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Gnarly Nutrition Review: Clean Performance Fuel for Outdoor Athletes

When you spend your time chasing trail miles, long climbs, and big days outside, what you put in your body matters. Gnarly Nutrition is built for exactly that kind of athlete. Not the “mirror muscle” crowd, but people who actually use their bodies for something.

At its core, Gnarly Nutrition is about accessibility, transparency, and performance. Their products avoid GMOs, artificial colors and flavors, soy, and gluten, and most of their lineup is vegan-friendly. That’s not marketing fluff. It’s a deliberate choice to reduce allergens and make their supplements usable by as many athletes as possible.

Where Gnarly really separates itself is label transparency. No proprietary blends. No hiding cheap fillers behind clever branding. Every ingredient is listed clearly, in science-backed doses that actually do something. Add to that NSF Certification, the gold standard in third-party testing recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and you’re looking at supplements that are clean, verified, and trustworthy.

They’re also pushing hard on sustainability. Gnarly has already moved tubbed products to steel cans, which are recycled at dramatically higher rates than plastic and can be recycled indefinitely. Their goal is full plastic elimination, and they’re actively working with industry partners to get there. For anyone who spends time outdoors and cares about protecting the places we play, that matters.

But products still have to work. Here’s how two of their staples perform in real life.


Gnarly Pre-Workout: Focused Energy Without the Crash

Gnarly Pre-Workout is refreshingly simple. Six ingredients, all there for a reason, and all dosed effectively. No mystery blends. No overstimulation.

For someone who loves the outdoors but trains primarily in a home gym during the week, this pre-workout hits a sweet spot. Taken about 30 minutes before training, it delivers clean, steady energy without the jittery edge or hard crash you get from many pre-workouts.

The 180mg of caffeine from green tea leaf provides alertness without feeling wired, and the inclusion of Asian Ginseng adds a natural lift that feels more sustained than synthetic stimulants. During early morning lifts or quick lunchtime workouts, the energy feels controlled and purposeful, not frantic.

Performance-wise, the combination of Citrulline Malate, Beta Alanine, and Vegan BCAAs shows up most in endurance and output. Sets last longer. Rest periods feel more productive. There’s a noticeable ability to push through that mental wall when the workout starts getting uncomfortable.

What stands out most is how usable it is. You don’t have to plan your whole day around it. Whether you’re training legs for a long hike, prepping for ski season, or just trying to stay strong between adventures, Gnarly Pre supports the work without hijacking your nervous system.


Gnarly BCAAs: Recovery You Actually Notice

Gnarly BCAAs are straightforward, effective, and surprisingly good tasting for a natural product. Each serving delivers 5g of free-form BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These aren’t derived from animal sources, making them fully vegan.

Used during or after training, especially on days that stack a home workout with outdoor activity, recovery is where these really shine. Soreness fades faster. Muscles feel less beat up the next morning. There’s a noticeable reduction in that heavy, depleted feeling after long or intense sessions.

For someone who might lift during the week and spend weekends hiking, climbing, or biking, that quicker recovery window is huge. You’re not just training harder. You’re staying ready for the next adventure.

Another underrated benefit is hydration support. Mixed into 12 to 16 ounces of water, Gnarly BCAAs make it easier to stay on top of fluid intake during long sessions or warm days outside, without loading up on sugar or artificial junk.


Final Take

Gnarly Nutrition feels like it was built by people who actually live an active, outdoor-centered life. The products are clean, thoughtfully formulated, and backed by real science, not marketing tricks.

If your goal is to train consistently, perform better outside, and recover well enough to do it all again tomorrow, Gnarly delivers. Whether you’re grinding it out in a home gym or gearing up for your next trail day, these are supplements that support the work, not distract from it.

Simple. Honest. Effective. Exactly what performance nutrition should be.

The Best Workout Shirt: Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt

The Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt is an excellent workout shirt that can be used for any physical activity, including working out in at the gym or trail-running.

Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt

Firstly, let’s talk about the fabric of the shirt.

The Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt is made from a blend of 84% polyester and 16% spandex, weighing 144 GSM. This fabric combination provides the perfect balance between durability, stretchability, and breathability. The fabric is soft and buttery to the touch, providing maximum comfort during long hours of physical activity.

Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt
Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt

Additionally, the fabric’s sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties ensure that you stay cool and dry, even during intense workouts.

One of the most notable features of this shirt is the permanent silver ion anti-odor treatment.

I know how important it is to have a shirt that can withstand multiple sweaty workouts without retaining odors. The anti-odor treatment of this shirt will keep it smelling fresh and clean, even after multiple washes.

Another important feature of the Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt is the anti-chafe flatlock seams. I enjoy heavy workouts with loaded walks, ball slams, and battle ropes, and I know how painful chafing can be. The flatlock seams of this shirt prevent chafing and irritation, allowing me to focus on my workouts without any distractions.

Even while running with my GoRuck weighted vest, I didn’t experience any chafing.

Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt
Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt

The strategic perforations of the shirt provide high breathability, keeping you cool and dry during even the most intense workouts. This feature is particularly useful for outdoor activities like hiking, trail-running, and cycling, where the temperature can vary quickly, and you need a shirt that can adapt to your body’s needs.

The Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt is an exceptional choice for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and heavy workouts. Out of all the workout shirts I have bought and tested, this one is the best.

I highly recommend this shirt to anyone looking for a versatile and reliable workout shirt.

SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short Review

I’m a big fan of SAXX.

Several years ago, I started testing a pair of their 2N1 running shorts and they became, overnight, my favorite running shorts.

The reason was simple: I didn’t chafe.

I was preparing for several ultramarathons and recovery from long runs was the worse when chafing was involved. But in SAXX shorts, I didn’t. They were my constant race companion. I ran a 50K, 55K, and 50 miler in them and my boys were happy!

But as great as they were for running, that’s all they were good for. They were too light for anything else. That’s why I was excited when SAXX sent me a pair of their Gainmaker 2N1 Shorts to test out.

SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short

Their Gainmaker’s come in two sizes: long (9″ inseam) and short (7″ inseam).

These shorts were great!

They are made with SAXX BallPark Pouch™. It keeps everything secure without being too tight. The liner is made from a light-compression fabric so that even around your thighs, things are secure. Even after several reps of squats they aren’t going to ride up on you.

SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short

There are two hand pockets, along with a front security zip pocket. The zip pocket feels small, but it is big enough to squeeze in a iPhone 12 Pro.

The Gainmaker 2N1 is made for all types of training. Lifting weights, rock climbing, yoga–they are very versatile. Personally, I love them for yoga because they stay in place. The compression liner doesn’t move.

They are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking so they can withstand any exercise.

SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short

I brought them down with me to Costa Rica and they were also my running shorts for my jaunts along the beach. Even after putting over 5 miles in them, they stayed in place and didn’t chafe.

The colors I tested were their Cargo Grey and Stone Blue. They are two of their lighter colors and when I did sweat in them, you saw where I sweated fairly easily. It’s fine for beach runs or home workouts, but if you are working out at a gym and a bit self-conscious about your appearance, I’d suggest going for one of their darker colors.

Overall, I am a huge fan of these shorts. I’ve been using them for all sorts of activities, including hikes and paddleboarding. The BallPark Pouch, more than anything else, is what makes these shorts stand out and a must have for your activities.

SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short
SAXX Gainmaker 2N1 Short

I am 5’11”, 180 pounds, a 34″ waist, and am wearing a size Medium. I am right on the edge though of being a Large. If you have an opportunity to try on before you buy, try that. Otherwise, if you’re like me, buy both sizes, and return what doesn’t fit great.