ALL POSTS
-
Unless you’re a professional cyclist with a support car following you, it is important to carry a multitool. Having even simple tools such as an allen wrench can be the difference between being stranded on the side of the road and finishing your ride. In this review we’ll be looking at Topeak’s latest full featured multitools, the Topeak Mini PT30. With 30 functions, the Mini PT30 is a premium quality tool with a compact form factor (7.4 x 4 x 1.9 cm / 2.9” x 1.6” x 0.7”) that is easy to carry in a jersey pocket or saddlebag. The…
-
As someone who gave up on protein supplements after trying the awful tasting Muscle Milk, Whey isolate and similar offerings, we were honestly surprised with the offerings from Drink Wholesome. Drink Wholesome is a new post-workout recovery drink company based out in New Hampshire with their products made locally in adjacent Massachusetts. As the company name implies, Drink Wholesome’s goal is to develop healthy protein powders with real ingredients. Unlike typical protein powders that seem to have more ingredients than letters in the english alphabet, Drink Wholesome protein powders have less than 10 real ingredients, none of which include artificial…
-
Whether you’re hiking, traveling, or just running errands around town, it’s important to stay hydrated. Using reusable water bottles to stay hydrated is both environmentally friendly and reduces waste. Traditional steel water bottles are durable and offer insulated options, but can be heavy and difficult to pack. This has led to a rise in flexible water bottles with higher capacity yet are lightweight and packable. In this review, we’ll be looking at the new HydraPak Flux 1L flexible water bottle. The HydraPak Flux 1L offers an impressive 1L (32 fl oz) capacity with a rollup design. HydraPak has also incorporated…
-
When Bollé introduced the Chronoshield sunglasses back in 1986, it captured the 80’s with bright colors and an oversized lens inspired by their Chrono ski goggles. Although the oversized sunglasses faded from popularity, today it’s returned in full form. To capitalize on the renewed interest, Bollé brought back the Chronoshield with an updated design with their latest lens technology. The revised Bollé Chronoshield sunglasses retain the iconic shape of the original and have an extra wide field of vision with a vented lens design. Bollé offers the sunglasses with prescription as well as a variety of their Phantom lenses. They…
-
Packing light is essential when you’re hiking as storage and weight come at a premium. Each item you bring or wear needs to be carefully chosen. The Buff Pack Trek Cap is a lightweight and packable hat that is easy to justify bringing along. Constructed with breathable side panels and ultralight fabric, the Trek Cap weighs only 28g. The cap also keeps you protected from the sun with UPF 50+ / UPF 40+ (side panels) and a well sized bill. If you do find yourself sweating, a low profile sweatband wicks the moisture to prevent it from dripping into your…
-
When it comes to cycling or high-performance sunglasses, retro inspired oversized designs currently dominate the market. Most premium brands have either brought back their classic design with modern touches, or they’ve adapted their popular models to satisfy the demand. Bollé has done a bit of both, with their new Lightshifter sunglasses that take inspiration from the Shifter (which is based on the Chronoshield) but with a modern and sharp semi-rimless design. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Bollé Lighshifter sunglasses that offer a large oversized frame for a wide field of view but with a more restrained and…
-
There are two ways to improve your performance on the bike: increase your power output or make each Watt go further. With aerodynamically optimized bike frame designs and accessories, you can cheat the wind and ride faster. For road cycling, aero road helmets provide a balance between ventilation and aerodynamics. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Bollé Furo MIPS helmet which has NACA ducts and a Kamm tail profile to minimize the aerodynamic drag. The Furo MIPS also features removable vent covers, making it easy to configure the helmet for airflow or speed. With a flat top design,…
-
Despite Velo being one of the world’s largest saddle producers you may not be that familiar with the Velo brand. However, it’s likely you’ve ridden one of their saddles just under a different brand name as they make saddles for many of the top brands. As with many cyclists it’s often difficult to justify the premium prices that come with the high-end offerings. That’s why we were excited to get our hands on the Velo Senso Ray bike saddle which offers Ti-alloy rails and an attractive $85 retail price. The Senso Ray saddle follows the current trend of stubby nose…
-
For those with a smaller home gym or that lack a dedicated space for equipment, adjustable dumbbells are an excellent investment. Adjustable dumbbells can replace dozens of individual weight dumbbells with a single compact dumbbell. There are a variety of adjustable dumbbells on the market currently ranging from the Bowflex SelectTech to PowerBlock dumbbells with slick weight switching mechanisms. However, both the Bowflex and PowerBlock dumbbells are expensive and require you to use proprietary parts to maintain or expand the dumbbells. The Yes4All adjustable dumbbells are a great alternative to those that are more frugal and want something simpler. Currently…