Why am I reviewing a pair of LOWA Montreal GTX mid ($240) cold-weather hiking boots in early Spring? Because in Minnesota it still looks like winter, it’s still cold like winter and, while most of the country sees the first sprigs of green grass and daffodils, all I still see is snow, ice, gray skies, […]
Hillsound Trail Crampon, Kahtoola MicroSpikes, LOWA Montreal GTX, Sorel Joan of ArcticThe Pakem Cortina’s ($80) are the cold-weather flip flop—the end-of-the day podiatry receptacle to soothe swollen, tired and sore feet. Except that Pakems are snow boots, they’re insulated and they take up the same amount of space in your pack as a pair of Chaco ZX-1 Classics. That sounds suspiciously like a trifecta. What I […]
Chaco ZX-1 Classic, Pakem Cortina, Sorel Joan of Arctic, Steger MukluksThe KAVU Rope bag ($50) is by no means new to KAVU’s line. It’s been out for quite a few years. The biggest question I have (before I dive into the review) is why did I wait until now to get on board with this handsome, practical overly-functional carry-all that is slightly bigger (and cooler) […]
Kavu Rope BagAnother bleak Minneapolis Sunday. And by bleak I mean brown. We haven’t had snow for a long time. Just temperatures in the high twenties – low thirties. Although skiing and fatbiking are but a distant memory, trail running and bike commuting is not. Needless to say, I’ve been doing a lot of it in a […]
GORE Thermo long socks, GORE X7 Partial Windstopper L/S ShirtSummer seems such a long way off. The beginning of January in Minnesota brings some suck-ugly conditions. Snow, ice, sleet, rain, wind, temperatures that hover in the single digits. But thanks to climate change, we had a week in late November where the temperatures soared to the high forties. It was windy, drizzly and dreary. And […]
GORE H5 Windstopper Hybrid Pant, GSI 720 Microlite flipChristmas is a big commercial racket run by a big Eastern syndicate. But when it comes to Christmas gift suggestions, at least we can look to the centuries-old approved adage of: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a […]
7Mesh, Chamois Butt'r, Look KEO Blade Carbon, Northwave Verve, Pearl IzumiDecember is the time of year when you, the cyclist, needs a warm jacket that repels the weather that winter throws at you. Here’s The Pearl Izumi Versa Softshell Hoodie ($175) is wind and water resistant and after riding in it for a couple months I love it because… It’s an effective wind blocker. There’s really […]
Pearl Izumi Versa Softshell HoodieNo! Not another down jacket review! Run!! Before you run shrieking from your computer I promise you that the Helly Hansen Verglas Long Insulator ($300) is not just another down parka. Yes, it’s warm. Yes, it’s weather-resistant. Yes it’s insulated with 700-fill down blah, blah, blah. This one is extra special, I promise. What I liked […]
Helly HansenI swear I reviewed the original Beacon ages ago, but I can’t find the review on my own web site to link to. Awesome! If I could find that review, you’d read that I loved the Beacon and used it all the time and found it a very good safety light for my dog. Sadly, […]
dog lights, dogs, lights, Ruffwear, safety