A water bottle is a water bottle.  Right?   Think the only differentiators are capacity and nozzle-type?  Well, that certainly used to be the case.  Product Architects decided they could improve your workout experience if they could preserve the cold temperature of your hydration.  Meet the Polar Bottle.

Much like a thermal cannister, a Polar Bottle has a dual-wall construction to hold the temperature of its contents.  Between the first and second wall is a reflective liner to bounce off any light that dares to warm up your refreshment.   Polar Bottle claims this unique combination will keep your drink cold twice as long as a conventional bottle would.

First, I took the Polar Bottle out for a run.  The bottle fit in my Nathan handheld, but even without, the bottle design is nicely notched for a good grip.  I filled the bottle with cold water from the tap and hit the road.  It was 68 degrees and sunny outside.  Ninety minutes later, despite a beachfront route and plenty of sloshing, the remains of my bottle were still cool.  Nice work, Polar Bottle, but maybe my first test wasn’t harsh enough.

So I then filled the bottle with cold water, put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, and headed to the sauna (ah, the suffering we must endure in the name of product testing…).   I laid in the sauna for 30 minutes, at 112 degrees, and my water was still somewhat cool when I got out.   Now I’m starting to be impressed.   I wondered if the Polar Bottle would withstand an overnight in the freezer, which would be dreamy for desert-climate hikes and runs, and the product information confirmed that it can.  Good to know.

My next plan was to take it out on a long trail run, but the weather cooled off significantly.   So out of curiosity, I decided to test the insulating in reverse, to see if it would hold my drink warm.   Before my early-morning, 43 degree trail run, I mixed my electrolyte powder with hot water from the tap.  By the time I got out on the trail 45 minutes later, it had cooled down to just ‘warm’, but that’s where it stayed for about an hour.  Just long enough to get me through the warming up phase, and allow the sun to come out in full force.  I seriously doubt that the folks at Polar Bottle would condone the use of hot water in the bottle, since that’s not its intended use.  But as a nerd, I had to try it out.

In general, though, what really impresses me are thoughtful features.  And Polar Bottle has a few of those.

The reflective, foil liner I mentioned is doing double-duty as wallpaper; Polar Bottle is able to print arty patterns and custom logos onto this liner for a snazzy alternative to the plain white we’re used to.  Because this liner lies between the bottle walls, the artwork remains protected and will not wear off over time.

The Polar Bottle is dishwasher safe, and more importantly, the nozzle can disassemble for cleaning.  No more looking questionably at your waterbottle, wondering how much mildew is about to go into your mouth.  Sometimes when items are able to disassemble, it affects their performance in use, but I haven’t had any valve malfunctions with the Polar Bottle despite regular disassembled trips through the dishwasher.

Lastly, there is a removable, handy carrier loop on the top, which I used with a carabiner to keep track of my bottle.  I attached it to my gym bag,  my backpack, and even my hydration waistpack.   Hooks on a pinky finger too, when you have more gear to carry than you have hands.

The Polar Bottle comes in two sizes:  20oz for $10.99, and 24oz for $11.99.

First, the Specialized Expert Road shoe has the BOA Technology lacing system which gives you an exact fit to your foot as long as you have the correct length in the shoe.  Unlike some of the other velcro scraps, the BOA system allows for a precise fit.  And if you are looking for power transition, getting a precise fit in a shoe helps with power.  Not to mention, the BOA system often reduces weight.

Specialized worked with the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine to develop the footbed of this shoe and other models offered by Specialized.  I am a big fan of the footbed as I have been using them for many years now.  Since I live near the facility, I had my bike fit performed here and I also had a pair of these insoles put into my older Shimano cycling shoes years ago.  In essence, the footbed was developed with both power and comfort in mind and gives you the best of both worlds.  The footbed allows the shoe to keep your toes from going numb and allows for your foot to generate the most power in the most efficient manner.

The outsole of the shoe is reinforced by carbon fiber which helps reduce weight and provides stiffness and rigidity.  The shoe comes in at a healthy 8.5 on the stiffness index.  This should work for almost any cyclist out there.  The Expert Road shoe uses a synthetic leather for the upper to help give it a stiff yet soft enough form fit.  There are 6 mesh area’s in the upper that allow your foot to vent as well as two smaller mesh vents on the bottom of the shoe for breathability.  For added traction and to help keep your touch points on the shoes from wearing out, Specialized added a small piece of plastic to the heel and toe.  There are 3 cleat holes in the shoe that works with Look, Time, Speedplay, and Shimano SPD-SL cleats.  I ended up using the Look Keo Blade pedals with this shoe and really liked the combination.

In the end, I think the Specialized Expert Road shoe is a perfect option for the cyclist that is looking to up the game and push their limits.

The materials used for this bag are designed to take the abuse it will receive being thrown around. Rip stop and ballistic fabrics are strong and will stand up over time. Dimensions of the bag are in line with it’s name at 15” by 15” by 15”.  The organization of the bag is simple. Divided into 3 compartments, the largest is in the middle, while to 2 on the side are a bit smaller. Each has it’s own zipper and pocket layout. Carrying is made simple by two handles in the center that Velcro together, or a strap for slinging it over your shoulder.

The Bike Cube Deluxe hauls it all.

Some compartments are specialized for certain items. A large pouch on one side is designed for a bike helmet and two pouches in the center compartment are fleece lined for sunglasses. The side pockets have various zippered compartments and open pouches. There is also a line of Velcro on each side that a corresponding divider can be placed in to give even greater organization. On a recent trip I used the divider to put my road shoes on one side and my mountain bike shoes on the other. The compartment layout is great for storing a mix of items. I have crammed in shoes, clothes, sunscreen, nutrition, water bottles, hats and most of the other needed gear for a day racing a bike.

The tool carrier is a nice feature.

There are other special details to the Deluxe Bike Cube that make it a must have.  A small roll up tool pouch keeps those needed small items like a multi tool or spare tube handy.  Triathlete’s will appreciate the small padded mat that can be used in transition.  Vent holes along the top keep it from getting that workout gear stench.

Don’t let the name fool you though, this bag can handle other gear as well. Over the winter I used it for my helmet, extra gloves, avalanche beacon, medical kit, sunscreen and other random gear. With plenty of storage options the Cube can handle just about anything.

This bag is my go to bag for the weekend trip. Tough, durable and easy to carry it makes it to all events. The layout of pockets, the mix of zippers and open pouches along with a few key detailed compartments makes the Deluxe Bike Cube the perfect hauler. Visit www.mountainsmith.com for all the details.

The Mountain Hardwear Fluid 10 is the perfect pack for those looking for a good all around 1-6 hour activity pack.  We tested this pack during mid distance trail runs, 10-15 mile hikes, road rides on the bike, and tooling around town.  Weighing in at 1 lb. 4 oz., the Fluid 10 allows for plenty weight to be added with up to a 3 liter bladder, while also having room for two water bottles, snacks, and extra clothes that you may need on your adventures.  Your valuables, such as a digital camera, sunglasses, or cell phone, can easily be stashed in the fleece lined pocket near the top that keeps your goods well protected from potential scratches.  The shoulder straps on the Fluid 10 are lined with a stretch breathable fabric that doesn’t rub your shoulders wrong, which can be an issue for some while out on longer trips.  The one complaint we found on the bag was when we would put our 3 liter bladder into its separate hydration pocket the load lifter straps seemed to get in the way and it was a tight squeeze. Filling your bladder when it is alread placed in the bag would easily avoid this, however, we are not a big fan of this because of the potential for water spillage. Once the bladder was secure, we liked the added feature of the load lifter straps, something you don’t always see on smaller packs

When checking out smaller hydration packs similar to the the Fluid 10, many of the hydration packs tend to blend together. However, true to Mountain Hardwear’s heritage, you can tell they have paid close attention to the small details for this pack.  For instance, the pack has reflective accents all over the back of the pack to enhance visibility.  In addition, there is tubing on the zipper pulls which allows for an easy zip and unzip.  There are 2 mesh hip pockets to stash bars and gels, and a ventilation system on the frame to help regulate your body temperature while exerting yourself.  Overall, we were very pleased with the Mountain Hardwear Fluid 10 and give the pack our stamp of approval.  For more information, please visit MountainHardwear.com

Looking to keep your bike in great shape throughout riding season? The Finish Line Pro Care Bucket Kit 8.0 is your one stop shop for basic bike maintenance. This kit comes with a wet and dry lube to keep your components well lubed in all environments. The grunge brush comes in handy when cleaning your chain and other drive train parts. For other cleaning, there is a soft brush to keep your bike from getting scratched.  There is a large spray wash for when you want to get your bike nice and clean to show off to your ride buddies on Saturday morning. Not only will this package keep you looking cool, but it will also save you a lot of money in the long run as your components will last much longer. For more information on the Finish Line products, visit FinishLineusa.com