From VeloDramatic. “No excuses, no apologies. It is what it is. There’s no denying I’ve spent a lot on cycling in the past few years (some of it is my wife’s gear) but I’ve got more enjoyment and payback out of this passion than can be accounted for in mere dollars and cents. There have been one or two purchases that didn’t work out, but almost everything in the closet has its place in the starting rotation, and all the bikes get ridden.

I doubt publishing the Tab will help any of you persuade your spouse your own gear habit is healthy, that’s a line of reasoning that never seems to work. It may point you in the direction of some good kit that you’ve missed though, and it beats gambling and drinking. And if it strikes you as lunacy, and that makes you feel good about yourself, that’s OK too. Enjoy.”

VeloDramatic.com Cycling Tab.

“Rapha was created to celebrate road riding and develop the best performing and most stylish cycling clothes and accessories in the world.

The first Rapha collection was launched in July 2004, at a month-long Rapha exhibition of cycling memorabilia and events called ‘Kings of Pain’. Since then, the Rapha product range has grown dramatically and the brand has become synonymous with the highest levels of quality, style and performance. Road racing is the toughest and most beautiful sport in the world and everything Rapha does is designed to celebrate the glory and suffering unique to road riders.

Road racing requires stamina, strength, focus and fortitude, yet the rewards can be huge – the more effort you put in the greater those rewards become. More and more men are discovering that riding a road bike can be the perfect counterpoint to the cosseted and quick-fix nature of modern life. In a society only too comfortable with instant gratification and sanitised pleasure, it has been forgotten that the greatest highs come from the deepest lows. Applying yourself totally can produce a sense of satisfaction that is impossible to replicate. From pain comes pleasure.”

A few years back we came across rapha. A site of pure inspiration. My last trip in to London didn’t provide the time to get over to the store but soon.

enjoy.

Enjoy complimentary ground shipping on orders of $50 or more.
Simply enter code KIEHL upon checkout

The drive to the show fills my head with things I should be doing once I arrive. I am the guest of Evolv Climbing, they are the shoe company I work with as a climber and I am really excited to see what the booth looks like as well as the whole show. 7.5 hours later I roll into the city and find my way to the convention center. Once inside, I become lost amid the booths and displays. I must look lost, because once I find a friend Ian, he points me in the right direction with a laugh and kick in the butt.

The feeling around the floor of the mammoth center is awesome. Every company I ever heard of is there with the gear and clothing that makes me giddy with happiness.

As I’m hanging out in the booth a bit, getting my bearings, I bump into a guy by the name of Jeremy Collins, he is a very talented climber and illustrator who the year prior had illustrated a piece I did for Rock & Ice. I feel like we are old friends in that we both have a shared strong faith in our lives, as well as trying to balance the climbing and family life we both love. I end the first day late in the afternoon and head out to meet my friend who I will stay with, of course before I leave, I get lost again…I may need to do the bread crumb thing tomorrow.

The second day I meet with companies and work on product sponsorships. Being a photographer, I don’t look for money from companies, which for the most part makes the choice easier for them. I do however need gear to do the things I love, and selling yourself nonstop is tiring and a bit weird. It’s hard to feel like you deserve the things they want to give you, but I feel like together with the companies I like, I can do good then if I try to go it alone.

I also meet with my friend Fitz Cahall who is the creator of The Dirtbag Diaries and The Season. Both showcase his amazing story telling ability and for the up coming Season, he has asked me to be an athlete that he and his partner Brian will profile. Talk about being humbled, I am excited but in the same breath, scared that what I do is really just not that big a deal. Fitz senses my angst, since he begins to tell me that we will work together to make something we are proud of, which relaxes me almost as fast as he says it.

I head back to the booth and finally ask Chris Sharma for a photo, he is sponsored by the same shoe company, but is the best climber by far in the world right now. The cool thing about him is he is so darn humble and nice, the total package, and has been at the forefront of climbing for over 10 years now.

The last day is spent making deals, getting shut down by some and embraced by others. My new friends at Friksn Climbing apparel are super cool, and the team of Evolv just continues to blow me away with the love and support they throw my way.

As I power back up the hill past Park City and enter back into the flats of Wyoming, the first answer seems to be clear for me know. I went to meet people and to see how I would fare in a market of elite companies and athletes. The second question only got cloudier, in fact just an hour into the drive, I was aching and asking the same question over and over…

Craig DeMartino
outsideallday.com

Two weeks back our friend Will over at Independent and also of The Surf Gallery fame sent over three products for Outside All Day to review. We are going to do a series of reviews on these to give you a good idea of the product quality of these items but wanted to start you off with some initial comments.

Sherpa Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt
Think lambs wool inside a sweatshirt. The fog is up and you are still heading down to check the surf. You are heading out to pack up the car to make it to the trail head before the sun comes up and it is dark and cold. Bingo. The Sherpa Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt is the call. I have a few pet peeves about sweatshirts that go way back to AYSO. One is a cheap string that breaks on first use when sinching up the hoody. Second is a string that needs to be knotted up because the manufacturer didn’t plan for it to ever make it to the washer and drier. The good news is the Sherpa comes ready to be worn. With an outside pocket that has a inner pocket ready to accept your phone or iPod complete with an opening to run the headphone cord up to your ears this sweatshirt rocks. Fit is narrow/slender and has standard issue cuffs. The zipper is metal and slightly vintage. Not plastic and not wimpy so it gets a thumbs up.

French Terry Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
Love this light little sweatshirt. Our house has a raised foundation and has a slight chill in the evening hours. This sweatshirt is perfect. Comfy fit and ready to rock when you want to kick back watch some surf vids or read the newest issue of surfer. This is a standard issue item and everyone should have one of these. Light, perfect and has a iPod player holder and eyelet in front pocket and those super sweet probably fadish thumbholes on the cuffs. Kinda makes your hands look like they have a cast but sure love’em.

Hi-Tech Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
The first two are new takes on the old school sweatshirt the Hi-Tech sweatshirt is all new. Primarily a polyester threaded piece this has a zip-off hood, iPod holder with eyelet and thumbholes on the cuffs. This is for going out. Coffee run into town on Saturday morning. Meeting up for friends for the movies. Catching a plane up to San Francisco to see some shows. This is your go to.

After a few washes and scuffs we will report back.

More info at: www.homelessgear.com

Follow on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/homelessgear

———————–

Mission:
The mission of Homeless Gear is a simple one. Collect unwanted outdoor gear (packs, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, etc) & outdoor clothing (coats, rain gear, boots, etc) and re-distribute these items to the homeless. Homeless Gear intends to find a home for all unwanted outdoor gear and make the outdoors a little more like home for those without permanent shelter.

Why:
A segment of the homeless community can not gain entrance into an overnight shelter because there are no more beds available or they have issues with drug or alcohol use. Even if they do find overnight shelter they have to spend the majority of their day outside in the rain or snow. Imagine what a warm coat, a good pair of boots, a blanket, or sleeping bag could do for someone forced to sleep or spend the day or night in their car or outside exposed to the elements.

A large percentage of the homeless move from one location to another and need a means of transporting and storing their personal belongings. A pack (any size) is perfect to help them organize, store, and transport their personal property. Cardboard boxes, shopping carts, and other similar containers simply don’t meet the needs of someone constantly on the move.

There are organizations already in place to provide the homeless with vital services such as shelter, medical care, food and substance abuse assistance. Clothing is generally available. The central focus for Homeless Gear is collecting and distributing outdoor gear (packs, sleeping bags, etc) and outdoor clothing (coats, rain gear, boots, gloves, etc.) to the homeless.

———————–

I’m decided to reach out to this organization to see how I can get involved. It’s been on my heart for a while. Long term, I would love for both of my boys to be able to serve people within Fort Collins. I’m excited to see what might happen.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The Vertra Sun Resistance Cream SPF 45 is a lightweight, ultra-fine Titanium Dioxide infused cream for the face and body.

The Vertra Shelter Tinted Face Stick is a lightweight SPF foundation based sunscreen for faces. Tinted with a Natural Beige tone, the added color provides the wearer with physical reassurance that the product is still performing.

Both products provide optimum broad spectrum protection against UVA rays and skin burning UVB rays. Very Water Resistant. Non-Greasy application. Designed, tested, and manufactured to the highest cosmetic industry standards.

Add some to your sun safety kit.

Matt S
Outside All Day

Frigid winters and humid summers taught them all socks are not created equally. Living in the most unforgiving climate in the lower 48, their socks had to be tough and of course they certainly had to keep feet dry and warm. Whether skiing, hiking, biking, climbing or running, Darn Tough Vermont socks kept feet oblivious to the elements.

The team spent over a year testing yarn combinations and designs, confident that during this process they could create something unique; a sock that could be guaranteed for life. And as a 3rd generation sock family, this is what has kept them in the sock business, in America, is the pursuit of quality. To date, DARN TOUGH VERMONT, is the culmination of those efforts.

Darn Tough Vermont is unique. In an era of outsourcing and corporate take overs, they remain true to their roots. Family owned and run, in Vermont, since 1978. In a word, local. All socks are backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Matt S
Outside All Day