Gear Review

The iPod Touch is basically and iPhone without the phone and GPS capabilities. The Dual Electronics GPS Cradle give the iPod Touch the ability to receive a GPS signal and greatly extends the battery life. Just slide the iPod touch into the cradle, fire up your GPS app and you're ready to go. The GPS cradle is rechargeable and comes with an AC and DC (car) charger. Take a look at some of these apps.

SeaLife recently released the Reef Master Mini II, a great improvement on the original released two years ago. The Reef Master Mini II is waterproof to 130 feet and shockproof up to 6 feet. It's made for SCUBA divers, snorkelers, river rafters, paddlers and anyone who needs a bomb proof camera.

Reef Master Mini 2 Front

Pearl Izumi Peak XC Trail Running Shoe

This review has been a long time coming. I originally wanted to start fresh and take the Merrell 40 day Barefoot Challenge. This challenge gets you started with the basics, then has you running 1.5 miles in shoes after 40 days. I was able to keep this up for a week and I got too busy. I've been meaning to try it out, but I thought I would write a review based on the average wearer of the shoe.

The Sperry Top-Sider SON-R Technology heightens your natural sensory responses. What? Basically the combination of an enhanced foot bed and integrated outsole gives you more "feel" for what's beneath your feet. We test out the three versions (the bungee, the buckle and the bootie) of the shoe on a recent trip to Hawaii. These shoes all share the same SON-R technology, they just have different fastening mechanisms to match your activity.

Sperry Top-Sider SON-R Bungee

Wolverine introduced some new technical shirts this spring. I tested them out on a recent trip to Maui, Hawaii.

Wolverine Scout Shirt

iCS is short for Individual Control System. This boot allows you to customize the feel based on your natural step. Like all Wolverine boots, it's built to last and comfortable from the start.

Hatch - Wolverine iCS Low Cut Trail Hiker

The Ryders Defcon Sunglasses are designed for active and endurance sports. The frame is lightweight, yet offers full protection and non-slip padding in strategic spots. There are variety of lense types you can get, so check out the Ryders Defcon page.

Ryders Defcon Polarized

The Columbia Peak 2 Peak jacket features a 3 layer fabric that's waterproof, windproof and breathable. The jacket has zipper vents under the hood and gussets around the wrists to keep out snow and rain. I really like the usability of the jacket. It's not cheap at $350, but it can be used for an all round shell in all seasons. It's sturdy enough to wear while skiing, yet lightweight enough to wear as a raincoat.

Columbia Peak 2 Peak Jacket Skiing

Stanley recently introduced the 32 ounce Carbonated Drink Bottle. The rounded shape to the top and inside chamber offer a high pressure design, to help with carbonated beverages. The exterior of the bottle is wrapped with an insulated liner and there is a heavy duty lanyard that holds the lid so it will not get lost.

Stanley Carbonated Drink Bottle