Raincoats are awesome. Not only do the classic yellow ones bring sunny happiness to drizzly days, but they have many uses beyond the obvious keeping your torso, head, and arms dry during precipitation events. Summer is here in Colorado, and so are the afternoon thundershowers. I’m significantly less grumpy getting poured out of Boulder Canyon…
Category: Gear Reviews
This Season’s Must Have: Off-White Gym Capris
Spring is here, and off-white is the new black when it comes to gym attire. No more chalk hand prints on your black yoga pants: light-weight, light-colored capris are here to keep you easy breezy beautiful for the season. Think I’m joking? I’m actually wearing my favorite pair right now. Here’s why: I love weekday morning gym sessions,…
Product Review: ClimbOn to Sooth Your Stinging Skin and Ease Your Mind About Tomorrow’s Climbing
I have wimpy skin. An hour and a half in the gym and I’m desperately looking for crimps to avoid worsening the jug-rash blisters I acquired warming up. After roughly four Pawtuckaway boulder problems–three if I’m in Blaire Woods or stupidly decide, once again, to repeat the sit-start to the crimp problem–and my fingertips are…
Gear Review: Metolius Rock Rings for Portable Training
I got a lot of weird looks from the Boston TSA personnel when they pulled my green Metolius Rock Rings out of my carry-on. The woman inspecting my backpack simply looked at me with her head cocked and eyebrows squeezed together in confusion. She then beckoned her middle-aged boss over so that I could explain…
Protein Supplement Review: Greek Yogurt
I’m sure you’ve heard of this dairy craze that has made its way into everything from salad dressings to cream cheese spreads. Basically it’s just regular yogurt that’s been strained, resulting in a thickened consistency and increased protein content. One cup made with skim milk and live and active cultures (a pretty simple ingredient list)…
Gear Review: Point6 Socks for Odor Control and All-Day Comfort
I have smelly feet. My sneakers usually aren’t too funky; since, I wear socks with them 98.7 percent of the time. But my climbing shoes smell terrible. My comfy multi-pitch/gym shoes are the worst–my sweaty bare feet remain in them for hours without air. To give you some additional insight: my two comfiest pairs smell bad enough that I…
Gear Review: The Original Buff
Throughout high school, I saw my cross-country ski friends sporting buffs at practice. I thought they looked like neat little neck warmers and frequently wanted one while skiing in single-digit temperatures, but I had no idea of their warmth and versatility until this fall. This cylindrical seam-free, breathable, sweat-wicking, wind resistant microfiber cloth changed my outdoor…
Gear Review: The Butora Acro
I hate stuffing my feet into tiny aggressive shoes. If it takes me more than a minute to tug, squeeze, and pinch my feet into a pair, and I get a foot cramp the minute they’re finally laced up, then I’m not going to wear them. I love the precision of a stiff, downturned sole,…
Gear Review: The Belay/Approach Croc
All rubber, all colors of the rainbow, and complete with back strap: The croc is a 21st century climbing staple. Approach shoes are great for miles of class-four scrambling, but for a half-mile stroll to the crag—a ten-foot walk if you’re at Rifle Canyon or Horse Pens 40—the croc is a much more breathable, affordable option….
Coffee. Tape. Climb. 