The PoolMate 2 takes distance counting to the next level by allowing you to track your distance in open water, perfect for triathlon training or just exercising out in the elements. It allows you to keep track of laps, strokes, distance, speed, efficiency, duration, sets, rest time and calories in the pool and in open water (minus the lap count in open water) and stores 50 sessions for recall, records and is water resistant to 50m and includes a 24 hour clock, alarm and a chrono mode for timing other sports.

My first experience with knee pads was when I was 10 and my mum was desperately trying to strap them to me before I went out and immediately fell off my skateboard, they were ill fitting, uncomfortable and most importantly to a ten year old so uncool! I’m afraid that memory resonated with me so it was only until recently I finally decided to give them another go when I was offered to test out the POC Joint VPD 2.0 DH Elbow and Knee Protectors.

I use my bike regularly for trips into the city as I prefer to travel wherever possible with my backside sat on something. My home city is bike friendly and it is easy to find somewhere to leave my bike the only issue I face then is carting my helmet around with me whilst shopping or going for lunch. The Overade Plixi Folding Helmet seemed like the answer to my problem as when you are not wearing it (don’t make the mistake of trying to fold it down when it’s on your head) it will fold down to a third of its size, making it easy to fit into a small bag.

The Predator Flex Titanium Reactor Goggles are some of the most technical swimming goggles out there, the aim is to create a superior swimming goggle that can be used for both indoor and outdoor use, in low light and bright light which means you will never need more than this one pair of goggles for all your swimming activity. The model name sounds very impressive but what does it mean?

The 6th Sense sunglasses are without a doubt the most technical thing I have ever had on my face, although for the majority of the time I would forget I was even wearing them. They performed really well against the dazzling low light you get this time of year, they reduced glare and were extremely comfortable to wear with an adjustable nose piece that can be moulded to fit any nose and weigh in at an impressively light 28g.

I tested the Aqua Sphere Kaiman Exo Mirrored Lens Swimming Goggles out at my local public sports pool where my routine is to swim 60 lengths (1 mile) once a week. The first difference I noticed between my normal goggles and these was that the nose bridge wasn’t adjustable. I thought this was going to be an issue but they fitted my face with comfort, normally I have had to use the smaller nose bridges on goggles but this one size fits all system was compatible for both me and my swimming partner (who is more well-endowed in the nasal region).

As mentioned earlier in this focus this was my first time Snowboarding and I had no preconceptions about any of the products I would be testing however I was thinking have I made a mistake when pulling the Sidas Ultra Think Socks out of my suitcase while looking at what everybody else had packed, it felt like a PE Lesson at school and inferiority struck again over the lack of sock girth!

This review comes from someone who only begun snowboarding on the dry slopes last October, I received the Rome Garage Rocker in December and I have taken it for two open lessons on the dry and eight days on the snow in Valmorel France.  I have grown very attached to this board like when you get your first bike, it started off by spending more time in the air and me on the carpet and witnessed me learn to link my turns and start carving up the snow.  This has been a great all- rounder to both help me learn and it is quick and flexible enough to keep it fun

As I knew I would be reviewing Romes’ Garage Rocker board I thought It would be a good idea to review bindings from the same brand to get the best out of each product and give an optimum review.  The Rome 390 Boss Bindings are quoted as bullet proof and bomb proof but are they Alex proof now that is the real test, they are in for a few weeks of uncoordinated boarding at its very best!

Keith Musto, Olympic medal winner in sailing, founded his clothing company in 1964 and since then it has become the world’s leading offshore sailing brand - so when it comes to sailing apparel Musto know what they are doing and this jacket is a prime example. The MPX Offshore Jacket is designed to spend a considerable amount of time on the water and Musto are the only sailing apparel manufacturer with the license to use GORE-TEX - a brilliantly clever material that allows perspiration to escape whilst keeping water spray, rain or snow out.