The Mizuno Wave Ascend held true to its claim to be built for the mild over-pronator who requires a combination of cushioning and stability. After 5 weeks of 3-4 times a week wear on a variety of terrain, the Mizuno Wave Ascend held up nicely with only slight wear. The AIRmesh uppers only adds to the flexibility, responsiveness and breathability of this shoe. Keeping a low-profile (except for the heel, which is firm and stable, using Mizuno’s wave technology) and moderately cushioned shoe, it felt almost ‘transitionless’ in the heel-to-toe flow. When tested on pavement, a bidirectional rubber outsole broke through any water and mud the testers encountered with an impressive grip. While out on the trails, the weight (9 ounces) of the shoes was favorable when compared to other trail shoes. The Mizuno Wave Ascend is best for lighter trail running and moderately hilly runs, but does feature excellent motion control on any unstable ground.

Mizuno’s Wave technology is a great feature of the Ascend. This technology adds support and cushion while helping to absorb the shock throughout the entire shoe so the heel does not take all the impact. The Double Fan Wave mid sole helps the shoe to handle well in all types of surfaces. Dynamotion Fit Technology is an award winning update to the 2010 fall Mizuno shoe collection. This technology helps relieve stress that the foot naturally places on the shoe while eliminating distortion for overall comfort and excellent fit.  For more information, please visit Mizuno.com

Water bottles are all the craze these days.  Each and every company puts a different spin on delivering water to you via the following features: BPA free, stainless steel, extra cool, seal proof lid, carbonation safe, and the list goes on and on.  Clean Bottle puts an entirely different spin to your typical bike bottle by touting that they are 100% leak proof despite having your typical screw off top, while also having a screw off bottom.  The screw off bottom is designed to allow you to truly clean every nook and cranny of the water bottle, thus eliminating the nasty gunk that tends to build up in plastic bottles. 

We are all about trying new things and were excited to see how a bottle with two points for potential leaking would perform over time.  After 2-3 months of serious use on the bike, in a backpack on a hike, or simply around town, we have yet to have any top or bottom leaking.  I like to use various powder mixes for energy or recovery drinks and have found the Clean Bottle a great go to bottle because I know that once I am done with my orange flavored beverage, I can throw the bottle in the dishwasher and don’t have to wait for the bottle to lose that orange taste in the next couple of days, which I normally do with my old plain plastic bottles.  The top, bottom, and body of the bottle are top rack dishwasher safe and I have yet to encounter any melting or loss of seal.

Clean Bottle is made of a stiffer plastic which may be great for the longevity of the bottle, but it also makes drinking from the bottle a tad harder.  To get the flow of fluid going you have to put a little more squeeze into it with your hand.  This wasn’t a major deal breaker for us, but at the end of a super long ride I may beg to differ.  The Clean Bottle is also a tad smaller, holding 22 ounces and not your typical 24 ounces.  Once again, not a deal breaker.  The bottle fits easily into every backpack side stash we tried and all the bike cages we have on our bikes as well. 

As a bonus, Clean Bottle donates 10% of their profits to cycling and eco friendly organizations, which is pretty cool.  With an MSRP of 9.95 and a special deal if you buy 4, Clean Bottle may be a nice change from the freebie water bottles we all have from various races!

Continuing to deepen its roots in the trail running scene, La Sportiva continues its efforts with the Mountain Cup trail running series.  I recently ran the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase on August 7th, 2010, a 16 mile trail race in Park City, UT.  The race started out with about a 1/2 mile fire road to allow runners to organize themselves by their set pace.  It then transitioned to a single track for the majority of the race up the mountain.

The surface of the trail was primarily hard packed dirt, with occasional sections of rocks and roots.  The hardest part of the race was the ascent up Jupiter Peak, which had many people begging and pleading for mercy.  Though it was nice to summit Jupiter Peak, the race director decided to play the devil as there was another uphill climb a half mile after running down Jupiter Peak.  After, it was pretty much all downhill though. The scenery throughout the race was absolutely gorgeous as the mountain wildflowers were in bloom and we had a blue bird sky above to keep us smiling.  It is hard to beat Park City, UT in the summer time.  The weather is usually between 50-80, perfect running weather.

To keep the trail in good condition, the race director put a cap on the amount of runners to minimize wear and tear on the trail.  This is very important because if a race has too many runners, permanent damage can sometimes be cause to the trails.  After the race, Gore-Tex had their mobile van there that you could take a cold shower.  The shower was the perfect complement to a hard run in the sun where sweating was not hard to come by.  And although Gore-Tex would have preferred it to be windy and rainy so the participants could put their product to the test, all the runners were just as happy to use their mobile shower.

Now we have to admit, the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase is not for the faint of heart, but if you are looking for a run that is a little milder to suit your taste, there are plenty of other runs that will require less effort.  For all you out there that are super competitive and are looking to pay the bills, the Mountain Cup Series has $25,000 in prize money.  This is big money for the trail running scene, but you will have to keep your day job until next year.  The race series has concluded for the season, but if you are one of those people that like to plan out your race schedule far in advance, this race series is a must, even if it is only running one of the races.  For more information, please visit  MountainRunning.com/mc

* All photos courtesy of Giulia Delladio of La Sportiva



The Mizuno Wave Cabrakan was an excellent shoe to test with the anticipation cooler weather right around the corner. When first stepping into the Cabrakan, the arch support and cushion were prominent. The shoe was immediately taken out to tackle the trails in Colorado high country. I was immediately impressed with the beathability of the shoe, and while running  through wet or muddy areas of the trail, my feet remained completely dry and warm. A bi-directional outsole rubber compound breaks through water and gripped quickly on the more technical terrain, allowing me to focus on the trail ahead instead of what was under my feet. However, the tred could be a bit tighter, when going over larger, sharper terrain a few rocks would stick into the tred.

This shoe is designed for overpronators who are seeking a sung fit without compromising on the shoe’s flexibility. Separated flex eyelets and AIRmesh also helps the upper conform to your foot while in motion. Dynamotion Fit relieves stress that the foot normally puts on the upper and eliminates distortion for a perfect fit and lateral ankle support. Although the Cabrakan is designed for a medium to wide foot, the heel counter gripped and held my heal in place allowing for a smooth run. This shoe also features Mizuno Wave® technology. This technology helps absorb the shock throughout the entire shoe so your heel doesn’t take all the impact. The foot bed is removable so it fits well with orthodics as well as antimicrobial for great odor control.

The Cabrakan’s are average weight for a trail running shoe, weighing 10 ounces. These shoes are a good option for those heading out on mixed terrain and not wanting to worry about the daily weather condition. For more information, please visit Mizuno.com.

I am a big fan of do it all clothes, especially since I travel so much. I don’t want to have to pack something different I can workout and hang out in. Mountain Hardwear has that concept down pact and their Double Wicked Lite Short Sleeve T is no exception.

The super light weight fabric of this T also means it packs down next to nothing in a small backpack, happily leaving me enough room to pack my running shoes. It also took up next to nothing space wise in my luggage so I could fit all the souvenirs I purchased.

I subjected the Double Wicked Lite T to all kinds of weather conditions from light rain to humid beach running. No matter the temp, humidity level or how muggy it was outside, the T wicked away that extra moisture, keeping me comfortable at all times.

While not waterproof, the shirt repelled water quite well and dried quickly when the rain went away. I am not a big fan of drying any of my workout clothes so I let them air dry. This T dried quickly after a camp wash and also when hanging inside.

What is also great about the T is the flat seams. Wearing the T on a hike, I had no chafing or rubbing issues while wearing a pack. When I head out to shoot photos of an event, the last thing I want to worry about is my clothes. I had no rubbing from wearing a heavy pack of camera equipment and running around all day. The T also stayed odor free despite being out in the sun and working up a sweat all day, thanks to the natural antimicrobial treatment the shirt has.

The Wicked T is a v-neck and the fit is flattering to the female body. The Double Wicked T comes in sizes XS- Large and retails for $35. Choose from three color combinations- Casper and Cool Grey, Red and Thunderbird Red and Air and Blue Ice. You can also find the T in a long sleeve and men’s version.

So, eating and reviewing cookies and snack mix is not something we always do, but as we all know, we need energy to participate in our epic adventures.  Now there is nothing wrong with the hundreds of energy bars out there on the super market shelves, but it is nice to be able get away from them from time to time.  The nice folks at Bear Naked sent us a few packages of cookies and trail mix to see how well we like their new products on the trail and get feedback on how it performed in relation to energy and taste.

We first tried out the cookies as we wanted to try them at home before we got out on the trail and started experimenting.  I think this is a good idea because you don’t want to go out for a long day hike and find out that the bars or food you bought lacks in taste or doesn’t offer the energy you are looking for.  I am typically not a big chocolate eater, but the double chocolate cookies rocked.  These cookies are made from whole ingredients, so no crazy ingredients you can’t pronounce or read.  If you’re not a chocolate eater, I suggest trying the fruit and nut cookies.  These were also super tasty.  The one complaint that we did have with both cookies is that they were a little fragile, so if you had them in a pack all day long, they might end up being crumbles by the end of the day.  Still edible, but not in whole form as we prefer.

We also had the chance to try out a few packages of Bear Naked’s trail mix.  This stuff was super good!  Our favorite was the Chocolate Cherry Trail Mix as it gives you a nice mix between sweet and sour.  The other mixes include Pecan Apple Flax and Cranberry Protein.  These were also super tasty.  If we had one suggestion, it would be to offer a larger sized portion bag.  The bag sizes were good for one person on a longer day hike or backpacking trip.  For a day hike, there is enough for two people.

For the green and sustainable practicing people out there, Bear Naked has a cool recycling program where you can send in your empty packages and get points towards reusable grocery bags and t-shirts.  Or if you prefer, you can apply those points towards a donation to a school of your choice.  For more info on Bear Naked’s sustainable practices, click here.

Our take, we prefer to eat whole ingredients than manmade ingredients and Bear Naked has offered a good alternative to your average cookie and trail mix.  They are also offering a lot of great promotions, so be sure to check out their website and social media websites.

Whether you’re looking for a bag for commuting to work or a bag that you can take to school, the Timbuk2 D-Lux Messenger Bondage is a great option to look at.  I’ve been testing this bag out while commuting to work by bike, train, and foot, and I by no means travel lightly.  I like to pack my lunch, gym clothes or work clothes, a 15″ laptop, books, and work folders.  To allow for the bag to carry all this, the D-Lux Messenger has two cinch straps on the bottom of the bag that allow your bag to expand and compress allowing your goods to be secure whether you are carrying a large load or just a laptop and a few papers.

For the organizational freaks out there, the bag comes with a few add ons that attach to the inside of the bag and are removable if you don’t need them.  It has plenty of pockets for your pens, pencils, headphones, cell phones, business cards, and more.  For those who want to stash a cell phone or camera without having to carry it in your pocket, there is a side entrance in the bag that you can use without having to open up the lid of the pack.

Since laptops are fairly standard for most students and business people, I think it’s important to use a bag that allows for some protection to your computer.  The D-Lux Messenger has a Velcro secure laptop sleeve that has small foam bumps that help bumper bumps and drops.  In the messenger bag I tested, the laptop sleeve was bright red, which is a fun contrast and adds some style. For additional flair, the D-Lux is ribbed with a fun color and the inside of the bag is lined with a royal blue waterproof liner to keep your stuff from getting wet.

Commuting to work or school by bike is a great thing for your health and the environment, but not all packs are created equally when they fit on your back and shoulder.  I found this pack to be extremely easy to adjust as I share it with other testers and they often adjust the shoulder strap to different lengths.  The strap also comes with a removable foam pad that is great for saving your shoulders.

When all is said and done and you no longer want your bag, Timbuk2 has a great recycle program where you can send your old, but clean bag in and you get 20% towards a new bag.  Not a bad deal! Good for you and good for the environment.

Garmin has long been the main player in the G.P.S. bike computer market. With several models and features to choose from they cover everyone from the serious roadie to the trail obsessed mountain biker. The 705 sits at the top of Garmin’s G.P.S. line with a list of features that borders on ridiculous. It gives all the standard data, miles ridden, speed, and altitude, then throws in mapping, heart rate and watts.

The Garmin Edge 705 is large, but the display is easy to read and it still fits nicely on the bike.

The first thing many notice about the Edge 705 is it’s size. Yes other units are smaller, but to do what it does and to make the maps and numbers readable it has to have a decent sized screen, otherwise the user would be squinting and the product hard to use. While not overwhelmingly large, it is the largest I’ve come across. This is a case of good and bad in my opinion. While the extra size makes it cumbersome for some uses, it is also an advantage at other times. Each person has to decide for themselves what is their priority, ease of use and visuals or a sleek profile?

Garmin’s biggest advantage over other computers is it’s navigation capability. The 705 comes with an extensive map of roads across the country. I found that even some of the smaller dirt roads in Colorado showed up. For those that want the most detail, regional maps are also available at an additional cost. Users can plot waypoints, see the E.T.A. to that waypoint, and basically keep from getting lost. Even when you can’t view the exact roads you can still view your starting point and see if you are heading in the right direction. I know this from a personal experience while trail running. Although the trails were on the map I could see where I started and where I was so I could still navigate my way back. If you travel a lot or like to know exactly where you are headed for a new adventure the mapping is invaluable.

Don’t think the 705 is simply a fancy replacement for a map and compass, the Edge 705 has every conceivable function you need for cycling, running, hiking or adventure racing. From heart rate and distance to elevation gain and speed it leaves nothing out. Cadence and speed are picked up via a magnet on the inside of the drive side crank arm and another placed on a spoke of the rear wheel. A small sensor is then secured to the drive side chain stay. Since it uses ANT+ technology cyclists with a third party powermeter can see their wattage during the ride. Up to eight different fields can be displayed. This is where the larger display screen comes in handy. The user can choose up to seven metrics to view on the screen, like power, time and distance. With a larger screen viewing all these different number is made easier because they are fairly large.  If you want to focus solely on a few key items you can set that in the user profile. The drawback here is that it would be very hard to use while running if you are not wearing a pack or waist hydration system with a large enough pocket. It’s just too big to stick in your pocket and run with. While I used it for mountain and road biking with the handlebar mount, I had to tuck it into a pack for use when running or hiking.

Cadence and speed is read via a small sensor mounted on the chainstay.

The 705 was easy to use despite the enormity of what it is capable of. There is a dedicated on/off button and zoom button for map reading. The start/stop button and lap button are self explanatory. Navigation is done through the mode and menu buttons along with a center joystick. After using the 705 a few times I found that using the buttons was quite easy and intuitive. Setting the unit up was easy and I liked that I could set up multiple custom screens. This meant that I could set up one screen for cycling and one for running or hiking. Then I could customize what I wanted to view in each screen and all I had to do was select the proper activity and I was off. You can also easily go from the metrics screen to the map screen by pressing the mode button. This makes it easy to make sure you are on the right road without having to stop and fiddle with a bunch of buttons.

Since the 705 uses a G.P.S. signal one main concern I had was loss of the signal in heavily treed areas. Riding and running through the trees of Keystone, Breckenridge and the rest of Summit County Colorado this was not a major issue. Yes, I did lose my signal from time to time, but it was never for more than 10 seconds and it picks the signal back up automatically so you don’t have to fumble with it.

Setting up the Edge 705 took no time. If you’ve used a technical watch or G.P.S. unit in the past this will not be a problem. The manual it comes with is extensive and their is also on-line help for those that may need a bit more help. The unit is charged via a U.S.B. to outlet cord and battery life is more than sufficient. Securing the unit to the bike is done with simple zip ties and can be mounted on your handlebars or on the stem. I mounted this on the bars of my mountain bike then on the stem of my cyclocross bike and both worked perfectly. In a nice touch, the supporting pad that sits under the unit is angled so that when the 705 is mounted on the stem the unit will angle up slightly, making it easier to read.

When mounted on the stem, the 705 angles up slightly for ease of reading.

Garmin uses their own Internet based Garmin Connect to download all of this information. The user sets up a free account and when you plug the unit into your computer via the supplied U.S.B. cord all you need to do is log onto your account and download your information. All of your numbers and the map are clearly displayed. You can do some neat things with Connect like play back your ride in real time. What this means is that the little red balloon that represents you will travel along your route, and slow down when you slowed, say a hill, then speed up when you descended. It may not be vital, but it’s a cool trick. All of the Garmin files are compatible with TrainingPeaks, probably the most widely used training software in the country.

If you are an information junkie and want to have every conceivable option, the 705 is for you.  You do pay a size penalty for this however, which is something to consider. You also need to consider the price, $499.99 with Heart Rate and $549.99 with Heart Rate, Cadence and Speed Senor. Certainly this is not cheap, but few other pieces can rival it’s capabilities.

To find out more about the Edge 705 and other Garmin products visit www.garmin.com

If the whole going green craze has your number but you don’t want to sacrafice on quality and performance, the Helly Hansen Ekolab Recycler Jacket might just be for you.  The Ekolab Recycler is a 3-layer waterproof breathable shell that is made of 100% recycled bottles.  It comes with water resistant pit zips, taped seems, two chest pockets, helmet compatible hood that can be rolled up, an inside mesh pocket, and a cinch draw string around the waste to keep the elements from crawling up your back.

As someone who is into sustainability movement, I was very interested in testing this jacket.  In the past, many companies have come out with “green” products, only to have them be sub-par when it comes to quality and performance.  To make an even comparison, we took a women’s rain jacket made by Helly Hansen and compared it to the quality and performance of the Ekolab Recycler.  Though the jackets were not exactly the same, we felt both jackets to perform in a similar manner, showing no sacrafice was made for the Ekolab Recycler.  It’s great to see green products finally perform to the standards of their older not so green counterparts.  One of the main differences is the price, as textile manufactures  are still able to make non-recycled products cheaper.  It is a shame, but these prices are gradually starting to decrease.

For testing purposes, we tested the Helly Hansen Ekolab Recycler Jacket while skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and used it as our everyday rain jacket.  We tested out a size medium and found the jacket to be roomy enough to put a medium weight baselayer underneath and still had plenty of room for movement.  To allow for added mobility, the Ekolab Recycler has a stretch fabric which we found nice for skiing when we needed the jacket to adjust to our quick moves.  For sizing purposes, I am 6’0, 175lbs.  Weighing in at 18 oz., the jacket is fairly lightweight for a 3-layer jacket and it stuff down pretty small when we wanted to stash an emergency rain shell when hiking 14′ers in Colorado.

Overall, the Helly Hansen Ekolab Recycler Jacket was a great performer in my mind as combining two very important elements of my life, outdoor activities and the environment.

The Kelty Coromell 0 is the best bang for your buck when it comes to a zero degree down sleeping bag. The MSRP is just over $200, however, you can find it online for a tad less, which makes it a great deal.  Aside from being an economical choice, the Kelty Coromell 0 is also an extremely comfortable and versatile sleeping bag.  The bag has a modified mummy shape, which means that it is not as tapered as your typical mummy bag but not quite rectangular either.  Rather, the Coromell is somewhere in the middle and offers a bit more room through the elbows, hips, and even in the toe box.

The Coromell 0 also has a full length two way zipper that allows you to vent out the toe box region if you start to heat up or even unzip it all the way and use it as more of a blanket.  The bag can also be zipped together with a second sleeping bag after zipping off the hood, making it a good choice for any couple that likes to sleep a little closer!

Kelty Coromell 0 on the right

The Kelty Coromell 0 utilizes 650 fill down which kept me warm when the temps plummeted camping about 10,000 ft in Colorado.  There seems to be more down on the top of the bag than the bottom, which works well considering you have a sleeping pad on the underside to help keep your bottom warm. The slant baffle construction has kept the loft of the bag in check despite placing it in and out of a stuff sack all summer long. The bag compresses nicely with the REI size medium stuff sack that I already own and comes with a nice linen storage sack for the off season. The Coromell comes with a light weight stuff sack, but I liked using the one I have a tad better because it offers compression from both sides, making it smaller and easier to place in my pack.

As far as backpacking goes, this bag is on the heavier side, weighing in at a little over 4 lbs.  There are definitely lighter bags out on the market, but you are bound to spend a couple hundred more for the reduced weight.  If you don’t mind a little more weight or do primarily car camping, then this is the sleeping bag for you. Overall, the warmth to cost ratio that this bag provided was excellent! It has many of the same bells and whistles that higher end bags have, without the added cost. Check out the features and sizing below for a bit more information!

Features

Features

• 650 fill down

• 50D polyester diamond cross-dye ripstop shell material

• 50D polyester microfiber pongee liner material

• Zip off hood

• Slant-baffle construction

• Chevron stitching

• Two-way locking blanket zipper

• Zipper draft tube with anti-snag design

• Bag can be unzipped and opened flat for use as a blanket

• Internal liner loops

• Sleeping pad security loops

• Hang loops for storage

• Micro FatMan and Ribbon™ drawcords

• Micro captured cordlock

• Ground-level side seams prevent heat from escaping

• Differential cut to maximize loft and warmth

• Ultralight compression stuff sack included

• Storage sack included