RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION
RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION

“Run or Die is your inner mantra. Deal with it” INKnBURN Review

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Last Updated on September 29, 2019 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS

To say I didn’t get a little giddy when the good people from INKnBURN contacted me last week would be an understatement.

To say,  a few days later when a box arrived from them, that I didn’t jump up and down, barely make it two feet into the house from the front door before sitting down on the floor and tearing into said box like a kid on Christmas morning, would be a big fat lie.

INKnBURN Review

As I mentioned previously in my holiday gift giving guide, I could not WAIT to get my hands on some INKnBURN.  Yes, some women want diamonds, or expensive shoes.  Not me.  Give me unique running gear and I’m over the moon!  And I kid you not, with in minutes of opening the box I had my sneakers & Garmin on, the new shirt, and headed out the door to get in a quick 6 miles.   I was THAT excited.

Cliff notes version in case you don’t read any further, know this: I truly was NOT disappointed. INKnBURN’s performance absolutely matched it’s design and appearance, just as I had hoped.  I know what I’ll be racing the 2012 season wearing. I have, hands down, found a new favorite brand of running clothes. Hence, the very long gushing review….

So, let’s review:

INKnBURN endurance wear caught my eye a few months back, through facebook.    Their gear kept popping up in various friends photos, and every time I would think “woah, that shirt (bra, shorts, etc) is awesome!” But I could never figure out where they were coming from.  Finally one day, I asked a facebook friend “hey where did you get that shirt?” and she told me, “INKnBURN”.

And thus began my oogling.

I’m not necessarily a “black sheep” as my very tattooed, will rock bright green glitter eyeshadow at the drop of a dime,  and wears a necklace with a vial marked “poison” around her neck, little sister would say (actually, she often calls me a “grandma”, but I digress). But I do like bright colors. Eye catching designs. Things that are DIFFERENT from what everyone and their brother buys at the mall.   Just look at my neon-sneaker collection. I don’t intentionally try to stand out of the crowd, but I certainly don’t try to blend in either. I am ME, and if I like something, I’m not afraid to rock it.  And that is exactly what appealed to me about INKnBURN designs.

Technical gear for girls AND guys…and even a kids line! From shorts, shirts, tanks, sports bras, 4 arms (arm sleeves) to jackets, they have just about everything you need to outfit yourself for your race or for training.

Here’s their background story:

INKnBURN designs, cuts and sews all our athletic gear (100% made in the USA) to create the ultimate in workout clothes. The fabrics we use are moisture wicking, light and they breathe — helping you stay comfortable as you achieve your peak performance. Our proprietary technique for getting art on our apparel creates vivid and powerful designs that you can’t feel, and that do not compromise the performance of the fabric. Our technical running shirts are great for cross-country races, marathons, ultras or trail-running. They also just feel great to lounge around in after a tough training session or race. We want to empower you to do your best, and our designs are all about personal strength and performance.

Bottom line, the design, fit and feel of our INKnBURN performance tech shirts are second to none. Just ask the growing number of athletes who are wearing our shirts and enjoying our unique style, superior construction and design — from runners to martial arts practitioners to golfers to tennis players. Our shirts have even been spotted on the well-sculpted backs of mixed-martial arts (MMA) fighters. Simply the best tech shirt on the streets, trails, or in the gym.

INKnBURN is composed of a small group of mavericks and rebels with a deep-seated addiction to innovate, create and constantly improve. We got our start designing shirts that endurance runners could wear for 100-mile races and still stay comfortable and cool — and look cool, too.

All INKnBURN apparel is manufactured in the USA (Lake Forest, CA). We love what we do, and hope that you’ll love our stuff, too!  Don’t disappear into the crowd… Distance yourself with INKnBURN and the Art of Running.

From the brazen “RUN or DIE” design (my favorite!) to the elegant Cherry Blossom designs there really are designs for everyone.

That is unless you prefer boring. In which case, INKnBURN is not for you.

Now, let’s get technical:
First up: Tech shirt. The shirt was incredibly light weight. Probably the lightest fabric in my entire closet full of tech gear. Almost like wearing nothing at all…this will be excellent in the summer! But as for this time of year, I put it on over the top of my under armor cold gear to go for a run, because unfortunately (?) it was 37 degrees outside. The shirt is breathable mesh made from 100% wicking soft poly. It is tag-less (hooray!) and has a very flattering cut.

INKnBURN Run or Die shirt

 

My favorite part? (besides the design?) that a size SMALL was still LONG enough to cover my midsection.  Real talk time: I’m a mom. I have a strong core, but I also have some extra skin from those (luckily they are adorable) kids of mine and I hate when shirts are too short or ride up.  Thank you thank you thank you, INKnBURN, for that extra few inches in length. You have no idea how hard it is to find shirts long enough that aren’t wide enough for two of me.

INKnBURN selfie

Nothing says “running supermodel” like a cell phone mirror shot in your parents bathroom…with a toddler head in the corner…

NEXT UP: SHORTS

When I was growing up I played soccer (I swear, I have a story for everything) and we always folded over the waistband of our shorts.  I remember my mom used to ask me why I did that, and I didn’t have a valid answer. We just did. And it became habit. I pretty much roll the waistband over on every pair of shorts I own without even thinking.  Oh INKnBURN, you designed a pair of shorts just for me!

INB Run or Die shorts

As far as design goes, they are shaped and fit very much like my lululemon run:speed shorts, which I love, but are much softer and move more freely than the run:speed shorts (sorry lulu).   There are two front pockets (not in the waistband either, I mean REAL mini pockets, I love it) and, as they say on the website “There is a wicking poly panty inside so you won’t flash any of the fallen guys you have to leap over while racing for the finish.” HA!  Seriously though, the built in panty was slightly thicker than you find in most shorts, and I found this to be incredibly helpful in having the short stay put, thus preventing the ever obnoxious wedgie (sorry, but it’s the truth!)

INKnBURN shorts

Since, as I mentioned, it’s cold enough to build igloos outside, I had to give the shorts an indoor sweat test.  I wore them to the gym tonight for a round of indoor track, weight lifting, and a rousing session on the AMT. The shorts passed all of the tests…especially the running. Comfortable, sweat wicking, and most of all, they stayed put. Really, that’s all I need in a pair of shorts. The bonus feature, is they look this awesome:

INKnBURN Run Or Die shorts back

Really, I checked myself out in the mirror about 345 times and said “these shorts are HOT!” 😉

Last up: 4 Arms (arm sleeves)

INKnBURN run or die sleeves

Composed of super soft poly and spandex, these sleeves are light weight and again, sweat wicking.

What INKnBURN says:

 The INKnBURN 4Arms are a light, soft and stretchy alternative to hauling around a bulky coat when you workout. Put them on when you are just getting started then, once you are warmed up, just stuff them in a pocket or pack. Great for sun protection, they keep you warm in the colder months and we have customers who water them down in the summer to stay cool. (I never would have thought of that!)  INKnBURN 4Arms come two to a pack, one for each arm.

Now, again with the “it’s freezing, no really, 16 degrees this morning” it was TOO cold to test these out in the great outdoors. So, to the treadmill I went!

The 4 arms were very soft and, most importantly, STAYED PUT.

And did I mention…they LOOK amazing?

As I said earlier, INKnBURN has performance wear for women AND men, so guys, don’t think we’ve left you out here.  In fact, my new friends at INKnBURN have offered not one, but TWO “4 Arms” arm sleeves up for grabs to two lucky readers!


That’s right, one GIRL and one GUY will win a pair of “4 arms” in their choice of design and size !

Sadly…not my abs 😉

TO ENTER:

Open to all followers of my blog. Mandatory entry: Visit www.INKnBURN.com.  Look around!  Come back here and comment…let us know what product catches YOUR eye! Seriously, they really want to know what you think!  Bonus good karma points for detailed “why” answers 🙂

and if you want them…
BONUS ENTRIES! (leave a comment here for each please!)

– “like” INKnBURN on facebook.  **be sure to leave a comment on their wall!** Tell them how much you love their stuff and RunFasterMommy sent you 😉  Feel free to tell them over there what your favorites are as well!!  (As an added bonus, INKnBURN tells their followers FIRST when a new design is released, which they do often!)

– “follow” @INKnBURN on twitter!

-tweet, facebook, blog, dailymile, etc etc. this contest, up to once per day, per site please (leave a comment for each)

Contest open until Midnight, December 19th. Winner will be drawn December 20th via random.org and notified on this blog, twitter, and facebook (so pay attention!!)

GOOD LUCK!  And remember…DISTANCE yourself with INKnBURN!

**note, INKnBURN provided the clothing to me free of charge. However, the opinions and reviews expressed in this post are uncompensated and that of my own.

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Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion.   She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade.  Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  21. How Awesome! what a great give-a-way. I have a hard time choosing which designs I like best. Seriously! Except I’m a freak for arm sleeves so shirts, shorts and bras that have matching arm sleeves tend to be my fav. I like the Zen shorts for men. For women, really want to try one of the bras with the pocket! and think the Cherry Blossom may be my favorite overall ‘set’ but the lotus, wave, and Gordy shirts always catch my eye. And the lust set looks way cool too. I love light colored long-sleeved shirts (to be seen by cars in the early cold mornings), or short sleeve shirts paired with arm sleeves to keep the sun off, can’t have too many colors or designs -). (I also posted on FB – Winnie)

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  24. I’m in love with the print of the peacock 4arms. I love my arm sleeve for running in the hot, arizona desert sun. The fabric keeps the sun off of my skin, keeping me cooler and much less sunburnt.

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  35. I “liked” their Facebook page and am now “following” them on Twitter. I’m loving the “Woman’s Lust Tank Top” on their site. I don’t have a great deal of real running clothes and it looks to me as if this could be a brand that not has what I need but helps represent who I am, what I stand for and what I want.

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  38. I love the color combination on the Women’s Lotus Tech Shirt. All among my faves!

    I do wish they’d make running skirts though. I can’t run in shorts. 🙁

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  39. I have the Cherry Blossom shirt and love it, got it at RnR San Diego expo, have been dying to find them at an expo again to get the matching arm warmers. Love the Hawaii Five Oh line too.

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  45. I absolutely LOVE the Rock & Roll 4Arms. They completely fit my personality as I love Rock music (I seriously can’t run without Metallica or Five Finger Death Punch) and anything pink!!

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  69. I really love the Koi arm warmers–they match the colors on my road bike! And I think it’s especially fabulous that they offer badass clothing and arm sleeves for kids. My almost 11 year old lives to ride his bike and wants to run his first 5k this next Spring/Summer. It’s really hard to find running clothing for kids that isn’t plain solid colors. I don’t know that anyone makes arm sleeves that would fit his skinny little arms.

    We’re serious about sun protection after my husband had a melanoma removed from his forearm a couple of years ago, too. We did a charity bike ride through Death Valley this past Fall (benefitting the JDRF) and even though the temps were over 100 my husband and I both wore arm sleeves and squirted them with water. It’s astounding how well evaporative cooling works in that arid climate. Bare arms would have felt warmer.

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  70. I love the Run or Die line. But I also love the subtle style of the Sakura line. The lust wear is also amazing! I think I love it all.

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  81. I really liked the Sakura set for me and the CHerry blossom arms/techshirt for my daughter! The lily tech shirt was nice too 🙂 Thanks for the chance to enter the give-away!

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  85. What an AWESOME review…I work at INKnBURN, am an elite Ultra Runner, and will NEVER run in anything else again…ever. Heather you are such a rockstar. Thanks so much for telling everyone exactly what we believe and think every time we create product at INKnBURN. Best review I have ever read. Go sista!!! xoxo!

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  88. I’ve always liked InknBurn from the very beginning. Now if I can heal enough to get back out there on the trails and feel I can live up to the name. Leon…

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  128. I may have a new unhealthy (healthy?) obsession with the Adversity line…and Hollywood Dragon/Griffith Park. It’s a toss up between them.

    I wish I could afford a whole wardrobe of this for my first full marathon this summer!

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  136. I have 3 of the arm sleeves already and I am lusting after a pair of InkNburn shorts and their sports bra! Their shorts flatter a poppin’ booty, or ‘power pack’ as I like to call it. Pick me! Pick me! Fierce, 40, and fashionable.

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  137. wow, was just looking at the pictures of people wearing the LUST jacket – even cooler than I originally thought! Thanks again for the giveaway…I’ve given away more ink-n-burn to nieces & nephews and probably now my mom than I’ve ended up buying myself (so far that is…they’re all so tempting)

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  140. Just was over on Shelly’s blog – It’s Just One Foot In Front of the Other and saw her post about your blog and giveaway! I love the inknburn stuff but also have been looking but have not yet purchased. I did go like them on facebook and am seriously tempted to buy someting….but which SOMETHING? Too many things to try! And can I tell you, I don’t even own a pair of running shorts….they all ride up, so I wear skirts. I’m seriouisly thinking of trying one of these. I probably should have been working instead of blog reading…this is gonna cost me $$. But I’m glad to have found you. Enjoy your new outfit and tell INKnBurn to send TooTallFritz an outfit too! Cheers, Amanda

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  149. So I have “liked” everybody on FB…even told a girl about your give away via my blog (but it was in a comment), signed up for the newsletter, checked out the website and definitely like the Run or Die stuff the best. Hoping they add the shorts in the green!

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  150. I can’t decide which design/product I like best, they are all so intriguing. I am definitely drawn to all of the Japanese motifs: Sakura, cherry blossom, wave, and koi. The lust jacket is breathtaking! I like whimsy of the koi 4arms.

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  155. I love the Britney 4ARMS and the black and pink Chick’d tech shirt. I love that the colors mix and match with other shirts and 4ARMS. I also LOVE the purple Run or Die 4ARMS and tech shirt. I love them because after my dad died from pancreatic cancer, I started running for my own health. Purple is the support color for pancreatic cancer. So wearing something like that would have a double meaning for me. Support for a good cause and a symbol of me starting to run in order to live! Plus, I love the wicking properties and the fit of the tech shirt. So many tech shirts with cool designs are for men only, so it would be cool to have one that actually fit me like a woman.

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  160. Thank you for introducing me to INKnBURN. The clothes are so great! Looking at these clothes just makes me want to go out and run. How could you not want to run in those shorts. They ROCK! Thanks again!

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  161. As a girl who runs in a dress (my Half Fanatic nickname is “runs in a dress”), I’ve gotta love the “Run or Die” armwarmers. I think that the Sakura ones go better with my Nuu-Muu dresses, though! Thank you for the virtual 5K today and the greet new website. Kimberlee

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  162. Even though I’m not a very girly-girl I found many of the designs a tad harsh, but I loved the Sakura 4Arms! Wicked!

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  170. My favorite? EASY – as long as I can pick two! I love the women’s tech t inked design. Saw that a month ago and PIN’d it right away. It is DIFFERENT and love the look.
    Second- love the women’s tech t that is black with the pink ‘chickd’ on it. As a girl hitting the Spartan Races, and part of the ‘spartan chicks’ it just plain warms my heart! 🙂

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  175. I checked out all their stuff but I have to say I love the outfit you picked the best! Am definitely getting the shorts for myself ASAP! Would love to have the matching 4arms 😉

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  178. The peacock is so cool. I saw your original post and immediately wen to check out the site and added their stuff to my CMAS list for hubby. And ooops. . . I didn’t leave a comment. Thanks for the reminder. Keeping my fingers crossed. I so would live any of them.

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  183. I have mixed feelings. Should I LOVE you for turning me on to INKnBURN or HATE you for what it is going to do to my pocket book. It wasn’t long ago that I was in Dick’s looking for something cutting edge and eye catchy that wasn’t black, gray or pink and well–very run-of-the-mill. Needless to say, I left with NOTHING and said to a friend we need to design our own running clothes. Fast-forward to now and you introduce me to this great site with really fun products! Really? This close to Christmas? This is almost the same as the car breaking down during such an inconvenient time. I’m wondering how I can return what is already under the tree and exchange it for what I found on the site! I’m not sure what I HAVE TO HAVE first, but I know it’s either the Wave shirt (I have collected that Wave since I was in college) OR the Cherry Blossom one… Regardless, thank you for the turn on and of COURSE I liked their page, and left a comment and did the twitter thing! I’m ACHING to try out the sleeves and hope I am the lucky winner!!! PS–Up until now, my favorite running shirt was my “Bad Ass Mother Runner” one.. It now has some STIFF competition.

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  184. I have mixed feelings. Should I LOVE you for turning me on to INKnBURN or HATE you for what it is going to do to my pocket book. It wasn’t long ago that I was in Dick’s looking for something cutting edge and eye catchy that wasn’t black, gray or pink and well–very run-of-the-mill. Needless to say, I left with NOTHING and said to a friend we need to design our own running clothes. Fast-forward to now and you introduce me to this great site with really fun products! Really? This close to Christmas? This is almost the same as the car breaking down during such an inconvenient time. I’m wondering how I can return what is already under the tree and exchange it for what I found on the site! I’m not sure what I HAVE TO HAVE first, but I know it’s either the Wave shirt (I have collected that Wave since I was in college) OR the Cherry Blossom one… Regardless, thank you for the turn on and of COURSE I liked their page, and left a comment and did the twitter thing! I’m ACHING to try out the sleeves and hope I am the lucky winner!!! PS–Up until now, my favorite running shirt was my “Bad Ass Mother Runner” one.. It now has some STIFF competition.

    Reply

  185. I have mixed feelings. Should I LOVE you for turning me on to INKnBURN or HATE you for what it is going to do to my pocket book. It wasn’t long ago that I was in Dick’s looking for something cutting edge and eye catchy that wasn’t black, gray or pink and well–very run-of-the-mill. Needless to say, I left with NOTHING and said to a friend we need to design our own running clothes. Fast-forward to now and you introduce me to this great site with really fun products! Really? This close to Christmas? This is almost the same as the car breaking down during such an inconvenient time. I’m wondering how I can return what is already under the tree and exchange it for what I found on the site! I’m not sure what I HAVE TO HAVE first, but I know it’s either the Wave shirt (I have collected that Wave since I was in college) OR the Cherry Blossom one… Regardless, thank you for the turn on and of COURSE I liked their page, and left a comment and did the twitter thing! I’m ACHING to try out the sleeves and hope I am the lucky winner!!! PS–Up until now, my favorite running shirt was my “Bad Ass Mother Runner” one.. It now has some STIFF competition.

    Reply

  189. I love the interesting patterns on the arm warmers. I am usually pretty conservative with my running gear (black, black, black) and these designs would bring out the inner wild child I know is within me.

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  196. Ok quick look bc I am “working” after all and rarely enter contests but I want the Women’s Peacock 4Arms! They are badA$$…like my arms have eyes – I’m watching you from every angle! I also LOVE the Women’s Independence Tech Shirt – I have a few races each year I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to sport that shirt at… Anyway, that’s my deal!

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  204. Great stuff!
    Love the Sakura, Wave and Cherry Blossom designs but as a PINK girl, my first pick for a shirt would have to be the pink RUN OR DIE tech top!!
    for arms–the Sakura for sure

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  209. I liked the V-neck Cherry blossom shirt because it’s very pretty and has pink! And I just about coughed up my chai because the model for the Sakura is my colleague at the U – Amy J. What a surprise to see her on the home page!

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  211. I just visited inknburn.com and LOVE the kids items. (so cute). I love that their designs (for kids and grown ups) scream “Look at me!!!!” So fun!

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  216. I want a shorts and bra set. I can’t decide though which one I like the best as I would love any of them.

    I love that they make them all themselves. Support local business!

    Reply

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