The Head-To-Toe Winter Wish-list

Christmas day is fast approaching, and many of us are still scrambling for gift ideas to give our loved ones. If you don't know what to get someone who spends an excessive amount of time outdoors, or who would like to spend more time outside but lack the proper tools to do so, here is a head-to-toe breakdown of the best gear for the colder months.

Shell: Outdoor Research Axiom™ Jacket

• Top-of-the-line storm shell
• 2012 winner of Outside Magazine's "Gear of the Year" award
• GORE-TEX® Active Technology
• Highly breathable
• Perfect for high-aerobic winter activities
• Available in 4 color combinations
• Available only in men's sizes
• Ladies, check out the OR StormBound Jacket!

Review for the Arc'teryx Atom LT

As my new favorite article of clothing, the Arc'teryx Atom LT boasts features the will keep you comfortable in a wide range of environments and activities.

Men's Atom LT Jacket

Women's Atom LT Jacket With Hood

The Atom LT, available with or without a hood, uses Polartec® Power Stretch® with Hardface® Technology to provide a 4-way stretch fabric with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish to bead water and repel harsh winds.

Clif Bar Builder's Bar

Do not be fooled by the name, the Clif Bar Builder's Bar is not just for the gym rat looking to bulk up with a dose of protein. This bar is ideal for anyone who needs to recover fast from any kind of workout, whether it be a long hike, bike, swim, ski, the list goes on and on. The entirely natural bar is packed with 20 grams high quality soy and nut protein to assist in muscle recovery, while the great taste satisfies your hunger along the way. The Clif Bar Builder’s Bar also offers 23 vitamins and minerals to keep you going at maximum efficiency.

Here are a few of the key features that make the Clif Bar Builder’s Bar an ideal choice:
• High in Protein: 20g of soy and nut proteins
• Entirely natural with 33-35% Organic ingredients
• 23 vitamins and minerals
• No Trans Fats or hydrogenated oils

The Clif Bar Builder’s Bar is available in 4 great tasting flavors at TriVillage.com, order some today!

The Clif Bar Company makes some of the greatest energy supplements, especially for those of us who always seem to be on the go. When I in a hurry I usually reach for the Original Clif Bar Energy Bar, Builder's Bar, Clif Shot, or Clif Shot Blocks.

Each energy supplement provides important vitamins and minerals that are essential to keeping your body and mind in good shape.

When you are on the go and need a little something to pick you up or tide you over to the next meal, reach for a Clif Bar and get going.

Garmin Forerunner 910 XT with HRM

If you swim, bike, and run, and are always trying to get better, stronger, and faster, then meet your new training partner – the Garmin Forerunner 910XT GPS Running Watch with HRM. Garmin has long since been known for offering some of the most technologically advanced wrist units on the market, and the Forerunner 910XT is the epitome of this. Featuring the ability to provide you with detailed swim data while in the water, and distance, pace, elevation and heart rate when running and or cycling. This is really much more than a running watch as the name suggests. In addition to the data capturing capabilities, the 910XT provides wearers with a sleek profile, easy to read display screen, and a comfy wristband. Here’s a more in depth look at just a few of the major features.

Water:
The Garmin Forerunner 910XT GPS has been created for open water and pool swimming. It is water resistant up to 50 meters, or 164ft, and as mentioned above can provide you with detailed swim data like distance, pool length, stroke count, and even stroke identification. Not only that, but it also can compute your SWOLF score to help you swim more efficiently. As a result of its design and ease of use, the Garmin Forerunner 910XT can be used for a variety of water sports, including Standup Paddle Boarding.

Land:
One of the key features to this watch is the auto multisport function which allows users to switch sport modes with a press of a single button. The quick release feature allows you to quickly and easily switch the Forerunner from your wrist to your bike! Once on your bike, it can track your time, distance, speed, pace and more. The Forerunner 910XT also offers a barometric altimeter that makes logging elevation data extremely accurate (ie. accent, descent, grade, etc).

Worth noting:
As a result of the GPS capabilities found within the Garmin Forerunner 910XT, this device tracks the path you traveled, on land and in the water, which can later be uploaded to Garmin’s free online community (Garmin Connect) and viewed on a map.

The bottom line:
The Garmin Forerunner 910XT GPS with HRM is the ideal choice for any avid triathlete, or those athletes who recognize data as one of the best ways to improve and become faster. More details, and user reviews on the Forerunner 910XT are available at TriVillage.com.

For swimmers, bikers, and runners there seems to be no better companion than the Garmin Forerunner 910XT.

Also, when you use coupon code ORDER200-15 during checkout, you will save %15 on your Garmin Forerunner purchase – as well as all orders over $200 at TriVillage.com!

My New Favorite Shirt

As some of you awesome followers may know, I am working at a summer camp this summer in South Carolina. If you have never been to good ol' SC, it gets pretty hot here.

I shopped for some shirts at the beginning of the summer that would protect me from the sun while keeping me cool. While some of these shirts did there job well, one has stood out among the others, the Columbia Omni-Freeze Sweat Threat Crew.

Photo Courtesy of Columbia.

With temperatures in the high-80's and mid-90's I sweat a lot. The Sweat Threat wicks away sweat faster than the other shirts I have worn/tested and keeps me cool, like magic. Or maybe it is science, but I like to think the shirt was made at Hogwarts.

I have heard good things about the Omni-Freeze Zero Technology Performance Wear and look forward to buying a few shirts once I get some funds. Stayed tuned in this summer for more!

For those of you who are parents of chitlens ages 8-14 and are looking to broaden their knowledge and socialization skills, or you just want to get them out of the house for a week or two, take a few minutes to check out the Youth Learning Institute's five summer camps!

Five Affordable Performance Shirts For This Summer

Summer is showing in many places throughout the US, especially here in the south. With warm temperatures on the way, that means more opportunities to get outside, enjoy nature and catch some rays.

When hiking, biking, kayaking, or whatever it is you like to do in the summer heat, it is important to wear clothing that will keep you cool, wick moisture, and provide protection from the Sun's harmful UV-rays.

If it is time for some new performance shirts, here are ten that will keep you comfortable and protected outdoors (and won't completely break the bank) this summer.

#1: The North Face Velocitee ($19.95)

The Velocitee by The North Face is my top pick because it is lightweight, wicks moisture, provides UV protection of UPF-15, extremely comfortable, and will not break the bank.

VaporWick™ technology wicks moisture away from the skin and transports it to the fabric's outer surface, for quick evaporation.

At only $19.95 online, this shirt is a steal and is a must have for outdoor adventures who want quality along with affordability.

Merrell Moab Ventilator

With the weather turning warm it is time to unpack your summer hiking gear and hit the trails.

You may notice your old boots are looking a little tattered, or that they don't seem to fit anymore, which means it may be time to treat yourself to a new pair.

If it has been a few years, or decades, since your last hiking-shoe purchase. Let me fill you in on the best of the best footwear made today.

Through Muck and Time

A couple of months ago, my beloved watch of two years was fed up with the torture I had put it through and stopped holding on. Well holding onto my arm at least.

With buying a new band out of the picture, I scoured the web for the next best watch.

I wanted a watch that offered reliable Barometer and Altimeter measurements while having the more subtle functions that a watch should have, such as a clock and timer. Not to mention one at a reasonable price for a broke college student.

A Tough Mudder Heads Up

The other day, Tough Mudder Headquarters sent us our first preview of some obstacles to lookout for in the upcoming Georgia Tough Mudder (April 6th).

Check it out.

If this video does not get you pumped, you are not Tough Mudder material. #nobullshit2013

The North Face: Flight Series®

The North Face recently released a new collection of men's and women's running clothing, the Flight Series®. This collection is specifically designed with the outdoor athlete in mind.

Its light-weight, Flashdry™ technology allows your body to breath while providing some resistance to wind, moisture, and UV rays.

Not to mention the clothing designs look pretty cool.

Photo Courtesy of The North Face and photographer: Tim Kemple

Photo Courtesy of The North Face and photographer: Tim Kemple

The Flight Series® includes jackets, shirts, singlets (not the wrestling kind), shorts, shoes, gloves, packs and arm warmers that are athlete approved.

If anyone wants to buy (or "donate") the Flight Series to me, I would not be opposed. Thanks in advance.

For more information on the Flight Series and pricing, go to REI.com, Backcountry.com or TheNorthFace.com.

Fast and Light

After signing up for the upcoming Georgia Tough Mudder, I decided I needed some new trail shoes that weren't afraid to get wet. 

I wanted something light, reliable, and with good traction. After reading many reviews on various sites and blogs, I found these...

The Saucony ProGrid Peregrine 2 had many good reviews and seemed to have everything I was looking for in a trail-running shoe. Thus, I ordered them

At only 1 lb. 3.8 oz. they are light and have angled, teeth-like grips on the sole to help you keep moving forward.