The FLITE XT® TRAIL combines Merino wool and Swiftwick’s proprietary GripDry™ Fiber that is incorporated into the heel and forefoot of the sock to provide traction and grip inside the shoe. When tearing down the steep terrain of Mount Sanitas, the sock stayed in place, not sliding or bunching as my foot shifted in my shoe.
Around the ankle, Swiftwick uses their AnkleLock™ Technology with strong elastic to make sure that the sock stays in place, but also provides a sense of stability on rocky terrain.
Over the course of our testing, we wore them in a variety of conditions, including trail-running and snowshoeing. During these colder activities, we found that the Merino wool performed as expected. During these activities, we never felt like our foot was overheated or too cold.
“After the release of our original FLITE XT® socks, designed with advanced stability technology, we heard growing feedback from our hike and trail running customers on their love for the line’s performance features,” said Joanna Mariani, Chief Marketing Officer of Swiftwick.
“Using that feedback, we set out to combine the FLITE XT’s signature stability features with the natural wonders of Merino wool to provide the best-performing outdoor sock on the market. FLITE XT TRAIL was inspired by our customers and ardently crafted by our team– we’re excited to see what adventures our customers take these socks on.”
Swiftwick® FLITE XT® TRAIL
These socks are a welcome addition to our gear closets. We’re looking forward to ultra season and being able to put more miles on these.
Since that review, Ibex launched their new Woolies 2 Base Layers and sent us a pair to test in the snow.
Ibex Woolies 2 Crew
Ibex’s Woolies 2 Base Layers differ from the Woolies Tech in that they are 100% merino. They are a bit heavier, and more insulating as well at 240gsm. If you’re heading out for long hours in colder weather, the Woolies 2 is going to be your best option.
Ibex Woolies 2 Bottoms
For testing, I took them out in a variety of conditions: trail-running, snowshoeing, and back country skiing. I found that during low-impact activities (showshoeing or skiing downhill) that these were the perfect match. I wasn’t too hot or too cold. But during heavier activities (trail-running and the ski ascent) they were too much.
For skiing, I had paired up the base layers with a mid-layer, shedding the mid-layer about halfway up to regulate my body temperature. When I had taken the Woolies Tech out into the backcountry, they were light enough so that when paired with a mid-layer, I felt perfectly comfortable.
Ibex Woolies 2 Bottoms
One thing I’ll note with the Woolies 2 Bottoms was that no matter how heavy or light the activity was, I didn’t experience any chafing in the nether region.
There’s a lot to be said about why the Woolies 2 perform so well and it’s in part due to the magic of Merino wool. As mentioned in the previous review, Merino is a natural, high-performance fabric, in part because of the conditions these sheep live in. Winters can be below zero and summers as warm as 95ºF. The sheep’ coats have evolved so that the fibers react to the changes in body temperature. And this natural technology is passed along to its human wearers.
During a cold spell in Colorado, with temperatures dipping to -12ºF, I started to wear these base layers everyday. Even when I wasn’t playing outside, I wore them throughout the day for work, typically paired with a pair of jeans and flannel.
Ibex Woolies 2 Crew
And they were extremely comfortable. If you’re in the camp of “Oh no, wool is so itchy!” you have to try Merino. It doesn’t itch and is so comfy and cozy.
Given that they regulate my body temperature so well, I also found these to perfect base layers to transition from the slopes to the ski lodge in. They weren’t wet from sweat and the natural odor control Merino has kept them from being stinky.
For the test, I wore a size large in Men’s. I am 5’11” and 180 pounds and it fit really well.
For information, you can head over to ibex.com. The Woolies 2 come in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
One of my resolutions this winter was to get out and explore more. I’ve been making good on that resolution; hiking, running and cycling as weather permits. But I was missing out on one of my favorite winter activities, snowshoeing, until recently.
Atlas was kind enough to sponsor that activity by providing us a pair of their 2021 Helium-MTN Showshoes to test out and review.
Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes
Over the last month, I have gotten out a handful of times, logging in around 20 hours and 25 miles in them.
One of my favorite places to take them locally was the Switzerland Trail that’s west of Boulder near the Sugarloaf Mountain peak. There’s a handful of trails in that area. Everything from hard-packed snow to fluffy hip-deep drifts.
“Helium” is named after the snowshoe deck, which Atlas claims to be the lightest composite snowshoes available. The deck is designed to shed snow, which during our tests I found to be accurate. Even when my snowshoes kicked up a lot of snow, as I lifted my foot up, it was able to shed the loose snow piled onto the deck. This allowed me to move very quickly across the terrain, not having the weight of snow slow me down.
Binding
Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes
The first time I had gone snowshoeing, I had borrowed a friend’s pair. They were around 15 years old and not that great. But the thing I remember most from that experience was the bindings. So many times, in -5ºF weather, my boot would come loose and I’d shed gloves to try and tighten it back up. I didn’t have any of those issues with the binding on the Helium-MTN Snowshoes.
The binding at the back of my boot, once in place, stayed in place. In the front, to help secure the toe-box, Atlas introduced the BOA Fit System. This addition of the BOA Fit System helped secure my foot for several hours of comfortable snowshoeing.
Atlas Helium-MTN Snowshoes
Additionally, these bindings on my first use were very easy to figure out.
But speaking of the secure fitting, I should mention that the boots I wore weren’t mountaineering or stiff hiking boots, but minimalist zero-drop boots. Even with a lighter construction, I didn’t feel that the snowshoe was putting too much pressure with it’s binding of Boa system.
Traction
The traction rails worked really well on both snow and ice, even on steep terrain. The serrated teeth of the aluminum rails were able to provide enough grip that I didn’t experience any slippage. Additionally, my foot was able to move freely enough so that I could lean into or back depending on the terrain to have the best balance.
Flotation
One of the key features I wanted to test in these snowshoes was flotation. I went off-trail a few times to find the deepest, most fluffiest snow possible to see if I would sink in to my hip. I would try certain spots, first without snowshoes, to test how deep I would sink. Then with snowshoes. In the spots I tested, I found that the Helium-MTN Snowshoes had adequate flotation. I would sink 25-50% of the total depth. And granted this was off-trail, so I was really pushing what this snowshoe was capable of.
Conclusion
Overall, these snowshoes were great. I really enjoyed my time on the trails with them and look forward for more adventures with them during the winter months.
These shoes are available at REI, but could also be purchased off Atlas’s website for $220.
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.
In between days of snowfall, we had 30ºF+ days that were perfect for taking this out on the trail for some runs and bike rides.
The Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie has been a great addition to my collection of baselayers. While it was nice to wear on a cool run and bike ride, it also paired really well under a fleece on colder days on the slopes, making this one of the most versatile pieces I have in my gear closet.
This hoodie is made with all-season 230 gsm fabric that is 95% merino wool and has UPF 40 sun protection.
Sliding it on, it is light and cozy, but highly functional.
Merino Wool, by its nature, is perfect for the outdoors. It keeps you warm, but when things start to heat up, keeps your core temperature regulated so you aren’t constantly shedding layers with its moisture wicking capability.
What makes the Basecamp Merino Hoodie stand out from it’s competition is the thoughtfulness and intentionality of its product design.
Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie
It has zippered kangaroo pockets that are easily accessible in the front, but, did I mention: they are zippered. I have hoodies that don’t have zippered pockets and they aren’t good at holding much; they are just a convenient place to put my hands. But with Showers Pass’s design, I can stash anything into these pockets, zip them shut, and not have to worry about bouncing my keys, wallet or phone out of them.
Basecamp Merino Hoodie
I love the hood, as well. There’s a few hoodies in my closet with hoods that just don’t fit right. They are too small or sit to far back on my head. I love how spacious the hood is on the Basecamp Merino Hoodie. It provides adequate coverage, but because of how light the fabric is, it doesn’t weigh me down.
Basecamp Merino Hoodie
The final feature I’ll highlight is the fit in the back. Showers Pass designs their shirts and jackets so that there’s a little swoop going past your waist. This is a great feature for cycling so that your shirt doesn’t ride up.
Overall, I love the Basecamp Merino Hoodie. It’s another great product from Showers Pass. The overall fit is great. It’s one of the most comfortable hoodies and baselayers in my gear closet. I am looking forward to taking this piece out on more advetures.
The Basecamp Merino Hoodie is available online. I am 5’11” and 185 lbs and I wear a large.
A couple months ago, I went in for my annual physical and had a “I weigh how much?” moment.
Since then, I’ve been focusing even more on my health.
One of the practices I introduced was daily ice baths. I know you’re reading this to learn if this robe is dope, but indulge me for just a little bit.
Settling into my daily ice bath
Ice baths have a lot health benefits, including:
1) Increase my parasympathetic activity. When you first get in, your fight or flight instinct kicks in. Your breathing is almost hyperventilating. You have to gain control. The longer you do it, the easier and faster you can relax and gain control of your nervous system. By subjecting your body to this high stress situation, you are retraining how your body reacts to stress.
2) Weight Loss. Cold temps activate your brown fat tissues and can aid in weight loss. Over the last 3 months, combined with daily exercise and 15-18 hour fasts, I’ve lost close to 25 pounds.
3) Physical Recovery. My recovery time has shortened. I can push myself hard at the home gym or on the trail, and I don’t feel as broken for as long as I used to.
Living in Colorado, my ice baths are cold. Every morning, I spend 5-15 minutes breaking up 2-6 inches of ice before settling in for 3-5 minutes of cold exposure.
When I get out, I towel off and warm up. But I’ve got stuff to do: coffee needs to be made, kids need to get prepped for school.
The El Garibaldi Robe has a terry cloth lining that is super absorbent. Since starting to use the robe after my ice bath, I’ve been using it to towel off and I’ve noticed that the little puddles I’d leave in my wake have diminished.
It also has a lined “dry pocket” that’s large enough I can stash my iPhone 12 Pro. This is great, because I’ll take the robe outside with me and on snowy days, my phone stays dry.
California Cowboy’s El Garibaldi Robe Dry Pocket
Another feature that is signature to California Cowboy’s products is a pocket that is the perfect size for a bottle of beer. The robe came with a coozie and a bottle opener stashed in the pocket and I found that to be an amazing addition. I haven’t had the perfect scenario to test this pocket, but I look forward to taking this robe down to Costa Rica this summer.
California Cowboy’s El Garibaldi Robe “Hold My Beer” Pocket
The El Garibaldi Robe ties closed well. Usually after my ice bath, I’ll be busy helping my kids get ready for school or making myself a cup of coffee, and even with movement the robe stays closed.
As winter turns to summer, I’m looking forward to taking this robe poolside or down to Costa Rica. For the time being, it’s the perfect companion for after an ice bath.
El Garibaldi Robe
I am 5’11” and 185 pounds. I tested their El Garibaldi Robe L/XL size and I found it to be the perfect length. The arms come down around three-quarters length, but that’s what I was hoping for with the winter activities in it. If you’re looking for something for the summer, I’d suggest looking at their sizing chart to see what would work best for you.
When it comes to winter outdoor activities, bundling and layering is key. And choosing the right base layer is an important first step.
One of the best fabrics to use for base layers is Merino Wool. Merino is a natural, high-performance fabric, in part because of the conditions these sheep live in. Winters can be as cold as -4ºF and summers as warm as 95ºF. Their coats have evolved so that the fibers react to the changes in body temperature. And this natural technology is passed along to its human wearers.
Ibex’s Merino Wool comes from Australia and New Zealand. They implement the high standards in farming, making sure their sheep are treated with respect and best practices are in place to protect the land the sheep live on.
Ibex is also part of the Climate Neutral community of businesses. The apparel industry as a whole accounts for 10% of global carbon emmisions and remains the second largest industrial polluter. Ibex measures their carbon footprint and partners with their supply chain to reduce where they can and offset the rest.
Why Ibex Merino?
Merino Wool keeps the body cool during even the most strenuous activities by trapping moisture and releasing it as vapor before it turns to sweat.
Ibex Men’s Woolies Tech Bottoms
During testing, I wore the Woolies Tech Crew on a chilly morning run. Normally, with other moisture wicking fabrics, I would end a run like this sweaty and, in those spots in the fabric with sweat, cold. With Ibex’s Merino Wool crew, I found myself relatively dry and comfortably warm by the end of the run.
Because Merino Wool is able to regulate your temperature, it also stops odor-causing bacteria to form, so you also don’t have to worry about smelling funky after exercise.
If I wasn’t working from home these days, these base layers would be great for commuting to the office on my bike. I could easily go from my bike to my desk and still look and smell good.
Merino Wool also offers natural sun protection. The Woolies Tech Crew and Woolies Tech Bottoms offer UPF 50, while some of their lighter products offer UPF 25.
Finally, as sustainable a fabric as Merino is, as the end user, we are also encouraged to be sustainable in our care of the fabric. Because it’s odor and sweat resistant, it’ll stay cleaner for longer, which means that it doesn’t have to be washed after each activity.
For testing, I put in around 25 hours of activity before I felt that I needed to wash them.
I was really impressed by the performance of both of these products.
When I mentioned to my wife that I was testing out Merino Wool base layers, her first response was, “OMG, wool? It’s so itchy!”
But guess what? It’s not.
Ibex’s Merino Wool is the finest wool you can get. I found Ibex’s clothes to be soft on my skin and never itchy or irritating (even against a relatively fresh tattoo). On their site, Ibex shares that their fabric is ideal for people with Eczema or who have found cotton or other performance fabrics irritating. I have other Merino Wool products and I swear that Ibex outperforms them on comfort.
Ibex Men’s Woolies Tech Crew
The Woolie Tech Crew and Bottoms are 81% Merino and made with Ibex’s “Pro-Tech” fabric.
On the Woolie Tech Crew fit comfortably. When I paired it with a running vest, I found that the neck was structured so that I didn’t have any rubbing from my running vest. Additionally, it has optional thumbholes, which is a feature I love. When I was out running, I got to a point where my gloves were too much, but I still needed something to keep my hands moderately warm.
The crew laid close to my skin, but didn’t feel tight. I was able to pull up the sleeve easily to adjust settings on my sports watch.
The Woolie Tech Bottoms were great as well. I took them out on a wintery run as well; pairing them with a pair of running shorts over them. My legs were comfy and cozy throughout.
Ibex Men’s Woolies Tech Bottoms
Now, the most ideal winter activity to test these products in is skiing (or snowboarding).
I paired these up with a mid-layer and a hardshell.
I was slightly concerned I would get overheated, but I was comfortable for the several hours I was out on the slopes. Even after I got back to the ski lodge and shedded layers, I found that the Ibex base layers were still mostly dry.
Summary
I’ve been a big believe in Merino Wool for a while, but it wasn’t until trying Ibex’s products that I was in love with the fabric. I keep finding myself looking for reasons to put them on.
Heading out for a run? Ibex is coming with me.
Going snowshoeing? Ibex is joining me.
Lounging around in the house? Ibex, hands down.
Both products tested were larges. I am 5’11” and 185 pounds. You can find these along with many other options at Ibex’s website.
Outdoor Research sent our team their Skytour AscentShell Bib and Jacket to test. It was perfect timing because ski season had just started.
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit uses a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane to provide top-of-the-line weather resistance. The Bib and Jacket combo is the most breathable water-resistant hardshell we have tested. It is comfortable to wear and stretchy. It has a lot of features, making it a great choice for backcountry skiers.
Breathability
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
The Skytour AscentShell Bib and Jacket provides little warmth. The shell is thin and allows air to pass through the fabric, so that as you’re moving up through the backcountry and working up a decent sweat, warm air can escape easily. This kit needs to be paired with insulating mid- and base-layers (such as the recently reviewed Ibex Baselayers). The warmth of this bib and jacket is comparable to a pair of hiking pants or a heavy rain jacket. But this lack of warmth is ideal for anyone that is wanting to ski hard and elevate their heart rate.
It also has several vents that were easy to unzip and zip with gloves on. This provided additional breathability and didn’t compromise the waterproofness.
Waterproofing
When we tested how waterproof this product was, it held up over our half-day excursion in the backcountry. Outdoor Research’s proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane is called “AscentShell” and is built in the bib and jacket. Both products are fully seam-sealed and the zippers are waterproof. The hood on the jacket provides good coverage, but it didn’t fully cover my ski helmet. Additionally, the bib’s legs are wide enough to fully cover my ski boots while providing enough coverage so snow didn’t pack inside the leg openings.
The Fit
Many of the hardshell jacket and bibs we tested were stiff and didn’t allow for a lot of movement. During testing, we found that the Skytour AscentShell Kit didn’t have that problem. The material is soft and stretchy and the brushed interior fabric is light on the skin. On the jacket, there is a fleece-lined chin guard, which provided an extra layer of comfort.
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
The fit is straight-cut which was perfect for my body-size and accommodated my mid- and base-layers.
I also found that the jacket and bib weren’t noisy. When I’m out in the backcountry, I enjoy the stillness the snow brings, and crinkly and noising hardshells can easily ruin that serenity.
Skytour AscentShell Kit comes with a lot of pickets that were easy to access and use. On the jacket, the two hand pockets and two external chest pockets provided tons of storage. The jacket’s left sleeve pass pocket was useful for accessing RFID turnstiles without stalling. On the inside, it has a mesh stash pocket and another zippered chest pocket. I was able to easily store and access snacks and my iPhone.
Conclusion
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit
If you’re looking for hardshell jacket or bib or both, the Skytour AscentShell Kit is a great value. It provides terrific weather and water resistance at a much lower price. Plus, it has some amazing features and storage. If you’re heading into the backcountry, this jacket and bib will be the perfect companion for you.
The Skytour AscentShell Kit is available in Men’s and Women’s sizes. I am 5’11” and 185 pounds and I wore a large in both the bib and jacket comfortably.
This is a repost from one of our first product reviews.
I still stand by how awesome these socks are. They have been my go-to for many snowy and wet runs.
They were also my go-to during the Silverton 55K Ultra and I was so thankful I had them. Halfway through the run, after climbing to 12,000 feet, and running above the tree line for a couple hours, we had descended and hit a water crossing.
After this water crossing, runners had the option to change socks and shoes and continue on to finish the final 10 miles of the race. But, right after changing shoes and socks, there were two more immediate water crossings. My feet were still dry, so I opted to continue on without changing.
I went through the first water crossing: still dry.
I went through the second water crossing: still dry!
Part of the dryness was because the water hadn’t gone over the tops of the socks. They were still high up on my calves.
It wasn’t until I hit the final water crossing (a fast moving river I had to cross while holding a rope) near the end of the run that my feet finally got wet. The river was up to my waist and the water got in between my skin and the lining.
Since the launch of the Crosspoint Socks, Showers Pass has continued to innovate their socks. They recently sent me a new pair to test, and they performed even better than before.
These are my go-to for winter running, snowshoeing, and skiing.
Original Post
I had just begun a trail run on a wet, snowy night when my foot broke through a layer of snow into an ankle-deep puddle of cold water.
Normally there’d be swearing and I’ve have to cut my run short. Running with wet, cold feet for any length of time is plain miserable.
But my feet weren’t wet. They weren’t cold.
My feet were dry and happy because I was wearing Showers Pass Lightweight Waterproof Crosspoint Classic Socks. Showers Pass had sent me a pair to test out, and they have become my go-to socks for snow, slush, mud, or rain-filled runs. They are the perfect partner to my minimalist shoes that don’t offer any type of water resistance.
While my fellow night runners complained of wet and cold feet—trading stories of shoes and socks lost in sticky mud and snow—I couldn’t help but be thankful for my choice of socks. Even as we rounded the final corner and I landed on what I thought was asphalt, but what was really a deep puddle of slush.
Technology and Features
The Waterproof Crosspoint Socks are constructed with three elements: a knit exterior sock, a waterproof membrane, and a knit interior sock. They feel thicker than your average pair of socks, but still fit comfortably. The first time I slipped them on, I commented how it felt like I was pulling on a wetsuit.
Their waterproof ability starts at the toe and goes all the way to just below the cuff. Even with the waterproof technology, I still found that my foot was able to breathe. That’s because they use an ultra-thin PTFE Waterproof Breathable Membrane that stretches to let your feet breathe without letting the pores open, keeping your feet dry.
Cleaning
Showers Pass suggests machine washing in cold water (avoid fabric softeners and bleach). You can tumble dry on low heat, however, the dryer can cause shrinkage. To prevent this, I highly suggest letting them hang dry.
Needless to say, I’m a big fan of the Waterproof Crosspoint Socks. They are the perfect companion in Boulder for wetter runs and bike rides. I even took them snowshoeing with great success.
It’s worth noting that Showers Pass sells a variety of the sock with a merino wool interior for colder outings, but for my snowshoeing adventure I doubled-up with a pair of merino wool socks underneath and was pretty comfortable.
These socks are only the first step in having a full waterproof experience. Because Showers Pass is based in the Pacific Northwest, they know how to make a lot of great waterproof materials, including pants, jackets, and gloves.
The Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves are fully waterproof. It is constructed with three bonded layers, including a wear resistant exterior, a waterproof / breathable Artex membrane, and a lovely merino wool lining. This merino wool lining is something special. It is soft and cozy, but even with the heart rate pumping, offers great temperature regulation while providing anti-microbial properties to keep it smelling fresh.
So far this winter, I’ve taken these gloves running and snowshoeing.
While running, I found that the merino wool lining performed as expected. Even on longer runs, as I warmed up, I found myself keeping the gloves on longer. Typically, I would oscillate between having gloves on our off, regardless of the temperature outside. But with my body temperature better regulated, I didn’t have those issues.
The gloves also became my go-to this winter for walking the dog. With the fit and dexterity, I was able to pull out the poo bags, open them, and pick up the little doggie droplets with easy. That might seem like a small thing, but with my other gloves, I’d always have to pull them off in order to perform this activity.
This winter, I also picked up a new daily routine: outdoor ice baths. Every morning, I’ll sit in a horse trough full of icy water in my backyard for 3-4 minutes. I’ll wear the Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Wool Gloves during this time, resting my hands on the outside of the bath.
And I can attest to how waterproof these gloves are. My dog loves to chew on ice. Throughout this morning ritual, I’ll dip my fingers into the bath and pull out chunks of ice and throw it to him to play with.
These gloves are terrific and my go-to this winter.
I consider my fingers normal sized and wear a large comfortably.
