Explore It!

Hey everyone. Thanks for your support during the last year or so. I’ve worked hard to provide gear reviews, as well as “how to” and newsy stories that you’ll find informative and fun to read.

To create a better look and enable more features, I decided to move my blog. Please update your bookmarks, RSS feeds and other links to www.ExploreItOutdoors.com.

In conjunction with the new site, I plan to add occasional Q & As with professional athletes and gear company executives.

If you’d like to see specific gear (or types of gear) reviewed, would like to learn more about a specific person or company or have any other suggestions or tips, drop me an e-mail (find it on my new “Contact me” page).

Thanks again. I hope to see you on the new site.

- Ryan

www.ExploreItOutdoors.com

www.twitter.com/Explore_It

First Ascent women’s Serrano Jacket

• Pros: Wind resistant; Feminine, athletic fit; Has extended cuffs with thumb holes
• Cons: Zipper on each side pocket sticks; Seams on elbow rub uncomfortably; Doesn’t stuff into a pocket
• Bottom Line: The Serrano is great for high-octane activities in cool weather and performs as it should, but the price is a little steep.
• MSRP: $170

First Ascent’s Web site

Designed by a team of mountaineers who know what it takes to stay warm and comfortable in all conditions, First Ascent, a new brand by Eddie Bauer, launched a jacket meant for cool-weather sports.

The synthetic-insulated Serrano jacket has a tough nylon outer fabric with Polartec stretchy side panels and underarms to help it breathe. And breathe it did.

Throughout a couple months of testing in a variety of conditions, the jacket performed as it should.

While gaining 1,500 feet in elevation on a strenuous snowshoe trek with temps in the mid 20s, my wife, who tested the women’s version of the jacket, stayed dry and warm with just a base layer underneath.

And snowshoeing on a flat trail with temps in the mid 30s she wore a base and mid layer under the jacket and was comfortably warm. The same was true while snowboarding with the same layers underneath and a shell over it in the teens.

Around town, the Serrano was perfect by itself or, if the mercury dropped, with a light down vest over it. And it looked as good as it functioned.

But the side stretchy panels that help you move freely in the jacket let the wind in while letting heat and sweat out. It’s not an issue when wearing it as an insulating layer, but when worn as an outer layer on windy days, it is.

Another downside: The tiny-teethed zipper on each side pocket sticks making it impossible to seamlessly pull.

When it comes to performance, the First Ascent Serrano holds its own. But the hefty price tag makes the jacket more questionable.

Mountain Hardwear Guajillo gloves

Pros: Windproof and breathable; Easy-cinch cuff; Nose-wiping surface on thumb

Cons: Minimal insulation; Not consistently waterproof; Lacks wrist strap

Bottom Line: While they won’t keep your digits warm in cold winter weather, the Guajillo gloves are a good option for mild days when you need good-quality hand protection.

MSRP: $80

Mountain Hardwear’s Web site

Touted as a versatile insulated snow sports glove, the Mountain Hardwear Guajillo gloves live up to their name.

Presumably named after the guajillo chili, a pepper with mild heat, the Guajillo gloves are minimally-insulated gloves suitable for mild winter weather.

Worn in everything from sub-zero temps to the mid 40s, I found them most suitable for anything above the mid 30s when inactive or above the mid 20s when active.

While snowshoeing in the 20s and 30s the gloves were great. But my fingers were cold while wearing them walking the dog, sledding, driving or standing around outside when temps were anywhere from just below zero to just above freezing.

Mountain hardwear Guajillo gloves

Created with OutDry waterproof technology that bonds a waterproof membrane to the outer layer of fabric, the gloves seal out water – when temporarily submerged to the cuff.

However, after having them submerged for a few minutes, I propped them, fingers down, in the sink to dry overnight. I was shocked the next morning when I found the inside of the fingers were damp – despite being dry the night before following my test.

OutDry’s same “waterproof” membrane is said to be breathable as well. And, this time, in my tests, it was. No matter how hot I was, my hands didn’t sweat – unlike with other gloves and mittens I’ve used.

The Guajillo gloves, new this winter, are durable, and the leather/Cordura palm as well as leather fingers and knuckles contribute to that.

With one hand (or your teeth), the cuffs easily cinch and loosen by pulling a cord. However, they lack a strap that tightens the gloves around the wrist – a strap that would further keep out the elements and keep the gloves from slipping off when active.

They’re not the warmest gloves on the market, but if you’re looking for a pair for active pursuits, give the Guajillo (or the women’s version, the Pasilla) a shot.

EMS Primaloft Heater Sync Jacket

• Pros: Nearly windproof; Pit zips provide extra ventilation; Durable Pertex outer fabric
• Cons: Doesn’t compress into a pocket; Small shoulders compared to body size; No hood
• Bottom Line: The Heater Sync Jacket is a lightweight, synthetic-insulated jacket that works best as an outer layer in cool, dry weather or as an insulating layer under a shell.
• MSRP: $129

EMS’ Web site

Worn as an outer layer and as an insulating mid layer, the Eastern Mountain Sports Primaloft Heater Sync Jacket is both lightweight and versatile.

Designed to be coupled with one of EMS’s other Sync jackets, such as the Thunderhead Sync Jacket, the Heater is filled with 133 grams of Primaloft synthetic insulation.

Unlike down insulation, synthetic fill typically dries quickly and insulates well when wet.

In my tests, I found the Primaloft to work well when soaked. In late December, I was caught outside in a rain/sleet storm wearing the Heater Sync as an outer layer. Drenched, I didn’t notice a decrease in warmth.

(In full disclosure, I haven’t been caught in a rain/sleet storm wearing my lightweight down jacket for a full, accurate comparison.)

EMS Primaloft Heater Sync Jacket

While in that weather, and even mist or light snow, I was disappointed in the lackluster DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating the jacket is said to have. There was no water substantially beading on the nylon surface – it seemed to soak in immediately.

But that Pertex nylon outer fabric easily withstood sharp puppy claws despite how many times my pup jumped on me when excited.

Though not as much as a lightweight down coat, the hoodless jacket is considerably warm.

While snowshoeing with temperatures in the 20s wearing a base and mid layer underneath, I needed to utilize the pit zips to help regulate my temperature – and I was still hot. Yet when temperatures are in the 30s and I’m wearing a cotton shirt underneath running errands, I’m sometimes cold.

The jacket seems to be most at home as an insulating layer worn under a shell.

My biggest gripe, while perhaps subjective, is the jacket’s fit.

I don’t have overly broad shoulders, but I found the shoulders to be too tight in comparison to how the body fit. I could likely wear a size smaller in the body – where there seems to be too much fabric – and a size larger in the shoulders.

On windy days, drafts get under the jacket because of the excess fabric – though the jacket does have a waist cinch cord.

Comparable jackets may fit better and the Heater Sync Jacket has its issues, but in terms of overall value, EMS did a pretty good job.

Rab Modular Mitts

• Pros: Waterproof shell; Silicon-screened palm on liner grips well when dry; Liner doesn’t easily pull out of shell
• Cons: No nose wiping surface on shell; Liner not very warm by itself; Difficult to find at non-online U.S. retailers
• Bottom Line: Though the glove liner isn’t incredibly warm by itself, the Rab Modular Mitts are a two-for-one waterproof, windproof and breathable mitt that performs great in everyday conditions.
• MSRP: $90

Rab’s Web site

Rab’s two-in-one technical mitt combines an eVent waterproof and breathable shell with an insulated glove liner.

The Modular Mitt duo is designed for extreme conditions – though I can’t foresee using them on an expedition – and in my tests it held up to its purpose.

The windproof mitt held its own while snowboarding in cold, windy Midwest conditions and throughout various other tests. And when held underwater, the waterproof membrane didn’t leak.

The mitts are incredibly warm when combined, yet my hands didn’t sweat. But by itself the glove liner was mediocre in keeping my fingers toasty.

I used the gloves alone in temperatures ranging from the single digits to the 50s. Anything below 40 was too cold, and if there was strong wind, that temperature limit dropped as wind went right through them.

Rab Modular Mitts

The soft shell liner is insulated with 133 grams of Primaloft on the back of the hand and 100 grams on the palm. And it extends to about mid-forearm – a nice feature if used alone.

It has a silicon-screened palm for great grip in most conditions. But when wet, the silicon became slick.

Soft goat-leather lines the mitts’ palm and seamlessly wraps the fingers and thumb for added protection.

But much to my dismay, there wasn’t a (nose) wiping surface on the shell – something I expect all gloves and mitts to have.

The U.K.-based brand, included other must-haves with the Modular Mitt though: a mid-forearm-length, shockcord-cinching cuff; a wrist-security strap that prevents you from losing the mitt if you remove it; and a wrist strap to help keep out the elements and keep the mitt in place.

And unlike some other mitts I’ve tested, they are true to size. Both the glove liner and mitt don’t feel overly large or restrictingly small when used alone or combined.

That helps give them ample dexterity that’s slightly better than comparable mitts on the market.

After about a year of back-and-forth with the government, David Belaga finally has the licensure to produce a hydration drink originally developed by NASA.

Belaga, president and chief executive officer of Wellness Brands Inc. sifted through pages of NASA-developed technologies before coming across the hydration technology designed to rehydrate astronauts and keep them performing at their peak.

“When I came across this patent it was quite clear … that hydration was going to be a huge opportunity,” he said.

For Belaga, that opportunity came in the form of a concentrated energy drink called The Right Stuff.

It comes in a roughly half-ounce electrolyte-heavy liquid and should be mixed with at least 16 ounces of water, juice or any other beverage of choice.

“This is a specific full-hydration oriented product,” he said. “Most of the sports products out there have carbohydrates for energy as well as electrolytes. This product contains no carbohydrates.”

The Right Stuff hydration drink viles

John Greenleaf, the former NASA researcher who invented The Right Stuff’s technology, said the formula allows people to retain more water.

About 20 years ago Greenleaf concocted a plan to help prevent serious dehydration when astronauts reenter the Earth’s atmosphere. Astronauts’ dehydration was often debilitating – partly due to lack of salt in the body.

“Salt depletion in the body can lead to cramps. It can lead to all kinds of undesirable things,” Greenleaf said.

So after about 5 years of testing in the early 1990′s, he found a formula that worked and it was patented.

Each small vile of liquid, which comes in a pack of three for $9 or a pack of 10 for $27, has a salty sweet taste and comes in one of three varieties: Citrus blend, wild berry and unflavored.

And while it’s aimed at endurance athletes, because they’ll notice the biggest difference, it’s great for weekend warriors or the casual athlete as well, Belaga said.

“The product is uniquely dedicated to hydration,” he said. “It’s for training, it’s for in-race loading and post-race rehydration.”

While I can’t accurately and honestly speak to the performance aspect of it, the liquid does taste salty sweet.

“It’s definitely more towards salt water than it is towards Mountain Dew,” he said.

So far, he’s invested “tens of thousands of dollars” to start the company, and he’s working to partner with various events, such as running races, to promote his product.

“I’m absolutely open to everything,” he said. “Unfortunately there’s only 24 hours in a day.”

(A version of this story first appeared in the Boulder County Business Report)

One of the best things about some time off and a roadtrip to Wisconsin is being able to test a plethora of gear.

I’ll be away this entire week all over Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan testing everything from snowshoes to dog shoes to jackets and mittens.

Stay tuned in the coming months for full reviews of the following – and more. Until then, have a happy holiday!

Tubbs FLEX NRG snowshoes

Atlas Electra 10 Series snowshoes

Rab Modular Mitts

Mountain Hardwear Guajillo gloves

First Ascent Serrano jacket

First Ascent FrontPoint jacket

Stunt Puppy Traction Booties

If you still don’t know what to get that adventurous spirit whose list is nonexistent, you still have some time.

These five ideas range in price from “you’re just a friend” to “I love you very much.” But no matter what dollar sign you’re shooting for, he or she is bound to be happy.

Hopefully with these five items and the five from last week, you’ll be able to tackle the rest of your list.

Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl

Squish it, step on it, crunch it up, or cram it into a nook of your pack, and the Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl will spring back to life.

Made from the same food-grade heat-resistant silicon as the human-oriented Squishy Bowls, the four-legged variety comes in three sizes – 24, 36 and 48 ounce (it’ll soon be available in a 12-ounce version).

Unlike some other portable dog bowls, the Guyot Designs bowl won’t leak, and it’s reversible making it effortless to clean.

With the small, medium and large bowl only weighing 3.3, 4.3 and 5.2 ounces, even weight watchers shouldn’t have a problem with it.

And though it won’t matter on the trail, the BPA-free bowls are freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe. www.guyotdesigns.com, $13, $15, and $20.

ENO Hi-Fi Speaker Case

Eagles Nest Outfitters’ little backwoods boom box can liven up any party sans electricity.

The ENO Hi-Fi Speaker Case is a portable speaker system slightly larger than an eyeglass case. It plugs directly into your mp3 player, and is powered by two AA batteries that are said to last 7 to 12 hours.

There’s no equalizer, no left or right channel, and no volume control. There’s just a no-brainer jack that plugs into your mp3 player.

Two roughly inch-sized speakers crank out the sound while your player sits tucked into an interior pocket. The whole hard case can be zipped closed for added protection.

On one end there’s even a clip so you can attach it to your pack, a clothesline, tree limb or anything else you can find.

While the sound quality isn’t superb, it’s hard to complain considering the alternative: silence. www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com, $25.

Sierra Designs Down Moccasins

It’s like wearing mittens on your feet. The Sierra Designs Down Moccasins ensure toasty toes.

With 650-fill down, the outdoorsy slippers have the same insulation used in sleeping bags and other outdoor gear.

Unlike some other booties, moccasins or slippers on the market, the Sierra Designs Down Moccasins have a semi-stiff outsole to provide better stability and more comfort. The outsoles also have small sticky dots on the bottom for decent traction on even polished wood floors.

And the insoles have just enough padding to conform to your foot and provide comfort without adding too much bulk or weight.

While they’re not designed for extensive outdoor use, they have a durable water repellent (DWR) coating to help keep them dry. www.sierradesigns.com, $39.

Nemo Ditto Backpack

Where does an old tent go when it dies? It gets recycled into other useful gear — at least at Nemo Equipment. The New Hampshire-based tent maker uses its old tents and scraps to create the Ditto line, including a backpack.

The backpack, made primarily from old Hypno PQ and Sako tents, weighs just 6.8 ounces. It has an internal pocket made from the mesh pocket of a tent and the integrated stuff sack is an old tent stake bag.

While it’s not huge — its dimensions are about 12 x 9 x 24 inches with 1,200 cubic inches of capacity — the pack easily folds into its stuff sack the size of a large burrito.

The downside: It doesn’t have any padding making it borderline uncomfortable with heavy loads. www.nemoequipment.com, $50.

Green Guru Gear Cycler

Eco-friendly hipsters can connect with their inner environmentalist with Green Guru’s “upcycled” inner tube messenger bags.

The bags are made with recycled bike inner tubes, giving them an urban look and commuter functionality.

The company’s Cycler, new this fall, is a 1,044-cubic-inch messenger bag made from eight flattened mountain bike inner tubes.

For the interior fabric, the Green Guru used 100-percent recycled plastic.

It has a quick-release padded shoulder strap and a Velcro-and-buckle flap closure. Laptop sleeve and organization pockets are standard.

While it’s a little pricey, the environmentalist on your list would be proud to tote this around town. www.greengurugear.com, $130.

Pearl Izumi Alpine Elite Pant

• Pros: Windproof; Adequate reflective features; Wicks well
• Cons: Little useful ventilation; Can’t slip pants over shoes; Pockets positioned too high to access while cycling
• Bottom Line: While they’re pricey, the Alpine Elite Pant can be used for running and cycling in cold weather making it worth it for athletes who do both.
• MSRP: $140

Pearl Izumi’s Web site

Designed for running but equally suited for biking and other winter activities, you get what you pay for with the Pearl Izumi Alpine Elite Pant.

The company’s high-end winter-oriented pants are a loose pair of tights that balance wind-pant fit with tight-like performance.

Tapered enough around the ankle for comfortable running without the incessant swoosh of rubbing material, the leg and ankle cuff is also tight enough to prevent your pants from ripping on your bike’s big chain ring.

While wearing the stretchy soft shell pants for hundreds of miles on my bike, I never had a problem with the material catching – something every biker has dealt with.

The cuffs have a zippered flare to provide a looser fit and more ventilation. But I found the flare wasn’t loose enough to slip the pants over a pair of shoes and the vents didn’t increase airflow.

The Alpine Elite’s other vents – a nearly foot-long mesh-backed vent on the outside of each thigh as well as a mesh-backed knee flap designed to increase airflow towards the waist – did little to help regulate temperature either.

Regardless of dedicated vents, overheating, generally, wasn’t an issue.

I stayed comfortably warm on numerous 30-degree days as the P.R.O. (Performance and Race Optimized) fabric wicked sweat and breathed while remaining virtually windproof. However, once temps reached the mid 40s I was too hot.

With a soft inside liner that doesn’t cling to your legs as you move, the pants are incredibly comfortable.

They have a zippered hip pocket on each side that’s great for loose keys or some cash and ID. But, I wish the pockets were positioned slightly lower. While riding with a backpack – with the hip belt clipped – it’s difficult to access the pockets.

While there is a fair amount of sticker shock, Pearl Izumi’s Alpine Elite Pant, new this fall, is a great option for running and cycling and could be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing too.

It’s that time of year when the adventure junkie wants more gear but is virtually impossible to shop for.

Well, consider this his or her list.

All at affordable prices, most of the gear listed here hit shelves sometime in 2009. Some of it first hit shelves earlier this month.

So finish your shopping. If you don’t like any of these ideas, wait until next week for another five suggestions.

Metolius FS Mini carabiners

Metolius’ new mini carabiners look like ornaments. But instead the tiny full-strength ‘biners (22 kN rating) are made for rock climbing and alpine pursuits.

They weigh only 25 grams apiece. Added up, a rack of mini biners can shed pounds from a climber’s rack.

They’re sold alone or as a quickdraw. The biggest downside is the smaller gate opening, which could make it harder to clip.

The fully certified biners are tested to 50 percent of their strength rating, so don’t let the size fool you. www.metoliusclimbing.com, mini carabiners - $7.50 each, quickdraws - $17 each.

ENGO blister patches

Like moleskin for your shoe, ENGO patches are touted to reduce friction and prevent blisters. Essentially Teflon-coated stickers, the small blue patches can eliminate that most common of blister-causing problems: Friction.

In my test, the patches worked. I used them with a pair of shoes that typically gives me blisters. On two occasions — after walking around for hours at a stretch — my heel was blister- and pain-free.

The company touts the patches to last inside a shoe an average of four weeks. Beyond just shoes, you can stick them to trekking pole grips or other surfaces that might rub skin raw. www.goengo.com, starting at $8 per pack.

Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitts

Pearl Izumi’s Shine Wind Mitts are lightweight gloves with a hidden windproof mitt making them ideal for cold-weather runs.

The company’s MicroSensor-Thermal fabric is a polyester/spandex blend that does a great job of regulating temperature.

Plus they easily transform into windproof mittens adding to their versatility.

The best thing about the Shine Wind Mitts is the tightly woven ripstop nylon windproof mitt that stows in a small pocket on the back of the hand.

While running, it’s easy to pull out the fluorescent yellowish-green mitt, which covers the back of your hand while a lightweight fabric slips over your fingers to secure it.

But be careful with them. If you pull too hard, like I did, you may rip a stitch. www.pearlizumi.com, $30.

Highgear SolarPod

With iPhones and GPS units becoming ubiquitous in the great outdoors, there is a growing market for pocket-size solar chargers. Highgear designed one for backcountry techies on a budget.

New this winter, the Highgear SolarPod is a basic solar charger about the size of an iPhone.

Designed to charge phones and mp3 players, the SolarPod is said to disperse power for 40 minutes on an 8-hour solar charge.

Attached to the corner of the SolarPod is a carabiner clip so you can secure it to your pack and charge while you hike. It comes with eight connector tips for various phones, including a USB connector for mp3 players, digital cameras or anything Apple. However, I couldn’t find a connector that fit my Samsung phone or my wife’s LG.

The 2.4oz.-unit, which is the company’s first solar charger, has a battery indicator in 25 percent increments to let you know the power that remains. www.highgear.com, $50.

Gerber Crucial multi-tool

As the lightest butterfly-opening multi-tool in Gerber’s line, the Crucial is built for the outdoorsperson who wants basic features and nothing more.

The Crucial is comparable to the Leatherman Skeletool. Overall, I like the Crucial better.

It weighs just 5 ounces and includes a pliers/wire-cutter, a blade, and little else.

Its straight and serrated locking blade easily opens using one hand and your thumb. There’s a flat-head and Phillips screw driver, and the tool includes a carabiner clip that doubles as a bottle opener.

Besides the carabiner clip, the Crucial also has a belt clip. Eliminating one or the other could save more weight., but it’s pretty light already. Plus it comes with a pouch and a lifetime warranty. www.gerbergear.com, $59.