Gear Review: Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp

This will be brief! You can find this light for as low as $25, and for that, its worth it. It does a great job of throwing lots of light and has a red mode. Caution: Surprisingly, Princeton still hasn't resolved their issue with bad circuitry. Batteries die prematurely. Major downer.

Salomon S-Lab Fellcross 3

Gear Review: Salomon S-Lab Fellcross 3

If I had to pick *just one trail shoe* to run in, it would be this Salomon Fellcross. Its not everything, but it does everything well. Lightweight yet very well made, aggressive traction in an almost zero-drop shoe. The formula for speed and control. This is a fellcross shoe, meaning its designed for steep, soft, and wet hillsides (yes, sometimes rocky) of Europe.

So what's this fellcross shoe doing with me here in dry Colorado? For the most part, retailers here refuse to carry such a shoe. I've found that the deep aggressive lugs perform quite well on our Colorado scree (gravel), found here local and on most mountains. Important note: One needs to stay conscious that tall aggressive lugs pose a trip hazard when covering rocks and bounding over obstacles. This is far from your typical minimalist trail shoe.

 With the fall of shoemaker Inov-8, Salomon (S-Lab) seems to be the only choice in a true technical-race trail shoe. The Salomon Fellcross 3 is now being offered under Salomon's lineup as the Salomon 'Speed' and 'Speed Pro'.

Salomon S-Lab Fellcross 3
$129 online retailers

Salomon S-Lab Speed
$100-179 online retailers

My New Favorite Pants-Prana's Bronson Pant

Prana's Bronson Pant

 Prana finally got my attention last summer with their stretch Zion shorts. For me, as close to a perfect adventure/everyday shorts as I have found thus far.

Looking for pants this fall, I looked at a few from Prana. Prana's Bronson pant appeared to be a good but simple looking colored denim, suitable for the casual office and the brewery. Off the rack, the pant is uber soft, relatively light, with a comfortable cut. The soft and comfy feel comes in part from a 98/2 percent split of organic cotton and elastane (spandex). I had no idea at the time that I was wearing a stretch jean (technically this not a denim).




With the exception of pure synthetic hiking pants, I never hike in pants, jeans, etc. I found myself hiking in the Prana Bronson last week, and they were very comfortable. Unbeknownst to me during the hike, the Bronson pant features a full running inseam gusset, allowing for full mobility on the steep climbs and funky traverses.

The one immediate hit on the pants is the 5th pocket on side. Its opening is too small for a phone yet too big for a knife. Seems to be there for style only. Triple stitching and double rear belt loops are very much appreciated details.

Comfortable, well made, and priced right.

Prana Bronson Pant for men, $75.