Today soccer balls can be stitched together (machine or hand sewn), glued or thermally molded into one piece.
• Lining – Layers of polyester and/or cotton laminated together to give the soccer ball it’s strength structure and bounce. Many soccer balls add a foam layer for cushioning.
• Bladder – Usually made from latex or butyl to hold air.

When looking over the soccer balls, you’ll notice the mention of these components and the materials they’re made of. It’s important to have, at the very least, a basic understanding of these parts when choosing a soccer ball. Now that we’ve brushed up on the basics, let’s take a closer look into two important factors you’ll want to consider when choosing a ball.

Materials

Most soccer balls share the same materials list. Why? Because it works. It’s been tested for its surfaces and they have been determined to be the best for their intended use. To keep this short and to the point, we’ve made a quick and easy-to-read list to help you determine the materials they should have for their intended use.

Size

Sizes of soccer balls range from 1 to 5. While most sizes are categorized by age groups, some small size soccer balls can be used for honing and improving game-playing skills.

The Best Soccer Balls

1. Adidas Glider 2 Soccer Ball

Adidas Glider 2 Soccer Ball is a great in-between ball for both training and match play. Because it’s made with durable, but soft to the touch TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). It’s a hard-wearing ball that keeps its bounce over long periods of time. Although it’s machine stitched (the best being hand-stitched), it has a butyl bladder for long lasting air retention.

adidas Glider 2 Soccer Ball Power Red/Black/White 5

• A hard wearing ball that keeps bouncing back
• Rubber bladder for best air retention
• Machine stitched for high durability

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2. Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

The Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball is a decent quality traditional soccer ball you can get to play with family and friends. Perfect for that nostalgic old-school soccer feel, it’s built with super familiar black and white synthetic leather panels. Butyl bladder for great air retention, making it perfect for playing all day long. Although it is machine sewn, it’s still a great classic choice for soccer players.

It’s mostly a nostalgia factor now as the Wilson website does not sell these traditional soccer balls anymore, you can find them with various online sellers (i.e. Amazon, Walmart, etc).

Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball - White/Black, Size 5

• For soccer purists, The Traditional is the first choice for the backyard, street or pitch. This machine-sewn ball has the classic black and white panel design and performance for any and every match.
• Synthetic leather cover for increased durability
• Butyl rubber bladder for excellent air and shape retention

$18.99

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3. SELECT Numero 10 Soccer Ball

The SELECT brand is one of the world’s largest soccer ball producing companies. Founded by Eigil Nielsen, widely known as the Father of the Modern Soccer ball, SELECT Soccer balls are constantly keeping up with their research to deliver the best they can.

The SELECT Numero 10 Soccer Ball is a legendary match and training ball used globally for decades. The Numero 10 series are available in all colors at size 5, with limited colors in size 4. The cover is not only PU material, but laminated with neoprene foam to increase softness. To boot, SELECT Numero 10 Soccer Balls are NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) and IMS (International Matchball Standard) approved.

Select Numero 10 Soccer Ball Sz 5 (EA)

• HIGHEST QUALITY: A legendary match and training ball used around the world for decades for training and matches
• PREMIUM MATERIALS: PU material laminated with neoprene foam to increase softness with SELECT's premium zero-wing latex bladder for optimal bounce
• HAND-STITCHED CRAFTMANSHIP: 32 panel hand-stitched construction combined with golf structured PU-surface ensures optimal aerodynamics

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4. Champion Sports Extreme Series Composite Soccer Ball

Champion Sports Extreme Series Composite Soccer Ball is an all-weather ball capable of withstanding heat, cold, wind and rain better than its many of its competitors in a similar price range. Made with durable and soft TPU, complete with a butyl bladder.

Champion Sports Extreme Series Composite Soccer Ball: Sizes 3, 4, 5 in Multiple Colors

• ALL PURPOSE, ALL WEATHER, ALL FUN: This soccer ball is perfect for beginner to pro-level athletes. Built for high-retention activity, these balls will not lose composition and will provide optimal surface coverage and handling, rain or shine.
• SOFT TOUCH COMPOSITE: Unlike many soccer balls that have no give, the Champion Sports dribble balls are comprised of TPU (a hybrid of soft and hard silicone) that offers smoother handling, juggling, kicking, passing, and less chance of injury.
• QUALITY YOU CAN SEE AND FEEL: When you use our premium, youth-regulated soccer ball, you will notice quality that supersedes any equipment like it. Our rec balls are made with a butyl bladder that promises exceptional air retention and precision.

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5. Senda Rio Premium Training Low-Bounce Futsal Ball

Senda Rio Premium Training Low-Bounce Futsal Ball is a great choice for playing Futsal. It’s made to have a low bounce, keeping the games close to the ground on indoor courts and hard surfaces. The company Send Athletics, or Senda, is a recent company founded in 2010 that has been steadily making their way up the ranks amongst soccer fans.

Senda Rio Training Futsal Ball, Fair Trade Certified, Green/Yellow, Size 4 (Ages 13 & Up)

• LOW BOUNCE BALL made with a durable cover specifically designed for optimal extended futsal play on hard courts and wooden floors featuring a special foam backing for a softer touch
• REINFORCED BLADDER made from rubber & synthetic materials for better air retention, less ambient air loss, and less frequent inflations
• U. S YOUTH FUTSAL OFFICIAL BALL - Senda is proud to be the Official Ball Partner of U. S. Youth Futsal and is committed to the growth and development of youth futsal in the United States

$29.99

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6. American Challenge Brasilia Soccer Ball

American Challenge Brasilia Soccer Ball is great for outdoor play. It was designed for grass fields and performs its best outdoors. It works great on turf, but wear and tear will definitely be visible as the Turf Fill will mark the ball. There has even been mention that the ball works pretty well both in street play and indoor court, although damage inevitable.

American Challenge Brasilia Soccer Ball (Lime, 4)

• OUTER CASING MATERIAL: 3.25mm TPU material -BACKING MATERIAL: 2 layers of poly/cotton lining
• STITCHING: Machine stitched - BLADDER: Hybrid SR bladder
• This ball was designed for grass fields

$19.99

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7. GoSports Classic Soccer Ball

GoSports Classic Soccer Ball is another perfect soccer ball for that traditional old school feel. With the classic black and white design, the GoSports Classic Soccer Ball is the perfect partner to start with. Usually comes in a pack of 6, with an air pump and ball bag to help you immediately get started. Decent quality with synthetic leather cover and a butyl bladder for long lasting use.

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GoSports Size Soccer Ball 6 Pack Classic Soccerball 6 Pack - Size - with Premium Pump and Carrying Bag, Black/White, 4

• SIX PACK: A much better bargain per ball and the most popular choice for parents, coaches, camps, schools, and anyone tired of chasing after one ball
• CHOOSE YOUR SIZE: All ages covered – choose between Size 3, 4 or 5 (see sizing guide in images)
• DURABLE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION: The sturdy synthetic leather construction provides increased durability and a soft touch feel

$46.55

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8. Adidas Tango Glider Soccer Ball

Appealing to that classic black and white design again we have the Adidas Tango Glider Soccer Ball which is most commonly used for training. Made for outdoor (grass fields), we have the usual TPU cover with a butyl bladder at a great price point.

adidas mens Tango Glider, White/Black, 3

• Regulation-size soccer ball
• Machine-stitched construction for high durability
• Butyl bladder for best air retention

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9. Wilson NCAA Copia Soccer Ball

The Wilson NCAA Copia Soccer ball is a replica design and a recreational alternative to the NCAA Forte Fybrid II Official Championship Match ball. Great durability with a composite TPU leather cover material. While we have the usual butyl rubber bladder, Wilson market’s their bladder as “performance butyl bladder” which focuses on a balanced shape within the soccer ball for consistent rebound and lasting air retention.

Wilson NCAA Copia II Soccer Ball, Optic Yellow - Size 4

• Composite leather cover for lasting durability
• Carcass windings for optimal shape retention
• Performance butyl bladder designed for balanced shape with consistent rebound and lasting air retention

$19.95

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10. MIKASA FT5A Goal Master

The MIKASA FT5A Goal Master is a waterproof soccer ball made with the beach in mind. Specifically Footvolley. The MIKASA FT5A Goal master is not only the official Footvolley game ball, but also FIFA Quality stamped. This means that this ball is suitable as a match ball in International friendlies and Confederation matches.

FIFA Quality means that this ball has gone through the same thorough quality testing as an International Match Standard soccer ball. Founded in Hiroshima, Japan over 89 years ago, Mikasa set up headquarters on California grounds in 1973 to better satisfy the demand of North American athletes.

Mikasa FT5 Goal Master Soccer Ball, Blue/White, Size 5

• Waterproof; seamless construction
• Durable Mikasa Hyde cover
• Nylon wound for improved rebound and shape retention

$43.99

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How to Choose the Right Soccer Ball

Choose the Right Type for its Intended Use

How do you know if a soccer ball is the right type for your playstyle? While we have a short list of materials to look over at the start, most soccer balls are made with the outdoor fields in mind unless otherwise stated.

Factor/ Place in Where You Will be Playing

Like mentioned above, it’s important to factor in where you will be playing. Factor in the environment the ball will be hitting. Will you be playing on grass? The list above has several great choices for both outdoor and grass field play. Playing on turf? You’ll need a special type of soccer ball that can withstand the extra wear and tear that comes from artificial grass!

The great thing about soccer is that the technology has been rapidly evolving to keep up with the players. There’s a soccer ball for every type of soccer you can play! Keep the environment in mind and your soccer ball will last much longer in the circumstances it was made for.

Decide on How Much You Want to Spend

How much you decide to spend on your ball will help narrow down your choices. As mentioned above, there is a soccer ball for every type of soccer you can play. Deciding on a budget for your ball can drastically help in choosing the ball that you can get right now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between indoor and outdoor soccer balls?

Indoor soccer balls have less rebound to accommodate harder smooth surfaces. Standard outdoor soccer balls are made with open grass in fields in mind and are made for rebound.

How much does a soccer ball weigh?

Depends on what size you get, but a size 5 ball can weigh anywhere from 410 – 450 grams.

Why do soccer balls lose air?

Soccer balls lose air because of the difference in air pressure. It’s a natural process that happens to anything inflated with air, so no worries!

How is a soccer ball affected by temperature?

Sometimes pressure and temperature changes will widen any tiny seams open and cause air to escape faster.

Final Thoughts

Looking into your perfect soccer ball, whether you’re just getting started or looking to have friendly matches against other teams, can be a little intimidating at first. At the end of this, you should have the basics of what you need to know to choose your perfect soccer ball. Keep a game plan in mind…

• Know what the basic materials and components are.
• Search for a ball with your intended purpose (beach, street, turf, indoor, etc.)
• Keep a budget in mind.
• Keep an eye on reviews.

You should be able to get a ball that best fits your needs in no time. Good luck on your game.

The post The 10 Best Soccer Balls appeared first on Product Playoffs.

At the start, maybe the types of tennis balls you used in your games never really seemed like something you should care for. It was just a matter of changing up your playing style to however the ball bounced. Maybe it’s been predictably unpredictable. Some balls bounce higher, some slower. Some felt heavy?

But aren’t you curious why it’s different?

There are actually a great number of factors to take into consideration when choosing a tennis ball. Not all tennis balls are created equal.

There are different types of tennis balls for every type of playing style. With this article we hope to give you the information you need to be able to nail down the right tennis ball for your needs.

So let’s start with the basics.

Types of Tennis Balls

Speed:

• Fast – Not typically used in competition, suited for slower soft courts.
• Medium – Most commonly used by all players.
• Slow – Larger diameter than other balls for slower speed. Great for slowing down play on fast courts.

Regular duty or Extra Duty

This generally refers to the felt around the ball. Regular duty tennis balls have thinner woven felt tightly woven around the ball, making it great for clay and indoor courts. This ensures that dirt and debris doesn’t get picked up by the ball as it bounces, in turn making the ball heavier and slower, duller bounces.

Extra duty tennis balls have thicker felt woven a bit looser around the core. The thicker felt gives it a longer life-span and helps keep its durability longer on hard surfaces. These are best used for hard courts, as they can easily pick up dirt and debris from soft courts (namely clay courts) and will take on weight at an alarming speed.

While we’re on that topic, here is a brief outline of what the different types of courts are, as you’ll need to know what court you’ll be playing with to choose the best tennis ball for your playing style.

Types of Tennis Courts

Soft-Courts:

Generally limited to indoor and clay courts, these courts typically require the use of regular duty tennis balls.

The benefits of clay courts include being able to slide into shots, rather than coming to complete stops for shots on hard courts. However clay courts are high maintenance as weather and consistent use tend to loosen the top layer. Interestingly enough, bounces are higher and slower on clay courts.

Hard Courts:

Hard courts tend to be made of asphalt or concrete material. The surfaces are hard, and require complete stops before you can land your shot. Tennis balls bounce faster than soft courts, but slightly slower than grass courts.

Tennis on hard courts is known to be a little easier. Bounces are more predictable and easier to maneuver than other courts.

Grass Courts:

Tennis balls tend to have more of a horizontal bounce on grass courts, compared to hard courts. Because of this, grass courts have faster, lower shots.

High Altitude:

High altitude refers to depressurized tennis balls made for use in high altitudes. In high altitudes, which ITF considers 4,000 ft above sea level or higher, the air thins out resulting in lower air pressure. This means these small pressurized tennis balls would fly at insane speeds! Appropriately high altitude balls are 6% bigger, are less pressurized (or pressureless) than your average tennis ball to help slow the ball down in higher altitudes.

Pressurized or Pressureless

Pressurized tennis balls are commonly used for match play, competitions and league play. They offer speed and bounce needed to play against someone with predictability. Because they are pressurized, they will slowly lose pressure overtime as gases slowly begin to leak due to pressure difference.

These balls will come in a pressurized can or tube to prevent them from leaking gases, keeping them the same pressure as they were when first manufactured.

Pressureless tennis balls have a soft rubber core and are mainly used for recreational players as for cost efficiency. Pressureless tennis balls are commonly used for ball machines or basket fed practice drills. These tennis balls are much heavier and have way less bounce. Interestingly enough, pressureless tennis balls will wear down with use, resulting in more bounce overtime!

Professional or Recreational

A professional playing style is much different than usual club or recreational play. It requires much higher quality tennis balls for players aiming for maximum performance on a court that simulates their upcoming tournament, competitions, etc.

If you’re looking to aim for professional play, do you research and choose the tournament or competition that you’re aiming for. Consider what kind of courts you’ll need to be training for and the best ball that court.

Professional tennis balls come with a strict set of conditions you’ll need to make sure your tennis ball follows. Luckily you don’t have to actually measure out and test the ball yourself, but you do have to check to see if they are ITF approved.

ITF is the International Tennis Federation, a federation of national associations. Any tennis ball that is ITF approved, is considered competition-grade.

Recreational tennis balls don’t have any set of conditions or true definition therefore can be wide in variety. Generally recreational tennis balls will be much cheaper, they can also be pressurised or pressureless. It just depends on how you want to play.

However there are a few rules in choosing a “good” tennis ball versus a tennis ball you might use to play with your dogs.

How Can You Tell What A Good Tennis Ball Is?

Now it’s time to choose a tennis ball for your playing style. Remember your goals and tennis court conditions.

Brands

There are trusted brands out there you can be sure will always deliver great quality. Stay away from brandless tennis balls. Generally, if your brand of choice does not have their own website, you might want to keep it at the bottom of the “try out” list.

Are they pressurized?

All good tennis balls are pressurized. It’s used in competitive matches, tournaments and it makes for consistency when trading balls.

An easy way to check if they’re pressurized is to open the can or tube they come in (if they don’t even come in a tube, they are not pressurized). If you hear the sound of pressure being released or a fizzing sound, then the tennis balls are pressurized. When tennis balls are pressurized manufacturing companies want to increase the shelf life and make sure that you get the same pressure from the day it was manufactured, so they add the same gases in the ball into the can to prevent gases from slowly leaking out of the ball– resulting in flat tennis balls.

If you have a can of tennis balls with cheap plastic tubing with little to no pressure release when you open it then you have pressureless balls…or flat tennis balls, which are less for playing and more for ball machines or basket fed practice drills.

Did they come flat?

We mentioned it briefly above, but if the tennis ball you’re inspecting feels hard or soft and squishy, most likely you have a flat ball. Precious gases were released overtime, either due to bad packaging or they were simply too old.

This tends to be the case when you buy tennis balls from stores that don’t regularly buy new stock. Sometimes the tennis balls on the shelves have been there too long. The best way to avoid this is to buy from a sports store, they generally have their equipment fly off their shelves fast enough to restock every season or so.

Are they yellow?

Tennis balls tend to be yellow in color for high visibility on the court. Generally balls will not deviate from highly saturated colors like yellow or green that look like it could be yellow. In some cases, practice balls made for beginners or juniors will have highly saturated orange or red patches to them.

Bounce test.

Simply bounce the ball on the ground to check it. A decent tennis ball would bounce back to you with little effort. If you find yourself having a hard time bouncing it back up, or just finding yourself putting a little too much strength in order to get it to bounce back, the tennis ball you’ve chosen might not be the best fit for the court.

Check the can.

If you’re at a physical location looking at different tennis ball brands in the can, just give it a squeeze. A light squeeze on the sides of the can will help you determine if they have air pressure in them. The can should feel firm.

The Best Tennis Balls You Can Buy

Without further ado, here are our top 5 tennis ball picks!

1. Wilson US Open Regular Tennis Balls

In terms of durability and predictability, Wilson’s US Open Regular tennis balls have been the official tennis ball for every US Open for the past 40+ years, since 1972.

Found under the “premium” section of the Wilson website, the Wilson US Open Regular Tennis Balls are the best suited for clay and indoor courts. They make great companions for beginner to skilled tennis players looking for affordably priced tennis balls. These tennis balls also sport their long lasting Tex Tech premium woven felt, made from high-grade wool to further emphasize its durability.

ITF and USTA approved.

Wilson US Open Regular Duty Tennis Balls - 3 Ball Can in Multi-Packs (2-24 Cans Available)

• WILSON US OPEN REGULAR DUTY TENNIS BALLS: For the past 40+ years, every point at the US Open has been scored with a Wilson US Open tennis ball. Unparalleled consistency and performance make it the gold standard in tennis, trusted by the best in the game when it's all on the line.
• PRODUCT FEATURES: The US Open Regular Duty Tennis Ball is Approved by USTA & ITF for competitive play and is also the Official Ball of the US Open. It is made with premium woven felt and Ideal performance is on soft, clay/indoor surfaces
• OFFICIAL BALL OF THE US OPEN: Offering optimal performance, consistency, and durability, its no wonder why the Wilson US Open Regular Duty Tennis has been the official ball of the US Open for over 25 years.

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2. Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls

Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis balls have been the official tennis ball supplier for The Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, or better known as The Championships. Slazenger holds the longest sporting partnership supplying their tennis balls to The Championships since 1902, a whopping over 100 years ago.

Now if you’re familiar with The Championships, you might be a little concerned knowing that the tournament takes place on a grass court. While they work perfectly well on grass courts, the Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls are considered “Balanced”, meaning they are made for a wide range of surfaces.

They accomplish this with their strive for delivering the best tennis ball technology for Wimbledon.

• Their Tour Core technology: Utilizes premium woven cloth, using the finest wool to achieve a tighter weave for increased durability and responsiveness.
• Slazenger’s Hydroguard technology: This cloth repels up to 70% more water than your standard tennis ball.
• Ultra Vis dye: Another creative patented idea from Slazenger, creating a ball that has optimum visibility for both players and spectators.

While Slazenger always keeps their technology in mind for the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, their tennis balls are still widely available to the public. Sharing all their best efforts and high quality standards with the rest of us. ITF approved.

Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis Balls

• Slazenger ultimate performance tennis ball
• Slazenger’s patented hydro guard technology repels up to 70 percent more water than a standard ball
• With tour core and premium woven cloth

$15.95

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3. Penn Championship High Altitude Tennis Balls

Penn Championship High Altitude Tennis Balls are effectively the best choice for courts 3,000FT above sea level. Penn Championships is widely known as America’s #1 best seller tennis ball, as well as the official tennis ball of choice for the USTA Leagues.

The United States Tennis Association is a national governing body for tennis. A not-for-profit organization that invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop tennis.

With such a huge leading organization for tennis backing up Penn Championship tennis balls, it comes to no surprise that it’s on our top 5 list. Penn Championship represents a standard in the USA that other balls measure up against.

But what’s really unique about Penn Championship tennis balls is the controlled fiber release for an even nap, combining this with its interlocked wool fiber for longer wear. To top it off, it uses natural rubber for a consistent feel and reduced shock. USTA and ITF approved.

Penn Championship High Altitude Tennis Balls - Extra Duty Felt Pressurized Tennis Balls

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4. Wilson Prime All Court Tennis Balls

We talked a little bit about “balanced” tennis balls when we were reviewing the Slazenger Wimbledon Tennis balls, but here we have the Wilson Prime All Court Tennis balls that were specifically made to be something in the middle of regular duty and extra duty well. A great choice if you’re not limited to just hard or soft courts, or find yourself going back and forth between the two.

Of course, we always recommend using tennis balls made for specific courts, having a tennis ball that performs decently enough on all surfaces is great to have if you find yourself in a situation where you’re switching a lot. USTA and ITF approved.

Wilson Prime All Court Tennis Balls

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5. Dunlop ATP Championship Tennis Balls

Another durable all court tennis ball is the Dunlop ATP Championship Tennis ball. Endorsed by the ATP World Tour, a worldwide top-tier tennis tour for men organized by the Association of Tennis Professionals, Dunlop ATP Championship tennis balls are a great mid-range ball for club and recreational players.

This all rounder sports Dunlop’s MAX CORE technology, which is specially engineered for use with their lighter, DURAFELT HD CLOTH premium non-woven cloth. Delivering superb consistency with good durability.

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Dunlop Sports ATP Championship Extra Duty Tennis Balls, 12 x 3-Ball cans

• ENDORSED BY ATP WORLD TOUR: The Dunlop ATP Championship Extra Duty Tennis Ball Can is officially endorsed by the ATP World Tour and this mid-range ball is ideal for club and recreational players
• EXTRA-DUTY DURABLE FELT: Extra Duty Felt makes this ball ideal for outdoor Hardcourt play
• QUANTITY: 12 x 3-ball pressurized cans

$44.50

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Final Thoughts

There was a lot of information here in this guide, yet we have only touched the basics. After reading this guide, we hope that you will be well equipped with enough knowledge to be able to buy the tennis ball that best fits your current playing style… Or your future playing style. Knowing what type of court you’re playing on or will be playing on can dramatically change the quality or type of tennis ball you’ll need to be training with.

As mentioned before, every tennis ball has a purpose and if that purpose aligns with your needs then it’s a perfect fit. After that, it’s all about testing different qualities and brands to find which feels better for you.

Tennis balls have a huge effect on your performance in the court, so it’s important you choose one that fits your needs. If this guide has helped you in anyway, consider passing it on to someone in need of the same information you once sought out. Always remember to enjoy the process and good luck on your games!

The post The 5 Best Tennis Balls appeared first on Product Playoffs.

With so many different methods out there for treating muscle and joint injuries, it can be overwhelming and hard to know what works. One method that has achieved popularity recently has been the use of Kinesiology Tape.

Of course, there are so many brands that it can be hard to decide which to buy. That’s why we decided to help you find the best Kinesiology Tape for your needs by putting two of the top brands up against each other – KT Tape Pro and RockTape.

Preview

Our Pick

Title

KT Tape Pro

RockTape

Prime

-

-

Price

Price not available

Price not available

Details

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Our Pick

Preview

Title

KT Tape Pro

Prime

-

Price

Price not available

Details

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Preview

Title

RockTape

Prime

-

Price

Price not available

Details

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What Is Kinesiology Tape and How Does It Work?

If you have been to a physical therapist or if you watch a lot of sports, you have probably seen Kinesiology Tape in use. Kinesiology tape is an extremely stretchy tape with strong adhesive. It is typically used to reduce swelling, provide muscle and joint support and/or comfort, and reduce pain. It is common to see it used in sports and physical therapy, where a healing or sore muscle is aided by the tape. The tape lifts the top layer of skin, which is believed to promote blood circulation, reduce inflammation, create more “space” for joints, and sometimes believed to increase performance.

We are not doctors or scientists, so our review will not address any of the above scientific claims for Kinesiology Tape. Instead, we will be reviewing the ease of use, adhesion, and other aspects of two of the top Kinesiology Tape Brands – RockTape and KT Tape.

Why We Chose RockTape and KT Tape Pro

Originally, we were going to pit KT Tape against RockTape, but the higher price point of RockTape and the water resistant claims made us rethink that. Instead, we chose to review RockTape vs KT Tape Pro due to KT Pro’s similar price point and similar claims. KT Tape is by far the most popular brand for Kinesiology Tape. It has major advertising and sponsorship deals with big name athletes that no other Kinesiology Tape brand has. It has excellent reviews and seems to be loved by many athletes and physical therapists. RockTape on the other hand, is less popular, but has secured its spot as KT Tape’s most well known competitor. It also has rave reviews, so we knew this was the most natural side by side comparison.

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KT Tape Pro Synthetic Kinesiology Therapeutic Sports Tape, 20 Precut, 10” Strips, Jet Black

• WHAT IS KT TAPE? Elastic sports tape used by pro athletes to support muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. It’s drug-free, latex-free, hypoallergenic, lightweight, breathable, comfortable, HSA/FSA approved, and easy to use
• HIGHEST QUALITY KT Tape PRO is the only sports tape with 100% synthetic-engineered, performance fabric that maintains elasticity twice as long (up to 7 days) as cotton tape. It wicks moisture instead of absorbing it.
• HOW DOES IT WORK? It helps reduce tissue pressure, support muscles and joints. Studies show it helps you recover faster from pain. Our sports tape is used for knee, shoulder, back pain, and more. Watch our videos to apply.

$14.54

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RockTape Original 2-Inch Water-Resistant Kinesiology Tape

• Rocktape Kinesiology Tape for Athletes 2" x 16.5' Roll

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Pricing

Both KT Tape Pro and RockTape range from $15-$20 for a single roll. These are both considered premium Kinesiology Tapes, so they are priced accordingly.

Features

KT Tape Pro has several features that make it stand out above RockTape. The first thing you will notice is that KT Tape Pro comes in pre-cut strips with already rounded corners. This saves a lot of time so that you don’t have to cut the tape or round the corners yourself. RockTape unfortunately does not come pre-cut. Additionally, KT Tape Pro comes with a case, whereas RockTape does not.

KT Tape Pro advertises itself as “moisture wicking” where RockTape advertises itself as “water resistant.” KT Tape Pro also claims that its tape provides 4-7 days of support and that its competitors only offer 1-3 days of support. RockTape says its tape will last up to 5 days. Both products come with a pamphlet that shows different taping methods for different areas of your body.

Initial Impressions

By far the KT Tape Pro wins for the ease of application. Its pre-cut strips alone make it extremely quick and easy to apply. The RockTape took a long time to cut and round the corners of the tape before applying it to our skin. The KT Tape Pro was significantly softer feeling and stretchier than the RockTape, and was less irritable on our skin as it felt a lot less sticky than RockTape. Once applying RockTape to our skin, its strong adhesive is very noticeable and less comfortable than KT Tape.

How We Tested

To put these two kinesiology tapes to the test, we chose a team member who is known to sweat profusely during his workouts. We then applied the KT Tape Pro to his right knee and RockTape to his left knee and had him go through a full leg workout in a heated room (just to add more sweat to the equation). We figured that a very sweaty environment coupled with the tapes being applied to a joint that will be constantly moving and flexing would be a great way to test the performance of these tapes.

Both tapes performed excellent for the first 20 minutes of the workout. Then at about 25 minutes into the workout, the center section of the RockTape lost its adhesion and no longer was attached to the skin. KT Tape Pro then lost adhesion in its middle section 35 minutes into the workout. By this point, there was plenty of sweat on our tester’s legs and on the tapes themselves.

By the end of the hour long workout, both tapes lost adhesion at the bottom end of their anchors (just beneath the knee) and were starting to peel. Our tester had used many different brands of kinesiology tape before, and he was impressed that both tapes actually stayed on throughout the entire workout (even though parts of each lost adhesion). You can see the before and after pics in the photos below, although it might be hard to notice the middle sections and bottom ends that lost adhesion.

Before Workout

After Workout

Overall, the KT Tape Pro proved to be the superior tape in terms of performance (although not by a wide margin). It withstood the rigorous test we put it through and outlasted RockTape. The other takeaway we got from this test was that neither tape would be able to live up to their “long lasting” claims if you were to workout with the tape on. They may last for days if you put the tape on in areas that don’t have much movement and flexion, but we can’t imagine them lasting longer that a couple hours if the tape is put through any sort of workout routine.

The Best Kinesiology Tape

If you’ve read this far, then it’s pretty obvious that KT Tape Pro is our winner. It won every test we threw at it. Its ease of application, superior features, comfort, and performance gave it the edge over RockTape. We were very impressed with the results and we can confidently recommend KT Tape Pro for anyone looking to use kinesiology tape.

Sale

KT Tape Pro Synthetic Kinesiology Therapeutic Sports Tape, 20 Precut, 10” Strips, Jet Black

• WHAT IS KT TAPE? Elastic sports tape used by pro athletes to support muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. It’s drug-free, latex-free, hypoallergenic, lightweight, breathable, comfortable, HSA/FSA approved, and easy to use
• HIGHEST QUALITY KT Tape PRO is the only sports tape with 100% synthetic-engineered, performance fabric that maintains elasticity twice as long (up to 7 days) as cotton tape. It wicks moisture instead of absorbing it.
• HOW DOES IT WORK? It helps reduce tissue pressure, support muscles and joints. Studies show it helps you recover faster from pain. Our sports tape is used for knee, shoulder, back pain, and more. Watch our videos to apply.

$14.54

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Final Thoughts

While we can’t confirm the health related claims of kinesiology tape, it definitely has worked for a lot of people. Whether you are an athlete or someone treating/recovering from an injury, kinesiology tape should be able to benefit you. There are plenty of tutorials on how to best use kinesiology tape and how to apply it. We didn’t delve into that information here, so we recommend watching a few tutorials if it is your first time using kinesiology tape.

Overall we were impressed with both RockTape and KT Tape Pro and wouldn’t mind using either product. However, KT Tape Pro is our recommended choice and it won’t disappoint!

Sale

KT Tape Pro Synthetic Kinesiology Therapeutic Sports Tape, 20 Precut, 10” Strips, Jet Black

• WHAT IS KT TAPE? Elastic sports tape used by pro athletes to support muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. It’s drug-free, latex-free, hypoallergenic, lightweight, breathable, comfortable, HSA/FSA approved, and easy to use
• HIGHEST QUALITY KT Tape PRO is the only sports tape with 100% synthetic-engineered, performance fabric that maintains elasticity twice as long (up to 7 days) as cotton tape. It wicks moisture instead of absorbing it.
• HOW DOES IT WORK? It helps reduce tissue pressure, support muscles and joints. Studies show it helps you recover faster from pain. Our sports tape is used for knee, shoulder, back pain, and more. Watch our videos to apply.

$14.54

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The post RockTape vs KT Tape Pro – The Best Kinesiology Tape appeared first on Product Playoffs.

Whether it’s your first time buying an outdoor basketball or your old basketball wore out, all true basketball players and enthusiasts need an outdoor basketball. Just like most products, there are a ton of options when it comes to outdoor basketballs. To help you make the best purchase possible, we took two of the premier outdoor basketballs and pitted them against each other to see which will be crowned the best outdoor basketball.

Preview

Our Pick

Title

Spalding NBA Zi/O Excel Indoor-Outdoor Basketball 29.5"

Molten X-Series Indoor/Outdoor Basketball, FIBA Approved - BGMX, Official Size 7

Sizes

Size 6 and 7

Size 5, 6, and 7

Prime

-

-

Price

$47.10

Price not available

Details

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Our Pick

Preview

Title

Spalding NBA Zi/O Excel Indoor-Outdoor Basketball 29.5"

Sizes

Size 6 and 7

Prime

-

Price

$47.10

Details

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Preview

Title

Molten X-Series Indoor/Outdoor Basketball, FIBA Approved - BGMX, Official Size 7

Sizes

Size 5, 6, and 7

Prime

-

Price

Price not available

Details

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Indoor/Outdoor vs. Outdoor Only Basketballs

There are two types of outdoor use basketballs to choose from: indoor/outdoor and outdoor only. Indoor/Outdoor basketballs are typically made of composite leathers, while outdoor only basketballs are typically made of rubber compounds. Indoor/Outdoor basketball’s superior materials make them more grippy, however, they will degrade faster than outdoor only balls for the same reason. We decided to compare indoor/outdoor basketballs instead of outdoor only basketballs because of the better grip and feel. So this review can double as the best indoor/outdoor basketball as well.

Why We Chose Spalding Zi/O Excel and Molten Fiba GM7X

When choosing the two best indoor/outdoor basketballs, we decided that choosing composite leather balls would be the best as they seem to have the best reviews and we have had great experience with them.

Spalding Zi/O Excel

In the United States, Spalding has the most options for and the most popular indoor/outdoor basketballs. To narrow down the best ball, we researched reviews on all of Spalding’s indoor/outdoor options and it became apparent that the Zi/O Excel was the latest and greatest indoor/outdoor basketball that Spalding has to offer. Previously, this ball was just known as the “Zi/O,” but Spalding revamped the ball giving it wider and deeper grooves for improved grip.

Spalding Zi/O Excel Indoor/Outdoor Basketball

• Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29.5 inches
• Zi/O Tournament composite cover
• Design may vary

$47.10

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Molten FIBA GM7X

The Molten FIBA basketball is by far the most popular basketball outside the United States. It is widely used across professional European basketball leagues, and as its name suggests, is the official ball for the International Federal Basketball Association (FIBA). Recently, the FIBA basketballs have become more popular in the United States. They have amazing reviews and have a very competitive price point. The indoor/outdoor version of the Molten FIBA is the GM7X.

Molten FIBA GM7X Indoor/Outdoor Basketball

• FIBA Approved
• Indoor/ Outdoor Synthetic Cover
• Butyl Bladder

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First Impressions

Only the Spalding Zi/O Excel came fully inflated, while the Molten FIBA GM7X came completely deflated. The only problem with a basketball shipping deflated is that when you initially pump it up, it has creases where it was folded that remain for several weeks. The Zi/O Excel feels very grippy right out of the box and has a slightly squishy surface. It’s grip, however, feels fake, as if Spalding put a layer of some sort of sticky substance on the surface of the ball. We really liked the wide and deep grooves on the Zi/O Excel. The FIBA GM7X (after pumping it up), has a smooth surface with very shallow grooves. The surface feels more like a true leather surface, and the grip feels very natural. The FIBA GM7X felt unusually heavy when compared to the Zi/O Excel.

Overall, the Molten FIBA GM7X felt like it was made of more quality materials and surprised us with its natural leather feel.

WINNER: MOLTEN FIBA GM7X

Price Comparison

We found both basketballs cost around $30. Although not as cheap as a rubber basketball, $30 will buy you an outdoor basketball that will last.

WINNER: TIE

How We Tested

To truly determine which basketball is the best, we had to create objective tests to put each ball through.

Water Wicking Test

To see which basketball is able to wick away water best (which helps a basketball grip better in wet conditions such as sweat or light rain), we placed each ball on a rack over a pan, and poured 4 oz. of water over each ball. We then measured how much water was in the pan after the pour, to see how much water had remained on the ball. To account for pouring errors, we did a total of 4 pours on each ball (two pours directly on the seams of the ball, two pours not on the seams), then took the averages for the water remaining on each ball. Below are the results:

As you can see, the Spalding Zi/O Excel had an average of 0.13 oz left on the ball after the water wicking test, compared to the Molten FIBA GM7X’s 0.23 oz. The Zi/O Excel clearly beat the FIBA GM7X at this test. This would lead us to believe that the Zi/O Excel would be the better performer in wet conditions.

Grip Testing

Dry Grip

Both basketballs provided excellent grip on dry, cleaner surfaces. Both were easy to dribble and shoot consistently. The grip they each provided came close to that of a far superior indoor only basketball.

Dry Grip Winner: Tie

Wet Dribbling/Shooting

For this test, we wanted to gauge each basketball’s grip in wet conditions. To do this, we doused each basketball in water and then dribbled around and shot both. This test was designed to give us real world results of how well each ball could handle wet conditions. The results were unanimous among all of our testers:

Surprisingly, the FIBA GM7X was significantly easier to dribble while wet. It rarely slipped out of any of our testers’ hands. The Zi/O Excel on the other hand, performed decent, however it slipped out of our hands a lot more than the FIBA GM7X.

Wet Dribbling Winner: Molten FIBA GM7X

The Zi/O Excel proved to greatly outperform the FIBA GM7X in terms of wet shooting. The deeper and wider grooves made the ball easy to grip and we were able to get consistent releases with great ball rotation on our shots. The FIBA GM7X was very slippery on the release, making it near impossible to get consistent feel for shots.

Wet Shooting Winner: Spalding Zi/O Excel

Dusty/Dirty Dribbling/Shooting

We took both balls to a local court that we knew had plenty of dust and dirt. After dirtying up both balls sufficiently, we wanted to see how each handled these conditions in terms of dribbling and shooting.

Both the Zi/O Excel and FIBA GM7X disappointed us in terms of their grip while dribbling. However, the FIBA GM7X performed worse than the Zi/O Excel. The deeper pebbled surface on the Zi/O Excel was able to give us some control versus the FIBA GM7X’s relatively flat surface.

Dusty/Dirty Dribbling Winner: Spalding Zi/O Excel

The Spalding Zi/O Excel’s deeper and wider grooves once again were able to make it a better basketball to shoot while dusty or dirty. When other areas of the ball were slippery, the grooves made shooting easy and repeatable. The Zi/O Excel clearly outperformed the FIBA GM7X in terms of dusty/dirty shooting.

Dusty/Dirty Shooting Winner: Spalding Zi/O Excel

Overall Grip

Overall, the Spalding Zi/O Excel and the Molten FIBA GM7X surprised us with their excellent grip on clean and dry surfaces. They handled wet and dirty conditions as expected, as no basketball will ever be very grippy in those conditions. Overall, either ball has great grip, but the Zi/O Excel has the advantage over the GM7X.

WINNER: SPALDING ZI/O EXCEL

Air Pressure Retention Test

It is very annoying to have to continuously fill up a basketball with air or to have arrived at your destination, only to find out that your basketball is flat. To see which of these two indoor/outdoor basketballs are able to retain air pressure best, we filled both up to 7.5PSI (which was within both basketball’s recommended PSI ranges), and then measured the loss of pressure over 10 days. Below are the results:

As you can see, both basketballs lost a considerable amount of pressure, which we really didn’t like to see. However, the Zi/O Excel lost slightly less pressure over the 10 days than the FIBA GM7X, so it gets the nod here.

WINNER: SPALDING ZI/O EXCEL

The Best Outdoor Basketball

Both of these basketballs are awesome outdoor basketballs. They both have good grip, are made of quality materials, and should last for a long time even if used on the roughest of courts. Throughout our testing, however, the Spalding Zi/O Excel was able to better the Molten FIBA GM7X. In our eyes, the Spalding Zi/O Excel is the best outdoor basketball.

Spalding Zi/O Excel Indoor/Outdoor Basketball

• Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29.5 inches
• Zi/O Tournament composite cover
• Design may vary

$47.10

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Other Qualities to Consider

Groove Depth and Width

This is a personal preference, as some people dislike deep grooves, while others need them. We felt that the deeper and wider grooves on the Spalding Zi/O Excel gave it better grip and feel in outdoor conditions. However, if we were going to use the ball indoors, the Molten FIBA GM7X’s smooth surface would’ve been our choice.

Weight

The Molten FIBA GM7X being significantly heavier than the Spalding Zi/O Excel was a negative for us. It seemed heavy enough that we had to compensate for the weight while shooting. We don’t typically like to ever have to compensate on our shot for any reason. However, if conditions are windy outside, the extra weight would actually be a benefit as the wind wouldn’t affect the trajectory of the ball as much. So if you live somewhere windy or if you plan to play in windy conditions often, the FIBA GM7X would be the ball to get.

Final Thoughts

While both basketballs impressed us with their quality and feel, the Spalding Zi/O Excel performed better than the Molten FIBA GM7X in most aspects. As indoor/outdoor basketballs, both would be great as outdoor only basketballs, and at the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with purchasing either basketball. For purposes of crowning the best outdoor basketball, we have to give it to the Spalding Zi/O Excel.

Take your game to the next level with the best outdoor basketball – the Spalding Zi/O Excel.

Spalding Zi/O Excel Indoor/Outdoor Basketball

• Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29.5 inches
• Zi/O Tournament composite cover
• Design may vary

$47.10

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The post Spalding Zi/O Excel vs Molten Fiba GM7X – Best Outdoor Basketball appeared first on Product Playoffs.

Beach volleyball is a growing sport that not only allows you to be active with friends, but to work on that tan at the same time! Choosing the right beach volleyball to play with can make a drastic difference in this sport. With summer in full swing, we decided to test two of the most popular beach volleyballs on the market – Wilson AVP and Spalding King of the Beach.

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Our Pick

Title

Wilson AVP Official Beach Volleyball

Spalding King of the Beach/USA Beach Official Tour Volleyball

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$199.99

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Our Pick

Preview

Title

Wilson AVP Official Beach Volleyball

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$199.99

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Preview

Title

Spalding King of the Beach/USA Beach Official Tour Volleyball

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What Is The Difference Between A Beach Volleyball and An Indoor Volleyball

There are quite a few differences between an indoor volleyball and a beach volleyball. First, indoor volleyballs tend to be smaller, heavier, and have less overall cushion than beach volleyballs. Additionally, indoor volleyballs are not designed to withstand outdoor weather elements. Beach volleyballs tend to be slightly bigger and have more cushion than indoor volleyballs. They also have interior bladders designed to withstand extreme heat and exterior surfaces that can get wet and sandy (although this is still not recommended). This is why it is so important to use a volleyball designed for outdoor use when playing beach volleyball. Beware of replica volleyballs for either of these brands. These replica volleyballs are not the same as the official volleyballs and are made with significantly worse materials and quality standards.

Why We Chose the Wilson AVP and Spalding King of the Beach

We chose the Wilson AVP and the Spalding King of the Beach for several reasons. Both beach volleyballs are very popular amongst serious beach volleyball athletes, and both have outstanding user reviews. We have also used a variety of beach volleyballs when playing over the years, and have found these two volleyballs to be at the top of our list.

Wilson AVP Official Beach Volleyball

• 18 panel, hand sewn expert construction and craftsmanship enables deep groves for better hand control and wind resistance
• Premium microfiber composite leather provides greater resistance to dirt and less moisture absorbency to maintain proper weight and feel
• New superior graphics for improved ball spin detection and contemporary design

$199.99

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Spalding King of the Beach/USA Beach Official Tour Volleyball

• Hand stitched all-weather composite cover
• Official volleyball of King of the Beach and USA tournaments
• Designed for competitive outdoor play

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Wilson AVP

This volleyball has a cult following. It is by far the most widely used ball amongst beach volleyball players and is the official ball of the Association of Volleyball Players. Most top-level professional beach volleyball tournaments are AVP sponsored, so this ball is used quite often among the pros. There are even a number of beach volleyball enthusiasts who refuse to consider any other beach volleyball. This volleyball definitely ranks as #1 in popularity and is no doubt a great ball, but we felt it was time to compare it to a ball that has recently gained a lot of support.

Spalding King of the Beach

Due to the rising popularity of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour, Spalding created a beach volleyball designed to rival the Wilson AVP. The Spalding King of the Beach volleyball is getting a lot of positive response from the people that use it. There is now a community of people who say that this volleyball is better than the “overhyped” Wilson AVP. We decided to find out…

Pricing

Both the Wilson AVP and the Spalding King of the Beach are similarly priced in the low to mid $40 range. Once again, you will see replica volleyballs priced significantly less, but replicas are nowhere near the same as the official volleyballs themselves.

WINNER: TIE

AVP and King of the Beach First Impressions

Both volleyballs shipped fully inflated. Immediately the overall fit, finish, and quality of both volleyballs stood out.

Wilson AVP

The material of this volleyball feels very soft and has a outer layer of “squishy-ness” that provides great cushioning for your low forearms. The material is a microfiber composite that feels high quality, however it doesn’t resemble an actual leather feel. The seams are hand sewn and are so flat that you can barely feel them. The needle hole for filling the ball with air doesn’t protrude at all, and is basically invisible unless you are looking for it. This volleyball is fairly lightweight when compared to the King of the Beach. Overall, the Wilson AVP feels game ready and makes it hard to believe that there is another volleyball out there that can feel much better.

Spalding King of the Beach

The material of the King of the Beach differs from the AVP in that it is more firm and feels like genuine leather that is very easy to grip. The seams are also hand-sewn, however they are not as flat as the AVP’s seams and are very noticeable as you can feel the hard edges where the seams are sewn together. The needle hole has a plastic surrounding that protrudes from the surface, which makes you wonder why they couldn’t have created a needle hole similar to the AVP’s (if it weren’t for the needle hole, the Spalding King of the Beach may have beaten the AVP in the “First Impressions”). This volleyball is slightly heavier than the AVP. Overall the Spalding King of the Beach is a quality volleyball with lots of grip and a durable feeling surface.

WINNER: WILSON AVP (Just barely)

How We Tested

To determine which volleyball is truly better, we decided to put the Wilson AVP and the Spalding King of the Beach through a series of tests to compare their attributes in terms of moisture wicking, air pressure retention, and grip/control.

Moisture Wicking

In beach volleyball, there is always the potential for moisture to get on the volleyball, whether it be from sweat, rain, or the volleyball accidentally rolling into the water. When this happens, it is essential for the volleyball to do several things well. It must wick the moisture away quickly, be able to dry fast, and also still have grip when wet. To test how quickly these two volleyballs are able to wick away moisture, we placed each ball on a rack over a pan, and then poured 4 ounces of water over the ball. We then measured how much water was left in the pan, which would effectively tell us how much of the water was wicked away by the ball versus how much water remained on the ball. We did three pours on each ball and then took the averages.

As you can see, the Wilson AVP AVP proved to wick away the water better than the Spalding King of the Beach. Additionally, due to the Spalding King of the Beach’s hard edged seams, the water seemed to pool on the ball instead of stream off of it. This also could be due to the King of the Beach’s more genuine leather feeling surface. If you know it is going to rain, or if you sweat profusely, the Wilson AVP may be the better volleyball to use in that situation.

WINNER: WILSON AVP

Air Pressure Retention

Another important attribute for a beach volleyball is its ability to retain air pressure. Since beach volleyballs will constantly be exposed to outdoor conditions, it is good to have a ball that doesn’t lose air. To test for this, we filled each volleyball up to 3.5psi (using a ball pressure gauge to measure), placed them in a 75°F temperature controlled room to eliminate temperature as a variable, and then measured the loss of pressure after each day for 7 days. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, this test isn’t entirely fair. The Wilson AVP specifies a maximum recommended pressure of 3.2psi while the Spalding King of the Beach recommends a maximum of 4.5psi. Due to the fact that we filled up the Wilson AVP over its recommended maximum, this test has to be taken with a grain of salt. The results were as follows:

As you can see, the Wilson AVP initially lost air pressure pretty quickly, however once it reached its 3.2psi maximum, it didn’t lose any additional pressure. The Spalding King of the Beach on the other hand lost pressure consistently over the seven days. This was disappointing as it has a recommended maximum of 4.5psi, which led us to believe the test would be favorable for the Spalding volleyball. Our results lead us to believe that as long as the Wilson AVP is filled within its recommended pressure parameters, it will retain the air pressure better than the Spalding King of the Beach.

WINNER: WILSON AVP

Grip/Control Rating

Perhaps the most important aspect of a beach volleyball is its grip and control. A beach volleyball must have good grip, as it will make hitting and open handed setting much easier. A beach volleyball must also have good control – meaning that the volleyball bounces off of your forearms predictably when passing or bump setting and is easy to open-hand set.

Wilson AVP

With wind not playing a factor, the Wilson AVP is the easier ball to control while passing and hitting. It feels great to both pass and bump set, although a traditional open-handed set is not as easy with the Spalding King of the Beach. When wind is introduced as a factor, this ball tends to move quite a bit and gets tricky to control. This is most likely due to its light weight. Overall, the Wilson AVP is the perfect ball to use in perfect conditions, but let’s be real, rarely are there perfect conditions at the beach.

Spalding King of the Beach

Since this ball is heavier, it is definitely not as affected by the wind as the Wilson AVP. It is much easier to bump set, open-hand set, and pass in windy conditions. With no wind, it is easier to open-hand set than the Wilson AVP, but is not as easy to control with passing and bump setting. If moisture on the ball becomes an issue, this volleyball becomes a little more slippery than the Wilson.

WINNER: TIE

The Best Beach Volleyball

Based on all of our testing, we have to give the nod to the Wilson AVP as the best beach volleyball. This however, is a hard endorsement as each volleyball is better in different conditions. If it is within your budget, we highly recommend buying both volleyballs so that you can use the Wilson AVP in less harsh conditions and the Spalding King of the Beach in more windy conditions. Overall, you can’t go wrong with purchasing either of these volleyballs. It just so happens that because the Wilson AVP is clearly better at retaining air pressure and wicking away moisture, that it is our choice for the best beach volleyball.

	Wilson AVP	Spalding KOB
First Impressions
Pricing
Moisture Wicking
Pressure Retention
Grip/Control Rating

OVERALL WINNER: WILSON AVP

Wilson AVP Official Beach Volleyball

• 18 panel, hand sewn expert construction and craftsmanship enables deep groves for better hand control and wind resistance
• Premium microfiber composite leather provides greater resistance to dirt and less moisture absorbency to maintain proper weight and feel
• New superior graphics for improved ball spin detection and contemporary design

$199.99

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Do’s and Don’ts for Beach Volleyballs

Do’s

• Keep the ball inside when it is not being used.
• Wipe away any sand and moisture after use.
• Write your name on the ball and put a unique decoration on it.
  • Beach volleyballs are notorious for getting stolen. If you just put your name on it, that can easily be crossed out or turned into a design by a thief. We recommend putting a unique design on your ball that can not be easily covered up so that your volleyball would be clearly distinguishable even if stolen.

Dont’s

• Sit on the volleyball – it will warp.
• Over inflate the volleyball.
• Get the volleyball wet or play with it in water.
• Keep in your car’s trunk or your garage if you live in a hot climate.
• Leave your volleyball unattended at the beach.
• Bounce the ball on any hard surfaces.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose the Wilson AVP or the Spalding King of the Beach, you will be getting a high quality beach volleyball that will not disappoint. The Wilson AVP is our choice, now make yours and get out there and play! To make sure you don’t forget any items on your next beach trip, like your Wilson AVP volleyball, check out our beach packing checklist.

Wilson AVP Official Beach Volleyball

• 18 panel, hand sewn expert construction and craftsmanship enables deep groves for better hand control and wind resistance
• Premium microfiber composite leather provides greater resistance to dirt and less moisture absorbency to maintain proper weight and feel
• New superior graphics for improved ball spin detection and contemporary design

$199.99

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The post Wilson AVP vs. Spalding King of the Beach – The Best Beach Volleyball appeared first on Product Playoffs.

Walk into any basketball gym, and you will undoubtedly see it littered with all different types and brands of basketballs. The vast amount of options can make the decision for buying an indoor ball very daunting. We decided to take two of the most popular indoor basketballs and test them against each other to help make your buying decision a little easier. First, a little background information on the different kinds of basketballs is key in determining which type to buy.

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Our Pick

Title

Wilson Evolution Game Basketball, Black, Official Size - 29.5" (WTB0516R), Original

Spalding TF-1000 Classic ZK Indoor Game Basketball

Sizes

28.5" and 29.5"

28.5" and 29.5"

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Our Pick

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Title

Wilson Evolution Game Basketball, Black, Official Size - 29.5" (WTB0516R), Original

Sizes

28.5" and 29.5"

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Price

$69.99

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Preview

Title

Spalding TF-1000 Classic ZK Indoor Game Basketball

Sizes

28.5" and 29.5"

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Price not available

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What Is The Difference Between An Outdoor and An Indoor Basketball

Indoor Basketballs are typically made of genuine leather or composite microfiber leather while outdoor basketballs use a more durable rubber compound. There are also hybrid indoor/outdoor balls that use a mix of synthetic leather and rubber, creating a ball that has decent grip and decent outdoor durability. Due to their differences in material, indoor basketballs tend to have more grip, but less durability than outdoor or indoor/outdoor basketballs. The superior grip of indoor basketballs allows players to shoot and dribble with better consistency.

Any sanctioned basketball game (whether it be high school, college, or NBA level) will use an indoor basketball as the game ball. If you are a part of a high school or college basketball team, it is essential to practice with an indoor basketball in order to replicate the feel of a game ball. An indoor basketball is a necessary investment for anyone who plays indoors often and wants to seriously improve their game.

Why We Chose the Wilson Evolution and Spalding TF-1000 Classic

First off, we want to address why we didn’t decide to go with the official NBA Game ball: the Spalding NBA Game Ball. This ball is made of genuine leather, and can cost anywhere from $120-$150. Besides the crazy price, any level of basketball lower than the NBA uses a composite leather basketball. So unless you are training for NBA games, we suggest a composite leather indoor basketball.

The two most popular composite leather basketballs are the Wilson Evolution and the Spalding TF-1000 Classic.

Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball

• When you focus on getting better, and not just on getting results, success takes care of itself. That is why the Wilson Evolution Game Ball is the preferred basketball in high schools across the country.
• Signature EVO feel: the soft feel that the evolution basketball is famous for is due it’s cushion core carcass, making the ball softer to the touch and easier to grip around the rim
• Grip & durability: the premium Evo microfiber composite cover provides a grip that players love and durability to last all-season and beyond

$69.99

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Spalding TF-1000 Classic Indoor Basketball

• Available in official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29.5inches, or official WNBA size and weight: Size 6, 28.5inches
• Spalding ZK microfiber composite cover
• Wide channel design

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Wilson Evolution

The Wilson Evolution dominates the market for indoor basketballs right now. Every open gym seems to have them. Many high school basketball associations use this ball as its official game ball. We chose to test this ball based on the extensive amount of positive reviews on the ball, and the fact that it is the most widely used High School Game Ball. Additionally, we have had very good personal experiences using this ball for indoor play.

Spalding TF-1000 Classic

The Spalding TF-1000 used to be the darling of the indoor basketball world. It was a highly praised ball with tons of grip that only got better as the ball was used more. For some reason unknown to our team and 99% of people who love basketball, Spalding changed its formula for creating the TF-1000. The new formula gave the ball a rubbery feel and ruined the ball’s grip. Negative reviews flooded the internet, prompting Spalding to try to “re-create” their original formula – leaving us with the TF-1000 Classic. Reviews for this new ball have been mostly positive, however, it seems that it still can’t quite live up to the original formula. We decided to test the TF-1000 Classic to see if this “re-created” legend can knock the Wilson Evolution off the indoor basketball throne.

Pricing

Both of these balls are fairly pricey. The Wilson Evolution will set you back anywhere from $45-$60 and can be had in either the Official NBA size of 29.5” or the WNBA/intermediate size of 28.5”. Meanwhile, the Spalding TF-1000 Classic can be had for $55 – $80. Yes, you read that correctly, this ball can be bought for as low as $50 from Amazon or if you decide to buy directly from Spalding’s website, you will be charged a hefty $80 price tag. The Wilson Evolution wins on pricing.

Evolution and TF-1000 Classic First Impressions

We received both of these balls fully inflated in the mail (albeit not to the correct pressures). Strangely, the Spalding TF-1000 Classic did not come with any box or container surrounding the ball, while the Wilson Evolution came with a nice box container for the ball.

The differences in these two balls can be felt immediately. The Evolution feels grippy and game ready right out of the box. It also has a soft and “semi-squishy” surface that aids your grip on the ball. The TF-1000 Classic feels slightly slippery, with a harder, rubber-like feel. The surface of the TF-1000 feels more like the surface of a indoor/outdoor ball rather than an indoor only ball.

We definitely liked the initial feel of the Wilson. It feels expensive in your hands, and it feels game ready right out of the box. The Spalding, on the other hand, made us wonder if Spalding had really messed up their new formula. In no way does the surface of the Spalding feel game ready, and it felt like Spalding had put some sort of “spray” on the ball to try to add grip. The Wilson Evolution gets our vote for the first impressions.

How We Tested

Moisture Wicking

A key feature of any basketball is its ability to wick away sweat. Sweat on a basketball makes the ball extremely slippery and near impossible to shoot without slipping out of your hands. To test each basketball’s ability to wick away moisture, rather than collect a bunch of our own sweat to pour on each ball, we decided to go the more sanitary route and pour water over the balls. For this test, we placed each ball on a rack over a pan, and poured 4 oz. of water over each ball. We then measured how much water was in the pan after the pour, to see how much water had remained on the ball. To account for pouring errors, we did a total of 4 pours on each ball (two pours directly on the seams of the ball, two pours not on the seams), then took the averages for the water remaining on each ball. Below are the results:

As you can see, both balls were proficient at wicking the water away. The Wilson Evolution was able to wick away slightly more water than the Spalding TF-1000 Classic, as the Evolution had an average of 0.05 oz. left on the ball while the TF-1000 Classic had an average of 0.0625 oz. left on the ball. The Wilson Evolution wins the moisture wicking test.

WINNER: WILSON EVOLUTION

Air Pressure Retention

Nothing is more annoying than constantly having to pump your ball full of air. That is why we wanted to test how well these basketballs are able to hold air. Now, the NBA states that the official Pressure (or PSI) for a game ball needs to be between 7.5 PSI and 8.5 PSI. Given this information, we filled both basketballs up to 8 PSI and placed them in a 75°F temperature-controlled room. After 3, 5, and 7 day periods we tested the pressure in each basketball using a ball pressure gauge to see the amount of pressure that was lost. Surprisingly, neither basketball lost any measurable pressure during this time period. It’s safe to say that both the Wilson Evolution and the Spalding TF-1000 Classic will retain air pressure sufficiently.

WINNER: TIE

Bounciness

Next we tested how “bouncy” each ball was. Now this test isn’t actually a factor in terms of determining which ball is better because everyone has their own preference on if they like a more bouncy ball. It is an important test because typically a more bouncy ball will be less forgiving when it hits the rim. It will tend to bounce off of the rim harder and farther.

For this test we held each ball 57” above the ground and dropped them at the same time (both balls had identical pressure of 8 PSI). The Wilson Evolution bounced back up 33” while the Spalding TF-1000 Classic bounced back up 32.” The WIlson Evolution proved to be slightly bouncier than the Spalding TF-1000 Classic, but the results are almost negligible.

NO WINNER (USER PREFERENCE)

Groove/Seam Width and Depth

We wanted to measure the grooves of each ball to give you a good idea of which ball has deeper or wider grooves. Generally, the wider and deeper the grooves of a basketball are, the easier it is to shoot. This is because the wide and deep grooves allow a shooter to find and grip the grooves easier (most shooters will shoot the ball with the grooves perpendicular to their hand).

We measured the width of the grooves of each basketball in two ways – we measured the width black rubber seams and then we measured the width of the entire groove of the ball (where the surface starts to dip to create a groove). We then measured the depth of each basketball’s groove. Our measurements were taken using an electronic digital caliper for the most accurate results.

As you can see, the Spalding TF-1000 Classic had a much wider overall Groove with less depth than the Wilson Evolution. Our personal preference would be the Spalding’s wider grooves that make it easy to find the right grip, but are not too deep to the point where it negatively affects our shot. Once again, this is just our preference, and every player will have their own preference.

NO WINNER (USER PREFERENCE)

Grip Rating

Grip is probably the most important factor in choosing an indoor basketball. Unfortunately, there is no realistic way for us to measure the grip of each basketball. So we decided to use each basketball indoors for a week and see what we thought of the grip of each ball.

Both basketballs have very good grip when completely dry. The deciding factor comes down to which has better grip when slightly wet (usually from sweat). We noticed that the Spalding TF-1000 Classic becomes extremely slippery when it gets just a little bit of sweat on the ball, while the Wilson Evolution is able to still provide some grip even when slightly wet. Based on our results of playing with each ball for a week, we have assigned grip ratings for the balls:

WINNER: WILSON EVOLUTION

The Best Indoor Basketball

Although a great ball in its own right, we can in no way justify recommending the TF-1000 Classic over the Wilson Evolution. Now, if the TF-1000 Classic were in the $25-$35 range, that would be a different story, but there is no reason to spend more money on an inferior ball. We recommend the Wilson Evolution for anyone looking to buy an indoor basketball. It beat the TF-1000 Classic in all of our tests, and keeps its place as the king of indoor basketballs. There is a reason it remains the best selling indoor basketball – it’s an amazing ball worth every penny of its price tag.

Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball

• When you focus on getting better, and not just on getting results, success takes care of itself. That is why the Wilson Evolution Game Ball is the preferred basketball in high schools across the country.
• Signature EVO feel: the soft feel that the evolution basketball is famous for is due it’s cushion core carcass, making the ball softer to the touch and easier to grip around the rim
• Grip & durability: the premium Evo microfiber composite cover provides a grip that players love and durability to last all-season and beyond

$69.99

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Do’s and Don’ts for Indoor Basketballs

Should you purchase an indoor basketball, we wanted to provide you with some tips for maintaining your ball for long-lasting use.

Do’s

• Use your ball only on indoor wooden surfaces.
• Store your ball inside when it is not in use.
• Wipe away dirt from the surface of the ball after use (use a slightly damp cloth).
• Keep the air pressure between 7.5 PSI and 8.5 PSI.

Dont’s

• Play with the basketball outdoors or on any non-wooden surface, this can cause the material to tatter.
• Store the ball outside or in any extreme temperature places (ie trunk of your car).
• Soak the ball in any liquid.
• Over inflate the ball (anything greater than 8.5 PSI).
• Mistreat the ball by kicking the ball or sitting on it, which may cause it to warp.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a top high school or collegiate recruit, or an average Joe who loves to play on the weekends at your local open gym, an indoor basketball is a great investment to take your game to the next level. When sorting through the countless brands and types of basketballs, you will no doubt stumble upon the Wilson Evolution and the Spalding TF-1000 Classic. We believe the Wilson Evolution to be the best indoor basketball as it is great at wicking away moisture, retains its air pressure very well, and has amazing overall grip. So get up, grab a water bottle, a Wilson Evolution, and go ball.

Take your game to the next level with the best indoor basketball – The Wilson Evolution.

If you are looking to improve your ball handling, checkout our comprehensive list of the best basketball dribbling drills!

Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball

• When you focus on getting better, and not just on getting results, success takes care of itself. That is why the Wilson Evolution Game Ball is the preferred basketball in high schools across the country.
• Signature EVO feel: the soft feel that the evolution basketball is famous for is due it’s cushion core carcass, making the ball softer to the touch and easier to grip around the rim
• Grip & durability: the premium Evo microfiber composite cover provides a grip that players love and durability to last all-season and beyond

$69.99

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The post Wilson Evolution vs Spalding TF-1000 Classic – The Best Indoor Basketball appeared first on Product Playoffs.

When you go hiking or camping, you know to plan ahead and take extra water with you, but what if you run out or need more than you expected? What if you simply don’t have room to carry enough water with you but there are water sources along your route? Is it safe to drink water that you find on the trail?

With a cheap backpacking water filter, you can easily filter water that you find along the way, and make it safe to drink.

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Our Pick

Title

Sawyer Products SP105 MINI Water Filtration System, Single, Black

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness, 1 Pack, Blue

Colors

Black, Blue, Camo, Green, Orange, and Pink

Blue

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Price

$24.95

$18.46

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Our Pick

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Title

Sawyer Products SP105 MINI Water Filtration System, Single, Black

Colors

Black, Blue, Camo, Green, Orange, and Pink

Prime

Price

$24.95

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Preview

Title

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness, 1 Pack, Blue

Colors

Blue

Prime

Price

$18.46

Details

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Why Treat Water Outdoors

If the water you find looks clear and clean, why does it need to be treated in the first place? While we can see some of the harmful contaminants which may linger in untreated water, others are invisible to the naked eye.

Water can be contaminated by sediments, pathogens, salts, toxins, and other agents. Some of the more well-known contaminants include protozoa like Giardia and bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

Common sources of water contamination include human excrement, animal excrement, pollutants, and dead animal carcasses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drinking contaminated water has the potential to lead to many health problems including “gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders.”

How Backpacking Water Filters Work

Backpacking water filters eliminate many contaminants in order to provide safe drinking water. This is accomplished by means of physical straining. With close to a similar process to those water pitchers at home (which usually use charcoal), you will know your water tastes fresh.

During the straining process, water is pushed through a very fine “micro filter” which separates out and traps the contaminants while allowing the clean water to pass through. The smaller the micro filter’s pore size (measured in microns), the better its ability to capture contaminants.

Efficacy is measured based on the percentage of contaminants eliminated.

While the filtering portion itself is the same for most backpacking water filters, the method for passing water through the filter varies. Some filters use a hand pump method while others function by means of gravity feeding or by squeezing a reservoir.

Some of the most compact options for backpacking are bottle and straw filters which allow the user to simply suck the water through the filter by drinking from the bottle or straw.

Two of the foremost companies in the affordable backpacking water filter market are Sawyer and Lifestraw.

Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System

The Mini Water Filter is the lightest and most versatile personal filtration system from Sawyer.

$24.95

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LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Let rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and glaciers be your drinking water source. With the LifeStraw, you can access safe water anywhere.

$18.46

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Sawyer Mini and Lifestraw First Impressions

Our first impression of the Sawyer product, the “Sawyer Mini,” was that it really lived up to its name. The Sawyer Mini is very small and comes with multiple items including a 16 oz. water pouch, 7” drinking straw, and a cleaning plunger/syringe.

The Lifestraw looks almost twice the size of the Sawyer Mini and comes with an attached lanyard, but no other accessories.

WINNER: SAWYER MINI

Sawyer Mini and Lifestraw Features

When it came to filter features, we compared the following criteria:

•   Filter capacity (how many gallons of water each filter is expected to process over its lifetime)
•   Bacteria removal percentage
•   Protozoa removal percentage
•   Versatility
•   Filter pore size
•   Dimensions
•   Weight
•   Composition (whether or not product is BPA free)

Some of the features are very similar between the two filters, however there are a few notable differences. The Sawyer Mini is capable of filtering 100,000 gallons of water throughout its lifetime, while the Lifestraw is able to process 1,000 gallons.

The bacteria and protozoa removal rates for both filters are at least 99.9%.

The Sawyer Mini is versatile and can be used in many ways while the Lifestraw is designed to be used only as a straw.

The Sawyer Mini filters out contaminants down to 0.1 microns in size, and the Lifestraw filters down to 0.2 microns.

While both filters weigh the same 57 grams / 2 oz., the Sawyer Mini is 5” long compared to the 9” Lifestraw. Also, both filters are BPA free.

(See the chart below for a quick side-by-side feature comparison.)

Features

How We Tested

Since both the Sawyer Mini and the Lifestraw perform similarly in terms of filtration, despite the discrepancy of .0001% of filtration, we did not test on quality of water.

Instead we focused on ease of use, speed, and weight/size since these are important factors for backpackers and both these products are designed to be used for backpacking trips.

Ease Of Use

The Sawyer Mini can be used in a variety of ways including as a straw for immediate consumption. If you want to filter and store water for later, the Sawyer Mini may be attached to the included water pouch. Simply squeeze the pouch to push water through the Mini and into a clean storage container of your choice.

For water on the go, the Sawyer Mini can be screwed onto standard disposable water/soda bottles or placed as an inline filter in hydration packs.

All this versatility makes the Sawyer Mini very easy to use no matter what your needs.

To use a Lifestraw, water must be sucked through the straw, either directly from the water source, or from a bottle or other container of unfiltered water. There isn’t a simple way to filter the water and save it for later. The Lifestraw also cannot be installed as an inline filter on a hydration pack.

WINNER: SAWYER MINI

Speed

The speed with which water can be filtered is another important consideration when selecting a backpacking water filter.

Water can be squeezed through the Sawyer Mini and it can be used as a gravity or inline filter. We found that water passes through it faster than the Lifestraw.

The Lifestraw offers some resistance when users suck water through it since this is the only method of using it, so it takes a while to drink.

WINNER: SAWYER MINI

Weight and Size

Both products have the same weight and diameter, however as the 5” Sawyer Mini is 4” shorter than the 9” Lifestraw, it is easier to pack with the rest of your outdoor gear.

WINNER: SAWYER MINI

The Best Cheap Backpacking Water Filter

Product features, ease of use, speed of use, weight, and size are all important when selecting a backpacking water filter.

After comparing our initial impressions as well as product performance in the other four categories, the winner was clear.

The Sawyer Mini comes with more accessories, is able to filter more water, removes smaller contaminants, and is smaller size than the Lifestraw. It has greater versatility and is easier and faster to use. For all these reasons, the Sawyer Mini is the best cheap backpacking water filter.

Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System

The Mini Water Filter is the lightest and most versatile personal filtration system from Sawyer.

$24.95

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Cleaning and Maintaining Your Water Filter

Now that you have chosen and purchased your filter, how do you clean and maintain it? This depends on the filter.

Cleaning

Making sure that your water filter stays clean is necessary that so there is steady flow when filtering.

Sawyer Mini

After using the Sawyer Mini, use the syringe/plunger to forcefully push water through the filter from the output side to the input side multiple times (a technique known as backwashing).

Lifestraw

After each use, blow air back through the Lifestraw to keep the filter clean and prevent clogging.

Maintaining

Both filters should be allowed to dry prior to storage and should be protected from freezing temperatures as they can damage the filters.

The Sawyer Mini and the Lifestraw should also be rehydrated prior to use if they have been in storage for a while.

Sawyer Mini

To rehydrate the Sawyer Mini, backwash the filter by using the syringe/plunger to forcefully push water through the filter from the output side to the input side multiple times.

Lifestraw

To rehydrate the Lifestraw, uncap both ends and stand the straw in water for 10 seconds, then take 5 quick sips to draw water through the filter.

Ways to Use the Sawyer Mini

The Sawyer Mini is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of ways including:

Gravity Filter

To use the Sawyer Mini as a gravity filter, take the included water pouch and turn it upside down.

Punch a hole in the bottom corner of each side being careful to not rupture the pouch portion of the bag.

Thread a length of paracord/rope/twine through these holes and tie it off to make a handle. The length of cord used will depend on the height of the object the pouch is being suspended from.

Screw the Sawyer Mini onto the pouch and hang the pouch upside down above a clean water bottle. Next, remove the mouthpiece cap of the Mini and gently squeeze the pouch to help start the water flow from the pouch into the bottle. After a slight squeeze, the water will filter itself with the help of gravity.

You can attach the included straw to route the filtering water into your clean water bottle, or you can purchase plastic tubing to help with this.

Note: When using the Sawyer Mini as a gravity filter, ensure that dirty and clean water containers are kept separate and distinguishable to avoid contamination.

Bottle Attachment

The Sawyer Mini can be screwed onto disposable water bottles or other bottles with a standard 28mm thread. The Smart water bottles are a great fit for the Sawyer Mini. This allows you to take water with you to filter. Simply squeeze the bottle to filter the water into a clean water bottle.

Straw

You can use the Sawyer Mini as a straw to suck water directly from a water source.

Inline Connection

The Sawyer Mini may be connected as an inline filter on a hydration pack.

By doing so, you can filter and drink water as you hike rather than stopping to filter and then store the water.

To add the Sawyer Mini to an existing hydration pack system, just remove your bite valve and slide one end of the Mini onto the existing tubing. Add another length of tubing on the other end of the Mini, and reattach the bite valve. You can now fill the hydration pack with unfiltered water and filter it as you drink it.

Note: If you decide to place unfiltered water in your hydration pack, be sure to designate that pack as a dirty pack and always use it with the inline filter to avoid contamination.

Flavor Packets

Since water can be filtered using the Sawyer Mini and then stored in another container, flavor packets can improve taste. Also, electrolyte powders that replenish nutrients can be added as well to improve your hiking experience.

Additional Accessories

The Sawyer Mini comes in black, blue, camo, green, orange, and pink colors.

Sawyer also sells a variety of additional accessories which can be used with the Sawyer Mini. The following are various accessories that you can use:

Squeeze Pouches

Sawyer sells additional squeeze pouches in 16, 32, and 64 ounce sizes as well as a 1 gallon water bladder. Other squeeze pouches can be used with the Sawyer Mini as well, such as the platypus ultralight collapsible water bottle.

Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System

• Collapsible, ultralight two-liter (70 ounce) water bottle with screw top for camping, day hiking, thru-hikes, backpacking, and travel
• Weighs just 1.3 ounces, and measures 13.8 x 17.5 inches; collapses and rolls up small enough to fit inside a pocket when empty
• BPA-free, BPS-free and phthalate-free; food-grade polyethylene lining does not taste like plastic or retain flavors

$14.95

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Fast Fill Adapter

If you have a hydration pack, you may also be interested in a fast fill adapter which allows you to fill your hydration pack with filtered water from the Sawyer Mini, all while leaving the hydration pack inside your backpack.

Cleaning Coupling

A cleaning coupling provides another method of backwashing your Sawyer Mini. The coupling is used to connect your Mini to a disposable water bottle filled with clean water. The bottle is then forcefully squeezed to backwash the Mini.

Filtration Accessory Pack

If you are planning on purchasing several of the additional accessories, you will appreciate the filtration accessory pack. This pack includes two 32 oz. squeeze pouches as well as a set of fast fill adapters.

Final Thoughts

Having access to safe clean drinking water while in the backcountry is an important consideration and one which must be planned for. A cheap backpacking water filter like the Sawyer Mini is a perfect way to ensure that you have a quick, easy, versatile, compact way to provide yourself with safe drinking water.

Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System

The Mini Water Filter is the lightest and most versatile personal filtration system from Sawyer.

$24.95

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The post Sawyer Mini vs Lifestraw – The Best Cheap Backpacking Water Filter appeared first on Product Playoffs.

Once found mainly in specialty sporting goods stores, in recent years, vacuum insulated water bottles have taken over the market. They are everywhere – everyone has one or wants one, and no one seems to be able to agree on which of the many brands is the best.

Two of the titans of the vacuum insulated water bottle industry are Hydro Flask and YETI. Both enjoy immense levels of brand recognition and have plenty of loyal customers who swear that their product is the best on the market.

With all the publicity hype and marketing campaigns surrounding both brands, it is hard to know which to buy and which will really perform the best.

To answer these questions and recommend the best insulated water bottle for you, we spent hours reviewing and putting both brands through a rigorous series of standardized tests. The results of these tests allowed us to generate informed side by side product comparisons and ultimately select one brand as the manufacturer of the best insulated water bottle.

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Our Pick

Title

YETI Rambler 18 oz Bottle, Vacuum Insulated, Stainless Steel with TripleHaul Cap, Brick Red

Hydro Flask, Bottle Wide Mouth Flex Cap Cobalt 18 Ounce

Colors

Black, Brick Red, Camo, Charcoal, Harbor Pink, Navy, Olive Green, Pink, Seafoam, Sky Blue, Stainless Steel, Tahoe Blue, and White

Black, Blueberry, Cobalt, Flamingo, Forest, Graphite, Kiwi, Lava, Lemon, Mango, Mint, Olive, Pacific, Stainless, White, Citron, Raspberry, and Tangelo

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Price

$89.99

$59.99

Details

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Our Pick

Preview

Title

YETI Rambler 18 oz Bottle, Vacuum Insulated, Stainless Steel with TripleHaul Cap, Brick Red

Colors

Black, Brick Red, Camo, Charcoal, Harbor Pink, Navy, Olive Green, Pink, Seafoam, Sky Blue, Stainless Steel, Tahoe Blue, and White

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Price

$89.99

Details

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Preview

Title

Hydro Flask, Bottle Wide Mouth Flex Cap Cobalt 18 Ounce

Colors

Black, Blueberry, Cobalt, Flamingo, Forest, Graphite, Kiwi, Lava, Lemon, Mango, Mint, Olive, Pacific, Stainless, White, Citron, Raspberry, and Tangelo

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Price

$59.99

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What Are Vacuum Insulated Water Bottles

Before we jump into the side by side product comparisons, let’s clarify what exactly a vacuum insulated water bottle is and how it differs from a standard single-walled water bottle.

A single-walled water bottle has, as its name implies, one wall which separates the liquid inside from the ambient temperatures outside.

By contrast, a vacuum insulated water bottle is actually like one bottle nested inside of another. The air in the gap between the nested bottles is vacuumed out and the gap is sealed.

Why You Should Use a Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle

What makes vacuum insulated water bottles so superior and why should we use them? To answer these questions, we must understand a bit about how the physics of heat transfer impact both single-walled and vacuum insulated water bottles.

With a single-walled water bottle, heat transfers between the inside and outside of the bottle relatively quickly by means of conduction, convection, and radiation.

Fill a bottle with hot water and you will immediately feel the outer bottle walls get hot as a result of conduction. Leave a bottle of cold water in the same room as a space heater and the convection of the hot air moving past your bottle will warm the water. Place an icy cold bottle in direct sunlight and thermal radiation rapidly infiltrates the bottle, melting the ice.

These rules change a bit in a vacuum however. In a vacuum, heat is not transferred by conduction or convection, but rather by radiation.

With vacuum insulation, the sealed vacuum pocket between the inner and outer wall of the bottle acts as a buffer to prevent both heat conduction and convection between the inner bottle and the outside environment. The only way left which heat can be transferred is by radiation, and even that is slowed by the vacuum pocket between the inner and outer bottles.

What does that mean for you? Vacuum insulated water bottles are specifically designed to maintain their inner temperature for much longer than single-walled models. Vacuum insulation keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for longer.

YETI 18oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle

• Duracoat color no scratching, peeling, or fading here
• Dishwasher safe because who needs more work to do
• 18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistant

$89.99

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Hydro Flask 18oz Vacuum Insulated Wide Water Bottle

The double-walled, vacuum insulated TempShield Insulation, the same technology used in all Hydro Flask products, will ensure that your beverage of choice maintains its temperature.

$59.99

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Hydro Flask and YETI First Impressions

Now that we understand what exactly vacuum insulated water bottles are and why we should use them, let’s get some first impressions of the product offerings of the two contenders vying for the title of “Best Insulated Water Bottle.”

From an aesthetics perspective, both products are visually appealing and they come in a wide variety of colors.

When we held both bottles, we instantly noted that the YETI feels significantly heavier and seems to be of a better build quality. The Hydro Flask feels cheaper by comparison.

WINNER: YETI

Hydro Flask and YETI Features

We next compared the features of each brand. Right away YETI has an advantage for consumers looking for easy clean-up, since it is dishwasher safe. Hydro Flask products must be washed by hand.

For what it is worth, Hydro Flask bottles come with a “lifetime” warranty while YETI products are warrantied for 5 years. That said, both warranties cover only manufacturer defects, making a lifetime warranty rather irrelevant.

When it comes to customizability, with a variety of bottle sizes and colors, both brands come in a veritable rainbow of choices.

When comparing pricing on the 18 ounce water bottles which we used in our tests, the price points are almost identical across brands with Hydro Flask coming in at $29.95 and YETI at $29.99. Be aware that the prices do increase with size and YETI’s prices go up pretty quickly as you get into the larger size bottles.

Hydro Flask and YETI both use the same 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall insulated construction in their bottles.

Finishes are slightly different with Hydro Flask utilizing powder coat for color and YETI going with DuraCoat. YETI bottles are also available in an uncoated stainless steel finish.

One major feature difference between the brands is that while Hydro Flask comes in both standard mouth and wide mouth, YETI only offers bottles with a wide mouth.

Both brands sell numerous add-on accessories like different caps and carrying holders. Our Hydro Flask bottle came with a flexible handle cap while our YETI featured a solid 3-finger grip cap. We found the grip on the YETI cap felt more natural. It was also easier to carry and to unscrew when tight.

(See the chart below for a quick side-by-side feature comparison.)

Features

WINNER: HYDRO FLASK

Hydro Flask 18oz Vacuum Insulated Wide Water Bottle

The double-walled, vacuum insulated TempShield Insulation, the same technology used in all Hydro Flask products, will ensure that your beverage of choice maintains its temperature.

$59.99

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How We Tested

Looks are great, but they are only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to choosing the best vacuum insulated water bottle. The most important criteria involve function – how well the bottle performs under real-world circumstances.

We assessed both the Hydro Flask and YETI bottles by testing them and generating answers to the following questions:

1. How long does the bottle keep hot drinks hot?
2. How long does the bottle keep cold drinks cold?
3. How long does ice last inside of the bottle?
4. What happens when we drop the bottle?
5. How easily does the bottle scratch?
6. If we drop the bottle in water, will it float?

Hot Water Test

If you plan on carrying a hot beverage like tea or coffee in your bottle, you will want to know how long you can expect your drink to stay hot.

To assess this we filled each of the 16 ounce bottles full of boiling water. The bottles were sealed and placed in a temperature controlled 75 degree Fahrenheit room.

Water temperature was measured each hour for a period of 8 hours using liquid mercury submersible thermometers.

The temperature in both bottles started out at 208.4 degrees F. At the 8 hour mark, the water in the Hydro Flask container was at 125.6 degrees while the YETI was 132.8 degrees – a difference of 7.2 degrees.

WINNER: YETI

Cold Water Test

When you fill your water bottle with cold water before heading to work in the morning, how cold can you expect that water to stay as the bottle sits on your desk all day?

To assess the ability of the bottles to keep cold water cold, we filled both the Hydro Flask and YETI 18 ounce bottles full of cold, refrigerated water. As with the hot water test, the bottles were sealed and placed in a temperature controlled 75 degree Fahrenheit room.

Water temperature was measured each hour for a period of 8 hours using liquid mercury submersible thermometers.

The temperature in both bottles started out at 45.95 degrees F. At the 8 hour mark, the water in the Hydro Flask container was at 55.85 degrees while the YETI was 54.5 degrees – a difference of 1.35 degrees.

WINNER: YETI

Ice Melting Test

No one likes their drinks to get watered down by rapidly melting ice, so conducting a timed ice melt test was a crucial factor in determining which brand should win the title of best vacuum insulated water bottle.

For this test, we placed 5 ounces of ice into each 18 ounce bottle. The bottles were sealed and left in our temperature controlled 75 degree Fahrenheit room for 24 hours.

After the 24 hours, we measured the amount of ice melt in each bottle. While both bottles were able to keep the ice from completely melting after 24 hours, the Hydro Flask contained 3.85 ounces of water compared to 2.67 ounces in the YETI.  This was a difference of 1.18 ounces which equates to a very significant 23.6%.

WINNER: YETI (by a landslide)

YETI 18oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle

• Duracoat color no scratching, peeling, or fading here
• Dishwasher safe because who needs more work to do
• 18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistant

$89.99

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Drop Test

Nearly everyone who is actively using a vacuum insulated water bottle will drop it at some point, so we wanted to know how bad the damage would be. Both Hydro Flask and YETI list the same construction materials, so we were interested in seeing what difference (if any) there would be in damage caused by dropping.

In our drop test, both bottles were dropped onto a cement sidewalk from a height of 5 feet. To observe the impact of different types of falls, we tested several variables: full or empty and landing on the bottom or landing on the lid.

Bottles were dropped 4 times each: empty on the lid, empty on the bottom, full on the lid, and full on the bottom.

Can a Hydro Flask break?

During the tests, both the Hydro Flask and YETI bottles dented, however the Hydro Flask dented more significantly than the YETI.

For both bottles, the most damage occurred when full and dropped on the lid.  In this version of the test, the Hydro Flask lid flew off. After analyzing it, we realized that Hydro Flask lids have less threading than YETI lids, which may make them more prone to coming off on impact. When we dropped the full YETI bottle on its lid, the handle cracked.

WINNER: YETI

Scratch Test

At some point your water bottle may get thrown in a gym bag with your keys or find itself in some other position where it is likely to get scratched. Does one brand’s color coating hold up better than the other in such circumstances?

To test this, we scratched the surface of both the Hydro Flask and YETI water bottles using a key and visually compared the results. Despite the different types of color coatings, both products scratched easily and deeply.

WINNER: TIE

Float Test

Vacuum insulated water bottles are designed for all kinds of active adventures including those that take place on the water. If you are planning to take your water bottle out on a boating or kayaking trip, you may be wondering whether it will float or sink if it goes overboard.

We tested both bottles buoyancy by sealing them and placing them in a swimming pool. Both brands floated whether they were empty or full.

WINNER: TIE

The Best Insulated Water Bottle

After recording our first impressions, reviewing the features of each brand, and analyzing the results of our series of 6 tests, we sat down to choose a brand to crown as the maker of the best insulated water bottle.

Which is better Hydro Flask vs Yeti?

When the results are seen in graph form, the winner is clear. Hydro Flask won for features and tied for the scratch and float tests, but YETI won for first impressions along with the hot water, cold water, ice melt, and drop tests.

The areas in which the YETI stood out the most were the hot water test where it kept the water 7.2 degrees warmer than Hydro Flask and the ice melt test with an amazing 23.6% lower ice melt percentage than its competitor.

For all these reasons, our choice for the best vacuum insulated water bottle is YETI.

Water Bottle Maintenance and Care

After you purchase an insulated water bottle, how do you care for it to maximize its lifespan?

If it is dishwasher safe, such as the YETI, use your dishwasher to clean the bottle. Otherwise, cleaning the bottle by hand with soap and warm water is the best method. To make the process easier, fill the bottle halfway with water and soap, screw on the lid, shake, then rinse. You can also use a bottle brush to easily reach the bottom during your cleaning.

Also, if available, register your product online.

Hydro Flask and YETI Accessories

As mentioned above, there are a number of accessories for both the Hydro Flask and YETI. Ranging from additional carrying options, to lids, and boots, you can personalize your insulated water bottle however you fancy. Some popular accessories for both brands include:

SaleBestseller No. 1

Flaskars Protective Silicone Boot for 12oz - 40 oz Hydro Sport Water Bottles Flask Anti-Slip Bottom Sleeve Cover (Black, Fits 32 oz and 40 oz Bottles)

• ✔ FITS PERFECTLY - Available in two sizes that allow for a flexible compatible with the 12-24 oz water bottles or the 32 and 40 oz water bottles.
• ✔ MAXIMUM PROTECTION - This durable bottom boot helps protect against dents, dings and damage. Give your water bottle a longer life.
• ✔ A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR BOTTLES - It's the perfect stainless steel water bottle accessory for your active, on-the-go lifestyle. Perfect for all sport and outdoor activities.

$10.45

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SaleBestseller No. 2

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Insulated Sports Water Bottle Straw Lid , Black

• Convenient finger loop for easy carrying
• BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free and Toxin-Free
• Compatible with all Wide Mouth Hydro Flask bottles

$9.95

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Bestseller No. 1

YETI Rambler Bottle MagDock Cap Accessory

• Dock your cap with the power of magnets. No more fishing around… Well for your cap at least
• LID: Features a Chug-style bottle opening with magnet dock for the Mag Cap
• MAGNET CAP: A 100% leakproof seal when closed, and secures to the magnet dock while taking a swig

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Bestseller No. 2

Straw Cap for YETI Rambler Bottle and RTIC Bottle, Straw Lid with 2 Straws and 2 Brushes (Black)

• Straw Cap fits Yeti rambler bottle 12 oz, 18 oz, 26 oz, 36 oz, 46 oz, 64 oz. (Not fit any Rambler Tumbler).
• User-friendly design: When you need hydration, all you have to do is flip it open, take a sip, and close it tight.
• The cap is leak-proof when closed and easy to carry with the triple Haul handle. Easy to carry but not easily break.

$12.65

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Final Thoughts

There are thousands of single-walled and vacuum insulated water bottles to choose from, however if you are looking for quality and performance, the choice is clear.

YETI out-performed the other industry leader, Hydro Flask, in multiple side-by-side product comparisons.

If you want your hot drinks to stay hotter and your cold drinks to stay colder, your ice to last longer, and your bottle to withstand more abuse, YETI is the best vacuum insulated water bottle for you!

YETI 18oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle

• Duracoat color no scratching, peeling, or fading here
• Dishwasher safe because who needs more work to do
• 18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistant

$89.99

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The post Hydro Flask vs YETI – The Best Insulated Water Bottle appeared first on Product Playoffs.