If you’ve read our review of the ORTOVOX PALA LIGHT JACKET, you know that we are huge fans. But if you’re going climbing with ORTOVOX, you can’t just climb with a jacket, you need a pair of pants to go with it.
ORTOVOX also sent us the VALBON PANTS to review as well.
ORTOVOX VALBON PANTS
These minimalistic pants are sustainably made with organic cotton and hemp materials. The combo of these materials make for an extremely comfortable climbing pants.
The VALBON PANTS is loose fitting with wide thigh-areas, a stretchy knee area, and tapered ankle cuffs for maximum movement. The crotch also features a two-way stretch material for ultimate movement that moves with you.
When climbing, I found these pants to be extremely versatile. They claim to be tailored for climbing and I found this to be true. I could stretch between holds without feeling like these pants were restricting my movement.
ORTOVOX VALBON PANTS
The waistband is flat and made with merino wool so its nice and soft and stretchy. It fits nicely underneath a climbing harness. I also appreciated how they didn’t ride up or dip down during my climb. They stayed where they were without exposing my butt or making me uncomfortable.
There is also a drawstring on the waist for extra security.
It features three pockets. Two are located on the front hip and one is zippered and on the right thigh. All of these are easily accessible while wearing a climbing harness.
ORTOVOX VALBON PANTS
There are also elastic ankle cuffs. I didn’t need them. My calves are pretty wide, but they rested naturally very comfortably at my ankle.
Just as I had found with the PALA LIGHT JACKET, these pants are so comfortable and nice that I wear them even when I am not climbing. I love the colors and how it pairs with the jacket that I will wear these to work or out on the town. I mean, its Colorado, so looking like you either came or are going to the climbing gym is normal.
The VALBON PANTS is available online for $150. I am 5’11” and 185 pounds and wear a size large. For reference, the waist fits similar to a 34″ waist. And the ankle cuffs rest, right at the top of my shoes, so similar to a 32″ inseam.
Now that working from home is a thing, finding opportunity to head outdoors for tiny breaks is key. And with that comes the need for clothing that allow for flexibility between the standing desk and the trail.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO is made with a comfortable, high-tech fabric that is perfect for hiking or bouldering while stylish enough to wear in for your countless Zoom calls.
The fabric is a three-season four-way stretch material made from cotton and spandex. This provides the pants plenty of stretch and comfort. It also has a water repellent finish, which was perfect for when I got caught in a light drizzle. The beads of water rolled off and my bottom layers stayed dry. It also is UPF 50+ sun protection.
The fabric is also built to last. It is abrasion resistant and has a high tear strength. I found that while climbing around, the pants moved with me. I would try my best to stretch the pants past the point of no return, but the tear strength held.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
The RESISTOR CHINO is tailored with a tapered leg. It’s tight around my calves, but comfy because of the stretch of the fabric. It comes in six different colors. KÜHL sent me their Black Moss and it paired wonderfully with my wardrobe.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
There are also pockets for days. There are two hand pockets in the front. On the back, there are two hip pockets; the one on the right has a zip closure. There is a coin pocket on the front right and two drop-in cell phone pockets.
On the bottom hem, there is a bungee cord with a reflective ribbon. This allows the cuffs to stretch as you move to avoid catching on anything or to cinch up around your boots.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO
These pants are suburb. I am excited about the cooler weather, so that I can wear these more often.
KÜHL’s RESISTOR CHINO are available online. I tested a 34×32 and found that they were true-to-size.
I am a big fan of COROS. When I was looking for an outdoor adventure watch three years ago, I did a ton of research; looking at the top brands, trying to decide which would be the perfect watch for me.
COROS was new to this category in 2018, but was already shaking things up in an industry that was dominated by Garmin and Suunto. In 2019, I purchased their Apex 46mm watch. What won me over was their unmatched battery life and their developers. They were churning out multiple firmware updates a year—building on an already impressive design—and really engaged with their community; listening constantly to feedback from users.
And three years into it, the Apex is still a solid watch. I can still go between 10-14 days between charges and the firmware has only gotten better with their major releases.
COROS sent me their latest watch, the VERTIX 2, to put through our testing protocols. Their goal with this watch was to make the ultimate adventure watch. Check out our video and let us know your thoughts.
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.
