In 2015, my trusty Sierra Designs Lunatic soft-shell gave up the fight. The search for its replacement was a journey full of fleeting moments of hope that ultimately ended in disappointment. You see, the Lunatic was the perfect balance of weight, warmth and breathability. With a down sweater as a midlayer, I could downhill ski, […]
The North FaceThe Toad & Co Jetlite Crop Pant ($80) could be the New Enlightening in travel and hiking wear. They are comfortable, they fit well, and they don’t feel like capris. The soft and supple Polyester/Spandex blend makes them feel…well…soft, supple and silky. If you don’t have a pair in your hiking/travel wardrobe, that’s a problem! […]
Toad and Co.Kayakers, rafters and canoers have always relied on Watershed Drybags, the industry pioneer of 100 percent submersible drybags, to keep sensitive gear dry. Now, Watershed is hitting the bike trails with the Watershed McKenzie ($129), their first-ever handlebar bike bag! What I loved Made in the U.S.A. With so many products mass-produced and made overseas, it’s a pleasure to […]
WatershedThe country that birthed Dale of Norway Sweaters, Olympic Gold Medalist Kari Traa and shield maidens has yet another notch on the bedpost of innovation: Brynje of Norway Wool Thermo Long Sleeve Shirt with Inlay ($94.95) and Wool Thermo Longs with Inlay ($94.95)! I first learned about Brynje of Norway in 2010 when my husband—who […]
Brynje of NorwayThe Hiplok Z LOK COMBO ($24.99) is a zip tie on steroids—except that it’s made with an 8mm reinforced steel core and a three-digit combination lock system. To be clear, I know of no bike lock that is 100% theft-proof. Once, in Amsterdam, I watched a local thug saw through two solid, heavy Dutch-style security […]
hiplokThe North St. Route Seven pannier ($130) is a durable, waterproof pannier that is made in the U.S. It has a fast and simple rack mounting system that securely attaches the pannier to the rack. It’s lightweight, very well made and is an outstanding price to value option for the bike commuter. Ahhh…bike commuting. I […]
North St.The North St. Gladstone Grocery Pannier ($55) is a US-made pannier that is literally designed to carry a sack of groceries. There are so many benefits to parking the car and running errands on a bike. It’s healthier. Cheaper. Cooler. Less soul-sucking. You also get a better parking spot. I could go on and […]
North StreetAH, the Smartwool Corbet 120 ($200). Just feeling the words roll off my tongue makes me warm. Wool, as you know, is the original tech fabric. Humans were summiting 8,000-meter peaks and tending goats in January on the Steppes of Mongolia while wearing wool long before any lab-born textiles were a even a remote idea in […]
smartwoolThe Sugoi Alpha Hybrid ($180) is a highly-breathable cold-weather active jacket with a high warmth to weight ratio. Here in the frigid upper Midwest of Minnesota, it’s kind of what we look for. Ideally, I look for a jacket that can keep me comfortable in temperatures around -15 with windchill (when the temps plunge to -16 […]
SugoiThe 174Hudson ($79.99) is a budget-friendly pannier that converts to a backpack. There is a symbiosis with this design that, on one hand, appeals to me. Converting from pannier to pack gives you carry options. But on the other hand visions of marble cake come to mind. Yes, marble cake. Vanilla, chocolate, make up your mind! Pick […]
174Hudson