About the Outdoor Research Helium Jacket

Their most compressible storm shell is so light it practically floats, or at least it’s so light that you won’t notice you’re carrying it until a sudden downpour bursts into your day. When a big, exposed objective puts you on route for a full day stretching into dark, this jacket packs into its own pocket and can be clipped to your harness for quick access if you need protection from rain, wind, or cooling temps. And it includes all the features needed for true functionality, without any bulky excess.

• Ultralight, waterproof/breathable 2.5-layer 20D Pertex® Shield DS ripstop fabric
• Fully seam taped
• Single-pull hood adjustment
• Ultralight, water-resistant zippers
• Front zipper has 7.5″/19 cm inner stormfap
• Zippered napoleon pocket
• Stuff pocket at side hem with hook/loop closure
• Elastic cuffs
• Single drawcord hem adjustment
• Colors: Pilsner Yellow, Fossil Grey, Black
• MSRP: $140

Outdoor Research Helium Jacket Review

Lightweight is an understatement with this jacket, but don’t let its featherweight design fool you–the Outdoor Research Helium jacket is for real and not only for the “just in case” moments. The Pertex Shield fabric is light and seemingly-durable in spite of its thin-ness. It also breathes extremely-well. After a hard 30-minute run on a 45-degree day the Helium merely felt slightly damp to the touch on the inside. After 5 minutes, that had all dissipated.

The cut of the jacket is great for slapping on top of a down jacket or other puffy insulation layer as need arises. Alone with only a long-sleeve shirt underneath, I’d wish for a little more form-fitting torso. As it stands, it works great on top of puffier under layers. The hem is cut longer than many jackets of this type, so it covers your backside well even when you’re moving around a lot. The simple elastic sleeve cuffs are simple and light, but a lightweight Velcro cuff would have been great.

I brought this jacket along on a handful of ski tours as well and loved the light weight and compressibility of this jacket. Stuffing it into the bottom of my backcountry ski pack, it yielded plenty of space for other sundries.

I really dig the hood and find it necessary in a jacket like this. Should you need to slap it on in a pinch, the hood can be easily worn–leaving your noggin well-protected.

As time goes on, I still marvel at how lightweight this jacket is yet how performant it remains. Excellent overall design for “just in case” backcountry use or highly-aerobic activities.

Good Helium

• So light it will amaze you
• Excellent water and wind protection
• Pertex Shield fabric is really the star of the show
• Attached hood adds to the versatility
• The Fossil color is muted and dashing
• Very lightweight and packable
• Single-handed shock-cord hem cinches well

Bad Helium

• Missing some sort of grippy rubber along the inside of the hem to keep in place
• No hand pockets
• Front zipper is reversed (for the ladies?)
• Would like to see a simple Velcro cuff closure instead of just elastic

Bottom Line: Outdoor Research Helium Jacket

While Outdoor Research jackets can often-times be overlooked, the Helium should garner several double-takes. It’s light weight, packable and offers solid shelter for aerobic activity or in a pinch. The Pertex fabric breathes well and performs when needed.

Buy Now: Search for the Outdoor Research Helium Jacket

Essentially, the steps to find the SylvanSport Go are simple. Sign up at www.findthego.com and follow the weekly clues. Suerte!

Official Press Release Below:

SylvanSport announces the first annual ‘Cache Me If You Can’ contest. The makers of the award-winning ‘GO’ Mobile Adventure Gear camping-trailer, have loaded a GO with phenomenal adventure gear from eight partner companies and will hide this prize somewhere in North America. This is the best adventure gear cache ever, including a custom Niner bike, Jackson Journey kayak, Burton snowboards and more from Yakima, Kelty, Ground Industries, SPOT, and WNC Outdoors. It is valued at over $14,000!

Cache Me If You Can is open to anyone over 18 with a desire for adventure and access to the net. To find the GO prize package, tune into www.findtheGO.com every week to receive a video clue. The video clues, featuring SylvanSport Adventure Team Captain, Tracy Broeckel, contain a set of geo-caching coordinates and a verbal clue that will guide users to the ultimate gear-cache location. The first person to arrive at the final location with the information from all 8 clues will qualify to take home the prize! Contestants are encouraged to use their skills and to team up with friends to optimize their chances.

“This is the kind of creative fun we love at SylvanSport.” says Tom Dempsey, SylvanSport president. “We’re so excited to partner with great companies like Jackson Kayak, Yakima, Kelty, Ground Industries, Burton, SPOT, and Niner Bikes. We’re also thrilled to be part of the Western North Carolina Outdoors region, and to have WNC Outdoors provide an outdoor getaway to the winner. This is a GREAT prize package, and a super fun way to win it!” Bikes, kayaks, vacation packages and more will be a part of the grand prize. In addition, Yakima products and some other surprises will be given away to participants along the way.

SylvanSport and its friends in the industry have chosen LiveStrong/The Lance Armstrong Foundation as their charity of choice for this contest and expect a strong response from the outdoor community for this great cause.

More Info: Visit www.findtheGO.com

Features

• XTS Cradle
• Angled, insulated holster
• 22 oz. (650 mL) fluid bottle
• 5 oz. (150 mL) nutrition flask
• Dimensional zippered pocket
• Airmesh moisture-wicking backing
• Shock Cord with one-pull tension lock
• Limited-stretch waistbelt
• Weight 8oz.
• Fits 26” to 42” waists

Nathan Elite 1 Plus Review

To angle or not to angle?  That’s the first question to consider with waist-mounted bottle carriers.  Upright bottles can be reached with either hand, but tend to have a bouncy ride.  Angled carriers are generally more comfortable, but obviously favor one arm’s reach more than the other.

“Angling” seems to be the predominant design nowadays, and Nathan angles their Elite packs with two highly effective ergonomic features.  First, a 70/30 positioning system places 70% of the bottle below the waistline, minimizing bounce quite well.   Second, the holster is made with Nathan’s XTS cradle system that flexes to the contours of your waist, with a wide-mouth opening that facilitates quick access and replacement even at full speed.

Anlged holster with XTS cradle

Pack stability is further enhanced by a limited stretch belt, which expands just enough – 20% of its original size – for abdominal comfort and relaxed breathing while keeping the load snug against your body.  Excess belt length is easily managed by Velcro strap closures so they’re not flapping around on the run.

One of Nathan’s strengths is bottle design, and the 22-oz bottle that accompanies the Elite 1 Plus has several noteworthy features.  Soft polyethylene plastic is nicely textured for a secure grip.  A wide screwtop mouth allows easy filling and cleaning, and the silicone nozzle stays secure to prevent leakage.  There’s a handy QuickClip with finger loop for use outside a waist pack – for example, attached to a belt or backpack.

22-oz bottle and 5-oz flask

Atop the bottle holster sits a dimensional zippered pocket with internal key clasp.  It’s adequate for storing bare essentials, but neither my small flip phone nor my ultra-compact (Black Diamond Spot) headlamp fit in there when the bottle was in place.  About the only practical thing you can carry is a pack of gel … but you’ve already got a holster for that.

The nutrition flask is a separate holster accessed by the left hand, and holds 5 oz of energy gels.  Since most gel packets are just over one ounce, there’s room for four packs of gel in the flask – more than enough calories to outlast your 22-oz fluid supply.  An ideal setting for this pack is during an ultra where you want to make sure you have your favorite gel on board, and you’ll have aid stations every several miles to refill the fluid bottle as needed.

If you’re not carrying gel, the holster area of the pack goes un-utilized – ideally, a larger pocket in this area would increase overall storage capacity.

Good Elite 1 Plus

• Angled bottle holder for rapid access
• Limited stretch waistband very comfortable and stable
• Ergonomic bottle positioning

Bad Elite 1 Plus

• Very minimal storage space
• Gel holster space is wasted if flask is unused

Bottom Line: Nathan Elite 1 Plus Waist pack

If you’re a frequent consumer of energy gels, the Elite 1 Plus is a great way to make sure you have all the calories you need on the trail.  If you’re looking for stowaway space alongside your fluids, take an additional means of storage with you.

Buy Now: Search for Nathan Packs

About the Outdoor Research Furio Pants

These pants are up to any alpine challenge. Lightweight and breathable Gore-Tex® Paclite® fabric easily deflects nasty weather and expels internal moisture to keep you moving quickly. The rugged 70D Gore-Tex® Pro Shell fabric provides critical reinforcement in high stress areas while full-length, double-separating side zippers allow maximum ventilation and allow the pants to be pulled on easily over boots.

• Strategic mix of 70D Gore-Tex® Paclite® and Pro Shell fabrics
• Fully seam taped, all-conditions protection
• Accepts accessory suspenders (sold separately)
• Integrated belt; snap and double-sliding zipper fly
• Water-resistant zippers
• Full-length, double-separating side zippers allow drop seat
• Articulated knees
• Zip-out internal mesh gaiters with gripper elastic
• Reinforced ankle scuff guards
• Snap/drawcord cuff closures
• Grommets for instep lace
• MSRP: $280

Outdoor Research Furio Gore-Tex Pants Review

Simple, black and streamlined, the Furio Pants are no-frills on the surface, but with some niceties once you wear them awhile. First off, the outer fabric is very durable and has withstood plenty of carwash exits (scrub oak + nylon is usually a bad thing). Add on top of that the Gore-Tex Paclite laminate front and Pro Shell back and knees for breathability and waterproofing and you have a durable, functional winter pant.

As far as sizing goes, I did have a little bit of trouble getting correctly-sized in these pants. It seems I’m a medium-and-a-half in Outdoor Research pants (5′11″, 32″ inseam, 175 lbs.), but the size large ended up fitting just dandy with enough baggyness around the thighs to keep things comfortable, yet not grab on every branch in sight. One nice thing about the size large is I had plenty of room for my hind end, which can feel snug in some designs. So, maybe I’m a large, I guess.

After wearing these on several cold, snowy days, I then pushed the limits of these pants on a warm, spring-like ski tour. I did have to open the side zips for moisture management and thank goodness because although Gore-Tex Paclite does breathe decently, it still needs some ventilation assistance. I did have some aggressive tours where the inside of the pants were pretty damp from perspiration. That dampness becomes more apparent in this design since it lacks a brushed backing on the interior (to shave weight). A backing would add a tad more weight, but it would not only improve the moisture management, but aid in the cold, next-to-skin feel of these pants on early dawn patrols.

The Furios are made for athletic mountaineering, ice climbing and backcountry skiing, so keep that in mind. They are light, functional and lack some of the pocket frills found on most other pants. All you get is a single pocket for your right hand (left-handers are out of luck, sorry). This is good in some ways, but kind of frustrating at times when I searched for a pocket with my left hand to no avail. I did also miss having at least one small cargo pocket for lip balm or the occasional wrapper storage.

While they are simple pants, they do offer some great features, like zip-off powder cuffs, loops for optional suspenders and full-length waterproof zippers. Zipping off the powder cuffs allows these pants to be used for foul weather year-round.

Keep in mind that the cuffs aren’t as wide-opening as some designs, so pulling these over my Lange Banshee Pro’s with Hotronic heaters was a little difficult and resulted in a skinny jeans look at the cuff. On my touring boots, the fit was a little better with the powder cuffs keeping the white stuff at bay.

Good Furio

• Gore keeps things waterproof indeed
• Durability is top-notch
• Full-zips easily allow ventilation or access
• Integrated belt worked like a charm
• Zip-off powder cuffs extend the lifespan of these pants

Bad Furio

• Only a single pocket on the right thigh (sorry lefties!)
• Mighty chilly on cold mornings until you get revved up
• Cuffs are a little tight for some boots

The Bottom Line: Outdoor Research Furio Pants

The Furio pants attack the mountain with precision, but just make sure you’re down with the lack of pockets before you commit. If you do jump in, the Furio’s will provide durable weather protection and excellent ventilation via full-length zippers.

Buy Now: Search for Outdoor Research Furio Pants

About the Atlas Run Snowshoes

Atlas is one of the few snowshoe makers that produces a running-specific snowshoe. The aptly-named Run model is the everyman’s running snowshoe for runners up to 220 lbs. Here’s what Atlas has to say about the Run:

The Run snowshoe is the perfect tool for running enthusiasts to get away from the grind of traffic and stay fit and active when the trails are covered in snow. The crisscross design of the Run binding cinches with one pull and keeps your foot secure without extra weight, and the lightweight aluminum toe and heel crampons provide perfect traction without drag. Spring-Loaded™ Suspension provides deeper penetration of the toe crampon for extra push, and SLS allows natural articulation of the foot for a comfortable running stride.

Atlas Run Features:

• Spring-loaded suspension
• VFrame design
• Nytex decking
• Twin-Trac™ toe crampon
• Heel cleat
• Running-specific binding for natural stride
• Length: 22-inches
• Surface Area: 134 square inches
• Load: 75-190+ lbs (up to 220 lbs on packed trails)
• Weight: 2.71 lbs (pair)
• MSRP: $200

Atlas Run Snowshoes Review

Adding snowshoe running to my myriad of Winter-time exercise options has been fun. While I prefer running on hardpacked trails with trail running shoes, the Atlas Run snowshoes allow you to run efficiently on softer trails. Admittedly, I’m no snowshoeing expert, so this is really a review from a newbie just getting the hang of snowshoe running.

The Run snowshoes are very light-feeling with an effective binding system. Without any fuss, I was able to slip my Montrail Mountain Masochist GTX trail runners into the bindings. The Z-shaped forefoot strap was easy to cinch with a single pull of the strap. Excess strap tucked neatly into the provided O-ring loop on the bottom strap. Pulling the rubber heel attachment snugly in place is also super-easy.

The result of the running-specific binding is a secure and natural-feeling stride for running. My feet always felt secure and comfortable throughout my runs.

I felt the Atlas Run snowshoes provided just the right size for running with a slightly shorter stride than usual. When I stretched out my stride to a more typical running stride, the back of the snowshoe would whack my ankles–quickly reminding me to shorten up. Once I found the ideal stride, I felt supported and comfortable on hardpacked and semi-packed trails.

When venturing into the untracked trails (10-12″ new snow), these shoes met their match as the surface area just isn’t enough to keep you on top. At a walking stride, trudging through untracked snow wasn’t so bad, but if that’s your intention for these shoes, I’d look elsewhere as these are made for running on mostly-packed trails.

Once you find the right type of snowpack, you can really get a killer running workout with these snowshoes. I ran on mostly-packed trails with a few inches of new snow and they performed just dandy. Should you be breaking trail, you won’t be doing much running in these.

Good Run

• Extremely-light and efficient
• Binding system is optimized for running
• Bindings are comfortable and easy-to-cinch
• One of the few running-specific snowshoes on the market

Bad Run

• Running-specific design makes them a less ideal for hiking
• Need to find the right trail conditions to actually run in these
• A lot of snow will fly around behind as you run, so zip all pockets, etc.

Bottom Line: Atlas Run Snowshoes

Running-specific snowshoes are a rare breed, but the Atlas Run snowshoes are fun and efficient if you can find the right type of trail conditions in your area.

Buy Now: Search for Atlas Snowshoes

Step 1: Click on over to the Brooks Range fan page on Facebook

Step 2: Become a fan of Brooks Range

Step 3: Post something on the Brooks Range wall and make sure to mention FeedTheHabit when you do. To make things easy, just cut and paste the following onto the wall:

Hey there Brooks Range folks! I saw the Rock Shirt giveaway contest over at http://www.feedthehabit.com and wanted to throw my hat in the ring. So, salt over the shoulder, rabbit’s foot in hand and one kiss to a pig coming up for good luck… bring on the shirt!

Well, you get it. All you have to do is post something on their wall and include FeedTheHabit.com in your post and you’ll be entered to win. The winner will get to choose the size and color of their new shirt. The drawing will take place March 19, so spread the word, become fans of Brooks Range and may the force be with you.

Get Started: Visit the Brooks Range Fan Page

About the North Face Borealis 1/4 Zip Fleece

The North Face designed the Borealis 1/4 zip fleece for aerobic use. This lightweight, durable fleece wicks sweat and moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable on long runs or rides. Built with stretchy elastane overlay panels at sides, lower back, and cuffs to allow unrestricted movement.

• Training fit
• Carbon from Bamboo technology
• 100% recycled fleece
• Elastane panel from sleeve cuff to waist
• Reverse flat-locked seams
• Napoleon patch on pocket
• Continuous hem-to-cuff gusset
• Monkey thumb cuffs
• Drop-tail hem
• Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 30
• Colors: Mountain Blue (tested), Lunar Ice Grey, Black
• MSRP: $65

The North Face Borealis 1/4 Zip Fleece Review

On 40-degree trail runs, the Borealis was just right with a long-sleeve lightweight base layer. It acted well as both an insulator with light wind protection. This is a lightweight fleece pullover with a ton of flexibility. Depending on the weather, it can be a base layer, mid layer or outer layer and the athletic cut keeps things streamlined.

I’m a big fan of the monkey thumb cuffs for a “half glove” in a pinch. Sometimes you head out for a run and it doesn’t seem too cold. Maybe it’s sunny, but then either the sun ducks behind the clouds or you enter a shady area and you need just a little extra wind protection on your digits… batta bing, enter the value of the monkey thumbs. Just slip the cuff over your thumb and you’ve got most of your hand covered with the quick ability to tuck your fingers under there as well. Another benefit is the elimination of the dreaded glove gap.

The elastane insert–from the cuff to the armpit and then down to the waist–is lined with wicking fleece and feels just like the rest of the jacket, but provides a little extra abrasion resistance with its smooth surface. This was best appreciated while running as your arms swing back and forth without catching on the body of the jacket.

I wore the North Face Borealis with a lightweight Merino wool base layer under the Sierra Designs Mantra Fusion jacket for an afternoon of skiing at Sundance Resort. Temperatures were in the mid-20’s with snow showers and steady ridgeline winds. Under these conditions, I was left wishing for a down or synthetic vest to keep me just a tad warmer. I wasn’t freezing, but it did get a bit uncomfortable on the long, windy chairlift ride.

Good Borealis

• Monkey thumbs add versatility and coverage
• Flatlock seams reduce bulk and improve comfort
• Stretchy fabric inserts improve abrasion resistance and piling
• Good cut… not super-athletic, but not oversized either
• Excellent pricepoint
• Breathes very well
• Great for athletic layering
• Just enough wind protection in a pinch

Bad Borealis

• Chest pocket is oddly-shaped and uncomfortable for items you’d typically haul (like an iPhone)
• Careful in the dryer… the fleece is sensitive to heat (mine has a new waffle pattern on the front from the dryer)
• Sleeve cuff diameter is way too big

The Bottom Line: North Face Borealis 1/4 Zip Fleece Crew

For the money, the North Face Borealis midweight fleece is hard to beat. It is a versatile performer with excellent breathability that is well-suited as outerwear for cool weather or as an insulation layer in the cold.

Buy Now: Search for The North Face Borealis Fleece

To my dismay, Outdoor Research doesn’t make their trail shoe-friendly FlexTex Gaiters in neon yellow, so the full 80’s redux will have to wait, but in the end these black beauties are well worth their weight in gold… err… make that stretchy nylon.

Features of the Flex-Tex Gaiters:

• Durable, stretch-woven nylon fabric
• 1-inch wide hook/loop front closure
• Hook/loop shear tabs at top and bottom of front closure prevent separation
• Double-riveted boot lace hook
• Urethane-coated nylon instep strap
• Sizes: S/M, L/XL
• MSRP: $35

Outdoor Research Flex-Tex Gaiters Review

Just in the nick of time, the Flex-Tex gaiters came in for my winter trail running adventures. With the meager Utah snowpack this season, I’ve been trail running much more than I typically do. On my usual routes, the snowshoe traffic packs down the trail fairly quickly, thus allowing me to run on firm, snow-covered trails.

Where the Flex-Tex gatiers have been worth their weight in gold has been after a few inches of new snow has fallen on the packed trail. Their ability to keep snow out of my shoes has been superb. I really appreciate the 2-way stretch of the gaiters (fabric stretches fore/aft for a snug fit) and the streamlined cut. these are not meant to be worn with pants, so I typically ran with shorts or running tights and their svelte fit didn’t add any bulk or get in the way of my lightning-fast stride (well, on the downhill).

I found the instep strap to fit well with a variety of shoes including: New Balance MT910, Montrail Mountain Masochist GTX and Lafuma Sky Race OT. With each of them, I was able to get a snug fit and excellent coverage for running in 3-5 inches of new snow.

The Velcro lock tabs keep things in place should you get a little more aggressive on the trail and the simple lace hook keeps you covered. Not once did I get any snow intrusion while wearing these. The snug, 4-way stretch fabric maintains an excellent barrier.

My only real feedback on these gaiters is that the hook should be on the opposite side so you can hook it to your lace, then attach the Velcro from the other side to the top. As it is right now, you place the hook on your laces and then have to slip the attaching piece to the underside. It’s not a huge deal, but did cause me to mismatch them on occasion.

After posting the initial review, I have since used these snowshoe running with the Atlas Run snowshoes. The nature of snowshoe running flips a ton of snow all over the place and snow tended to enter into the gaiter from the top. Perhaps a more elastic upper cuff could eliminate this.

Good Flex-Tex

• Streamlined fit… perfect for winter running
• Stretch fabric moves with you
• Stays secure with instep loop and Velcro closures
• Easy on-off
• Works with a variety of trail running shoes

Bad Flex-Tex

• Lace hook should be switched to other end for easier Velcro attachment
• An elastic upper-cuff closure could reduce snow intrusion while shoeshoe running (lots of snow flying around)
• If your shoes don’t lace far down the forefoot (Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX), you may not be able to attach the hook–just choose your shoes wisely
• Unavailable in flashy 80’s neon yellow… sorry

Bottom Line: Outdoor Research Flex-Tex Gaiters

For winter running or wet-weather bushwacking, these gaiters are comfortable, durable and affordable. You can’t ask much more from a running-friendly gaiter.

Buy Now: Search for Outdoor Research Gaiters

About the Lafuma Sky Race OT Trail Runners

Because the Sky Race OT’s are built using Outdry membrane, they are an all-weather training shoe. Added on top of that is a solid and supportive Vibram outsole and unique Twin Lace system (isolates upper and lower lace tension separately). The result is a capable foul-weather trail runner.

More features of the Sky Race OT:

• Use: High-performance trail running in all seasons – Waterproof and breathable.
• Upper materials: 3D mesh upper – Front TPU stone guard – Tongue with gusset.
• Lining material: OUTDRY® membrane.
• Footbed: Removable PES/EVA. Sole: VIBRAM® XRUN rubber/ Phylon tri-density midsole.
• Twin Lace System: dual toggles made to secure the lower and upper foot separately
• Size 8.5= 430g each (14.8 oz)
• MSRP: $139.95

Lafuma Sky Race OT Trail Running Shoe Review

The Sky Race’s arrived just in time to compare head-to-head with Gore-Tex trail running shoe designs (Montrail Mountain Masochist GTX, Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX and New Balance MT910) and the weather soon cooperated with rain and snowy trails beckoning me.

From the outset, the Lafuma’s were intriguing with their use of Outdry waterproof/breathable membrane, Vibram outsole and the Twin Lace system. The result is a technologically-packed shoe, but still a bit rough around the edges. Starting with styling (though always subjective), the test shoes were black and bright yellow–a combination that wasn’t so pleasing on the eyes. These are best relegated to trail-only duty where Mother Nature doesn’t care. I’ll be much more forgiving of poor looks if the performance is nails, so lets move on.

The Twin Lace system is an awesome concept and works pretty well (but still needs some refinement). I really liked the ability to cinch down the forefoot and uppers separately. Many lacing systems require you to slowly cinch down the entire shoe from the toebox to the uppers, inch-by-inch. These are cinched with a quick pull and locking toggle–providing cinched forefoot and upper. I had some small issues (hence my refinement suggestion) with one of the upper toggles wiggling loose during the course of a run. It was a small annoyance that required adjustment every 15-20 minutes on one shoe. The other issue is that the rubber “bridge” piece slips fore and aft instead of being firmly anchored to the laces.

I really liked the Vibram outsole on these as it provided superb traction and support. Snow-covered trails were little match for these shoes, which is pretty impressive in my mind. As mentioned, support is good and so was trail protection. I was running in pretty cold temperatures, so the midsole was likely a little less cushioning, but these shoes felt a bit harsh with minimal cushioning. In the heat, they may soften, but these shoes aren’t really meant for warm-weather, so take that into consideration.

Now onto the Outdry membrane. I subjected it to the same 30-second stream submersion test that I have done with all Gore-Tex shoes I’ve tested to date. I carefully step into the moving stream just deep enough to cover the entire forefoot, but not overrun the cuff. I was pleasantly surprised when the Outdry membrane performed as well as any Gore-Tex shoes I’ve tried. I stuck it out even a little longer and the shoe’s interior remained impenetrable.

In the end, breathability is slightly better than Gore-Tex and the membrane is quieter and more “one” with the footwear instead of feeling like it is just another layer.

Good Sky Race OT

• Outdry technology breathes a bit better than Gore-Tex
• Vibram outsole provides great traction in all conditions–including snow packed trails
• Cantilever lacing system isolates upper and lower laces
• Kept my feet dry and warm in fresh snow, slush and creek crossings

Bad Sky Race OT

• Twin Lace system is good concept, but still needs some refinement
• Pretty chunky… not for lightweight pursuits
• Questionable looks
• Relatively unknown brand in USA

Bottom Line: Lafuma Sky Race OT

These shoes are my first foray into Lafuma trail runners and Outdry technology. While the shoe’s looks are questionable, the solid Outdry technology combined with the Vibram outsole make these shoes an option for wet-weather trail-specific duty.

Buy Now: Search for Lafuma Shoes

Oh how I miss my Marmot Driclime Vest

I miss you, Driclime Vest. I miss your lightweight insulation and wind protection. I miss you every time I go for a brisk run or bike ride when a full jacket is too warm and the chill still too biting to leave your core unprotected. The funny thing is I have no idea where this vest went. Somewhere between moves and adventures, it simply disappeared. Come back, please!

2002 Turner RFX… brings a tear to my eye

My first truly high-end, drool-worthy built-from-the-ground-up mountain bike. The RFX is still legendary and carries with it a ton of stoke and hype among those who have ridden or owned one. I miss your smooth and burly performance. I miss your ability to crush anything in sight and still pound out technical climbs. I’m not so sure why I still miss you so much with all your portliness, but I do.

OK, I’ve spilled my guts… now what gear do you still miss?