What I Liked

Features

Weighing approximately 9.77 lbs, the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 is lightweight for such a sturdy a two-burner stove. The cut-in handle in the base makes it easy to carry for short distances, and has a fairly compact profile when it’s packed up. The stove is also easy to set-up and clean, featuring snap-in wind-block wings, easy on and off nickel-plated grate and stainless steel burner surround, and a propane connector arm that doesn’t fight back and fits inside the stove to transport.

The Piezo auto-igniter means no singed knuckle hair or need for matches and lighters, and the stove lights as well in a thunderstorm as it does in perfect weather. The individual control valves are sensitive, allowing you to carefully moderate the flame.

Performance

The GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 functions equally well in the dead of a Minnesota winter and the heat of a Utah summer. At full blast in fair conditions, it boiled (100c) a half-gallon of cold (21c) water in a two-quart stainless steel pot (uncovered) in nine minutes and five seconds (at 4,300 ft above sea level). The grate was red hot, the closest windshield wing was uncomfortably warm to the touch but not a burn hazard, the lid was slightly cooler than the wing, the opposing wing was completely cool, and the base was just pleasantly toasty. Within 90 seconds, the underside of the base had cooled completely and, after three minutes, the wing had as well. 

The stove is roomy enough for two 10-quart stockpots or a 10-inch cast iron and 6.8 quart stock pot. However, it was just barely too small for my 10-quart stock pot and 10-inch cast iron with the windshields in the up position. If it’s a calm day, you can gain a little extra room by not deploying the windshields. Certainly enough room to feed everyone at your campsite — and the ones on either side. 

What Could be Better 

To be honest, there’s nothing to dislike about this stove, there are just some features that aren’t perfect. However, the plastic latch that keeps it locked in the closed position is fairly sturdy, but I can easily imagine it being the first casualty in an unfortunate tumble off the picnic table or out of a packed car. 

Piezo igniters can be a little finicky. Seven out of 10 times, the igniter worked on the first or second try. The other 30 percent of the time, I had more trouble with the right-hand burner than the left, though in those cases it often ignited easier if it was turned on first. It always did light, though, and it never flamed up dangerously.

Though it does have good burner control, the burners sit so close to the cookware that delicate cooking can take a little extra skill and attention. Watch the area directly over the flame carefully when cooking on low heat.

Comparisons to Other Two-burner Stoves

Here’s the real question — is it worth the extra $82 to upgrade from the Coleman Classic two burner? Should you spring for the Camp Chef Everest 2X, which is $20 more? Let’s compare.

	GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540	Coleman Classic	Camp Chef Everest 2x
Size	21.4 x 12.9 x 3.8 inches	21.9 x 13.7 x 4.1 inches	25.2 x 12.7 x 5.6 inches
Weight	9.77 lbs	11.4 lbs	12.3 lbs
Number of burners	2	2	2
Individual burner control
Burner Control Sensitivity		🆇
Burner BTU output	10,000	10,000	20,000
Auto-igniter		🆇
Windshield wings
Removable grate
Carrying handle
Locking latch
Price	$124.99	$43 – $50.99	$143.99

The simmer control is more precise on the Selkirk 540 than the Coleman Classic, and the reliable auto-igniter is a very nice feature. The Coleman Classic has a slightly larger profile but doesn’t afford much more cooking space and the wings aren’t as encompassing as the Selkirk 540, making it less effective in very windy weather. The Selkirk 540 is made of better materials, but either lid will dent if dropped on a rock. The Selkirk’s design is more efficient, so it cooks quicker in worse conditions while preserving more fuel. 

The Everest 2x is bigger and heavier but provides twice the BTUs to cook with, a slightly larger cooking surface, and despite all its power, has better simmer control. 

Final Thoughts

There’s plenty about the GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540 I liked, some things I was ambivalent about, and truly nothing I didn’t like. It’s a solid stove. It performs better than any other 10,000 BTU two-burner camp stove we’ve tested. If you expect to camp in the cold, wind, or rain and still want to impress with your camp cooking, the Selkirk 540 definitely outperforms. It’s certainly better than the Coleman Classic but it’s also three times the price. If you’re a perfect-weather camper who doesn’t get particularly gourmet at your campsite, you will probably be happy enough with the cheaper Coleman Classic. 

That said, the Everest 2X outperformed the Selkirk 540 in cooking ability, while it fell behind in weight and price. If you’re really getting out there and need a two-burner stove for incredibly cold and windy conditions and willing to pay a little more, the 20,000 BTU Camp Chef Everest 2X may be worth exploring further. If you’re looking for a versatile, reliable 10,000 BTU two burner stove and you’re willing to pay to upgrade from the Coleman Classic, the Selkirk 540 can’t be beaten.

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Efficiency & Operation

The JoeBlow Sport 2 Stage Pump is meant to be more efficient for filling tires with lower pressure. The Topeak site says it is 30% more efficient than other pumps due to its high volume chamber and use of both barrels.

From 0-30 psi, you use the 2 barrels, and from 30-160 psi, you use Stage 2 or one barrel to reach up to 160 psi. It has a dual-head design for both Presta and Schrader valves and comes with a needle adapter to fill up balls, etc. at home. It’s tall, which aids in not having to bend over so far, and has a sturdy, wide, and heavy base.

Topeak JoeBlow Sport 2 Stage vs Serfas FP-200

I emptied out my 700×38 gravel tires and did a comparison of Topeak JoeBlow Sport 2 Stage and the Serfas FP-200.

Round 1

Round 2

I found that the Serfas performed much better on the higher pressure end than did the JoeBlow Sport. However, as Topeak indicated, the JoeBlow outperformed the Serfas in lower pressures. In total, though, the final tallies were pretty negligible, with a difference of 3-5 pumps more using Serfas.

For me, whether or not to buy this pump really depends on what type of pressures you normally run. If you are riding a road bike, I wouldn’t see much difference. However, if you tend on lower pressures of 50 and below, the JoeBlow would help you save some pumping energy for your bike riding.

If you already have a pump at home, I think the difference is pretty negligible but if you are in the market for a new pump, and run lower pressures, the JoeBlow Sport 2 Stage would be a great pump for you.

Warranty

I compared this with my Serfas FP-200 pump I’ve had for quite a long time. I’ve always liked Serfas because of their warranty and how easy it is to walk into any shop that sells them without a receipt and get help with their lifetime warranty.

Topeak has a 2-year warranty but seems to have more requirements like a receipt.

Improvements

One thing I would love to see Topeak improve on is the presence of replacement parts online. Serfas’ webpage has a clearly marked replacement part category on its homepage and you can buy replacement parts for your pump easily on their site.

I couldn’t find this on Topeak’s website and it looks like calling customer service must be the way to go. I would love to see a more efficient process for purchasers to obtain replacement parts.

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Mounting & Weight

The Topeak VersaCage, which weighs in at a scant 4.5 ounces, comes with buckle straps and includes three VersaMount clamps just in case your forks don’t have braze-on’s or your bike lacks other areas on which to mount it.

Comparison with Blackburn Cages

Because not every cage is equal, I compared the Topeak VersaCage to the Blackburn cages I already own. Certainly, the Topeak VersaCage works for my gravel bike much better because the braze-on’s and screw holes are an exact match. That’s not the case with the Blackburn cages so I have to put it on the uppermost 2 braze-on’s or it won’t fit.

I do like the rounded shape of the Topeak VersaCage and I love that it comes with the VersaMounts. This would have been ideal for the last tour I did in Puerto Rico and when I had a bike that didn’t have fork braze-on’s. If that is your case, the Topeak VersaCage is for you and will help you get the braze-on’s you need.

The VersaCage’s straps are 27.25″ long, making them a little longer than Blackburn’s straps, which are 24″. With the longer straps of VersaCage, I was able to carry a larger sleeping pad with a 23.5″ circumference–something I couldn’t carry with the Blackburn straps. With that said, I could have still used a little longer straps.

Improvements

The one advantage the Blackburn had over the VersaCage was the no-slip texturizing in the straps. This could be an excellent added feature for the VersaCage in order to keep sleeping bags and the such from sliding as their straps are just material and nothing prevents slipping. If you have the straps around something larger, as I did, it can slip. I had to stop once to fix this on one occasion with a larger item in the VersaCage.

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The Boot

The Garmont Toubkal GTX is a higher boot, which hits a little above the ankle. It features an asymmetrical cuff, tongue and differential ankle pads for stability and comfort, a roomy toe box, precision lacing, double damper technology for shock absorption, a heel lock to avoid friction, a Gore-Tex waterproof upper, and a piece of rubber around most of the foot to protect the toes if encountering rocks. The tread is nice and chunky, and the soles are wide to help with traction on tough, rocky terrain.

Pros

Stability

To give these boots a true test, I decided to wear them on a hike that would test their stability and grip – 1100 ft straight down and ,1100 ft straight up with plenty of rocks and roots to traverse along the way. Although I wear tennis shoes a lot, the one downside to that is that I have weak ankles. Having damaged my ligaments as a child, and having many subsequent sprains throughout my life, my shaky ankles don´t always do well with descents and rocks. I was very pleased with the Garmont Toubkal GTX’s ankle support that the differential pads and overall design provide. Even when going down rocky descents, I didn’t feel my ankles would roll like they often do. Theses boots live up to their stability promise.

Fit

I have a very odd-shaped foot, a skinny heel and a much wider ball of my foot. The large toe box was sufficiently ample, and I had no pressure on my toe area, as I so often do. These boots run true to size (I usually wear a size 9) but I decided to go up a half-size to account for swelling. I had absolutely no fit issues. You can trust that your size will fit you with these boots.

Durability

I enjoyed the toe protection offered by the rubber wrap around the shoe. It was perfect to avoid stubbing a toe on rocks and roots. It very much reminds me of a rock-climbing shoe. If you do tough climbs with lots of rocks and debris, the Garmont Toubkal GTX boot as the protection you need.

Tread

The Garmont Toubkal GTX had great grip. Even going down a steep descent, I wasn’t sliding, and my feet stood firm. These boots would be great for rough terrain and even loose surfaces.

What Could Be Better

Temperature

I took these boots out on a hot summer day. While they do have breathability, for me, they were much warmer than tennis shoes. I think this “con” is a matter of preference. Perhaps this wouldn’t be something that bothers someone else. However, I am looking forward to getting these out on hikes in cooler months.

Waterproofing

Don’t get me wrong, waterproofability on a rainy day and in shallow water is a fantastic feature. However, on some hikes I have completed, I am in well-above ankle-deep water. Those adventures always make me question using waterproof boots. As soon as you get in deeper water, your boots will flood, and the water is trapped. I love tennis shoes since they dry quickly and the water has a way to escape. In these boots, I would worry about getting trench foot if wearing them too long when wet. However, if you are a hiker that doesn’t march through water frequently, (like those of us in the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’), this may not be a concern for you.

Overall Impression

In general, I was thoroughly impressed by the stability, comfort, and resilience of these boots. I love how wide the toe box is, as well as the toe protection when I run into rocks and tree roots. I didn’t think I would imagine hiking in the Garmont Toubkal GTX again after reviewing them, but it looks like I am going to have to line up some fall hikes to continue breaking these in, and I am looking forward to it.

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I’ve heard about Chrome’s previous jeans created for folks that wear women’s clothing and I heard varied reviews. Being a curvy woman with hips, thighs, and a booty, I knew I could give these pants a true test.

Features

The Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants, first and foremost, has 5 pockets; one rear pocket has a zipper. It is made of 4-way stretch cotton/nylon blend, it is quick-drying and has water/wind-resistant DWR, a reinforced waist and gusset, and a reflective stripe inseam that is exposed when you roll up the legs of your pants. They aren’t necessarily jeans, but also not pants, and seem as though they could work for a variety of occasions.

The Fit

Before deciding to test these, admittedly, I had it in my mind that the Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants probably wouldn’t fit, nor would they be comfortable. I primarily thought this because I have a booty, wide hips, and thighs, and I normally find that outdoor gear companies do not make clothing for my body type. In addition, I’d heard about Chrome’s previous women’s pants and that they weren’t the best fit.

However, I am elated that I kept an open mind because these pants fit me perfectly! I was astounded! They were sufficiently high on my waist that my cheeks don’t pop out when cycling or bending over and they fit the rest of my body perfectly – even when they were likely a little too tight due to some unwanted COVID-19 pounds.

They felt comfortable and stretchy, so they didn’t limit my movement when biking. They are also true to size, so you don’t need to worry about sizing up or down. Given their stretch, I think they are forgiving for sizing as well.

The Test

Pockets are the most notable here, and yes, they are sufficiently deep. The zip pocket is meant to be for cell phones and mine fit – even with the case (I have en iPhone SE and a wallet case). The front pockets are not as deep as men’s pant pockets but my hand did fit in them. They also feature the pocket watch pocket on the right front side.

I did wear these in the rain one day, and I can attest to Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants’ quick drying material. I didn’t have to sit in wet pants all day. Being that I got these in the fall, I wore them at the beginning of fall and winter. Due to their quick-dry nature, they are a bit thinner material and thus not the warmest. I would suggest they should not be worn below 40 degrees without another layer underneath. As I mentioned previously, the stretch is forgiving but if you don’t want these to be too tight and plan on wearing layers underneath, then you may want to consider sizing up. I tested them in the mid-20s and 30s and they are not sufficiently warm for those temperatures.

The roll-up reflective stripe cuffs are a nice feature for visibility and safety. The reinforced gusseted crotch is also a great attribute. It prevented that constant seam rub on the saddle and I’m hoping this results in a longer-lasting crotch, but I have yet to determine whether or not that is the case. However, it generally does allow for more freedom of movement.

Final Thoughts

All in all, and unexpectedly, I really loved the Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants. They are very comfortable and fit so well! They have fantastic features for cyclists and do not restrict riding movement. These pants would be perfect for the everyday commuter as their style could accommodate many different environments. Personally, I think I will be buying myself an extra pair, and I recommend you get one too!

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Let me tell you more about Endura’s wonderful lightweight and breathable rain jackets.

Materials

The Endura Urban Luminite Jacket II is made of a 2.5-layer waterproof fabric, has fully sealed seams but is amazingly lightweight and breathable. The breathability of Endura’s jackets has always astounded me – and yes, they still keep you very dry! This prevents you from feeling that, “I’m stuck in a sweaty plastic bag”-feeling. No one wants to be full of sweat in cooler weather. It is worth mentioning that the water repellent finish is also free of toxic PFCs.

Features

Another way the Endura Urban Luminite Jacket II helps to regulate body temperature are the zip underarm vents. Open them up to help you keep cool or zip them up when you are cold. This jacket features two large and microfleece-lined front pockets and one chest pocket. The back of the jacket is also longer to help cover your tush. However, if you need the back cinched and tighter, there are concealed hem adjusters in the pockets. It has a higher neck to keep your neck warm – this is a feature important to me. The velcro cuffs keep them tight around your gloves.

Visibility

There are two different colors for the Endura Urban Luminite Jacket II and I have the fluorescent yellow option (there is also a “Pacific Blue” color). Needless to say, I am hard to miss. If that wasn’t enough, there are also large reflective panels for nighttime visibility. The blue option does not appear to have these features. If visibility is what you are seeking, the yellow option is the most appropriate.

Earth-Friendly

I learned something new about Endura when I was reading the Endura Urban Luminite Jacket II’s tag – in order to help reduce waste, they offer a crash repair service where possible for their garments. (Upon further inspection, I see this is only available to consumers in the UK and EU, but if this applies to you, check it out here.) They give 1% of purchases to social, environmental and global causes as well as they pledge to plant at least 1 million trees this year for carbon offsets.

Missing Attributes

There are a couple of features that I noticed are missing from the Endura Urban Luminite Jacket II that you might want to consider when deciding on which Endura jacket to purchase. On this jacket, there is no rear pocket. For cycling, I enjoy rear pockets to shove extra items into without bulking up my stomach area while I’m pedaling. If this is important to you, their Xtract Jacket II does have this feature. Additionally, there is no hood on this jacket. I don’t prefer hoods on my cycling jackets but I do like them for hiking. Again, they do have other rain jackets with that feature.

All in all, I love Endura’s rain jackets. They’ve always kept me dry and allowed me to regulate my temperature so I can stay warm on rainy days. If you need a new rain jacket or you aren’t happy with your current jacket, check out these jackets, they will not disappoint.

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Note: this rack can be used for the front and the back. I had difficulties getting the rack attached to my front fork. It appears that my bike doesn’t have enough rake to make it work – that or I didn’t do it right. Alas, I set it up as a rear rack. I went on a good ride to my parents’ place with a lot of gear to test this rack’s carrying ability.

Features

The Old Man Mountain Classic Sherpa Rack is made of welded aluminum making it sturdy and light. It can hold up to 70 lbs of gear, includes a hole for mounting a reflector, and is powder-coated matte black. As many are aware, The Robert Axle Project acquired Old Man Mountain. Therefore, you will receive thru-axles or skewers specifically designed for your bike, whether a fat, mountain, gravel, or hybrid bike. You can find the appropriate kit for your bicycle by using Old Man Mountain’s Fit Kit Finder.

Attaching the Classic Sherpa rack

Setting up the Classic Sherpa Rack was a little more difficult than I prefer. It comes with several bags of hardware, (but they are nicely labeled and organized), and printed instructions. You can follow their setup videos on their website here. In addition, you are required to remove your wheel in order to use the thru-axle. This could be a bit easier if you have a skewer versus a thru-axle.

Hauling

My experience riding with this rack was great. I brought lots of gear with me and I fancy the extra bars on it to attach bungee cords. It is plenty wide to haul large items, and with the fewer points of contact with the bike, there was less chance for the screws to the braze-ons coming loose or jiggling. The rack is lightweight and didn’t add many extra more pounds to my other gear. Weighing in at 700 grams (1.54 lbs) without the kit hardware, that’s an extremely light rack for the amount of weight it can hold. For comparison, the Jannd Expedition rack, (75 lb carrying capacity), I used to own was 2.2 lbs. This isn’t a huge discrepancy, but a little less weight always helps!

Considerations

Set-up and Removal

I use racks sparingly. Therefore, on most of my endurance races and tours, I pack light and use soft packs. Occasionally, particularly when the weather gets colder, I have to carry a bulkier lower-rated sleeping bag. As a result, I like to use a rack I can pop on and off quickly. This is because, as soon as I finish my adventure, I remove my rack for my next ride. The Sherpa Rack was not the quickest removal and setup I’ve experienced. On the other hand, if you always have a rack, or need one for a long-term cycling tour, it could be ideal for you.

Best for Tubeless Setups

Tire setup is another element I would consider when purchasing this rack. The Classic Sherpa Rack is great for people with mountain, gravel, and fat bikes that don’t have braze-ons on the rear or front fork like on my Salsa Warbird. Since the rack requires a skewer or thru-axle, if you get a flat, you will need to remove the wheel. This results in a more cumbersome and timely tube change than normal and could get difficult when on the road. Thus, I believe the rack would be more suited to people who use tubeless setups – which many fat, gravel and mountain bike riders already do. Tubeless setups make it less likely you have to take the wheel off to fix a flat. In my opinion, this would be the ideal way in which to use this rack.

Conclusion

The Old Man Mountain Classic Sherpa Rack is perfect for riders that constantly use racks, are long-distance touring, or ride bikes without many braze-ons. Additionally, it best suits tubeless riders. The rack’s carrying capacity and lightweight is ideal for long tours. Its fewer contact points provides less opportunity for screws to come loose and racks to jiggle, keeping your ride smooth and silent. If you need to prepare for summer cycling adventures, the Sherpa Rack is a great start!

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I have always been a person who “sleeps cold”, and I was excited to wear the Cush slippers on a chilly Minnesota night to give theses booties a test.

The Slipper

The Baffin Cush Slippers are a fully insulated slipper, sole and all. They are sufficiently wide and have a toggle drawstring to tighten to the foot. The slip-resistant bottom is helpful when you are wearing these inside on linoleum or wood flooring. They can easily be kept clean as they are machine-washable.

The Test

The night I tested the Baffin Cush Slippers, the temperatures were in the 30s. I immediately put them on when I stepped foot in my tent, and I was ready to snooze. These slippers were toasty! My feet were very warm. To give it a true test, in the middle of the night, I kicked off one slipper and kept the other on for comparison. I noticed a bit more chill on the foot without the slipper. Soon enough, I stirred, and was happy to put on the slipper again. As warm as my feet were in these temps, I suspect they would maintain the heat in significantly colder temps.

Cozy House Shoes

While you can wear these camping, you can also use these as slippers around your house. I wore them inside for a bit and the slip-resistant soles worked great on my wood floors.

“Hot” Take

I enjoyed the Baffin Cush Slippers and can’t wait to use them on even colder campouts. They provided the heat I needed to have a restful night’s sleep. For me, I feel they are a bit too warm to be house shoes, but if you have cold tile floors, the warmth may be welcoming. If you enjoy camping in cooler weather and struggle with keeping warm like myself, I highly recommend these slippers.

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Unfortunately, having had surgery this past winter, I wasn’t doing many endurance rides. Now that summer has kicked in, and I’m back to cycling longer distances, I experimented with Tailwind during training rides, and I used it during my recent 650-B endurance race. 

In terms of sports/endurance drinks this past year, I’ve been using the Skratch Labs brand. It’s not too intense of a flavor and doesn’t feel overly sugary (Gatorade or Powerade is a bit too much, and it’s kind of yuck with all that coloring). I had a big Skratch Labs bag, so I was stuck with the orange flavor for a long time. It was nice to have the Tailwind packets and finally get to do a flavor mix up!

Tailwind Nutrition provided me with two starter kits both of which includes the Endurance and the Recovery fuel in all of the flavors.

Endurance Fuels

The Kit

The starter kit contain eight endurance fuels; Lemon, Naked Unflavored, Mandarin Orange, Berry, Colorado Cola, Tropical Buzz, Green Tea Buzz, and Raspberry Buzz. The kit also includes three recovery fuels; Chocolate, Coffee, and Vanilla. For those that like to get a caffeine boost during their endurance events, as you might have guessed, the cola, coffee, and anything with the word “buzz” includes caffeine.

Flavors

When I received the starter pack, I was most excited about the Colorado Cola flavor. I haven’t seen another Cola flavored endurance drink before, but I do love Stinger’s cola chews, so I was highly anticipating that flavor. It didn’t let me down. If you are near my age or older, and remember the cola-flavored Bottlecaps candy, this is precisely how the cola flavor tastes! I quite liked it, and when kept nice and cold, that flavor, as I suspected, was my top favorite.

I was most skeptical of the Green Tea Buzz and the Naked flavors. They didn’t sound like they would be that good. After giving them a try, I was surprised that the Green Tea ended up being another favorite of mine, and the Naked is merely sweet and salty – and that’s it! My other preference was the Lemon flavor. It was pleasant, unlike other lemon drinks I’ve had.

Tailwind Claims

There are a few things to note about Tailwind Nutrition that are important to some of us consumers.

Vegan and Natural

All the fuels are all clear when mixed. Thus, you know you aren’t getting artificial ingredients. Tailwind Nutrition claims to be “clean and light with a mouth feel as close to water as you can get while still meeting your nutrition needs.” As Tailwind indicates, the flavors are mild and not overly sweet. I did find them to be light, and I like that they don’t have coloring.

They didn’t leave a heavy, lingering taste in my mouth. Like most endurance fuels, they have that sweet and salty taste – the perfect combination, I think. During my endurance race, I got lazy for a minute and didn’t want to dig more packs of Tailwind out of my rear pack to refuel, so I bought a Powerade instead. I regretted it shortly after and ended up dumping it out and stopping to find my Tailwind packet after all.

No “Gut Bombs”

Given Tailwind’s natural ingredients, they state that one will not experience “gut bombs.” In essence, no yucky tummy problems from artificial ingredients. I did not find myself with any “gut bombs” while using Tailwind. However, I don’t think I’ve personally experienced that with other endurance fuels (other than something like Powerade or junk like that). My tummy felt great the entire time, and I didn’t notice any GI upset.

Your Only Fuel?

Tailwind Nutrition states that you could easily use their fuel the entire time of a race. In a long endurance or multi-day race, I don’t find that this is enough for me. I need substance and real food. Usually, I have regular meals, and I drink a certain amount of endurance fuel/solid fuel per hour. I like to have something to munch on, so I don’t think that I could only do the endurance fuel for an entire race.

Recovery Fuels

Tailwind notes that they don’t add protein to their endurance drink because it’s proven not to improve performance. That aspect does not bother me, as protein was never a feature I sought in my endurance fuels. However, they do make some recovery fuels that one can use after their rides.

I want to preface this section by noting a few things about myself. I don’t regularly enjoy protein-type beverages. I find them a little too chalky, and I mainly eat healthily and don’t focus too much on “recovery” beverages. I do use protein powder at home, and I have only enjoyed a protein powder that I buy at my local coop, which has no artificial ingredients, and I blend it into smoothies. I’ve never liked any protein powder that is mixed only with water or milk. The texture gets me every time. That said, I was still willing to give Tailwind’s recovery drinks a try.

Flavors

The Recovery Fuels have three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. I was most excited about the coffee because, if you didn’t notice from my favorite endurance drink above, I’m a coffee/caffeine junky. After a cold training ride where I got stuck in a downpour, I decided to mix the chocolate and coffee, heat almond milk on the stove, and make a recovery mocha to warm myself up.

Taste and Texture

Unfortunately, the taste and texture of the recovery drink was a miss for me. I found it to be a little chalky, but I also was a little surprised that the recovery drinks are also “sweet and salty.” I’m used to protein powders, only being “sweet.” That threw me off a bit. The way I enjoyed the beverage the most was in the mocha I made. I also made smoothies, but I think the salty taste in the recovery fuel got to me. However, as that is a unique trait (as far as I know), some people may find they enjoy that, which would be their reason for using Tailwind. Different strokes!

Unique features

On the Recovery Fuel packets, they have a dividing line where you can place your finger and shake the package to divide it into two different servings. Though it’s not rocket science, and we could do the same with any other type of packet, I hadn’t even thought of it before I saw it on their pack! Credit where credit is due – Tailwind Nutrition taught me something new!

Environmentally Friendliness

I’m always trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible. It can be challenging during bikepacking and endurance racing. I love that Tailwind Nutrition sells assorted eight packs so you can rotate flavors. Frequently I find myself becoming tired of the same taste over and over. On the other hand, they do sell bigger packets of 50 serving-size for those that don’t have that issue. The only downside about the assorted flavor packets is that I feel I’m more wasteful. This isn’t limited to Tailwind Nutrition, and I’m sure it has a lot to do with health codes, etc. However, as part of the endurance athlete community, I hope companies can eventually come up with more environmentally-friendly packaging. I would most certainly invest in those products.

Measuring Up: Tailwind Nutrition vs Skratch Labs

To provide a comparison of Tailwind nutrition versus another brand, I will compare the caloric values to my Skratch Labs fuel I have at home with the Mandarin Orange Tailwind packet with a serving (for a 12-16oz bottle) of Skratch Labs.

Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel

• 1 Serving (27g – a half packet) provides 100 calories, 25g carbohydrate, 25g sugar, 303mg sodium, 26mg calcium, 88mg potassium, and 14mg magnesium.
• Ingredients: Non-GMO Dextrose (Glucose), Non-GMO Sucrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sea Salt, Organic Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Organic Caffeine (Caffeinated flavors only) – Gluten-free/vegan/no soy/no dairy/non-GMO

Skratch Labs

• 1 Scoop – (22g) provides 80 calories, 20g carbohydrate, 19g sugar, 380mg sodium, 46.3mg calcium, 38.5mg potassium, 40.1mg magnesium.
• Ingredients: Can Sugar, Dextrose, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Oranges, Magnesium Lactate, Calcium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid. – Gluten/dairy-free/vegan, kosher, non-GMO certified.

Analysis

The ingredients are very similar, with different amounts to each. You get a bit more sodium in Skratch Labs and calcium and magnesium, but less potassium. All of these are good for intracellular function, but I’ve read some, and it appears you don’t lose as much magnesium, calcium, or potassium as you do sodium. So I’m not sure the difference matters. Magnesium lactate and citrate are absorbed quickly by the body, but I did note that lactate (in Skratch Labs) can have some warnings for people with heart or kidney disease.

With regards to calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, it also seems that carbonate (used in Tailwind) is a smaller structure that packs in more calcium than calcium carbonate. It yields about twice the amount of elemental calcium as equal amounts of calcium citrate. As such, perhaps this is why Skratch Labs has a more significant amount. It appears for calcium supplements; carbonate is the way to go.

Interestingly, when I went to look for more about potassium supplements, I found this article stating potassium citrate is a better choice for sports drinks that chloride due to stomach upset. I’m stumped. I am not a scientist, so I cannot speak to this, but I can say I didn’t have stomach upset with either of these drinks. 

How It Started

Tailwind Nutrition’s business had an interesting start. Though not 100% women-owned, it started when Jeff Vierling found himself sick after the Leadville 100 and indicated continually having issues with fuel during rides. It prompted him to research extensively and come up with his own line of endurance beverages. His partner, Jenny, is also part-owner, and I’m guessing she took a significant role in early product testing.

Will I use it again?

I quite enjoyed Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel. It did as it claimed, and I enjoyed the flavors. I think I will be adding them to my repertoire of endurance fuels, if not switching to them completely. I will stick to assorted flavors, and I wonder if Tailwind will add new flavors to their lineup eventually? I hope so. It will keep us all interested and coming back for more.

The post Tailwind Nutrition Endurance & Recovery Fuel Review appeared first on gritandgearonline.com.

There are a lot of great options in the sleeping bag category but I have not yet found one that is perfect. I tend to roll around in the night like I am working through the positions of a hot yoga class. When it gets cold enough to zip up a bag, I generally wake up tangled up like a pretzel and sweating like I am in a sweat hut at some kind of executive leadership retreat.

The hood is surprisingly useful and a feature that I use much more than I anticipated. When it is cold you can stay warm AND you can breathe. Not a bad combo…

When I keep the bag unzipped to get the freedom I need, I wake up shivering because I always manage to roll out of the bag. Once that happens it usually means I will be worming around to get barely comfortable or worse, getting out of my tent/hammock to re-situate. Talk about frustrating. The Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt addresses all of those complaints. 

What I Liked

Design

It took a little getting used to but once I figured it out there were a lot of things to like. The Nitro Quilt fits a single person. (You could try to fit two people, but it would be rather…intimate). The basic layout is similar to a sleeping bag with the zipper pulled up around mid-calf. It lies on top of the sleeper – like, you know, a quilt.

The inside of the Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt showcases the integrated hood and pockets for hands – two great features for keeping the quilt where you need it to get a good night’s sleep.

The insulated hand/arm pockets and the footbox work together keep the quilt in place and mostly sealed against drafts. The upper portion of the quilt has plenty of room. I do not wake up chilled or uncomfortable nearly as often. In especially cold conditions, the integrated hood is indispensable for sleeping comfortably. A sleeping pad or liner on the outside of a hammock is essential. If temps dip below 50 degrees – it had best be a good one. 

Specs

Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 800/20 has outstanding insulation vs. weight qualities. The total weight of the quilt comes in at 708 grams / 1 lb 9 oz. When I have the mandatory sleeping pad or hammock liner, the 800-loft DriDown is simply fabulous for temperatures down to around 36 °F / 2 °C (Additional gear is highly advisable for lower temperatures).  There is simply no other solution that surpasses down for weight, warmth, compressibility, durability and cost. 

The Breakdown   

• EN Limit Temp Rating: 21F / -6C
• EN Comfort Temp Rating:  32F / 0C
• Fill Weight: 14.8 oz / 420g
• Minimum Weight: 1lb 9oz / 708 g
• Fits Up To: 6′ 3″ / 190.5 cm
• Length: 75in / 191 cm
• Shoulder Circumference: 56″ / 142 cm
• Hip Circumference: 56″ / 142 cm
• Footbox Circumference: 40″ / 102 cm
• Mesh Storage Bag Size (LxW): 20 x 12″ / 51 x 31 cm
• Stuff Sack Size (L x W): 13 x 7″ / 33 x 17.8cm

Materials

The 15 denier, nylon, ripstop fabric is very lightweight – though not particularly resilient. The compromise between weight and durability has merit for a piece of gear that needs to be ultralight. The fabric is quite thin which makes sleeping under the quilt quite pleasant. Caution is important when using it for anything but sleeping. However, it can easily tear if it is caught on something like a sharp edge. Once those precious down feathers go flying, good luck getting them back in.

Construction

Chambers in the Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 800/20 separate and contain the down. Though some have complained about it, I have had no problems with clumping. If that happens, I will probably just throw the quilt into my dryer for 20 minutes with a tennis ball or two. As with most down items, storage is key. Keeping the quilt in its stuff sack for the least amount of time possible should reduce that issue. 

Storage is key for any item that contains insulation – but especially for expensive down. Give it room to breathe and it will reward you by keeping you warm for years.

Size

One of my favorite aspects of Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 800/20 are the dimensions. For me (6’1” / 200 lbs) it is roomy and comfortable.

Getting a good night’s sleep is much easier. Only one size is available but since it is made to sleep underneath, I think that folks with a smaller frame will like it just as much as I do. However, anyone taller than me may want to check one of these out in person to make sure they can be accommodated.

DriDown

If you ever find yourself in the mood to ruffle some feathers (see what I did there?), simply sit down beside a campfire and say: “treated vs. untreated down.” There is rarely a shortage of opinions and you will hear most of them. Science is my guide in any debate that does not involve s’mores. I have studied the topic in depth and concluded that treated down is safe, effective, and likely to be as, or more, durable than the alternative.

Words like “hydrophobic“ and “polymer” may seem a bit intimidating, but consider that the down that a goose grows is naturally both hydrophobic and a biopolymer. Treating it simply restores (most of) the qualities that are lost when the down is (necessarily) cleaned during manufacturing. I have spent many long hours researching this topic and the claims made by the manufacturers are backed by legitimate data. 

We are all human…and kind of gross

When we sleep our bodies release moisture through respiration and perspiration. Some of that will find its way to the down in any sleeping system and will reduce the loft (air space) which, in turn, reduces the insulating ability of the down. Nobody argues that. It is also widely accepted that treating the down all but eliminates that issue. The contrarian folks (who I love!) generally ask, “Why improve something already so great?” and “Will it last as long?”

My thoughts are simple: Innovation is why our society exists (think – fire/wheel/vaccination) and that I have found no reason (none/zip/zilch) to suspect that making the down more resilient to moisture will do anything but add to the longevity. Moisture leads to mold, and mold and our body oils/goo are the greatest enemies of down. Basically, treat any kind of down lovingly and it will last for decades. Period. (Come to think of it, do that for all the people in your life as well and your friendships will last even longer.)

Weight. With 800 loft down and weighing in at 1lb 9oz / 708 g, the Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt is an item that I would classify as ultralight. It packs down so small that, when I take it out and watch the down pop right back up, I am always a little floored. The weight vs. insulation vs. size ratio is nothing short of remarkable. 

What I did not like / What could be better

Not a Liner

In a hammock anything you lie upon is compressed, reducing its insulating ability substantially. A great strategy is to attach an exterior liner to the bottom of the hammock. When I expect cold weather, I pack a liner specifically. However, when temperatures are cool but not especially frigid, I prefer to use a thinner layer on top, and employ my thicker insulation as the liner. Having both means I can switch it up as needed.

Unfortunately, the design of the nitro quilt does not lend itself to that purpose. More flexibility means less gear to carry and that always makes me happy. It would be nice to have the ability to spread the quilt out and attach it to the exterior of my hammock.

Sizes

I slide into the Nitro Quilt as if it were tailored specifically for me – which is fortunate because there is only one option. Folks with different sized frames might appreciate some size options. Since it is meant to be slept under, rather than within, this is unlikely to be a problem for most, but it might be nice to have at least a couple choices. (Like sleeping bags).

Bottom Line

The Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 800/20 is my go-to when it is cold and I am in a tent, and is pretty much mandatory when I am in a hammock. With my penchant for nighttime sleep-dancing, the freedom of movement alone improves my sleep substantially. It is an excellent product that I expect will be in my arsenal for a long, long time. 

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