Every season, I put new running products, gadgets, fuel and apparel to the test in my Runner’s Report Card. As we quickly approach the end of 2018 (how is that even possible?!?), it’s time to pass out grades for five products I tried and tested during the summer and fall months.

As a reminder, this is my grading scale:

Here’s a look at today’s line-up:

1. Rockay Socks: A 

While I am fiercely brand loyal to most of my running gear, I’ve never noticed much of a difference when it comes to high quality running socks. I do about 90 percent of my runs in the Brooks Running Ghost midweight socks. Every time I have the opportunity to try new socks, I admittedly have very low expectations. Oftentimes I like them, but not enough to continue buying them or to feel more passionately about one brand over the other.

I recently had the chance to try the Rockay accelerate running socks, and I’m suddenly whistling a slightly different tune on this topic.

When the Rockay team reached out to me about their socks, I was immediately interested in trying them because of their mission. Sure, while they are working to “create the best running products the world has ever seen,” what got my attention was their committment to sourcing their fabrics from plastic collected from our oceans. Each pair of Accelerate Running Socks will remove two plastic bottles from the ocean. A product with performance and purpose? Sign me up.

I ran and cross-trained wearing these socks in two different models of shoes (Brooks, of course) and they felt fantastic. I actually loved them! They also washed well.

If sourcing fabrics from plastics didn’t already have me buying a second pair, I love that Rockay is committed to ensuring all their packaging is made from 100% recycled materials by 2019. And the packaging is beautiful. I love that it tells a story with each flap you open and that the socks aren’t connected together by any plastic ties.

These socks would make a terrific holiday stocking stuffer and pack some purpose into your performance. They retail at $15.95 per pair.

2. Moji Heated Roller: A

I am incredibly fortunate (and grateful) to have the opportunity to receive and test many running products from a plethora of running companies for free. I can say, hands down without a doubt, that the Moji Heated Roller is one of the best products I have ever received during the past six years. It is a foam roller on steroids that you can put in the microwave you guys!

Essentially, this recovery tool combines traditional foam rolling and deep tissue massage with therapeutic heat. It looks like a regular foam roller with a textured, cushioned outside. The magic is that it twists apart into two pieces and you can put it in the microwave. The result? A massage tool that stays hot for 30 minutes (and it really does stay hot)!

It’s important to carefully follow the heating directions. I heat my roller for 3 minutes in the microwave and see consistently great results. I do find that it can be a little hard to twist apart, but you will get the hang of it quickly.

The roller is great to use while watching TV. (Say hi to my dad who is creeping in the corner of this picture while watching football.)

I’ve also used it on my neck given the heat and that this is one of my areas of tension.

At just $69.99, the Moji Heated Roller would make THE perfect holiday gift for the runner(s) in your life. Two thumbs (and all the rest of my fingers and toes) up for this product.

3. Dosha Mat: B

I have always enjoyed accupuncture as an injury prevention and recovery practice, but I don’t do it nearly enough. When the team at Dosha Mat reached out to me to try their accupressure mat, I jumped at the chance. Accupressure is an ancient treatment that is supposed to be similar to massage, acupuncture and reflexology. It works by massaging and stimulating key points on the body to promote deep relaxation and healing. Accupressure mats are said to benefit the body by relieving tension, soreness and pain in the back, head, neck, shoulders, hips, feet and other parts of the body. They also claim to support deeper and more restful sleep, reduce stress, eliminate headaches, increase circulation, positively affect the nervous and immune systems, help muscles recover faster after exercise and increase energy levels. Sign me up, right?

My Dosha Mat is about the size of a regular door mat. It is handmade with hypoallergenic natural linen and is 100% eco-friendly. The pretty lotus flowers adorning the mat actually contain 4,500 acupressure points made of toxic-free surgical plastic. I was shocked at how sharp the points are. When you first try to step onto the mat with your feet, it takes your breath away and some getting used to. I’ve stood on my mat, laid on it on my back, hip and calves and rolled it up and placed it under my neck.

The Dosha Mat team recommends using the mat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time directly against your skin. You are supposed to feel a soothing warmth radiating through your body after a few mintues, and by the end of that period, feelings of calm and relaxation followed by your pain and tension melting away. I never really felt a tingling sensation. It is hard to lay or stand on the mat for 15 minutes but you do get more used to it over time. I don’t think I used my mat consistently enough to be able to claim that it removed any of my muscle pain or tension.

What I like about the mat is that it is beautiful and can easily fit under a bed or dresser. The accupressure points are definitely sharp and I do believe have some reflexology benefits. At a retail cost of $99, it is a higher price point for a recovery tool but may be worth it if you feel the benefits it claims to provide. I wish the mat came with more instructions and/or had more videos and direction for use on the website. I never knew if I was using it correctly, putting it on the right points of my body, etc. Having a little more clarity with instructional videos would be nice, and I’d also like to hear more from sports massage experts, running experts and doctors of accupuncture what they think about accupressure mats and how to use them to compliment those therapies that are common for runners.

4. Brooks Array Tops: B+

Athleisure is a running trend that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Runners are craving a combination of fashion with function and performance more than ever, and these Brooks Running Array tops deliver both. The Brooks Array Long Sleeve comes in beautiful jewel-tone colors and its DriLayer fabric wicks sweat and dries quickly while adding a killer look with the keyhole back and wider band around the waist. Similarly, the Array Short Sleeve comes in the same colors and has a split back. Both tops are especially fun for a yoga class, and I find myself wearing them around town while grocery shopping or running errands.

I rated both tops a B+ because I’d like to see them be a little longer. They hit the waist right at the top of my pants rather than a little lower, and the long sleeve rides up while running. I actually tuck mine into my shorts if running in it. Additionally, I order a size smaller in these than my typical Brooks apparel (XS instead of S) since they are more loosely fitted. These do make a gorgeous addition to your fitness wardrobe in both color and style. The long sleeve retails at $60 and the short sleeve is $50.

5. RXBar: Pumpkin Spice Flavor: A

Last but not least, it wouldn’t be a proper running report card without something to eat. I have been drooling over the seasonal pumpkin spice flavored RXbars. We are big RXbar fans at our house and always have a variety of them in our pantry. The super clean ingredients and delicious taste, plus all the protein, keep my husband and I continuing to love these as a go-to snack. The pumpkin spice flavor edges out even my beloved chocolate sea salt. Definitely pick a few of these up if you can find them before they are gone until next year. They are terrific to keep in your purse or car and great for a post-workout pick-me-up.

Well, that’s a wrap. See you next semester. Class dismissed. Time for a run.