Tiem cycling shoes for in-the-studio riding in limited edition dusty pink.TIEM

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some great active women’s products where a portion of sales will support breast cancer related charitable organizations. It’s an opportunity to update your fitness related wardrobe with gear that supports important causes. Plus there are several new brands you probably are not familiar with – and they’re not all pink!

Tiem is a relatively new company in a relatively untapped market: cycling shoes made exclusively for indoor cycling. They are compatible with SPD cleats, which are recessed into the soles of the shoes for easy walking around the studio. I know I always have to be very cautious walking in my road biking shoes so I neither slip on or scratch my own wood floors (or those of a studio, which they frown upon!). Launched less than two years ago, Tiem focuses mainly on one shoe, the Slipstream, which is available in six colors, plus, for a limited time, dusty pink. These cycling shoes are designed to look like sneakers with the same level of comfort. They have breathable mesh by the toes, to keep your feet cool, and one strap for easy on and off, with no laces to get caught on any moving bike parts. If you use cycling shoes on a bike, outside or indoors, you already know the benefit of “clipping in.” If you’ve only cycled in sneakers, perhaps with toe cages, this could be an easy way to check out cycling shoes – safely, on a stationary bike. Ten percent of the purchase price ($125) of the dusty pink shoes will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Tiem’s minimum donation will be $10,000, from sales and from Tiem Taps Back sponsored rides at a handful of studios across the county. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer. BCRF provides critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship.

A sampling of the sandals and clogs in the Project Pink collection from OOFOS, for men and women.OOFOS

Oofos are what you’ll want on your feet after a run or workout on a hard surface. Their shoes, clogs, sandals and boots are engineered to help your feet recover, with foam that absorbs more shock than traditional footwear to reduce stress on your feet, knees and back. The foot bed cradles your arches and flexes to enable natural motion. Oofos has a personal connection to breast cancer through the diagnosis of a member of the company’s family. For every pair of shoes sold on its website, Oofos donates 3% to breast cancer research, plus it has a Project Pink collection of clogs and sandals, with a small ribbon, for women and men, for which it donates $10 per pair. These contributions are both year-round, and Oofos has contributed $130,000 to date for breast cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. As one of the world’s leading cancer care centers, the Dana-Farber team works tirelessly to find a cure to help the millions around the world that are affected.

Maduka’s Yogitoes towel in Anemone (left), and eQua mat in All The Flowers (right), by artist David Allen.MANDUKA

Manduka, a well-respected 20+ year old yoga accessory and clothing brand, is continuing its partnership this year with mastectomy tattoo artist David Allen, who is recognized for his work in tattooing over the scars left behind by the mastectomies of breast cancer survivors. As part of Manduka’s project:OM initiative, his unique artwork will be featured on an eQua hot yoga mat ($150) and a Yogitoes yoga towel ($100). A whopping 100% of net proceeds for each David Allen mat or towel sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen, over a generous two-year period that runs through the end of next year, 2019. Together with donations from project:OM participants and customers, Manduka guarantees a minimum donation of $400,000 to Komen. Founded in 1982, Komen’s mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer, with the goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026.

Retrospec has an assortment of bikes, plus SUPs and skateboards in their special collection.RETROSPEC

Los Angeles-based Retrospec makes bicycles for the urban rider, from singles speeds to hybrids to gravels bikes, as well as beach cruisers. They also just acquired Critical Cycles, standup paddleboard maker Ten Toes Boards, and skateboard manufacturer Traverse. This October they will donate $25 of every sale from a special collection to The Keep A Breast Foundation. The K.A.B collaboration includes six bicycles across multiple categories, two inflatable stand up paddleboard packages, and a longboard for the skate crowd. Inflatable SUPs are a great option for those with less storage space or no car or roof rack for transporting a traditional SUP. The items range from $60 – $449. The Keep A Breast Foundation’s mission is to empower young people around the world with breast health education and support, removing the shame associated with breast health and opening up the dialog about breast cancer.

Artist-designed tops and bottoms from Daub + Design look and feel good during active pursuits.DAUB + DESIGN

Daub + Design is a Canadian athleisure brand founded by an artist who brings designs focused on color and texture to its collections. Last month it added the Daub Active line to its offerings, featuring more performance-based fabrics and cuts, but still using its original, beautiful prints. This month, October, Daub + Design has selected a number of its products to be part of its BCA (breast cancer awareness) collection, where 15% of the proceeds will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. NBCF’s mission is to help women by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services. It also helps provide free mammograms for women in need. The BCA Collection includes tanks, leggings, sports bras, crop tops and bralettes ($68 – $124). Daub + Design pieces are crafted with sustainability in mind, sewn in Canada, and most are hand-dyed.

Swell’s insulated bottles keep beverages hot or cold for hours and look great doing it.S’WELL

Yes, there is such a thing as a beautiful water bottle, and it’s S’well. But they don’t just look good, they function just as well, keeping beverages cold or hot for many hours with their double-walled stainless steel construction. This insulation also means that the bottles don’t sweat. And S’well has recently added a sports cap to its offerings ($10, sold separately), which will make for easy sipping during active pursuits. During October, 20% of each the three bottles in its Pink for a Cure collection (in 9, 17 and 25-ounce sizes for $25 – $45) will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. S’well has partnered with BCRF since 2015 and has donated over 700 research hours. BCRF’s mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.

Dakine’s collection has accessories for snowboarders, skiers and mountain bikers.DAKINE

Founded in Hawaii in 1979 and now located at the base of Mt. Hood in Oregon, Dakine builds backpacks, travel bags, accessories, outerwear and clothing for people who surf, snowboard, skateboard, mountain bike, ski, windsurf, kiteboard and travel. Dakine has launched a collaboration with Boarding 4 Breast Cancer (B4BC), a non-profit foundation that advocates for early detection and a healthy, active lifestyle as the best means for breast cancer prevention. B4BC aims to eliminate breast cancer deaths in present and future generations by arming young people with the tools necessary to reduce their risks and lead longer, healthier lives. Dakine is offering three products in a cool print with B4BC’s logo: the Booker mountain bike sock ($14), Tracer snowboard and ski mitten ($30) and Low Roller snowboard bag ($135). Dakine makes a flat corporate donation to B4BC, which was founded in 1996. B4BC empowers young people to make positive choices that promote lifelong wellness through outreach, prevention, sustainability, and support programs.