It’s a scenario virtually every outdoor enthusiast has encountered.  Your serene day on the trail is interrupted by a deep rolling thunder in the distance that sends a shiver down your spine.  The sky grows dark and turbulent as the bright light of day vanishes into the the gloomy grey ahead.

As the wind howls, and the cold rain drives into the earth, a lightweight shell is your first line of defense against harsh weather.  The Plasmic Jacket from Mountain Hardwear offers complete storm protection for fast-moving outdoor athletes.  It’s a hi-tec weather shelter ready to keep you dry and free of clammy discomfort.

The Evolution of Protection...
Prior generations of light technical shells suffered from the same daunting difficulty.  While they protected users from the wind and rain, they lacked the ability to breathe and effectively wick moisture from the body.  The result was a shell that created a damp and humid microclimate leaving you to wonder why you even bothered to slip on the shell in the first place.   Mountain Hardwear’s Plasmic Jacket arrived on our doorstep with the promise of lighter, drier and more comfortable protection.

Arriving with the promise of lighter, drier and more comfortable protection, we put the Plasmic Jacket  through the paces.  From heavy thunderstorms to ridge ripping winds, this advanced all-weather shell kept us dry and comfortable without sacrificing breathability, performance or durability.

On Performance and Design…
Mountain Hardwear’s design team combined the the waterproof-breathability of Dry.Q™ with EVAP, an interior-surface wicking technology that disperses through a network of channels on the fabric allowing moisture to evaporate more quickly. The result is enhanced breathability and accelerated evaporation so you get a shell that shrugs off heavy rains while ensuring that you never overheat on steep sections of trail.  In the words of our gear squad, it’s a shell that fights the elements, not your efforts on the trail.

Beyond the top-tier technology of Dry.Q™ with EVAP, the Plasmic jacket is equipped with all the features we needed to keep grinning even in the eye of the storm.  An adjustable storm hood provides additional protection while the vislon aquaguard zipper and an adjustable hem drawcord keep the elements from blowing inside to dry layers.

And because no one stands still in bad weather, a Micro-Chamois™-lined chin guard helps eliminate nasty zipper chaffing when you’re moving light and fast.  Add in the fact that the entire package weighs in at a meager 10 ounces and you’ve got a stellar performer that will never weigh you down on the trail.

Notes from the Field….
The Plasmic Jacket features a standard fit that gently drapes off the body.  For those seeking an exterior shell that makes for easy layering over base and mid layers, this is a perfect fit.  However, the Plasmic Jacket may prove to feel larger through the arms and torso for those who prefer a more athletic cut that fits closer to the body while still allowing for natural movement.

Bottom Line…
Embrace the elements.  Featuring the waterproof-breathability of Dry.Q™ with EVAP, Mountain Hardwear’s Plasmic Jacket is ready to serve as your lightweight shelter from the storm.

*Gumption Gear Review received the item featured in this review from Mountain Hardwear at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

The post Review: Mountain Hardwear Plasmic Jacket appeared first on GumptionGear.

The Icebreaker Tech T-Lite simply has one purpose in life: To serve as many purposes as it can in yours.  So whether the task at hand is spring climbing, summer backpacking, fall hiking, or general relaxing, get ready because the Icebreaker Tech T Lite is about to render your cotton T-shirt collection inadequate.

Respect the Wool…
So you’re still in the camp of thought that thinks wool isn’t for you?

Vikings wore it while conquering France, Germany and the Netherlands. Sailors wore it while navigating the undiscovered oceans on a world thought to be flat.  Roman Emperors wore it while expanding the Empire.  Astronauts wear it for comfort in the confines of their spacecraft.  Simply put, wool has been the fibre for heroes and legends alike for generations.  But you think it’s too hot and itchy for your daily active life?

Well, allow us to introduce you to the Icebreaker Tech T Lite, a lightweight merino wool shirt that will change the way you think about wool.

You can love the Icebreaker Tech T Lite because it serves up a casual, laid-back vibe to your after-work look.  You can appreciate it for the incredible comfort the light 150gm merino wool brings to weekends at the Lodge or days on the trail.  Admire it because it keeps you dry and comfortable during active pursuits in any weather.  But at the end of the day you’ll respect the Icebreaker Tech T Lite because its moisture-managing, funk-fighting, lightweight merino wool simply outperforms any other shirt you’ve ever worn.  Did we mention that it’s sustainable and traceable?

Add in the fact that for Spring/Summer 2013, Icebreaker has recruited a diverse collection of guest artists to create some eye-catching graphics on the new Tech T Lite and you can’t go wrong.  Each design harkens to the goodness of a life lived outdoors, so even when you’re stuck inside, the shirt inspire you and your colleagues to take an extended lunch break on the trail.

There’s no way around the fact that at $75 a shirt, the Tech T Lite is an expensive piece of apparel.  That being said, once you slip into one of these shirts, you’ll instantly realize how obsolete everything else in your dresser has become.  The Tech T Lite has not only become the most comfortable shirt in our gear stash, but has even replaced some of the   technical t-shirts in our wardrobe.

To help you replace that collection of cotton, Icebreaker is giving away some of its Spring-Summer 2013 shirts, now through May 31.  To enter to win your own Icebreakers Tech T Lite, and a $1,000 Icebreaker shopping spree, follow this link: icebreaker.com/tshirts. You can enter daily to increase your chances.

Bottom Line…
Honor the legends. Respect the wool.  Get the Tech T Lite.

*Gumption Gear Review received the item featured in this review from Icebreaker at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

The post Review: The Icebreaker Tech T Lite appeared first on GumptionGear.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Life is too short to be lived indoors.  Yet for many outdoor enthusiasts, our primary way to connect with the outdoors world is through the standard hike or trail run.  It’s time to change your perspective.  Change the way you see things.  Change the way you experience life outside.  It’s time to experience the Drop Carve Series from Landyachtz.

For those asking, ‘why is an outdoor gear site reviewing a longboard?’ The answer is actually simple.  We have a passion for life lived in the outdoors.  Over the past year, it has become custom and practice for our review team to jump on a longboard and go.  Its also become part of our recovery routine, helping to loosen up the legs, body and mind.  More importantly, its provided a new way for us to revel in the joy of the outdoors.  So when Landyachtz offered to send out a Fiberglass Drop Carve 40 complete to put to the test, we were all in.

On Performance & Design…
Landyachtz designed the Drop Carve series to love carving and speed.  The good news for outdoor junkies, is that the board refuses to be limited to just that.  At a length of 40.34” and 9.5” wide, the Drop Carve 40 has become our daily commuter, weekend carver, and full time cruiser.  Whether you’re pushing down the boardwalk, scouting your next long run route, or looking for the rush on massive waves of asphalt, the Drop Carve is ready, willing and eager.

Featuring fiberglass top and bottom sheets, sandwiching a bamboo core, the deck is not only responsive, but incredibly durable. Durability matters because at the end of the day, a higher quality board (and equipment) results in less broken gear, and less waste.  Not only is that good for the planet you’re cruising over, but it means more bang for your buck, and a board that might just outlast your boarding adventures.

When it comes to the wide, concave waist of the board, it was love at first ride.  The design helps lock in your feet for a confident, comfortable ride.  Before long, you’ll find that perfect secure stance and master the ability to push in and out of long graceful turns.  At that point, the ride borders on a zen-like moment that rivals any experience we’ve had shredding powder in Tahoe, or dropping-in on glassy days in Manhattan beach.  Yes, it’s that good.

A drop through mounting system with Bear 852 trucks, make the Drop Carve a tremendous cruiser with crisp turning ability.  The drop through gets its name because the trucks actually drop through the truck holes of the board.  This design brings the deck lower to the ground resulting in greater control and less chance of speed wobbles.  Trust us, it’s a feature that will do you a solid, whether you’re cruising through the Santa Cruz Mountains, or find yourself in any situation where you may need to outrun that rent-a-cop in a golf cart.

If you’re just moving into the longboard scene, it might be a little while before your sliding and drifting with the best of them.  But, when the time comes, the Drop Carve is ready with a stable 27-inch wheelbase and soft but grippy Mini-Monster wheels.  We’ve put a lot of miles on our Drop Carve, and the ride was always buttery smooth and never a disappointment.  On the days we felt like pushing the limits, this board handled speed with ease.  As a bonus, the wheels gobbled up cracks, pebbles and cobblestone pavers as easy as you tear through a PB&J sandwich on a hot summer day.  Even after months of testing, the more we ride this board, the more reasons we find to fall in love with it.

Bottom Line…
Whatever your destination, this is one board made for long rides, deep carves, and good times.  Whether you’re new to the longboard scene or you’ve been dropping into hills behind your home for decades, the Drop Carve series is a stellar option for riders and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The Landyachtz Giveaway…
What’s better than a Landyacthz Drop Carve?  How about a free Drop Carve 40?  Landyachtz has generously partnered with Gumption Gear Review to provide one of our readers a free Drop Carve 40.  So go ahead, enter the contest below, share the love and best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Gumption Gear Review received the item featured in this review from Landyachtz at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

The post Landyachtz Fiberglass Drop Carve 40 Review & Giveaway appeared first on GumptionGear.

Ninety-nine percent of every outdoor trail running adventurer has a day job. We spend 40+ hours a week waiting for the weekend.  Sitting behind the oppressive desk of daily monotony, we secretly dream of topographic maps that reveal a universe of pink dotted footpaths and orange contour lines that can deliver our running to fresh pastures and new heights.

A universe that could one day, have us climbing hernia-inducing hills, leaping across mountain streams and scrambling across heather strewn valleys – in which case you’re going to need a rugged, comfortable, and dependable trail running shoe. A shoe like the XT Wings 3 from Salomon Running.

On Performance & Design…
Since Salomon first introduced the XT Wings trail runners, the shoes have been busy earning their stripes and winning over legions of  diehard fans.  During that time, they’ve built up a reputation as reliable trail shoes that offer a balanced combination of cushioning and agility.  It’s a winning formula that Salomon wasn’t going to mess with, and it hasn’t in the latest evolution of the XT Wing.

The new XT Wings 3 features technology from the S-Lab racing version making this latest evolution of the XT Wings a luxury off-roader that dispatches challenging terrain with ease.  Yet this latest version still hews to the design attributes that have always made running in the Salomon XT Wings a distinctive experience: the Quicklace™ lacing system for one-pull tightening; built-in Ortholite footbeds for stellar comfort; toe bumper that protects your toes from trail hazards; and the simplistic yet bold aesthetic that says these shoes are ready for business.

Those feelings of luxury are only enhanced once you slip into these trustworthy trail kicks.  Like sliding into the soft, luxurious leathers seats of the world-renowned Land Rovers, the XT Wings 3 offers impressive comfort for the rough roads ahead.  Seamless upper construction ensures a better fit and feel while the soft OrthoLite® sockliner lets your feet become one with the shoe. Made from Ortholite® foam, it creates a cooler drier and healthier environment under foot.

Of course the XT Wings 3 is most remarkable off-road.  Whether we were tracing narrow singletrack along isolated ridgelines, or covering terrain that resembles a Mars landing expedition, we returned home feeling like we’d just finished a casual run over miles of pavement.  That type of ride is courtesy of a cushy midsole featuring the Agile Chassis System and an EVA heel cup that work together to effectively absorb the larger impacts associated with time on the trail.

Moreover, it’s this same internal construction that makes this shoe just as comfortable and confident on asphalt as it is on the trail.  Considering most of us don’t live on the doorstep of the Wasatch Mountains, or in a cabin at Yellowstone, this makes the few miles of pavement you have to traverse on your way to trail-varna just as welcoming as the winding miles over dirt and clay.

Over the course of six weeks, Salomon’s Contagrip® outsoles allowed us to skillfully glide over rock-strewn trails, muddy single tracks, and steep ascents.  The aggressive lug pattern provided confidence underfoot while never feeling like another obstacle between our feet and the trail below.  For every mile of terrain, our team was ever more thankful for the XT Wings 3 dynamic responsiveness and rugged durability.

Notes from the Trail…
This is one trail shoe that will win over your hearts and feet.  The shoe proved to be so comfortable that we routinely wore it to the office and never had any hesitation to use it as our go-to option for fast dayhikes on the weekend.  For more minimalist minded runners, it’s worth noting that the extra underfoot cushioning and more traditional heel-to-toe drop (10.5 mm) of the XT Wings 3 will be a little steep.  That being said, if Salomon ever makes this shoe in a zero-drop or near zero-drop shoe, even minimalist runners maybe be converts for life.

Bottom Line …
The XT Wings 3 showcases the best of Salomon’s trail running shoe design expertise and its forward looking innovations.  True, you don’t have to acknowledge the feat of engineering that gives these shoes such a colossal span of ability, but feel free to acknowledge the fun they’ll let you have as you fly over the most ambitious of trails.

*Gumption Gear Review received the item featured in this review from Salomon Running at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

The post Fly Over the Trail: Salomon XT Wings 3 appeared first on GumptionGear.

First rule of the trail?  Be prepared.  Your time in the outdoors can and will bring you face to face with incredible contrasts of both temperature and environment.  Just as choosing the wrong direction can lead you into trouble, picking the wrong gear can leave you ill-equipped and unprepared to face whatever surprises Mother Nature has in store.

Slightly stretchy, highly breathable and backed by the real world experience of Bear Grylls, the Bear Trek Long-Sleeved Shirt from Craghoppers is versatile enough to wear down to the crag in the morning, the office in the afternoon, and then local watering hole at night.  Impressive right?

The Bear Grylls Line by Craghoppers…
Whether you’re scrambling up a vertical climb, planning a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail, or hiking into camp, your choice in clothing is your first line of defense against the elements. Since 1965, Craghoppers has been driving innovation in travel and outdoor clothing that is not only competent and comfortable, but prepared for anything.  All of which makes the Craghoppers partnership with world renown adventure survivalist, Bear Grylls a perfect fit.

On Performance and Design…
From the first wear, it was obvious that the Bear Trek Long Sleeve Shirt is crafted with a level of meticulous detail which prove that this shirt wasn’t just made by well intentioned designers, but by people who crave the outdoors, and understand that an outdoors lifestyle requires a seamless blend of comfort and durability.

Early morning adventures in the Sierra always begin with a biting cold that leaves you wanting the extra warmth and protection of a long sleeve shirt.  But as the sun peaks in the sky and the mercury climbs, you can find yourself quickly regretting that choice.  It’s a dilemma we have faced time and again, one that is usually remedied by packing in extra layers of clothes.  However, the lightweight nylon fabric of the Bear Trek shirt offered the best of both worlds.

The long sleeves offered protection from the elements in the cool of the morning.  Then as the mercury rises, it was an easy task to roll up the sleeves and rely upon the  ability of the shirt’s advanced fabric to breathe easy while it effectively wicked away moisture.  Add in the SolarDry fabric that ensures a minimum sun protection of UPF40 and the Bear Trek Long Sleeve Shirt ensured we never left our comfort zone.

When it comes to fit, we’ve always found it interesting that clothing “inspired by the outdoors” can fail to actually keep pace with your active movements on the trail. When you’re focused on reaching for that next handhold, or careening down a gulch, you can do without the needless distraction of a shoulder seam tearing.  Sliding through tight canyons and crossing creeks on fallen timber in the Santa Cruz Mountains, taught us all we needed to know about the legendary Craghoppers durability.

The nylon withstood the prodding and poking of life on the trail, while integrated stretch panels never restricted movement or left us questioning the structural integrity of the shirt.  A vertical security zip pocket keeps essentials safe while two additional zippered chest pockets provide added ventilation.  What we found most impressive was the unique extra secure nylon ribbon webbing on the buttons.  It’s a feature that will leave you wondering why every shirt built for the outdoors hasn’t adopted them.

Bottom Line…
The Bear Grylls Trek Long Sleeve Shirt from Craghoppers features a thoughtful construction that will keep you comfortable while traveling from the desert to the tropics to alpine terrain.  Simply put, it’s a shirt that doesn’t it’s job time and again without question, and without weighing you down or holding you back.

*Gumption Gear Review received the item featured in this review from Craghoppers at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

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Your backpack is your closest companion on the trail.  From our perspective, that means a comfortable fit with ample room for all of your gear isn’t optional, it’s mandatory.  Enter the Manta and Mira hydration packs from Osprey, winner of the Editors’ Choice Award for meeting our standards of quality, utility, value, and excellence.  Redesigned for 2013 to provide greater comfort, stability and storage, this series isn’t just impressive, it’s our new adventure BFF.

On Performance and Design…
Whether you’re out for a day of taking in the scenery, or moving with speed and precision to get the most out of your adventure, these packs have got your back. Highly ventilated with durable construction, and features that other companies’ technical backcountry packs would be proud of mean your stuff is getting where it’s going without a snag.

Your pack is you every step of the way, which is why the most important features are comfort and fit.  In the Manta (men’s specific fit) and Mira (women’s specific fit) series, Osprey proves that comfort and fit aren’t sales-room talking points, but rather ingrained in the brand’s DNA.  Since every person, every adventure is different, both the Manta and Mira allow you choose between three different capacities, and different torso lengths, ensuring that you get the perfect fit.

Once out on the trail, our testers fell in love with the narrow profile of these packs.  The streamlined design kept the load stable and balanced, while eliminating those moments when tree branches and undergrowth make a stab for your pack.  And whether we trekked through dense brush, unforgiving manzanita, or dragged the packs across rocky granite, the lightweight and durable nylon along with the 600 D polyester pack bottoms were never worse for the wear.

Osprey’s BioStretch Harness and Hipbelt provided the breathability our team needed to run up and down sun-soaked trails, while keeping us incredibly comfortable for the long haul.  At the same time, trekking through humid forests to reach secluded waterfalls gave us a new appreciation for the suspended mesh AirSpeed backpanel.  The breathable back panel with side vents kept the load resting comfortably while also promoting ventilation.

Whether you’re leading a dayhike, or packing up for an afternoon of singletrack on your faithful steed, you need to keep things organized and at the ready.  Towards those ends, the Manta and Mira offered ample room for extra layers, snacks, gear, and even a place for your bike helmet.   Full length side access zippers make accessing the gear a cinch, and on days when you fill it to the gills, lock it all down with the integrated compression straps.  And in the instance this massive array of features doesn’t win you over, then the small thoughtful details will.

From finger formed zipper pulls, to stow on the go trekking pole attachments; from the stretch mesh front and side pockets, to an integrated rain cover that let’s you trek deep into the wet wild, Osprey outfitted these packs with small but crucial details you’ll use and appreciate.  Most impressive, the Osprey design team did it all without compromising the low-profile and highly efficient design.

The Hydraulics Reservoir…
Adventure and thirst go hand in hand which is why the Manta and Mira feature Osprey’s forward thinking Hydraulics reservoir.  What you get is a massively durable reservoir that hits the holy trinity of hydration: BPA-free, PVC-free and of course, taste free.  The Hydraulics 3L reservoir also features the HydroStatic™ backer plate that gives the reservoir a low profile fit and offers industry leading reservoir-to-pack integration.  Of course all you really need to know is that you won’t be stuck heading towards the tree line with a cold bulge in the middle of your back.

Our two biggest ongoing gripes with hydration reservoirs have always been difficulty opening them and difficulty cleaning them. Osprey eliminates both issues with an updated mouth and cap.  The cap is wider than previous versions, and only needs ¾ of a turn to open and close.  While our preference is still for a reversible reservoir that is dishwasher safe, the wider opening of the Hydraulics reservoir makes for more convenient filling and cleaning.

Bottom Line…
You’ve got ambitious plans for the outdoors.  Count on Osprey’s Manta and Mira to serve as your go-to multisport generalist that never shies away from impromptu day hikes, light-and-fast summit bids, or urban adventures on a bike.

*Gumption Gear Review received the items featured in this review from Osprey at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

The post Editors’ Choice: The Osprey Manta & Mira Hydration Packs appeared first on GumptionGear.

On Performance and Design…
Patagonia covered all the basics of a trail-worthy shoe from the get-go: a breathable mesh upper handles the heat, an  EVERtough tacky rubber outsole to provide traction on loose trails, and there’s even a leather heel and toe bumper for additional protection.  Yet the real beauty of this shoe lies in the details, the little bits and pieces that prove the EVERmore was made not just by designers, but by people who live and breathe the outdoors life.

For a minimalist minded shoe, the EVERmore surprised our male and female testers with the level of support offered to trail hungry feet.  In part, the comfort stems from integrated non-removable 2mm footbeds that feature Dri-Lex® covers allowing you to wear the shoe either with or without socks.  Add in a dose of arch support and you’ve got a trail shoe that lets you focus on the panoramic views and lush mountain scenery, not the condition of your feet.

A remarkably light weight  (9oz for men’s size 11) keeps you light on your feet and helps reduce fatigue on long runs.  For our gear squad, the shoe reportedly felt even lighter than the stated weight both out of the box, and on the trail.  Once you hit your stride you’ll notice the EVERmore’s fit is close and snug.  For those with a higher volume foot, the EVERmore isn’t going to be a perfect match.  However, for those with a more standard foot size, the fit allows you to precisely plant your foot right where you need it on the trail.

That natural stride is aided by a 4mm heel-to-toe offset coupled with an EVERlight soft flexing EVA midsole that has a low profile for terrain sensitivity and encourages a mid-foot strike.  And since you’ll be taking more effecient mid-foot strikes, the EVERmore features a forefoot EVA rock plate to help protect your foot from little trail gremlins.

What our team appreciated about the EVERtough outsole was the forward-facing climbing lugs in forefoot and rear-facing braking lugs in heel.  Let’s be honest, you’re not escaping the roads to run pancake terrain.  And while the outsole didn’t provide the most secure traction in technical terrain, it offered a consistently smooth ride, and performed well on climbs and descents.

Bottom Line…
Altogether, the sum parts of the EVERmore add up to a shoe with just the right balance toughness, stability, and comfort so you can reconnect with the ground and take control on the trail.

*Gumption Gear Review purchased the items featured in this review and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review.
 

The post Patagonia EVERmore Trail Running Shoe appeared first on GumptionGear.

“Once we rid ourselves of traditional thinking we can get on with creating the future.” — James Bertrand

Since Teva pioneered the first sport-sandal category nearly 30 years ago, the brand has consistently moved beyond traditional thinking to develop products that enable and encourage your adventure.  Teva’s latest development, is no exception.  TevaSphere is a collection of outdoor cross-trainers designed with a first-of-its-kind spherical heel and pod-arch system that offering the runner a minimalist feel with maximum stability for an incredible ride over any terrain.

On Performance and Design…
In typical Teva style, the development of TevaSphere footwear meant a different approach, and a break from conventional shoe design.  It meant four years of trial, error and extensive research all in the effort to develop a better shoe.  The result is TevaSphere.  A line of footwear that bridges the gap between minimalism and more traditionally built trail shoes.

The design is not only unique, but striking in appearance. A 4mm drop coupled with a spherical heel, brings you closer to the ground for a more natural impact, while support pods along the arch provide greater stability, particularly over uneven terrain.  Combined, these design elements offer the freedom and ground connection of a minimalist shoe without sacrificing support and stability.

The spherical heel design stems from the natural design of the foot.  By mimicking the rounded nature of the heel, the TevaSphere shoe creates a more natural point of impact.  It also enables a smooth stride no matter where you first hit the ground.  According to Teva, the other advantage is that this design also helps reduce deceleration forces on the body caused by shoes with conventional squared off heels.

Both in terms of aesthetics, and performance, the stand-out feature is the pod-arch support.  Think of these pods as guide rails that help that gently correct your stride by adding stability without excess weight.  This is a huge advantage particularly when the body starts to fatigue and your footfalls aren’t as crisp as they were at the beginning of your run.

But does this first-of-a-kind design work?  From our time working with the shoe, the answer is a definitive yes.  Not only does the shoe accommodate heel strikers and mid-foot strikers alike, but TevaSphere was the first trail oriented shoe that achieved a perfect score from our review team in terms of fit, comfort and performance.

From the moment we first slipped on the shoe, the difference was evident.  The support pods instantly provided a greater sense of stability and let our feet feel firmly planted to the ground.  Once we took them to the open trail, the difference was impecible.  The arch-support pods provided just the right amount of cushion and support while allowing our team to run as naturally as possible.  Moreover, the added stability never detracted from the more natural connection to the ground that our run team craves.

The other details of TevaSphere are standard Teva excellence.  An eVent® membrane keeps your feet dry and comfortable whether you’re competing in an adventure race or knocking out long miles under the summer heat.  And in the instance you are rummaging through the mud, the comfortable interior of the shoe lets you run sockless.

Non-marking Spider rubber outsole provides exquisite grip in any environment.  Whether our runners were pounding out miles on the red clay trails of Georgia, or climbing the steep sea cliffs of Santa Cruz, the reliable Spider 365 rubber outsole never failed, never succombed to the elements.  Beyond running and adventure racing, the TevaSphere proved to be a stellar performer on light and fast day hiking outings.

At the end of the day, our team only had one minor qualm with the shoe.  Both our male and female tester would like to see a smidge more width in the toebox to better accommodate the natural splay of the toes.

Bottom Line…
Teva rid themselves of traditional thinking so that you could flee from the bondage of convention, and embrace the world of obstacles that lay before you.  Simply put, the Tevasphere collection provides unique and stand-out approach to the wilder side of running.

* The new TevaSphere collection consists of the lightweight quick-dry TevaSphere Speed, the waterproofed TevaSphere Trail eVent and TevaSphere Mid eVent (for select international markets) versions.
 
*Gumption Gear Review received the items featured in this review from Teva at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

The post Flee the Bondage of Convention: The Teva TevaSphere appeared first on GumptionGear.

Earth Day has been celebrated every year since 1970, and almost 40 years later, its purpose remains the same: promote conservation and concern for the world we live and play in. Every year, millions of people take the opportunity to pitch in — if only for a day.  For those seeking to make a difference that lasts the other 364 days of the year, there’s one simple decision that can have a lasting impact.  Free your water from the bondage of disposable plastic by incorporating a reusable water bottle into your daily routine.

Out of the 50 billion bottles of water being bought each year, statistics tell us that 80% end up in a landfill.  Even more shocking is that we burn 17 million barrels of oil a year to process and ship them to factories, consumers, and finally to landfill and recycling centers. That’s enough to fuel 1,000,000 cars for an entire year.  With one simple purchase, we can live a healthier more hydrated life while reducing the impact on our planet.

Now the only question is which bottle to choose? Here’s our top choices:

Vapur

For many outdoor enthusiasts, the bulky size of steel or aluminum canisters often trump our best intentions and end up getting left at home on the shelf.  Enter Vapur, a California based company on a mission to make hydration incomparably portable and convenient.  Simply fill it up, drink it down, then roll it up and tuck it away.  It’s the anti-ordinary bottle that’s BPA-free and American made.  This year, the Vapur family of Anti-Bottles significantly expands their line-up to meet an even broader array of active lifestyles.  From the award winning Vapur® MicroFilter to the new Eclipse and the Shades collection, Vapur is ready for your go-anywhere do-anything adventure.

AVEX Sport

You’ll be hard pressed to find a brand that offers access to your drink with the same ease and fluidity of AVEX – which is one of the reasons you’ll rarely if ever find an AVEX bottle sitting unused on the shelf. Full day of adventure ahead?  Lengthy road trip is in your future?  AVEX had you and your big thirst needs in mind when they designed the Brazos AUTOSEAL® and Wells AUTOSPOUT™ 32 oz bottles.  And because icy cold water on a hot day is one of life’s simple pleasures, AVEX has introduced new stainless steel bottles with vacuum insulated construction that keeps drinks cold for over 20 hours.  The popular patented AUTOSEAL® technology ensures a pour as true as the mountain stream.  Or opt for the patent-pending AUTOSPOUT™ technology to drink through a straw-based system so you can keep your head and eyes on the action ahead.  Try one, and you’ll be a convert for life.

Liquid Hardware

When the mercury starts to rise, it’s easy to lose your cool.  Thankfully the minds behind Liquid Hardware have introduced a stainless steel water bottle that ensure you’ll never lose your lid.  This BPA free bottle made from 18/8 stainless steel gives you 27 ounces of drinking pleasure. What sets this non-insulated bottle apart is a patent-pending Quick Stick Lid™.  This magnetic top allows for one-handed freedom while sipping your beverage of choice and ensures you’ll never have to spend extra money on replacing another lid.  Use the Water Bottle’s integrated handle to attach it to a pack with a carabiner, or just enjoy how easy it is to carry.  Sleek and colorful, the Liquid Hardware Water Bottles transport anything from a workout’s worth of fluids to a little dose of red wine for your weekend camping trip.

Hydro Flask

If a mission statement that includes the words “Free the world from lukewarm water, produce the highest quality flasks, [and] provide excellent customer service…” doesn’t win you over, then the technical details of Hydro Flask will.  Made from hygienic, easy-to-clean 18/8 stainless steel, Hydro Flask insulated bottles are highly resistant to absorbing odor, taste and bacteria.  That means your morning coffee doesn’t taste like yesterdays chicken noodle soup, and your post-workout smoothie is never tainted with an awkward aluminum taste tingle.  And because everyone has different drinking preferences, Hydro Flask offers their bottles in various bottle and mouth sizes.  So you can go with an 18oz bottle with a narrow mouth, a 21oz bottle with a standard mouth, or crush your thirst and drink deep from the 40oz wide mouth bottle.  Bottom line: Durable, dependable and downright awesome… our team will be ordering more soon.

LifeFactory Bottles

True, people have been drinking from glass containers since 1500 BC, but those containers weren’t nearly as sophisticated nor as earth friendly as Lifefactory bottles.  For those looking to avoid plastic or metal bottles, you’d be hard pressed to find a more eco-friendly, health-conscious, and versatile hydration solution than Lifefactory.  These glass bottles provide an odorless, tasteless drink experience free of any known harmful chemicals including BPA, phthalates, and PVC.  The result is that LifeFactory ensures that your fluids taste mountain-stream fresh from first sip to last.

Liberty Bottle Works

The only American made metal bottle in the marketplace,  Liberty Bottle Works combine an ideal blend of durable functionality, sustainability, and inspiring graphics.  The wine-bottle-inspired tapered neck gives you a splash-free pour, and the 1/4-turn cap is quick and leak-free. Crafted in the heart of Yakima Washington, Liberty Bottles are available in 24oz and 32 oz sizes. And if you’re wondering where they rank on the “green scale” know that the Liberty Bottle Works team spent over two years developing the processes and procedures to not only make a product from recycled and recyclable materials, but made in manner rooted in Environmental Stewardship.

Eco Vessel

If your family adventures span the gamut from mornings at the coffee shop, to bike rides along the river, and scenic hikes into the back country, the Eco Vessel range of bottles for adults and kids are right up your alley.  From triple insulated bottles that keep your drinks icy cold for 36 hours, to the simple elegance of double walled glass, Eco Vessel has a bottle for every adventure.  For more globally active pursuits, consider the Aqua Vessel Insulated Bottle. More than a desk trophy that shows off your environmentally savvy side, it’s the first of its kind – a bottle that keeps your water cold and filters as you drink removing 99.9% of the most commonly found parasites in US lakes and streams.  Whichever Eco Vessel bottle you choose, rest assured you’ll never have to stand for lukewarm drinks again.

PurifiCup Filter

Okay, you caught us.  Technically this isn’t a bottle.  But the reality is that your adventures don’t always come with easy access to a tap.  Even when they do, that rusty copper piping leading to the sink might make you queasy.  So whether your adventure takes you across the nation, or across a patch of wilderness, having access to safe, clean and worry-free drinking water is a big bonus.  Which is why our editors love the PurifiCup. As the world’s first and only portable water purifier to adopt nano-silver technology, PurifiCup eliminates more than 600 kinds of bacteria.  Think of it as your lightweight insurance policy that covers you against running out of drinkable water.  It’s a mainstay in our daily rucksack, and can be used with virtually every bottle listed above.

Bottom Line…
Earth Day can be a provocative reminder to think about the little changes we can make to our daily routine that can add up to a big difference.  Very soon April 22, 2013 will have already come and gone on the calendar.  Yet through one easy and economic step, you can  replace the plastic water bottles and paper coffee cups in your life, and make a positive impact that lasts year round.

The post Go Beyond Earth Day: Change Your Water Bottle appeared first on GumptionGear.

As the snow fades into the distant memory, and Spring rains begin to fall, the rivers are rising.  You can almost hear the sound of raging waters in the distance.  Your kayak is calling from the garage, waiting to be unleashed.  As you make final preparations to attack the wet outdoors, grab a Watertight Box from Outdoor Products to ensure that there’s a method to your dry-minded madness.

On Performance and Design…
Whether for safety or convenience, there are a handful of items that you should never be without on any adventure.  The Outdoor Products Watertight Boxes, provides waterproof protection for your phone, GPS unit, camera, or other small and medium sized objects.

As we learned in our review of the Amphibian pack, Outdoor Products knows how to make tough, durable products that keep your essentials dry, and the watertight boxes are no exception.  Made from shatterproof Polycarbonate material, the boxes are available in two different sizes to accommodate an array of trips and gear. The clear urethane box helps with locating gear, so you don’t have to go on a five-minute hunt for some Advil or a bandage.  An O-ring ensures watertight seal while rubber key clip provide secure tethering options for a wide range of activities.

Worthy of your river exploits, rain forest adventures or trips to Niagara Falls, the value of these boxes reach beyond the realm of water.  Over the winter months, our field team consistently used the boxes on snowshoe adventures where snow always seems to find a way into every crack and crevice available.  Just as on our river expeditions, the Outdoor Products Watertight Boxes kept our valuables and electronics dry and protected.

Notes from the field…
As always, there are a few things to consider if you are in the market for any product that provides watertight protection.  First, consider how you will use the product.  If weight or space are at a premium on your adventures, then be mindful that the watertight boxes will take up significantly more volume in a pack than would a dry bag.

While we enjoy the convenience of being able to quickly spot and locate what we need in a clear box, some might not want a hard object bouncing around on the floor of their raft, canoe, etc.  If you’re looking for waterproof protection in a slightly less bulky form, then Outdoor Products also offers a range of dry sacks and bags in their Dry Storage collection.

In terms of an actual critique, we’d like to see future iterations of the watertight box equipped with a soft rubber case liner to help provide an additional layer of protection from bumps, bruises and jolts.  Our field team also noted that a carabiner would be preferable to the rubber key clip.

Bottom Line…
No one wants to return from their adventure with a water-logged phone, soggy cash or ProBar soup.  Dry is good, and the Watertight boxes from Outdoor Products are the means to the bone-dry ends.

*Gumption Gear Review received the items featured in this review from Outdoor Products at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.

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