When I first started running, I slowly began to build my running gear closet. And Tifosi were the first running sunglasses I bought.
So I was really excited when Tifosi reached out for us to test out their new rimless eyeshields: The Rail.
Tifosi Optics New Rimless Eyeshield
Typical shields can offer superior coverage, but can ultimately be heavy and restrict airflow to the face. This can make shields uncomfortable to wear over long periods of time and cause fogging.
“As an avid cyclist I enjoy the coverage of a large shield like the Rail,” commented Joe Earley, Tifosi Optics CEO. “However, the drawbacks that come with larger shields – increased weight and restricted airflow – were the impetus behind creating our next rimless shield. The Rail provides Tifosi’s community with another great option to add to their collection,” Earley continued.
Tifosi Optics New Rimless Eyeshield
When designing The Rail, Tifosi removed the rim from around the polycarbonate lens; shaving down significant weight. But this design choice also breaks the restrictive seal that the rim could create around the face. This allows for greater breathability and comfort on long rides or runs, but I also found in testing that these glasses don’t fog.
That right: no fog.
Even when I took them into the backcountry for snowshoeing, I didn’t have any issues.
The Rail weighs only 32g. And total lens coverage is 131mm x 59.5mm with scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses. It also has adjustable nose and ear pieces for customized fit, hydrophilic rubber nose and ear pieces that improve grip as you sweat.
Tifosi Optics New Rimless Eyeshield
You can choose between two separate lens combinations: an interchangeable model that includes lenses for bright, low, and no light scenarios, as well as their Fototec lens that adapts to changes in ambient light, making it perfect for mountain bikers or trail runners.
During our tests, I grew to love these sunglasses. They were light and comfortable and they looked great!
Tifosi Optics New Rimless Eyeshield
One of the core reasons I chose Tifosi as my first pair of running sunglasses was because of it’s affordability. And that brand promise still remains true, even with The Rail. No matter which lens or color combination riders choose – including the stylish Midnight Navy – the Rail costs a highly affordable $79.95. The Rail will launch online and through retailers on March 15, 2022. For more information, please visit: http://www.Tifosioptics.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
