Each year the outdoor industry invests millions of dollar chasing the Holy Grail of technical fabrics for use in a variety of gear. The top companies are constantly developing and refining lightweight, durable materials that are breathable, moisture wicking and odor fighting as they try to one up the competition in performance. It turns out however that nature has already provided us with the perfect material in the form of merino wool, which not only has all of those great qualities and more.

A number of great apparel companies already offer wonderful products made from merino wool and I've personally used plenty of them over the years. I am continually impressed with how well the material performs, particularly in active pursuits in cooler weather. Thats why I was eager to put the Merino Cobra Pullover from Chrome to the test. This great looking garment was created with cyclists in mind but it is so well designed that it can be used for a variety of outdoor sports, including trail running, hiking, mountain biking or even snow sports.

The Cobra Pullover is built to be form fitting without restricting motion in any way. It is clear that Chrome put a lot of thought into its design, making it a great option for outdoor athletes. For instance,  the high-quality neck zipper slides down far enough to allow you to pull on this extra layer without even needing to take off your helmet. It also comes with a high neck collar that can be flipped up to help ward off a cool wind. Thumb loops pull the extra long sleeves down over the hand, providing some much appreciated warmth when the temperature starts to drop, while a longer torso keeps warm air trapped close to the body.

As you would expect, the Cobra Pullover benefits greatly from Chrome's version of merino wool. The fabrics so an excellent job of wicking away moisture, helping to keep the wearer warm when out for a ride or a long run. But its ability to breathe allows heat to vent away from the body as well, keeping us cooler when we start to overheat. Temperature regulation is one of the benefits of merino and this pullover does a great job in that regard. The garment also happens to be odor resistant, which means you can go straight from the trail to a restaurant without fear of sending your friends running for the door. Travelers will love that feature as well, as it comes in incredibly handy on extended active trips.


Other nice touches include a large, zippered passthrough pocket along the back that provides ample storage and a smaller key pocket on the right arm just above the wrist. That pocket has an integrated fabric loop that you can attach your keys to, making it even more difficult to lose them.

The Cobra Pullover is one of those rare pieces of gear that looks as good as it performs. Chrome has put a lot of thought into the design and it shows. This is definitely an article of clothing that you won't mind wearing out and about around town, which isn't always the case with performance wear. This pullover has classic good looks going for it and when you put it on, you'll be right at home on the bike, trail, coffee shop or just about anywhere else you may go.

For a piece of clothing made from merino wool, the Cobra Pullover is actually priced quite affordably. Chrome sells it for $140, which is very competitive when compared to similar products from competitors. This is a warm, durable, well built active wear that is versatile enough to be used in a wide variety of activities. I really like what Chrome has brought to the table and think that it will be a favorite with cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts alike. With the holidays just around the corner, it would also make a great gift for the gear hound on your list.

This new promo video from Backcountry is so much more than a commercial for an online gear store. It's an endorsement for the lifestyle that many of us have chosen to pursue. It teases us with images of incredibly beautiful locations but then slaps us in the face with the hardships and challenges we endure in our ongoing search for adventure. This video is inspiring, energizing and the perfect way to send us off into a weekend. Enjoy!

While we're on the topic of trail running today, I wanted to point out that the latest issue of Trail Run magazine is now available online in .pdf format, as well as in the Kindle Fire and Apple app stores for your favorite tablet device. If you haven't had a chance to look at this excellent e-zine in the past, now is the perfect time to check it out. It has the same level of quality that you would expect from a traditional print magazine delivered in an environmentally friendly electronic format.

In this issue, you'll find gear reviews for new shoes and winter gear (the magazine is focused on trail running in Australia and New Zealand), as well as some thoughts on PocketFuel for keeping your energy up while on a long run. There are also a couple of athlete profiles, trail guides for Oz and NZ, rundowns of some upcoming events and plenty of other articles that will be of interest to avid trail runners, whether they run "Down Under" or not.

The .pdf version of Trail Run is absolutely free while issues on the Kindle or iPad will set you back a few dollars for each back issue, although a discount given for a year (4 issues) subscription. I happen to be a big fan of electronic magazines (that's how I get several of my favorite mags now!), particularly when they are this high in quality. The only thing that separates this from something you would pick up  on a newsstand is the method of delivery. Give it a go. It think you'll like it too.

Standing 8156 meters (26,759 ft) in height, Manaslu is the eight tallest mountain in the world. It also happens to be the focus of an amazing competition known as the Manaslu Trail Race, which is run in the High Himalaya of Nepal each year. During the race, competitors will cover a total of 212 km (131 miles) over seven stages, going as high as Manaslu Base Camp located at 5100 meters (16,732 ft). It is a difficult and demanding event that rewards runners with stunning views and an almost spiritual connection with the world around them.

The video below is an amazing introduction to this trail race. It is a 10-minute long mini-documentary that will leave you inspired to want to run this route yourself while pulling no punches with how difficult the run actually is. The short film begins in Kathmandu and takes viewers through the various stages of the race, giving us a sense of what it is like out on the trail. This seems like an incredible mix of cultural immersion, breathtaking scenery and an unbelievable physical challenge.

The next edition of the Manaslu Trail Race will take begin on November 9 of this year. There is still time to enter and get training.

MANASLU TRAIL RACE PROMO (LOW RES) from Adventure Types on Vimeo.

Over the past couple of years there have been some significant advances in terms of sophisticated watches for use while running, cycling or doing just about any other outdoor exercise. Suunto and Garmin in particular have gone head-to-head in an effort to expand this market. Consciously absent from that competition was Magellan, a company that is known for building excellent GPS navigation devices but hadn't jumped into watches just yet. That all changed yesterday with the announcement of their latest product the Echo. A watch that pairs with your smartphone and gives you full control of fitness apps directly from your wrist.

The Echo uses Bluetooth technology to connect the watch with your iPhone or Android device to unlock all kinds of potential. The link lets your smartphone handle most of the heavy lifting and while streaming data about your pace, heart rate, distance and so on directly to the screen of the watch. You can also control the apps from the Echo, including full control over your music as well. If your favorite fitness app provides notifications they will appear on the watch as well, keeping you full informed at all times about the state of your workout. Your performance can then been analyzed and shared over social media too, if you're into bragging about your killer times to your friends.

Echo uses an open API designed by Wahoo Fitness for use with apps. That means that it should be easy for many of the top running or cycling apps to integrate support for the watch, but before they can be used with one another, those apps will need to be updated. Magellan says it is working closely with some of the top apps for iPhone and Android to get them ready for the launch of the Echo, which is expected to come in the 4th quarter of this year. The new watch will be officially unveiled next week at Outdoor Retailer and I hope to get a better look at it when I'm there.

Magellan is taking an interesting approach with the Echo. While the other companies creating similar products have tried to cram as much technology into the watch as possible, Magellan has instead decided to pair the watch with a smartphone and let that device do all of the heavy lifting. Since mobile phones already have integrated GPS and a host of other technology, there is no need for it to be on the watch itself. That should make this a much more lightweight and energy efficient product. In fact, while Suunto and Garmin's watches feature built-in rechargeable batteries, the Echo uses an easily replaceable watch battery that you can buy in any drug store. Using Bluetooth 4.0 technology, this watch should sip power slowly and last quite a long time on a single battery.

We'll have to wait to see how well Echo performs. If it receives good app support, it should be quite an interesting product. I don't personally run with my smartphone, but this might give me an incentive to change that. Looking forward to learning more at OR.

It's been awhile since we had one of those "people are awesome" videos, but the one below makes up for the long wait. It shows all manner of men and women doing extraordinary things, often in some fairly extraordinary places. As the name implies, much of the video was captured on a GoPro camera, which gives the footage an even extra personal touch. Lots of fun, inspiring stuff here. Enjoy!

I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but slowly over th years I've become a runner. Sure, I ride both my road and mountain bike regularly, but more often than not I'm lacing up a pair of running shoes and hitting the road or trail. Multiple times a week I'm running anywhere from 8 to 10 miles and occasionally even more. Some days the only way I can get through those miles is to don my iPod, put in the headphones and just grind it out. Thankfully I have a solid library of great music and numerous podcasts to keep me entertained for hours on end.

While I generally put a lot of thought into which shoes I put on my feet, what kind of clothes I wear and even the socks that are best for long distance runs, one of the things that I have seldom thought about is the headphones I use while running. Generally I look for something inexpensive, comfortable for extended use and resistant to the sweat that inevitably comes along with a long run in Texas. Recently, after burning through yet another pair of cheap earbuds, I thought I'd try something different, so I splurged a little – not a lot – to try a pair of Yurbuds, which have reportedly been designed by athletes, for athletes.

Because I go through a set of earbuds about every 6 - 12 months, I've often been reluctant to spend much money on a more expensive pair. Fortunately, Yurbuds produces the Focus Ironman series and sells them for just $29.95, which is not a lot more than I was paying for the previous models I was using from a competitor. With that in mind, I set my expectations accordingly and went home to give them a try.

To say that the Yurbuds are a revelation would be a massive understatement. Not only was I immediately blown away by how much louder and clearer they were than the other earbuds I had been using, but they also produce far better sound across the entire spectrum. I was amazed at how much better my iPod sounded and I didn't even have to crank up the volume to hear my music or podcasts over passing traffic.

Despite that much higher volume and clearer sound, the Focus earbuds still keep me safe while out on a run thanks to their ability to pass ambient, outside sound through. This makes it easy to not only hear things around you but also hear voices. I appreciated that they perform so well yet don't dangerously isolate me from the outside world when working out.

On top of providing great audio performance, the Focus earbuds are also quite comfortable. They utilize Yurbud's Twistlock technology that allows you to slide them into your ear and give them a slight twist to hold them in place. Once they are there, they don't move at all and you can pretty much don't have to worry about them for the length of your run. The moldable and padded earloops are soft enough that you can actually forget you have them in, which hasn't always been the case with other models that I've used. While using some lesser models from competitors I sometimes couldn't wait to get them off my ears when I finished my run. The Yurbuds are so good however, that they are the first "sports" earbuds that I've used that I would actually consider wearing when I'm not working out.

I've only been using the Focus earbuds for a couple of weeks now, so it is too early for me to weigh in on their longterm durability. My hope is that they will last much longer than the six months or so that I got out of the previous earphones I used while running. I can say that the certainly feel light years better than the models I've used in the past. They feel like they can hold-up to a lot of punishment and they are certainly well shielded against sweat and rain.

Yurbuds seems to have thought of everything with these headphones and considering how well the $30 pair performs, it makes me wonder just how good their higher end models are. They must be exceptional indeed, because the Focus models offer exceptional performance in a small, lightweight and comfortable package. They even come with an high quality cloth carrying case that comes in handy when you want to toss them into a gym bag or gear case for race day.

If you're like me and enjoy listening to your tunes while running, you owe it to yourself to try a pair of Yurbuds the next time you need to replace your earphones. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how great they really are and how much they can make your workouts an even more pleasant experience.

The Redbull Divide and Conquer is a three-stage race during which a three-person team has one member of their team cover each leg. This year's event took place on June 8 on Vancouver's spectacular North Shore. The video below gives you an idea of what it is all about, but judging from how amazing each leg of the course looks, I'd have a hard time deciding which discipline I'd want to do the most. It all looks spectacular to me! And as a side note, I'm jealous that hose living in Vancouver have this outdoor playground right in their backyard. It looks beautiful.

I'm the first one to admit that my gear closet is packed full of far more stuff than the average outdoor enthusiast could ever need. Writing this blog has afforded me the opportunity to test a lot of great equipment and use it on my own personal adventures. But one item that I had been hoping to add to my collection for some time was an Ambit GPS watch from Suunto, a high tech piece of kit that is versatile enough to be used in everyday workouts, weekend treks or excursions to far flung destinations across the globe.

Before I say anything about this watch, it is important to point out that this review is based on the original Ambit, which I was able to grab at REI recently when they gave it a 25% discount following the release of the Ambit2. By most accounts, the Ambit2 takes the winning formula of its processor and refines it nicely, providing more functionality in a slightly slimmed down form factor. Since I haven't tested that model yet, I can only share my thoughts on the Ambit, which I must say lives up to its reputation as an excellent multi-functional watch for all of your outdoor adventures.

In its basic form, the Ambit is a sports watch and as such it has all of the functionality you would expect out of such a device. Obviously it tells time (in two locations no less), and includes day, date and alarm functionality, as you would expect. It also has a stopwatch, interval timers, a countdown timer and more. It is rugged enough to be used at altitudes extending beyond the summit of Everest and as much as 100 meters (328 feet). In short, it is everything you would expect out of an outdoor watch and more.

At the heart of the Ambit is a powerful GPS chip that interfaces with the other functions of the watch, providing all kinds of real time data to the wearer. For instance, when running or cycling, the GPS feed information about your current speed, distance, pace – all of which is helpful when training for an event. While hiking, the watch can mark waypoints and help you navigate back to them using its onboard mapping capabilities. These capabilities put a powerful outdoor computer on your wrist that can help you in a variety of ways, particularly if you're an avid outdoor athlete or your adventures take you regularly into the backcountry.

Of course, GPS watches are nothing new and there have been a number of excellent products from other companies for years. What sets the Ambit apart in my book is that its user interface is super easy to understand, making it a breeze to navigate through the dizzying array of options and put them to use. I was impressed with the UI on this watch and commend Suunto for doing such a great job in making it so simple to operate. The operating system that makes this possible is also easily updatable, which means the watch continues to be refined and improved long after its release. In fact, a new firmware update is due before the end of the month, showing Suunto's commitment to continuing to support this watch even though the Ambit2 is out.

One of the major improvements the new Ambit has over its predecessor is that it has more onboard memory to support more functions. But that said, the original Ambit has free space as well and the user can add functionality to the watch themselves by downloading "apps" of a sort from the App Zone at Movescount.com. That website it he only home for Ambit users, allowing them to upload data from their watch to track performance and improvements over time. It's a nice site and easy to use, but it would be nice if the Ambit data was able to be shared on other fitness sites that are used by more people and allow uploads from a variety of devices from different manufacturers.

Performance of the Ambit has been excellent overall, although it can be slow to connect to the GPS satellites at times. I've found it is best for that initial connection if you have an unobstructed view of the sky and don't move at all until after the watch achieves GPS lock. Once it does find the satellites however, the Ambit seems to hold that connection well and begins to quickly track your movements. It can "ping" the GPS satellites on a 1 second or 1 minute basis. The faster rate provides more accurate readings of course, but it also puts a bigger hit on the battery. There are times when both levels of accuracy are nice to have. For instance, when running you want very accurate readings of your distance but when hiking the 1 minute intervals are probably fine since you're moving a much slower rate.

Speaking of the battery, the Ambit features an internal rechargeable cell that can be powered up by connecting the watch to a USB port on your computer or some other charger. When used strictly as a watch, Suunto says it can go up to 30 days between charges, but since I haven't been using it just as watch, i can't confirm or deny that number. I have been using on almost daily runs with GPS on the entire time. My runs are between 5-10 miles in length and the Ambit was able to survive two weeks without need a recharge. I found that to be pretty solid performance all things considering. We know that GPS always strains a battery, but considering  how small the Ambit is and how much functionality it has packed in, it really is impressive that it can last that long.

This is just scratching the surface of what the Ambit is capable of. It also has built-in automatic GPS time checks, temperature and barometric pressure readings, current altitude and change in altitude recordings and a lot more. In fact, I could go on forever about all of the features of this watch, but the most important things to know is that it is tough, rugged and performs incredibly well. It is also very easy to use, which isn't always the case for a device with this many features in such a small form factor. Suunto has delivered a versatile piece of technology that outdoor athletes will love, and whether your "settle" for the original Ambit (now available for as little as $350) or the more powerful and slightly trimmer Ambit2 ($550), you not only get a great piece of gear to accompany you on all your adventures, you're getting a watch that will last for years as well.

For me, the wait for getting my hands on the Ambit was worth with it. It is a great gadget and performs beyond my expectations. After just a few runs I felt completely comfortable using it without thinking twice and as a result, I can't imagine heading out without it on my wrist.

Salomon makes some of the best outdoor gear around and apparently they make some pretty good commercials too. The video below is a new marketing spot that puts more of an emphasis on their philosophy for making great products that allow us to enjoy our outdoor adventures, rather than on the products themselves. It features some beautiful shots of some fantastic outdoor places and images of people pursuing their passions in those places. It is a great video and one that will leave you wanting to lace up your trail shoes and head out for your favorite trail.

One of the largest and most popular event for outdoor athletes is now underway in Vail, Colorado, where the GoPro Mountain Games kicked off yesterday. These are the same mountain games that we've come to know and love over the past number of years, although this time GoPro has stepped up to be the title sponsor replacing Teva.

The events kicked off yesterday with a light schedule to get things started but things will pick-up considerably today as we head into the weekend. As usual, there are a number of great outdoor sports for athletes to take part in with bouldering, slacklining and slope style mountain biking taking center stage today. The number of events really ramps up tomorrow as climbing, kayaking, cycling and many other competitions begin, and of course the battle for the title of the King of the Mountain kicks into full gear as well.

Of course, there will be plenty to do for spectators as well. In addition to cheering on these amazing outdoor athletes, the Adventure Village returns to give kids an opportunity to learn more about the sports they're watching while Gear Town will be a great place to check out new outdoor equipment and possibly even score some killer deals. As always, there will be plenty of live music, parties, food and photo competitions to help keep everyone entertained.

For a full list of events and to get more details on the GoPro Mountain Games, click here. If you're in the neighborhood this weekend, it looks like this will be a fun event worth checking out. And if you're up to it, you might still be able to get involved in some of the competitions.

I'm the kind of person who can't exercise on an empty stomach but also can't have anything too heavy before a workout either. As a result, I regularly find myself walking a fine line on when and what to eat in the lead-up to a run, bike ride or other intense aerobic workout. That's why I like to have some quick and easy pre-workout snacks that can provide the energy I need without filling me up. Recently I've had a chance to try two new, and very different, options in this department and I came away pleased with both of them.

Sharkies Energy Sports Chews
The first new option in my pantry are the tasty energy sports chews from Sharkies. These all-organic chews are designed to provide energy for our bodies for use in our favorite endurance sports. They provide a natural source of electrolytes, contain no trans fats or high fructose corn syrup. They also happen to be free of wheat, gluten and nuts, which means they are perfectly safe for those who have intolerances to any of those items.

The one thing these chews aren't lacking in is flavor. In fact, if I didn't know any better I'd swear these were gummy candies that you'd pick up from your local convenience store. That means they're sweet, tasty and good for you. They also happen to provide fuel for a workout without weighing you down in any way.

I've tested three different flavors of these chews – Watermelon Scream, Barry Blast and Fruit Splash – and it is a toss-up on which one I like best. I'm not even a big fan of watermelon flavored snacks, but these were a nice mix of sweet and tangy that I found I enjoyed quite a bit. The shark-shaped chews also have a nice consistency to them that makes them easy to enjoy as well. Other similar energy chews that I've tried in the past actually turned out to be a more challenging to eat than the actual workout itself.

Sharkies sells the chews in a box of 12 for $17.80, which works out to just $1.48 per pack. That's actually a very competitive price when compared to similar products on the market, many of which aren't nearly as tasty.

I've been munching on Sharkies prior to some longer runs recently and have been very happy with the results. Not only do they provide emergency fuel when I'm hungry before a workout but they do so without slowing me down in the least. The fact that manage to taste good while doing so is yet another added benefit.

Clif Bar Sierra Trail Mix Bar

By now, we're all familiar with the popular and ubiquitous Clif Bars. The company has been around forever and continues to refine their iconic energy bars. This spring they've introduced an interesting new flavor that is perfect for everything from a pre-run fuel-up or a mid-hike snack.

The new flavor is called Sierra Trail Mix and just like the iconic snack that it is named after, it contains plenty of peanuts, chocolate and raisins all in handy bar that you can carry with you anywhere. Like the other bars in Clif's line-up, this new addition is an excellent source of protein and fiber, contains 23 vitamins and minerals, but zero trans fats. That means it is a great source of quick energy when your batteries start to run a little low.

I have a confession to make. I haven't always been a fan of Clif Bar products. There were times in the past that I found them to be dry, hard to swallow and mostly tasteless. Those days are long gone however and now I find that I enjoy pretty much every flavor in the line-up. I can now add Sierra Trail Mix to that list too. This new flavor is everything you like about traditional trail mix, but in an easy to carry and eat package.

This new addition to the line-up is well worth taste. Pick some up where ever Clif Bars are sold, which is just about everywhere if your neighborhood is anything like mine.

We've all been there. We love the person we're with, but they simply can't keep up with us when we're running. What to do? Cut the dead weight of course! Something that is painfully (read: hilariously) depicted in the video below, which is actually a promo for a new line of running shoes that are coming our way courtesy of Pearl Izumi. The new shoes are allegedly incredibly light weight, yet still super-comfortable, allowing you to run faster and more efficiently then ever before.

You'll have to run pretty fast if you treat your significant other like some runners in the video.

Yesterday at Google I/O, Recon Instruments took the wraps of their newest product the Recon Jet. Over the past few years the company has been an innovator in the field of creating heads-up displays (HUD) not unlike Google's own Glass. In the case of Recon Instruments however, their HUD's have integrated into ski goggles giving he user information such as speed, altitude, temperature and so on. The Recon Jet will take the technology that has been seen in those previous products off the slopes however and put them to use in our other outdoor activities.

The Jet is powered by a dual-core processor running the Android operating system and features a tiny LCD screen, an HD camera and built in GPS. It offers support for WiFi, ANT+ and Bluetooth technologies and will have its own extensible development platform that will allow others to create apps designed specifically for the device. Reportedly that will include some form of video streaming and of course integration with social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Built in sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and altimeters will provide a host of information, while a mic and speakers will allow you to take calls and possibly provide voice commands. The Recon Jet is designed to be mounted on a pair of sunglasses and provide a wealth of information at a glance.

The video below gives us a glimpse of what the Jet could be like when put to use in the real world, although much of what is shown is clearly a mock-up. The gadget is set to ship sometime this year and I would expect that we'll hear much more about this at Outdoor Retailer in a few months.

Personally, I think this looks more like something I'd use over Google Glass, as I could see how it would come in handy while running or cycling. No word yet on pricing.

Looking to put a little adventure back into your life? Then you'll definitely want to add Adventure Sports Week to your calendar. The event will once again take place in Farragut State Park near beautiful Coeur d Alene, Idaho and offer outdoor athletes of all levels just about every type of competition they could possibly hope for.

This year, ASW will run from June 2 - 9 and will feature 20 different races for competitors to choose from. Those races include trail runs, mountain bike rides, triathlons, adventure races and more. Most of the events come in a variety of distances so whether you're new to these types of races or a grizzled veteran, you'll certainly have a challenge to take on. For instance, the popular "Beaches to Boulders" trail run offers distances of 5k, 10k and 9 miles, while the "Deepwater" includes 1/2 marathon, full marathon, 50k and 52 mile options. Other returning events include the Farragut "X" off-road triathlon and the always popular "Crux" and "Crucible" adventure races.

Registration is now open for all events and Adventure Sports Week is just a few weeks away. If you're looking for a fun way to kick off your summer, in a beautiful setting that is perfect for outdoor adventure, then be sure to checkout everything that ASW has to offer. It'll certainly be a week you won't forget.

This spring Outdoor Research is introducing some great new technical apparel designed specifically for trail runners. Yesterday I shared my thoughts on the new Throttle running shorts, giving them high marks for their quick drying properties, overall comfort and versatility – all important qualities for any piece of active gear designed for warm weather use. But spring weather is anything but predictable and just when you think things are looking good, Mother Nature throws us a curve and conditions take a turn for the worse. That's when you'll be glad you have the new Redline jacket in your gear closet, providing a super lightweight shield from the elements.

Available in four colors, the Redline is bright and easy to spot, even in low light conditions. The jacket weighs a mere 4.6 ounces but performs like a much more substantial shell, easily protecting the wearer from rain and wind. Made from lightweight ripstop fabrics, the Redline breathes nicely allowing for moisture to quickly and easily wick away, helping to keep the wearer more comfortable on longer runs.

With a close fitting cut, this jacket has been made to hug the body without restricting motion in any way. It features elastic cuffs that can extend to protect the hands and a surprisingly large chest pocket, which also serves as the stuff sack when you want to reduce the Redline's footprint for storage in a pack or large pocket.

A recent cool snap in the spring weather here in Texas gave me ample opportunity to really put the Redline through its paces. I wore this jacket both on the trail and on street runs and found it performed above and beyond my expectations. Most of those runs involved cooler temperatures, high winds and even a little rain that varied from a fine mist to a light, yet steady downpour. In all cases, I stayed comfortably dry and sufficiently warm throughout my workout. I was particularly impressed with how well it served as a wind shirt, keeping me from being buffeted from constant gusts that brought an unexpected chill to the air.

Despite its lightweight and very thin fabrics, the Redline is surprisingly durable. On more than one occasion while running a trail I thought that I had snagged it on a branch or bristly plant, surely shredding it wide open. At the end of the run, when I examined the jacket, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the Redline intact, there wasn't even a mark on it. Outdoor Research is so confident in their products that they actually give them all a lifetime guarantee, and after testing out this jacket, I can understand how they can afford to do that.

As with the Throttle running shorts that I reviewed yesterday, the Redline jacket is a nice piece of gear that can be used in other outdoor excursions as well. It would make a nice shell for day hikes when the weather can turn unexpectedly bad, although it isn't fully water proof, so it is important to understand its limitations. But for breezy days with mild weather conditions or light rain, it is a great option.

The Redline jacket carries an MSRP of $85, a price I thought was surprisingly affordable considering the performance it delivers. In fact, not knowing what the jackets price was before I tested it, I would have guessed that it was considerably more. Any trail runner will appreciate how well the Redline performs and they'll be glad they have one in their wardrobe when they set out for a long run in spring or fall conditions.

This is another great piece of gear from Outdoor Research that only adds to their reputation as one of the best gear companies around today.

Now that spring is here and the weather is finally starting to turn warm, I'm sure more than a few of you are anxious to get back to trail running. As with most outdoor activities, having the right gear can make all the difference and other than a great pair of trail shoes, the most important piece of gear for me are my running shorts. Why you ask? Because it gets so warm here in Texas that I don't tend to wear much of anything else. Fortunately for me, Outdoor Research has just introduced a new pair of running shorts that are comfortable, lightweight and perfect for trail running in a variety of conditions.

As part of their spring trail running collection, OR has just released the Throttle running shorts. Made of lightweight stretch nylon, these shorts are designed to move with your body while not restricting movement in any way. As with most performance apparel, these shorts breathe well, are quick drying and versatile enough to be used in numerous outdoor activities. That means they should keep you comfortable to wear while on the trail for a prolonged period.

The Throttle shorts clearly demonstrate that Outdoor Research understands the needs of their customers and apply that knowledge very well to the gear they produce. In this case, that includes integrating a zippered hip pocket that is large enough to hold a set of keys, an ID and even an energy gel or two. On some of my other running shorts, the pockets are tiny if they exist at all. OR has also integrated reflective trim that makes it easier to spot the wearer in low light conditions, while the elastic waistband and mesh lined brief help to prevent chafing and keep these shorts comfortable on longer runs.

What I like best about these shorts is that they don't restrict movement in the slightest, even when you start to perspire. It is never good when your running apparel starts to stick to your body as you run and for me personally, that is one of the worst feeling ever. You don't have to worry about that with the Throttle shorts, which also keep you nicely cool as you run. Beyond that, they simply feel good when you put them on, which may sound like a no-brainer, until you've put on a pair of running shorts that just don't feel right, no matter how you adjust them.

As with any of my gear, I always appreciate when something is versatile enough to be used when doing a variety of activities. That is certainly the case with the Throttle shorts, which are not only excellent for trail running but also hiking and backpacking too. Their quick drying properties would also come in hand in some paddling sports as well, as their thin fabrics and lightweight design are perfect for warm weather kayaking. They'll even come in handy when traveling because they are not only versatile but they will take up almost no room at all in your bag.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Outdoor Research products. In fact, they're one of my favorite gear manufacturers for sure. The Throttle running shorts demonstrate the company's commitment to creating high quality products that are perfect for the outdoor community. With a price tag of $59 they are more expensive than the running shorts you'll pick-up at your local big box sporting good stores. But the performance and comfort that they deliver makes them well worth the price. They just might be the best pair of warm weather running shorts you've ever owned.

On Monday, Expedition Africa – a 500 km (310 mile) long adventure race – will get underway in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. The race will pit coed teams of four against one another in a non-stop, multi-sport AR event that is expected to take a minimum of three days to complete. As usual, the athletes will need to run, mountain bike, paddle and navigate their way through some remote and beautiful locations on their way to the finish line. The race is scheduled to run through May 12.

Fans of adventure racing will be able to follow the event live on the official website once the race commences on Monday. The race organizers will also be posting regular updates to their Facebook page as well. But if you want to read the best coverage available, it is likely to be found on the adventure racing site AR.co.za. The site belongs to my friend Lisa de Speville, who has a long track record of covering expedition length races. She'll be on site in the Drakensbergs next week to cover the race and will post reports to her webpage regularly. Lisa's race reports are always thorough, interesting and insightful, and as a fan of the sport, I'm already looking forward to what she has to say.

For those of you who are new to adventure racing or to Expedition Africa, Lisa has set up a page to describe the basics of the event which you can read here. She has also compiled a list of good online resources for keeping current with what is happening while the race is underway, which you'll find here.

Expedition Africa also happens to be part of the Adventure Racing World Series, which means that the 31 teams competing there will be looking to earn a qualifying spot at the AR World Championships to be held in Costa Rica later this year. It is the only adventure race held on the African continent to hold that distinction.

Good luck to all of the racers. Have fun and watch out for the sleep monsters!

Still looking to add some new gear to your collection this spring? Then Outside magazine has you covered. Outside editors have announced their selection for the best gear for the summer season in their 2013 Gear of the Year awards.

This time out 15 great pieces of outdoor equipment made the list, providing shoppers with some excellent choices in the way of new backpacks, tents, running shoes and more. Each of these items is obviously designed for use the warmer spring and summer months, although much of it is versatile enough to be used all year round.

Earning a spot on the Gear of the Year list this time around is the new Mica FL2 tent from the North Face, which is a lightweight and durable three-season shelter. Osprey's new Xenith 88 pack earns a nod as well. It is lauded for being a big pack that is both comfortable and easy to fit. Salomon's S-Lab Sense Ultra trail shoes is the selection for runners, while the new Rip 9 RDO from Niner comes highly recommended for the mountain bike crowd.

This is just a taste of the items that make the list. There are plenty of other suggestions in the area of footwear, sunglasses, cycling and more. Of course, the ubiquitous GoPro Hero 3 Black edition gets a mention too and at this point we all know how good of a camera that is.

If you're in the mood to spend a little cash, take a look what Outside recommends you add to your gear closet. I'm sure there is something on their you'll find hard to resist.

Just a quick update on the final status of the Aussie 8 expedition which I've been covering regularly over the past couple of weeks. You may recall that this was the attempt by trail runners/climbers Ben Southall, Luke Edwards and Patrick Kinsella to bag the highest peak in each of the eight Australian states in just ten days, which would smash the previous record of three months. The last time I posted, the boys were closing in on the finish line ahead of schedule and with just one mountain to go and last Friday they managed to complete their adventure in grand style.

Heading into the day on Friday, Ben, Luke and Pat had already managed to run to the top of the highest mountains in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. That left just the 1622 meter (5321 ft) Bartle Frere in Queensland between them and the record. They set off at a good pace, reached the summit and returned to the base of the mountain well after dark. But, they had managed to knock off each of the high points and they did so in just 8 days, 14 hours. That's a pretty impressive mark considering the amount of trail running on rugged ground they had to do over the course of that time frame, not to mention all of the airplanes and rental cars they took along the way.

You can read a full account of the final two days, as written by Ben, who badly rolled an ankle a couple of hours from the summit of Bartle Frere but pushed on anyway, by clicking here. You'll also find more info on the Aussie 8 Facebook page as well, including this excellent news coverage from Australian television.

Congrats to Ben, Luke and Pat on a job well done. This is one record that will be very tough to beat!