Gearzilla » Gear All-Star

Columbia Ultrachange Parka Jacket

nborchelt — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:00:56 +0000

www.columbia.com, 24 ounces
We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: versatility is key. Witness the following scenario: You’re flying from a temperate clime to a snow-chocked state with a 30-degree temperature difference between departure and arrival. Then, you head to your favorite resort and sign up for First Tracks, which means you’re up before the sun, staring at a thermometer that won’t budge above zero. By midday? Temperature inversion and the heat of the sun have bounced the temps up 20 degrees. There’s two ways to combat this. Pack a lot of layers, or go with an interchangeable setup like Columbia’s Ultrachange Parka. This two-in-one jacket gives you a warm liner jacket, plus a waterproof/breathable, wicking outer shell to keep you warm and dry in even the wettest blizzards. The insulated, ploy inner layer boasts Columbia’s proprietary Omni-Heat liner, which is scattered with small silver dots that reflect the body heat to create oven-like warmth (the spaces in between the dots allow the jacket to breathe). Two large zippered side pockets and a tall collar also make it a fashion-forward, insulated stand-alone. The outer shell, meanwhile, amplifies the weather-proofing, with an advanced waterproof/breathable laminate, vented hand pockets, an adjustable hood, waterproof zips, and a drop tail that you’ll really appreciate when you have to sit down on a snow-covered chair lift. The fit is on the baggy side—especially when you are wearing just the shell. Oh, and our tester’s application to the scenario listed above? He wore the inner lining to the airport and then to the resort. The next morning he started off with both layers to combat the pre-dawn cold, then stripped to just the inner for one bluebird day. And when the white stuff started to fall but the mercury held at around freezing, he wore the outer shell under a mid- and base layer. Four scenarios, one solution, and lots of extra space in his suitcase.

Brooks-Range Mojave Jacket

nborchelt — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:00:41 +0000

brooks-range.com, 15.5 ounces
It’s nearly impossible to imagine life without puffy coats. Not the super-light, somewhat anemic down sweaters that made headlines the last two years with their helium weightlessness (although we like those too), but the pillowy Michelin Man down coats that are so plush and lofty that they double as a comforter or sleeping bag on chilly nights. The 800-fill down Mojave jacket has a loft that is lush, but not exorbitant (consider it a Stay Puff Marshmallow man with six-pack abs). It offers just enough insulation to keep you warm in single digit temps, but it’s not so heavy that the jacket can only be worn in sub-zero climates. It utilizes a new treatment that renders the down water resistant—an improvement in feather insulation that arguably pushes the needle in the outdoor apparel category. There are a few companies who specialized in “waterproof” down; Brooks Range utilizes DownTek technology, a process that applies a micro-thin nanopolymer to the feathers, creating a water repellent, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial insulation that doesn’t soak up water. Our Oregon testers wore the Mojave in day-long drizzle and wet snow showers—even when the entire garment got damp from a downpour, it dried faster than traditional down by at least 50 percent (while the lightweight durable Pertex Quantum fabric shell is water-resistant, the jacket isn’t seam sealed). Better still, the down never wetted out or clumped. The jacket has a deep hood that can be pulled forward and snugged around the face with the tug of a toggled draw cord, or adjusted with a small Velcro strap to stay upright without blocking peripheral vision. Two deep, zippered hand-warmer pockets are lined with a soft microfleece and an internal Napoleon zip pocket secures phone, wallet, and chap stick. The jacket packs down to the size of a football.

Pearl Izumi ELITE Gel-Vent FF Bike Gloves

nborchelt — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:00:50 +0000

shop.pearlizumi.com
We know that the ELITE Gel-Vent FFs are some of the best bike gloves on the market because one loyal tester wore his previous pair to threads (quite literally), and then went out and got another pair without pausing to consider alternatives. That kind of brand loyalty speaks volumes, and it’s justified. The synthetic leather palm delivers optimal comfort and grip, while the perforated gel-vent padding in the palms also relieves pressure on the ulnar and median nerves for hours-long comfort. Narrow vertical strips at the fingers deliver a bit more grip, and the stretchy, fine-woven mesh backs give you a close-to-the-skin fit without clumping or bunching. The Velcro hook-and-loop closure has been improved from previous models, and they also now boast a small, firm tab at the cuff that makes pulling on the full-hand gloves a breeze. We love the low-profile wiping surface on the thumb.

It’s also worth noting, several of our testers opt for the full-finger glove over the fingerless; when you take a tumble, your hands always hit the earth (pavement-covered or otherwise), and we prefer as much comfortable protection as possible when that inevitably occurs.

Petzl NAO Headlamp

nborchelt — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:00:58 +0000

www.petzl.com, 6 ounces
“Throw away all your old flashlights and headlamps,” said our tester after taking the NAO on a three-week road trip. “The reactive-lighting NAO is the only headlamp you’ll need, or want to use.” We don’t take the word “revolutionary” lightly, but the new NAO headlamp is worth getting excited about. In contrast to other lamps, the 400-lumen NAO has a beam that automatically adjusts to focus on your target. If you’re pouring over topo maps, the light adjusts to a wide beam with low output. When you look out the tent fly to see if it’s a raccoon or bear rustling by the picnic table, the beam focuses, with greater light intensity for—drum roll please—a distance of 300 feet. Other advantages include fewer manual adjustments and a better burn time than any other headlamp we’ve tested. The NAO comes with a single rechargeable lithium battery that’s guaranteed for 300-plus charges—we didn’t do the math, but that’s a lot of alkaline batteries you won’ t need to buy. Each charge provides nearly five hours of use in high Reactive mode (the auto-adjust) or eight hours in low Reactive. You can set the lamp on a constant function, which disables the sensor, but cuts significantly into the battery life, as the Reactive power setting really does make power use more efficient. The rechargeable battery can be replaced with 2 AAA batteries, but our testers swear that the rechargeable battery ups the lamp’s performance. We were leery of the downloadable battery management program that allows you to adjust the light intensity, burn time, and beam distance on a computer, but are happy to report that even techno-troglodytes found it easy (and fun) to customize the lamp’s performance. The easiest option is using the custom profiles pre-programmed to enhance performance for specific activities like climbing, running, trail running, and hiking. Two features worth noting: a big off-on knob that’s easy to manipulate with gloves or in the dark and a water-resistant shell that never leaked, even during a monster Texas monsoon that one tester encountered while night hiking up a mesa near Lajitas.

Bianchi San Jose Road Bike

nborchelt — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:00:46 +0000

We here at Gearzilla love looking forward into the brave new world gear innovations. But sometime we like to pause and express our affection for products that have become part of our daily outdoor-lovin’ lives. Such is the case of the Bianchi San Jose. This single-speed all-steel bike gets everything right—one tester has been using it for daily commutes for years, but it has also performed well in mellow singletrack and on gravel and dirt towpaths. You can run it as a fixie, but we prefer the ability to…actually brake when cycling in urban environs. We swapped out the saddle and went for the Crank Brothers’ Eggbeater pedals, and over five years of near-daily use, we’ve had to swap in new tires, replace the chain, and re-wrap the handle bars—and soon the Cane Creek brakes will need a serious retrofit. But that’s typical of any bike, and it’s still as ridiculously light, nimble, and fun to ride as it was when we bought it over five years ago. The only sad part? It seems Bianchi isn’t offering the full bike; their site displays only the bike frame. But those less inclined to build up their own perfect commuter rig can still find the San Jose (including the gorgeous eggshell blue one) on Craigslist.

Crumpler Complete Seed Bag

nborchelt — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:00:58 +0000

www.crumpler.com, 2.4 pounds
Upgrading a piece of gear always comes with guilt. “The earlier version really is perfectly fine in every way,” our loyal heart tells us, while our lustful side just wants to play with something new. Happily, in the case of Crumpler’s Complete Seed, the urge is no fickle fascination. This model elevates the older classic (one that a loyal tester has used for nearly a decade) in almost every way: A commuter-friendly patch of reflective fabric now lines the lower section of the pack bag, and the internal organization has been reconfigured. The main zipper pouch has been moved up to the front, with two big Velcro-closures on either side. Two side pockets flank the inner pouch, perfect for sunglasses and various electronics, while two outer side pockets secure the excess shoulder strap and quick-grab items without overtaking the bag’s inner storage. What hasn’t changed is the pack’s generous 1,400-cubic-inch storage capacity, the bomber-proof, fully-weatherproof 1000D fabric, and a 300D interior fabric, which shrugs off wear and tear better than a first-round draft pick. Three big Velcro patches secure the main flap. The shoulder strap pad and cross-body stabilization strap both are removable, and the shoulder strap itself is long enough to accommodate any kind of fit, from the body-hugging bike messenger to the let-it-hang hippy look. Wear it high and tight, and the pack weight distributes evenly across your shoulders. Loosening the strap is easy, thanks the easy-to-use, oversized pressure buckle—at least it was after we moved the small plastic loop further down the strap (move that piece of plastic too close to the quick-release flap and on-the-fly-adjustments become laborious). Otherwise, the Complete Seed is the bee’s knees—provided Crumpler doesn’t come up with a way to improve on this pack again. And yes, the old model is still in full use.

Wildfire Tees

nborchelt — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:00:11 +0000

www.wildfiretees.com
Given our limitless affection for all things outdoors, it’s only natural that Colorado’s tragic wildfires cuts close to the bone. The displacement and devastation is almost too much to bear, but Wildfire Tees is making it a little bit easier. Composed of a group of Colorado-based designers, marketers, and printers, 100% of the profits for every t-shirt sold goes to the victims of the Colorado wildfires. The limited-run screenprint t-shirts boast bold, creative designs, both retro and modern, and speak to the passion of the people who live (or just love) the state. The high-quality t-shirts are printed on 100% pre-shrunk, soft-to-the-touch cotton. The shirt we ordered was printed on a Hanes nano-T and runs slightly larger than true-to-size; one tester found the large size to be a bit longer than he typically likes (but that just means this guy—a native of the Rocky Mountain State—will likely just buy another shirt). To keep things transparent and on the up-and-up, all profits are funneled into a fund with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation. Current designs include the two pictured above (as well as seen other designs). Special-edition silkscreen and letter-press prints, kid’s shirts, and onesies are also for sale. You can also lobby to get retired designs re-released, and submit your own designs for future runs.

El Naturalista Campos Shoe

nborchelt — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:00:23 +0000

www.elnaturalista.com
Traveling is a lifestyle we embrace (even when it means heading to a city surrounded by mountains only to spend a weekend trapped in a fluorescent-lit convention center). As such, products that echo our love for world travel hit our wander-lustful sweet spot. El Naturalista’s shoes reflect the company’s passion for travel by letting the love of a place influence the design. The Campos are perfect example. The shoe’s sole have been crafted to look as if you’re flying high above the earth, gazing down on acres of farmland, the rocky topography of mountains, the serpentine twists of rivers—it’s a detail everyone should notice, even though it’s hidden until you kick your feet up and relax. But this shoe has more than excellent topography on its underside. The soft rubber sole is married to the rest of the shoe by jute, an all-natural, fully-waterproof hand-spun vegetable fiber that looks like coils of rope. The silky-soft uppers also boast the same hand-stitching and attention to detail, with micro-perforations to help breathability without reducing water resistance, and an off-tone patch of leather at the heel. The insole and microfiber lining sport silver microparticals—said to create a magnetic field that improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation. We’ll get back to you on that claim. But we do know that the silver ions enhance the evaporation process, improving moisture management inside the shoe. The microfiber absorbs up to eight times its weight in moisture, which eliminates odors and prevents bacteria. The price is dear for your standard casual shoe—but the subdued-yet-stylish profile, and the Spanish company’s unabashed affection for all kinds of travel—have made these comfortable shoes one of our personal favorites.

Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier

nborchelt — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:45:22 +0000

www.ospreypacks.com, six pounds, 15 ounces
When the task of shopping for baby items falls to mom, dad is often left with gear that he’d rather not sport in public (flowery diaper bags being the primary offender). But Osprey’s Poco Child Carrier accommodates any wearer, both aesthetically and functionally. The pack’s torso length adjusts easily, with a handy embroidered size label to use as an approximate guide.

The series has three packs (Poco: $199, Poco Plus: $259, and Poco Premium: $299); we tested the Poco Plus and think this model gives you the most bang for your buck. All of the packs feature torso adjustment, but only the Plus and Premium offer a Fit-on-the-Fly Hipbelt that lets you tweak the length of the hipbelt pads while you’re wearing the pack. These two models also come with the must-have sunshade, which is ingeniously slipped into the back of the pack and springs out (with a near-audible boing) when you pull it out. The Premium features a removable daypack and a changing pad, so it’s up to you if that’s worth the extra $40. Regardless of the model, all the packs are for kids who can sit-up unassisted and weigh at least 16 pounds. The adjustable seat and shoulder straps also mean that the pack can grow with your kid. The stability proved to be reassuringly perfect after several outings. The maximum load is 48 pounds (carrier, child, and gear combined). The Poco Plus weighs 6 pounds, 15 ounces, so with a 25-pound kid in tow, you have 16 pounds to play around with. That’s a heavy load for a day-hike, but the pack has a hydration sleeve and a mesh back-panel to aid in staying hydrated and cool.

Crank Brothers Eggbeater 2 Bike Pedals

nborchelt — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:00:51 +0000

www.crankbrothers.com, 10 ounces
Upgrading from traditional pedals or foot baskets to clipless is much like moving into a larger living space–once you’re there, you’ll never go back. The biggest hurdle in that evolution, however, remains the perceived challenge of getting your shoes in (and out) of those damn cleats. For us, the Crank Brothers’ Eggbeater 2 pedal is the cycling equivalent of having someone on the inside to help you out. The pedals boast four entry points, which means it’s nearly impossible to not find purchase when you go to clip in. And getting out is even easier. Twist your foot away from (or toward) the bike, and you’re free; the 15- to 20-degree angle you need (which expands the metal coil enough to release the cleat) isn’t part of standard pedal rotation, so staying in the pedals as just as intuitive as getting out. The Eggbeater 2 pedals each weigh a measly 10 ounces, and are constructed out of stamped and stainless steel. We’ve pedaled on one pair well past its five-year warranty without any issue, save one: the brass cleats (the part you screw into your bike shoes) did wear down after a few years of near-daily use (commuting and riding singletrack), and they slipped until they were replaced. But new cleats only run $22, and are easy to find online or in most bike shops. One bit of advice to the clipless new-comers: practice on a grass field till the experience becomes intuitive. Then hit the trail, path, or street and see how much more speed and control the pedals afford.