The GearCaster

Gear For Staying Warm on The Bike

2021-03-08T14:40:54Z

Dressed up warm for a cold but sunny ride in the Peak District

Photo by: Kim Wright

Coming from California, it’s been a crazy cold winter here in the UK with many days starting out below freezing. But as we are still in full lockdown, I need to get outside on the bike for my daily exercise and the cold isn’t going to deter me. As long as you dress appropriately, a winter bike ride can actually be enjoyable and a great way to get a little fresh air for a mental break during the day.

Here is some of the gear that has been helping me stay warm on the bike this winter.

Hands and Feet

It’s usually your feet and hands that go cold first. While making sure your core is warm can help in this department, a good pair of gloves and shoe covers can make the difference between fun and suffering.

Hestra Windstopper Tracker Gloves: I have worn these gloves every single day this winter, whether for riding, hiking, or my endless walks around the parks of London. They are some of the warmest gloves I have ever owned. Made from Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper fabric, these bike gloves block the cold wind and will resist some light rain, snow or puddle splashing.

They are close fitting while still offering plenty of mobility for operating your brakes and shifters. The fingers are touch screen compatible so you don’t have to worry about removing them to operate your phone or bike computer.

An elastic band around the wrist keeps cold air and rain from getting in, while a pull tab makes them easier to get on without a struggle. When you stop and take off your gloves for whatever reason, fellow tester Andrew Straw noted that it was really nice that the lining doesn’t pull away from the outer shell (when it does, gloves are super hard to put back on) and they also don’t have those annoying seams in between the fingers or on the fingers tips that always rub the wrong way when you are cycling. The bike gloves are just really comfortable to wear. Bonus: the bike gloves feature a snot wipe on the index fingers—key for winter riding.

Showa 282 Insulated Gloves: On any bikepacking trip, I always throw in a pair of these Japanese fishing gloves for cold rainy days as they are lightweight, pack down small, and are fully waterproof. The 282 version vs the 281 version adds a layer of fleecy insulation for those really wet winter days. Yes, you may get some strange sideways glances from fellow riders but these things work to keep your hands warm and dry when it’s absolutely pissing down and you know you have to be outside all day.

Cycling Shoe Covers: I own a range of shoe covers depending on the degree of cold and wet weather I am heading out in. For those mildly cold days, the Defeet shoe covers work great. For cold and especially wet conditions, I go with the neoprene booties from Rapha or Pearl Izumi.

Core Warmth

The key to keeping your core warm is layering. One thing I learned from trying to stay warm in sub zero temperatures while ice climbing is don’t overdo it. You want to be comfortable but you don’t want to sweat excessively, as sweat will just make you cold and really fast.

Decathlon RC100 Winter Cycling Jacket: I love Decathlon as you can get some decent apparel at really affordable prices. The retailer sent me the RC100 Winter Cycling Jacket to try out and it’s been a great layer for my winter riding. Paired with a base layer (or two) underneath and a waterproof rain jacket over top on really cold days, this fleece-lined softshell jacket offers warmth with some added wind protection. The high collar and extended sleeves help keep the cold air out while some roomy, easy-to-reach side pockets are great for storing an extra layer, your phone, or some snacks.

Don’t Forget to Accessorize

Some accessories I find essential include a neck gaiter and a hat. Something about a neck gaiter just adds a huge level of warmth and a thin wool hat under my helmet keeps my ears warm and the cold air from hitting my head when bombing downhill into the cold wind. Make sure your hat isn’t too bulky as it will just slip around under your helmet and become really annoying.

Keep Eating and Drinking

If you are out for longer rides, don’t forget to eat and drink as your body needs fuel to keep you warm. The more depleted you become, the colder you will get.

The Best Winter Jackets For 2021

2021-01-04T14:33:03Z

After a difficult Covid summer and fall, skiers, snowshoers, sledders and lovers of all things cold are looking forward to winter. And that’s true for my family and friends who are anxious to get outdoors after a smoke-filled fall here in Oregon. The one thing anyone who spends time outside needs is a warm jacket to ward off the chilly weather. To help brighten the Covid winter, I started asking around about “the best” new winter puffy jackets. What surprised me the most was the quality of design, materials and manufacturing. If you’re considering an upgrade to your winter wardrobe this year, a new puffy down jacket won’t disappoint.

Best All-Around

Stio Hometown Down Hooded Jacket ($299)

“There is nothing wrong with this jacket, in fact, listing everything that is right would take the better part of the ski day,” said one tester after a week of hitting Mammoth Mountain’s slopes in early-season condition. We dragged her off the hill long enough to tell us why it is her favorite puffy of the season.

First, it is a work of art. The bright colors are a welcome change from the dark tones that seem to dominate the lift lines these days. One server at Mammoth Brewing Company thanked our tester for wearing the coat as it “was so pretty it made me smile and cheered up a gloomy night.”

Beauty aside, the puffy has one of the best feature sets we’ve seen. The fixed hood has a narrow, stretchy forehead “gaiter”—meaning there is a small strip of fabric under the brim that helps the hood stay in place whether or not you’re wearing a helmet. On the inside, there’s a 3”-wide soft microfiber “collar” that adds warmth and softness against your neck. Lower down, there’s an interior glove pocket on one side (it’s a little small for gloves with gauntlets), and a zippered phone/wallet pocket on the other.

The fluffy 800-fill down is encased in a 100-percent recycled nylon ripstop outer shell that despite being feather-light, didn’t snag or lose down even after several solid months of hardcore use. The nylon isn’t waterproof, but inside, Allied Down’s water-repellent goose down that doesn’t soak up moisture. What our tester loved the most about the jacket (right up there with fit, feel and function) is that the down is responsibly sourced—meaning that the birds are treated with the highest standards of care.

And the logo is super discreet. This is a puffy you’d wear every day, as an outer layer on bluebird days, and as a midlayer under as shell for storm-skiing. “I’ll admit to bringing my Hometown Down to bed with me on cold nights,” reports our tester. “I just wanted to snuggle it.” On the fit note, testers thought the jacket fit a bit small, especially if you’re wearing it over a thick baselayer.

Men’s medium weighs 22 oz.; Women’s medium is 16 oz.

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Best Street Smarts (Eco-Friendly)

PrAna Hellebore Jacket ($239)

Imagine a fluffy comforter in a 5-star hotel. That’s how I feel when I slip on the Prana Hellebore. The down is as light and puffy as a cloud. The nylon shell is luxuriously soft and quiet. And there’s the warm, fuzzy feeling you get knowing that the Hellebore is part of PrAna’s first eco-friendly outerwear collection.

PrAa has always been a forward-thinking brand. The company helped to spearhead climbing and yoga apparel in the 1990s, and their designs continue to be on the cutting edge of fashion. Still, the brand has maintained its outdoor cred with designs that have the chops for both urban and backcountry wear. The Hellebore is no exception. For men, there’s the Whitney Portal ($249).

While many outdoor-brand styles evoke the image of an AT thru-hike or attempt on Everest, the Hellebore strikes more of a New York Times Fashion section chord with a cut that’s shorter and wider at the hemline than many modern puffers. Plus, there’s an overlapping flap that snaps shut over the front zipper, which gives the coat a clean, up-town look. On a trip to Mammoth Lakes, one of my 18-year-old twins wore the Hellebore as her ski parka. Despite being from Oregon, she held her own with the fashionable L.A. weekend crowd. And, after multiple days and tens of thousands of vertical feet, she praised the coat for its comfort, warmth and breathability.

The Hellebore and Whitney Portal are made from Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified 650 power fill down. RDS is a program that ensures birds that provide the down are well cared for. Plus, the fabrics are bluesign certified, which ensures that the supply-chain for the materials meets the highest environmental standards in the industry. While you wouldn’t grab the jacket for when you expect a downpour, I wore it on multiple rainy-day hikes and the PFC-free DWR proved effective for beading water before it could wet out the shell. There’s two hand-warmer pockets and zippered chest pocket, silicone tipped cord pull tabs to tighten the fixed hood and a hem drawcord to lock out snow and keep heat in. And we love the subdued, natural hues.

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Best Innovation For Warmth

Columbia Three Forks Black Dot Jacket ($280)

Everyone knows how solar panels utilize the sun for heat. Now you can get a jacket that applies similar science to keeping you warm. The Three Forks is the first jacket with Columbia’s new Black Dot technology. It’s the industry’s first thermal shield shell material and works via multilayered metallic black dots that capture solar heat and trap warmth. Not only does it boost the coat’s thermal efficiency, it reduces heat loss.

The second chapter of the warmth story is Columbia’s toasty Omni Heat 3D, a reflective patterning that looks something Andy Warhol would do with thousands of silver peace signs but is actually tiny plumes of soft fibers that create microscopic air space between the coat and your body. The bottom line, the Three Forks Jacket will keep you warm.

The big question was how to test the jacket. I opted for a cold-weather hike on relatively flat ground, followed by a winter picnic. I packed up my favorite Finocchiona salami from Olympic Provisions, a bottle of local Domaine Roy & Fils Pinot, and my Ellis pocket knife that I never leave home without. And of course my husband came along to share the testing experience and wine.

On a cold day that never saw temps rise above single digits, we headed out on-foot to the heart of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. The ancient lava fields are sparsely peppered with slightly less ancient western juniper. Castle-like outcrops of basalt rise up from the otherwise lonely landscape. We braved the wind and cold temps and headed out on Tumulus Trail, our footsteps breaking through the frosty crust. Picking one of the flat rocky sections we braved the harsh weather and sat down for our picnic. With the Three Forks jacket, the cold weather never had a chance. Light rain and 25-mile gusts made napkins and paper plates impossible, but in terms of physical comfort, we stayed warm and dry.

The Three Forks Black Dot has a contoured hood that has soft elasticized tape around the entire circumference. Not only does it lock the hood in place without any fumbling with cord locks and bungee cords, but it’s designed to move with your head, so you can turn to watch birds or search for wildlife without having your view blocked by fabric. There are two zippered hand warmer pockets and a giant outside chest pocket that’s big enough for gloves, wallet, pocket knife and light hat. The Black Dot material is rain resistant, highly windproof and as tear-proof as anything we’ve tested. Plus, no matter what we spilled on it (red wine for starters), it wiped clean without stains.

Men’s medium weighs about 1 lb. 9 oz.; Women’s weighs 1 lb. 7 oz.

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Best Belay Parka

Patagonia DAS Parka ($449)

This is a big coat for big adventures. It’s my constant companion for sub-zero dawn-patrol missions and winter climbs when I’ll be lucky to finish 10 pitches before dark. Earlier this season, I skinned up South Sister (Oregon Cascades) in bone-chilling conditions. On the uphill, I wore a shell and several baselayers to ward off the cold. Even moving at max speed it was hard to keep my body temp above the shiver-setting. I worried about reaching the summit and staying warm during the transition from walk to ski mode, and then braving the descent. But, once I pulled the DAS out of its handy stuff-sack, put it on and zipped it up, I realized that the temps could have dropped another 20 degrees and I’d still be comfortable.

So what makes this jacket so warm? Well, DAS stands for Dead Air Space, which give you an idea of how the insulation works. The insulation is a PrimaLoft Gold Eco that’s fused with Aerogel. That’s a mouthful and sounds as complicated as calculus, but in reality, it is pretty simple. Basically, PrimaLoft Gold Eco is a breathable, compressible insulation with an amazingly high warm-to-wet ratio (meaning it stays warm even if gets wet). To boost the warmth, PrimaLoft added Aerogel, a material developed by NASA that is 95 percent air (it’s reportedly the lightest solid material known to man). With the Aerogel “cross core” technology, the already ridiculously warm PrimaLoft Gold Eco is about 52 percent warmer. Basically, this is the technology you want if you’re planning on a winter ascent of Mt. Everest (or Oregon’s South Sister, which felt just as cold). The outer shell is a nylon ripstop with a PU Dry Coating and DWR (durable water repellent) finish. The lining is a slightly lighter nylon ripstop; it too has a DWR finish so if you do sweat—or snow gets inside the jacket—you have another barrier against moisture.

The feature set is simple but effective. There are two internal sleeves that are designed for skins, hat, gloves and goggles. On the outside are two extra-large, zippered handwarmer pockets, and a zippered “Napoleon” pocket that’s big enough for large phones and a wallet. I keep my headlamp there—not only is it handy, but the close-to-the chest position keeps batteries warm. The cut of the parka is perfect for climbing and belaying. The back (tail) is longer than average, so you can pull it down for extra protection on a ledge, snowpack or chair lift. And there’s plenty of room in the shoulders so if you’re swinging ice axes or climbing, the hemline of the coat doesn’t pull up and let cold air in. Sometimes the best features are the smallest and least obtrusive. If you didn’t look, you might miss that the cuffs have a ½ inch internal elastic band that let you push up your sleeves for a bit of venting, or, act as thumbholes when you need more hand protection or want to keep the sleeve in place when you don gloves. Both the helmet-compatible hood and have easy-to-use drawstrings so you can cinch them into place. The cord locks are easy to release, which isn’t always the case.

In addition to being a go-to cold weather coat that will stand up to years of abuse there’s a lot of other great reasons to buy the DAS. The jacket is Fair Trade Sewn and part of brand’s dedicated effort to use recycled, environmentally friendly materials. Also Patagonia gives 1% of all sales to protect and restore wild areas, and has developed Action Works to help people get involved in grassroots projects designed to restore and protect the environment.

Men’s weighs 19.6 ounces; Women’s weighs 18.4 oz. (size medium)

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Six Urban Cycling Essentials

2020-11-02T20:25:16Z

Living in London during lockdown means public transport is a no-go at the moment, so I have fully embraced the urban cycling life to get from point A to point B. Here is some gear which I have found essential for my commutes around the city.

Thousand Chapter MIPS Helmet: If I am simply commuting around the city, I don’t want to look like I am out for a full on training ride. The Chapter MIPS helmet not only adds a level of urban chic, but comes with some well thought out city-appropriate features.

To aid in visibility, a 50-lumen rear light attaches magnetically to the back of the helmet. It runs for around an hour on solid mode or two hours on flashing mode before needing a recharge—plenty of time to get you to where you need to go if you should get caught out in the dark. The helmet comes with an adapter if you also want to be able to attach the light to your seat post instead of the back of your helmet.

When you lock up your bike, it’s nice to be able to leave your helmet but not something you are going to do in the middle of the city, right? Well, Thousand added a pop out disc in the side of the helmet so you can slip it through your lock to secure it to your bike instead of carrying the helmet with you. Genius. And with MIPS technology in addition to the standard foam protection, your noggin will be well-protected in case of an accident.

Kryptonite D Lock with Kryptoflex Cable: Over 20,000 bikes get stolen in London every year. That’s crazy. I was originally planning to buy a £50 beater bike to ride around so I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it got stolen, but thanks to the pandemic, bikes are more than hard to come by these days.

That means I am riding my road bike around London and I am more than a bit nervous leaving it locked up somewhere out of sight. For a bit of extra assurance while I run into stores or grab a quick coffee, I bought this heavy duty Kryptonite lock. By securing the frame, back wheel, and front wheel, the lock will at least give any bike thief a second thought before stealing.

Adidas Gazelles: I am not going to ride around London in my road cycling shoes when running errands or meeting up with friends so these cool kids Adidas not only look great, but work pretty well perched on top of my Shimano road pedals. I played soccer (or football for the Brits) growing up, so I have a soft spot for Gazelles.

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger: By carrying this classic messenger bag, I’m bringing a little slice of San Francisco to the streets of London. Made by Timbuk2—the master in bike commute bags—you know the messenger is packed with bike-friendly features and makes a great bag for trips to the farmers market, weekend getaways, and standard supermarket trips. If I am just popping out for a coffee or to meet a friend, I use my Pacsafe Slingpack instead. And if I am off for a big supermarket shop, I’ll throw on the Tailfin rack and bags.

Knog PWR Commuter: This 450-lumen front light is a breeze to take on and off your bike and the battery serves as a backup charger for your phone in case you run out of juice while navigating around the city.

Ass Savers Fendor Bendor and Speed Mullet clip on fenders: It’s England. It rains. A lot.

Cargo Bib Shorts Let You Ditch The Jersey or Carry More Gear

2020-09-29T12:51:03Z

Back in May, I moved to London. While I don’t recommend moving countries in the middle of pandemic, I did so for a combination of work and personal reasons and found the entire experience to be much less stressful than expected. Empty airports and planes were an absolute delight, although I am not sure it remains that way a few months on now.

I, of course, brought my bike—road bike to start—so I could avoid public transport and ride around London to stay sane. I found it a bit stressful at first to go from the quiet, open roads of Northern California to the busy streets of London but I am slowly learning to embrace the chaos. I even thought about cargo bike delivery for a moment but that’s another story.

While most days I head to the regular cycling hotspots of Richmond Park or Regent’s Park to get in a relatively stress-free couple-hour ride, I have been pushing myself to go on at least one longer ride each week to explore the cycling areas around London such as the North Downs, Surrey Hills, and along the Thames Valley.

My go-to kit for these longer rides includes a pair of cargo bib shorts as they offer a great way to store just a bit more gear than what fits in your jersey pockets—namely your phone and a debit card for those coffee and snack stops now that the cafes and convenience stores are back open (at least for the time being). Having pockets on your bib shorts also means you are free to wear a non-bike specific top like a wool shirt or even T-shirt which is great when you don’t want to look like a Lycra-clad road cyclist all the time.

I own two pairs of cargo bib shorts—the 7Mesh WK3 Cargo Bib Shorts and the Pearl Izumi Interval Cargo Bib Shorts. The 7Mesh cargo bib shorts feature four pockets—one on each leg and two at the back. The pockets at the back are big enough to store a light wind or rain shell and make a good place to store your pump out of the way for those just in case moments. While I love the deep and secure pockets on the legs to store my credit card and as a place to quickly stow granola bar wrappers while riding, my one issue is with placement. The pockets sit a bit too low down on your thigh, creating an unfortunate self-esteem-killing bulge of the saddlebag area as you pedal.

The Pearl Izumi Interval Cargo Bib Shorts by comparison place the leg pocket a bit higher up the thigh so they add compression to the saddlebag area instead of pinching in the wrong spot. These are my go-to bibs for long, all day rides as the ELITE Escape chamois is just so dang comfortable. You don’t feel like you are wearing bike shorts at all but the chamois still protects your backside for hours on end.

A key feature of any bib short is that they are pee-break friendly. Both the Pearl Izumi and 7Mesh cargo bib shorts feature stretchy straps that enable you to easily pull down your shorts without having to remove any of your upper layers.

On top, I’ve been wearing the short sleeve 7Mesh Horizon Jersey. It’s a minimalist jersey made from a soft, non-Lycra, antibacterial fabric that doesn’t scream “I’m a crazy roadie.” The jersey looks more like a nice form fitting, stylish T-shirt that happens to have five pockets—three rear and two zippered side pockets.

Both the 7Mesh WK3 Cargo Bib Shorts and the Pearl Izumi Interval Cargo Bib Shorts are available now.

Great Crossover Gear for Hiking and Biking

2020-07-19T15:44:42Z

Mountain biking in Arizona with Hydro Flask.

Photo by: Nate Wyeth

I haven’t written a review in awhile as it just didn’t seem appropriate with the world facing more pressing issues than figuring out which gear to buy. And to be honest, my pandemic brain simply found it too difficult to focus enough to write. But now that most of us can venture out and indeed are encouraged to get out and get some fresh air and exercise, I figured now is as good a time as any to start talking gear and local adventure again. The ability to get outdoors is what saved me the past few months and I believe will continue to bring us some solace now.

Just before the world shut down, I traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona for a few days of mountain biking, hiking, and camping in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with Hydro Flask. The goal was to test out their latest hydration pack—the 14L Down Shift—as well as a variety of other gear.

The Down Shift comes as a complete redesign from the initial hydration pack models that Hydro Flask released last year and is much better for it—I found the very first model to be a bit too heavy and bulky for a mountain bike pack. But the latest iteration not only pairs down the pack and lightens it up, but moves the bulk of the weight to the base of the pack thanks to a new lumbar reservoir and opens up more room for your gear.

Photos by: Nate Wyeth

Hydro Flask worked with HydraPak to design an insulated 2-liter reservoir that sits inside a reflective-lined neoprene sleeve at the base on the main pack compartment. This system, combined with an articulated back panel that prevents body heat transfer as you work up a sweat, helps to maintain cold water temperatures for four or more. After hiking and biking all day beneath the hot Arizona sun, we all still had ice chunks in our reservoirs as we rolled back into camp.

The reservoir hose disconnects for easy filling and cleaning and the bite valve self-seals after you drink so you don’t get water dribbling down your shirt as you ride or hike. The main pack compartment offers 14 liters of storage in addition to the reservoir storage so you can easily fit extra layers, bike tools, and snacks. The outside of the pack delivers the usual bike-related features such as helmet attachment loops, bike light attachment, and integrated whistle on the chest strap. A pocket at the top of the pack uses a soft liner to protect your phone or sunglasses.

Hiking in the Five Ten Trailcross.

Photo by: Nate Wyeth

In addition to the hydration packs, we all tested out some new crossover shoes from Five Ten. Called the Trailcross series, the shoes are lightweight and extremely breathable, with the traditional sticky rubber, dotty-tread outsole that has more aggressive lugs at the toe and heel to add grip when hiking.

While the flexible midsole lends comfort to all day wear and hiking, it also offers just enough stiffness on the bike to keep you moving efficiently. Coming in three different models gradually offering more coverage—LT, XT, and Mid Pro—the LT and XT feature drainage ports in the midsole to help keep your feet dry in wet conditions. The Mid Pro offers a full sock construction to help keep debris out of your shoes and added ankle protection made from impact resistant foam.

I find that sometimes Five Ten mountain bike shoes can seem quite stiff but the new Trailcross collection uses traditional helmet lining foam in place of the usual thick padded foam to make them more comfortable for all day wear, especially when hiking.

Both the Hydro Flask 14L Down Shift hydration pack and the Five Ten Trailcross series of shoes are available now.

Five Ten Launches Eco-Friendly Apparel Line

2020-07-05T15:16:08Z

After a 30-year hiatus, Five Ten gets back into the apparel game. Focusing on eco-friendly and sustainable materials this time around, the bike and climbing pieces all use recycled materials and sustainably farmed cotton.

Five Ten, known for its technically-forward bike, climb, and approach footwear will now add apparel to its arsenal. With a launch date of February 1, 2021, the collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, shorts, pants, rain jackets, shoes and a signature “Brand of the Brave” tank top.

“We are excited for this natural extension into apparel. It’s a tip of the hat back to the original Five Ten roots, but with a modern take as it relates to technology and sustainability,” says Michael Kadous, head of adidas Outdoor, North America. “We are humble and proud to now be able to outfit the fans of Five Ten head to toe.”

In addition to bringing back “athlete driven” apparel, Five Ten is reintroducing some of the brand’s most iconic logos, including the classic Stealth Cat and 5.10 Box logo. The new climbing pants have articulated knees and color-blocking reminiscent of the brand’s original clothing line, Badlands, that was synonymous with the traditional crack climbing scene in the 1990s.

The new Five Ten apparel relies heavily on adidas’ proprietary PrimeBlue (which is recycled plastic retrieved from ocean beaches) and PrimeGreen, made from recycled polyester. In addition to the eco-friendly PrimeBlue and PrimeGreen, the new apparel includes items made with sustainably sourced cotton from BCI (Better Cotton Initiative). Two of Five Ten’s best-selling flat-pedal mountain bike shoes, the Freerider and Freerider Pro, each come in a model with a PrimeBlue canvas upper.

“In our commitment to sustainability is where you really see the power of the adidas Five Ten partnership,” says Kadous. “We are unleashing a host of sustainable elements within both our footwear and apparel worlds. We want to ensure that those in the bike and climb communities have the opportunity to make a choice when it comes to the future of our planet. We are proud to bring that choice to them by using recycled materials, sourcing in sustainable ways, and fighting to end plastic waste.”

My Base Bikepacking Setup

2020-02-10T21:53:44Z

My initial bikepacking setup in Jordan.

Last year, I spent almost six months on my bike, bikepacking through numerous countries in Europe, North Africa, and Asia, before ending my trip with a ride across Jordan. I plan to ride through quite a few more countries again this year. You’ll find a detailed review of some of my favorite bikepacking gear in the upcoming Outside Spring Buyer’s Guide (on shelves soon), but until then, here is a look at my base setup.

Bike Bags

For each of my trips I used some variation of the Tailfin bikepacking system. In Europe it was the X Series Rack with double panniers, and for Jordan it was the AeroPack Trunk Top Bag with one additional pannier during the days when we carried camping gear (I ditched the camping gear and pannier a few days in). I personally find the system so much easier to use than trying to shove all your gear in a saddle bag and handlebar bag that you constantly have to adjust and which can be a pain to get on and off your bike every day.

In addition, I have a custom-built frame bag from Thief Bikepacking for my adventure bike and added the Bontrager Adventure Top Tube Bag for easy access to snacks and battery backup for my phone.

Hanging out with crabs in the desert.

Photo by: Berne Broudy

Apparel

Club Ride Joanie Capri: I am not much for wearing Lycra when bikepacking and needed loose clothing that covered my knees for countries like Morocco and Jordan. Super lightweight, these capris offer enough coverage without ever feeling too hot. They also dry quickly after those frequent bathtub wash sessions. I basically lived in these for months.

Two pairs of liner shorts– Club Ride MontCham Chamois and Pearl Izumi Select Liner Short–it’s nice to have a second pair in case the one you wash out in the shower at night isn’t dry by morning.

Pearl Izumi Long Sleeve Merino Wool Jersey: This lightweight wool jersey was perfect for cooler days and I can wear it multiple days in a row before washing.

Columbia Sportswear Long Sleeve Shirt: On warmer days, I stuck with a lightweight, long sleeve shirt for sun protection and quick drying potential after the obligatory shower wash out each night.

Club Ride Liv’n Flannel: In place of a fleece, this flannel shirt served as my extra layer for cooler weather. Moisture wicking and warm, the shirt features mesh underarm panels to keep you from overheating when you are riding hard.

7Mesh Resistance Jacket: Windproof and rain-resistant for colder days or days with light rain.

Columbia OutDry Ex Pants: I stored these lightweight and breathable rain pants in my bag just in case I got stuck in some sort of downpour.

Puffy coat, as well as a hat and gloves for some colder weather trips like Georgia.

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Gravel: I own a couple pairs of the X-Alp Elevate and absolutely love them. For Morocco and Jordan I switched to the X-Alp Gravel. While super comfortable for all day bike adventures, I felt they were not quite burly enough for the hike-a-bike required in Jordan. I’ll probably stick to the Elevate for more rugged adventures and the Gravel for those trips I know I won’t have to push my bike much.

POC Ventral Air Spin: Great ventilation for a helmet and added SPIN rotational impact protection in case I should fall off the bike.

For off the bike, I brought a pair of Prana Halle Straight pants and a Smartwool Merino 150 Long Sleeve Base Layer to change into.

Bedouin tents make good camping options as well.

Sleeping

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack: With shorter pole segments, this ultralight tent fits perfectly on the front of your handlebars. Everything packs into a burly bikepacking-ready compression sack with built-in daisy chain for quick attachment.

Therm-a-rest Neo-Air Uberlite: Ultralight and super compact, you couldn’t ask for much more in a bikepacking sleeping pad.

Therm-a-Rest 20F Vesper Quilt: I’m a quilt convert as unless you are headed someplace super cold, a full sleeping bag is overkill and takes up so much room in your bike bag. Weighing only 19 ounces, the 20-degree Vesper was enough to keep me warm high in the upper Caucuses.

There is always time for tea!

Photo by: Berne Broudy

Cooking

Not a ton of gourmet cooking happens on bikepacking trips (at least for me) since one always worries about weight and depending on your route, you can usually find cheap, delicious food once in awhile if not every day. So for cooking gear, you basically need something to boil water for coffee, oatmeal, and the occasional dehydrated meal or ramen dinner. I have been known, however, to throw instant coffee straight into my bike bottle and call it breakfast.

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe: A small, lightweight canister stove that lights every time.

MSR Trail Mini Solo Cookset: This 0.75-liter aluminum pot comes with an insulated grip for easy pouring, strainer lid, and plastic cup for eating and drinking.

MSR Trail Shot: This water filer packs down small, is super lightweight, and gets the job done.

In another post, I will go into my camera gear, all my electronics, and the huge bag of tools and repair kit which took up most of the room in my frame bag. After numerous issues in Jordan, my list of what to bring on your bike for on-trail repairs keeps growing.

Best Bike Gear of Outdoor Retailer Winter 2020

2020-02-04T15:12:14Z

The outdoor industry gathered in Denver last week for Outdoor Retailer, with the latest and greatest in gear on display. While I spent three days checking out new products from all types of outdoor companies, here are a few bike-related items that I found to be pretty cool.

Archer Components D1x Trail ($389)

Say goodbye to continual rear derailleur alignment problems. More affordable than a full electronic groupset, this after market system transforms your mechanical shifting mountain bike into a smooth, wireless-controlled, electronic shifting machine. Via a combination of programmable shifter, Bluetooth remote, and phone app, the D1x Trail system enables you to make micro rear derailleur adjustments on the fly, shift multiple gears at once, and ensure you remain in a hill-friendly gear if the battery should all of a sudden run out. Easy to install, the system runs off of standard AA lithium ion batteries that will last anywhere from 80 to 150 hours before needing a recharge.

Five Ten Trailcross LT ($130)

For Spring 2020, Five Ten decided to divert focus away from the traditional skate-style flat pedal shoes to more lightweight shoes for the adventure bikers amongst us. The result is the new Trailcross series with three models in the initial lineup. The Trailcross XT is extremely breathable and lightweight with a full mesh upper and drainage ports in the midsole for those rainy days or river crossings. A Phantom Rubber, dotty pattern outsole is beefed up with more grip in the toe and heel for all those inevitable hike-a-bike sessions. In place of padded foam around the ankle, Five Ten used helmet lining which should make them infinitely more comfortable for longs days in the saddle or on the trail. These would be the ultimate bikepacking shoe for those that use flat pedals. Expect the Trailcross XT to start shipping in March.

Hustle Bike Labs REM Pedal System

After almost falling off the side of a cliff in Moab when he couldn’t get out of his clipless pedals in time, Hustle Bike Labs founder Craig Payne vowed to come up with a better solution. Combing the efficiency of clipless pedals with the freedom of flat pedals, the REM Pedal System uses Rare Earth Magnets to keep your foot on the pedal with over 100 pounds of pull force. But move your foot any way other than pulling up and down and you are immediately out of the pedal. Payne is targeting a price under $200 for the pedals and corresponding SPD-compatible shoe plates, with release expected around April.

Rent Patagonia Gear on Your Next Ski Trip

2019-12-19T14:15:54Z

Do you live in the Denver Metro Area or are you headed to Colorado for your next ski vacation? Instead of buying all new gear this season, you can now rent Patagonia snow outerwear for all your mountain adventures this winter.

This week, Patagonia announced that at its new flagship retail store in Denver’s RinNo District, the company has teamed up with Awayco to offer a reliable gear rental option featuring prime Patagonia snow outerwear.

Patagonia is the first apparel brand to partner with the outdoor rental platform, providing an alternative to purchasing new gear and building on the brand’s ethos of reducing unnecessary impact wherever possible. Patagonia’s rental options through Awayco include technical ski and snowboard outerwear and packs for men, women and kids.

The rental process is extremely straightforward—simply browse and reserve the gear you want on Awayco.com, pick it up at Patagonia Denver, then head to the mountains. Once you are done, return the gear to Patagonia Denver.

Products available for rent include the men’s and women’s Powslayer Jacket and Pants or Bibs, the insulated Powderbowl Jacket and Pants, and even a ski pack. All adult gear items rent for around $30-$40 per day.

Stan’s DART Easily Repairs Large Tubeless Tire Gashes

2019-10-21T02:07:06Z

I run tubeless tires on all of my bikes now and while I have had much success with small punctures sealing up automatically, sometimes larger holes and even gashes happen. While current puncture repair tools like DynaPlug come in handy, they don’t work for gashes larger than 5mm. This is where the new Stan’s No Tubes’ DART Tool comes in.

Stan’s unveiled the new Dual Action Repair for Tubeless (DART) tool during Eurobike at the end of the summer. Unlike conventional plug tools, which function by pressing pieces of rubber or similar material into a puncture, Stan’s DART tool also reacts with Stan’s tire sealant to fill the puncture and create an airtight bond with the tire.

What makes DART “dual action” is its use of both mechanical sealing and chemical sealing. A barbed tip with special material mechanically anchors into the tire and fills the puncture, while a simple, safe compound chemically reacts with Stan’s sealant, creating the fastest, easiest, and most reliable solution for repairing and sealing slices and large punctures in tubeless mountain, road, and gravel bike tires.

The Stan’s applicator is designed with a plastic barbed tip that holds the DART and cannot be inserted too deep to affect rim tape. When inserted and with the required amount of Stan’s sealant already in the tire, DART quickly fills the puncture and in effect becomes part of the tire’s compound. Because of that, the DART doesn’t require trimming after sealing. The catch? While guaranteed to seal with Stan’s regular or Race sealants, the company can not guarantee it works when used with sealant from other brands.

A complete DART Tool, including two loaded DARTs, weighs only 15 grams. This is in part because the rod that presses DARTs into punctures is made of ultralight, corrosion-resistant, and incredibly strong carbon. DARTs are made to be stored for extended periods and are fast and easy to reload and reuse. Clear thread-on caps not only let you see through them to confirm whether your DART is in fact loaded and ready for its next repair, but they also protect your DART, keeping it clean between uses. A DART Refill container is available and includes a rack of five DARTs.

Both the DART Tool ($25) and DART Refill ($20) will be available for purchase soon.