Ohuhu Knee and Ankle Supporters

 

Hubby is always in need of a new knee and ankle braces, because as anyone who uses them regularly knows, they wear out fast. Elastic goes bad, velcro stops holding, whatever the case may be. I thought I was signing up to try some from a company called Green Life. When I was approved to test them, I found out it was Ohuhu. Again. So let’s dive right in.

I tried to approach these braces with an open mind, with the knowledge that Ohuhu absolutely doesn’t stand behind their products and offers almost no after-sales support whatsoever. The Ohuhu “breathable” ankle brace arrived at the same time as the knee brace, and both stunk to high heaven. I don’t know what these overseas companies are putting into these rubbers, neoprene and cloth, but they all have a very bad smell to them that just does not dissipate. The positive marks I can give the ankle brace is that the velcro grips very well, and it stays in place. The negatives are that it’s on the small side, which means there’s not as much support as one would like. It’s made from polyester which absolutely does not breath, and your foot and ankle will be sweating in this after a couple of hours. And the smell. Goodness, the smell. I don’t know why these things from China smell the way they do, but it’s unbearable. Even after washing, the smell stayed (Don’t wash it in water over 60 degrees Celsius [140 degrees Fahrenheit, for us in the U.S.], by the way. So a hot water wash to kill microbes and bacteria is out.). And lastly, it’s $1 more for this ankle brace than one from one of the larger U.S. companies providing an identical item. The big difference being this Ohuhu one ships free from Amazon with Prime, whereas the more well-known company’s brace is one of Amazon’s dreaded “Add-On” items. It’s an okay brace, but I’m not a huge fan and neither is hubby.

With the knee brace, despite Ohuhu claiming “Seller Warranty:-12-Month Replacement Warranty, -30-Day Money Back Guarantee, -Lifetime Support Guarantee”, it’s been my experience after numerous products tried out for them, there is zero, and I mean none, aftersales support or recourse if something goes pear-shaped. No via email, not via Facebook, nothing. It’s made of the same polyester fabrics as the ankle brace, and while it’s stretchy and the rubber and neoprene keeps it 100% in place, it does not breathe at all. It’s made small, so the support is minimal, but on the plus side you don’t need to slide it up your leg to wear it, it opens up completely to wrap your knee. It also suffers from the same issues with a horrible smell that the ankle brace does, and washing does not get it out. I’ve made hubby put them in plastic market bags in the garage because I can’t get the smell out of them. At $9.99 (free shipping with Prime), it’s affordable, and cheaper than the alternatives from other major brands, but for me, if I can’t wear it because it stinks, it’s not going to do me any good. So it’s up to you if you want to pay a little more and get something with better coverage, support and no smell from another company, but I don’t recommend this brace either.

In the end, both braces are relegated to outside duties and light duties at that, considering the low levels of support they provide. After multiple washings in hot(ish) water, I cannot get the smell out of them, and there’s no way I’m wearing them out of the house with that smell. They’re cheap, and they ship free, and stay in place. That’s about all the good I can say about them, but I do not recommend either, and I’m not Ohuhu’s biggest fan either.

Ohuhu products are available on Amazon.com

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ohuhu. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Ohuhu Extra Heavy Duty Waterproof Bike Cover

 

 

While this product might seem like it’s out of my wheelhouse, I’m always happy to find and repurpose products. Such is the case with this Ohuhu “Extra Heavy Duty” bicycle cover. While I don’t own a bicycle or motorcycle, I did get my husband a new lawnmower recently, and rather than just leave it out in the elements, I was fortuitously offered this bicycle cover to review, and as luck would have it, it fit the mower to a tee.

It’s roomy, and has an elastic strip along the bottom to ensure a semi-custom fit. It does a spectacular job keeping rain, dirt and dust off of what it covers, and looks kinds nifty to boot, all sliver with sporty black. The plastic buckle on the bottom ensures that it will stay securely over whatever you cover as well. The only issue I have is the labeling of “Extra Heavy Duty”. It’s tissue paper thin and I have no doubt that left to the elements it would tear or be ruined quite quickly. Fortunately, what I’m keeping covered is being kept in a shed, so barring major weather events it only has to protect the mower from dust, dirt and the occasional errant drops of water, so it should last a good long time. When not in use, it can be folded up and kept in the included carry bag.

 

It’s an adequate product that will do exactly what it’s designed to do, but calling it “extra heavy duty” is really a bit of a stretch and leads one to believe it’s thicker or sturdier than it actually is, and I’d be careful leaving it exposed to the elements for any extended period of time. But if your expectations are tempered, you’ll find this Ohuhu cover a decent value for the price.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ohuhu.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Vodiy’s Ombir Pro 25-in-1 Compact Survival Multitool

My Hubby loves him some tools. Little pocket tools, multi tools, power tools, hand tools, he’s got a place in his heart for all of them. But his love is not unconditional. They have to work, work well, every time, no problems. Or they get kicked to the curb with a quickness. Vodiy offered us a chance to take their Ombir Pro Multitool for a test drive, and anyone care to guess what Hubby’s response was? Let’s just say it was in the enthusiastically affirmative.

Once it arrived, though, all that enthusiasm quickly dampered. See, I’ve bought him a few different multitools over the years. Gerber, Leatherman, and SOG to name a few. He takes his Leatherman everywhere, because damned if that thing isn’t handy to have around. I’ve even used some of his Leatherman tools when the need arose. But the Vodiy Ombir Pro just didn’t pass muster for a number of reasons. First, we thought we got a bad one, because try as he might, Hubby couldn’t get the various tools to rotate out from the handle. This is a guy that drives nails with his thumbs, and they couldn’t get the blades and file and screwdrivers out with those thumbs. When the replacement arrived from Vodiy, it was more of the same. There’s very few things more dangerous than trying to pry a sharp knife out of the handle it’s tucked into, and I’d just a s soon he didn’t try. It also doesn’t lock open when in use, so I would advise people be very careful if they use it for anything. The entire thing is painted with black paint, not a baked on or anodized finish to ensure it stays on and inhibits corrosion. We know this because Vodiy painted the files as well, and the first thing Hubby filed, the paint flaked off. Speaking of corrosion, the tool sports a socket screwdriver with interchangeable tips. And every single tip was rusted. And then fell out of the socket with minimal pressure or use. The Ombir Pro didn’t close properly on either the first or replacement tool. The handles when closed just don’t meet up. And then there’s the little spring beneath the plier head. It’s cute and makes the most adorable little “sproing” sound with each open and close action, and then broke on one and popped off the other. Not so cute. It’s also heavy, very heavy (Almost 50% moreso than the Sidekick), and I imagine would be very cumbersome in one’s back pocket, which is where Hubby carries his Leatherman.

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I may have expected too much from Vodiy’s Ombir Pro, comparing it so closely to Leatherman. But Leatherman is the industry leader in multitools and they make a damn fine product. And if you’re going to play in that arena, you need to be ready to compete with the big boys. And, not to kick a guy when he’s down, the Leatherman is cheaper. Hubby got his Leatherman Sidekick for under $20. It’s thinner, lighter, has better steel, works like a dream and the fit and finish of it is miles ahead of the Vodiy Ombir Pro, and it was also $5 cheaper. Plus the Leatherman 25 year warranty. It’s just lose-lose with Vodiy’s Ombir Pro, and I’m sorry, but I just can’t recommend it. It needs some work to be useful and everything it could (and should) be. Too bad, because I really wanted to have a multitool of my own. Looks like I’ll have to steal Hubby’s Leatherman Juice when he’s not looking.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Vodify.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Hori Hori Digging Knife by Ezy Garden Tools

We just recently covered a type of this knife here, and I was surprised at how useful a tool like this is for little ‘ol me. Not something I would have picked up of thought about before trying, and now not something I can imagine gardening without. So I won’t spend too much time going over what it is and what it does again, and instead do a compare and contrast with the last one I reviewed.

Like the previous product, it’s a stainless steel tool with a concave or curved blade so it can double as a garden trowel. It is also marked with depth indicators, has a sharpened straight blade on one side and a serrated blade on the other. It’s not quite as high-polished as the last Hori Hori Kife, but that is a plus to me, because it’ll show damage and wear a lot less that way. What I didn’t like about either tool is the lack of a full-tang blade. A full tang is when the metal in the handle extends to the end of the handle, and not about 1/3 of the way like with both Hori Hori knives. It makes the tool stronger, and it will last longer that way too. Where the last version did better, though, was that it was an injection molded handle with a decent bolster so you don’t have to worry about your hand sliding down the handle and being shredded by the blade. This Hori Hori Digging Knife by Ezy Garden is a smooth, riveted wood handle with hardly any bolster to speak of, and no texturing on the handle at all. So while the wood may hold up to impact better than the plastic, it’d be very careful about any stabbing action while digging.

Another area that Ezy Garden excelled with their Hori Hori Knife is the sheath, or holster, included. It’s a genuine, thick leather with a sturdy belt loop, not the flimsy whatever that was with the other version. It, like the Hori Hori Knife from Ezy Garden, is designed to last a long time. No worries about cutting or stabbing through the sheath. Like the last knife, the Ezy Garden Hori Hori Knife is backed by their 30-day, 100% money back no hassle guarantee, but the Amazon page states “Lifetime Guarantee”, so I’d get clarification from the manufacturer which one they plan to honor before buying. So in the end, this is a decent garden tool with multiple applications, and is sturdy and well made, though not without it’s flaws. I still recommend it, but I would use it with extreme care.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ezy Garden Knife.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Summit Survival’s Premium Paracord Bracelet & Keychain

Everyone should be prepared for the unexpected. And no one is saying you have to be an extreme prepper with a year’s worth of freeze dried food in your garage or basement. But keeping things handy never hurt anyone. “Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it” my Father-in-Law would always say. In that vein, it never hurts you to have something handy that looks pretty snazzy too. 

 

That’s where Summit Survival’s Premium Paracord Bracelet and “Survival Grenade” comes in. You’ve probably seen folks wearing those neat little braided bracelets and wondered what they were about. Well, they’re usually made of paracord which is a lightweight, nylon, general purpose utility cord popular with the military for being extremely strong, durable and useful. Being all nylon makes it somewhat elastic as well. It can be used to tie, bind, dangle, affix and repair any number of things, and it comes in a near infinite number of patterns and colors. What separates Summit Survival’s bracelet from most others, though, is the Type III 550 paracord (550 refer’s to the “breaking strength” of the cord), and the Sharp Eye fire starter/clasp that secures it around your wrist. While most are content with just a simple plastic snap buckle, Summit Survival went the extra mile and added another indispensable tool on another already indispensable tool. I like multi tools. So does Hubby. He’s worn it nearly every day since we got it.

 

Summit Survival didn’t stop there. The went and added a second bundle of Type III paracord, all wrapped around 10 of the most important survival tools you’ll ever hope you never need. On top of the length of 550 paracord is tin foil, fishing floats, weights, swivels, cotton, fishing hooks, fishing line, fire starter, a carabiner, and an eye knife. Everything you’d ever need to keep yourself going in an extreme survival situation. It’s small and light enough to carry everywhere, and compact enough to carry in your purse, pocket or keychain. All of this, plus the paracord bracelet, that also has it’s own fire starter, all for only $14.95? That’s a steal in my book. If you don’t think so, there’s a lifetime warranty and money-back guarantee to back it up. Con’t beat that with a stick. (stick not included in kit)

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Summit Survival and DBS Publishing, LLC.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours. 

Compressions Mirrored Swim Goggles

 

Summer is in full swing in Southern California, and the pool is open for business. I recently got a chance to try out some pretty cool swim goggles from Compressions, and having bought more than a few of these in the past, I’m liking how they’re holding up so far!

 

Compressions Mirrored Swim Goggles are anti-fog and anti-leak. I guarantee anyone who has used swim goggles in the past has had a problem with one or both issues. Compressions coated the inside of the lenses with an anti-fog treatment that means no matter the time used, these goggles won’t fog. Nothing is worse than swimming around blindly and crashing into a wall. Or worse, someone else, because your goggles fogged up and you can’t see. Thankfully these goggles are also shatter proof as well!

 

The only worse thing is them filling with water. We’ve had more than our fair share of leaky goggles, and it’s probably one of Hubby’s top pet peeves. There’s a lot of stuff in our water to keep it clear, fresh and clean, and trust me, you want none of it in your eyes. Chlorine, muriatic acid, floculant, tri-chlor tablets? No thanks, I’ll just use my Compressions Swim Goggles.

What’s nice is that these goggles also sport mirrored lenses. On a bright, sunny day, I want to wear my sunglasses. But none I had fit over or under some swim goggles. Compressions took care of that by making an all-in-one solution with these mirrored lenses. They even give you 100% UV protection! It’s like sunblock for your eyes! I can’t think of anything I didn’t like.

Without goggles

With goggles!

Hubby has quite the large head, and they took a fair bit of adjusting to fit him properly. The infinitely adjustable silicone straps did finally fit his big ol’ pumpkin head. They did, however, dribble slightly under water, and jumping in meant the came right off his head too. That never happened with his Speedo branded goggles, and he did notice that the lenses were not 100% optically correct, which basically means they had some small distortion from lens to lens and that can lead to eye fatigue, but it’s not like he’s wearing them to drive or something else terribly important, so I doubt it’ll be of any major concern. The also came with a nifty little carry/storage case so that hopefully they last for years and years to come. And finally, Compressions backs their goggles with a 12 month “No Questions Asked” 100% refund and return guarantee, so if you’re needing some high quality swim goggles, I recommend giving Compressions Swim Goggles a try!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Compressions.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.