Last week, despite soaring temperatures in the Northeast, some 22,000 runners took to the streets of Boston to compete in the 116^th running of our nation’s oldest marathon. I honored these brave souls by covering a much more modest 6.2 miles in order to test out CamelBak’s 2012 Ultra LR™ hydration vest.

front view with reservoir removed

Marathon runners typically have the luxury of aid stations along the course, so a hydration vest is not a necessity on race day.  But for long training runs, or for ultra-marathoners, adventure racers or even mountain bikers, a hydration vest could be a welcome addition to your usual gear.

As a veteran of ten marathons, including four Bostons, my hydration system used to consist of an elastic belt with a single 16-ounce bottle.  But bottles bounce and sometimes slosh, and sixteen ounces doesn’t go very far during a two- or three-hour training run.

The Ultra LR™ comes equipped with a 70-ounce (2 L) Antidote™ lumbar reservoir which sits horizontally and hugs the lower back.  An independent strap running with the waist belt allows for a cinching of the bladder as it is emptied.  The adjustable shoulder harness with Slider™ sternum straps along with the dual chest straps provide a snug custom fit for runners large and small.  It’s a perfect combination of features to block the bounce and stop the slosh.

Two small front pouches and waist belt zippered pockets allow plenty of space for an iPod, cell phone, car keys, or energy bars.  A larger mesh pouch on the back, perfect for rain gear or an emergency poncho, brings the total cargo capacity to 200 cubic inches (3.28 L), and can turn your Ultra LR™ hydration vest into an ultra light weight trail pack.  Unloaded, the vest weighs in at 1.15 pounds (0.54 kg).

So for trial runs or trail hikes, adventure racing or mountain bikes, CamelBak’s Ultra LR™ hydration vest is a welcome addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear vault.

The Ultra LR™ retails for around $130.00 and is available at CamelBak.com or your favorite outdoor retailer.

Bill Urbanski

Weekday lawyer, weekend farmer, and climber every chance he gets, Bill is a sub-3-hour marathoner who has stood on the summit of every state highpoint in the lower 48, and has spent nearly 3 weeks on Denali in Alaska.

 

Wolverine’s patented ICS (Individual Comfort System) technology is back in 2012 with a splash of color in several new trail hiker styles.  For those unfamiliar, ICS is a gel disc that sits in the shoe’s heel, just under the OrthoLite® footbed.  Simply pop out the disc and spin it to your desired level of comfort.  Positioning of the disc also allows those who have issues with under- or over-pronation to add cushioning to the outer or inner heel.

Once you have the ICS disc dialed in to your individual needs, you can hit the trail in comfort and with confidence.  I took the new 2012 Pulsar for a spin, and in addition to the comfort, for a low-cut trail hiker, I was instantly struck by the stability of the ride.  An external heel counter adds ankle support and action frame stabilizers provide a secure ankle wrap to prevent lateral movement.

The Pulsar is also equipped with breathable GORE-TEX® waterproof membranes, and rugged Vibram® outsoles with Claw-Trax™ traction – a great combination to keep your feet dry and your footing sure on just about any terrain you will encounter.

I consider myself a runner first and hiker second, so shoe weight is always a factor for me, even in a trail hiker.  My size 10 Pulsars tipped the scales at 18.9 ounces, a surprisingly low figure for a shoe that provides the features and noticeable level of security normally found in a much heavier and clunkier hiking boot.

Stylish and comfortable, with the ruggedness you’d expect from Wolverine, the Pulsar will be available in four vibrant colors for men, and five for women.  Coming this February to your favorite outdoor retailer, the Pulsar is expected to sell for $165.  Also available at www.wolverine.com.

Bill Urbanski

Weekday lawyer, weekend farmer, and climber every chance he gets, Bill is a sub-3-hour marathoner who has stood on the summit of every state highpoint in the lower 48, and has spent nearly 3 weeks on Denali in Alaska.

 

Initially I had my doubts about the Omni-heat liner found on many of Columbia’s products, but after a few cold mornings, where this jacket repeatedly warmed up in little to no time at all, I am sold on those little silver dots. Omni-Heat technology works by reflecting your body heat back at you to help recycle said heat. This jacket is insulated with Columbia 700 fill-power down which works in tandem with the stretch side panels to efficiently retain heat.

One thing that I found unique about this jacket is the inclusion of thumb holes in the jacket cuffs. While the thumb holes are a great addition, I find the cuffs to be a bit cumbersome when trying to look at my watch. I almost have to take my arm out of the sleeve to look at my large face watch. That said, I believe the cuffs play a major part in the heat retention of this jacket, and for that I find it to be only a minor inconvenience.

All of the pockets on this jacket zip shut which is a great, but not always common feature on a jacket of this sort, and the internal breast pocket has revived the batteries of my electronic devices more than once. Though it is not packable in its own pocket, the included drawstring bag packs it down to a convenient stashable size.

The Columbia Reach The Peak™ Hybrid Down Jacket retails for $180.00.

Patrick gensel

Patrick is a lover of all things adventure and photography. When he is not at home in Northeast PA, he can be found traveling with his camera and climbing. One of his most memorable experiences outdoors is his recent summit of Mount Rainier.

    

The Blaze A.C. 60 is a top loading backpack with a drawstring and roll top design that boasts a burly 60 liter/3660 cubic inches of gear carrying capacity. Simplicity is key with the Blaze A.C. 60 as it has one main compartment, a small front stretch pocket and two side stretch pockets. There is a lid pocket available, but if you get your packing skills dialed in, I don’t think it is needed. Besides, the mindset here is minimalist.

I spent a bit of time going over the Blaze A.C. 60 while at the crag this weekend. Here is a little video I put together showcasing this product.

For more info on the Blaze A.C. 60, head over to www.granitegear.com.  Also check out its Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Status.

For more info on the magical fabric used in this product, head over to www.cordura.com

Patrick gensel

Patrick is a lover of all things adventure and photography. When he is not at home in Northeast PA, he can be found traveling with his camera and climbing. One of his most memorable experiences outdoors is his recent summit of Mount Rainier.

    

If you are into running, cycling, or any of the sub-disciplines of these sports, then you know it is often that we are out training or competing without our identification. It’s just part of the gig. ID is just one more item to lose, weigh you down, or just plain get in your way. The problem with leaving behind your ID is pretty simple though. If you get hurt and are unable to communicate, then rescue personnel will have a much more difficult task of identifying you and contacting the right people. Fortunately there is a product to circumvent all of this potential trouble. Road ID is a wearable form of identification that will help you be identified in the event you are injured and don’t have your photo ID with you.

Road ID is available in several different forms such as: Wrist ID, Ankle ID, Shoe ID, and more. Road ID products are really quite simple. They attach to you via velcro and nylon strap, much like a wrist watch, and display your choice of info on a laser engraved metal tag. The nylon strap of my Ankle ID fits comfortably above my ankle and is secure. After a bit of adjusting, I found the perfect fit, and haven’t taken it off much. I simply forget it’s there.

If you do any type of activity that might leave you without your ID, then I recommend one of these products. It will certainly give you and your family some peace of mind.  The Road ID Ankle ID can be had for $19.99 and many of the other products are similarly priced. For more info check out www.roadid.com

Patrick gensel

Patrick is a lover of all things adventure and photography. When he is not at home in Northeast PA, he can be found traveling with his camera and climbing. One of his most memorable experiences outdoors is his recent summit of Mount Rainier.

    

The Grand Teton

MOOSE, Wyoming – The glaciated slopes of the majestic 13,770 foot Grand Teton were the testing grounds – the product: Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof Sponge-on Waterproofing.

Two days before the start of my climb, I stood over the sink of my hotel room scrubbing my North Face high-top trail runners with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel.  The shoes are a combination of suede leather and padded mesh.  I purchased them in 2007 and they have seen many miles and many trails.  They are beat up and well-worn for sure.  And never before had I bothered to treat them with any type of waterproofing product.

Nikwax recommends washing older shoes with their Cleaning Gel before applying the waterproofer.  I dutifully followed instructions and watched as years of dirt and grime fell away into the sink.  I was short on time, so I used the hotel hair dryer to help dry the shoes before applying the Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof treatment.  I then allowed the shoes to air dry overnight.

North Face Trail Shoes

I was in Wyoming and it was August.  This meant I could expect a dry and dusty trail on the lower mountain, but I knew glaciers and snowfields awaited me above.  I knew also that the afternoon Wyoming sun would turn those snowfields into slush fields for my crossing.

My climb of the Grand involved crossing numerous snowfields, as well as numerous talus and boulder fields.  I had used these same shoes in similar conditions on nearby Gannett Peak on three prior occasions, and each time, with no Nikwax protection, I was soaked through to the bone before too long.  But this time was different.  This time I had Nikwax protection – a patented formula that coats fabric and leather fibers with a network of elastic water-repellent molecules.  The molecules bond to anything that is not water-repellent, but also leave the spaces between fibers open and breathable.

crossing one of the many snowfields

On the Grand, with my Nikwax “armour” in place, amazingly I stayed relatively dry.  I say relatively only because my well-worn trail runners have a few torn seams.  I found that the only material Nikwax could not protect was the material that was not there.  For the leather and mesh that was treated, Nikwax did as advertised – kept the water out, and kept my feet dry.

Thanks to Nikwax, my trail shoes now have extended life.  I may even take the time to repair those torn seams before I put them to the test again.

Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof Sponge-on Waterproofing, and Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel both retail for around $10.00 for a 4.2 oz bottle and can be purchased at most major outdoor retailers such as Moosejaw.com

Bill Urbanski

Weekday lawyer, weekend farmer, and climber every chance he gets, Bill is a sub-3-hour marathoner who has stood on the summit of every state highpoint in the lower 48, and has spent nearly 3 weeks on Denali in Alaska.

 

With the current popularity of bamboo these days, why wouldn’t there be a drinking bottle made out of the stuff? Introducing the Bamboo Bottle, an environmentally friendly solution for carrying your water. The bottle is constructed of bamboo, glass, and recycled plastic which helps minimize the impact created by manufacturing these bottles. In addition to these bottles being environmentally conscious, they are also quite stylish.

That said, these are by no means an adventure bottle. Simply put, they are just too heavy. While they are quite durable, the glass construction is just too heavy to make this a viable solution for outdoor adventure. They were designed with home and office in mind, and for that use, they work great. The bamboo sleeve which protects the glass cylinder is beautifully crafted and appears to be strong. The Bamboo bottle sells for about 25 dollars and Is available at Amazon.

Get the Bamboo Bottle at Amazon.

Patrick gensel

Patrick is a lover of all things adventure and photography. When he is not at home in Northeast PA, he can be found traveling with his camera and climbing. One of his most memorable experiences outdoors is his recent summit of Mount Rainier.