The Tour de France may not get the national fanfare it once saw back in the Armstrong days, but for cycling purists not even the broken record of doping scandals can sour the sport’s premiere annual event.  This year, British cycling apparel brand Rapha celebrates the Tour’s enduring legacy by issuing a call to cyclists everywhere to join the Tour’s peleton (the main pack of riders) by climbing the combined elevations of the Circle of Death.  This fearsome loop through the Pyrenees boasts 22,575 feet in elevation gain, including Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin, and Col de Peyresourde—all of it in just four punishing days, from July 15-22.  Participants in the challenge will ride on those same days—and those who clock the same 22,575-foot gain (tracked via Strava.com’s GPS app and posted on their site) receive a Rapha Rising roundel, and will be entered to win a limited-edition Trek Madone 6.9 bike.

Rapha also wants to see who can clock the most elevation gain on July 18, the date of the famed Queen Stage of the Tour.  The winner will get a Rapha Race Bag packed with a Circle of Death Jersey, Classic Big Shorts, and a pair of Grand Tour Shoes.  And, of course, year-long bragging rights.

For additional info, check out the Rapha/Strava Circle of Death info page.

Price: Enduring the Climbs

www.looptworks.com,
12.8 ounces
The unavoidable consequence of the gear and apparel industry is the mountains of fabric that‘s left over after the product patterns have been cut.  Until recently, that material was trashed. But Portland-based Looptworks has found tremendous value in the trash of those manufacturing warehouses by producing “upcycle” products for the last few years, utilizing everything from remainders from a Malaysian T-shirt factory to transforming left-over fabric from wetsuit makers into laptop sleeves.  Their product runs are limited—not to imbue them with a sense of exclusivity, but because limited fabric is the very nature of the company’s business model. Take the Noll Messenger bag, which is crafted from a cache of left-over waterproof fabrics–when the fabric is gone, so is your ability to buy ‘em.  The hand-numbered packs boast a plethora of pockets—five interior and two exterior, along with a padded laptop sleeve.  The 15-by-14-by-6-inch pack gives you enough space for your commuting kit or in-flight entertainment, along with a small clip on the shoulder strap.  The Velcro closures seemed a bit too thin—until we realized we’d been inordinately programmed by other packs on the market to expect an acre of secure/noisy closer; we haven’t had an issue with losing anything from the Noll. The pack sits comfortably when walking or riding, the pockets on the flap are perfect for easily accessing travel documents, and the profile and appearance strike a refreshing pose beyond the typical messenger bags on the market. And the upcycle thing? It wouldn’t work if the bag didn’t. Happily, they both do.

shop.hellyhansen.com, 8.4 ounces
Unlike your offspring, you can play favorites when it comes to gear.  But it’s also easy to get lost in all the different attributes that inspire that affection. The Odin Fastpack Jacket makes it easier for you by hitting a particular sweet spot: a go-to jacket when conditions carry some threat of rain but you still want to go as minimal as possible. At a feathery 8.4 ounces, it’s the lightest jacket in Helly Hansen’s line, with two wide zipper pockets that double as vents, thin Velcro closers on the sleeves, a chord at the hem, and an easy-to-adjust helmet-compatible hood. That’s it—and that’s all you need in a jacket that disappears into your pack until the weather takes a turn for the worse. The hood felt a bit loose when not worn over a helmet—we were able to adjust it to fit a bare head by pulling in the draw chords, but you may want to wear a visor or baseball hat underneath to add structure. The jacket’s thin fabric boasts HH’s proprietary waterproof/breathable treatment, which kept us dry in a moderate downpour, with only sweated out in really hot, humid conditions. Waterproof zips add to the coat’s moisture-repelling properties. The lightweight fabric won’t stand up to rigorous bush-whacking; those needing a more durable jacket (with the corresponding increase in weight) should look elsewhere.

www.swiftwick.com
Running in the city always seem colder to me than anywhere else…I always think it is because the wind funnels through the buildings, but finally after trying out the Swiftwick performance sleeve I was able to run outside in the blustery cold and not feel miserable. I pulled the sleeves on under my long sleeve and not only did the compression sleeves help me regulate my temperature, but it wicked away the sweat, which is a must when running in the cold. When I got back to the gym after my run and pulled the sleeves off I felt like I did not even need a shower! The bicep cuff and double cuff at the wrist were not tight on my arm and the design does not restrict any movement or even bunch. I did not even notice that I had the sleeves on once I hit my stride.
-Jennifer Seabolt

www.agsbrands.com
Sunburns hurt. And while it’s easy to slather on sunblock when you’re lounging poolside, it’s difficult to reapply when you’re charging the waves on a boogie board or furiously battling the current on a stand-up paddle board. We test sunscreens year-round, in all types of conditions, on all types of complexions. Skiers, snowboarders, and red-headed paddle boarders all used the Gator Gel, and none of them ended up with cheeks that resembled dried strawberries. In fact, the Gator Gel sunscreen ranks as a top choice for long days on the water and slopes. The thick concoction is especially good when carrying the tube isn’t convenient (like when you’re wearing a skimpy bikini and swimming out to a deserted island). For full disclosure—the Gator sunscreen is pretty sticky and takes some elbow-grease to rub into your skin. But it absorbs well, and stays on so well that it then requires scrubbing with soap to remove. The packaging attests to a full eight hours of protection—we err on the conservative side and reapplied every four hours, just in case. We recommend the 40+ Gel for surfers as it literally sticks like glue. The 40+ lotion rubs in easier and absorbs more quickly, but requires more frequent applications.