Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Under Armour have collaborated on a new collection: Project Rock “For the Heroes.” This latest apparel collection was launched to support the Travis Manion Foundation.
The Travis Manion Foundation was named after 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of his patrol in 2007. Under Armour and Project Rock are supporting the organization by providing funds from the For The Heroes collection.
Under Armour For the Heroes Collection
This new collection features new pieces for men, women, and youth. They are branded to celebrate veterans and features distressed type, metallic golds and an eagle illustration.
Over the last month, I’ve been doing a lot of my workouts in my garage. And with it getting colder, the Hoodie and Joggers are perfect companions. I am comfortable throughout my workout, including when I am just warming up and still and little bit cold. But it’s also able to withstand a solid flop-sweat.
The material isn’t clingy as the workout gets more intense. This allows me to squat deeper and lift cleaner while the fabric moves with me.
The Vet Day graphics add an additional layer and texture to the material. On the hoodie, the large circle feels rubbery to the touch, but doesn’t sit heavy.
Under Armour Vet Day Joggers
The joggers have two side pockets and a snap pocket in the back.
Conclusion
I really appreciate what The Rock and Under Armour are doing to support this organization. You can get involved too by purchasing these products from Under Armour or visiting the website for the Travis Manion Foundation and seeing how you can get involved.
It’s better than the alternative: squinting and stressing out my eyeballs.
But I am picky about what I wear, especially when I run. I don’t know about you, but I always feel that after an hour or two, my head expands and sunglasses can start feeling tight and uncomfortable.
My perfect sunglasses can’t be rigid and hard. They have to be flexible; bending and flexing to accommodate for the blood pumping into my noggin.
I was excited to hear that Nathan was launching sunglasses. They already make great packs and apparel for running, so why not sunglasses?
The choice of lens was intentional. I have plenty of sunglasses for bright, sunny days. But what about those fall / winter days when it is overcast and windy or when I am running on trails with a lot of tree coverage? I want eye protection on those days too and darker lenses are too much.
The frames themselves are really comfortable. They are made from a lightweight thermoplastic material that is durable and flexible. The flexibility allows the frames to bend and contour to your face, but they are also resilient to damage. I did a few drop tests and the glasses came away still looking brand new.
Nathan SUMMIT POLARIZED RUNNING SUNGLASSES
There are also rubber grips that sit flush on the frame around the nose and ears to help minimize bounce and keep the glasses securely on your face. Bouncing down trails didn’t dislodge them. Even a slip and fall on my head didn’t askew them.
As for the lens: they are great. Before when I’d run on cloudy days or in dense forests, I’d always oscillate between having my glasses on for a period, then off. On and then off. Over and over again. But with their blue mirror lens, I kept them on the entire time. And I felt that I had less eye fatigue because of that.
While I have plenty of other sunglasses for bright, sunny days, I’ll definitely be picking up another pair from Nathan. These glasses are the most comfortable out of my collection and will be a great companion for when I start ultra training this spring.
You can find these sunglasses at Nathan’s website for $50 a pair.
It’s that time of year again in Colorado: the leaves have fallen, the days are shorter, and the temperature is dropping. Bundling up is key for outdoor activities. And there is nothing I like to wear more than a good hoodie.
Jack Wolfskin Hydro Grid Fleece
Jack Wolfskin sent me their newest hooded sports jacket, the Hydro Grid Fleece, to try out and it quickly became my favorite hoodie.
It’s light, but warm due to the polyester material. The outer is smooth with a DWR finish to repel water. It has a soft interior for next-to-skin comfort.
The Hydro Grid Fleece is stretchy too. When I’ve taken it out on the trail for hikes and runs, I found that it moved easily with me. It wasn’t clingy and it also didn’t chafe.
While this hoodie performs great for outdoor activities, it has also become my go-to hoodie.
Jack Wolfskin Hydro Grid Fleece
Just this morning, when it was 27ºF, I threw it on to walk the dog. Actually, I threw it on last night to walk the dog as well, and in the afternoon, and wore it for a handful of work Zoom calls.
It’s a really great jacket. No joke.
Product highlights:
It has a scuba-shaped hood, fitting comfortably over my head. It isn’t lose, which makes it a great hood for running. It doesn’t blow off and I can easily pull it over my head and ears without disrupting sunglasses or headphones. Or mess up my hair.
On the sides it has two deep, zippered pockets. When I am wearing the jacket to run errands, these pockets are great to hold a mask, keys, and wallet. For outdoor activities, because how deep the pockets are, I won’t put things that bounce. For running, I’ll leave them empty, but use them to stash a beanie or gloves for when I warm up.
On the left breast, it has another zippered pocket. This is wear I stash my iPhone. It’s large enough for an iPhone 12 Pro and while it does bounce, it isn’t bothersome.
Jack Wolfskin Hydro Grid Fleece
Conclusion
Yes, I love the Hydro Grid Fleece. It’s a great hoodie and a great jacket overall. For the holidays, this is at the top of my recommended gift giving list!
I am 5’11” and just north of 190 lbs. I wear a large and it fits perfectly.
You can find the Hydro Grid Fleece at Jack Wolfskin’s website for $149.95.
Nathan sent us the TrailMix 7L, a trail-running pack, to test. Over the last month, we’ve taken around the local trails, up and down several mountains, and have put on around 75 miles with the pack.
Nathan TrailMix 7L
As the name suggest, it has a total capacity of 7 liters, including 2 liters of water storage with an included HydraPak reservoir.
The Fit
The TrailMix 7L wears like a small backpack. It’s fit is snug, yet comfortable, with contoured shoulders and multiple cinch straps to ensure a proper fit. The build is light and flexible, letting it move with you as you tear down the trail.
It features a compression system that keeps your load tight against your back for stability. With the water reservoir, I always flip it upside down and suck out any extra air prior to running with it. This helps reduce any natural bounce that may occur with the pack, but I honestly didn’t feel any excessive bounce.
One of the key features I always look for in a running pack is comfortability on long runs. During ultra season a few years ago, my go-to pack at the time always left chafe marks on my shoulders. The TrailMix 7L has a soft perimeter and I didn’t experience any chafing on my arms or shoulders.
Storage
Nathan TrailMix 7L
The TrailMix 7L might seem light on storage, but I found it adequate for runs up to 20 miles in the changing temperature of Fall. Starting out in the morning, I had gloves, beanie, and a jacket. Once it warmed up, they easily stashed in the pack. I also always run with a small first aid kit that fits snuggly in the bottom of the pack.
On the front of the vest there are two front pockets. They are large enough for my 20 ounce soft flasks, but for the runs I did with the pack, I used them more for my iPhone 12 Pro and snacks.
Nathan TrailMix 7L
The back of the pack also has daisy chains for attaching lighting (great for night runs) and trekking pole attachments.
When I took my poles out, I found that the attachments kept them stored adequately. I didn’t have any issues with my poles falling out. When I did pull the poles out or stashed them, I had to stop and remove the pack. Not ideal for races, but good enough for training.
Hydration Sytem
It’s worth taking a few sentences to talk about the hydration system.
As mentioned previously, the TrailMix 7L comes with a HydraPak 2L bladder.
The bladder hose snakes out of the top of the pack and down the right breast where it hooks securely. The hose is long, so when it’s hooked, I don’t have to unhook to drink. However, on longer runs, I did find the bounce of the hose slightly annoying, so I ended up tucking it into the bottom belt of the pack.
HydraPak is one of the best manufacturers of hydration systems, so it was awesome seeing that it was included.
Quick pro tip: when washing, HydraPak’s can be reversed. Just reach inside and pull out to reverse. It makes cleaning a heckuvalot easier. Plus, drying is a lot faster.
Conclusion
I’m excited to continue trail-running this winter with the Nathan TrailMix 7L. It offers ample water storage and the remaining space is large enough to pack in or out with my running necessities.
The TrailMix 7L is also the most affordable pack we’ve tested. At $100, it is $30-$100 less than it’s competitors.
If you’re looking for a new trail-running companion, look no further than the Nathan TrailMix 7L.
The Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat is my new favorite outdoor adventure hat. It offers a style that helps me embrace my inner Indiana Jones, but also protection from the sun on long days on the trail.
I really like Tilley’s hats in general. They are durable and long-lasting. There are other hats that are more breathable or offer more sun protection, but Tilley’s hats are meant to last a lifetime, not just a season.
Protection
The T3 Cotton Duck Hat provides a brim that is between 2 3/4″ in the front and 2 3/8″ on the sides. It has a UPF rating of 50+, so you don’t have to worry about sun coming through the fabric. The sides also have snap buttons that allow you snap the sides up.
The brim isn’t as large as I’d like for long days in direct sun, but it is great for hikes around Boulder when I am in tree coverage for most of the hike.
Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat
Comfort
The hat is made from 100% cotton duck. When it arrived, it was a bit stiff. But after working it with my hands a bit, I could tell that it started loosening up.
True to their brand, this hat doesn’t sit low, but “floats” on top of my head. It also has wind cords for windier days.
I didn’t find the fabric very breathable. During a long hike, after working up a decent sweat, I found my head hotter than normal, but that wasn’t a bad thing. I wouldn’t wear it during the heat of Summer, but it is a great companion during the Fall or Spring seasons when it’s a bit cooler.
Summary
I loved this hat. Really appreciative that Tilley sent this to me to test.
It’s been a companion on hikes, but also randomly at home. The other day it was raining and I was going in and out of the house to check on some meat that was on my smoker. It was an easy hat to grab and put on to avoid getting my hair wet.
The T3 Cotton Duck Hat comes in a variety of colors and sizes and is available for $80 USD.
Tilley’s mission is creating “authentic products with enduring purpose for life out of doors.” For years, they have been known for their quality. Each hat passes through 23 pairs of hands in a 41 step process as it’s constructed from raw material to it’s finished product.
One of the larger reasons why I like Tilley’s hat is because they don’t sit tightly on my head, unlike some other bucket style hat brands. It “floats” on top of my head. But it also floats on water too due to a foam insert in the lining of the crown.
This hat also includes a hidden security pocket that is big enough to hold credit cards or cash.
The T1 Bucket Hat is perfect for all environments. I’ve worn it on hikes, but also thrown it on to walk the dog. It’s light and comfortable.
I also love the brim of the hat. On the website, their images show the brim turned down, but it is very flexible. You can have it turned down, turned up, or curve it so it’s partially up or down.
This hat also includes wind cords that you can loop around your neck on windy days to keep your hat from blowing off. But they are also easily and comfortably stashed inside the hat.
The T1 Bucket Hat is available in a variety of colors and sizes for $80 USD.
When I first started running, I used what I had for equipment: old, tattered Reebox and cheap cotton socks.
As my mileage increased and I set my sights on my first marathon, I bought a pair of running shoes and running socks from Swiftwick.
Swiftwick were my first official pair of socks for running, so I was excited when they sent me a couple of their new styles to try.
Swiftwick socks across all their various styles, have several key features.
They include a lightweight upper to increase breathability and to keep your feet cool and comfortable. Their toe box and arch support is built so that the sock doesn’t move on you.
Swiftwick Trail-Running Socks
Swiftwick VIBE™
The Swiftwick VIBE™ is a medium cushion, compression sock built for trail running.
The compression feature supports the muscles in your foot, which is perfect for the trail. As you’re running on uneven terrain, you need something that will support you every step of the way.
I test a “no show” size and the height fit comfortably on my foot. I didn’t experience any rubbing between the sock or my shoe on my ankle bone.
The Swiftwick VIB Zero is perfect for runs is warmer temperatures.
It should also be noted that the Swiftwick VIBE comes in a two heights, including the Zero (no show) and One (ankle length)
Swiftwick PURSUIT™
Now that it’s getting colder, the PURSUIT™ has become my new favorite trail running sock.
Similar to the VIBE, the PURSUIT comes in several sizes, ranging from no show to calf-length. The ones I tried were the PURSUIT Four, which came up to the middle of my calves.
The PURSUIT is constructed with Merino wool and has a reinforced heel and toe for maximum durability. Merino is nature’s technical fiber. It absorbs moisture without feeling soggy and regulates temperature.
“Oh, but wool,” you think. “Isn’t it itchy?”
Not with Swiftwick. It was made with a Merino wool that produces a soft, no-itch feel throughout.
PR’ing my Trail Marathon Time
With gear reviews, we like to put in the miles.
With Swiftwick, I wanted to see if I could beat my trail marathon time.
During my last ultra, one of the challenges I had was blisters on the bottom of my foot from my socks moving that slowed me down on the final 10 miles. I had to stop, pop, drain, and apply bandaids.
But with Swiftwick, on some fairly technical terrain, I didn’t have the same problem.
It can mean something good or bad, but also used to describe something challenging.
Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate and BCAAs
When Gnarly Nutrition sent me samples of their product to try, it landed on my doorstep at a challenging time. I just gotten back from my first physical in many years and learned that I had topped the scales at an all-time high. Based on the BMI chart, I was now “overweight.”
Fitness has always been a priority for me, but as life changed, so has my fitness priorities. The COVID-19 presented challenges around my fitness and I fell out of my normal routines, including running (something I have been devoutly fanatical about for 13 years).
The balance between home learning, work, and making time for my wife to have to herself put a lot of my fitness to the side.
And now I showed the evidence of that. Since my first child was born 10 years ago, I had put on 47 pounds. Since COVID, I had put on 20 pounds.
It was a lot and I knew I had to do something different. Something challenging. Something… gnarly.
When these samples arrived, I decided that it was time to kick my own ass.
I started a high-intensity-impact-training program, increased my frequency and mileage running, and started flipping a tractor tire in my garage. Along with that, I started intermittent fasting for 16-18 hours a day and cold showers in the morning to activate my brown fat cells.
These supplements from Gnarly Nutrition have been a welcome addition.
Gnarly Hydrate
Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate
Thirty-minutes prior to a workout, I’ll down a serving of Gnarly Hydrate.
Typically, I’m working out in the late afternoon and the B-Vitamins are a nice energizing pick-me-up to motivate me out of my office and into my workout space.
Each serving is super-packed with electrolytes to help aid performance and stave off muscle cramps and burnout. 250 mg of sodium, 100 mg of potassium, 90 mg of magnesium, 125 mg of calcium, and 135 mg of chloride.
What I appreciate about this product is that it doesn’t have caffeine. Since I’m working out in the afternoon, I don’t need extra caffeine in my system.
Additionally, this product mixes really well. There’s another brand (that shan’t be named) that I’ve used that is always clumpy and feels heavy in the gut. Gnarly Hydrate mixes well enough that I’ve replaced the Nuun tablets in my Hydropak.
Gnarly BCAAs
Gnarly Nutrition BCAAs
I’ve never used BCAAs as part of my recovery. If you don’t know, BCAAs stand for Branched Chain Amino Acids.
You have 20 different amino acids in your body and three of those (leucine, isoleucine and valine) are branched chain amino acids.
By supplementing BCAAs, you’re helping your body build back better (sorry, Biden). BCAAs can help with muscle growth, decrease muscle soreness, reduce fatigue, and prevent muscle wasting.
When I’ve gotten on these ass-kicking routines, my ass has gotten kicked and I have fallen off the wagon quickly.
But since supplementing Gnarly BCAAs I’ve found significant improvement in my recovery time.
I’ve been able to hit the same level of intensity the next day after an intense workout.
I’m a week into my journey and I’ve already dropped a couple pounds, which I’ll take as a victory.
Gnarly BCAAs has several flavors to choose from including caffeinated and decaf options. I’m using the caffeinated version, but with only 35 mg of caffeine per serving, it hasn’t negatively impacted my sleep routine.
Gnarly Vegan Protein
Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Protein
Finding the right vegan protein has been hit or miss. Especially when it comes to how well it mixes. There are many out there that are grainy and clumpy.
Thankfully, Gnarly Vegan Protein is one of the best I’ve had. Their protein is a blend of pea protein isolate, cranberry seed protein and chia seed protein.
Since using it, I also haven’t had the gut issues I’ve had before with other proteins. I think it’s in part due to their forms of protein, but the fiber content (7 grams per serving), and the pre and probiotics to support digestion and gut health.
When I’ve been breaking my fast, I’ve turned to their vegan protein versus running to the local sandwich or fast food shop. Each serving, when combined with water, is only 200 calories.
Out of the two flavors I samples (vanilla and chocolate), chocolate was my favorite.
Bottom Line
As I’ve gone on this journey of better health and fitness, I couldn’t be more happy to have Gnarly Nutrition in my corner. It’s definitely been a bit gnarly. But gnarly is a good way.
My hope is that I’ll be able to get to a point where I’m able to do ultras again and have Gnarly on all my training runs.
It’s worth noting that Gnarly Nutrition products are NSF certified and the three products above are all soy free, gluten free, and vegan.
As the days are getting cooler, finding the right insulated jacket for your next outdoor adventure is key.
Jack Wolfskin sent us their new JWP Atmos Jacket to try out and we’ve had a blast on and off the trails with it.
Jack Wolfskin JWP Atmos Jacket
The timing of getting the JWP Atmos Jacket couldn’t have been better. We recently added a puppy product tester to our crew, Parker, and I have found myself outside during the coolest parts of the day. The JWP Atmos Jacket is light-weight and easy-fitting for a quick throw-on for those walks.
But besides just walking Parker, I had the chance to get the jacket outside on a few hikes.
The jacket itself is lightweight; a men’s medium only weighing 410g.
It’s also incredibly stowable. Mid-way through my hike, I was feeling warm enough to slip it off. The jacket was able to be stuffed down into my backpack.
The JWP Atmos Jacket is made with Jack Wolfskin’s Flex Shield Exosphere material making it wind resistant and water repellent.
Inside, the jacket has lightweight insulation made of recycled synthetic fibers with stretch properties. I’m fairly certain that it’s the stretch properties that allows the jacket to pack so tightly into my backpack, but still retain it’s original shape without the insulation bulking up in one particular spot.
Jack Wolfskin JWP Atmos Jacket
The jacket also has a hood, which is a great addition. It provided able protection when I was caught out in the rain, but also kept my ears nice and toasty on a cool morning walk with the puppy.
This jacket is also pretty stylish. It looks great on the trails, but is also a nice jacket to wear around town.
I am 5’11” and 195 lbs and I tested a men’s large.
If you’re on the hunt for a new Fall jacket, I highly recommend the JWP Atmos Jacket.
KAVU clothing is designed for fun. Whether that’s at work or in the outdoors. They sell a variety of outdoor wear and amazing bags to encourage you to “spread your good-time attitude.”
KAVU Petos Shirt Jacket and Scrag Pants
Recently, KAVU sent us a few products to test.
The Scrag Pants
The origin of the Scrag Pant dates back to the late 90’s. This Fall, KAVU took this pant out of the archives and redesigned it.
KAVU Scrag Pant
It’s made with organic cotton and has an elastic stretch waist. The pant also comes with a webbing belt built in, making minor size adjustment a cinch.
The Scrag Pant is designed with a regular fit, which I found to be very comfortable on the trail. The elastic waist band also moves easily creating a comfortable fit.
For our field test, I took them on a hike up a local mountain. There were spots that I had to scramble up and I never felt that the pants were in the way of my movement.
They also look great too. I have found myself wearing them around town or at work and they feel chill, more than anything else.
It’s made from 100% cotton corduroy creating a really soft and fun look.
I’ve worn this over another t-shirt or sweatshirt and it is really comfortable. Compared to other “shackets,” the Petos is less bulky and sits on my frame in a more tapered way. In other words, I don’t feel like I look fat in it.
On colder days, the collar snaps up to protect your neck from the cold.
KAVU Petos Shirt Jacket
The shirt also includes two chest flap pockets and hand pockets on the side. The material in the hand pockets are incredibly soft and warm.
I was hiking early in the morning with the Petos Shirt Jacket and had forgotten my gloves and the hand pockets kept my fingers suitably warm.
Bottom Line
I had a blast testing out these products from KAVU. Their brand is about fun and these were fun products to wear.
But they have a lot more to choose from besides these two products, including a full line of men’s and women’s clothing, bags, and accessories.
