Outdoors | Gear Diary

Timbuk2 Teams Up with Bianchi for Limited Edition Pack, Announces Giveaway

With May being National Bike Month, and record high temperatures in full effect, this means a lot of folks are commuting and heading to work on their fixies, or whichever two bikes they see fit. The commuting aspect is easy, but unlike having a passenger seat to throw your bag or purse onto, you’ll need a means of putting your gear as well as extra clothes into something. So it only makes sense that Timbuk2, who’s infamous for making quality bags teamed up with Bianchi to celebrate their 130th anniversary. Not only introducing the beautiful Limited Edition Prospect Pack, the…

Outdoors, Reviews, Yum Log

The BBQ Dragon Gets You Hot All Over

Finally, the weather has warmed up enough where we can officially declare the beginning of grilling season, and with it a plethora of new BBQ tools and gadgets to try out. I recently experimented with a new device that purports to get you grilling even faster, The BBQ Dragon; read along to see if it lives up to the hype.

Health and Fitness, News & Features, Outdoors

Why (Running) Milestones Matter: The Monday Mile

Throughout our lives there are transitional moments, starting or ending things like high school or marriages, celebrating awards and achievements. In running it’s no different – we had to start running, and depending on whether we race or not there will be a variety of memorable moments along the way. Running milestones are worth celebrating – let’s talk about why!

Health and Fitness, Outdoors

Anatomy of ‘Extreme Sub-Zero’ Runner – $750 of Winter Running Gear

While it has been more than a week since I wore three layers over my face, I am still layered up against mornings in the teens with wind chills close to 0ºF. At the same time, I am seeing big clearance sales popping up on winter running gear, so I thought it would be fun to look at my gear!

Gear Bits, News & Features, Outdoors

It Might Be Bulletproof Also! Braven Announces the BRV-Pro

Earlier this year, Braven debuted the BRV-Pro, the first rugged, eco-friendly bluetooth speaker at the Las Vegas CES. Known for their durability and designs, Braven released the BRV-Pro with a lot of fanfare. Sporting up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, as well as a solar charging panel battery bank, and a lantern-like glow deck, you get the feeling this tank-like speaker is geared for outdoor enthusiasts. Braven plans to blow the competition out of the water, literally. Sporting HD Sounds, and a powerful bass, the BRV-Pro is the first of its kind with a IPX7…

Outdoors, Reviews

Get Ready for Summer with the Pear Training Intelligence Kit

With warm weather allegedly on the horizon, it is time to start getting out and getting into shape. Pear Sports has developed a $99.95 kit turning your iPhone or Android phone into a training station. With heart rate monitoring and knowing your fitness goals, the app will use real-time coaching to help you meet your goals. Let’s take a look.

Outdoors, Reviews

Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO Review-Toe Shoe Perfection!

I have a slight obsession with minimalist shoes. Due to surgery, my left knee is remarkably picky about types of shoes and as a result, I do much of my workouts in Vibram FiveFingers. I recently rewarded myself for a month of gym-going with a new pair of Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO, a huge upgrade from my 6-year-old KSOs!

Outdoors, Reviews

NYNE Aqua Review: A Submersible Speaker Ready for Aquatic Fun!

Enjoying music while you splash in the pool is a summer luxury; making it happen so that you done have to deal with sand in your ports, dunking your device, or overheating your phone can be tricky. One great solution is leaving your phone in your beach bag, and using the submersible NYNE Aqua; you’ll get great sound without caveats.

Health and Fitness, Outdoors

What I Learned from My 65-Day Running Streak – The Monday Mile

A few weeks ago I got my last ‘running streak’ update from TimeHop on my iPhone, meaning two years ago I stopped my running streak after 65 days. I started the streak because right after my last half-marathon of 2012, I took a couple of days off, didn’t have a goal, and I was concerned I would lose my ‘mojo’.

Outdoors, Reviews

Magellan Cyclo 505hc Is a Great Reason to Get Off the Couch and On Your Bike

When the temperature dips below freezing, it takes a lot for me to want to take my road bike out for a ride. Motivation can come in the form of variety, like a new route I’ve never ridden or the need to improve my fitness, because I ate everything over the holidays. The Magellan Cyclo 505hc provides me with both!

News & Features, Outdoors

Pelican ProGear 80QT Elite Cooler: Bear-Proof and Ready to Roll!

If you don’t hunt, fish, or camp, if you rarely tail-gate, and if the idea of spending more than $150 on a cooler makes you raise your eyebrows in a “why?” configuration, then this post about the Pelican ProGear 80QT Elite Cooler won’t be for you.

Outdoors, Reviews, Travel

Luci by MPOWERD Inflatable/Rechargeable Outdoor Solar Lantern Review

This inflatable, rechargeable solar lantern from Luci by MPOWERD has great durability, easy use, and convenient applications when you’re hiking, fishing, camping, biking, boating, barbecuing, by the pool or anywhere else where you might need some outdoor illumination. Also available in aura, lux, and original models.

Outdoors

SailorBags Has Tech Bags for Those with Sailing on the Brain

If your free time is spent taking your sailboat out on the lake, or if you’re serious enough about your sailing to be part of a regatta, then you’ve no doubt heard of SailorBags. Their sailcloth bags are water-resistant, tough, and — as you’d expect — nautically colored; they also now have a Laptop bag and an iPad sleeve.

Outdoors, Reviews, Yum Log

Ribalizer Lets You Smoke Ribs on Your Gas Grill; Well, Maybe Yours but Not Mine

Being a real barbecue enthusiast, I have both a gas grill and a couple of charcoal burners. One of the bummers about cooking with gas it that it’s difficult to add real smoke flavor to the meats you cook. A new product called The Ribalizer aims to help make that a little easier for fans of propane gas grill cooking.

News & Features, Outdoors

City Turf Shoe from Ogio Lets You Go Golfing at a Moment’s Notice

One of the problems I used to encounter when I worked in a real office instead of from home was getting busted for sneaking out to play a round of golf. That glove hanging out of my pocket was a dead giveaway. I wish I’d known about OGIO’s new line of golf shoes back then, particularly the City Turf Shoe. I’m already a big fan of OGIO’s gear with several of their backpacks and my golf bag prominently featuring their name. I bought their golf bag because I didn’t want to associate my mediocre golf game with any particular club…

Health and Fitness, News & Features, Outdoors

Blast Golf is Like a Golf Pro in Your Pocket

Of course a real golf pro in your pocket would interfere with your swing, but the new Blast Golf product is the latest addition to Blast Motion’s suite of sports and active life motion capture solutions that pair with your iPhone to deliver real-time motion metrics and smart video capture. Attach the Blast Motion precision motion sensor and go play! The sensor itself is the size of a quarter and weighs less than an ounce, but paired with your iPhone and the Blast Golf app data about your putting and swings is transferred via Bluetooth and can even be overlayed…

Outdoors, Reviews, Travel

Altego Lunar Mirror Messenger Bag Totes the Load

When selecting a messenger bag, especially to actually use on a bicycle like they were originally intended for, balance is everything. It’s important to maintain a proper balance between being big enough to hold your stuff and not too bulky to ride with. And the actual balance of the payload is critical. The Altego Lunar Mirror Messenger has it all!

Health and Fitness, News & Features, Outdoors

Patchnride Might Just Save Your Tail on a Bike Ride

As the resident Gear Diary bicyclist, I usually get the first crack at investigating bike gear. Since I live and bike in an urban environment, flat tires are an unfortunate frequent reality of my cycling experience. That’s why I was excited to hear about the new Patchnride bicycle flat repair kit that promises quick and easy emergency rescues from flats.

Outdoors, Reviews

The Pill Might Just Cure What Ails Your Golf Game

Like gearheads, fishermen, and cooks, golfers can’t ever seem to have too many gadgets, especially if they promise to help lower his or her score. The Pill is a new training aid that has a novel design to improve your game all the way from tee to green. Lord knows I need the help, so I gave it a try.

Health and Fitness, Outdoors, Reviews

Whistle, the Fitness Tracker for Dogs, Is Useful and Helpful

Have you ever wished you had a Fitbit for your pet? Something to track just how active they are during the day? I mean, not as they move from lying under the table to on the couch, but actual high-intensity activity? That is the premise of Whistle, and based on going from winter to spring to summer – it works!

News & Features, Outdoors

Stinger, Because the Best Bugs Are the Dead Ones

We recently received almost 5″ of rain at our house, and although we desperately needed it, the tradeoff was made in bugs, bug, and more bugs! No problem, though, as I had recently received a package from Stinger. Inside were their No Touch Fly Trap and their On-the-Go Zapper Racket. Bugs beware; I am now on the prowl!