This Fall, Showers Pass launched a new line of pants for cycling: The Rogue Pant. They sent our team at Huck Adventures a pair to take on the trails.
Showers Pass Rogue Pant
First, these pants aren’t just for MTB. They work great on the bike, especially for extended periods. But I took them recently on an all-day hike in the mountains and they outperformed any other pair of pants in my gear closet.
The Rogue Pant is water-resistant and have a slim feel all the way down the legs. It’s made of a breathable nylon spandex that has a four-way stretch—very similar to their Gravel Short—and a DWR coating.
Inside the pants there are silicon grippers to keep the waist in place. There is also an adjustable velcro waistband for easy sizing.
The pockets are mesh for additional breathability and a clasp on the back pocket for added security.
Showers Pass Rogue Pant
On my mountain hike, I found these pants to be extremely comfortable. The slim fit wasn’t a problem. The four-way stretch kept things moving easily and provided ample coverage for my legs. As I was scrambling over rocks I didn’t have any issues with the waist exposing my butt crack. And likewise when I was coming down, losing my balance, and sliding on rocks, I found that the material held up well.
For biking, these are great pants for the trail, but also a great commuter pant. As long as you don’t have mud splattered up the backside, this is a great pant to wear on the bike and in the office.
With the Rogue, I wear a size 36-inch waist. With other brands, I am a 34-inch, so these fit a bit small.
One of the larger benefits of CBD is how good the hemp plant is for the environment. Hemp’s rapid growth makes it one of the fastest CO2-to-biomass conversion tools available, more efficient than agro- forestry.
But with the rapid growth of the CBD industry, a by-product of the large consumption of hemp oil is the biomass waste it produces.
Ananda Hemp is solving that issue with the creation of their activewear line, Hemp Black. They sent me some products to try out.
Hemp as a Fabric
Using Hemp as a fabric isn’t new. Leading brands have been using it for years, but it’s only been recently that Hemp has gained popularity over traditional cotton and polyester.
What makes Hemp Black different is that along with the hemp-blended fabrics, their activewear is infused with antimicrobial copper embedded fibers and odor eliminating hemp infused fibers with full-spectrum hemp extract to reduce odor.
Less odor = less stink = less washing. This makes Hemp Black one of the most sustainably-focused activewear companies in the world.
It’s also worth noting that a majority of hemp clothing is made overseas, whereas Hemp Black is made in the U.S.
Additionally, no chemical treatment or finishes were applied to the outer shell or main fabrications.
The copper and hemp blend is throughout the interior of the jacket.
It has a lined hood that stayed fresh and clean during longer, sweat-filled runs.
There are two lined pockets for storage. One includes a cellphone pocket that is large enough for my iPhone 12 Pro. Now, the crazy thing about their copper and hemp blend, is that it will sanitize your phone. It reduces a broad spectrum of viruses, bacteria, and fungi on surfaces it comes in contact with and keep items clean.
Hemp Black Fairmont Full Zip Jacket Glove Liner
The sleeves also extend to cover my hands, with thumb-holes. The intention of this was to allow for safer, cleaner contact when coming into contact with things, like doors, touching buttons, etc. But I have these hand covers to be great while out for early morning cooler runs to keep my fingers comfortable.
I’ve taken it out on several runs and impressed by how it doesn’t stink.
It’s also really light and breathable. Even as my body heated up, I never felt like I was overheating.
Sunn Pant
Hemp Black Sunn Pants
Combined with the Jacket, I also was sent a pair of the Sunn Pant to try out.
One of my pet peeves with any pant or short I wear during outdoor activities is making sure they stay in place. The Sunn Pant’s waistband is designed to do just that. During heavy-movement (running, cycling), they stayed in place without riding up or down.
The Sunn Pant is lined with the same copper and hemp blend in strategic areas to keep things fresh. The pocket includes a cell phone holder that also has the same antimicrobial elements.
Hemp Black Sunn Pants
I also found that these pants are great anytime pants. They are much cooler and sleeker than your typical sweatpants and I have worn them on a few work Zoom calls.
With running, they pair really well with Saxx Kinetic HD underwear. Even under heavy activity, I didn’t experience any chafing with the pants or uncomfortability in the ankles or calfs where the pants taper.
Bottom Line
I’m excited to see how Hemp Black line expands.
Beyond these two products, they have a line of t-shirts, face masks, and bags for men.
They also have a full line of women’s products, including leggings, bras, and tanks.
Pricing ranges from $40-200. While the jackets and pants are on the pricier side, their technology is intended to last the lifecycle of their products. Because the copper and hemp fabric reduces odor, you don’t have to wash it as much and the products will last longer.
When I stopped at the Tasc Performance booth at Outdoor Retailer, I knew I had stumbled onto a pretty special and unique brand.
Tasc Performance clothes are made from a bamboo fiber blend, which is great for any type of activity due to its moisture-wicking, anti-odor, and wrinkle-resistant properties.
At Outdoor Retailer, it was immediately noticeable how lightweight and comfortable their clothing was. The bamboo fiber blend made it extremely soft and I knew I had to try them out on the trail.
Field Testing
Tasc sent me a handful of products to review. In this post, we’ll break down two products: the Carrolton Tee and the Recess Short.
The Recess Short
Tasc Performance Recess Short
With the Tasc Performance Recess Short, the softness of the bamboo fiber blend was immediately apparent. It might TMI, but I have been have some chafing issues in the nether region. During the field test I took them out on a mountain hike and several runs and I never experienced any redness or soreness down there. I also through in a handful of home workouts and yoga sessions.
When comparing them to my other go-to running shorts, they also weighed in 2 grams lighter.
The shorts have several pockets for storage. I was able to easily hold a few gels and a flexible water bottle in the side pockets, and my keys in a zippered side pocket. On the bamboo liner, it has a cell phone pocket that easily held my iPhone 12 Pro.
The pockets kept things secure enough so that there wasn’t too much bouncing, but ideally on longer runs, I would store a majority of those things in my running pack.
Not getting chafed by itself made these shorts a winner. But I’ve also just lounged around the house in them. The liner isn’t too tight or constrictive. It kept everything in it’s place while giving me room to stretch out.
I also found that they are suitable to nearly every workout activity I could think of. While doing jump squats or downward-facing dog, I never felt that the shorts were slipping in a way that would expose my butt crack. But I also didn’t find myself constantly adjusting the liner.
The Carrolton Tee
Tasc Performance Carrolton Tee
To say that the Tasc Performance Carrolton Tee is as smooth and as soft as butter may sound like an exaggeration, but it’s not. I wish all my shirts were this soft.
While on my mountain hike, I had my go-to running back slung over it, and what I noticed was that I really liked the collar.
The collar sits a bit higher than my other running shirts. And what’s great about it is that I didn’t experience the normal chaffing I would get around my neck from my running pack. It’s the little things that make a difference.
The bamboo fiber also lays a bit different than a normal running shirt. It is heavier and because of that, I didn’t experience the typical riding-up I normally would have during yoga or HITT workouts.
The Bottom Line
Truth be told: I’m a big fan of Tasc Performance.
Not only were they really comfortable during my activities, but I put them through the ringer to test out the other bamboo proprieties: moisture-wicking and anti-odor.
I spent around 15 hours of heavy activity in them and they passed the smell test. I mean, it was a little funky towards the end, but it didn’t have the normal funk of my workout and running clothes.
If you’re looking to upgrade your running apparel or needing something that you just want to be comfortable in, look no further than Tasc Performance.
I haven’t had a good cup of coffee during a camping trip until I used the BaseCamp Travel Press from BruTrek.
BaseCamp Travel Press
BruTrek sent me their 48 oz. french press to try out along with some double-wall insulated coffee cups.
When it comes to coffee, I have tried several french presses, but I would always end up with coffee that was over extracted and acidic or a cup with grounds in it.
What makes the BaseCamp Travel Press unique is it’s construction of the press itself.
BaseCamp Travel Press
The press is built with their Bru-Stop™ technology. When fully pressed down, the plate flexes up while pressing and then lays back down in a flat position, creating a barrier between the grounds and brewed coffee.
This is what makes the BaseCamp Travel Press a worthy member of my camping “go box.”
I took it with me to a Cub Scout camp as an alternative to the typical, light-fare, Folgers. As the other parents were waking up, I was able to heat up water, ground my coffee beans, and start the extraction process.
After four minutes, I pressed down on the press and poured my first cup of coffee.
The pour itself was beautiful. No sediment. Just pure, black, delicious coffee.
The other parents enjoyed it as well and were disappointed when I ran out and they had to resort back to Folgers.
Aside from the press, which is a key feature, the BaseCamp Travel Press also has a spill proof pour spout that will snap into a locked position to avoid accidents. The container itself is double-wall vacuum sealed, so the coffee stayed hot for over an hour.
If you’re looking for a solution for your morning campsite coffee, look no further than the BaseCamp Travel Press.
One of my biggest challenges with face masks is being able to wear sunglasses and not have them fog. With Boulder County reinstating mandatory face masks due to COVID-19, I knew I needed a solution.
Luckily Phunksun was debuting a new face mask, the PHurther Ergo Face Coverings, and sent me some samples to try out.
PHurther Face Coverings
The PHurther Ergo Face Covering is one of the more comfortable face masks I’ve used. The material is light and breathable and it works really well with eye covering.
PHurther Face Coverings
The top of the mask has a built in nose-bridge that you can shape around your nose for a tighter fit. That way your eyewear doesn’t fog.
I’m as excited as the next guy for COVID protocols to be over, but in the meantime I am happy to have the PHurther Ergo Face Covering as an option. And one that won’t cause my sunglasses to fog up.
When I first got the Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho, I was—to be completely honest—confused. I kept looking at it trying to find a good situation to test it in.
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
Even when I took it camping with me, I couldn’t find the right situation to throw it on. In part it was because of my responsibilities at the campsite and my family. It was too much stuff to be around me while I was cooking or chasing after the kiddos.
But this past weekend, I was at a mountain retreat preparing to consume five grams of psilocybin and I was cold and wanted something comfy. I went to my camp box and pulled out the Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho, threw it on, and proceeded to prepare myself for some medicine work.
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
This poncho is the perfect companion for a mushroom trip. There were so many times where I fluctuated from being too hot to too cold and this was the perfect thing to throw off and on or just to hold onto for some soft, fluffy comfort.
It has also become a companion to my meditation practice. It’s the perfect size to drape over my entire body as my legs are folded underneath me and provides a nice, grounding weight as I try to connect to something deeper than my own ego.
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
While not everyone will be on the same journey, if you are looking for something soft and fluffy to chill or just be in, the Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho is the way to go.
I have been getting gradually more frustrated with the amount of things I carry in my pants pockets: phone, wallet, keys, and with mask mandates going back into effect, a mask.
My pockets are bulgy and not in a funny “or are you just happy to see me?” sort of way.
With fanny packs becoming in fashion again (thanks, Matthew McConaughey), I’ve been casually browsing various outdoor brands looking for the right fit and after visiting the KAVU booth at Outdoor Retailer, I found my match: the KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack.
KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack
There are a lot of Fanny Pack’s the choose from, but the reason I settled on the KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack was because of its simplicity in design and it’s wide range of color options.
First, when it comes to design, it is a two pocket fanny pack. The smaller pocket is perfect for my wallet and keys, while the larger pocket comfortably holds my iPhone 12 Pro, a pair of sunglasses, and a mask.
And with its wide-range of designs, I was able to pick one that I felt captured my current life phase. They have a lot of fun designs, and I ultimately settled on one that had a bit of an outdoorsy vibe that didn’t clash with my wardrobe.
Since jumping on the fanny pack bandwagon, I couldn’t be more happy. My KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack is setup so that it’s ready to go. My wallet, keys, sunglasses, and mask are always in there. I no longer have to hunt for each, which is a great time saver.
Additionally, those times where I’m in my car and need to access my wallet or phone (not while driving, mind you), I don’t have to shimmy to gain access to my pants pockets and then dig around to find what I need.
KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack
Now, while it is called a fanny pack, I tend to wear it as a front pack. My hips and butt don’t like fanny packs. The design of the pack also allows you to utilize it as a sling, which I have done on some bike rides when I just need those essentials.
If you’re ready to come aboard the fanny pack train, look no further than the KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack.
Everything you need to eat with is contained within a zippable travel pouch: fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks, straw, and straw cleaner.
Each utensil is made with premium, food-grade stainless steel and is super durable. Just for giggles, I used their knife and fork on a steak and a raw carrot. While it didn’t cut through amazingly well, neither utensil bent or broke.
The EcoVessel WanderWare Utensil Set is a great addition to my go-box, but it’s also a great solution for those times where I know I’ll be eating somewhere with disposable silverware. Their chopsticks are also a great replacement for the wooden disposable ones, as well.
If you’re trying to eat a little greener, this is a great option for you!
U-Konserve has a solution for consumers looking to reduce their waste with their line of reusable containers. They sent me a few of their stainless steel containers with platinum-grade silicon lids to try out.
U-Konserve to-go containers come in a variety of sizes. They are perfect for school lunches, spontaneous picnics, or other outdoor activities. The silicon lids slide on easily and fit tight enough so that there wasn’t any leakage.
We tested them over a few weeks in a variety of ways.
Daily, my kids use U-Konserve containers to pack dry snack food for their school days.
U-Konserve Food Storage
We also used it to store leftover spaghetti (thinking of the most stainable food to test with) and the silicon lid didn’t turn pink after a day or so in the fridge.
For a recent camping trip, I pre-cut vegetables for cooking and stored some seasoned steaks in them (separately of course). What I appreciated about this test scenario was that I would usually use gallon plastic bags or glass to store in. And this provided a solution that didn’t cause waste or have a potential hazard at the campsite (e.g. glass).
If you’re looking for food storage solutions, these are a great option.
Sleep like a baby: Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad Review
Jason Nelson | September 2021
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
I love to camp, but I don’t like sleeping. It doesn’t matter how much melatonin or CBN I take, I always sleep poorly for the first couple of nights. Eventually, my body will adjust and I will sleep through the night by the third night.
Part of my challenge is that I am a side-sleeper. Not 100%, but there’s always points during the night where I will roll onto my side.
My other challenge is that I have back and neck issues. If I sleep slightly out of line, my neck and back will be jacked up for a few days after.
When I was at Outdoor Retailer, I saw a potential solution for my sleep issues: the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad. It was a glorious vision: a think padded bed with—I couldn’t believe it—memory foam.
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
The Klymit booth had a model setup that I laid on; first on my back and then rolling to my side. And it felt good. I mean, really good!
Klymit was kind enough to send a sample so I could do a full test.
Before I could take it out camping, I had an opportunity to try it out at home.
We just brought home a new puppy, Parker, and he wasn’t settling down in his crate at night. My first night on the sofa was pure torture, so the second night I got out the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad and I slept like a baby.
And that’s no light feat. There have been many times in the past with sick kids where I’ve camped out in their rooms on one of my other sleeping pads and it would always be a fitful, restless night.
But on the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad, I slept through the entire night and didn’t wake until Parker asked to go outside the next morning.
A week later, I took my oldest to Cub Scout camp in the mountains west of Boulder.
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
One thing I noticed about the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad was that it didn’t make a lot of noise. Other pads, when I’d role from my back to my side, would screech, but the KLYMALOFT would only make the slightest sound. So once my son was asleep, I was able to move about the tent without making much noise.
And, more than anything else, once I fell asleep, I slept really good.
I was also responsible to cooking breakfast the next morning. I can’t tell you how good it felt waking up and not feeling the stiffness that I normally would have on my other pads.
I highly recommend this pad for anyone doing car camping. It is lightweight and packs down nicely, but it’s memory foam topper makes it a bit heavier than something you want on the trail.
