Gear Closet: FlipBelt and Kenu Highline iPhone Safety Leash

As you can probably imagine, I see a great deal of unique and interesting pieces of gear come across my desk, some of it good, some of it disappointing. I'm fortunate that a lot of those items are often from high profile companies, who create excellent products for use in our outdoor pursuits. But sometimes you seem interesting items from smaller companies who are making innovative and interesting pieces of gear that fill a niche, but just haven't been seen by a larger audience just yet. I have two such products today, that I think could come in handy for the outdoor athlete, particularly as we move on into the warmer months of the year.

The FlipBelt
We'll start with a product called the FlipBelt, which is one of those items that is so simple in design, you'll wonder why you didn't come up with it first. Boiled down to it's most basic element, the FlipBelt is an elastic tube that fits around the waist of runners, cyclists, and other athletes, providing them with storage for all of the small items they like to carry with them on a workout, which comes in pretty handy considering most of my workout gear has gone fairly minimal in design, and doesn't leave a lot of room for carry extra items.

Made from moisture wicking, breathing materials, the FlipBelt is comfortable to wear, stays securely in place while you run, and actually looks like it belongs on a runner's body. It is available in eight different colors, so you can choose one that best fits your wardrobe, or makes you more visible to traffic. I went with basic black, which fits in nicely with my running gear.

The FlipBelt is actually tubular in design, with a snug fit that is designed to keep all of your small items, such as keys, an ID, cash, a smartphone, etc.,  securely in place. Four strategically placed slits in the fabric grant access to the interior of the tube, so you can place your items inside. One of the pockets even has a key clip, to add an extra sense of security.


While I didn't really see the need to wear the FlipBelt while riding my bikes, after all my cycling jerseys have ample pockets, I did find it was a nice piece of gear to have while running. After wearing the belt for a short time, it actually felt very natural, and I soon forgot I even had it on. Meanwhile, the three-inch cloth tube was easily holding my 5th generation iPod Touch, a set of keys, my drivers license, and a few dollars in cash.

The FlipBelt actually performed exactly as advertised. Not only did it safely carry my small items while running, it didn't add much in the way of bulk, nor did it generate much excess heat. It has been quite warm already where I live, so I've already been running without a shirt. Thankfully, the FlipBelt's ability to breathe and wick moisture, proved to be up to the task as well.

With a price tag of $28.99, the FlipBelt isn't a very expensive accessory for yourself, or the runner in your life. It is comfortable, useful, and versatile, three things that come in handy while out on a long run. This is a handy product that you'll be glad you have in your gear closet for when you really need it.

Kenu Highline iPhone Safety Leash

For most of us, a smartphone is an indispensable piece of gear that we rarely leave home without these days. But sometimes it can be dangerous to try to use our phones while also taking part in our favorite outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, skiing, or trail running. The combination of moving over uneven ground, while operating our sleek, impossibly thin, devices – often with sweaty hands – can be a recipe for disaster. More than a few of us have probably dropped our iPhones under just those circumstances, probably while trying to take a photo of something amazing.

But iPhone accessory company Kenu has come up with a simple, but elegant solution, for protecting our expensive smartphones while still being active in the outdoors. They've created a the Highline Safety Leash to prevent untimely drops that could render our phones severely damaged, or even non-functional. Built specifically with Apple's smartphone in mind, the Highline features a specially designed clip that fits into the Lightning connector port on the iPhone 5 and 5S, or the 30-pin connector port on older iPhones. Once locked into place, the other end of the Highline can than be quickly and easily attached to the zipper on your jacket, a clasp on your backpack, or just about any other secure spot. That way, when you take your phone out to use it, you always have the safety leash to make sure it doesn't fall to its death.

In between the two ends is a tough bungee cord reinforced with kevlar wire and stainless steel clips. This helps to ensure that once the Safety Leash is locked into place, your device isn't going anywhere, thus allowing us to use our devices without worry that they will be dropped, lost, or stolen.

The iPhone Safety Leash is another product that works exactly as advertised. It is easy to set-up, very convenient, and provides a nice piece of mind that your gadget is well protected while traveling. The 30-pin version that I tested is available for just $19.95, while the version that is available for newer iPhones with the lightning connector is $34.95, and includes a thin protective case as well. Both prices are a fair amount for a system that will take the worry out of using your smartphone while on the go, whether that is hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, trail running in Colorado, or simply driving to the local market. You'll feel more secure knowing you have a safety leash on your favorite electronic device.

Gear Closest: Skora Fit Running Shoes

Like most runners, I got pulled into the minimalist craze that was all the rage a few years back. I liked the idea of running with lighter footwear, and the approach that proponents of the minimalist approach espoused, and while I found it worked well for me on short runs (3 miles (5km) or less), when I ran further than that, I often found that the approach didn't hold up for me personally. I needed a shoe with a bit more support for those longer distances, and most the minimalist shoes just weren't meeting my needs.

Back then, one of the shoes that I reviewed was the Skora Form, which I liked very much, although I found them on the pricier side of the minimalist market. But like most of the other footwear that I tested in that category, they were ver comfortable to wear and gave you a sense that you were well connected to the ground, but I also didn't find that they were good for longer distances. Over the past couple of year though, Skora has continued to perfect their designs and offer new options for runners. Recently, I decided to give one of their new designs a second look, and I'm glad I did. The new Fit training shoe is a good example of how the minimalist movement has matured in recent months, blending new designs and materials to still create lightweight shoes, but also providing more overall support and comfort than ever before.

I have to admit, when I first pulled on my pair of Fit shoes, I was afraid I'd have the same relationship with them as I had in with similar designs from the past. They instantly felt good on my feet, but I worried that might not hold up on longer runs, especially since I had recently increased my weekly mileage by a fair amount, and added a lot more hills to the workout. I first put them to the test on 6.5 mile (10.4 km) route with a new running group that I joined, and they performed well. I was able to maintain a steady seven-and-a-half minute mile for the workout, and when I was done, my legs and feet felt great. Subsequent runs confirmed those findings, and if anything, they actually got more comfortable once I put a few miles on them.


Skora says that the Fit is "the ultimate all-purpose running and training shoe," and as such, they've built it for comfort, speed, and agility. It is made from breathable fabrics that help keep your feet cool and dry, and an innovative new support pattern is actually created using a 3D printer. The results are pretty impressive. While this isn't a "barefoot" shoe by any means, it does manage to be super lightweight, without compromising on the protection for your feet and legs.

As with the previous Skora shoes that I tested, the Fit also seems quite durable for a minimalist shoe. I've put a fair amount of milage on them already, and they still look practically brand new. Then again, I am one of those runners whose shoes tend to look good, long after the support and cushioning has blown out. They end up being horrible for running, but still look practically brand new.

Skora also managed to make some serious headway in offering an affordable option for those who are looking for a very lightweight shoe. The price tag on a fair of Fits is just $94.95, which makes them very competitively priced with just about an other decent running shoe on the market. That is to say, you can obviously by running shoes that cost less than this, but you really do get what you pay for.

Throughout this review, I've used the word "minimalist" and "lightweight" a lot. So just how light are the Fits? They tip the scale at 8.2 ounces (232 grams), which definitely puts them in the minimalist category, even if they are a slight step up from "barefoot."

Personally, I think Skora has a winner on their hands with these shoes. They are comfortable, but surprisingly supportive, which in turn keeps your feet very happy. If you're in the market for a new pair of running shoes, and you want to go minimalist, the Skora Fits will fit your needs quite nicely. And they won't make your wallet cry out in pain either.

Gear Closet: Skins RY400 Recovery Compression Tights

Over the past year or so, I've become quite a convert for using compression apparel to aid in recovery following a long run. It is not uncommon for me to wear a pair of compression socks post workout to help my legs to bounce back a bit more quickly. The idea is that compression gear helps stimulate the circulation of blood in the areas that they are worn, which in turn helps to shorten recovery time and reduce injury. The use of the compression socks has certainly helped me, as my legs have been more refreshed, even as I increased my speed and distance.

Considering how well my legs have responded to the use of the socks alone, I have been eager to try a full pair of compression tights to see if they would help my entire leg, and not just the feet and calves. Over the past few weeks, I've been putting the RY400 Long Tight from Skins through their paces, wearing them post run to aid in recovery. These tights have been designed specifically for extended wear following a workout, when comfort is of primary concern.

As you would expect, these tights are very form fitting, and if you haven't worn compression gear before, it can be a bit off-putting at first. Be assured, this is normal, as the only way for this type of apparel to do their job properly is for it to be snug. That said, once you get use to the fit, you'll find that they are not at all uncomfortable. Skins has designed these tights to move nicely with your body, and to fit under your other clothes like a -well- second skin.


It is important to point out that the RY400 tights are meant to be worn after a workout, and not during. While they are certainly durable enough to use while you're taking part in your favorite athletic activity, they have been designed to apply the proper level of compression to your muscles while they are resting, rather than while they are exerting effort. Skins recommends wearing them for a minimum of three hours post workout or competition for the best results. Better yet, they are comfortable enough that you can even sleep in them, which will help you wake up the next morning with fresh legs, ready for your next run or ride.

I have to say, I have been extremely happy with these tights. Not only are they very comfortable to wear, they accomplish their goal of protecting your muscles and speeding recovery. They even look attractive, like something you'd expect the X-Men to wear. Durability has been excellent so far, although I have read a few reports online from people who say they start to lose elasticity over time. That is someone natural in compression clothing, although I have not witnessed anything noticeable in that department just yet.

Skins has priced the RY400 recovery tight at $139.99, which is a good price for a piece of gear that performs this well. Considering they are built to last a long time, that seems a small price to pay for what they deliver.

And what exactly do they deliver? In my personal experience with these tights, my legs have felt better, and rebounded faster than when I wasn't using them. For someone who runs almost every day, that is a priceless commodity.

Gear Closet: The North Face Launches Mountain Athletics Gear, Announces Training Sessions`

Outdoor athletes have some new options for training apparel today, thanks to the official launch of the  Mountain Athletics line from The North Face. This new offering includes specially designed clothing and footwear that is built specifically to withstand the rigors of training and racing outdoors. Some of the products include the men's Kilowatt Zip pullover, the Ampere Core shorts, and the very nice looking Ultra Kilowatt trainer running shoe.

But the Mountain Athletics program doesn't start and end with gear. The North Face seems committed to making this new brand a fully featured training program with an online digital component and eight special events in select cities across the country to introduce the new products.

The Mountain Athletics tour looks like this

• March 9 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: SAN FRANCISCO
• March 15 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: WASHINGTON D.C.
• March 22 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: SAN FRANCISCO (PRESIDIO)
• March 29 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: BIRMINGHAM
• April 5 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: KALISPELL*
• April 12 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: DENVER*
• April 19 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: OKEMOS*
• April 26 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: BOSTON*
• *Registration opens March 1

As if that wasn't enough, TNF has also launched the Mountain Athletics Training Program, an online platform to help outdoor athletes train more efficiently and effectively. The program features a six week plan that has been built to improve performance. It includes a series of videos from North Face athletes to help jump start our workouts. 

I have to admit, the gear looks great and the training program sounds intriguing. I'll be interested to hear if this gear really is a leap forward for trail running and other adventure sports.

Adventure Tech: Garmin Introduces The Forerunner 220 and 620 GPS Watches

The competition in the GPS fitness watch market continues to heat up as Garmin introduces two new models to tempt runners. The company, which has a long history in both GPS devices and sports watches, has expanded its Forerunner line by creating the new Forerunner 220 and 620 models, both of which bring some nice new innovations to the product space.

The most notable addition to these new watches are the color screens which are vibrant, easy to read and make use of colors to provide information to runners. For instance, there are indicators on the screen that will turn green to let the user know that they are safe to workout while red indicators will tell them it may be time to take a rest day.

That's just the start of what these watches can do however. When paired with a heart rate monitor they can also estimate an athletes VO2 max to help train them more efficiently and track progress. That same estimate can be used to predict performance in a race as well and suggest options for recovery too. The watches can be paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth to help keep track of a variety or workout statistics, such as cadence, vertical oscillations and so on. It can even record the runner's position and relay live tracking to friends and family back home.

Both watches will begin shipping this fall with the 220 carrying a price tag of $249.99 for the watch only and $299.99 when bundled with a heart rate monitor. The 620, which features a touchscreen display that can be used through running gloves, will set you back $399.99 for the watch and $449.99 with the heart rate monitor. Those prices put them in the medium to high end of the market but competitive with similar products from competitors.

The Best Gear Of Outdoor Retailer (Part 2)

A few days ago I shared my thoughts on the best gear that I saw at this year's Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. But the half-dozen items that I spotlighted at the time were just a tiny fraction of the new outdoor equipment that was on display there. Here are a few more items that caught my eye and may of interest to you when they hit store shelves over the next few months.

Kelty TraiLogic
One of the more impressive set of products that I saw at OR this year was the new TraiLogic system from Kelty. The company has gone back to its roots, creating a collection of gear that is designed to work well with one another in a very efficient manner. The TraiLogic product line includes a tent, sleeping pad, Dry-down sleeping bag and a backpack that converts from a 50-liter bag designed for backpacking to a 35-liter day pack in seconds. It is difficult to sum up all of the innovation that I saw in the TraiLogic designs but just know that Kelty is focused on making a complete backpacking system that is lightweight and affordable. How lightweight and affordable you ask? The entire collection weighs less than 10 pounds and will cost just $800-$900 depending on which configuration you select. Expect to hear much more about this product as it gets closer to launch next spring.

Adventure Medical Kits Fire Cubes
I've been a big fan of Adventure Medical Kits for years and absolutely love the products they've designed for travel, adventure racing and backpacking. At OR, the company was showing off another new innovative product in the form of their All Weather Fire Cubes. Somewhat resembling small marshmallows, the cubes are designed to help you easily start a fire in the backcountry. They are designed to ignite easily with the included fire sparker, even when wet and they are capable of generating a flame that burns as hot as 1300ºF (704ºC) for about 10-12 minutes. In other words, they burn long enough for you to get your tinder going so you can build a fire when ever you need one. Available in the spring, a $12 bag will include 48 cubes, which can actually be broken down into 8 smaller pieces should the need arise.

Brunton Hydrogen Reactor
One of the more ambitious projects that I saw at the show this year was the new Hydrogen Reactor from Brunton. The device uses hydrogen fuel cells to power our USB-chargeable gadgets such as headlamps, smartphones, GPS devices and so on. The fuel cells are good for approximately six charges of a typical smartphone and when depleted they can be refilled at a local gear store or swapped out for a fresh cell as needed. There will even be a $250 device available to charge you own fuel cells if you find yourself going through them quickly. The point of the reactor is to provide clean, renewable power to our devices from a lightweight and rugged source. The device works great, but Brunton is still building an infrastructure with retailers to support it. You have to commend them for their efforts at the very least.

Mountain Hardwear Optic 2.5 Tent
I'm a big fan of Mountain Hardwear gear so admittedly they can sway me pretty easily with their new products. That said, it is hard to not like the new Optic 2.5 tent that is designed for two people and features a door on both one side and one end. When both are opened you get a nice panoramic view of the landscapes around you that will make you wonder why someone didn't incorporate this design sooner. With a trail weight of 5 pounds, 13 ounces it is a bit heavier than most of the new two-person tents I saw at the show, but it comes with a pretty sweet price tag to help balance it out. The Optic 2.5 costs just $240, which is a great entry level for anyone who wants to buy a Mountain Hardwear tent.

Jetboil Joule Group Cooking System
Jetboil pretty much set the standard for a lightweight cooking system when they released their original
stove a few years back. Since then the competition in this space has gotten stiffer and the company has continued to improve and expand its product line to meet the needs of its customers. The new Joule stove, due in the spring, is large enough to feed 3-5 people and yet still packs down small enough to easily carry with you in your pack. It features a unique design that puts the fuel canister up-side-down which should improve the consistency of performance even as the canister runs low or the temperature begins to drop. The Joule is a cinch to use, heats up extremely quickly and provides ample space for the backwoods gourmet.

Mio Alpha Fitness Watch
If you've ever been to Outdoor Retailer you probably know that some of the more innovative products are often found tucked away in the pavilions that are located across from the main hall. That's where I came across the new Mio Alpha fitness watch which is designed to help athletes train and race better. The watch is capable of monitoring the heart rate of the wearer without the need for a cumbersome and uncomfortable heartrate strap. The watch can then give visual feedback on how much the athlete is pushing him or herself and help them perform better. The watch itself is comfortable and attractive, and can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth for use with some of the more popular fitness apps out there.

I have a few more products I'll probably spotlight in the next few days. As you can see, there were a lot of items to checkout and excellent improvements and innovation from a number of sources. All of this gear may make your wallet groan a bit, but we're living in a time where things are continually improving and we get to reap the benefits.

Blog Plug: Mama Fitness - How To Get Back Into Shape After An Extended Time Off

If you read my blog or social media outlets with any regularity, you probably know that I'm a fairly active person. I like to run, love to ride my bike and just about any excuse to go outside is fine by me. Personally, I enjoy the benefits of healthy living for its own sake, but I also know that staying fit pays off when I travel to some far flung location to go hiking, climbing or some other great activity. I consider my almost daily workouts to be paying it forward on rewards that are yet to come.

We all know that staying in shape is actually easier than getting back into shape, particularly if you've let your workouts lapse for any length of time. That is exactly the subject of a new series of blog posts that my friend Angela Chenus is writing on her website. She recently returned from a vacation to Rocky Mountain National Park, which was active but also got her off a routine of healthy eating and regular exercise. Now that she's back home however, she is ready to get focused on getting back into shape and with that goal in mind, she has laid out a plan to get there. She calls that plan Mama Fitness.

As the name implies, these blog posts are mostly written from the perspective of a mom who wants to improve her physical condition after having a baby, but there are good tips for anyone who has been thinking about starting to get back into shape. I love the no nonsense approach Angela takes to starting her routine, which is basically don't make excuses and find some time to exercise where ever you can. One of the most common excuses I hear is "I don't have the time to workout," although in my mind it is a matter of making it a priority and finding the time.

The other key to success is staying focused and dedicated to your workout schedule, even when you're not really feeling like it. Newsflash! None of us ever feel like it, there are always other things to do that are more fun and enjoyable. But to see significant gains and improvements, you have to stay dedicated. There are days when the hardest part of my run is just getting out the door. But once I get underway, I feel better and when it is over, I feel great.

Anyway, if you're looking for helpful tips to get yourself motivated and back on track, be sure to read Angie's blog and the plan that she is putting into place. She has even shared some nutritional tips and recipes that might prove helpful as well.

Adventure Tech: Leikr GPS Watch

GPS watches are all the rage these days and with good reason. Over the past few years, the devices have evolved into wrist computers, tracking direction, distance, speed, altitude and more. This makes them incredibly useful for outdoor enthusiasts, runners, cyclists and others who want to track their performance and speed.

The market has been dominated by the likes of Garmin, Suunto and Magellan for some time, but there may be a new offering coming soon to help shake things up a bit. A company called Leikr, which was founded by former Nokia engineers, has unveiled a new GPS watch and is currently looking for funding through a Kickstarter campaign. How does it differ from the competition? Well for starters it features a two-inch touch screen that not only displays a host of fitness info, but can also show off detailed full color maps as well. The device uses OpenStreetMap data and links in with Endomondo to share workout info over the web and is protected with tough gorilla glass to ensure it stays safe. The techs behind the project promise fast GPS signal acquisition and wireless connectivity with the cloud, meaning you won't have to plug the watch into anything until you're ready to charge it. Considering they are also promising long battery life, that may not be as often as similar products currently on the market.

The Kickstarter campaign is just under way and the team is hoping to raise $250,000 to fund development of their watch. At the moment, they've collected about $40,000 with 28 days yet to go. So while they haven't exactly secured their funding just yet, they're off to a promising start.

For fitness buffs, this looks like a great addition to the workout routine. I'm digging the styling and information it puts at your fingertips. The project is really interesting and since I'm considering investing in one of these watches in the semi-near future, I'll be keeping an eye on the progress to see how tis plays out.