Recently I attended The Running Event held in Austin and got a chance to check out UltrAspire, a company that makes really cool race vests, hydration systems and accessories.

After the TRE expo I was sent a new, still being tested, 2019 UltrAspire vest called the Bryce XT.  It’s a 15L race pack.  It’s a beast of a vest and has all the bells and whistles one could hope for, including loads of pockets, a killer retention system and even a safety whistle, which makes it pretty stellar for longer races and training activities.  

Race vests are usually designed based on distance and what an athlete might need for the duration of the event.  Most of UltrAspire race vests are geared towards the ultra marathoner and people who train for long distance adventure races.

While certainly designed for running, race vests often make killer mounting biking and hiking day packs.  They often come equipped with enough pockets and storage areas for your favorite energy snacks and training fluids, plus they usually have room to carrying light weight cloths and jackets should weather conditions change.

UltrAspire Bryce XT Technical Highlights

The UltrAspire Bryce XT is packed full of really innovative features including

• Sweat Proof Webbing
• Silicone and PU coded fabrics
• Plush Feeling Micro-fiber Edges
• Zig zagged Stitching
• Magnon Pockets
• Safety stitched bar tack
• Breathable fabric
• Bounce Free Zipper pulls
• Quick Bladder attachments
• Bungee cord retention system

UltrAspire Bryce XT 15L Overview

The Bryce XT is a 15L race vest designed for longer racing and/or training.  It comes fully equipped with 11 pockets of various sizes.  

On the right shoulder strap there are 3 pockets including a small pocket that uses their Magnon (Magnetic pocket) tech, a quick access mesh pocket and a larger zipper pocket.

I found the mesh pocket super useful to hold trash items like used Gu packets.  I did notice that if I put the unused Gu gels in the larger zipper pocket they bounced around, so I moved them to the left shoulder mesh pocket and no more bounce.  The smaller Magnon pocket would be useful for holding salt tablets.

On the left shoulder strap there are 3 pockets including 2 zippered pockets and a Magnon mesh pocket.

The left mesh pocket was my goto pocket for holding energy gels.  I tried putting a few in the zippered pocket, but like the right zipped pocket, they bounce around a bit, so I moved them to the mesh pocket.  

The upper zippered mesh pocket is also perfect for holding gel packs.

The inside back portion of the vest includes an open pocket for use with a water bladder.  The pocket is also lined with a heat shield material which helps keep the liquid cooler or warmer depending on use.

At present I haven’t tested the pack with a water bladder, since I don’t own one, but it looks wide enough to hold most bladders.

The back of the pack contains 4 pockets including a top zippered pocket, a large mesh retention pocket, a large zippered pocket and an internal zippered pocket.

Both the main pocket and mesh retention pocket are great for storing a light jacket, hat and misc stuff you might want to bring.  When I trained and raced Leadville having a place to stuff your layers was key to being well prepared. 

One thing I wasn’t quite certain on was how to utilize rear mesh pocket’s bungee system.  There is a retention strap that looks like it might hold nordic poles, but it wouldn’t really work for the ones I have.

UltrAspire Bryce XT 15L Fit

I found the Bryce XT to fit extremely well.  UltrAspire utilizes Universal sizing (One size fits all) on the Bryce XT rather than Small, Medium, and Large.  Obviously people on the very large side or very small side may have issue, but for most, the Bryce will fit and and feel quite comfortable once the straps are adjusted to size.

The race pack comes with a 4 point adjustable retention system allowing a lot of customization for fit.  It comes with 2 bungee straps that go across the front and can be adjusted by tightening or loosing the bungee strap locking mechanism.  It also has a lower webbing strap that can be adjusted making for a great fit. 

Cranking down on the bungee straps allowed for a super tight fit without feeling overly tight.

While I didn’t test the pack utilizing a water bladder, I felt like I could run in the Bryce all day long without issue.  Super comfortable.

The Bryce retention system just works and is super easy to adjust on the fly.  Excess bungee can be stuffed into open storage areas so that the ends don’t flap.

Another super cool feature of the XT pertains to the zipper pulls.  They don’t flap around and are easy to grab and use.  I do wonder about the longevity of the pulls, since they are plastic.  I also wonder how the heck you can replace them, should one break.  

UltrAspire Bryce XT Materials

The UltrAspire Bryce XT is designed with ripstop type grid patterning to help prevent any ripping or tearing.  

The Bryce XT also comes with a load of safety stitching on all stress points, giving you a lot of confidence that the pack will hold up over time and use.

Mesh material is used throughout the race vest for breathability and to help pull moisture away from the body.

If you are looking to carry gear, nutrition and liquid on your next outdoor adventure, check out UltrAspire (https://ultraspire.com/) and the Bryce XT 15L.  You will not be disappointed.

The Bryce XT 15L will be available in 2019.

The post UltrAspire Bryce XT 15L Race Vest Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

A few months ago I received a package from Tailwind Nutrition in the form of their Endurance Fuel (Berry).   With all the companies that produce nutritional aids for athletes there are lots of choices and it can certainly get a bit confusing, so the bag sat on my shelf for a while.

Over the last 2 weeks I have been using Tailwind’s powder for my indoor trainer rides and I have to say I am impressed.  The taste (Berry) is great and at least for me, zero stomach issues.  The powder mixes easily with water and leaves little residue once mixed.

Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel

As one who has participated in various Ironmans and even the Leadville (100 miles of running), nutrition is super important to excel at peak performance.

When I raced Leadville in 2009, I went with 16 other people and only 1/2 of our group finished.  Of the 8 DNFs in our group, nutrition played a major role in not finishing.  Of the ones that did finish, all but top racer still had nutritional issues during the race.

Personally I slug along for the last 50 miles feeling like I was going to lose my cookies.  Just thinking about it still makes me feel a bit queasy.  Obviously my nutrition plan didn’t work as I had wanted it to, so I am always on the lookout for nutritional aids.

Tailwind Nutrition

Tailwind Nutrition hails from Durango, Colorado and the founder, Jeff Vierling, was looking for a way to fuel up during endurance events that wouldn’t result in an upset stomach and as a result cause a DNF somewhere on the course.

Tailwind makes a powder mix specifically designed for endurance events and it comes in a self serve 200 calorie stick pack and a 30 serving bag.

You can buy Tailwind in a stick pack bundle ($17.50), Individual bags ($35.99) and multi-pack bags for ($130.00).  Tailwind also makes a caffeinated mix for ($38.99).

To use the powder, simply mix it with water.  Each scoop contains 100 calories and for a 24 ounce bottle you should add 2-3 scoops for best results.  For events that last an hour or more it is recommended to use roughly 2 scoops per hour.

• Convenient and Easy To Use.
• Lightweight: Lightweight, portable stick packs- Just add the powder to water and go.
• All Natural Ingredients – Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free! Easy to Digest.
• No Gut Bombs: No gut bombs, cramping, bloating or upset stomach.
• Tasty All Day: Light refreshing flavor that develops the longer you go! Delicious- cold or HOT! Dissolves completely. Rinses cleanly out of bottles and hydration packs, with no artificial colors.
• Simple and Complete: Your sole fuel source- no need to supplement with gels, electrolyte chews, or pills.
• Made in the USA: Owned, operated, formulated and hand-prepared in Durango, Colorado

Natural Ingredients And Organic Flavors

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

Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel Bottom Line

Tailwind Nutrition seems to have done their homework and the fuel seems to work as designed.  I did find it a bit more sticky than some other powders I have used, especially if you have multiple scoops in your bottle.

The powder mixes really well with water and is easy to clean when done.

You can pickup Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel on Amazon.

Check Out Tailwind Nutrition’s Website (https://www.tailwindnutrition.com) for more information.

Tailwind Nutrition Rebuild Recovery Mix Review (2018)

Endurance Tap and Untapped Maple Syrup Energy Review

The post Tailwind Nutrition Review (2018) appeared first on Gear Mashers.

I am sure you have heard of the Tacx Neo Trainer, but did you know Tacx also makes cycling accessories like water bottle cages, trainer mats, and cycling tools.  For 2018 Tacx just introduced the Tacx Ciro Water Bottle Cage.

For most people a water bottle cage is a must on bikes, especially for those who train and/or race on a regular basis.  Here in Austin, if you don’t have a water bottle cage, you will soon realize that was a big mistake, especially in when cycling in the full heat of an Austin summer.

With all the choices out there, most people just settle on the cages that came on their bikes when they purchased them or just bought whatever the bike store had at the time.

Tacx Ciro Water Bottle Cages Arrive

Bianca over at Tacx was kind enough to ship out some of their new Ciro water bottle cages to test out and review.

Their minimal design means they are a little more aero than your average water bottle holders.  It also means they are a bit easier to mount, since one of the mounting screws has no cage obstructing it.  Lastly Tacx uses a combination of Carbon and Glass Fibre to make the cages both light and strong.

The color palette for the packaging is easy on the eyes and looks great.  My initial impression is a preference towards the matte coat over the gloss coat simply because my Felt AR 1 bike is matte.

The Tacx 2018 Ciro Water Bottle Cages arrive

We received 4 Ciro Water Bottle Cages and 2 water bottles.

The 2 Tacx Ciro Water Bottle cages on the left are gloss and the ones on the right are Matte

The Tacx Ciro Cages are made of Carbon and Glass Fibre which makes them super light and strong. Weighing in at 29g.  

Tacx Ciro – Standing Out From The Crowd

So what makes the Tacx Ciro stand out from the crowd?  It really boils down to good looks, a minimalist approach and weight.

Tacx’s engineers got to work on designing a water bottle cage with an emphasis on it being light weight, strong and incorporate a minimalist design.  The end result is a carbon reinforced water bottle cage that weighs in at a scant 29g.

In order to keep weight down and still maintain strength Tacx engineers used a combination of a carbon fiber outer with a glass fiber core.

Tacx offers the Ciro in a multitude of bright colors as well as more traditional colors to match almost anyone’s tastes.

The cages can be ordered in both gloss or matte depending on preference.

The Ciro retails for $19.99, which is an excellent price point for what you get.

Check out Tacx to find more about the Ciro Water Bottle Cage.

I will be testing the Ciro out over the next few months to see how it performs.  Based on my initial impression, it looks to be a winner.

Tacx NEO Smart Trainer Review

Tacx NEO vs Wahoo KICKR Trainer (2018 Comparison)

The post Tacx Ciro Water Bottle Cage Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

I came across the Specialized Purist Insulated Water Bottle a bit by accident.  On the way to a group ride I realized I had forgotten to bring the water bottles I had prepared.  Knowing that the ride was going to be wicked hot that day, I was forced to buy new ones, since going home wasn’t an option.   As it turns out Mellow Johnny’s had some Specialized Water Bottles that looked like they would work, so I bought 2.

During the ride I found them exceptional and I didn’t miss those bottles I had forgotten.  The flow rate was exceptional and the liquid stayed cool.

So me being me, I reached out to Specialized to get some bottles for testing.  A few days later 3 Specialized Purist Insulated water bottles arrived each with a different cap.

CAMELBAK PODIUM BIG CHILL

One of my big pet peeves is mold in my cycling water bottles, even after minimal use.  I almost always wash them, but god forbid if I forget.  They simply get nasty and it’s probably not such a good thing to keep using them.

My bottle of choice before Specialized were Camelbak Podium Big Chill Water bottles.

The Podiums are 25oz insulated bottles and these have been my main bottles for cycling.  They work great, but the nozzle always gets moldy and is a pain to clean. Even when I am conscientious about cleaning, the nozzle and inside the bottle always seem to get moldy.   I started marking bottles with permanent ink that say “WATER” on them to make them distinct from ones I put sports liquids in.  My thought process in doing this was to hopefully avoid the mold buildup, at least in the ones marked “WATER”.

SPECIALIZED WATER BOTTLE HISTORY

Specialized started doing custom water bottles back in the 70’s, 1976 to be exact.  Since then the bottles have gone through several iterations.  Specialized works with the Swiss testing agency SGS to make sure the bottles pass the BPA free standards and that any print on the bottles is non toxic.

SPECIALIZED PURIST INSULATED WATER BOTTLE REVIEW 2017

Specialized produces a fantastic cycling water bottle called the Purist Insulated and has improved upon normal plastic water bottles like Camelbak.  The Purist technology shields the inside of the bottle from any bad taste, mold, or staining.  Nothing sticks, so your bottle stays clean and your water tastes pure.  

Specialize’s motto is “No residual taste from previous drink mixes. No plastic taste. With Purist Technology your water or drink mix tastes as intended.”

If the Purist bottles work as good as they claim to do, they then will become my main cycling water bottle of choice from here on out.  It’s a bit early to tell, but thus far I haven’t seen any evidence of mold and that is huge.

The Warning label for the Purist say “Quick rinse only with warm soapy water, do not put them in the dishwasher”.  To me this is awesome, warm soapy water, I can certainly adhere to that.  They also recommend, not using a brush to clean the bottle as this probably creates scratches which then could develop mold.

Specialized conducted a test they dubbed the “Tomato Test”.  The test involves leaving tomato sauce in the bottle overnight and seeing what happens after cleanup.  Most plastic water bottles end up leaving a tomato stain while the Specialized stays stain free.

SPECIALIZED BOTTLE CAP OPTIONS

The Specialized Purist Insulated Water Bottle can have one of 3 different caps depending on your needs and include

• MoFlo
• Fixy
• Watergate

Both the Fixy and Watergate contain what is known as Heart Valve self-sealing nozzles.  When you squeeze the bottle the value opens allowing liquid to run through and then closes.

The Fixy is always on and you never have to open or close the nozzle.  The downside of course is if you inadvertently squeeze the bottle liquid will come out.  

The Watergate on the other hand is supplied with a push-pull nozzle that can lock the bottle from the occasional accidental bottle squeeze.  

The MoFlo top allows for the most flow-rate of liquid and also has a push-pull nozzle like the Watergate.

SPECIALIZED BOTTLE CAP SPECIFICATIONS

• Self-sealing Heart Valve delivers a high rate of flow with a 100% leak-proof design
• No push or pull required to open and close the Heart Valve
• BPA-free plastic made from 100% FDA food-grade materials.

• Simple hands-free open and close valve: nothing to turn
• 100% leak-proof top locks down for transport or mixing powdered drinks
• Rubber over-molded cap for easy grip

The post Specialized Purist Insulated Water Bottle Review | 2017 appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Hydration is wicked important during the hot summer months and Mission Workshop designed a really cool Hydration Pack called “The Hauser”.

If you read our last review on the Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack, you will already know we are big fans of MW.  I like to think of the Hauser as the Vandal’s smaller brother.  The perfect size for quick outings and mountain biking.

Mission Workshop The Hauser Hydration Pack

After talking to Dustin over at MW, a package was on it’s way for review.  When the package arrived it was in ripstop type plastic mailing bag.

Opening the package revealed a super cool bright red and black Hauser backpack.

The backpack came just in time for the 4th of July celebration.

THE HAUSER OVERVIEW

The Hauser was designed to go anywhere in all conditions.  Being completely weatherproof it is designed to keep your gear dry.

Perforated back panel and shoulder straps ensure complete ventilation and moisture management. Equipped with a frame sheet for added structure.

The Hauser hydration pack has a total of four weatherproof exterior pockets to provide easy access to gear, and the included tool-roll is fully removable and provides four additional zippered mesh pockets designed to hold all the necessary hand tools as well as a tube and pump. The main cargo compartment is secured by a roll-top closure which can also be used in the flap-down configuration to provide additional coverage for the front zippers.

Compatible with most hydration reservoirs up to 3 liters including Camelbak, Hydrapak, Platypus, and Osprey/Nalgene. Use your existing hydration reservoir or purchase one from us. Full zippered opening on hydration pocket allows easy access to reservoir.

The Hauser comes in 10L or 14L variants.  We chose the 10L and are really happy with the size.  Obviously the 14L is bigger, but since we already own Vandal it made perfect sense to get the smaller version.

The backpack comes in an assortment of colors, plus a few colors not even listed.  I did see it in a bright orange and we happen to get a nice color red.

HAUSER BACKPACK ADJUSTMENTS

The Hauser has 2 main adjustment straps on the shoulders, 1 across the chest and 1 across the waist.  The shoulder straps can be adjusted by cinching the straps tighter or looser and by moving each shoulder strap connection to 1 of 2 positions.  The chest strap can be moved up or down based on desired fit.  The waist strap is you typical waist strap with the option of moving the strap to 1 of 2 connection points.

We found the fit to work well and depending on your needs you can really tighten the pack down.

The backpack has honey comb air pockets that help the backpack breath when it is hot outside.  Notice the adjustable sliding chest strap and bladder hose holders.

Both the shoulder strap and waist strap can be shifted to an alternate buckle location for comfort and fit.

HAUSER BACKPACK MATERIAL

The Hauser has perforated back panel and shoulder straps in a honey comb pattern.  Biking in 90 degree of Austin heat will definitely cause your back to get a bit sweaty because there isn’t as much airflow as some other packs we have tried.  It’s really sort of a trade off, the packs that allow more airflow in general aren’t as comfy.

I believe our bag is either using CORDURA or HT500, similar to what is used for our Vandal backpack.

HAUSER POCKETS

The Hauser hydration pack has a total of four weatherproof exterior pockets using YKK zippers and weather proofing material.  There is also a 270 degree zipper for housing the hydration bladder and a rollup deep pocket.

You can easy fit a normal iPhone in a case in the side pocket with room to spare.

An iPhone will also fit in the top pocket, although I preferred to put it in the side and put keys and my wallet in the top.

A U-Lock fits perfectly in the center pocket.  We typically use both a U-Lock and a chain lock when biking around the city and both could easily be accommodated by The Hauser with plenty of room to spare.

The main compartment has ample room for a pair of shoes, shorts and t-shirt.  We also used it for a large rolled up towel when watching the 4th of July.

The top can be set to either be flap down or in roll top as seen.

We weren’t able to test this out, but I believe the 14L can hold an iMac Air computer in the main duffle pocket.

The pack also comes with a handy Tool roll, because we all know there are two types of bikers.  Those who get flats and those who will get flats.  The rollup fit’s nicely inside the center pocket for easy access.

HAUSER HYDRATION SYSTEM

OK so we have covered the basics of the Hauser backpack, but of course there is that Hydration thingy going on.  Yes the Hauser can carry all sorts of liquids in the back part of the pack and it makes swapping out bladders super easy.  Just unzip the back section, Velcro the bladder’s top to the bag, weave the hydration tube to either side and zip the hydration section back up.

The hydration tube is secured by threading it through a retention strap and the tube holder.  Once everything is secure, you are good to go.

Having the bladder close to your back helps cool you down a bit and keeps is more stable.

THE HAUSER | BOTTOM LINE

Mission Workshop has created another winner with “The Hauser”.  It’s the perfect size backpack for those wanting to adventure out on day trips or mountain bike excursions.  The pack is very adjustable and looks great on.  The multiple pockets means you will have plenty of room for all your essentials (Keys, wallet, phone…) and plenty of room for other small gear.

The Hauser doesn’t come cheap, at $205 retail without a water bladder, it may turn some off.  That said, it’s definitely a smart looking backpack with a really cool vibe.   For those looking for American made products with a Lifetime warranty, Mission Workshop has you covered.

For those who want to carry water bottles on the bag, it really isn’t designed for that, instead you will want a bladder.  Having a pocket on the shoulder strap or waist would be a nice addition.

Oh and meeting a legend in the cycling world sporting your Hauser doesn’t hurt.

Check out Mission Workshop (https://missionworkshop.com) for other cool items including backpacks, clothes and accessories.

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