Product Review: KEEPTIGHT Gear - Complete with discount code and GIVEAWAY!

In December, an exciting new athletic apparel company launched their first line of beautiful women's workout clothing.  I was incredibly lucky to have found KEEPTIGHT before their launch, and after seeing some very promising concept designs on their Instagram channel, I just had to know more.  I reached out to the company, and soon I was chatting with co-founder and CEO Eric Burke!  The more I learned about KEEPTIGHT's first product line, the more excited I got - I just HAD to try it!

Well, I am very happy to report that I HAVE had a chance to try some KEEPTIGHT gear, and I'm ready to tell you all about this stuff!

Disclaimer: The company provided me with sample products to field-test at no cost to me, but I received no other compensation for this review, and all opinions expressed herein are my own.

I got a whole new outfit, innit pretty?!

Thanks KEEPTIGHT!

IronCharger Tank Top

Since my fitness time is split between running and group exercise, my workout wardrobe is almost entirely sleeveless tanks - I just hate the cap sleeves you see on so many nicer workout tops, because they pull something awful when you're trying to do overhead-arms moves in Zumba classes.  Naturally, the IronCharger tank top seemed like the perfect match for my preferences.  Plus, the IronFiber fabric blend (the "optimal" mix of spandex and polyester, ideal for working out) feels absolutely fabulous to the touch while still providing much-needed support and wicking.

Despite my obsession with PINK, I actually went for the Nebula (grey with pink lining) color, and I'm wondering if this was the wrong decision.  The tank fits me well enough in a medium, which is my normal size, but I found the fit to be incredibly unflattering to my body type.  It may be the fabric, or it may be an optical illusion from the color of the top, but this tank is unforgiving of the slightest curves.  If you are overly sensitive about clothing that hugs your body, this might not be the tank top for you.  I've instead hung it on the outside of my closet door, and it has become my non-numbers weight loss goal: when I can fit into that tank top without feeling self-conscious, I'll have met my ideal shape/weight.

I've had better hair days.

It's worth noting that KEEPTIGHT is a small start-up company, just beginning what is likely to be a long journey.  While the top wasn't right for my body shape (or for my self-consciousness), it's still a beautiful and high-quality product.  KEEPTIGHT produced a very limited first line of products, so they could share their excitement and early designs with the fitness community as soon as possible.  There is so much room to grow!  I'm certain that as KEEPTIGHT develops, they will produce a wider variety of products that will help accommodate the wide range of body types that enjoy keeping active, and I can't wait to try the next line of tops!

WindBlade Performance Capris

Much like my pickiness with tops, I'm equally particular about workout bottoms.  I have "soccer thighs" (or thunder thighs if you wanna be more accurate but less polite) and a lot of tight shorts ride up into my crotch - PASS.  So when I looked for bottoms from KEEPTIGHT, I went with the WindBlade capris.  The IronFlex fabric (nylon and spandex) breathes nicely to keep your body cool while pushing hard, and the flat seams help eliminate chafing (score).  There are also two little pockets: a hidden front pocket in the waistband, and a zipper pocket in the back, also along the waistband.

Unfortunately, I think my body shape struck again with the capris: the mediums fit my waist and upper thighs nicely, but my lower thighs and upper calves were very tight.  That extra tension in the lower portions of the capris kept tugging the waist down with every movement!  It was really awkward to teach a Zumba class with the fear of my pants falling off my butt!  I also worry that the constant brushing-together of my thick thighs will pill the fabric, which happens frequently with my workout bottoms.  The fabric DID breath wonderfully, though, and despite the heat of the room, I kept cool throughout the class and didn't feel like I was sticky with sweat all down my legs afterwards.

You can really see how clingy the tank

top is here.  Please ignore the belly rolls...

Again, KEEPTIGHT is young, and every bit of feedback will help them produce a wider range of products that truly meet our needs.  The capris were definitely well thought-out and just as high-quality as the tank top, so I look forward to checking back in a few months for some new options.

IronFleece Performance Hoodie

Okay guys. THIS is the one.  Third time's a charm, apparently: when I pulled on the IronFleece hoodie, I flipped.  Chicago winter has descended with gusto and every ounce of warmth is important these days.  KEEPTIGHT knocked it out of the park with every aspect of this jacket: the fabric is plush and warm but wicks moisture without feeling heavy or wet; the hood is voluminous so you can pull it over a hat for extra warmth; the fit (again a medium) is close to the body but not too tight that you can't wear base layers properly; and the thumb holes are comfortable, with enough padding around the cuff to keep your hands warm even without gloves.  Extra bonuses include a mini-pocket inside one of the regular pockets to keep your music device (and of course a headphone hole on the inside of the jacket to keep the cord from bouncing on your chest all day) and a super-cute zipper that is half pink and half grey.  That last one doesn't make any performance difference, but when I noticed, it made me smile, so I figured I'd mention!

I've loved the hoodie so much that it has barely left my body since I pull it out of the box.  I have only two concerns about it, and they're pretty minor.  The first is my usual fear that rubbing in the armpits will pill the beautiful fabric, but I haven't noticed any pilling yet (thank goodness) so maybe this new fabric has taken that into consideration.  Honestly, with a design team that has worked for the likes of Oakley, Asics, Burton, and Volcom before, I wouldn't be too surprised if KEEPTIGHT is a step ahead of me on this one!  My second concern is really more of an observation: the first time I pulled the sleeve cuffs up to use the thumb holes, it struck me how thick the cuff fabric was.  It's difficult to hold a pen and write with the sleeves pulled up - but then I realized I don't DO that very often when it's cold enough for me to pull up the sleeves, and the extra padding is really perfect for winter running, so I think I can let it slide.

OMG SOOOO COMFY!

Not convinced to try KEEPTIGHT yet?  How about a FREE HOODIE to help you see for yourself?!?!

That's right, that guy Eric I mentioned?  Turns out he's *awesome* and is letting me give away an IronFleece Performance Hoodie to one lucky reader!  Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter!  And just in case you don't win, you can still get a great deal on your own KEEPTIGHT purchase by using the discount code "FITNYX" to get 15% off your entire order!  Code valid January 7th through February 7th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends 1/13/2015 at 11:59pm.  Winner will be contacted via email.  Winning entries will be verified before contact.  Must be willing to provide a valid shipping address and phone number when contacted.