Wisconsin is more famous for their cheese than their socks, but Sheboygan has been home to Wigwam Mills for over 100 years. This mill has turned out millions of pairs of socks over the years, but it wasn’t until the past few months that I’ve had the pleasure of wearing a pair. The new Wigwam Ironman Tail Wind Pro has been a comfortable and functional pair of socks from the get-go.

I hate socks that stretch out and/or don’t support your feet. There’s something to be said for a nice, supportive pair of socks and these are just that. The supportive materials and ribs cradle every part of your feet to provide excellent support and enable improved moisture management–not to mention blister-prevention.

The thickness of the Tail Wind Pro socks is just perfect for trail running, but still a teeny bit too thick for my cycling shoes. On the trail, I can really feel the extra cushion and support provided by these socks. They are also very durable and backed by a 2-year Comfort Guarantee.

A great pair of socks for trail running or around town… the Wigwam Ironman Tail Wind Pro.

Buy Now: Wigwam Ironman Tail Wind Pro Socks

My heart broke when I learned of the disappearance and deaths of climbers Micah Dash, Johnny Copp, and Wade Johnson on their Mount Edgar attempt earlier this month.  While I have never met Johnny or Wade, I have heard nothing but outstanding reports regarding the two men.  I have hit the Creek a few times with Micah.  He is one of the most quality individuals I have ever known or had the pleasure to climb with.  He had an uncanny ability to make situations light, make ring locks look comfortable, and made a killer burrito.

Return2Sender is one of my favorite climbing videos of all time.  Ninety minutes of crack.  Parallelojams is an amazing Indian Creek tutorial, perfect if you are breaking into trad or vertical crack.  A pack of pros break down hand jamming, finger stacks, ring locks, and off width resourcefulness.  You are able to watch Micah and his long, thin, tapered hands go to their limit, see the pros place passive protection, see as many versions of tape gloves as there are people …and Timmy O’Neil sings one awesome Indian Creek beat box (see clip below).

The film feels very different now knowing Micah is gone, body still unrecovered in China.  Eric Decaria, another featured climber in Return2Sender was among the rescue and recovery team who helped search for Micah, Johnny, and Wade.  Return2Sender was produced by Sender Films, where Wade was a cinematographer.  Return2Sender won three awards at the Boulder Adventure Film Fest back in 2005.  I am surprised how many climbers have not seen this film.  It is remarkable.  Not only do you witness an Indian Creek desert crack epic, but also Cicada, a 10 year old girl killing V10, a good history of big wall climbing, and a 70 foot slackline linking towers at the Bridger Jacks.  Return2Sender is not to be missed.

Buy Return2Sender.

A memorial service will be held for Micah Dash, Johnny Copp, and Wade Johnson in Boulder, CO July 11, 2009.  All are welcome.

Find out more about the service.

Introducing an entirely new watch lineup from Suunto–the Elementum Series. Consisting of three stylish and functional watches: Aqua (for diving enthusiasts), Terra (for outdoor pursuits) and Venta (for sailing). The entire lineup features new design language not typically associated with the Suunto brand. These are high-end, top-quality timepieces with the guts of a Suunto.

All materials and craftsmanship screams quality and will look good no matter the occasion. That way you can really have a single watch that will take you from the boardroom to deckside, mountainside or undersea without skipping a beat.

The rich feature-set of each activity-specific watch is well-rounded and highly accurate (that’s why it’s a Suunto). Here are the details:

Suunto Elementum Terra

The Elementum Terra combines decades of outdoors experience with a lifetime in precision craftsmanship, making it a survival tool no real adventurer can do without.

Features:

• Time, date and alarm
• Backlight
• Altimeter
• Barometric pressure and trend
• 3D compass
• Chronograph
• Cumulative ascent/descent
• Logbook: last 8 ascent/descents with max. altitude
• MSRP: $899-$1199

Suunto Elementum Aqua

The Elementum Aqua is a modernly designed timepiece that combines the craftsmanship of chronograph construction with the functionality of a high-technology diving watch.

Features:

• Time, date and alarm
• Backlight
• Auto dive mode
• Depth and max depth
• Dive time
• Surface time
• Water temperature
• Number of dives
• Logbook: last 14 dives
• MSRP: $899-$1199

Suunto Elementum Ventus

The Elementum Ventus is the perfect complement to the perfect yacht as a highly sophisticated, functional sailing timepiece designed with elegance.

Features:

• Time, date and alarm
• Backlight
• Barometric pressure trend graph (12 hour)
• 3D compass
• Sailing timer
• Chronograph
• Logbook: 24 hour barometer graph
• MSRP: $899-$999

Buy Now: Search for Suunto Watches

I have purchased a pair of Teva Mush sandals nearly every year for 3-4 years straight. They are my go-to flips for all-day activities, mowing the lawn or post-ride comfort.

When new, the foam material is firm, but all it takes is a week or two of consistent wear and these conform to every little detail of your feet. It’s amazing how well-cradled your feet will feel with these sandals. If I have to choose from any of my sandals, I’d go for the Mush every time.

Not only is the EVA Soft Mush foam squishy, but there’s a built-in arch support wedge that adds to the overall comfort–especially for flat-footers like me.

The only real downside of the Mush sandal is that the material–while soft and cushioning–squishes out and compresses relatively quickly. Once the upper foam squishes out, the lower, denser foam can start to crack and lose its shape entirely. And, by that time, the heelstrike area is typically bald as bald can be–making for some treacherous stepping on wet, slippery surfaces.

Overall, for the low price ($25), the short lifespan of the Mush sandals is still worth it for the season of squishy comfort they provide.

The Good

• The pinnacle of sandal comfort
• Upper foam conforms to every detail of your feet
• Lightweight
• Inexpensive

The Bad

• Only enough squish for a season of wear - these are one season past that
• When the tread is worn, the heelstrike area is very slippery

Buy Now: Search for Teva Mush Sandals

The Fox River Fingerless Ragg Gloves are $9.00, I don’t want to hear excuses, buy them. Although the Fox River Fingerless Ragg Gloves are limited to the brown tweed color, that is likely their most limiting factor.

Wool has come a long way in the last few years. The Merino movement has refined wool smooth as silk. The Fox River Ragg Fingerless are not as soft and cuddly as a refined Merino, but is not the rough, scratchy wool that our parents generation endured. After several uses the wool weave gently packs, similar to how your favorite socks pack out after you have been wearing them all day. This is not a bad thing. They begin to take the general shape of your hand and contour where your hand contours. The wool is burly, and non-itchy.

My hands get cold in about .2 seconds due to lingering post frostbite effects from a few years back. Unfortunately cold hands are not limited to the winter. Fortunately there are gloves. Hands can get cold when the desert sun hides behind a giant plateau for extended periods, after being soaked in a cold river water, standing in the shade for long periods belaying, or anytime after sunset or cooking breakfast before sunrise. I use these gloves all the time. They are lightweight, low profile, durable, and inexpensive, so you can almost afford a reserve pair, just in case.

Why wool? Many good reasons. Here are a few: Wool is warm when wet. The fabric itself does not take on a lot of water, and the hollow fibers of the material are odor neutralizing, minimizing the number of times they will need to be washed. Cutting down on washes lengthens the life of any glove or garment. Wool is also fire retardant. I often take my MSR pot off the fire, just with my Fox River Fingerless Ragg Gloves and set the hot pot on the palm of my glove and chow right form there. The fingerless aspect is awesome. You are able to manage rope systems, utilize all the dexterity of your hands and fingers while keeping your hands warm and protected.

Sizing: Fox River opts to apply unisex sizing. Be aware of this. I am typically a medium in womens gloves, and I am a small in unisex gloves. If you are familiar with the sizing used by crack climbers, my perfect hand jam fills a thin hands crack according to Falcon Guidebooks.

The bottom line:

• These are inexpensive, multi use, durable gloves
• There is a size for everyone from XXS – XL
• Lightweight and low profile
• Fire retardant and odor resistant

Buy Now from REI!

After The Collective released SEASONS, the future of the award-winning mountain bike film-makers was up in the air. Co-founder Jaime Houssein was interested in pursuing other options as well as finishing up school, but much of the crew wanted to stick to the plan of making amazing bike films. The result, Anthill Films has risen from the dust with much of the original crew including Creative Director, Darcy Wittenberg,

The first project is entitled “Follow Me… No One Rides Alone” and is scheduled for release sometime in the Spring of 2010. This short profile of freerider and all-around nice guy, Matt Hunter, has him taking us through his two-wheeled experience, which began at a very young age. The footage was taken in and around Hunter’s home of Kamloops, British Columbia with his friend, Kurt Sorge.

For more video shorts and previews from the forthcoming film, “Follow Me… No One Rides Alone,” visit AnthillFilms.com/content/videos.

More Info: Visit AnthillFilms.com

Subaru of America, in participation with the Village of Itasca, will attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record for the “Largest Parade of Subaru Cars” in the world on July 11, 2009.

The opportunity to be part of this historic event is open to all Subaru owners. Participants are welcome to decorate their cars (not required), bring family and friends, and even your pet to ride in your Subaru during the parade. We will have an official adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ to observe and confirm this record.

In addition to setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record, Subaru Great Lakes Region will make a donation of $15 per Subaru that participates in the parade to two great organizations. The total donation will be shared equally between PAWS Chicago and Salute, Inc. For more information on these groups, click on the logos to the left or visit www.pawschicago.org and www.saluteinc.org.

Event Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Location: 500 Park Blvd, Itasca, IL
Event Time: 8:00 a.m. participant check-in (rain or shine)
Register by: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 (advanced registration required, open to the first 500 cars/drivers registered)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Following this exciting event, participants are welcome to attend Itasca Fest. This fest includes live entertainment, carnival rides, food, bingo, kids’ entertainment, a three-on-three basketball tournament, and NASA’s “Journey to Tomorrow” exhibit. For more information click on the Village of Itasca link visit www.itasca.com.

Participants are also eligible to receive a special event room rate of $89 per night* at The Westin Chicago Northwest hotel. For your convenience, this four-star, four-diamond hotel is located within walking distance from the start of the parade. To make your reservation, simply click on the Westin Hotels and Resorts logo to the left.

More Info: Click Here to Register

“The Ultimate Singletrack Experience”, is set to launch its third year Sunday June 28 to July 4, 2009 and will host over 400 riders from around the world. This year’s edition of the 7-day mountain bike adventure offers a revised course featuring a North Vancouver start–taking in the legendary North Shore trails–and two new stages to cement the BC Bike Race as the greatest singletrack adventure on the planet.

BC Bike Race has always aimed to exceed expectations and to be ‘the best mountain bike race in the world’. Race organizers believe that their ongoing commitment to the best course possible will create the best experience possible. The BC Bike Race team shares the same values and the same goal: to provide an awesome mountain bike experience like no other. Only at the BC Bike Race are participants set up day-after-day to ride world-famous singletrack featured in countless mountain bike media sources.

The lure of riding the best of BC’s world-class mountain bike trails has already attracted a broad range of competitors, from weekend warriors to some of the world’s finest mountain bike racers, World Champions and Olympians. This year’s competitor list is a who’s who of mountain bike talent:

Women’s Category:

• Alison Sydor and Lea Davison – Team Rocky Mountain Bicycles
• Cathrine Pendrel and Katarina Nash – Team Luna

Mixed Category:

• Sue Butler and Bryan Alders – Monavie-Cannondale
• Georgia Gould and Ryan Trebon –Team Luna and Team Kona

Men’s Category:

• Kris Sneddon and Barry Wicks – Team Kona (2008 Winners)
• Chris Eatough and Jeff Schalk – Team TREK (2007 Winners)
• Seamus McGrath and Chris Sheppard – Team Jamis and Team Santa Cruz

The seven-day odyssey will begin for the 400 intrepid adventurers. Stay tuned for all the action and watch some of the notables stretch their legs and their mountain bike skills as they undertake the BC Bike Race.

More Info & Results: Visit www.BCBikeRace.com

For 2010, RockShox is re-designing their solid Revelation trail fork with all-new lowers and longer travel. The changes will be drastic, thus moving the Revelation fork squarely inline with the 2010 offering from Fox Racing.

The lightweight all-mountain category is heating up and there’s no doubt that the RockShox Revelation and the Fox 32 lineups are the category heavyweights battling for top position.

Here’s the release from RockShox:

RockShox rolls out an entirely redesigned suspension fork – Revelation! Revelation sets the standard
for lightweight trail performance. The 2010 Revelation features an all new chassis, and travel is
increased to 150mm.

Sander Rigney is the RockShox Product Manager responsible for Revelation. Rigney says, “We’re
seeing more growth in longer travel trail bikes with an emphasis on reducing weight. Revelation
is the ultimate suspension fork to merge lightweight and stiffness for the popular 150mm trail bike
segment”.

Alloy control knobs allow riders to easily tune both the compression and rebound dampers. The new
lower legs feature Power Bulges that increase stiffness and improve bushing durability. The popular
20mm Maxle™ Lite thru axle option provides the ultimate thru axle solution. Positive and negative air
spring chambers are effortless to adjust and easily guided by the air chart located on the lower leg
for simple trail side tuning.

What’s this mean to you? The new Revelation from RockShox will deliver a leading quality, highest
performing ride.

2010 RockShox Revelation Fork Features

• Travel: 150/140/130 Long-travel Dual Air, 120-150 Air U-Turn
• 32mm upper stanchions
• New forged, hollow 6061 aluminum crown
• Completely new lowers with power bulge
• Lightweight air spring technology
• Axles: 9mm QR or 20mm Maxle Light
• Weight: 3.57 – 4.06 lbs (depending on travel and model)
• Steerer Options: 1-1/8″, 1.5″ or 1.5-1-1/8″ tapered
• BlackBox Motion Control
• Post-mount disc brake (nice!!!)
• MSRP: $509-$751

I’ve had a great experience on the RockShox Revelation in the past and the changes for 2010 look to put this fork into an entirely new category–competing squarely with Fox’s 32 Vanilla, FLOAT and TALAS forks. Check out the image to the right to see for yourself the changes in store for 2010.

Buy Now: Search for RockShox Revelation

The Ibex Peak Sport Zip is simple in its design and function. This is my first Ibex garment and I’m very impressed with it–though it does seem odd to be wearing wool in the summer.  That trepidation has been easily minimized as I’ve worn this shirt in the beat-down Utah sun.

While the midnight blue color isn’t recommended for Africa-hot days, the fabric maintains excellent moisture management qualities and stays comfortable next to the skin. Unlike some synthetics, it doesn’t adhere to your skin, instead it regulates temperature, air and moisture management without feeling constricted.

The quality of the Merino wool used is evident as this shirt offers all-day itch-free comfort and easy day-to-day fabric care.

Again, the design is simple and straightforward with only the single locking zipper front. If it were up to me, I’d opt for a non-locking zipper for a one-handed unzip on-the-fly… that’s really my only suggestion.

The size large offers more of a casual look, but for serious mountain biking, I’d opt for the medium. I’m 5′11″ and 175 lbs, for reference. MSRP is $85.

The Good

• Highly comfortable next to the skin
• Moisture and temperature management are superb
• Sustainable Merino wool fabric

The Bad

• I’d prefer a non-locking zipper for one-handed opening

The pics of these undies without legs in them, do them no justice. Ex Officio has made some amazing underpants, the Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief.

The Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief has everything you love about your favorite synthetic base layer. They are full range of motion friendly. They feel sleek without feeling slick. The quick drying synthetic blend comes in handy for impromptu clothing required hot springs or creeks, and again when you are on long backpacking trip and you are hand washing/ drip drying your clothes.

I am excited to see Ex Officio expanding their color choices. I have a few pair of the Give-N-Go Boy Cuts, but mine are limited to the black and the white of last year. I am stoked to add a little color. Be aware the entire women’s line of Ex Officio underpants run large. I am 5’9” and a slender 125 pounds. I typically wear a small/ medium in most next to skin layers due to a broad climber’s back and sturdy cyclist thighs. When I bought my Ex Officio Boy Cut Briefs I was an XS (extra small) for the first time in my life. Wild. The fabric does shrink up if you wash them in a commercial washer and dryer, but the blended fabric stretches right back out to hug your body, and is not tight.

Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief Highlights

• Snythetic blended fabric of nylon and spandex

• Quick drying fabric, odor resistant

• Variety of colors and prints

• Non-restrictive, full range of motion

• Made to last!  Wear over (and wash them) and over (and wash them) and over…

I wear my Give-N-Go boy cuts all the time. The low seam line comes right under the curve of the glute, so you can move every which way without needing to readjust. If you are wearing a tighter fit yoga pant or running tight, there is no visible panty line. I find myself reaching for the Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief again and again for the crag, yoga class, and the creeks and ventures in between.

Buy Now form Backcountry!

Lightweight and comfortable with an elastic waistband to keep things simple, the Cloudveil Journey Trail Shorts have been excellent as trail running shorts. Granted, the 9″ inseam is a little long for a dedicated running short, but with the stretchy softshell rear material, the extra length doesn’t mean restricted movement.

Even during warm-weather runs, the Journey Trail Shorts have been cool and comfortable. They are unlined, which I prefer. I used them in combination with the Ex Officio Give-n-Go boxer briefs and found them to be extremely comfortable.

The two front hand pockets are deep enough to stash a wallet, Blackberry and keys with room to spare. There is also a smaller stash pocket for a single key or small MP3 player (iPod Nano fits perfectly). The simple drawstring can provide an extra measure of adjustability should you choose to cinch them down a little.

I found the size medium to fit me perfectly (5′11″ – 175 lbs. – 33 waist) and the length was comfortable for extended use around town without showing too much thigh (everyone but my wife appreciates that, I’m sure).

The material dries quickly and these shorts are versatile enough for river trips, trail running, lounging or swimming–lots of flexibility with these.

In spite of them being lightweight and comfortable, I’d like to see a few mesh vents here and there and some sort of pattern on the front. With the plain front design, they just look boring, but the lack of seams eliminated chaffing, so I suppose it’s a trade-off.

The Good

• Lightweight fabric is comfortable and dries quickly
• Stretchy rear fabric adds to freedom of movement
• Versatile enough for all outdoor or even casual pursuits
• Deep front mesh pockets

The Bad

• Could use a mesh vent or two
• Front looks a little bland

Buy Now: Search GEAR.com for Cloudveil Shorts

After years of using the same hydration packs, I’ve most recently been stoked on Deuter’s hydration packs–primarily due to the suspension design, which provides more airflow than a wind tunnel. With that standard in mind, I embarked on a review of the all-new Amp 12 hydration pack from DaKine–hoping to find similar breathability.

The Amp 12 utilizes a lot of what DaKine is known for: ample pockets and storage compartments galore–all sporting a new lightweight fabric design. Unlike most DaKine products, which use primarily heavy-duty fabrics, the Amp 12 utilizes a combination of lightweight ripstop nylon and nylon weave fabrics to keep the weight and bulk down to a minimum.

Slapping the pack on, the aerated (think Swiss cheese) shoulder straps and dual back panel ribs provide a snug and comfortable fit. The air channel system needs a little refinement though. It performs pretty well, but the dual ribs don’t keep the pack off your back when fully loaded. They easily compress, thus negating any potential for airflow back there. They also make the pack feel odd at first.

What I love the most about the DaKine Amp 12 are the bevy of compartments and exterior pockets galore. Many packs still lack these basic necessities. Zip open the main compartment and there’s a sleeve for a pump, a padded MP3/mobile phone pocket and a mesh pocket for tubes or miscellaneous items. Organization is good!

The main compartment is complemented by a second exterior padded pocket (perfect for a small digital camera or sunglasses), a large zippered mesh pocket and two mesh side pockets that remain accessible while the pack is in use–great feature!

The included Hydrapak 100 oz. reservoir is an improvement over Hydrapak’s designs of old. Opening and closing the reservoir is easy and the quick-disconnect ports allow for easy refilling. The angled bite valve provided plenty of waterflow when needed.

The Amp 12 stays in place well while in the saddle. I found it easy to cinch things down for extended downhills and likewise easy to loosen when pounding out a long climb.

Because the fabric is relatively lightweight, it feels a little floppy when the pack is empty. I know it would add a bit of weight, but a couple of strategically-placed compression straps would help resolve that problem.

Good Amp 12

• Tons of functional pockets
• Love the two padded pockets for phone, iPod, sunglasses or camera
• External quick-access mesh pockets are superb for on-the-fly access
• Feels lightweight
• Good size for all-day fun
• Shoulder straps are breathable and comfy

Bad Amp 12

• Back panel is a good effort, but not as breathable as some
• Two back ribs feel a tad awkward at first
• A strategically-placed compression strap or two would help

Buy Now: Search for DaKine Hydration Packs

Heading into the fifth round of the UCI Downhill World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia, Maxxis-Rocky Mountain’s Sabrina Jonnier had reason to be confident having won three of four World Cups so far in 2009. However, after Saturday when a torrential downpour soaked the track and delayed qualifications, Jonnier who prefers drier tracks, found herself out of her preferred element.

Floriane Pugin (Iron Horse-Kenda-Playbiker), the tenth rider down, set the first fast time of the day for the final, over 20 seconds ahead of the previous best time of Fionn Griffiths (Norco World Team). Pugin’s time was so fast that only two riders would beat her – Jonnier and Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Center), the fastest in qualifying.

Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing), the winner of round one was well back, after crashing near the top of her run, and Myriam Nicole of France came within 12 seconds of Pugin, but it took Jonnier to finally displace her young French rival, and she did it with the first sub-3:40 ride, at 3:39.59 . There was only one rider left by this time – Ragot – and the former Junior world champion came through the first intermediate timer two-hundredths of a second ahead of Jonnier. However, Ragot lost four-tenths of a second in the lower portion of the run, to finish 0.31 seconds down on Jonnier. Celine Gros (Morzine-Avoriaz 74) took fourth, while Mio Suemasa of Japan took the final podium spot, breaking the French stranglehold. Claire Buchar (Chain Reaction) was the only Canadian to race, finishing tenth, 27.53 seconds behind Jonnier.

“I wasn’t super happy about my race run,” revealed Jonnier, “because I made many mistakes, and didn’t really think that I had done enough to win. But I’m glad that I changed back to my favourite Maxxis High Rollers from the 2.5 Wetscreams after qualifying, because the track was drying out quickly and conditions changed in favour of dry tires.”

Jonnier’s win puts her at 1132 points, 197 ahead of Ragot and 322 in front of Moseley with three races remaining in the World Cup.

More Info: Visit Bikes.com

While I must admit that I’m fully enamored by the iPhone 3GS, the fact that I have to commit to using AT&T has me running in the other direction as fast as I can.  Their plans are expensive and I’ve had poor customer service in the past. So, I keep looking on the horizon for an alternative in T-Mobile land while I wait out Apple’s exclusivity agreement.

Every provider has its drawbacks (T-Mobile’s is lack of coverage), but the quality, US-based customer support provided by T-Mobile has won me over. Add on top of that more palatable service plans and I’m staying put… at least with T-Mobile.

Coming July 8, T-Mobile is releasing the all-new myTouch Google Android-based phone to current subscribers. The phone is a sleeker and simpler design to the T-mobile G1 and looks a lot more promising for most users. While the G1 remains in the lineup as a powerhouse, the new myTouch looks more refined and sports a more iPhone-like form factor (minus the buttons at the bottom).

I’m looking forward to seeing the T-Mobile Android myTouch in person once its released. Here are a few features of this new smartphone:

• 3.2″ touchscreen (320 x 480 resolution)
• Faster 3G network
• WiFi connectivity
• Personalization features
• Photo and video capability (3.2 mp camera)
• Full Google application suite
• Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard (landscape or portrait modes)
• Form-factor smaller than an iPhone (don’t let the stretched image to the right fool you)
• Price: $199 w/2-year agreement

Hmmm… 2 years with the myTouch and then a native iPhone on T-mobile? Sounds like I’ve got an iPhone exclusivity agreement waiting plan.

More Info: Visit T-Mobile.com

Ryders Eyewear does an excellent job of making high-quality sunglasses and goggles that are actually affordable. I’ve been impressed with many of their styles over the years and have found them to be an amazing value for the money.

Over the past few months, I’ve been able to test the new Ryders Stealth sunglasses. These glasses are a great option for cycling since they are an open frame design (e.g. no lower frame to impede vision). Slipping these glasses on and it’s easy to get them to fit your face just right.  The adjustable nose piece is a nice feature that’s found on many of their styles.

I found the Stealths to stay put and wear comfortably under a helmet on long bike rides. The grey flash lens (15% VLT) offered excellent vision in and out of the trees.

My only gripe is that the peripheral vision is a little impeded by the drop-down frame. Out of the corner of your eyes, you can see the drop to where the arms attach to the frame. Over time I was able to zone it out, but it is annoying at first.

The lenses have held up to abuse very well with no signs of scratches–in spite of repeated drops and just chucking them in the back of the Subaru.

The Good

• Solid price-point ($44.99)
• Comfortable for all-day use
• Adjustable nose fits a wide range of noses

The Bad

• Frame slightly impedes peripheral vision

Buy Now: Search for Ryders Sunglasses

After drooling over the CrankBrothers Iodine wheels for many months, the moment of truth has arrived… they are in my garage awaiting the arrival of a new Ibis Mojo, which should be here in a couple of weeks. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Iodine wheelset, so it’s time to put all that into consideration as I beat the tar out of them on the trails.

For those of you who haven’t seen the Iodine wheels, you’re in for a visual treat. In true CrankBrothers fashion, they have taken a new twist on wheel design with both the Cobalt and Iodine wheels. The rim design is unique in that ther are no traditional eyelets, but instead an inner rib to which the Twinpair spokes attach at 12 points.

Hubs are easily-serviced and are built on multiple, sealed cartridge bearings for extra-long service life. Hub engagement is solid with 6-pawls and a maximum 7.5-degree engagement for quick reactions.

These rims have a design all their own and have been flogged and trusted by CrankBrothers team rider, Ross Schnell. Check out the photo gallery of Ross on the Iodine’s.

Iodine Wheelset Features

• Tubeless-compatible design
• Proprietary stainless steel spokes and aluminum nipples (really cool design)
• Front hub is 9mm, 15mm and 20mm compatible (with adapters)
• Recommended tire size: 2.3-2.5″
• 2 year warranty
• 21mm width
• Colors: burnt orange or iron
• Weight: 1903 grams (pair)
• MSRP: $1000

The wheels don’t come cheap, but they are on par with other top-notch wheelsets on the market. Stay tuned for updates on the trail as the Iodine’s tackle some killer Utah singletrack.

Buy Now: Search for Crank Brothers Iodine Wheelset

I’ve never been a fan of the big clunky battery pack headlamps, but I wanted to try something that could really put out a lot of light in a variety of shapes, and to see what all the fuss was about, so I finally bought a Black Diamond Icon Headlamp.

Key Features of the Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

• 2 different light options- a 3 watt bulb for incredible amounts of light, but lower efficiency, or use the 4 .5 watt LED lights for lower light but long battery time.
• Runs off of 3 AA batteries or a Black Diamond NRG rechargeable battery pack. This is nice because you can charge it when you’re home or basing your adventures from some place with an electric plug. Then, you can switch to AA batteries when you’re out in the field. Less batteries used overall. This is not so nice, however, because you have to buy the rechargeable kit, an additional $29.95. The battery charging kit does have a cigarette lighter adapter though, so you can charge your headlamp up on the drive from one adventure to the next.
• Memory Mode- The Icon remembers the last setting you had you headlamp on, and when you turn it back on, it retains that setting. Nice for nights when you’re in your tent and not wanting to blind your partner as you flip your light back on to search for your socks…
• Cable between the battery pack and the light itself is coiled, so you aren’t mucking with an ill-fitting wire when taking the headlamp from your head to your helmet.
• Just like with other BD headlamps, to navigate between the 4 settings of LED light levels, you have to “half click” the button, depressing it slightly to change the setting without turning the whole thing off. Takes a bit of finesse, but if you’ve had a BD headlamp before, you won’t have a problem at all.

Overall, I liked using my Icon. It was certainly the brightest light I’ve had on my head, ever. The 3 watt beam definitely does stretch far (BD specifies 83 Meters!), and I was impressed with the width on the 4 lower wattage LEDs. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t see. I brought my Icon out for the first time searching for a pair of lost sunglasses left on a trail earlier in the day, and the Icon lit the whole pathway up! By the end of the night, I discovered 2 things – 1)The shades were in my truck and 2)I was psyched to use such a bright headlamp.

Will I completely convert and carry the bigger one with me all the time as opposed to my usual Black Diamond Spot? Probably not. I like my lightweight, streamlined gear. Is it nice to know that I’ve got a higher light quality option in case I decide I want exceptional visibility on one trip? Definitely.

Check It Out! The Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

The weather is a tricky thing, especially on these spring days here in Salt Lake City. One minute, it’s beautiful and you’re 3 pitches up Pentapitch, loving live and stoked to drop down and climb Sasquatch before you head out. Next minute, you’re being pummeled by wind, freezing, and if you’ve got a Marmot Ion Windshirt, you’re psyched!

The Marmot Ion Windshirt is the lightest functional piece of clothing I own! At 4 oz (Ws size Small), you’re not going to get wind and water protection any lighter. With minimalist features, this windshirt is a great piece to toss in a stuff sack and hang off your harness for multi-pitch routes, or to leave in the bottom of a pack for days at the crag. It’s so light, you’ll forget it’s there until the storm clouds begin rolling in, or when the wind picks up just enough to make that belay uncomfortably chilly. Reach into your pack, grab your Ion, and let the fun continue. Also great for trail running!

Key Features of the Marmot Ion Windshirt

• Wind resistant and water resistant. The Ion comes with a DWR coating, so while it’s not waterproof, it’s certainly water resistant.
• That same DWR coating does limit breathability a bit. I actually liked my jacket a bit more after some of the DWR coating had worn off- it offered a bit more breathability, and was still wind resistant.
• Integrated hood
• 1 chest zip pocket, in case you need to stash a Gu Shot or a Cliff Bar. Other than that, no pockets, no frills. Just stripped down, minimalist wind and water protection.
• Packs down to the size of a tennis ball!

Check it out! Marmot Ion Windshirt.

If you enjoy a good beverage a few days into the backcountry, Platypus has designed a new product to eliminate toting all that glass in your pack. The Platypus PlatyPreserve system allows you to take wine from the glass bottle, seal it into a PlatyPreserve container, and open it a few days later, still getting that just-opened taste!

Exposure to oxygen affects the taste of wine, and wine can go bad within 2-8 hours after opening a bottle. Crux! How do you tote you Pinot Noir on your 5 day backpacking trip without a) drinking the entire bottle the 1st night or b) hauling along that cumbersome glass bottle the entire trip and fumbling with gas-exchange systems to retain the taste? Get yourself a PlatyPreserve.

Platypus PlatyPreserve Features

• Collapsible container- when you’ve finished off your beverage, there’s no large container left around to haul for the remainder of the trip.
• The PlatyPreserve allows you to put your wine in, and then remove all the Oxygen from the bladder, eliminating the exposure to any O2. This keeps your wine tasty, even days later!
• No taste transfer! Your wine doesn’t taste like plastic.
• BPA Free- who likes that stuff anyways?
• The average glass wine bottle weighs 2 pounds! Shave that weight off.
• The PlatyPreserve allows you quite the selection of portable wine, as opposed to just the wine that comes in a box…
• $12.95 per bladder. A bit pricey, but think of the weight and space you’re saving.

Check It Out! Platypus PlatyPreserve System

Lumos Inc. introduces KT Tape™, the first-ever kinesiology tape to come in pre-cut strips specifically designed for consumer use. Kinesiology tape is a high performance elastic athletic tape used by medical professionals for treating muscle and joint injuries. Kinesiology tape has never been available direct to consumers, and required special cutting and training to use it. Athletes no longer have to suffer through painful injuries, or sit out their favorite sports. KT Tape is fast and easy to apply and provides the same professional quality treatment on which Olympic champions rely.

By lifting the skin and relieving pressure on pain transmitters, KT Tape provides muscle-pain relief and support without restricting motion. KT Tape comes in convenient pre-cut strips and is available in a variety of colors. It provides 24-hour relief for up to five days per application and is water resistant, so it stays on in the pool & shower. KT Tape is launching world-wide this year in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. The product will be available to US consumers at Sports Authority, Eastbay, Dicks Sporting Goods, Big 5 Sporting Goods, as well as thousands of independent sporting goods retailers nation-wide.

Olympic gold-medalist Kerri Walsh has officially endorsed KT Tape:

“Kinesiology tape allows me to compete at my peak, even when I’m injured. I switched to KT Tape because it is hands-down the highest quality, most durable and comfortable kinesiology tape that I’ve ever found,” says Kerri Walsh, two-time Olympic gold medalist.” “I wouldn’t play without it!”

Athletes from all sports use KT Tape. More and more people are discovering the difference KT Tape can make in their athletic performance. Injuries that usually sideline an athlete are no match for KT Tape. KT Tape provides relief for runner’s knee, tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, sprains, and general back and shoulder pain, as well as most muscle soreness or pain. All of these injuries respond well to treatment with KT Tape, allowing people to remain active while injured.

Each package of KT Tape includes detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for common applications and injuries. KT Tape is latex-free, and non-medicated so there is no potential for interaction with other medications. Unlike oral pain medications, athletes using KT Tape receive pain relief without undesirable side effects such as nausea which can affect performance.

For a complete list of retailers, and videos demonstrating a wide variety of taping techniques, please visit www.kttape.com.

KT Tape provides muscle pain relief, increased mobility, and enhanced recovery for athletes of every level. Developed by Utah-based Lumos Inc., KT Tape is packaged in easy-to-use, pre-cut strips. KT Tape is officially endorsed by Kerri Walsh, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.

Lumos, Inc. designs, develops, and distributes specialty products for the sports medicine industry. The company’s products are used by individuals and professionals to reduce pain, increase mobility, and accelerate recovery. The company’s products are sold worldwide through retailers in the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.

More Info: Visit KTTape.com

I love cooking good food in the outdoors. I break away from dehydrated food every now and again to spoil myself and the people I camp with. I am done messing around with pan clamps and heavy pans, the GSI Pinnacle Frypan is the happy medium you’ve been looking for.

There might be a day I take this backpacking but for now I’ve mostly taken it car camping. Even car camping I like to have my gear small and easy to store. Squeeze the handle and it stores nicely in the pan when not in use. The handle has a nice plastic coating that I still have yet to burn away. The hinge prevents the heat from transferring to the handle which sure beats a smoldering cast iron.

The first time I cooked on the Pinnacle I, of course, forgot any type of cooking spray. I was happy to find the finish didn’t have any problem cooking eggs or meat. There are also circular strips on the bottom of the pan which help the heat distribution and prevents sliding on the stove.

The 10 in. pan is just less than a pound in weight so if you did take it backpacking it wouldn’t weigh you down that bad. With a price tag of $25 and with stellar specs I wouldn’t go with anything else.

BUY NOW: Search for the GSI Pinnacle Frypan

I’ve been doing lots of climbing in the Wasatch Range as of late, and my boyfriend has been off in Yosemite for most of May, and both of us have been using our Beal Flyer II Ropes for everything we’ve been climbing.

The Flyer II is a 10.2mm diameter rope, a nice mid-size between new-age skinny ropes and the massive 10.5mm ropes out there that can be difficult to feed into devices and extraordinarily heavy. The Flyer comes in 2 length options- a 60m rope or a 70m rope. I chose the 70m, for more versatility in what I could climb. I only have 1 one rope, so I opted for a bit more weight in exchange for the versatility I gained with a 70m.

Beal Flyer II 10.2mm Rope

• Rope 101: A rope consists of a sheath and a core. The sheath is intended to protect the core, where as the core is where the strength of the rope lies. When a rope is dry-treated, it’s referring to what parts of the rope have a special treatment on them to resist water. The Beal Flyer II comes with 2 dry-treatment options: 1- Dry-Cover, where just the sheath is treated, or 2- Golden Dry, where both the core and the sheath are treated. I do a fair amount of ice climbing, so it made sense for me to purchase the Golden Dry rope.
• Mid-mark: The rope isn’t bi-colored (a big bummer), but it does have the middle marked with a 3 inch long black marking spot. Still hard to see if you’re pulling rope fast, especially after you’ve gotten some dirt on the thing.
• Wears well! After 20+ pitches on El Cap, the Flyer was showing essentially no wear. I’ve used one for well over a year, and it’s holding up great.
• Handling- one of the slight drawbacks of the rope. It’s really stiff when new, and takes a while to break in and get to that “supple” handling phase. It’s especially kinky when brand new, which is a pain on belays. Be sure to flake it each time as opposed to belaying from a coil or a rope bag- you’re going to get kinks and knots with this one.
• Sweeeet hot pink colors. You’re styling with this rope, for sure.

Overall, the Flyer II’s greatest feature is it’s durability! This rope will last you through whatever you use it for- ice pitches, Lurking Fear on El Capitan, days at the Crag in SLC, a quick trip down to American Fork Canyon, whatever!

Check It Out! Beal Flyer II 10.2mm Rope

I made a trip down to Coyote Gulch a few weeks ago for some light backpacking on my mini summer break, and one product I used every day was my Katadyn Hiker Water Filter (I also used my Black Diamond Lighthouse Tent, check out that review for an awesome lightweight tent).

Katadyn specializes in water filtration systems, and makes a lot of really neat products. From water filters to desalination systems for boats to Micropur purification tablets, Katadyn is your water expert.

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter Specs

• Ideal for 1-2 persons
• Weight = 11 oz. Superlight!
• Max output of 1 liter/minute. I certainly don’t have the arm strength to pump out a liter a minute, but the filter has that capability.
• Filters out Bacteria, Protozoa, cysts, algae, spores and sediments. This includes cryptosporidium!
• Comes with both Nalgene compatible and hydration bladder compatible attachments, so you can attach it right to your water container and worry less about spillage.
• Great for weekend, week-long and day trips. If you’re looking for a product to serve you on a several month expedition, look more towards Katadyn’s Endurance Series filters.
• Filter contains an active carbon core, which reduces “icky” tastes and colors in your water.
• At $59.95, it’s a relatively inexpensive water filter for what you get!

Overall, I was very impressed with my Katadyn Hiker. Lightweight, easy to pump, and adaptable to my nalgene…. No wonder it’s the bestselling filter in its class on the market.

Buy Now: Search for Katadyn Hiker Microfilter

Why sit in a car stuck in traffic when you could be riding your bike? As the economy, OPEC and some inconvenient truths conspire to suck any last remaining nickels, dimes and sense of self worth from you soul, more cyclists are realizing the absurdity of the situation and have taken their two-wheeled passion to the city streets as their primary form of transportation to and from work, play and errands. Now a new company called Cutter is manufacturing the tools you need to survive the consequent madness and look good doing it, whether you’re a casual commuter, veteran messenger or the trendy fixie rider.

Named in recognition of the gritty, underdog spirit of the Cutters team in Breaking Away, Cutter recognizes that urban riders are also the underdogs in our still car-mad. From apparel to tools and locks, Cutter’s goal is to manufacture the goods that encourage and help you successfully battle traffic jams, taxi drivers, jaywalkers, the elements, criminal elements and the unenlightened during your daily commute.

“Cutter is built for the urban bike commuter. It’s innovative cycling gear, with technical features and smart details that work for riders who wouldn’t be caught dead in tight rainbow-colored Lycra, but who definitely care about performance. Cutter people ride all the time,” says Cutter’s Steve Sramek.

To start, Cutter focused on developing a piece of performance cycling gear that can seamlessly take you from the streets, work, to the pubs and back again all while looking suitably appropriate, stylish and comfortable. They wound up creating three:

• A super-subdued styled Cyclical shell made from high-performance eVent fabric with contoured arm cuts, zippered Ninja cuffs, and strategic reflectivity.
• A sick looking and feeling pair of Tech Knickers made from PolarTec Powershield fabric with articulated knees, gusseted crotch, U-lock leash, strategic pockets for keys, cell, wallet, tools
• An understated, fine grade merino wool jersey
• And, yes, they all come in various shades of UnBlack.

Other Cutter brand performance products designed to help you survive and thrive (and not get ripped off) include multi-tools and hex wrenches, hand and floor pumps for tires and shocks, front and rear LED lights, and U-style and cable locks. You can get the full menu at www.cutterbikes.com.

While Cutter doesn’t provide everything you need, they’re close, the rest is up to you. To launch, Cutter brand products are sold exclusively through www.RealCyclist.com but will expand into other outlets in the near future. Baby steps.

More Info: Visit RealCyclist.com