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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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