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Forsake Patch Sneakerboot Review

By
Jordan Curet
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0

Sometimes I forget the best gear investments are for your feet. Despite the fact I have top performance ski boots and fishing boots, I don’t always consider the value in a pair of everyday shoes, opting for slip-ons and flip flops as frequently as possible. The other hindrance to good footwear, is that often the most functional is not the most fashionable. There are few things more useful in a mountain town than a boot that checks both those boxes. Since I slipped on a pair of Forsake Patch boots in January, I have worn them almost every day since.

forsake patch sneaker boot review

Forsake makes premium leather all-terrain boots, and the Forsake Patch is no exception. Except that instead of looking like a sturdy and purposeful boot, it’s the latest trend in winter footwear, a sneakerboot. A sneakerboot combines outdoor technology with urban styling, making them rugged and chic whether on muddy hiking trails or city streets.

The molded EVA outsole provides more traction and support than the regular sole of a sneaker. Forsake uses their patented Peak-to-Pavement™ traction which allows this boot to transition from urban adventures into the mountains, providing even footing on variable terrain. My first solid test was a tradeshow in the snow, where I was on my feet for 12 hours and moving from inside to out on icy pavement frequently. The supportive structure between the insole and outsole diminished the load on my feet and calves. And at the end of the day, while others rubbed their aching feet, I was perfectly comfortable in the Patch.

Not that there was copious snow to contend with this winter, but when the flakes stacked up the over-the-ankle cuff kept out the slush. The Patch also has a gusseted tongue. This is the material in the space between the lace eyelets and the tongue, keeping out any water and debris that should it make it to top of the foot. Whether trekking across town, or just scraping snow from the car, the Forsake’s stayed warm and dry and the uber grippy sole likely prevent more than a couple of falls on the ice.

db9ca65b-f6f5-42d4-b948-c03c59132459As the seasons swap, and the temps rise the breathability and moisture-wicking mesh lining is key. While being waterproof, my feet didn’t get stuffy and to top it off there is an antimicrobial finish to keep them smelling fresh no matter how many miles you put in them.

Though the boot runs a little big for sizing (i.e. consider sizing down), I had no other complaints. From the concrete jungle of New York City to the cobblestones of Aspen, these boots fit stylishly into any setting I took them. And with mud season looming I am not worried about rain and mud, so bring on the puddles. The Forsake Patch is a modern take on the classic tyrolean lace-up, with all the technology of the outdoors and the style of the city. Comfortable and versatile, this rugged boot is ready to take on the world.

 

5 Summer Outdoor Essentials

By
Jordan Curet
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0
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Summer is officially here and what does that mean? Time to get on the water. From fishing to floating there is a current for everyone. Here are a few of the necessary summer accessories to get you on the water in style.

1. Polarized Pit Vipers

IMG_3211-Edit_1024x1024Pit Viper, our favorite après sunglass brand finally has a model that is river ready. Polarized Pit Vipers can really take your North Star float to the next level in terms of fashion, as the rainbow mirror makes them easily the raddest lens on the water. But what about function? They are trout tested and approved to cut through the worst glare while you are hunting fish on the Roaring Fork.

2. Decibullz

519DvJ0wvlL._SX425_Whether you are looking to SUP up the river for a workout or head downstream for days, it is nice to have some tune along the way. The answer is Decibullz wireless headphones because everyone around you doesn’t always want to enjoy your music taste. They mold to your ear, so you don’t have to worry about them falling out. The headphones are sweat proof and water resistant, so just avoid any cannonballs into the deep and your songs will last all day long.

3. Ruffwear Float Coat

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The river is a dog’s best friend too, so when you are headed out with your furry friends don’t forget the Ruffwear Float Coat. I tested this one against several models, because it’s not just gear, but can be a lifesaver. The Float Coat is sturdier and more buoyant than all its competition, with floatation right under a dog’s chest. The bright colors and reflective trim make it easy to spot, and the handle on the back lets you haul your pup onboard with no problem.

4. Hala Straight Up

downloadIf you are looking for a paddleboard that can do a little bit of everything, the Hala Straight Up is the answer to it all. This is the board for upriver workouts, long distance tours on lakes, downriver rapids and you can even try it out in the surf (Glenwood Springs). Hala Gear SUPs are made locally in Steamboat Springs, so they know every condition the waterways of Colorado have to offer.

5. Ice Mule

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No matter what activity you prefer when you hit the water, these hot days call for cold beverages. And there is no better way to keep your drink frosty than the Ice Mule insulated dry-bag cooler. On any river trip space seems to always be at a premium, so leave your big box cooler on the shore and rollup an Ice Mule to clip right onto your craft. Cheers and set sail for on whatever fits your fancy- a lake, reservoir, pond, river, stream or channel.

Spirited Away in Mexico

By
Jordan Curet
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0

There are a few places in the world where the conditions align perfectly to make different liquors- Duoro Valley of Portugal, the wine grown in rocky hills of Napa or France. Likewise, it takes a combination of the right soil, elevation, and weather for Blue Weber to become what we know as tequila. Just two hours east of Guadalajara, in the highlands of Jalisco, the perfect confluence of conditions comes together in Atotonilco El Alto.

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Atotonilco means “place of hot waters” names for the hot springs that bubble up just above the town, and then join a creek as it flows right through the heart of the town. Called the Taretan springs, legend claims that the waters have healing properties. This means there is water table beneath the surface, extending through the region. Combined with the arid, volcanic soil that nurtures agave, it is no wonder that Don Julio, Patron, Siete Leguas, and Suerte Tequila distilleries are found here.jbvhb

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The town itself feels like a step back in time. Like all European and Hispanic cities, it grows outward from a central square with a church that towers above everything else. At night the square comes to life with live music, churro carts and people of all ages gathered. During the day the market adjacent to the square bustles with shoppers looking for local produce. The narrow streets wind toward the hills with brightly painted stucco walls.

As you exit the narrow winding streets, hemmed in by brightly painted stucco walls, you get a view of the red soil of the valley walls sloping upward. Every inch of soil has been neatly manicured into rows of massive agave plants. Often confused with a cactus, probably due to the spikes on its leave, the agave is in fact a desert succulent. Due to the cooler climate, agave mature slowly here, taking up to 8 years. When they are finally ready to be harvested they can be 6 feet tall and weigh up to a few hundred pounds.

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Once harvested the heart of the agave, or piñas, are cut and thrown into an adobe oven, or horno, where they cook for 52 hours to break down the sugars. Once ready they are then crushed to release the flavors. At the Suerte Tequila distillery, this is done with a 2 ton volcanic stone called a Tahona, that slowly spins over the crushed piñas for 16 hours.

Review: One Eleven SWII Solar Powered Watch

By
Jordan Curet
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0

I don’t immediately think of needing a watch in the backcountry. It’s a time for disconnecting and enjoying nature. But let’s be honest, no matter how off the grid we are, it’s always crucial to be aware of the time for your own safety. And what if that watch required you to get outside more often to power itself? The entire line from One Eleven watches is completely solar powered, but the SWII takes on sustainability at every aspect. The One Eleven SWII is a solar watch powered by outdoor adventure!

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The face of every One Eleven watch is a solar panel capturing natural light for power, it will also capture artificial light but not as well. The solar-powered movement at the core of the watch continually charges. The SWII battery runs for ten years, like all One Eleven watch batteries. This watch is meant to stick with you for the long haul, and not produce waste by needing to toss out an old battery and replace it.
The watch is also made of 85% reclaimed materials. Plastic is one worst pollutants on the planet, especially single or limited use but the environmentally friendly plastic case is built of castor bean oil byproduct. The nylon strap is created from recycled plastic water bottles, making it one of the most sustainable watches in the world. And to top it off the box it comes in is made from recycled materials as well, and can then be recycled as a paper product.
Despite being made from reused products, ie trash, it has a simple aesthetic. The solar face is solid colors, but comes in four options, and is designed with clean lines and a compass pattern. The same compass, the logo for One Eleven Watches, is repeated on the nylon strap. My first thought of a nylon strap reminds me of 90’s watches, but this one is durable, comfortable and elegant. This is a watch you don’t need to take off- it is perfect for adventures but still looks great for a casual event or a night on the town.

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Personally, my favorite feature is that it is waterproof up to ATM. And while I am not planning on scuba diving with it, this means I can keep it on for all my water sports. On the river, I never know what time it is, or how fast we are floating. Now SWII means I can keep track of the time while recharging the solar component at the same time.
What I like best about this watch though, is that it is intentionally “low tech.” I don’t need all my text messages and constant notifications showing up on my wrist, instead, it’s a simple reminder to enjoy what we are outside to do. And at the end of the day, aren’t we all solar powered? Getting out into the sunshine and fresh mountain air recharges us too.

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AxisGo: Professional Underwater Shots From Your Phone

By
Jordan Curet
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0

Phones and water have always been a dangerous mix. As a photographer, I have always been tempted to bring my phone to the river’s edge to capture photos, and more than once the river has ended up with my phone. A watertight housing for my DSLR costs more than the several-thousand-dollar camera I would put in it and risks water damage to my livelihood. The AxisGO, made by AquaTech, provides an incredible solution to upgrade my iPhone into a professional-grade underwater camera.

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AquaTech is well known for creating products that protect cameras against the harshest environments and withstand the elements. The AxisGO, designed originally for surfers and divers, is no different. The case is rugged and impact-resistant yet lightweight. The case is closed by a single locking mechanism that is secure but easy to use. A hard-coated polycarbonate membrane allows full touchscreen control, so you can still swipe and zoom and answer a call if you need to (with surprising audio quality). The housing is a little bit bigger than you might expect from a phone case. At 4.9” x 7.9” x 1.4″ it looks almost like a tablet case at first. But the brackets snuggly grip the phone in place, and you are ready to hit the water.

The interchangeable lens port allows a variety of lenses to be used, from wide-angle to domes for split shots where subjects are in focus above and below the water. The lens is made of optically correct glass elements with anti-reflective and hydrophobic coatings. Using the built-in camera app, the crystal-clear glass of the AxisGO improves the quality of the camera phone, capturing tack-sharp imagery. Use the volume buttons, just like you would on your phone normally, or attach the trigger, making it more ergonomic.

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The Ultra-Wide 6″ Dome Port is a bubble lens that shows a “fisheye” 140-degree field of view, and since it holds the water away from the lens, you can capture stunning split-shot photos showing above and below the surface. One of my favorites has been shots of fish as they swim out of a net on the river; the detail is incredible. And for those looking to go deeper than our local rivers, the AxisGO can shoot at depths down to 33 feet.jcuret-4997

For those looking to jump into the deep end, pun intended, get the Over-Under Kit for $525. But if you just want to dip your toes in, start with just the case and standard lens for $199. Considering a housing for my DSLR would cost over $1,000, the AxisGO is a screaming deal to get underwater photography shots.IMG_5192

The Warmest Winter Gear for Gals

By
Jordan Curet
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0
Your chances of surviving the cold winter days and nights are much better if you’re bundled up, here is the gear you need to stay warm this winter.

Your chances of surviving the cold winter days and nights are much better if you’re bundled up, here is the gear you need to stay warm this winter.Winter finally arrived in the Rockies, and with it temperatures have plummeted there is some gear you need to stay warm this winter. From your extremities to your core, your chances of surviving the cold winter days and nights are much better if you’re are bundled up.  So, as the long icy chill sets in over town, these are a few of the must have accessories to keep you warm and toasty.

1. Le Bent Snow Light Aztec

Le Sock from Le BentWhether you are shredding the slopes or hiking the snowy trails, you need to keep your feet happy. With warm toes, just about anything is bearable in the snow. The silky-smooth socks from Le Bent are the answer to your frosty feet. The Le Sock Snow Light Aztec is a performance wool sock with a precision fit. It provides light cushioning under the foot and on the shin. The elastics and stitching provide targeted support in the instep, ankle and Achilles, not to mention the Memory Stretch, which molds to your foot every time you pull Le Sock on. Le Bent has keep you incredibly warm, dry, and stink free, what more could you need for cold adventures in the mountains.

2. Sh*t That I Knit Hat

STIK_Ladd_Black_1024x1024_1d1b40d8-0da9-4029-b231-59324e575a96_1024x1024If the winter goal is the stay toasty, then you can’t be losing heat through your head. Enter the beanie that will change your lifestyle, the Ladd from Sh*t That I Knit. Though the company is a one-woman operation in Boston, the hats are knit but women in Lima, Peru, giving them the opportunity to make a living while staying home with their children. The Ladd is 100% Peruvian merino wool and is cozy, comfortable and not itchy. It can be worn to ski or to sip cacao and everything in between. The beanie has a removable fur pom-pom (with faux or raccoon) to style up your look as you transition from shredding to après.

3. Binz Bottle

51So+G3XLXL._SL1000_Chairlift rides and long skins can get chilly and there is nothing better to instantly warm you up than a hot drink. Using vacuum insulation technology, the Binz Bottle guarantees to keep your cocoa heated for 13 hours. Piping hot coffee in the morning means piping hot coffee in the afternoon. There is never any condensation or heat transfer so you don’t have to worry about popping it in your pack or your coat, easily accomplished with its sleek design. BPA-free, and toxin-free the Binz comes with a lifetime warranty. So it can keep going in the cold just as long as you do.

4. Rumpl

rumplAt the end of a long day in the snow, there is nothing better than bundling up by the fire. The Rumpl blanket uses the same technical materials found in sleeping bags and puffy jackets. Using sustainably sourced grey duck down for insulation there us literally nothing cozier. And the weather-resistant DWR-treated nylon shell makes it perfect to wrap up at the truck after a big peak and only weighs 1.4 pounds so it’s easy to pack up and take to the hut. No matter where your days take you the Rumpl provides optimal warmth whether indoors or outside.

Redington Sonic-Pro Waders Review

By
Jordan Curet
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0
http://brandonhuttenlocher.com
http://brandonhuttenlocher.com
http://brandonhuttenlocher.com

With temperatures cooling toward those crisp fall days, it’s time to get back on the river and fish. It was time to upgrade my waders, which had a slow leak, letting in just enough water to be miserable and soggy by the end of the day. The new Redington Sonic-Pro waders were designed specifically for women. The new design has a four-layer construction for ultimate waterproof durability. So I hooked on a pair and hit the water.

 

The overall fit of the Redington Sonic-Pro waders was impeccable. Let’s be honest, I usually feel like I am slipping into an oversized garbage bag cinched at the waist. I am going to use a word I am not sure has ever been associated with waders – flattering. While the waders still fit all my necessary base layers, they have restructured the seams to women’s body shapes. The material is smooth, and surprisingly quiet, with just enough flex to make moving around the bank a lot easier. The stretch side panels have just enough give to all the flexibility I need to net fish and retrieve my flies from trees. An added bonus of the reduction in volume is that the whole thing rolls down and fits into a compression stuff sack and makes it easy to travel with (pro tip: make sure its dry first).

http://brandonhuttenlocher.com
http://brandonhuttenlocher.com

 

The upgrade to 4mm booties is a dream come true. I didn’t realize what my feet were missing out on with 3mm, but the difference is undeniable. Nothing against Redington, but my undersized feet did not fit the booties well, with an excess of neoprene escaping the top of my boots. This forces some finagling before I can walk very far, but once in place stays there. My absolute favorite feature, on both warm and cold days, is the fleece kangaroo pouch pocket on the front for warming up your hands, like an old-school winter muff. And the real proof of just how indispensable the booties and the handwarmer pocket will come in January, on the Frying Pan when I am able to cast for a couple extra hours.

 

Other than the fleece pocket, there are two other chest pockets, a zippered outer pocket and an open-topped mesh inner pouch. The inner pouch has a detachable waterproof bag for your phone and a key clip. Though getting away from any “flattering” adjectives, I used this inner pocket for a box of flies, keeping them handy all day. Then put my phone in the zippered front, because even though I use fishing to disconnect, you still have to get the shot. The combo use of the pockets led to a bulky protrusion off the front of the waders, but didn’t hamper my maneuverability at all.

 

http://brandonhuttenlocher.com
http://brandonhuttenlocher.com

The Redington Sonic-Pro waders have a combination of waterproof yet breathable. This equalizes hot temperatures by the time the sun hit its zenith, up against chilly temps underfoot. But between the extra cozy booties and the breathable membrane of the fabric, I was able to balance my core temps and stay out on the river all day. These waders were made for women that fish all types of water, and have thought of all the features to make every day on the river comfortable so you can focus on nothing but the fish.

 

Cusa Tea: Premium Instant Tea for Adventure

By
Jordan Curet
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0
Currently available in six flavors, Cusa Tea offers a taste and style of premium instant tea to suit any tea drinker. Made only from pure tea and real fruit or spices, each flavor achieves its smooth and balanced taste without the use of additives, fillers, preservatives or sugar.
Currently available in six flavors, Cusa Tea offers a taste and style of premium instant tea to suit any tea drinker. Made only from pure tea and real fruit or spices, each flavor achieves its smooth and balanced taste without the use of additives, fillers, preservatives or sugar.

Over the years of camping, backpacking, overnight SUPing, I have developed a habit for a hot drink in the morning. As the outdoor industry has grown, coffee has developed from cowboy coffee to French press to instant brews and elaborate pour overs. Coffee is not always my drink of choice, however carrying around tea bags is inconvenient. They have exterior packaging to be packed out, as well as once your tea has steeped you are left with a soggy wad of tea to stow in your bag and carry back to civilization. Enter Cusa Tea, a premium instant tea. My mornings in the backcountry just improved infinitely.

 

 

Easy to pack for the backcountry.
Easy to pack for the backcountry.

Tea is nothing new, it’s been brewing for close to 4000 years. So I found it hard to believe that Cusa Tea had reinvented the wheel, using modern day technology. They use what they call a Cold Steep Technology, something similar to cold brewing coffee. This process uses room temperature water and pressure to “brew” the tea over 8 hours to extract all the flavor. Then they vacuum dehydrate the cold brew, to concentrate the tea until it will instantly dissolve in hot or cold water

 

I’m not sure what I expected instant tea to taste like. My experience with instant coffee has been “well that tastes like coffee, but not good coffee” and I drink it because its all there is. This is not the experience with Cusa Tea, it tastes like the bold flavors of the loose leaf tea I steep and press at home. But instead of waiting for the boiling water to work its magic, Cusa Tea is brewed to perfection in just three seconds.

 

Cusa Tea uses organic ingredients with no additives, fillers, or sugar. They have six organic flavors, including English Breakfast, Oolong,  and Green tea. But my personal favorite is the Spicy Chai, which combines Cinnamon, Cardamom, spicy Black Pepper and Ginger for a real wake-me-up flavor and the spices that are so cozy in fall.

 

Tea ready no matter where you are at sunrise.
Tea ready no matter where you are at sunrise.
Made from organic ingredients with no additives, fillers, or sugar, it's incredible tea that can be made in three seconds, hot or cold.
Made from organic ingredients with no additives, fillers, or sugar, it’s incredible tea that can be made in three seconds, hot or cold.

 

Tea is nothing new, it’s been brewing for close to 4000 years. So I found it hard to believe that Cusa Tea had reinvented the wheel, using modern day technology. They use what they call a Cold Steep Technology, something similar to cold brewing coffee. This process uses room temperature water and pressure to “brew” the tea over 8 hours to extract all the flavor. Then they vacuum dehydrate the cold brew, to concentrate the tea until it will instantly dissolve in hot or cold water

 

I’m not sure what I expected instant tea to taste like. My experience with instant coffee has been “well that tastes like coffee, but not good coffee” and I drink it because its all there is. This is not the experience with Cusa Tea, it tastes like the bold flavors of the loose leaf tea I steep and press at home. But instead of waiting for the boiling water to work its magic, Cusa Tea is brewed to perfection in just three seconds.

 

Cusa Tea uses organic ingredients with no additives, fillers, or sugar. They have six organic flavors, including English Breakfast, Oolong,  and Green tea. But my personal favorite is the Spicy Chai, which combines Cinnamon, Cardamom, spicy Black Pepper and Ginger for a real wake-me-up flavor and the spices that are so cozy in fall.

 

The perfect pairing for Cusa Tea is their 12oz double-walled vacuum insulated travel mug. The copper plating on the inner wall slows temperature transfer, keeping the heat in or our depending on I your tea is hot or iced. Cusa Tea touts that this mug keeps drinks warm for 8 hours, though I can’t confirm as I drink my tea long before that. The handle makes it easy to clip onto any backpack and ready to travel. My one complaint, it doesn’t fit in a cup holder in my car. But this is possibly for the best as it makes me drive slower for fear of pouring boiling tea all over the car.

 

The packet is 4 inches by one inch, and folds up flat once its empty. It’s a minimal amount to pack out, unlike traditional tea bags. To make a drink tear open the tea-stick, pour it into a cup, add 12-14oz water, and watch your tea dissolve. A slight variation for iced tea, dissolve the tea with a small amount of warm water, then add cold water and ice. It’s impossible to oversteep, you get a perfect cup every time.

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